thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-27--Race And Ideology Take Center Stage In Scramble To Succeed Kamala Harris

Lucy Nicholson / Reuters Sen. Kamala Harris ( D-Calif. , right ) meets with California Gov .
Gavin Newsom in @ @ @ @ @ to the vice presidency tasks Newsom with selecting a replacement .

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) is shown here walking meets with California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in September. Harris' ascent to the vice presidency tasks Newsom with selecting a replacement. Lucy Nicholson / Reuters
When Kamala Harris assumes her historic role as the first woman and nonwhite vice president in January, she will be vacating one of California’s two U.S. Senate seats.
It is now up to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a first-term Democrat, to decide whether to call a special election or choose a replacement to serve out the remainder of Harris’ term, which is slated to end in 2022.
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Newsom has been tight-lipped about his plans, but the conventional wisdom among Golden State politics watchers is that Newsom will appoint a replacement rather than delay the arrival of a new Democratic senator with an expensive special election. And Newsom’s allies have made clear that he does not plan to name a white man to the seat.
As a result, activists and various progressive groups began a campaign to sway Newsom months before the election, and that has intensified in recent days. The jockeying is intense because whoever gains control of the seat — and runs for election as an incumbent in two years — is likely to control the influential and safely Democratic post for decades to come.
Three main camps and their subgroups are trying to influence Newsom: Those advocating for a Black woman; those advocating for a Latino; and those advocating for a member of the LGBT community.
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif., left) attends the memorial service for Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Lee's opposition to endless war has endeared her to the left. Pool via Getty Images
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‘A Progressive Black Woman’
Black activists and progressive groups insist that Newsom name a Black woman to replace Harris, only the second Black woman to serve in the Senate.
Black Americans make up about 13% of the population but occupy just two of 100 Senate seats. Both of them ― New Jersey Democrat Sen. Cory Booker and South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott ― are men.
“Not having a Black woman’s voice in there would be a void,” said Melanie Campbell, president of the Washington-based Black Women’s Roundtable.
The Black Women’s Roundtable and its allies propose that Newsom tap either Rep. Karen Bass of Los Angeles or Rep. Barbara Lee of the East Bay Area.
“Black women are the most active participants in the voting process. We are underrepresented ― especially in the Senate,” said Glenda Gill, the head of a Los Angeles-based nonprofit and active member of the Black Women’s Roundtable.
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“The people we are recommending are stellar,” she added.
A group of prominent California Democratic donors amplified these calls on Monday with an open letter asking Newsom to pick a “woman of color,” though unlike the other groups, they did not specify that it had to be a Black woman.
Bass and Lee’s credibility with the activist left makes them compatible with the policy agenda of national progressive organizations. Democracy for America, a digital progressive group, has called for Newsom to name a “progressive Black woman” to replace Harris.
Bass chairs the Congressional Black Caucus and briefly came under consideration as Biden’s running mate. She has made more inroads with the party establishment.
Lee is a 24-year House veteran famous for her lone vote against authorizing military force after the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. She appears to enjoy an edge with progressive activists.
Aimee Allison, founder of the progressive group She the People, wrote an op-ed calling on Newsom to name Lee to take Harris’ place. Lee tweeted the article with approval: “It would be an honor” to fill Harris’ seat, she wrote.
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“What is important is that the pick be a strong progressive.” - Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.)
Rep. Ro Khanna, a Silicon Valley progressive, retweeted Lee in turn, arguing that Lee would be an “incredible pick.”
“What is important is that the pick be a strong progressive,” he wrote.
But Newsom — a mainstream liberal who tends to avoid upsetting the apple cart — is unlikely to pick Lee or Bass precisely because they are progressive favorites. And age is a factor: Bass is 67 and Lee is 74. Appointing them would possibly deprive Newsom of the chance to advance the career of an up-and-coming party figure.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed, 46 — a business-friendly moderate — might be a likelier pick of a Black woman. Breed drew praise for her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. But her opposition to a referendum to raise taxes on big business to fund homeless services remained a source of distrust with the city’s outspoken left wing.
Newsom himself rose to political power as mayor of San Francisco and hails from the same Bay Area political machine as Breed. Picking her would signal a continuation of Bay Area Democrats’ uncontested dominance of state politics, rather than a nod to the state’s larger, more diverse and less wealthy population centers in the south. Newsom, both U.S. senators from California and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi all hail from the Bay Area.
