5 things to know for December 30: Covid-19, Stimulus, Transition, Argentina, Nashville

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1. Coronavirus

The United States hit a new daily coronavirus record, with 3,725 deaths recorded yesterday. What was once an unthinkable number is now a possible precursor to what medical experts warn will be a “terrible” winter remnant. An epidemiologist said the United States has now passed the point of waves and peaks and is in the midst of a “viral tsunami.” The new Covid-19 variant first found in the UK has also hit the US, with a case registered in Colorado. The new variant spreads faster, but doesn’t seem more deadly. Meanwhile, health officials are concerned about the slow deployment of tens of millions of doses of vaccine. The federal government’s Operation Warp Speed ​​promised that 20 million doses would be administered before January 1, but only 11 million have been distributed and just over 2 million have been given to people. .

2. Stimulus

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has blocked the effort to increase upcoming stimulus checks from $ 600 to $ 2,000, despite demands from President Trump and opposition from prominent Republicans in Congress. Instead, it looks like McConnell plans to combine several of Trump’s other priorities into so-called “poison pills” legislation that would disable Democrats and would be very unlikely to pass. These other policy requests include repealing some online liability protections and establishing a commission to study voter 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 ends this Sunday and could do so without any decision on additional funding or aid.

3. Transition to the White House

President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team clashes with the current administration, adding more mistrust and conflict to what is supposed to be a loose exchange of power. Earlier this week, Biden said his transition team “has encountered traffic barriers” from the political direction of the Department of Defense and the Office of Management and Budgets and that it does not receive all the information. you need to prepare. The Trump administration says Biden was exaggerating things. At the same time, people close to the transition efforts say they are holding back critical information about budgets, the stance of the U.S. force, recently announced troop withdrawal plans, and the recent cyberattack attributed to Russia. Trump officials have also openly admitted distrust of transitional activities that could give the Biden administration an advantage in dismantling Trump-era policies, such as building border walls.

4. Argentina

The Argentine Senate has approved a bill to legalize abortion in the Catholic-majority country. The new law, with the support of President Alberto Fernández, would give millions of women access to legal interruptions in all cases up to 14 weeks pregnant. Proponents of abortion rights expect Argentina’s decision to signal a paradigm shift in Latin America, where the procedure remains restricted or illegal. Only Cuba, Uruguay, French Guiana, Guyana and some places in Mexico allow elective abortions. Despite the criminalization of the procedure, the National Ministry of Health of Argentina estimates that up to 522,000 abortions are performed annually and that 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 have been scarce as investigators try to figure out why Anthony Quinn Warner, 63, detonated a bomb that injured three buildings and severely damaged it throughout a historic stretch of 2nd Avenue North. Warner had no significant criminal record and, to date, had no signs of political ideology. Also, the timing of the explosion in the early hours of the morning, when there were few, suggests that Warner had no intention of causing massive casualties. The blast occurred outside an AT&T transmission building and Warner’s father used to work for AT&T, so investigators are exploring a possible connection. And a woman who said she was Warner’s girlfriend told area police last year that she was making bombs in her RV, according to police records. His lawyer said Warner was interested in the military and explosives.

EXPLORE BREAKFAST

Legendary French fashion designer Pierre Cardin has died at the age of 98

It helped popularize unisex clothing, ready-to-wear fashion and, of course, the edge of the bubble.

Donald Trump and Michelle Obama are Gallup’s most 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 great year for electric trucks

Resistant and respectful of the environment.

Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton’ had an ‘intimacy coordinator’ to help stage sex scenes

This person must be the most popular party guest in history. Wait, no, not for that that! Because of the work stories they could tell.

TODAY’S ISSUE

503

This is how many new species were named this year by the Museum of Natural History in London. They include an endangered species of monkey, an armored slug and a moonless salamander that breathes through its skin. Nature is magnificent.

TODAY’S BUDGET

“Artists create art that reflects 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.”

TI, one of several prominent Atlanta rappers leading grassroots efforts to increase voter turnout and political activism in Georgia communities ahead of Tuesday’s major Senate election
How Atlanta rappers helped turn the White House upside down

TODAY’S WEATHER

Check out the local forecast here >>>

AND FINALLY

Stunning details of restoring a $ 3,000 Chanel bag

Given that it starts with RIPPING THE BAG APART, these are equally stressful and satisfying parts. Just trust the process. (Click here to see it.)

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