Three things for March 15
1. Beijing hit by massive sandstorm
On Monday, March 15, Beijing residents woke up to an orange hue in the air as strong winds whipped up dust from the Gobi Desert and deposited it across northern China.
In Mongolia, authorities reported six deaths and dozens of people missing as a result of the sandstorm.
China’s weather bureau calls it the worst such sandstorm in a decade, reports NPR. More than 400 flights have been canceled in China’s two main airports. In all, 12 provinces and municipalities in northern China were engulfed in the sandstorm, as were parts of Mongolia.
Beijing’s air quality index, which last year averaged around 80, saw readings at 999 this morning. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers 100 or less on the index to be “acceptable,” and its highest health warning level is pegged at “301 or higher,” reports NPR.
2. Myanmar faces deadliest day since beginning of coup
On Monday morning, Myanmar security forces fired on pro-democracy demonstrators, killing six people. This comes a day after dozens of protesters were shot dead and attackers set fire to several Chinese-financed factories in the city of Yangon, reports Reuters.
On Sunday, Myanmar saw the deadliest day of protests since the detaining of democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Protesters took to the streets in defiance of the military, resulting in dozens being killed on the bloodiest day since the Feb. 1 coup that overthrew Suu Kyi.
Supporters of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi marched in the city of Mandalay and in the central towns of Myingyan and Aunglan, where police opened fire.
The Myanmar Now media outlet reported three people were killed in Myingyan and two in Aunglan while a journalist in Mandalay said one person was shot dead after a peaceful protest.
3. Taylor Swift and Beyoncé make history at the 2021 Grammys
American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift made history last night at the Grammys as the first woman to win Album of the Year three times. Her surprise July 2020 album “Folklore” won her the third award.
While accepting the award, Swift gave a shout-out to her boyfriend of more than four years, Joe Alwyn, who co-wrote several of the songs on the album.
Swift went on to thank all of her “collaborators,” as well as close friends and family. She concluded her speech by thanking her fans.
“You guys met us in this imaginary world that we created, and we can’t tell you how honored we are forever,” said Swift. “Thank you so much, and thank you to the Recording Academy. We will never forget you did this for us. Thank you so much.”
Beyoncé won four Grammys last night, totaling 28 wins for the artist. With these additional wins, Beyoncé is now the female artist with the most ever Grammy wins, a record previously held by Alison Krauss.
