| Investigation into deadly Beirut blast, optimism surrounding the coronavirus stimulus bill, and more news you need to know Wednesday |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Welcome to Wednesday, Daily Briefing readers. The eyes of the world are on Beirut today after a massive explosion rocked the Lebanese capital followed by a shock wave that caused widespread damage. In the U.S., top Democrats and negotiators from the White House say a deal on a coronavirus stimulus package could be reached by the end of the week as the nation approaches 5 million confirmed cases of COVID-19. Meanwhile, as Isaias is weakening after roaring up the East Coast spawning tornadoes, killing six and leaving millions without power. | | It's N'dea and I've got all the news you need to know today. | Coronavirus: Will a new stimulus package be reached? 💰 | | Lawmakers will return to the bargaining table Wednesday after top Democrats and White House negotiators said a new coronavirus stimulus package could be reached by the end of the week. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer met with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, with both sides saying they agreed to a series of concessions but also acknowledging they still had a number of differences that they were attempting to work through. Republicans and Democrats remain far apart on many issues at the heart of the next package, one of the biggest being the $600 boost to unemployment, which Democrats want to extend until at least January and Republicans have argued is too high and disincentivizes Americans from going back to work. | | | Coronavirus updates: US approaches 5 million cases 📈 | | As the U.S. approaches 5 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, Novavax Inc., of Gaithersburg, Maryland, became the fifth vaccine developer to release promising results of an early trial. The federal government funded $1.6 billion to Novavax to receive 100 million doses of the developmental vaccine. | | | International community in mourning after massive blast rocked Beirut | | Officials anticipate the death toll to rise Wednesday after a massive blast rocked Beirut with the force of an earthquake , followed by a shock wave that blew out windows and caused widespread damage across the Lebanese capital. At least 100 people were killed and more than 4,000 wounded, according to an official with the Lebanese Red Cross, George Kettaneh. The blast, which struck with the force of a 3.5 magnitude earthquake, according to Germany's geosciences center GFZ, followed a fire that broke out in the city's port area, based on multiple videos from the scene. Israel, which has seen years of intermittent conflict with Lebanon, denied any involvement and offered humanitarian medical aid. France and the United Nations special coordinator also offered humanitarian assistance. | | | Race in America | | | As Isaias weakens, many are left without power 🌀 | | Isaias is forecast to dissipate over southeastern Canada on Wednesday night after it was downgraded to a post-tropical storm. At least six people have died due to the storm. Tornadoes were reported in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. Isaias made landfall as a hurricane Monday night near Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, but was downgraded to a tropical storm Tuesday. More than 3.7 million customers were without power, mostly in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. | More news to know | | | NFL team renting out four floors of a hotel for optional 'sequester' 🏈 | | With the NFL opting out of a quarantine 'bubble' this season, the New Orleans Saints will be taking things into their own hands beginning Wednesday, when the team will rent four full floors of the Loews Hotel in New Orleans for players, staff and other personnel to inhabit until the season opens. Team owner Gayle Benson is paying the bill. While no individual will be forced to stay, Payton estimated that 150 of the Saints' 180 employees will quarantine at the Loews. "It's not a bubble," coach Sean Payton said. "It's a sequester. The message from the league is, 'The show must go on.' If so, we've got to do everything we can to be sure that happens." No Saints players have tested positive for coronavirus since testing began last week. | | | Fact or fiction? ✅ | | Misinformation, distortions and outright lies are a significant problem for our country. See the latest work from our fact checking team with our newest newsletter, Checking The Facts. | | | After decade on bench, Elena Kagan emerges as Supreme Court 'bridge-builder' | | Elena Kagan, who was confirmed Aug. 5, 2010, to replace Associate Justice John Paul Stevens, has had a rich and varied career marked by twists and turns that gave her vast experience in both government and academia. In legal circles, Kagan, President Barack Obama's second Supreme Court nominee a decade ago, can be seen in many of the unexpected rulings and in the court's ability, in her words, to remain "somehow above the fray." Within a few years, Kagan had earned kudos from liberals as well as conservatives for her work ethic, brainpower, oral and written skills, affable personality and adherence to the court's precedents. This is her story. | In better news: Break out the white wine, cookies, beer 🍷🍪🍻 | | Time is always relative, Einstein said, but amid the coronavirus pandemic, our frames of reference are skewed. Each day seems like the last, with not much difference expected tomorrow. | | Marketers want to spice up your days, and they have made up food and drink holidays aplenty. Tuesday was National White Wine Day, but because pandemic time is relative, you can still celebrate that and National Wine and Cheese Day (July 25). If you like your wine a bit more bubbly, National Prosecco Day is coming up on Aug. 13. Prefer red wine? International Pinot Noir Day is Aug. 18, National Red Wine Day is Aug. 28, International Cabernet Sauvignon Day is Aug. 30 and National Cabernet Day is Sept. 3. | | Here is a list of more made-up food holidays to look forward to, so mark your calendars now. But why wait to partake? | | • | National Root Beer Float Day (Aug. 6) | | • | National IPA Day (Aug, 6) | | • | International Beer Day (Aug. 7) | | • | National Frozen Custard Day (Aug. 8) | | • | National S'mores Day (Aug. 10) | | | | | | | | |
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