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California Secretary of State Alex Padilla (center) celebrates the L.A. Dodgers' World Series win with Newsom (left). Padilla is widely viewed as a front-runner to replace Sen. Harris. Carolyn Cole/Getty Images
‘Pick Padilla’ And The De León Delegation
A second camp lobbying Newsom includes groups and activists advocating for a Latino to fill Harris’ seat. Latinos made up the largest ethnic group in the state, accounting for more than 39% of California’s population as of 2019. Black people, by contrast, constituted 6.5% of the state’s population. And yet no Latino has represented California in the Senate.
There is no shortage of Latino elected officials and rising political stars at all levels of government from which Newsom can choose. Prominent state Democrats include Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, who previously served as U.S. Secretary of Labor.
But the clear favorite is Secretary of State Alex Padilla, 47, according to several state Democrats. Padilla oversaw the state’s recent elections and is likely the only contender who has an entire ad hoc pressure group in his corner.
The Latino Victory Fund, a national Democratic group that elects Latino candidates, launched “Pick Padilla” in August ahead of the Biden-Harris ticket’s expected victory. The group has promoted Padilla in the news media as the contender with the greatest experience and strongest record of winning elections.
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Padilla has “demonstrated a genuine passion for serving his community, which he balances with the honed political acumen needed to legislate effectively and lead daunting efforts to protect and expand voter rights,” Nathalie Rayes, president of the Latino Victory fund, said in a statement to HuffPost.
“He’s the ideal candidate to break one more barrier.” - Nathalie Rayes, Latino Victory Fund
The fund emphasized Padilla’s rise from a humble background as the son of Mexican immigrants to a degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Padilla’s storied career in politics began when he became the youngest and first Latino president of the Los Angeles City Council at age 26. He went on to represent L.A.’s San Fernando Valley in the state Senate before being elected secretary of state in 2014.
“He’s the ideal candidate to break one more barrier by becoming the first Latino to represent California in the U.S. Senate and increase Latino representation,” Rayes said.
Critically, Padilla has a working relationship with Newsom, which could work in his favor. And Padilla employs the same media consulting firm, SCRB Strategies, that Newsom used for his successful gubernatorial run in 2018.
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Padilla’s ideology and policy interests, by contrast, are not a big part of his pitch. Neither Latino Victory, nor Padilla’s spokesperson, had a clear answer when asked what issues Padilla planned to focus on as a U.S. senator.
As a state senator, Padilla tread a noncontroversial path. One of Padilla’s biggest triumphs was authoring a 2014 bill barring stores from distributing single-use plastic bags.
On issues of major importance to the activist left, Padilla has sided with the state’s Democratic establishment. He abstained from a 2012 vote on a bill to implement single-payer health care in the state. And Padilla not only endorsed Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s 2018 re-election, but also spoke on her behalf at an event at which she sought the California Democratic Party’s endorsement. Feinstein did not receive the endorsement but won reelection against then-state Senate President Kevin de León by more than 8 percentage points in 2018.
Kevin de León, a Los Angeles city councilman and former state Senate president, is an underdog in the bid to replace Harris, but he retains a loyal following. Ronen Tivony/NurPhoto/Getty Images
It’s precisely Padilla’s divergence from de León, another son of Latino immigrants with humble Los Angeles roots, that has prompted some progressives and Latino party activists to mount a fledgling campaign for de León to get the nod from Newsom.
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“Is the governor going to do what’s right for the state of California or is he going to appoint a friend?” asked Susie Shannon, a housing advocate and California member of the Democratic National Committee. “I don’t want somebody who goes to Washington, and we never hear from them again.”
De León, who is 53 and a Los Angeles city councilman, began his career as an immigration advocate and teachers union official before winning a seat in the state Assembly in 2006 and ascending to the state Senate in 2010.
De León’s biggest accomplishments in the state Senate were in advancing the state’s commitment to renewable energy. His efforts culminated in the passage of a law requiring the state to phase out its use of fossil fuels to generate electricity by 2045.
Progressive activists in the state also credit de León with advancing state-level single-payer health care legislation, shepherding a law allotting more funding to tackle homelessness and stepping up to challenge the more moderate Feinstein in 2018.
De León distinguished himself from Feinstein by promising a more confrontational approach with President Donald Trump; Feinstein vowed to give Trump a chance. The state senator promised to back elimination of the filibuster and hit Feinstein’s hard-line stance on immigration enforcement in the 1990s.
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At the time, Feinstein’s funding advantage and ironclad support from the party establishment, including former President Barack Obama, made the challenge a lonely and thankless venture. And Feinstein’s comfortable margin of victory did little to dispel that perception.
