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Here are the headlines you Need2Know for Friday, November 8, 2021:
BIDEN'S INFRASTRUCTURE VICTORY
President Biden won a major legislative victory that has eluded past presidents in both parties: the passage of a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. Thirteen Republicans joined the majority of Democrats in the House to pass the bill after it was approved by the Senate. The White House plans a signing ceremony when Congress is back from recess. The legislation includes billions for roads and bridges, broadband access, replacing lead pipes, climate sustainability and more projects in all 50 states. Biden says Americans should start to feel the impacts of the bill in as little as two to three months. POLITICO
COVID PILLS COMING
Pfizer is expected to submit its antiviral Covid pill to the FDA for approval in the coming days, after the company released data on Friday showing it was remarkably effective. Paxlovir, as the treatment is being branded, cut the risk of hospitalizations for high-risk patients by 90% in trials when taken in combination with an old HIV drug. That would be even better than Merck’s antiviral pill, which is currently in front of regulators. Former FDA chief Scott Gottlieb said the Covid pills, if approved, mean the end of the pandemic is “in sight” for the U.S. AP
ASTROWORLD CROWD CRUSH
Two investigations have been launched into Friday night’s Astroworld music festival in Houston, where eight young people were killed when fans were crushed against the stage. The rapper Travis Scott had just started his headlining set when the crowd crush began, and he is facing questions over why he continued to perform as first responders were in the midst of dealing with the mass casualty event. Scott and his girlfriend Kylie Jenner say they were unaware of the severity of what was happening until later. The Houston police are also investigating reports that someone in the crowd was injecting people with drugs after several concertgoers had to be revived with Narcan. HOUSTON CHRON
ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT BY DRONE
The prime minister of Iraq survived a brazen assassination attempt over the weekend when a drone packed with explosives targeted his house in Baghdad while he was sleeping. Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Khadhimi was not injured, though seven of his security staffers were. No one has claimed responsibility for the attempted assassination. CNN
BACK TO BUSINESS
The U.S. reopens for fully vaccinated international travelers today, ending a 20-month travel ban that has kept foreign tourists largely out of the country. The major airlines are seeing huge increases in bookings and expect completely full international flights for at least the next few weeks, as they scale up their schedules. The southern border is also bracing for long lines of travelers coming in by car. YAHOO FINANCE
RIVIAN IPO
Another red-hot electric carmaker is going public this week, and the IPO is expected to be a monster. Rivian has raised the offer price for its shares, aiming for a valuation of about $70 billion and signaling high interest from investors looking for an EV pure-play that isn’t Tesla. The biggest winners from the Rivian IPO are likely to be Amazon and Ford, which both own significant stakes in the company. INSIDE EVS
PACKERS LOSE
The Green Bay Packers couldn't get it done without Aaron Rodgers at the helm, falling to the Kansas City Chiefs, 13-7. Rodgers was out on Covid protocol after he tested positive last week. He explained his decision not to get vaccinated in a radio show interview in which Rodgers said he had consulted with Joe Rogan, claimed to be allergic to the mRNA vaccines, worried about fertility issues, misquoted MLK and used the “my body, my choice” defense. FOX’s pregame show tore into Rodgers, with Terry Bradshaw calling him a liar. YAHOO SPORTS
BOX OFFICE
The Marvel Cinematic Universe still has some juice left in it. Eternals beat the global box office openings of both Black Widow and Shang-Chi, bringing in $162 million worldwide in its opening weekend. That’s the second best opening of the pandemic for a Hollywood blockbuster. Fans came out for the latest installment in the MCU despite the obscure characters, bad reviews and mediocre audience scores. DEADLINE
SPOTTED...
...the USNS Harvey Milk, named after the slain gay rights leader, making its debut as the newest addition to the Navy’s fleet: SEE IT
…Dionne Warwick, dropping by SNL to sing “What the World Needs Now” with her cast double, Ego Nwodim: WATCH
...Vin Diesel, issuing a public plea for Dwayne Johnson to “fulfill your destiny” by returning for Fast & Furious 10: SEE POST
LEFTOVERS: MARATHON WOMEN
Shalane Flanagan saved the best for last in her grueling quest to run all of the world’s major marathons in six weeks. The retired American long-distance runner completed the NYC Marathon in 2:33:32, her best time of any race. She has now succeeded in her goal of running all six marathons in under three hours. Meanwhile, the Olympic medalist Molly Seidel broke the record for fastest time by an American woman in New York, and she did it with a “couple” broken ribs. RUNNER'S WORLD
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