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1. Stimulus
President Donald Trump finally signed the coronavirus emergency relief bill on Sunday evening. The massive $ 2.3 trillion bill, which includes a $ 900 billion aid package, prevents the government shutdown that would have begun Tuesday and extends major unemployment benefits. However, the pandemic aid programs expired the day before Trump signed the bill, meaning the more than 12 million Americans who rely on them may experience weak aid. Unemployment benefits and federal pay increases will be cut by a week once they are restored, and there could be a few weeks downtime while government agencies reprogram their computers. Fortunately, the benefits are retroactive. On stimulus checks, Trump said he didn’t sign the bill until after Senate leaders committed to $ 2,000 stimulus checks, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not acknowledged that commitment.
2. Coronavirus
The European Union has launched a massive coronavirus vaccination program in its 27 member states following approval of the Pfizer / BioNTech coronavirus vaccine last week. That’s especially important given the new, potentially more contagious, coronavirus variant identified in the UK – which began vaccinations earlier this month – that officials say has caused an increase in the number of cases. The new variant has also been discovered in Japan, and the country has banned entry for foreigners to contain it until the end of January. In the US, 1 in 1,000 Americans has now died from Covid-19 since the country was first infected last January. The number of hospital admissions in the US for Covid-19 infections has now hovered above 100,000 for 26 consecutive days.
Bombing of Nashville
Authorities have identified the bomber behind the Christmas Day explosion in Nashville that injured three people and damaged dozens of buildings. The DNA found on the spot was compared to Anthony Quinn Warner, 63, who was already a person of interest in the case. Researchers are now looking at ‘all possible motives’. Quinn was killed in the explosion, and because authorities are unsure why he did it, they do not label the incident as domestic terrorism. The explosion occurred just outside an AT&T transmission building, causing widespread mobile phone disruptions and affecting communications in other areas for hours.
4. China
A Chinese journalist who documented the first coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan has been sentenced for four years by a court in Shanghai. Zhang Zhan, 37, was found guilty of “arguing and provoking trouble”, according to one of her lawyers. The crime is often used by the Chinese government to attack dissidents and human rights activists. Zhang shared images and accounts of overcrowded hospitals and empty streets months before such scenes became commonplace worldwide. Her broadcasts ended abruptly in mid-May and it was later revealed that she had been detained by police and taken back to Shanghai. Prosecutors have accused her of “publishing large amounts of false information,” but her lawyers say the prosecutors have provided no concrete examples.
Shoot in Illinois
A Special Forces soldier on active duty has been charged with murder after three people were killed and three injured in a Saturday shooting at a bowling alley in Rockford, Illinois. The United States Army confirmed that Duke Webb, the 27-year-old gunner, is a First Class Sergeant currently assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group as an Assistant Operations and Intelligence Sergeant. He was on leave at the time of the shooting. Authorities believe the attack, which was largely captured on surveillance video, was random. The military issued a statement saying they were “shocked and saddened” by the event and will continue to assist Rockford police while the investigation continues.
IN MEMORIUM
Phil Niekro, pitcher of the Baseball Hall of Fame and legend of the Atlanta Braves, died at the age of 81 after a battle with cancer. Niekro was known for his command of the knuckle ball, a notoriously difficult throw. “We are heartbroken over the death of our dear friend, Phil Niekro,” the Braves said in a statement.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
Wonder Woman 1984 is a hit and Wonder Woman 3 is coming
Who needs a big screen to succeed when you are a lasso-wielding demigod?
Tom Brady takes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the playoffs
This almost makes up for the nickname “Tompa Bay”.
A company has developed a meat-free version of Spam for fans in Asia
This is a Spam defamation free zone.
Scientists discover a new snake species that is hiding in plain sight
Oh wow, it’s beautiful! (Well, if you like snakes.)
Ancient snack stall discovered in Pompeii, with bright frescoes and traces of 2,000-year-old street food
Food carts and chic advertising: uniting humanity for thousands of years.
TODAY’S NUMBER
27,000
That is roughly the current value of Bitcoin, compared to the US dollar. Investors leaned on cryptocurrencies during the pandemic as the US dollar weakened, triggering Bitcoin’s astronomical rise.
TODAY QUOTE
“We can’t be in a place in this country where political reporters, White House correspondents, need bodyguards to cover political campaign events.”
Jim AcostaCNN’s chief White House correspondent, who said he and other reporters received death threats while reporting on the Trump administration.
TODAY’S WEATHER
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AND FINALLY
It’s a nice season
The week between Christmas and New Year? Just roll us up in a blanket and come back for us when it’s 2021. (Click here to view)