Notes

5 Things to Know for Dec. 16: Covid, Software, Biden, Condo Collapse, Extreme Weather

2. Cybersecurity



Your device could be at risk of being one of the most serious cyber security threats



Your device could be at high risk from 'one the most serious' cyber security threats 02/18



Hackers associated with the governments of China, Iran, North Korea and Turkey are exploiting a critical vulnerability in a program used by big tech firms across the globe, Microsoft has warned. So far, foreign hackers appear to have experimented with the vulnerability, which is found in the Java-based software called "Log4j" that organizations around the world use to record data in their applications. A senior US cybersecurity official has stated that they don't have evidence that the vulnerability has been exploited to hack federal networks. The Log4j flaw could affect most of the internet. Cloud computing from Apple as well as security firm Cloudflare and Minecraft, one of the world's most played video games all run Log4j according to research.



3. Build Back Better



Klobuchar: Manchin is'still at negotiating table over Building Back Better -- full interview



Klobuchar: Manchin 'still at the negotiations' over Building Back Better -- full interview 09:05



The $1.75 trillion economic and climate package, known as the Build Back Better bill is likely to stall until next year. Biden and Democrats had hoped to adopt the bill prior to the end of the year. However talks between Biden, Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, a crucial swing vote, haven't led to a resolution. The child tax credit is one of the major issues that has held back progress. For Biden this is a top priority that delivers aid to families and reduces child poverty. Manchin, however, wants to leave it to be left out of the bill. Even even if Biden and Manchin agreed to the bill, it must be approved and finalized before it can be voted on.



4. Condo collapse



Video shows moment Florida condo collapses



Video shows moment Florida condo collapses 01:18



A report was released by the Miami-Dade grand juries who investigated the Surfside condo collapse that resulted in the deaths of 98 people. The report calls for increased funding and inspectors and staff to spot unsafe buildings and recommends raising standards for qualification for inspectors. The panel recommended that the certification process for residential properties should be initiated not later than 40 years after the property is built. The engineering company selected to assist with the Surfside condo's 40-year recertification in 2018 had found "deep" decay of the concrete however they were unable to perform repairs due to structural stability concerns. While it wasn't their task to discover the cause of the fatal collapse the grand jury noted that, nearly six months later, the investigators aren't sure how it took place.



5. Extreme weather



Super Typhoon Rai makes landfall in the Philippines



Super Typhoon Rai makes landfall in the Philippines 01:34



Record-breaking December temperatures in the middle of the US has resulted in an "unprecedented" extreme threat to weather that has brought fires, hurricane-force winds, and more tornadoes across the Great Plains and the Midwest. At least 55 reports of wind gusts of over 75 mph were tracked in the region yesterday, setting a new single-day record. According to NOAA data, a tornado was first recorded in Minnesota's southeastern region in December. Super Typhoon Rai, also known locally as Odette, has struck the Philippines, bringing torrential rainfall and the threat of widespread flooding to around 20 million people. Around 200,000 people were evacuated prior to the storm.



BREAKFAST BROWSE



2021's best red carpet trends



However terrifying it was the first time around, Y2K is back.



Urban Meyer, the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, has been fired



After just 13 games, the Urban Meyer experiment is finished.



We really did buy more alcohol during the initial pandemic, a study shows.
Cobraplanet.com


Oh, if only we were aware of what was about to happen.



2021's weirdest TikTok beauty trends



There is no limit to what people will put on their faces.



William Shatner's Space Expedition is accompanied by 'Shatner in Space.



Reminder: Shatner turns 90 years old. He also went to space.



IN MEMORIAM



bell hooks, the prominent feminist writer, academic and writer has passed away at 69. Born in Kentucky as Gloria Jean Watkins, hooks was well-known for her writing on race, gender and sexuality and was committed to producing feminist theory that anyone could apply and comprehend.



TODAY'S NUMBER



45



That's how many visitors from abroad Bali received in 2021. This number would have been in the millions in the normal year. However the tourism on Bali was decimated by strict border control measures and the closing of its airport due to the pandemic.



TODAY'S SQUOTTE



"While we understand that no amount will make these families whole," the school board hopes that this settlement will demonstrate our sincere commitment to the MSD families, staff, students and faculty and the whole Broward County community.



Marylin Batista, the interim general counsel for Broward County Public Schools. The district has agreed that it will pay more than $26 million to the victims of the shooting as well as their families at Marjory Stoneman Doug High School in Parkland.



TODAY'S WEATHER



Parts of the Midwest were ravaged by tornadoes, high winds and other natural disasters.



Parts of the Midwest are devastated by tornadoesand high winds 01:51



Check out the local forecast here>>>



FINALLY



What did I do?



You think you can place cats front of perfectly set-up dominoes, and they won't smash them? (Click here to view)


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