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More countries are banning travelers from the UK in an effort to curb a mutated variant of Covid-19 that could spread even faster. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to chair an emergency meeting on the new variant today. Scientists in the US and UK still expect the vaccine to work against the variant, saying they should know more in a few days. In the US, the first doses of the modern coronavirus vaccine will likely be given this morning – and these people are next. Despite the good news, cases and deaths are rising in much of the US, and things will get worse before they get better.
3.White House transition
President Donald Trump is still trying to reverse the election results, despite the fact that there is only a month left before President-elect Joe Biden takes office. But the latest turn in the effort has alarmed even some White House executives – people used to Trump’s inflammatory and anti-democratic rhetoric. A recent rally in which Trump heard arguments about calling in martial law to remain in office left some officials ringing the bell with the press. Trump rejected reports of the martial law talk, and it is unclear whether he endorsed the idea. But even mentioning it could stir the flames among many supporters who held to the belief that the election results were fraudulent.
4. Pan Am bombing
Thirty-two years ago, 270 people – most of them Americans – were killed when Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed over Lockerbie, Scotland. Today, the US plans to file new charges against a former Libyan intelligence officer for his alleged involvement in the 1988 terrorist attack. Attorney General William Barr announced the first charges in the investigation during his first stint in the role, nearly three. decades ago. The latest charges, which will be among Barr’s last acts leading the Justice Department, complete his tenure there. Last year, Barr said he had long been frustrated by the US response to the attack.
5. Iraq
Missile attacks on Sunday targeted Baghdad’s Green Zone, home to the US Embassy in Iraq and other foreign missions. Eight missiles were fired into the heavily fortified area, which regularly sees such attacks. The Iraqi military said most of the missiles hit the area near the US embassy, damaging several buildings and wounding at least one Iraqi soldier. The Iraqi president called the attack an “act of terrorism” and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iranian-backed militias. There were concerns before – sources said earlier this month that the US withdrew temporary personnel from their embassies for fear of retaliation around the anniversary of the murder of a powerful Iranian military commander.
HAPPENS LATER
The Bidens are being vaccinated today
President-elect Joe Biden and incoming first lady Jill Biden will receive the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine in Delaware, according to his transition team.
BREAKFAST LEAF
Paul McCartney now has a quarantine album out
And the first single is a jam.
Ariana Grande appears to be engaged
Rohingya kids will see themselves in the new Muppets from Sesame Workshop
Meet Noor and Aziz, twin Muppets who live in a refugee camp in Bangladesh.
A father who died years ago left his son $ 10 to buy his first beer when he turned 21
Cheers to a father’s thoughtful gesture.
Pythons could become a new menu item in Florida if scientists can confirm they are safe to eat
… We will have to pass that on, whatever the scientists say.
TODAY’S NUMBER
$ 5,600
That’s how much tip a customer at an Ohio restaurant left for the entire staff to split. Each employee received a surprise Christmas gift of $ 200.
TODAY’S QUOTE
“We want to pass these on to the next administration and make sure America never has to go through what we’ve been through again.”
Paul Mango, deputy chief of staff for policy in the Department of Health and Human Services, on plans to replenish and improve federal inventory.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local weather forecast here >>>
AND FINALLY
It’s sled season!
Racing over snowy hills is great, but sometimes we fall flat on our faces. Here are some particularly epic failures.
