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1. Coronavirus
The United States reached a dismal new record for daily coronavirus, with 3,725 deaths recorded yesterday. What was once unthinkable is now a possible precursor to what medical experts are warning will be a “terrible” winter rest. An epidemiologist said the United States has already surpassed the point of waves and spikes and is in the midst of a “viral tsunami”. The new Covid-19 variant found for the first time in the United Kingdom also arrived in the United States, with a case registered in Colorado. The new variant spreads more quickly, but it does not appear to be more deadly. Meanwhile, health officials are concerned about the slow implementation of tens of millions of doses of vaccines. The federal government’s Operation Warp Speed promised that 20 million doses would be administered before January 1, but only 11 million were distributed, and just over 2 million were actually given to people.
2. Stimulus
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell blocked an effort to increase future stimulus checks from $ 600 to $ 2,000, despite demands from President Trump and opposition from prominent Republicans in Congress. Instead, it appears that McConnell plans to combine several of Trump’s other priorities in the so-called “poison pill” legislation that would drive Democrats away and would hardly be passed. These other policy requests include the repeal of some online liability protections and the establishment of a commission to study electoral fraud. As it stands now, the $ 600 stimulus checks included in the bill that Trump signed over the weekend are still scheduled to come out soon. But ultimately, the 116th Congress comes to an end this Sunday, and it could do so without any decision on additional funds or relief.
3. Transition to the White House
President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team is in conflict with the current government, adding more distrust and conflict to what should be a smooth exchange of power. Earlier this week, Biden said his transition team “encountered obstacles” from the political leadership of the Department of Defense and the Office of Administration and Budget and is not getting all the information it needs to prepare. The Trump administration says Biden was overreacting. At the same time, people close to the transition efforts say that critical information about budgets, US force posture, recently announced troop withdrawal plans and the recent cyber attack on Russia are being withheld. Trump officials also openly admitted to being cautious about the transitional activity that could give the Biden government an advantage in dismantling Trump-era policies, such as building border walls.
4. Argentina
The Argentine Senate passed a bill to legalize abortion in the country with a Catholic majority. The new law, supported by President Alberto Fernández, would give millions of women access to legal interruptions in all cases of up to 14 weeks of pregnancy. Proponents of abortion rights hope that Argentina’s decision signals a paradigm shift in Latin America, where the procedure remains largely restricted or illegal. Only Cuba, Uruguay, French Guiana, Guyana and some places in Mexico allow elective abortion. Despite the criminalization of the procedure, the Argentine Ministry of Health estimates that up to 522,000 abortions are performed annually, and thousands of girls and women suffer serious medical complications or die due to unsafe procedures.
5. Nashville
New details about the Christmas Day bombing in Nashville are few and far between, as investigators try to discover why Anthony Quinn Warner, 63, detonated a bomb that injured three buildings and severely damaged along a historic stretch of 2nd Avenue North. Warner had no significant criminal record and, so far, no sign of political ideology. In addition, the moment of the early morning explosion – when few were around – suggests that Warner did not intend to cause mass casualties. The explosion happened outside an AT&T broadcast building, and Warner’s father worked for AT&T, so investigators are exploring a possible connection. And a woman who said she was Warner’s girlfriend told local police last year that he was making bombs on his recreational vehicle, according to police records. His lawyer said Warner was interested in military and explosives.
BREAKFAST RESEARCH
Legendary French stylist Pierre Cardin died at 98
He helped popularize unisex clothing, ready-to-wear fashion and, of course, the bubble hem.
Donald Trump, Michelle Obama tops the list of Gallup’s most admired in 2020
The former first lady has been the most admired woman in America for three consecutive years.
2020 was a great year for electric trucks
Robust AND environmentally friendly!
Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton’ had an ‘intimacy coordinator’ to help organize sex scenes
That person must be the most popular party guest of all time. Wait, no – not because of This one! For the work stories they could tell!
TODAY’S NUMBER
503
This is how many new species were named this year by the Natural History Museum in London. They include a critically endangered species of monkey, an armored slug and a moonless salamander that breathes through its skin. Nature is great.
TODAY’S QUOTES
“Artists create art that is a reflection of their environment. If you don’t like what rappers talk about, you should come and see our humble beginnings. You should see what we did it for.”
YOU, one of several prominent rappers from Atlanta leading grassroots efforts to increase electoral participation and political activism in Georgia’s communities before the important Senate elections on Tuesday
TODAY’S CLIMATE
Check your local forecast here >>>
AND FINALLY
The mind-blowing details of restoring a $ 3,000 Chanel purse
Since it starts with RIPPING THE BAG APART, this is just as stressful and satisfying. Just trust the process. (Click here to view.)