Good Morning, it’s Friday, December 17th. And You’re listening to Ausum’s Morning News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

Within the United States, The Washington Post reports that the Biden administration ended the key long-standing restriction on a medication used to terminate early-stage pregnancies. This comes at a time where nationally abortion rights are being challenged.

Regarding the January 6th capitol riot, the Guardian states that insurrectionists are surging into fundraising websites to raise defence funds. The far-right groups have since raised over $2m.

Forbes reports that over 24 people have been left dead after a fire in a psychiatric clinic in Japan. The police suspect arson.

Across the United States, The verge notes that schools are cancelling classes over unconfirmed TikTok threats. However, so far there is little evidence that the threats are credible.

Axios states that a federal judge yesterday rejected Purdue Pharma's $4.5 billion bankruptcy settlement following thousands of state, local and tribal governments who sued the company over the opioid epidemic.

That’s all for today. For the full Ausum experience, make sure to download the Ausum app. Catch us, every weekday, morning and afternoon.

Good Afternoon. It's Thursday, December 16th, and you’re listening to Ausum’s Afternoon News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

Kicking off today's brief with updates on COVID, starting with CNN's reporting that CDC vaccine advisors agreed 15-0 Thursday to revise recommendations for Covid-19 immunizations to make it clear that shots supplied by Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech are favored over Johnson & Johnson's vaccine. After hearing 54 additional cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or TTS, in the US since the vaccine became available, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices accepted the modified recommendation.

The New York Times explains that around 16 million people in the United States have got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as their primary immunization, compared to 73 million who have received the Moderna vaccine and 114 million who have received the Pfizer-BioNTech doses. Only 1.5 percent of Americans who had a booster shot picked the Johnson & Johnson shot. In addition to TTS, evidence has accumulated that one dose of Johnson & Johnson's shot provides little protection against infection. Despite the new findings, several CDC panelists felt it was critical to keep Johnson & Johnson's vaccine on the market as an option.

According to BBC, For the second day in a row, a record number of coronavirus cases were reported in the UK, with 88,376 illnesses confirmed on Thursday. On Wednesday, 745,183 third or booster doses were administered, setting a new record. On Thursday, 146 more deaths were announced within 28 days following a positive test.

The Hill explains that President Biden's $2 trillion climate and social spending bill, which appeared to have strong momentum when it passed the House a month ago, now appears to be in real danger of collapsing, and Democratic senators have now conceded that the Build Back Better Act will not be passed before the end of the year. There is also a possibility that the entire Build Back Better package may have to be rewritten to accommodate Sen. Joe Manchin's (D-W.Va.) opposition to having a one-year renewal of the enhanced child tax credit in the measure. The 10-year extension of the tax credit would cost around $1.5 trillion, but Manchin wants to keep the bill's overall cost at $1.75 trillion.

The Washington Post continues by stating that democrats acknowledge that they have not yet completed the lengthy and difficult process of bringing the bill to the chamber floor. They tamper with a raft of spending plans relating to the environment, health care, and taxes.

On top of the BBB not looking great, the Biden administration has withdrawn from legal negotiations in which it was discussing paying $450,000 to each adult and child (5400) separated at the southern border during the Trump administration, according to the Washington Examiner. ACLU lead attorney Lee Gelernt told CBS News that the Biden administration's refusal to pay affected families was the result of "allowing politics to get in the way of healing the small children deliberately injured by our government."

The Guardian has updates for us on the Jan 6 committee, explaining that Ohio congressman Jim Jordan has been revealed as the Republican who sent a message to Donald Trump's chief of staff Mark Meadows the day before the deadly 6 January US Capitol riots describing a strategy to prevent Joe Biden – the genuine victor of the presidential election – from taking office. It read: "On January 6, 2021, Vice President Mike Pence, as President of the Senate, should declare all electoral votes that he deems are unlawful as no electoral votes at all." In recent days and weeks, the panel has increased its investigations, issuing dozens of subpoenas, interviewing over 300 witnesses, and reviewing over 30,000 documents as part of its efforts.

And, lastly, Axios updates us on the storms by stating that last night, a large, multi-hazard storm unparalleled for mid-December in the Plains and Upper Midwest affected approximately 100 million people from New Mexico to Wisconsin. The recent storm is another example of the many events this year that bear the imprints of climate change.

That’s all for today. Be sure to download the Ausum app to get the full Ausum experience. Catch you next time for the Ausum News Briefing every weekday, morning, and afternoon.

Good Morning, it’s Thursday, December 16th. And You’re listening to Ausum’s Morning News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

Within the United States, businesses, employers and universities are beginning to require coronavirus booster shots. Axios suggests that this could lead to confusion over the term ‘fully vaccinated’.

