Good morning. It's Tuesday, Dec. 22, and a long list of countries are temporarily closing their borders to visitors from the United Kingdom. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

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NEED TO KNOW

New Strain Isolates the UK

France joined the growing list of countries restricting travel from the United Kingdom yesterday, placing a 48-hour ban on British trucks entering the country. The move follows the emergence of a new coronavirus variant, which has accounted for as much as 60% of the London region's new COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. The decision effectively shuts down the Port of Dover, the country's main entry point to Europe for ground transport, where nearly 10,000 trucks pass through daily. At least 40 countries have imposed some form of travel ban on the UK—the US has not issued any guidance as of this morning.

Officials say there is no evidence suggesting the new strain is more deadly or resistant to current vaccines, but data suggest it may be as much as 70% more transmissible than other variants. Scientists have observed thousands of mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 virus—see a visualization here—with most emerging and quickly fading away. Separately, health officials say a new strain, different from the one in Britain, is driving a resurgence in South Africa.

In the US, more than 550,000 people have received their first of two vaccine shots—including President-elect Joe Biden yesterday and Vice President Mike Pence Friday—with a total of 2.9 million doses distributed to the states so far (track here). The country has reported more than 18 million total cases and 319,457 deaths, with 1,696 deaths reported yesterday. See rolling averages here and here.

Spending Bill Passed

Congress approved an estimated $2.3T in new spending yesterday evening, signing off on a sweeping bill that combines $1.4T in regular annual funding for the 2021 fiscal year and $900B in new stimulus aid. The $1.4T omnibus bill is based on a 2019 agreement and includes $740B in defense spending and $645B in nondefense spending. A deadline to fund the government was extended for one week, as the bill heads to President Trump for signature. 

The centerpiece of the stimulus component—the second-largest economic aid package in US history—is $600 checks for both adults and children, with a phase-out beginning at individual income levels of $75K. The bill also includes $300-per-week boosts to unemployment through March, $45B to support transit agencies around the US, $69B for COVID-19 vaccine rollout and support, $82B for schools ($20B of which goes to higher education), and more. Direct payments may be distributed as early as next week. 

Votes were delayed by problems uploading and printing the 5,600-page bill.

NBA Makes a Quick Return

The 2020-21 NBA season begins tonight, with some of the league's top stars taking the court just 10 weeks after the end of a pandemic-interrupted season, in which the Los Angeles Lakers captured their 17th title. Tipoff begins with the Golden State Warriors visiting the Brooklyn Nets (7pm ET, TNT), followed by the Lakers hosting their hometown rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers (10pm ET, TNT). 

The Lakers, led by superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, enter as Vegas favorites to win another title, followed by the Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Nets. Unlike previous years, there appears to be little consensus on who will win Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, and other awards. 

Despite being lauded for its "bubble" approach last season—confining all teams to Disney's Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida—teams will play in their home arenas with some allowing limited attendance.

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A MASK FOR ALL OCCASIONS

Have you tried exercising with a mask on? Now, we aren't going to claim we were ever running sub-three hour marathons, but our current masks only make the shortness of breath and wheezing all the more noticeable.

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Hmnkind's Antibacterial Performance Mask comes in four sizes (including children's) and eight colors to fit every head shape and style. Check them out today and grab a mask for exercise, errands, or leisurely strolls. Your skin will thank you; use code 15FOR1440 for 15% off your order.

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Brought to you by Dollar Flight Club

> More than 70 West Point cadets accused of cheating on a math exam in the worst academic scandal to hit the military academy in 45 years; 58 cadets admit guilt, many placed on probation for remainder of time at the academy, with others resigning (More)

> Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, and Seattle Seahawks each have seven players selected for 2021 NFL Pro Bowl; no actual game will be played due to COVID-19 (More) | Pro Football Hall of Famer Kevin Greene dies at 58 (More)

> K.T. Oslin, three-time Grammy-winning country music singer-songwriter, dies at 78 (More) | Coronavirus stimulus funding of $15B to go to independent movie theaters and live entertainment venues (More)

Join over 1 million Dollar Flight Club members taking advantage of unbelievable 2021 flight deals like New Zealand from $250 round trip or LA from $60 round trip on the best airlines with flexible change policies. And you can try it for just $1 today. Offer ends in 72 hours, get it while it’s hot. #Ad

Science & Technology

> National Institutes of Health to launch study on rare allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccines; five potential incidents have been reported in the US out of more than 550,000 vaccinations (More)

> Ancient volcanic eruptions directly triggered ocean acidification processes, leading to a mass extinction event of marine microorganisms about 120 million years ago (More)

> Study pinpoints the specific brain circuitry that allows speech to be distinguished from ambient noise; discovery may aid in treating auditory disorders (More)

Business & Markets

> Japanese tech giant SoftBank files to raise $525M special purpose acquisition company (More) | What’s a SPAC? (More)

> Apple plans to build electric autonomous vehicle including its own battery technology; targets 2024 launch (More) | Tesla shares fall 6% on its first day as part of S&P 500 index (More)

> Year-to-date venture capital funding to female founders down more than 20% in 2020 (More)

Politics & World Affairs

> Attorney General William Barr declines to appoint special counsels to investigate Hunter Biden or alleged election fraud; Barr set to leave his post tomorrow (More) | Justice Department reveals new charges in the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 bombing; Barr was attorney general for George H.W. Bush when the bombing occurred (More)

> Treasury Department becomes latest agency to confirm Russian hackers penetrated systems; officials say emails of senior leaders accessed, but classified info not comprised (More) | Background on the worst cyberattack in US government history (More)

> Virginia congressional delegation removes statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from US Capitol, will be replaced by statue of civil rights leader Barbara Johns (More) | Explore the National Statuary Hall Collection here (More)

IN-DEPTH

What the Other Side Wants You to Know

Pew Research | Staff. Those on either end of the political spectrum say the other side barely understands them. This fascinating survey reveals what they want each other to understand—if only they talked to each other. (Read)

The Journalist and the Pharma Bro

Elle | Stephanie Clifford. In 2015, Bloomberg white-collar crime reporter Christie Smythe broke news of the arrest of Martin Shkreli, also known as the notorious "Pharma Bro." Three years later, Smythe bailed on her seemingly stable life and divorced her husband—taking up with none other than Shkreli himself. (Read)

Cyberpunk'd

NYT | Mike Isaac, Kellen Browning. It was one of the most anticipated video games of the decade, receiving 8 million preorders by the time it was released two weeks ago. Instead, Cyberpunk 2077 became one of the industry's biggest busts of all time. (Read, $$)

GOOD RIDDANCE, MASKNE

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ETCETERA

Photos of last night's Great Conjunction.

Watch Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupt. 

How to spend money to maximize your happiness. 

FiveThirtyEight's 40 weirdest charts of the year.

The world's biggest iceberg is headed for disaster.

This 9-year-old boy is YouTube's highest-paid star. ($$, Forbes)

Melting permafrost reveals an ancient wolf pup mummy.

The US Army is creating ripped robots.

Clickbait: Santa paraglides into power lines.

Historybook: Beethoven’s "Fifth Symphony" premieres (1808); Former first lady Lady Bird Johnson born (1912); Maurice and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees born (1949); Colo becomes first gorilla born in captivity (1956); “Don’t ask, don’t tell” military policy repealed (2010).

"The bounty of nature is also one of the deep needs of man."

- Lady Bird Johnson

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