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The world’s largest plane just rolled out for the first time. Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door. You can also get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.
SEVERE WEATHER
I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain: A mammoth storm system engulfing much of the U.S. has claimed 24 lives, including four soldiers in Missouri. It’s spawned deadly tornadoes in Texas, intense flooding in the Midwest and blizzard conditions in New Mexico. And it’s not over yet.
CHICAGO POLICE SHOOTING
Race, justice and the thin blue line: Chicago needs to take a long, hard look at its policing. So says Mayor Rahm Emanuel after cops shot dead two more people. But, say protesters, the time for introspection is gone. They’ll march to City Hall to demand the mayor is too. Residents are already mad about the killing of Laquan McDonald. Then over the weekend, officers shot dead 19-year-old Quintonio LeGrier, who was threatening his dad with a bat. And they killed Bettie Jones, a grandmother who opened the door when cops arrived.
ISIS
Pressure pushing down on me: Could it be? Could ISIS really be feeling the heat? In a new message, Abu Bakr al Baghdadi – the guy who’s declared himself alpha dog – warns of difficult times ahead, saying “the whole world” is united against ISIS. He’s got reasons to sweat. In Iraq, soldiers retook Ramadi this morning. In Syria, U.S.-backed forces are inching closer to Raqqa. And months of airstrikes have damaged ISIS’ oil fields. “The seditions and the hardships become greater,” Baghdadi said. Oh, boohoo.
WAR ON TERROR POLL
#Winning. Not us: Sorry, President Obama, Americans aren’t buying it when you say the fight against ISIS is going swimmingly. A new CNN/ORC poll out this morning finds the public decidedly in the “glass half empty” camp. Nearly 75% say they aren’t satisfied with the war on terror. That’s well above the previous high of 61% back in 2007. Even 59% of Democrats say they aren’t A-OK with the White House’s approach. The poll releases at 6 a.m. ET.
PEYTON MANNING
Talking trash: Peyton Manning is hopping mad at Al Jazeera America for a documentary that claims he used human growth hormone (HGH). He called the report “completely fabricated.” It’s “complete trash,” he said. It’s “garbage,” he groused. Also dismissing the doc is the doc who supposedly gave Manning the drug, and the source who made the claim in the first place. Let’s see who else isn’t jazzed about Al Jaz – Manning’s team, the Broncos, and his former team, the Colts. The network, under the gun, is sticking to its guns.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
People are talking about these. Read up. Join in.
Quote of the day
What singer David Lowery wants Spotify to pay for alleged copyright infringement. Looks like somebody wants cheese with his Cracker.
No direction
Ground control to Major Tom
You had one job!
Ringo Starr auctioned off a boatload of Beatles memorabilia - including his copy of the ‘White Album’ and the kit he banged on at 200 shows - for a cool $9 million. Why? Because love is all you need, man.
One is the loneliest number
Christmas bonuses? Ha!
How do people react to Bible verses when they think they’re from the Quran? Exactly as you’d expect.
WHAT’S FOR LUNCH
Here’s what’s coming up later.
Right to rally
Receive the rebuke
U2 was forced to reschedule its Paris dates after last month’s attacks. The second of those make-up shows is tonight and you can catch it on HBO.
Number of the day: 1 in 7
Number of U.S. adults who got a Starbucks gift card last Christmas. This year, the chain expects to sell even more. Because Americans like their Starbucks a latte.
AND FINALLY …
And now the weather for Tatooine, Jakku and Hoth …
A British weather forecaster works in 12 “Star War” puns - TWELVE - during a routine update. And with such a straight face too.