(CNN)
Juneteenth — the federal holiday which commemorates the end of slavery in the US — was celebrated on Sunday, but will be observed in many places today, June 20. Non-essential federal, state and city government offices will be closed, along with most banks, schools, post offices, and stock markets.
Here’s what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.
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1. Travel chaos
A combination of rough weather, staff shortages and infrastructure challenges have the left major airlines struggling to keep up with the surge in travel. Between Friday and Sunday, more than 3,200 flights were canceled and about 9,000 flights were delayed, according to the data group FlightAware. The increase in delays and cancellations comes just days after Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg urged airline CEOs to improve their flight schedules and better respond to disruptions. This past Friday before Juneteenth clocked in as the most popular air travel day of 2022, statistics from the TSA show. Airports haven’t been that crowded since Thanksgiving 2021.
2. Coronavirus
The CDC signed off on Covid-19 vaccines for children as young as 6 months on Saturday, clearing the way for vaccinations to begin soon. The announcement came shortly after the CDC’s vaccine advisers voted unanimously in support of recommending the Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines to the nation’s youngest age group. President Joe Biden praised the CDC’s decision, calling it a “monumental step forward in our nation’s fight against the virus.” While vaccinations may not begin until Tuesday in some places, health officials must now contend with a large number of parents who remain reluctant to quickly vaccinate. Just 18% of parents of children under 5 said they would vaccinate their child against Covid-19 as soon as a vaccine became available, an April survey found.
3. Ukraine
Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union could bring “greater hostile activity” from Russia as the EU considers whether the country should be formally considered for candidate status, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned. Leaders of the EU’s 27 member states will meet this week to discuss the possible path forward for Ukraine. However, even though the EU and its members have broadly supported Ukraine in its war effort, Ukraine’s ongoing fight raises several issues and could slow down the timeline. In fact, experts say it is highly unlikely that Ukraine will be able to meet the EU’s criteria to start negotiations until after the war ends. The average time for a country to join the EU is four years and 10 months.
4. January 6
The House select committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol will hold a hearing Tuesday that will show evidence of then-President Donald Trump’s involvement in a scheme to submit fake electors, Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff told CNN on Sunday. Federal prosecutors are reviewing the fake Electoral College certifications created by Trump’s allies that falsely declared him the winner of seven states that he lost in 2020. The fake certificates were sent to the National Archives by Trump’s allies in the weeks after the election and had no impact on the electoral outcome. Schiff, a member of the panel, also said the committee plans to show “courageous state officials who stood up and said they wouldn’t go along with this plan to either call legislators back into session or decertify the results for Joe Biden.”
5. Colombia
Left-wing candidate Gustavo Petro won the Colombian presidential race on Sunday, becoming the first leftist leader to do so. The former guerrilla with a checkered past won by a slim margin with over 50% of the votes, against 77-year-old entrepreneur Rodolfo Hernandez. In this historic win, his running mate Francia Marquez will now become the first Afro-Colombian to hold executive powers. During his victory speech on Sunday, Petro called for an agreement to end violence in the country, saying, “What is coming here is real change, real change.” Outgoing Colombian President Ivan Duque said he called Petro to congratulate him on his victory and will meet with him soon to initiate the transition.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
Prince William shares heartwarming Father’s Day photo
Check out this casual photo of Prince William on dad duty! So adorable.
US Open: English golfer Matt Fitzpatrick wins first major
The 27-year-old edged past the world No. 1 in a thrilling, roller coaster battle.
Someone paid $19 million for a steak lunch with Warren Buffet
Well, as Warren Buffet once said, “The best investment you can make is in yourself… the more you learn, the more you’ll earn.”
Why New Jersey and Oregon still don’t let you pump your own gas
Yes, people in these two states are still not allowed to touch the gas nozzle. Here’s why.
Pixar’s ‘Lightyear’ fizzles at the box office
Unfortunately, the film didn’t get enough buzz at the box office this weekend.
TODAY’S NUMBER
4 million
That’s how many people have been impacted by monsoon flooding in northeastern Bangladesh, according to the country’s Ministry of Disaster Management. The situation could soon worsen, with heavy rain forecast in the next 24 hours. Officials said that 90% of Sunamganj — one of the hardest hit districts — is underwater and almost entirely cut off from the rest of the country.
TODAY’S QUOTE
“We are having to look out for slogans that violate the rules of Islam and public morals like promoting homosexuality colors, targeting the young generation.”
— Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce, on the Saudi government’s move to seize rainbow-colored toys and clothing from shops in the country’s capital, Riyadh, saying the items promote homosexuality. Authorities have seized items that were bright in color, ranging from children’s hair accessories, pencil cases, and backpacks to rainbow stripes featured in crayon packets, all designed for children, according to Saudi state-run TV channel al-Ekhbariya. Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia, which adheres to a strict interpretation of Sharia law.
TODAY’S WEATHER
AND FINALLY
Meet the Epic Voice Behind Movie Trailers
You’ve never seen his face, but you’ve probably heard his booming voice at least once in your lifetime! (Click here to view)
