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1. Coronavirus
Today, a year ago, the first cases of a mystery virus known as Covid-19 were reported in Wuhan, China. Since then, 1.8 million people around the world have lost their lives in the ensuing pandemic. The U.S. again set a daily death record of Covid-19 yesterday, and according to some estimates, another 80,000 people could die in the next three weeks as a result of holiday travel and gatherings. Other countries such as Germany also report record deaths, and Japan is considering a state of emergency to counter the rising case numbers. In the US, the rollout of vaccines is lagging behind in other states, leading to frustration and confusion in places like Florida, where unclear policies have led to a scramble for limited doses.
2. White House transition
GOP senator Josh Hawley says he will formally object to the outcome of the 2020 presidential election when Congress convenes early next week to count the votes of the Electoral College. He is the first senator who, along with Republican Rep. Mo Brooks, plans to object to the results. Their joint efforts will force the House and Senate to formally debate the issue and provide a platform for President Trump’s unfounded conspiracy theories claiming the election was stolen from him. To be clear, the debate and the vote thereafter will not change the outcome of the election. But it will delay the results and create an ugly scene for Republicans who have to decide how long Trump’s false allegations about the fake fraud will be tacitly entertaining.
Stimulus
After rejecting a measure that would increase coronavirus stimulus payments from $ 600 to $ 2,000, Senate Leader Mitch McConnell attacked the bill, saying it had no realistic way to get through the Senate quickly. does not succeed. As part of the political maneuver, Sen. Bernie Sanders promised to postpone a vote to override Trump’s veto on the military funding bill, known as the National Defense Act, until the issue of larger stimulus payments is addressed. It seems more and more likely that this session of Congress will end without more moves on increased payments. Meanwhile, there are $ 600 stimulus checks on the way for some Americans. Oh, and the Census Bureau is going to miss today’s deadline to set the final population for 2020. The agency said it would deliver the final results soon.
4. Brexit
Speaking of deadlines, British lawmakers have voted to support the UK’s post-Brexit trade agreement with the European Union, just before the deadline for the Brexit transition period. The agreement maintains Britain’s tariff- and quota-free access to EU consumers and enables the UK to avoid the economic disaster that would have arisen if it had tumbled out of the transition period without an agreement. The UK may get a short-term economic boost due to the new-found security, but leaving the EU will still be detrimental, economists say. While the new deal covers goods, it does not so thoroughly cover other industries that are critical to the UK economy, such as finance.
5. Yemen
At least 22 people were killed when a series of explosions hit Yemen airport in Yemen. The attack took place when members of a new power-sharing government arrived from Saudi Arabia. It is unclear whether the explosions were caused by missiles, but Saudi Arabia blamed the attack on Iran-backed Houthi rebels. A spokesman for the Saudi-backed coalition in Yemen said the coalition had intercepted and dropped an explosive-laden Houthi drone at the presidential palace in the city of Aden. Yemen has been plagued by years of civil war, and the newly arrived members of the government are part of a new cabinet formed to end a power struggle between a Yemeni separatist group and its current Saudi-backed government.
BREAKFAST Browse
The Fascinating History Behind the Times Square Ball Fall
Did you know? The design of the ball was based on a ‘time ball’, a maritime device that helped sailors synchronize their instruments on board.
Watch Boston Dynamics robots dance on ‘Do You Love Me’
No no no, we can not consider the robots so cute and charming! This is part of their master plan!
Apple and TikTok remove app used to host parties during Covid-19
Do not hold (real life) parties !!!
Awareness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn leads Anderson Cooper in meditation
Let Anderson calmly guide you into the new year.
2020 was the year of scary bugs, and 2021 will be even worse
Say it to me again for the last time: NO MORE BUGS 2020!
TODAY’S NUMBER
$ 10 million
This is how much Ticketmaster must pay fines after the company admits to having illegal access to its competitor’s computer.
TODAY’S QUOTE
“We know that life has been cut short tonight and that trust between communities of color and law enforcement is fragile. Rebuilding that trust will depend on complete transparency.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who addressed a fatal police shooting on Wednesday night. The city police chief says the footage of the body will be released today. The shooting scene is about a mile from where George Floyd died at the Minneapolis police station in late May. His death, captured on video, sparked national protests that called for racial justice and accountability of the police.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local forecast here >>>
AND FINALLY
Should an knowledge be forgotten?
You know the song. But do you really know what that means? Have a safe and happy New Year holiday, everyone! (Click here to see.)