Forbes reports that South African public utility giant Eskom, a company claimed to be the ‘World’s Most Polluting Power Company’ is delaying a $2.5billion anti-pollution system.

Regarding the death of George Floydd in May 2020, The Guardian states that Derek Chauvin, the ex-Minneapolis police officer has pleaded guilty to civil rights charges. Chauvin has already been convicted of state murder and manslaughter charges and sentenced to 22 1/2 years.

The Omicron coronavirus variant is surging globally. The Washington Post notes that within South Africa daily Omicron cases have surpassed the Delta variant peak.

Reuters reports that leaders within the European Union are considering new sanctions against Russia. The leaders warn of "massive consequences" if Russia were to invade Ukraine.

That’s all for today. For the full Ausum experience, make sure to download the Ausum app. Catch us, every weekday, morning and afternoon.

Good Afternoon. It's Wednesday, December 15th, and you’re listening to Ausum’s Afternoon News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

AP News kicks off the new omicron coronavirus mutant sweeping the globe may cause even more havoc, threatening to overburden medical employees currently dealing with a surge of delta cases and disrupt holiday preparations for the second year in a row. The White House claims that a lockdown is unnecessary since vaccines are freely available.

Business Insider adds on by stating that Dr. Anthony Fauci believes that at this moment, people do not require a "vaccine-specific booster" to combat the Omicron type of coronavirus. Omicron has infected at least 36 states in the United States and has affected more than 75 countries, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky. According to the CDC, the majority of cases thus far have experienced moderate symptoms such as coughing and exhaustion. The White House COVID-19 response coordinator urged folks to obtain their boosters as soon as possible.

Reuters goes on to say that the Canadian government urged Canadians not to leave the country as provinces ratchet up vaccines to combat the rapidly spreading Omicron coronavirus type, even as efforts to avert a rising COVID-19 wave are hindered by public fatigue with the pandemic.

The next big topic, The Wall Street Journal reported, is that the majority of Federal Reserve officials said that they were prepared to hike their short-term benchmark rate at least three times next year to combat excessive inflation. They also authorized measures to reduce pandemic stimulus efforts more swiftly, paving the way for rate hikes to begin next spring.

The Washington Post explains that the policy adjustment represents a substantial departure in how the Fed is responding to economic constraints during the covid epidemic, and it could have an impact on everything from mortgages and vehicle loans to company investments. The New York Times adds that at a time of strong inflation, the Federal Reserve announced a sharp reduction in bond purchases.

On top of that, we spoke about the Build Back Better (BBB) deal yesterday, and according to NBC News, the Senate has postponed President Joe Biden's signature Build Back Better legislation until next year due to failed negotiations with moderate Democrats.

The Washington Examiner explains, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has not ruled out a pre-Christmas vote on the $1.85 trillion funding bill, but Democrats are focussing on the contentious Freedom to Vote and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Acts.

To try and sway the vote, The Hill reports that Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Angus King (I-Maine), who caucuses with the party, have met with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), a crucial holdout, numerous times this week in an attempt to reach a deal with their conservative colleague.

However, The Guardian just reported that one source informed Politico that talks between Joe Biden and Joe Manchin over the Build Back Better Act are not going well.

President Joe Biden went to visit Kentucky today, reports Fox News, but just as he stepped into Mayfield, he was met with a Trump flag and someone exclaimed, "Let's go, Brandon!" repeatedly. An Anti-Biden term that originated back at a NASCAR Xfinity Series race when a reporter thought people were chanting, "Let's Go Brandon" after driver Brandon Brown's victory when they were actually chanting "F—k Joe Biden."

On the topic of national disasters, Axios warns us that today, an expansive and strengthening storm is bringing a variety of hazardous weather to a wide swath of the lower 48 states, ranging from 100 mph winds in Colorado to record warmth and the possibility of tornadoes in Iowa. Temperatures have already reached all-time highs for the month of December, with measurements reaching the 70s all the way to the Iowa-Minnesota border. Its winds have the potential to knock out electricity to over 100,000 people and hinder cleanup work following the terrible weekend tornadoes in the Central states.

That’s all for today. Be sure to download the Ausum app to get the full Ausum experience. Catch you next time for the Ausum News Briefing every weekday, morning, and afternoon.

Good Morning, it’s Wednesday, December 15th. And You’re listening to Ausum’s Morning News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

Charitable donations through the AmazonSmile programme has resulted in over $40,000 paid to anti-vaccine groups. The Guardian reports that critics are placing the company under scrutiny for its role in health misinformation

The Wall Street Journal states that holiday spending within the US is expected to be strong. This is fueled by the rising inflation and strong demand.