“For Latinos, we need to see it ― someone with that kind of chutzpah.” - Annette Gonzalez-Buttner, Imperial County Democratic Central Committee
But de León’s prospects are getting a second look after progressives lambasted Feinstein as naive and ineffectual for her handling of the confirmation hearings for Republican Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. De León’s name began trending on Twitter after 87-year-old Feinstein, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, hugged Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). Feinstein, who won the endorsement of prominent California editorial boards in 2018 thanks to her seniority on the powerful committee, recently announced that she planned to cede the top spot in the next Congress.
De León’s 2018 performance is enough to earn him the endorsement of the Imperial County Democratic Central Committee, a local party body in California’s heavily Latino and impoverished southeastern corner. Annette Gonzalez-Buttner, a county school board member who chairs the Imperial County Democratic Central Committee, cited the California Democratic Party’s endorsement of de León as evidence that he is capable of unifying the state’s Democrats ahead of the 2022 election.
“When he took that endorsement from Dianne Feinstein ― that was courageous. He didn’t have nearly as much money as she did. I was blown away,” Gonzalez-Buttner recalled. “For Latinos, we need to see it ― someone with that kind of chutzpah.”
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Still, prospects are dim that Newsom would select de León so soon after the former state Senate leader took on the Democratic establishment. Even before the 2018 race, the two California Democrats had a history of clashing dating back to Newsom’s tenure as lieutenant governor.
“Whoever Gov. Newsom chooses should have strong leadership on climate change, immigration, homelessness and especially foreign affairs when it comes to our own Western hemisphere,” de León told HuffPost. “I’m sure he’ll choose the right person for this moment.”
If appointed, Robert Garcia (D) — mayor of Long Beach, California — would be both the state's first Latino senator and the state's first openly LGBTQ senator. Bob Riha Jr / Reuters
A Potential LGBTQ Milestone
A third faction of Democrats is lobbying Newsom to make history in another way: Tap a member of the LGBTQ community to fill the post. Democratic Sens. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona are the first two LGBTQ senators in history.
The LGBTQ Victory Fund — which works to elect LGBTQ people to public office at all levels of government — suggested earlier this month that Newsom pick one of two people: State Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), de León’s successor as state Senate president, or Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia.
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When he was elected in 2014, Garcia became the Southern California city’s first openly gay and first Latino mayor.
“Governor Newsom is one of the strongest allies we have in elected office and consistently shows courage in his efforts to advance equality, so we are hopeful he will add to his legacy with an LGBTQ appointment,” LGBTQ Victory Fund President Annise Parker, the former Houston mayor, said in a statement.
All of the factional jockeying has some Democrats concerned that a selection process designed to reflect partisan consensus could leave open wounds. The governor, after all, only has one seat to fill.
“I don’t want there to be a faction after the fact ― whoever is chosen,” said Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Gonzalez, who is neutral in the selection process. “I don’t want us to lose our focus within the party.”
Gonzalez is especially concerned that the process is pitting the party’s two core constituencies ― Black Americans and Latinos ― against each other.
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An additional worry is that some of the state’s most promising stars, such as Reps. Adam Schiff of Los Angeles and Katie Porter of Orange County, are not well positioned to prevail in a closed-door process orchestrated by the governor.
Newsom may get the chance to fill yet another U.S. Senate seat, if, as many assume, Feinstein resigns before the completion of her term in 2024. Pressure would grow for Newsom at least to allow a special election to replace her, creating an open field on which multiple candidates can compete.
Some Democrats want Newsom to take a more neutral posture now by tapping a placeholder senator who promises not to seek reelection in 2022. That would allow the voters the biggest possible voice in the process and give the party’s deep bench of ascendant Democratic elected officials the chance to duke it out for an open seat in two years’ time.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-27--Empty Seats, Delivered Feasts As Virus Changes Thanksgiving

Turkey and pies will still come out of ovens , football will still be on TV , families will still give thanks and have lively conversations about politics .
But this holiday has been utterly altered after months filled with sorrows and hardships : Many feasts are weighed down by the loss of loved ones ; others have been canceled or scaled back with the virus surging .
Zoom and FaceTime calls have become a fixture at dinner tables to connect with family members who don ’ t want to travel .
Far fewer volunteers are helping at soup kitchens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department has been delivering boxes of food to residents who are infected with the virus and can ’ t go to the store .
