Hard Numbers: Truckers circle DC, Sri Lankan bakers flame out, we mark grim COVID milestone, Colombia kills rebels, world celebrates International Women’s Day
2,000: Washington, DC officials estimate that the “People’s Convoy” of truckers protesting vaccine mandates could rise to about 2,000 trucks in the coming days. So far about 1,000 vehicles are driving around the outskirts of the US capital, but they have not yet driven into town.
1,000: Amid a broader shortage of fuel and energy, nearly 1,000 bakeries in Sri Lanka have recently closed because they’ve run out of cooking gas. The South Asian island nation is currently mired in a financial and debt crisis that has crimped its ability to pay for fuel imports.
6 million: While the pandemic is receding in parts of the West, China is currently seeing its worst outbreak since 2019, and the global death toll has hit a grim milestone, topping 6 million on Monday (though experts point out that this is certainly an undercount, owing to poor record-keeping by some countries).
23: Colombian forces have reportedly killed 23 fighters who were part of a dissident faction of the FARC, the former guerrilla group that signed a peace accord with the government in 2016. The operation took place in the department of Arauca, where various armed groups, including the former FARC fighters, have recently been fighting over narco-trafficking routes.
108: One-hundred and eight years ago on Tuesday, International Women’s Day was first celebrated on March 8, 1914. It wasn’t until 1977 when the United Nations officially began observing the day, and this year it seems fitting to recognize the brave women of Ukraine who are fighting for their freedom.