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1. Stimulus
President Donald Trump finally signed the coronavirus relief bill on Sunday night. The huge $ 2.3 trillion bill, which includes a $ 900 billion aid package, avoids the government shutdown that would have started on Tuesday and extends important unemployment benefits. However, pandemic relief programs expired a day before Trump signed the bill, which means that the more than 12 million Americans who depend on them can experience a pinch in aid. Unemployment benefits and federal improvement payments will be reduced by one week when they are reinstated, and there may be an interruption in payments for several weeks while state agencies reprogram their computers. But, fortunately, the benefits are retroactive. As for stimulus checks, Trump said he only signed the bill after Senate leaders committed to $ 2,000 stimulus checks, but Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell did not acknowledge that commitment.
2. Coronavirus
The European Union launched a massive vaccination program against coronavirus in its 27 member countries after approving the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine against coronavirus last week. This is especially important because of the new, possibly more contagious variant of the coronavirus, identified in the UK – which started vaccination earlier this month – that authorities say has caused an increase in cases. The new variant has also been detected in Japan, and the country has banned foreigners from entering until the end of January to contain it. In the US, 1 in 1,000 Americans has died of Covid-19 since the country’s first reported infection last January. The hospitalization rate in the United States for Covid-19 infections has fluctuated above 100,000 for 26 consecutive days.
3. Bombing in Nashville
Authorities identified the suicide bomber behind the Christmas Day explosion in Nashville, which injured three people and damaged dozens of buildings. The DNA found at the scene was compatible with Anthony Quinn Warner, 63, who was already interested in the case. Investigators are now examining “every possible reason”. Quinn was killed in the blast and, as officials are not sure why he did it, they are not labeling the incident as domestic terrorism. The explosion occurred outside an AT&T broadcast building, causing widespread outages for cell phone service and impacting other communications in the area for hours.
4. China
A Chinese journalist who documented the initial coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan has been in prison for four years by a Shanghai court. Zhang Zhan, 37, was found guilty of “provoking fights and causing problems”, according to one of his lawyers. Crime is commonly used by the Chinese government to target dissidents and human rights activists. Zhang shared images and reports from crowded hospitals and empty streets months before such scenes became common worldwide. Her posts were stopped abruptly in mid-May, and it was later revealed that she had been arrested by the police and brought back to Shanghai. Prosecutors accused her of “publishing large amounts of false information”, but her lawyers say the prosecutors have not provided any concrete examples.
5. Shooting in Illinois
An active Special Forces soldier was charged with murder after three people died and three were injured in a shootout on Saturday at a bowling alley in Rockford, Illinois. The United States Army has confirmed that Duke Webb, the 27-year-old sniper, is a first-class sergeant currently assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, as an operations assistant and intelligence sergeant. He was on leave at the time of the shooting. Authorities believe the attack, largely captured on surveillance video, was random. The Army issued a statement saying it was “shocked and saddened” by the event and will continue to assist the Rockford Police Department as the investigation continues.
IN MEMORY
Phil Niekro, Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher and Atlanta Braves legend, passed away at age 81 after a battle with cancer. Niekro was known for his mastery of the knuckleball, a notoriously difficult field. “We are heartbroken by the death of our dear friend, Phil Niekro,” said Braves in a statement.
BREAKFAST RESEARCH
‘Wonder Woman 1984’ is a hit and ‘Wonder Woman 3’ is on its way
Who needs a big screen to succeed when you’re a demigod wielding a bow?
Tom Brady is taking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the heats
This almost makes up for the nickname “Tompa Bay”.
A company developed a meatless version of Spam for fans in Asia
This is a spam-free slander zone.
Scientists discover a new species of snake hidden in plain sight
Wow, it’s beautiful! (Well, if you like snakes.)
Ancient snack stand discovered in Pompeii, revealing bright frescoes and traces of 2,000-year-old street food
Food carts and sophisticated advertising: Uniting humanity for thousands of years.
TODAY’S NUMBER
27,000
That’s roughly the current value of Bitcoin, compared to the U.S. dollar. Investors have relied on cryptocurrencies during the pandemic, with the U.S. dollar weakened, leading to the astronomical rise of Bitcoin.
TODAY’S QUOTES
“We cannot be in a place in this country where political reporters, correspondents for the White House, need bodyguards to cover political campaign events.”
Jim Acosta, CNN’s main correspondent in the White House, who said he and other reporters had received death threats during the Trump administration’s coverage.
TODAY’S CLIMATE
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AND FINALLY
It’s a cozy season
The week between Christmas and New Year? Just wrap us in a blanket and come back for us when it’s 2021. (Click here to view)