Near Malaysia a boat of migrants sank leaving over ten people dead. Forbes notes that there are still 26 people from the boat missing.

Regarding the tornadoes in Kentucky, The Washington Post notes that some are criticising Senator Rand Paul for his record opposing disaster bills.

Finally, Axios reports that storms are hitting Central California as more US states became at risk of more extreme weather overnight.

That’s all for today. For the full Ausum experience, make sure to download the Ausum app. Catch us, every weekday, morning and afternoon.

Good Afternoon. It's Monday, December 13th, and you’re listening to Ausum’s Afternoon News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the first large real-world trial, done by South Africa's largest private health insurance Discovery Ltd., discovered that while Omicron reduced vaccination effectiveness against infection to 33% from 80% for Delta, its effect on hospitalization protection was less pronounced, falling to 70% from 93%. Though, South Africa is difficult to draw broad inferences from. Health officials will pay special attention to the United Kingdom, whose demographic profile and vaccination rates are more similar to those in Europe, where the variation is already well established.

The Wall Street Journal goes on to say that Pfizer claims that its pill is effective against Omicron infections. In a final analysis of landmark research in high-risk patients, the antiviral medicine Paxlovid remained 89 percent effective at reducing the risk of hospitalization and death.

Axios adds on by stating that scientists have made a few educated estimates regarding the virus's future. In the best-case scenario, cases will remain low, and outbreaks of relatively minor diseases may occur.

BBC reported that the bodies of 26 of the 27 people who drowned in the English Channel last month have been formally identified by French police. Sixteen Kurdish people from Iraq and four Afghans were among those killed, and their relatives have been notified.

An Associated Press investigation into every possible occurrence of voter fraud in the six battleground states contested by former President Donald Trump discovered less than 475 — a figure that would have made no difference in the 2020 presidential election. Democrat Joe Biden received 311,257 votes from Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, as well as their 79 Electoral College votes, out of a total of 25.5 million ballots cast for president. The contested ballots account for only 0.15 percent of his victory margin in those states.

The New York Times reported that the Manhattan district attorney's investigation is focusing on information supplied by former President Trump and his corporation regarding the value of his properties. If prosecutors seek an indictment, the case may rely on whether they can demonstrate that Mr. Trump's predilection for exaggeration crossed the line into fraud.

Axios updates us that Senate Democrats voted 50-49 to raise the debt ceiling by $2.5 trillion, extending it beyond the 2022 midterm elections. The largest hike in the debt ceiling in recent history. The package is now on its way to the House, which will vote on it a day before Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's Dec. 15 deadline to raise the debt ceiling or risk a default. This is also a significant triumph for Democratic leaders, given that most in Congress expected the process to be nasty and unpleasant.

That’s all for today. Be sure to download the Ausum app to get the full Ausum experience. Catch you next time for the Ausum News Briefing every weekday, morning, and afternoon.

Good Morning, it’s Tuesday, December 14th. And You’re listening to Ausum’s Morning News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

Following the tornadoes in Kentucky, The Guardian reports that the state’s governor believes the death toll will rise as crews search through ruins.

Within Washington, the January 6th committee has recommended a contempt charge for Mark Meadows, the last White House chief of staff for President Donald J. Trump. The New York Times suggests that Meadows played a substantial role in the attack on the capitol.

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO and founder of Facebook, paid 60 million dollars to a South Dakota bank for the name Meta, Forbes states.

The Washington Examiner notes that Elon Musk has been named the Time's 'Person of the Year' for 2021.

Finally, Forbes reports that the US air force has discharged 27 active-duty members as they failed to comply with the Covid-19 mandate.

That’s all for today. For the full Ausum experience, make sure to download the Ausum app. Catch us, every weekday, morning and afternoon.

Good Morning, it’s Tuesday, December 14th. And You’re listening to Ausum’s Morning News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

Following the tornadoes in Kentucky, The Guardian reports that the state’s governor believes the death toll will rise as crews search through ruins.

Within Washington, the January 6th committee has recommended a contempt charge for Mark Meadows, the last White House chief of staff for President Donald J. Trump. The New York Times suggests that Meadows played a substantial role in the attack on the capitol.

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO and founder of Facebook, paid 60 million dollars to a South Dakota bank for the name Meta, Forbes states.

The Washington Examiner notes that Elon Musk has been named the Time's 'Person of the Year' for 2021.

Finally, Forbes reports that the US air force has discharged 27 active-duty members as they failed to comply with the Covid-19 mandate.