A New York nursing home is offering drive-up visits for families of residents struggling with celebrating the holiday alone .
“ The holidays make it a little harder , ” said Harriet Krakowsky , an 85-year-old resident of the Hebrew Home at Riverdale in New York who misses the big Thanksgiving celebrations of years past and has lost neighbors and friends to the virus .
“ I cry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to go on.
” On any normal Thanksgiving Day , Kara McKlemurry and her husband would drive from their Clearwater , Florida , home to one of two places : his family ’ s home in another part of the state or her family ’ s house in Alabama .
This year , McKlemurry informed her family there would be no visits .
When her in-laws offered to stop by , the couple said no .
Kara McKlemurry poses for a photo while writing Thanksgiving notes to family and friends at her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in Clearwater , Fla. On any normal Thanksgiving Day , McKlemurry and her husband would drive from their home to one of two places : his family 's home in another part of Florida or her family 's house in Alabama .
This year , McKlemurry informed her family there would be no visits because of the pandemic .
For one , Franz , 39 , is celebrating without her mother-in-law , Elaine Franz , who died of the coronavirus on Nov. 10 , just one day before her 78th birthday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was Mennonite , would lay out a spread for her children and grandchildren .
At Franz ’ s work , in a typical year , co-workers would bring food for a potluck .
“ We had a good conversation that was , ‘ This year may be different , and that ’ s OK .
It is one year .
If things are different this year and that means we get to see all the rest of our family next year , it is OK , ’ ” said Franz , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
Kerry Osaki , right , helps his wife , Lena Adame , in the kitchen in Fountain Valley , Calif. , on Nov. 25 , 2020 .
For years , Osaki went with his mother to his aunt 's house for Thanksgiving to celebrate with family .
His wife spent the holiday cooking a spread of turkey and stuffing with her relatives .
This year , both of their traditions have fallen to the pandemic that took the life of Osaki 's 93-year-old mother .

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Vivian Zayas can’t keep herself from scrolling through photos of last Thanksgiving, when her mother stood at the stove to make a big pot of rice and beans and then took a seat at the edge of the table.
That was before anyone had heard of COVID-19 and before it claimed the retired seamstress. Ana Martinez died at 78 on April 1 while recovering at a nursing home from a knee replacement.
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The family is having their traditional meal of turkey, yams, green beans and rice and beans — but Zayas is removing a seat from the table at her home in Deer Park, New York, and putting her mother’s walker in its place.
“It’s a painful Thanksgiving. You don’t even know, should you celebrate?” asked Zayas. “It’s a lonely time.”
The family is left with “an empty chair at the table forever,” another daughter, Alexa Rivera, said Thursday.
Vivian Zayas holds onto the walker once belonging to her recently deceased mother Ana Martinez while her family prays before Thanksgiving dinner, on Nov. 26, 2020, in Deer Park, N.Y. AP Photo/John Minchillo
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Americans are marking the Thanksgiving holiday amid an unrelenting pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than a quarter of a million people in the United States.
Turkey and pies will still come out of ovens, football will still be on TV, families will still give thanks and have lively conversations about politics. But this holiday has been utterly altered after months filled with sorrows and hardships: Many feasts are weighed down by the loss of loved ones; others have been canceled or scaled back with the virus surging.
Zoom and FaceTime calls have become a fixture at dinner tables to connect with family members who don’t want to travel. Far fewer volunteers are helping at soup kitchens or community centers. A Utah health department has been delivering boxes of food to residents who are infected with the virus and can’t go to the store. A New York nursing home is offering drive-up visits for families of residents struggling with celebrating the holiday alone.
“The holidays make it a little harder,” said Harriet Krakowsky, an 85-year-old resident of the Hebrew Home at Riverdale in New York who misses the big Thanksgiving celebrations of years past and has lost neighbors and friends to the virus. “I cry, but I get over it. We have to go on.”
On any normal Thanksgiving Day, Kara McKlemurry and her husband would drive from their Clearwater, Florida, home to one of two places: his family’s home in another part of the state or her family’s house in Alabama. This year, McKlemurry informed her family there would be no visits. When her in-laws offered to stop by, the couple said no.
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She and her husband didn’t want to risk infecting anyone or getting the virus themselves.
Not everyone followed McKlemurry’s example. Millions of Americans bought tickets to fly somewhere for the holiday, crowding airports despite pleas from officials to avoid travel and gatherings.
Still, McKlemurry, 27, wanted to do something unique to mark this unusual holiday — something to let everyone know that she and her husband still feel blessed this year.
