QUICK HITS

Haines confirmed:

The Senate late Wednesday confirmed President Joe Biden’s nominee for director of national intelligence, Avril Haines, overcoming Republican opposition to approve the administration’s first Cabinet member. On Thursday, the new Senate majority leader, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he hoped Biden’s nominees for the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State and Treasury could also be swiftly confirmed.

Mine rescue effort:

It will take at least 15 more days to reach miners already trapped for 11 days since an explosion in a gold mine in eastern China, authorities said Thursday. The mine shaft is blocked 1,000 feet below the surface by 70 tons of debris that extends down more than 300 feet further, the Yantai city government said in a statement on social media. One worker has died from injuries in the explosion, state media said. Of the remaining 21, rescuers have established contact with 10.

Riot arrests:

Two Florida men, including a self-described organizer for the Proud Boys, a far-right group, have been arrested on charges of taking part in the attack on the U.S. Capitol earlier this month, authorities said. Joseph Biggs, 37, was arrested in central Florida, and Jesus Rivera, 37, was arrested in Pensacola. Ahead of the riot, Biggs told followers on the social media app Parler to dress in black to resemble the far-left antifa movement, according to an affidavit.

Fire at site of vaccine plant:

At least five people were killed in a fire that broke out Thursday at a building under construction at Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, officials said. The company said the blaze would not affect production of the COVID-19 vaccine.