Buffalo Blizzard, China's COVID-19 Surge, and the Year's Best Memes

Blizzard in Buffalo

At least 28 people died over the weekend as a severe blizzard brought single-digit temperatures and more than 4 feet of snow to western New York. Officials say a number of residents were trapped in cars in near white-out conditions, or stuck in homes without power and were unable to leave. The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue efforts continue across the region. See photos here.

In Buffalo, the front of the storm dropped almost 2 inches of rain—breaking the city's single-day rainfall record—before snow arrived. Wind gusts of more than 40 mph created massive snow drifts, preventing emergency responders from reaching those in need. City officials say the storm rivaled the historic blizzard of 1977 in intensity. 

The blizzard was part of a system that brought freezing temperatures across much of the US last week, with at least 55 deaths linked to the weather, including a 50-vehicle pileup in Ohio that killed four people. 

Ukrainian Drone Strike

A drone believed to be operated by Ukraine caused damage at a military air base hundreds of miles into Russian territory, according to reports yesterday. It marked the second attack in the past month against the base, which acts as the primary staging area for Russian bombers used in the war with Ukraine.

While the drone did not successfully detonate—air defense at the base shot it down, with the debris killing three troops—analysts say it demonstrated Ukraine's ability to reach key targets beyond its borders.

In related news, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said yesterday the country would push for a peace summit by the end of February, but also said direct talks with Russia would only proceed if Russia first faced a war crimes tribunal. 

See updates on the war here. 

China's COVID-19 Surge

The Chinese government said over the weekend it would stop publishing daily reports of COVID-19 cases and deaths, a decision that comes amid reports of a surge in infections after strict lockdown measures were relaxed last week. Observers say the move raises concerns China is deliberately undercounting the toll of the virus. 

Since early 2020, China has pursued an aggressive "zero-COVID" approach, at times ordering the complete lockdown of tens of millions of people. November protests over the restrictions led officials to relax policies, which health officials say should likely lead to an increase in transmission. 

Analysts have noted the significant discrepancy between official numbers and local reports suggesting hospitals in smaller cities and towns are overwhelmed with patients. China claims just over 5,200 people have died from the virus since late 2019; some models suggest its true final death toll could eclipse 1 million. 

The country has also faced challenges in vaccinating its senior population, the demographic most susceptible to the virus. 

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Don’t keep us a secret: We reach more than 2 million inboxes with fact-focused news because our readers spread the word to their community. Help us grow:

Explaining the best memes of 2022.

Inside Germany's swine decline. 

The science of snowflakes. (w/video)

When the sports guy is forced to cover the weather.

The year's most fascinating deep-sea discoveries.

Inside the world's highest apartment. (via YouTube)

Visualizing the extinction crisis. 

Bear cub helpfully adjusts a wildlife camera.

Clickbait: Drunk Santas roll a tank through English villages.

Historybook: Chemist Louis Pasteur born (1822); Actress and singer Marlene Dietrich born (1901); Radio City Music Hall opens in New York City (1932); Pakistan politician Benazir Bhutto assassinated (2007); Carrie Fisher dies (2016).