Kara McKlemurry poses for a photo while writing Thanksgiving notes to family and friends at her home Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, in Clearwater, Fla. On any normal Thanksgiving Day, McKlemurry and her husband would drive from their home to one of two places: his family's home in another part of Florida or her family's house in Alabama. This year, McKlemurry informed her family there would be no visits because of the pandemic. AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
So, a week before Thanksgiving, armed with colored pens and stickers of owls with scarves, she hand wrote notes of gratitude to every member of the family.
“We’re so grateful to have you in our lives,” she wrote on a card with a cartoon fox, “even if we can’t actually be together this year for the holidays.”
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In the nation’s capital, the convention center is empty unlike in previous years, when volunteers have worked together to serve a meal to about 5,000 people. In the era of social distancing, the sponsored event had to be reimagined.
Ahead of the holiday, organizers delivered to 20 nonprofits 5,000 gift bags, each with winter clothing accessories, hand sanitizer and a mask, and 5,000 boxes that included a turkey sandwich with condiments, a side potato salad, a cookie and utensils.
From start to finish, Thanksgiving is different this year for Jessica Franz, a nurse who works the graveyard shift at Olathe Medical Center, in a Kansas City suburb.
For one, Franz, 39, is celebrating without her mother-in-law, Elaine Franz, who died of the coronavirus on Nov. 10, just one day before her 78th birthday. In previous years, her mother-in-law, who was Mennonite, would lay out a spread for her children and grandchildren. At Franz’s work, in a typical year, co-workers would bring food for a potluck.
None of that is happening this year.
The family is shifting the festivities to Zoom and FaceTime. It’s been hard for her daughters — ages, 2, 8 and 11. Her middle daughter was exposed to the coronavirus at school and is quarantined until Dec. 3, and her oldest daughter is struggling with the concept of a scaled-back holiday.
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“We had a good conversation that was, ‘This year may be different, and that’s OK. It is one year. If things are different this year and that means we get to see all the rest of our family next year, it is OK,’” said Franz, who has personally cared for patients dying of coronavirus.
Family members, reflected in the window, wave goodbye to nursing home resident Barbara Farrior, 85, at the end of their visit at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale on Thanksgiving, on Nov. 26, 2020, in New York. The home offered drive-up visits for families of residents struggling with celebrating the holiday alone. AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez
The Thanksgiving gathering at David Forsyth’s home in Southern California, meanwhile, comes with a uniquely 2020 feel: rapid virus tests at the door to decide who gets inside.
The kit costs about $1,000 for 20 tests, each of which involve pricking a finger and putting a drop of blood on a tray. Ten minutes later the results either show someone is negative, has antibodies or is positive.
Normally, about 15 to 20 people attend the family’s Thanksgiving dinner in Channel Islands Harbor. But this year, it will only be eight of them: Forsyth, his wife, her four adult sons and the partners of two of them.
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His wife started cooking Tuesday. She’s planning a cold cucumber soup for a starter and bunch of appetizers for the early afternoon meal. The sons are bringing side dishes. Turkey and the fixings are the main course. Champagne may be cracked.
Forsyth hasn’t seen his family much during the pandemic but wanted to save the holiday.
“People are trying to live a normal life,” he said. “And, you know, with the second wave coming now, it’s not a bad idea to be prepared.”
Kerry Osaki longs to see his now-grown children, without masks, and hug them. But instead he and his wife are celebrating just the two of them after their traditions were upended.
Kerry Osaki, right, helps his wife, Lena Adame, in the kitchen in Fountain Valley, Calif., on Nov. 25, 2020. For years, Osaki went with his mother to his aunt's house for Thanksgiving to celebrate with family. His wife spent the holiday cooking a spread of turkey and stuffing with her relatives. This year, both of their traditions have fallen to the pandemic that took the life of Osaki's 93-year-old mother. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
Osaki’s 93-year-old mother, Rose, who lived with the couple in Orange County in California, died from the virus after all three got sick.
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With his mother gone, Osaki, 67, and his cousin decided to pass on the family’s annual Thanksgiving get-together. His wife, Lena Adame, typically spent the holiday cooking a spread of turkey and stuffing with her relatives — but some had seen virus cases at their workplaces, so the couple decided to skip that, too.
“It’s just been a long, rough and sometimes sad year,” he said.
In Ogden, Utah, Evelyn Maysonet stepped out of her home Tuesday morning to find boxes overflowing with canned goods, desserts and a turkey. She has been isolating with her husband and son since all three tested positive for COVID-19.
