Bedugul Coffee: Tuesday Briefing: Global COVID-19 death toll surpasses 3 million

Today's top stories

Another grim pandemic milestone is passed, McConnell warns CEOs to stay out of politics, and the ranks of the ultra-wealthy are expanding

Coronavirus-related deaths worldwide have crossed 3 million, according to a Reuters tally, as the latest global resurgence of COVID-19 infections is challenging vaccination efforts across the globe.

Health officials blame more infectious variants that were first detected in the United Kingdom and South Africa, along with public fatigue with lockdowns and other restrictions.

Michigan has reported a record number of coronavirus cases to top the daily tally among U.S. states, about a month after easing restrictions when new cases showed a downward trend.

Read our recent special report on how a coronavirus variant tore through a tiny English island and onto the world stage, and take a look at our global tracker for the latest on the pandemic.

↑ FILE PHOTO: A health worker stands behind a wall being painted with hearts as a memorial to all those who have died so far in the UK from COVID-19, in London, Britain, March 29, 2021. REUTERS/Toby Melville

U.S.

↑ FILE PHOTO: Protesters gather outside of the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, March 4, 2021. REUTERS/Dustin Chambers

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell lashed out at corporate America, warning CEOs to stay out of the debate over a new voting law in Georgia that has been criticized as restricting votes among minorities and the poor.

The U.S. Senate parliamentarian ruled that Democrats may use a procedural tool known as reconciliation to pass more legislation this year, which could clear the way for passage of an infrastructure bill without Republican support.

The man accused of going on a shooting rampage in a suburban Los Angeles real estate office last week, killing three adults and a child, has been formally charged with four counts of murder.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has called for the city to create a new foot-pursuit policy after a police officer shot and killed a 13-year-old boy during a foot chase in an alley a week ago.

Business

Women now hold many of the top jobs controlling the U.S. economy - and they’re trying to fix it. We take a look at a sea change that may already be affecting economic policy.

Credit Suisse says it will take a $4.7 billion hit from dealings with Archegos Capital Management, prompting it to overhaul the leadership of its investment bank and risk division.

Europe’s two biggest utilities saw the shift to clean energy coming decades ago when others baulked at the high cost and instead stuck with coal and oil. This is how Italy's Enel and Spain's Iberdrola powered up for the transition.

Forbes’ annual world’s billionaires list includes a record-breaking 2,755 billionaires, with Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos topping it for the fourth consecutive year.