Here are some of the stories making world headlines today.
Biden readies major stimulus push and flurry of executive actions in first 100 days
President-elect Joe Biden and his transition team are preparing for an early, all-out push to pass an ambitious new stimulus bill, while also drawing up plans for a flurry of executive actions aimed at delivering on campaign promises and undoing the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine key government agencies.
Analysis: GOP silence on Trump’s false election claims recalls McCarthy era
The silence of congressional Republican leaders as President Donald Trump’s unfounded claims of election fraud grow wilder and more venomous increasingly resembles the party’s deference to Sen. Joe McCarthy during the worst excesses of his anti-Communist crusade in the early 1950s.
Trump sees ‘the writing on the wall’ despite what he maintains publicly about the election, advisers say
Despite what President Donald Trump is tweeting and saying publicly in the wake of Arizona and Wisconsin certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s victory Monday, Trump sees the scoreboard and understands he has no chance of hanging on to the presidency, two White House advisers told CNN.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris picks Tina Flournoy as her chief of staff
Tina Flournoy, who is currently serving as chief of staff to former President Bill Clinton, has been chosen to be Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ chief of staff, according to a source with knowledge of the decision.
This global airline has no passengers, no cargo and flies just one way
The team at Jet Test and Transport runs a global airline — but the planes fly on a one-way trip without passengers or cargo. As experts in ferry flights, their pilots’ job is to move empty aircraft around the world.
Australia just had its hottest November on record, and massive fires are already burning
Firefighters in Australia are battling a massive bushfire that has been burning out of control for six weeks across the popular tourist spot of Fraser Island, as parts of the country’s east swelter through a record-breaking heat wave following the hottest November on record.
When can I get a coronavirus vaccine?
When can people plan on getting a coronavirus vaccine? For most people, the answer is: Not soon.
NBC apologizes for Selena Gomez kidney transplant joke on ‘Saved by the Bell’ reboot
NBC Universal is apologizing to Selena Gomez after one of its newest shows mocked her kidney transplant.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey defends election process after Trump attack
Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey sent a lengthy string of tweets Monday night defending the state’s election process after being attacked by President Donald Trump for his handling of it.
China refuses to apologise to Australia for fake soldier image
“The accusations made are simply to serve two purposes. One is to deflect public attention from the horrible atrocities by certain Australian soldiers. The other is to blame China for the worsening of bilateral ties. There may be another attempt to stoke domestic nationalism,” it said in a statement.
Trump presidency’s final days: ‘In his mind, he will not have lost’
As the Trump White House reaches its final days, an eerie quiet has descended on the premises as attempts to challenge the election result founder in the courts. Brian Morgenstern, the deputy communications director, was wearing a jacket with a White House emblem in his office in the West Wing.
Missing Florida sailor found clinging to capsized vessel
A spokesman for the US Coast Guard, David Micallef, told local media that Mr Bee, from Florida, had decided to spend a night or two on his boat, which was unusual for him. Unfortunately, he was awoken during the night on Saturday after water flooded his cabin.
Canada unveils largest economic relief package since WW2
Monday’s announcement is among the first major challenges for Ms Freeland, who took over the role of finance minister in August, after her predecessor, Bill Morneau, suddenly stepped down from the post amid an ethics scandal. Ms Freeland, 52, is the first woman to hold the position in Canada.
Climate change: Temperature analysis shows UN goals ‘within reach’
A new analysis, seen by the BBC, suggests the goals of the UN Paris climate agreement are getting “within reach.” These commitments would mean the rise in world temperatures could be held to 2.1C by the end of this century. Previous estimates indicated up to 3C of heating, with disastrous impacts.
Bitcoin peaks at record high close to $20,000
Bitcoin has traded at its highest value to date, reaching $19,920.53 (£14,821) according to data-provider Coindesk. It took the virtual currency nearly three years to top its previous record, when it peaked about $137 lower. Bitcoin has risen in value by more than 170% since the start of the year.
Trump Headed To Georgia As Turnout Driver, But Also A Threat
ATLANTA (AP) – Some establishment Republicans are sounding alarms that President Donald Trump’s conspiratorial denials of his own defeat could threaten the party’s ability to win a Senate majority and counter President-elect Joe Biden ‘s administration. The concerns come ahead of Trump’s planned Saturday visit to Georgia to campaign alongside Sens.
GOP Gov Appears To Ignore Call From Trump While Certifying Election Result
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey appeared to have ignored a phone call from President Donald Trump or Vice President Mike Pence while he was certifying the state’s election results on Monday. In viral video below, the Republican governor is shown receiving a call on his cellphone while he signs documents to validate President-elect Joe Biden ‘s victory in the state.
Indoors, Outdoors, In A Bubble: How Safe Is Restaurant Dining During COVID?
Eating out is on the long list of things that COVID-19 has changed. And as quarantine fatigue sets in, you probably miss dining at your favorite restaurant or drinking at your local bar. But even if those places are open, how safe is it to dine out at a restaurant these days?
New Yorker Cover Goes Viral Because It’s ‘So Damn Relatable’ For 2020
The New Yorker ‘s new front page has gone viral because of the way many people think it perfectly sums up 2020 and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Artist Adrian Tomine’s illustration for the magazine’s Dec. 7 issue ― titled ” Love Life ” ― shows a woman video chatting, surrounded by “artifacts from daily pandemic life.”
Everything coming to Netflix in December 2020
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers.If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. Celebrate the holidays with these new Netflix releases!
Facebook comments on Fauci and Zuckerberg’s vaccine talk suggest we’re totally screwed
On Facebook, each single serving of truth comes with a heaping side of bullshit. Mark Zuckerberg and Dr. Anthony Fauci talked all things coronavirus Monday afternoon, but if you tuned in to the Facebook livestream you’d be forgiven for missing the finer points of the discussion.
Melania’s f*cking Christmas decorations, ranked
We regret to inform Melania Trump that it is once again time to give a fuck about Christmas. Excuse my foul language. I try not to swear, but I’m simply quoting America’s first lady herself, who is – understandably – sick and tired of working her ass off to decorate the White House for Christmas while her husband’s presidency goes up in flames.
