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Thursday 12.23.21

Some parts of the US could see a rare white Christmas this weekend. And speaking of the holiday, 5 Things is taking the day off tomorrow to do some last-minute shopping. We'll see you next week! Here's what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On With Your Day.
 

By Andrew Torgan

A US Army critical care nurse prepares to enter a Covid-19 patient's room last week in Dearborn, Michigan.

Coronavirus

With Omicron now the most widely detected variant in the US, hospitals are preparing for a surge of Covid-19 cases. And for the second year in a row, many doctors and nurses on the front lines of the pandemic will be treating these patients over the Christmas holiday. Nearly 70,000 Americans were hospitalized with Covid-19 as of yesterday, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services, up from around 45,000 in early November. In related news, the FDA yesterday authorized Pfizer's antiviral pill, Paxlovid, to treat Covid-19. It's the first antiviral pill authorized for infected people to take at home before they get sick enough to be hospitalized.

Capitol riot

The House select committee investigating the January 6 insurrection has asked Rep. Jim Jordan, one of former President Donald Trump's top congressional allies, to voluntarily meet with the panel as it zeroes in on Republican lawmakers who may have knowledge of events leading up to the Capitol riot. Jordan previously warned the committee that targeting GOP lawmakers in any capacity would be met with political retribution if Republicans retake the House after the 2022 midterm elections. Jordan is the second Trump ally to get an interview request this week. Rep. Scott Perry declined the committee's request to voluntarily sit down with investigators.

Student loans

President Joe Biden said yesterday that he's extending the pause on student loan payments until May 1. The payments, which were set to restart on February 1 for millions of borrowers, have been on hold since the start of the pandemic. During this time, interest has stopped adding up and collections on defaulted debt have been on hold. Biden pointed to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis as the reason for the extension. The reversal comes less than two weeks after White House press secretary Jen Psaki indicated that the administration was planning to restart the payments, resisting pressure from some fellow Democrats who'd called for an extension of pandemic relief benefits.

Russia

Russia hopes to hold bilateral talks with NATO and the United States in January over security guarantees it is seeking from both, a state-owned media outlet reported yesterday, citing Russia's foreign minister. The news comes just a day after NATO said it is ready to engage in "meaningful dialogue" with Russia amid its massing of troops near Ukraine's border. The United States and its allies have warned Russia about the consequences of further hostilities amid its continued military buildup along the Ukraine border -- a move that US intelligence has assessed as preparation for a full-scale invasion in the coming months. Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded security guarantees from the United States and NATO, including a binding pledge that NATO won't expand farther east and will not allow Ukraine to join the military alliance.

Supply chain

Biden yesterday touted progress his administration has made in alleviating supply chain issues that have spurred shortages of consumer products, raised prices for Americans and contributed significantly to historic levels of inflation in the US. The President pointed to evidence that bottlenecks are beginning to unclog and said retail inventories are up 3% from last year. Separately, a new report on consumer confidence showed Americans are feeling more optimistic about the economic recovery, which has continued to show surprising strength into the final month of the year.

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Jennifer King makes NFL history as first Black female position coach

She stepped in as running backs coach of the Washington Football Team.

NHL players won't participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics

The league is in the midst of a Covid-19 outbreak.

Taco Bell is adding a surprising new menu item

Let's just say it's not something you'd expect to order at a place known for TACOS!

McDonald's limits french fry sales in Japan because of potato shortage
Customers can only order the smallest size of fries due to supply chain problems.

Fees for US passports are going up by $20
At least you get to keep the same picture for 10 years.

Law enforcement officials are on the scene of a "major industrial accident" early this morning at an ExxonMobil plant in Baytown, Texas, about 25 miles from Houston. Initial reports are that some type of explosion occurred inside the plant, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said in a tweet. Four people may be injured, he said. Nearby residents reported a loud explosion.

23 million

That's how many people in Afghanistan are facing extreme levels of hunger as winter sets in -- more than half the country's population. And at least a million children under 5 are at risk of dying from starvation.

If you act out of line, you will wait in line.

FAA Administrator Steve Dickson, in an announcement about a new partnership between the FAA and the TSA that could result in unruly travelers losing their TSA PreCheck credentials

Joy to the World
A little something to put you in the holiday spirit. (Click here to view.)