None of them has been able to leave to buy groceries, so they were thrilled to receive the health department’s delivery — and the chance to cherish the things that matter most.
“As long as you have a life and you’re still alive, just make the best of it with you and your family,” Maysonet said.
___
Associated Press journalists Tamara Lush, Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Sophia Eppolito, Amy Taxin and John Minchillo contributed to this report.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-27--Pig Guts And Punches Fly In Taiwan Parliament Over Imports Of U.S. Meat

TAIPEI , Taiwan ( AP ) — Lawmakers in Taiwan got into a fistfight and threw pig guts at each other Friday over a soon-to-be enacted policy that would allow imports of U.S. pork and beef .
Premier Su Tseng-chang was due to give a regularly scheduled policy report to lawmakers on Friday morning about the pork policy when opposition party lawmakers from the Nationalist party , also known as the KMT , blocked his attempt to speak by dumping bags of pig organs .
Legislators from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party attempted to stop them , resulting in chaos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tsai Ing-wen ’ s administration lifted a longstanding ban on imports of U.S. pork and beef in August , in a move seen as one of the first steps toward possibly negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with the U.S .
The ban is due to be lifted in January .
That decision has met with fierce opposition , both from the KMT and individual citizens .
The new policy allows imports of pork with acceptable residues of ractopamine , a drug that some farmers add to animal feed that promotes the growth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a fist fight and threw pig guts at each other Friday over a soon-to-be enacted policy that would allow imports of U.S. pork and beef .
U.S. pork would account for a small percentage of the island ’ s consumption , but the Nationalist party has seized on the issue in an effort to mobilize support following successive failures at the polls .
“ When you were in the opposition , you were against U.S. pork , now that you ’ re in power , you ’ ve become a supporter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lin Wei-chou , who led the group of lawmakers protesting the policy on Friday .
They wore black T-shirts that read “ oppose ractopamine-pork.
” DPP lawmakers called for peace .
“ You have blocked Premier Su from reposting to the parliament for 12 times , ” said Hsu Sheng-chieh , a DPP legislative member .
“ Please return to reason.
” Thousands of people marched in streets on Sunday demanding the reversal of a decision to allow U.S. pork imports into Taiwan , alleging food safety issues .

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TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Lawmakers in Taiwan got into a fistfight and threw pig guts at each other Friday over a soon-to-be enacted policy that would allow imports of U.S. pork and beef.
Premier Su Tseng-chang was due to give a regularly scheduled policy report to lawmakers on Friday morning about the pork policy when opposition party lawmakers from the Nationalist party, also known as the KMT, blocked his attempt to speak by dumping bags of pig organs.
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Legislators from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party attempted to stop them, resulting in chaos and an exchange of punches.
A DPP lawmaker wrestled a KMT lawmaker to the floor in the scuffle.
President Tsai Ing-wen’s administration lifted a longstanding ban on imports of U.S. pork and beef in August, in a move seen as one of the first steps toward possibly negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with the U.S. The ban is due to be lifted in January.
That decision has met with fierce opposition, both from the KMT and individual citizens. The new policy allows imports of pork with acceptable residues of ractopamine, a drug that some farmers add to animal feed that promotes the growth of lean meat.
Taiwan's lawmakers got into a fist fight and threw pig guts at each other Friday over a soon-to-be enacted policy that would allow imports of U.S. pork and beef. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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On Sunday, thousands of people marched in Taipei to protest the imports.
U.S. pork would account for a small percentage of the island’s consumption, but the Nationalist party has seized on the issue in an effort to mobilize support following successive failures at the polls.
“When you were in the opposition, you were against U.S. pork, now that you’re in power, you’ve become a supporter of U.S. pork,” said KMT legislator Lin Wei-chou, who led the group of lawmakers protesting the policy on Friday. They wore black T-shirts that read “oppose ractopamine-pork.”
DPP lawmakers called for peace. “You have blocked Premier Su from reposting to the parliament for 12 times, ” said Hsu Sheng-chieh, a DPP legislative member. “Please return to reason.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-27--'Daily Show' Imagines Thanksgiving Video Calls With Fox News 'Family'

In a clip released Thursday , “ The Daily Show With Trevor Noah ” correspondent caught up with “ aunt @ @ @ @ @ cousin Tucker ” Carlson and “ second cousin Sean ” Hannity — as well as @ @ @ @ @ , “ uncle Rudy ” Giuliani , and Fox Business host “ uncle Lou ” @ @ @ @ @ Lydic tried to talk about the holidays or mundane topics , her “ relatives ” @ @ @ @ @ baseless conspiracy theories , rants about the 2020 election result and the coronavirus pandemic .

