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Bash presses Biden economic adviser on pain at the pump
09:19 - Source: CNN
CNN  — 

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    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.

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    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

    trump leaving trump tower NY AG deposition
    Honig: Pleading the Fifth can be used against Trump in civil case
    02:10 - Source: CNN

    3. Immigration

    4. Policing

    climate bill
    Here's how the Inflation Reduction Act could affect you
    02:05 - Source: CNN Business

    5. France

    North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared victory against Covid-19 and ordered a lifting of maximum anti-epidemic measures that were imposed in May, state media said today. North Korea has not revealed how many confirmed infections of the virus it has found, but has not reported any new suspected cases since July 29. The World Health Organization has cast doubt on North Korea’s claims, saying last month it believed the situation was getting worse, not better, amid an absence of independent data. Analysts say the victory declaration by the authoritarian North could be a prelude to restoring trade hampered by border lockdowns and other restrictions. Observers have also said it may clear the way for North Korea to conduct a nuclear weapon test for the first time since 2017.

    North Korea Covid hancocks pkg intl hnk vpx_00012720.png
    Covid-19 exposes North Korea's vulnerable health care system
    03:11 - Source: CNN

    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.

    BREAKFAST BROWSE

    Otter takes surfer’s board

    Well, the fall season isn’t that far away… maybe this turkey was plotting a clever Thanksgiving escape. Watch the video here

    Coke’s latest bizarre flavor is here

    Before this latest odd flavor, Coca-Cola rolled out Starlight (space-flavored) and Byte (pixel-flavored). This latest one is equally unique.

    Disney+ is getting more expensive… unless you want ads

    And it’s not the only streaming service that’s going up in price.

    Domino’s tried to sell pizza to Italians. It failed.

    The American pizza giant made a very bold attempt to win over locals in Italy. The stores are now closing their doors after struggling with sales.

    New image of colliding galaxies previews the fate of the Milky Way

    Millions of years from now, these two entangled galaxies will eventually merge into one. Check out the stunning telescope image here

    TODAY’S NUMBER

    20 quadrillion

    That’s the amount in subsidies Elon Musk’s SpaceX was slated to receive from the Federal Communications Commission – but that will no longer happen. The FCC had earmarked the funds for SpaceX’s Starlink internet service to provide internet access to people across rural America. But federal regulators on Wednesday said they will no longer fund the venture, citing the fact that the satellite-based service is “still developing technology” and the company “failed to demonstrate that [it] could deliver the promised service.”

    TODAY’S QUOTE

    “This was a brazen scheme of staggering proportions.”

    – Luis Li, an attorney representing Vanessa Bryant, in court on Wednesday saying that photos from Kobe Bryant’s helicopter crash were shared with dozens of Los Angeles County employees. Vanessa Bryant’s federal lawsuit against LA County claims that sheriff’s deputies captured photos of the victims’ remains, including those of her daughter and husband, and shared them in settings irrelevant to the investigation, including at a bar and an awards gala. Vanessa Bryant, who was in the courthouse, wiped away tears as her attorney described the way sheriff’s deputies captured and shared the photos.

    TODAY’S WEATHER

    monsoon flood
    Monsoon rain continues for the Southwest as cooler temperatures remain for the Northeast
    01:56 - Source: CNN

    Check your local forecast here>>>

    AND FINALLY

    Happy Peace Day

    Did you know that the city of Tianducheng, China, was designed to be a replica of Paris? Watch this video for a quick tour. (Click here to view)