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1. Stimulus
President Donald Trump finally signed the coronavirus relief bill Sunday night. The huge $ 2.3 trillion bill, which includes a $ 900 billion relief package, prevents the government shutdown that would have begun on Tuesday and expands major unemployment benefits. However, pandemic relief programs expired the day before Trump signed the bill, meaning more than 12 million Americans who trust them can experience little help. Unemployment compensation and federal improvement payments will be shortened by one week as they are restored, and there may be a multi-week interruption of payments while state agencies reprogram their computers. But luckily, the benefits are retroactive. As for stimulus checks, Trump said he only signed the bill after Senate leaders pledged to do $ 2,000 stimulus checks, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not recognized this commitment.
2. Coronavirus
The European Union has launched a massive coronavirus vaccination program in its 27 member countries after last week approving the Pfizer / BioNTech coronavirus vaccine. This is especially important given the new variant of coronavirus, possibly the most contagious, identified in the UK (which started vaccinations earlier this month), according to officials, which has led to an increase in cases. The new variant has also been detected in Japan and the country has banned entry to foreigners until the end of January to contain it. In the United States, 1 in 1,000 Americans has now died from Covid-19 since the first infection reported by the country last January. The U.S. hospitalization rate for Covid-19 infections has been in excess of 100,000 for 26 consecutive days.
3. Bombing of Nashville
Authorities have identified the attack behind the Christmas Day explosion in Nashville that injured three people and damaged dozens of buildings. The DNA found at the site matched Anthony Quinn Warner, 63, who was already a person of interest in the case. Researchers are now studying “every possible reason.” Quinn died in the blast and, as authorities do not know why she did so, they do not label the incident as domestic terrorism. The blast occurred just outside an AT&T transmission building, causing widespread outages in the mobile phone service and affecting communications in other areas for hours.
4. China
A Chinese journalist who documented the initial outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan has been jailed for four years by a Shanghai court. According to one of her lawyers, 37-year-old Zhang Zhan was found guilty of “arguing and causing trouble.” The crime is commonly used by the Chinese government to target dissidents and human rights activists. Zhang shared images and stories of full hospitals and empty streets months before these scenes became common around the world. Her posts came to an abrupt halt in mid-May, and it was later revealed that police arrested her and returned her to Shanghai. Prosecutors have accused her of “publishing large amounts of false information,” but her lawyers say prosecutors have not provided any specific examples.
5. Shooting in Illinois
An active-duty Special Forces soldier has been charged with murder after three people were killed and three were injured in a shooting Saturday at a bowling alley in Rockford, Illinois. The U.S. military has confirmed that Duke Webb, a 27-year-old sniper, is a first-class sergeant currently assigned to the 3rd Battalion, the 7th Special Forces Group, as an assistant operations and intelligence sergeant license. He was on leave at the time of the shooting. Authorities believe the attack, which was largely captured in a surveillance video, was random. The Army issued a statement saying it was “surprised and saddened” by the event and will continue to attend Rockford Police Department as the investigation continues.
IN MEMORIUM
Phil Niekro, baseball Hall of Fame pitcher and Atlanta Braves legend, died at age 81 after a battle with cancer. Niekro was known for his mastery of knuckleball, a remarkably difficult playing field. “We are heartbroken by the passing of our dear friend, Phil Niekro,” the Braves said in a statement.
EXPLORE BREAKFAST
“Wonder Woman 1984” is a hit and “Wonder Woman 3” is on its way
Who needs a big screen to succeed when you are a laser demigod?
Tom Brady leads the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the playoffs
This almost makes up for the nickname “Tompa Bay”.
One company has developed a meatless version of Spam for Asian fans
This is a spam-free zone.
Scientists discover a new species of snake that is hidden from view
Alas, it’s beautiful! (Well, if you like snakes.)
Old snack stop discovered in Pompeii, revealing bright frescoes and remnants of 2,000-year-old street food
Luxury food carts and advertising: uniting humanity for thousands of years.
TODAY’S ISSUE
27,000
This is approximately the current value of Bitcoin, compared to the US dollar. Investors have leaned on cryptocurrencies during the pandemic as the US dollar has weakened, leading to the astronomical rise of Bitcoin.
TODAY’S BUDGET
“We cannot be in a place in this country where political journalists, White House correspondents, need bodyguards to cover political campaign events.”
Jim Acosta, CNN’s White House chief correspondent, who said he and other journalists received death threats during his time during the Trump administration’s coverage.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check out the local forecast here >>>
AND FINALLY
It is a welcoming season
The week between Christmas and New Year? Just roll us up on a blanket and look for us again when it’s 2021. (Click here to see it)