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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-27--U.S. Coronavirus Cases Soar Past 13 Million As Holiday Season Kicks Off

The United States has now recorded more than 13 million coronavirus cases , representing around 4 % of the country ’ s total population , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
Nearly 265,000 people across the country have died of the virus .
The milestone means that the U.S. is now adding around 1 million new cases per week ― an alarming reality as the Christmas and New Year ’ s holidays approach and with them the temptation to gather indoors with loved ones at the end of a difficult year .
Millions of Americans traveled for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and leaders from both political parties .
More than 3 million have passed through Transportation Security Administration airport checkpoints since Wednesday , the TSA reported .
About 50 million people will travel by car by the weekend ’ s end , the AAA estimated .
State and local leaders across the country have tightened restrictions on mask use and social distancing as cases skyrocketed over the last month .
States in the center of the country — such as Minnesota , Wisconsin and the Dakotas — have seen particularly sharp spikes .
Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top infectious disease expert , warned Americans not to expect the holidays to be any more normal than Thanksgiving .
“ If the surge takes a turn of continuing to go up , and you have the sustained greater-than-100,000 infections a day and 1,300 deaths per day , and the count keeps going up and up , ...
I don ’ t see it being any different during the Christmas and New Year ’ s holidays than during Thanksgiving , ” he told USA Today .
“ For my own family , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great Thanksgiving and Christmas last year , ” Fauci said .
“ We ’ re looking forward to a really great Thanksgiving and Christmas in 2021 .
Let ’ s now make the best of the situation and show our love and affection for people by keeping them safe .
”

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The United States has now recorded more than 13 million coronavirus cases, representing around 4% of the country’s total population, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
Nearly 265,000 people across the country have died of the virus.
The milestone means that the U.S. is now adding around 1 million new cases per week ― an alarming reality as the Christmas and New Year’s holidays approach and with them the temptation to gather indoors with loved ones at the end of a difficult year.
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Millions of Americans traveled for Thanksgiving despite urging from public health experts and leaders from both political parties. More than 3 million have passed through Transportation Security Administration airport checkpoints since Wednesday, the TSA reported. About 50 million people will travel by car by the weekend’s end, the AAA estimated.
State and local leaders across the country have tightened restrictions on mask use and social distancing as cases skyrocketed over the last month. States in the center of the country — such as Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Dakotas — have seen particularly sharp spikes.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, warned Americans not to expect the holidays to be any more normal than Thanksgiving.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-27--Fauci: Christmas And New Year's Won't Be 'Any Different' Than Thanksgiving

Dr. Anthony Fauci has warned Americans to hunker down for a tough holiday season , as Christmas and New Year ’ s are likely to be just as muted by the coronavirus as Thanksgiving was .
“ If the surge takes a turn of continuing to go up and you have the sustained greater than 100,000 infections a day and 1,300 deaths per day and the count keeps going up and up ...
I don ’ t see it being any different during the Christmas and New Year ’ s holidays than during Thanksgiving.
” Fauci ― who had previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus during Christmas time was Santa himself ― added that within his family , the holidays would be quieter affairs , with his daughter chiming in via Zoom .
“ For my own family , I ’ m saying we had a really great Thanksgiving and Christmas last year , ” he said .
“ We ’ re looking forward to a really great Thanksgiving and Christmas in 2021 .
Let ’ s now make the best of the situation and show our love and affection for people by keeping them safe.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation Fauci had with CNN ’ s Jake Tapper earlier this month .
Tapper suggested that a normal Christmas looked like an impossibility in 2020 , which Fauci agreed with .
The infectious disease expert said that next year could see a return to normalcy , but stressed that such a transition would be incremental .
“ It ’ s not going to be a light switch , ” Fauci said at the time , adding : “ We ’ re not going to turn it on and off .
...
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of more normality as the weeks and the months go by.
” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned on its website that despite the loneliness and stress of the pandemic , holiday “ gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu.
” Despite this advice , data from the Transportation Security Administration indicated that more than 2 million airline travelers had been screened last week on Friday and Saturday .
One day before Thanksgiving , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TSA security .
While this number is markedly lower than the 2,624,250 screened in 2019 , it is still the single-day highest volume of travelers since March 16 , when COVID-19 restrictions began sweeping across the U.S .

