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

2. Cybersecurity

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

What devices could be at risk of being ‘one of the most serious’ cyber security threats 02:18

Hackers who are linked to the governments of China, Iran, North Korea and Turkey are exploiting a serious vulnerability in a software that is that is used by major tech companies all over the world, Microsoft has warned. So far, foreign hackers appear to have experimented with the vulnerability, which is located in Java-based software known as “Log4j” which organizations across the world use to log data in their applications. A top US cybersecurity official said they do not have evidence that federal networks had been affected by the vulnerability. However the Log4j vulnerability could affect the majority of the internet. Cloud computing from Apple and security firm Cloudflare, and Minecraft one of the most popular video games, all run Log4j, according to researchers.

3. Build Back Better

Klobuchar: Manchin is’still at negotiating table over building Back Better — full interview

Klobuchar: Manchin is’still at negotiating table about 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 be delayed until next year. Biden and Democrats had hoped to pass the bill before the end of the year. However, talks between Biden, Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, a crucial swing vote, haven’t produced any resolution. One of the biggest issues that has been preventing progress is the child tax credit. For Biden it’s a top priority that provides aid to families and helps reduce child poverty. Manchin wants it to be eliminated from the bill. Even even if Biden and Manchin did agree the bill has to be approved and finalized for a vote.

4. Condo collapse

Video shows moment Florida condo collapses

Video shows moment Florida condo collapses 01:18

A report has been released by the Miami-Dade Grand Jury that looked into the Surfside condo collapse that caused the deaths of the 98 victims. The report suggests that the addition of more inspectors, employees, and money to spot unsafe buildings and raises the standards for inspectors. The panel recommended that certification for residential properties should be completed no later than 40 years after the property is constructed. The engineering firm hired to assist with the Surfside condo’s 40-year recertification process in 2018 had discovered “deep” concrete deterioration, but couldn’t perform repairs due to structural stability concerns. While it wasn’t their task to find the cause of the collapse, the grand juror noted that investigators still aren’t able to pinpoint the exact cause , despite six months after the incident.
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5. Extreme weather

Super Typhoon Rai makes landfall in the Philippines

Super Typhoon Rai makes landfall in the Philippines 01:34

Record-breaking temperatures in December in the middle of the US has created an “unprecedented” extreme threat to weather that has resulted in the possibility of hurricane-force winds, fires and more tornadoes across the Great Plains and the Midwest. Yesterday, there were at most 55 reports of winds gusts exceeding 75 mph in the region, which set records for a single day. According to NOAA data, a tornado was first recorded in Minnesota’s southeastern region in December. Super Typhoon Rai, also known locally as Odette is a powerful storm that has struck the Philippines with torrential rain and the risk of widespread flooding to about 20 million people. Around 200,000 people were evacuated prior to the storm.

BREAKFAST BROWSE

2021’s top red carpet trends for 2021

Whatever the horror it was the first time, it’s back.

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

The Urban Meyer experiment is over after only 13 games.

Study shows that we actually bought more alcohol during the pandemic.

Oh, if we only had known what was coming.

2021’s most bizarre TikTok fashions in beauty

The proof that there is no limit to the strange stuff people will put on their faces.

William Shatner’s Space Expedition is accompanied by ‘Shatner in space.

Reminder: Shatner is 90 YEARS OLD. He even went to space.

IN MEMORIAM

bell hooks, the prominent feminist writer, academic and writer passed away at the age of 69. Born Gloria Jean Watkins in Kentucky, hooks was a prominent feminist academic and writer who was dedicated to establishing feminist theory that anyone could understand and use.

TODAY’S NUMBER

45

That’s how many international visitors Bali welcomed in 2021. In a normal year that figure would be in the millions, but the strict border control measures and a closed airport due to the pandemic decimated the island’s tourism this year.

TODAY’S QUOTE

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

Marylin Batista, the interim general counsel for Broward County Public Schools. The school district has agreed to pay more than $26 million to the victims of the shooting as well as the families of 17 people who were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

TODAY’S WEATHER

Parts of the Midwest were devastated by tornadoes, high winds and other natural catastrophes.

Some parts of the Midwest are devastated by tornadoes, high winds 01:51

Check your local forecast here>>

Finally

Did I do that?

What, you think you can put cats front of some perfectly set-up dominoes and they WON’T knock them over? (Click here to view)