Dispatches

Feb. 1

The World Health Organization declared the Zika virus a global emergency, as several health experts said the mosquito-borne virus may become a bigger global health threat than Ebola. The WHO said the virus is “spreading explosively” in numerous Latin American countries. As many as 4 million people could be infected by the end of 2016. The normally non-life-threatening disease appears to be linked to an alarming increase in microcephaly, a fetal deformation that results in infants born with abnormally small heads and damaged brains. Researchers are still scrambling to track the disease, develop a vaccine, and determine if Zika is causing the spike in birth defects.

Occupiers apprehended

Jan. 29

A federal judge denied bail to the four anti-government protesters who occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon on Jan. 2. Ringleader Ammon Bundy and 10 other activists face federal charges for their armed attempt to turn federal land over to local or private control. Bundy defended his actions to the judge as a “desire to preserve freedom for the people,” but advised the remaining four occupiers to “please stand down” and “go home to your families.” State police fatally shot at least one occupier, Robert “LaVoy” Finicum, while arresting Bundy and his group.

Daleiden indicted

Jan. 25

A Houston grand jury that had been investigating accusations against Planned Parenthood of profiting from the sale of aborted fetuses instead cleared the organization of all wrongdoing. Rather, it indicted members of the Center for Medical Progress (CMP), the pro-life group that published chilling undercover videos exposing Planned Parenthood. The felony and misdemeanor charges accused CMP director David Daleiden and employee Sandra Merritt of making and presenting fake California driver’s licences with the intention to defraud, and Daleiden of trying to record his attempt to procure human tissue for research. In a statement defending his reporting, Daleiden invoked the First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Supporters of Daleiden noted that an assistant district attorney in Harris County, Lauren Reeder, sits on the board of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, and they questioned what influence she may have had on the case.

Definite maybe

Jan. 24

Former mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg is resurrecting his presidential ambitions, after years of contemplating a White House run as an independent. The 73-year-old billionaire has already asked his advisers to draw up a possible plan for the presidency and has demonstrated willingness to spend $1 billion on his campaign. Both Democratic and Republican candidates exuded a careful aura of nonchalance, while at least one candidate, Donald Trump, welcomed the competition. Bloomberg’s chances of winning are low, but his candidacy would throw a wild card into the already tumultuous presidential race. He has set a deadline of early March for making a decision.

Barbie’s new look

Jan. 28

Barbie is changing along with America’s demographics. The 57-year-old iconic doll’s latest makeover features three new body types—“petite,” “tall,” and “curvy”—plus seven skin tones, 22 eye colors, and 24 hairstyles. Slumping sales and criticisms about the fashion toy’s unrealistic body shape drove mega toy company Mattel to launch the revamped collection to “represent a line that is more reflective of the world girls see around them,” according to the company’s statement. So far, customers are loving it—online preorders sold out within minutes on the Barbie website and became “unavailable” within an hour of going live on Amazon.