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1. Coronavirus
The US set a new gloomy coronavirus record with 3,725 deaths recorded yesterday. What used to be an unthinkable number is now a possible precursor to what medical experts warn will be an ‘awful’ rest of the winter. One epidemiologist said the US is now past the point of waves and spikes and is in the midst of a ‘viral tsunami’. The new Covid-19 variant, first found in the UK, also brought it to the US, with a case recorded in Colorado. The new variant spreads faster, but does not look lethal. Meanwhile, health officials are concerned about the slow deployment of tens of millions of vaccine doses. 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 given to humans.
2. Stimulus
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has blocked an attempt to increase the forthcoming stimulus checks from $ 600 to $ 2,000, despite demands from President Trump and opposition from leading Republican Republicans. On the contrary, McConnell appears to be planning to merge several of Trump’s other priorities into so-called “poison pill” legislation that would turn Democrats off and highly unlikely to succeed. These other policy requests include the withdrawal of some online liability protections and the establishment of a commission to study voter fraud. As it stands now, the $ 600 stimulus checks will still go out in the bill Trump signed over the weekend. But finally, the 116th Congress ends this Sunday, and it can do so without any decision on additional funds or relief.
3. White House transition
Elected President Joe Biden’s transition team clashes with the current government, adding more mistrust and conflict that is supposed to be a smooth exchange of power. Earlier this week, Biden said his transition team had received ‘roadblocks’ from political leadership at the Department of Defense and the Office of Management and Budget and was not getting all the necessary information to prepare. The Trump administration says Biden has exaggerated things. At the same time, people close to the transition efforts say that critical information about budgets, attitudes of the US power, recently announced withdrawal plans for troops and the recent cyber attack attributed to Russia are being withheld. Trump officials have also openly acknowledged that they are wary of transitional activities that could give the Biden government a head start on dismantling Trump-era policies, such as building border walls.
4. Argentina
The Senate of Argentina has approved a bill to legalize abortions in the Catholic majority country. The new law, backed by President Alberto Fernández, gives millions of women access to legal terminations in all cases up to 14 weeks of pregnancy. Advocates for abortion rights hope that Argentina’s decision will be a paradigm shift in Latin America, where the procedure remains largely restricted or illegal. Only Cuba, Uruguay, French Guiana, Guyana and a few places in Mexico allow for abortions. Despite the criminalization of the procedure, Argentina’s national health ministry estimates that as many as 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 were few and far between among investigators trying to work together as to why 63-year-old Anthony Quinn Warner detonated a bomb that injured and severely damaged three buildings along a historic section of 2nd Avenue North. Warner had no significant criminal record and so far no signs of a political ideology. The timing of the explosion early in the morning – when few were there – also indicates that Warner did not intend to cause mass casualties. The blast took place outside an AT&T transmission building, and Warner’s father had previously worked at AT&T, so investigators are investigating a possible connection. And a woman who said she was Warner’s girlfriend told police last year he was making bombs in his recreational vehicle, according to police records. Her lawyer said Warner was interested in the military and explosives.
BREAKFAST Browse
Legendary French fashion designer Pierre Cardin has died at the age of 98
He helped popularize unisex clothing, ready-to-fashion and of course the bubble hem.
Donald Trump, Michelle Obama, is Gallup’s Top Admired List in 2020
The former first lady has been the most admired woman in America for three years in a row.
2020 was a big year for electric trucks
Robust AND environmentally friendly!
Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton’ had an ‘intimacy coordinator’ to set up sex scenes
That person has to be the most popular party guest ever. Wait, no – not because of that! Because of the work stories they could tell!
TODAY’S NUMBER
503
This is how many new species have been nominated by the London Natural History Museum this year. It contains a highly endangered species of monkey, an armored snail and a lungless salamander that breathes through its skin. Nature is great.
TODAY’S QUOTE
“Artists create art that is a reflection of their environment. If you do not like what rappers talk about, you have to start coming to see our humble. You have to see what we made it out of.”
TI, one of several leading rappers in Atlanta, leading grassroots level to increase voters and political activism in Georgia communities ahead of Tuesday’s major Senate by-elections
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local forecast here >>>
AND FINALLY
The amazing details of repairing a $ 3000 Chanel bag
Since it starts with tearing the bag, it is equal parts stressful and satisfying. Just trust the process. (Click here to see.)