That’s all for today. For the full Ausum experience, make sure to download the Ausum app. Catch us, every weekday, morning and afternoon.

Good Afternoon. It's Monday, December 13th, and you’re listening to Ausum’s Afternoon News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

AP News reported that the largest vaccination drive in US history began one year ago. Too many Americans are still unvaccinated, and far too many are dying as a result. As the anniversary of the US vaccine rollout approaches, the nation's COVID-19 death toll is estimated to be around 800,000 people. It was 300,000 a year ago.

While we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the largest vaccination drive, we're still struggling with what to do this winter. Forbes reported that New York implemented an indoor mask mandate on Monday to combat the spread of omicron, which applied to indoor businesses where there aren't already vaccination requirements in place, and businesses that don't comply face a $1,000 fine. Six other states have already enacted indoor mask mandates: Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and New Mexico. While governors in Connecticut, Colorado, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, have stated that they do not intend to impose new mask mandates.

Norway is taking it a step further and will tighten restrictions and accelerate vaccination to limit an expected surge of the coronavirus's Omicron variant, Reuters reported. The government announced its fourth round of measures in two weeks, including a ban on serving alcohol in bars and restaurants, the closure of gyms and swimming pools, stricter rules in schools, among other things. Norway is setting new COVID-19 infection and hospitalization records, thanks in part to the spread of Omicron, which is expected to become the dominant variant in the coming days.

Aside from masks and lockdowns, let's talk about holiday parties. Axios reports that as the Omicron winter wave approaches, businesses of all sizes and from all over the world are reconsidering their holiday celebrations. Many companies that held parties despite the rise of the COVID-19 variant had to deal with case spikes. To reduce that risk, many businesses are organizing small in-person gatherings as well as larger virtual gatherings, or a popular new option is putting the ball in the hands of employees by planning hybrid parties.

FOX reported that Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, said there is a "range of reasons" for the rise in crime and smash-and-grab robberies in cities across the country, avoiding a question about whether "soft on crime" policies are to blame. According to Psaki, the White House is focused on what it can do to address the issue, and the president has proposed more funding for police departments.

The President's spending patterns were addressed in The Hill, since Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WVa.) expressed concern about inflation and the expense of the Build Back Better (BBB) legislation on Monday, ahead of a phone discussion with President Biden on a social and climate spending bill by Christmas. However, Manchin has been warning for months that he is concerned about inflation and the bill's cost. Inflation was at an almost 40-year high, according to economic data released on Friday, despite the administration's efforts to portray the bill as anti-inflationary.

Joe Manchin is not the only West Virginia senator resolved to trim the Democrats’ “Build Back Better” spending bill, The Washington Examiner explains. Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, the ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, has been left out of negotiations over the partisan spending bill but is planning a trio of amendments to pluck energy and climate-related provisions from the bill once it’s introduced on the Senate floor.

The Wall Street Journal explains that the decision has led to stocks tumbling ahead of the Federal Reserve's important decision on how aggressively to combat inflation, which is due later this week. S&P was down 0.9 percent as of 4 p.m. ET Monday, following the benchmark index's close last week at its 67th record high of 2021. The Dow Jones fell 319 points, or 0.9 percent, in afternoon trade as losses deepened. And, Nasdaq, which is heavily weighted toward technology, fell 1.4 percent.

That’s all for today. Be sure to download the Ausum app to get the full Ausum experience. Catch you next time for the Ausum News Briefing every weekday, morning, and afternoon.

Good Morning, it’s Monday, December 13th. And You’re listening to Ausum’s Morning News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

Following the swarm of tornadoes hitting Kentucky on Friday, Biden has declared a major federal disaster. The Guardian suggests that there is hope rising that the death toll could be lower than feared.

The Wall Street Journal reports that after the Thanksgiving weekend Covid-19 cases have risen in many states. The worst-hit states include Vermont, New Jersey and Maine.

The Prime Minister of the UK, Boris Johnson has warned that Britain faces a “tidal wave” of omicron variant coronavirus infections. AP News noted that the Prime Minister also announced a surge in vaccine booster injections.

The Guardian states that Russia is heading closer to war with Ukraine as new arms, including Putin’s Buk missiles, have reached the Ukrainian border.

Facebook execution Andrew Bosworth has insisted that society is to blame for political and COVID-19 misinformation rather than social networks. This counters critics’ claim that Facebook and other platforms played a key role in vaccine hesitancy and the spread of political misinformation.

That’s all for today. For the full Ausum experience, make sure to download the Ausum app. Catch us, every weekday, morning and afternoon.