Get '5 Things' in your inbox
The wild home-selling blitz is cooling down in the US, but home prices are still ludicrously high. The average home price last month was up 14.9% from a year ago.
Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.
(You can also get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.)
1. Coronavirus
The Biden administration has proposed a prisoner swap to secure the release of two Americans held by Russia, Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan. President Joe Biden has offered to exchange Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian arms trafficker serving a 25-year US prison sentence. Multiple sources told CNN that the plan to trade Bout for Whelan and Griner received the backing of Biden after being under discussion since earlier this year. The President’s support for the swap overrides opposition from the Department of Justice, which is generally against prisoner trades. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Wednesday that the US presented the “substantial proposal” to Moscow “weeks ago” for Whelan and Griner. When asked about the possible swap, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said “so far, there is no agreement on this issue.”
2. Debt ceiling
3. Immigration
4. Policing
5. France
Uganda has proposed steep penalties for anti-vaxxers that include fines and imprisonment as the country doubles down on its coronavirus vaccine mandate. The proposed bill states that those who do not get vaccinated against Covid-19 will be fined 4 million Ugandan shillings (around $1,137) or receive a jail term of six months. A parliamentary health committee said yesterday it is considering the proposed legislation to “ensure mandatory COVID-19 vaccination.” The East African country of around 45 million people has grappled with a series of lockdowns to manage the pandemic amid misinformation and hesitancy toward vaccines. Uganda has recorded more than 163,000 cases of coronavirus and 3,500 deaths, according to the latest government figures.
HAPPENING LATER
Biden to sign Inflation Reduction Act into law today
President Joe Biden will sign a sweeping $750 billion health care, tax and climate bill into law at the White House today – marking a major victory for his administration and the Democratic Party ahead of the midterm elections. The Inflation Reduction Act accomplishes several key Biden legislative agenda items and represents the largest climate investment in American history.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
Otter takes surfer’s board
After 200,000 suggestions, an adorable baby hippo received an equally cute name. Watch the video here!
‘Stranger Things’ cafe opens in Tokyo
Of course, a pop-up cafe inspired by the Netflix horror drama “Stranger Things” has to have an “Upside Down.” Take a peek inside.
WeWork’s former CEO has a new startup, reportedly valued at more than $1 billion
When one door closes, another one opens. After being ousted from his CEO role at WeWork, Adam Neumann’s new company is being positioned as a solution to the nation’s housing crisis.
‘Better Call Saul’ series finale review
The extra-long “Better Call Saul” series finale premiered Monday – and it did not disappoint. Here’s a recap of the show … but first, spoilers ahead!
Taiwan’s new $220 million arts center radically rethinks theater design
More than a decade since it broke ground, this long-awaited venue in Taiwan has opened to the public and rethinks the way theaters should operate.
TODAY’S NUMBER
20 quadrillion
That’s how many Americans will be impacted by an “extreme heat belt” in the next 30 years, increasing both the intensity and frequency of the hottest days of the year, according to a study published Monday by a climate research group. Specifically, most of the region from Texas to the Great Lakes will experience temperatures above 125 degrees during the hottest stretches of the year.
TODAY’S QUOTE
“This was a brazen scheme of staggering proportions.”
– The Justice Department, stating in a filing Monday that it opposes the release of key details that led to the search of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate last week. The DOJ said some continued secrecy is needed to protect the investigation and therefore, it will not unseal the affidavit which outlines why the search was necessary. Several media organizations, including CNN, had asked for the affidavit to be unsealed after the search was conducted.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local forecast here>>>
AND FINALLY
Happy Peace Day
Watch this video of a couple who travels the world riding roller coasters together. It’s a marriage that’s seen a lot of ups and downs – in the best way. (Click here to view)