More than 23 million Floridians are bracing for heavy rain, high winds and flooding as Tropical Storm Eta moves north. Here’s what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.
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Joe Biden already has big plans for his first day in office. The Democratic President-elect plans to issue a series of executive orders to undo many of the policies that Donald Trump put into place. His transition team has outlined Covid-19, economic recovery, racial equity and climate change as priorities. Biden’s first focus is likely to be the pandemic, with his team just announcing the people who will make up his coronavirus advisory board. He has also previously said he would rejoin the Paris climate accord and the World Health Organization on his first day. But despite Biden’s promises of a bold agenda, Democrats worry that his administration will only be able to go as far as Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell lets him.
Donald Trump still hasn’t publicly accepted that he lost the 2020 presidential election, and Republicans and his inner circle are divided on how to proceed. His son-in-law Jared Kushner and first lady Melania Trump are advising him to come to terms with Biden’s victory, sources tell CNN. But his two adult sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, are urging allies to press on with the fight. With no proof of its claims, Trump’s campaign is planning a messaging blitz and pushing legal challenges designed to cast doubt on the results and delay their certification. Meanwhile, many top congressional Republicans have either been silent or urged Trump not to concede. Former President George W. Bush and Sen. Mitt Romney are among those that have congratulated Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their win.
While much of the nation has been focused on the 2020 election for the past week, the coronavirus pandemic has raged on. The US recorded 105,927 new coronavirus cases Sunday, the fifth day in a row that cases topped 100,000. Nearly all of the US is seeing infections rise, with one emergency physician warning that the nation is “heading into the very worst of this pandemic.” The US isn’t alone in hitting frightening new records. More than 50 million coronavirus cases have been reported worldwide, with the United Kingdom, France, Russia and Japan among the countries where cases are climbing.
Alex Trebek, the genial “Jeopardy!” host with all the answers and a beloved presence on TV screens for five decades, died on Sunday at the age of 80. The legendary game show host is the latest icon to die this year after a battle with pancreatic cancer, following John Lewis and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The cause of his death was not immediately announced. Despite being ill, Trebek continued his work on the hit quiz show, providing stable enjoyment for so many in a year marked by instability. The show’s executive producer said Trebek kept on going because he “really believed in the importance of ‘Jeopardy!'” and “loved that ‘Jeopardy!’ popularized intelligence.” His run isn’t quite over yet, though: “Jeopardy!” will continue to air episodes hosted by Trebek through December 25.
Bolivia has a new president: Luis Arce was inaugurated on Sunday after his victory in October’s elections. His inauguration caps a tumultuous period for the Andean nation and ushers the socialists back into power after long-term leftist leader Evo Morales was ousted during angry protests late last year. Arce, a former economy minister and close ally of Morales, comes to power trying to heal the divisions of a political crisis and the coronavirus pandemic. Tensions are still high in Bolivia, especially over changes made by the socialist-controlled Congress to lower the majority needed to pass new laws and the planned return of Morales from exile in Argentina.
The Virgin Hyperloop passed its first test with actual passengers
Sadly though, it’ll be a while before we’re able to travel in tubes at super high speeds.
Kamala Harris won’t be the first person of color to serve as VP
Ninety-two years ago, the US elected a Native American and member of the Kaw Nation as vice president.
After 14 boys, this Michigan family finally welcomes a baby girl
And she’ll be able to get away with anything.
An 8-year-old from Texas takes first place for best mullet
Congratulations are in order for Jaxson Crossland.
For the first time, a woman free-climbed Yosemite’s El Capitan in under 24 hours
Ain’t no mountain high enough!
“What makes these creatures like a gold mine for medicine is actually the deadliness.”
Zoltan Takacs, a biomedical scientist who travels the world in search of venomous snakes that can be used to develop life-saving medical treatments.
2
That’s how many new marsupial species scientists recently discovered in Australia. Until last week, the greater glider was classified as a single species, but a new study found it was actually three different ones.
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Just a pure and wholesome puppy-kitten friendship
The best therapy. (Click here to view)
Regulators authorized AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine for use in adults throughout the European Union on Friday, amid criticism the bloc is not moving fast enough to vaccinate its population.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A former FBI lawyer was sentenced to probation for altering an email that the Justice Department relied on during its surveillance of an aide to President Donald Trump during the Russia investigation.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Tony Evers lashed out Friday at rival Republicans who tried to repeal his statewide mask mandate, saying killing the order would be a ridiculous move comparable to abolishing speed limits.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — As some conservatives in South Carolina celebrated getting a bill that would ban almost all abortions in the state past a legislative barrier and likely becoming law, they said they are not finished trying to end all abortions.
A Moscow court on Friday put the brother and several allies of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny under house arrest for two months as authorities sought to stymie more protests over the jailing of the top Kremlin foe.