(You can also receive “5 things you need to know today” delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.)
1. Coronavirus
A new mutated form of coronavirus that has appeared in England is spreading around the globe – and it could be more contagious than we’ve seen. Apart from the United Kingdom, the variant was detected in Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands and Australia. Dr. Anthony Fauci says he’s probably already in the United States. As scientists follow more information, here’s what we know and what we don’t. Pfizer and Moderna are now testing their vaccines to see if they work against the British version, although experts say they still expect the vaccines to be effective. To date, approximately 614,000 vaccines have been administered in the United States and 7.9 million doses from Moderna and Pfizer are expected to be distributed nationwide this week.
2. Stimulus
Congress has finally approved the long-awaited $ 900 billion Covid aid package after months of partisan blockade. He’s now going to President Donald Trump’s office to sign. The package includes direct payments of up to $ 600 per adult, improved unemployment benefits of $ 300 per week, approximately $ 284 billion in Wage Protection Program loans, $ 25 billion in rental assistance, an extension a moratorium on evictions and $ 82 billion for schools and colleges. It also promises to speed up the distribution of the vaccine. Although it was a bipartisan agreement, both sides had to give up key requirements to get it
3. West Point
The US Military Academy in West Point is facing the worst scam in decades. Seventy-three cadets were charged with violating the academy’s code of honor by cheating on a computer exam in May, when the elite school went to virtual classes because of the pandemic. Two of the cases were dropped for lack of evidence, and four other cadets resigned. The remaining 67 students are awaiting a decision on their fate. It is not the first deceptive scandal that has sparked West Point. The institution saw similar incidents in 1951 and 1976, the last of which involved 152 cadets.
4. Russia
Alexey Navalny, the leader of the Russian opposition and the enemy of President Vladimir Putin, died almost after being poisoned in August. We now know how he was poisoned: the lethal nerve agent Novichok was planted in his underwear. A Russian agent who was sent to the queue with Navalny accidentally revealed the information during a phone call with which he thought he was an official in Russia’s National Security Council. Apparently he was talking to Navalny himself. Navalny has long been a thorn in Putin’s side, exposing corruption in high places and militating against the ruling United Russia party. He is still recovering from poisoning in a secret location in Germany.
5. Federal architecture
President Trump wants the nation’s buildings to look more beautiful. He signed an executive order Monday to make sure federal buildings have “beautiful” architecture. The order does not define exactly what standards buildings must meet to be considered beautiful, although it says they should be of classic design. It applies to all federal courts, agency headquarters, DC public buildings and all other public buildings that cost more than $ 50 million. Perhaps surprisingly, some architects are not happy about this.
ANSWER TO BREAKFAST
Kevin Greene, NFL sack legend and Hall of Famer, has died
Greene, who had the third-highest sack in NFL history, was 58 years old.
Residents of Hawaii are asked to stay indoors after the eruption of Kilauea volcano
It feels like this year’s theme, really.
One of the most influential newspapers in the Midwest apologizes for decades of racist coverage
It’s a step in the right direction for the Kansas City Star.
No no! An imitator of Santa Claus got tangled in some power lines
Maybe we should leave the more magical Christmas elements of the real cheerful old man in red.
Five high school freshmen are named heroes for rescuing two children from a frozen pond
It should come as no surprise that all five are scouts.
TODAY’S NUMBER
255
About as many days when Taiwan did not have a coronavirus, except in imported cases. The island recently registered its first case of locally transmitted coronavirus in early April.
TODAY’S PRESENT
“We deserve to be represented by a figure who truly embodies Virginia’s values.”
Representative Virginia, Jennifer Wexton, on a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee being removed from the US Chapter. Lee’s statue will be replaced by one of the late Barbara Johns, an African-American woman who played a key role in the civil rights movement.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check the local forecast here >>>
AND FINALLY
It’s time for a deep clean
As we end the year, it is a good time like any other to refresh our homes. Here are some inspirations – at least, it’s a satisfying watch. (Click here to view.)