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Dr. Anthony Fauci has warned Americans to hunker down for a tough holiday season, as Christmas and New Year’s are likely to be just as muted by the coronavirus as Thanksgiving was.
Speaking with USA Today, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases warned of surging COVID-19 cases throughout December.
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“If the surge takes a turn of continuing to go up and you have the sustained greater than 100,000 infections a day and 1,300 deaths per day and the count keeps going up and up ... I don’t see it being any different during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays than during Thanksgiving.”
Fauci ― who had previously joked that the one person safe from the coronavirus during Christmas time was Santa himself ― added that within his family, the holidays would be quieter affairs, with his daughter chiming in via Zoom.
“For my own family, I’m saying we had a really great Thanksgiving and Christmas last year,” he said. “We’re looking forward to a really great Thanksgiving and Christmas in 2021. Let’s now make the best of the situation and show our love and affection for people by keeping them safe.”
These remarks are similar to a conversation Fauci had with CNN’s Jake Tapper earlier this month. Tapper suggested that a normal Christmas looked like an impossibility in 2020, which Fauci agreed with. The infectious disease expert said that next year could see a return to normalcy, but stressed that such a transition would be incremental.
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“It’s not going to be a light switch,” Fauci said at the time, adding: “We’re not going to turn it on and off. ... It’s going to be a gradual accrual of more normality as the weeks and the months go by.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned on its website that despite the loneliness and stress of the pandemic, holiday “gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase the chances of getting or spreading COVID-19 or the flu.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-27--Judge To Trump: 'Calling An Election Unfair Does Not Make It So'

PHILADELPHIA ( AP ) — President Donald Trump ’ s legal team suffered yet another defeat in court Friday as a federal appeals court in Philadelphia roundly rejected the campaign ’ s latest effort to challenge the state ’ s election results .
Trump ’ s lawyers vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court despite the judges ’ assessment that the “ campaign ’ s claims have no merit.
” “ Free , fair elections are the lifeblood of our democracy .
Charges of unfairness are serious .
But calling an election unfair does not make it so .
Charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have neither here , ” 3rd Circuit Judge Stephanos Bibas , a Trump appointee , wrote for the three-judge panel , all appointed by Republican presidents .
The case had been argued last week in a lower court by Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani , who insisted during five hours of oral arguments that the 2020 presidential election had been marred by widespread fraud in Pennsylvania .
However , Giuliani failed to offer any tangible proof of that in court .
U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann had said the campaign ’ s error-filled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monster , has been haphazardly stitched together ” and denied Giuliani the right to amend it for a second time .
The 3rd U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals called any revisions “ futile.
” Chief Judge D. Brooks Smith and Judge Michael Chagares were on the panel with Bibas , a former University of Pennsylvania law professor .
Trump ’ s sister , Judge Maryanne Trump Barry , sat on the court for 20 years , retiring in 2019 .
“ Voters , not lawyers , choose the president .
Ballots , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bibas said in the opinion , which also denied the campaign ’ s request to stop the state from certifying its results , a demand he called “ breathtaking.
” In fact , Pennsylvania officials had announced Tuesday that they had certified their vote count for President-elect Joe Biden , who defeated Trump by more than 80,000 votes in the state .
Nationally , Biden and running mate Kamala Harris garnered nearly 80 million votes , a record in U.S. presidential elections .
Biden campaign spokesman Mike Gwin said Friday in response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ This election is over and Donald Trump lost , both in Pennsylvania and nationally .
Desperate and embarrassingly lawsuits like this one will continue to fail and not change the fact that Joe Biden will be sworn in as President on January 20 , 2021.
” Trump has said he hopes the Supreme Court will intervene in the race as it did in 2000 when its decision to stop the recount in Florida gave the election to Republican George W. Bush .
On Nov. 5 , as the vote count continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ U.S .
Supreme Court should decide !
”

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — President Donald Trump’s legal team suffered yet another defeat in court Friday as a federal appeals court in Philadelphia roundly rejected the campaign’s latest effort to challenge the state’s election results.
Trump’s lawyers vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court despite the judges’ assessment that the “campaign’s claims have no merit.”
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“Free, fair elections are the lifeblood of our democracy. Charges of unfairness are serious. But calling an election unfair does not make it so. Charges require specific allegations and then proof. We have neither here,” 3rd Circuit Judge Stephanos Bibas, a Trump appointee, wrote for the three-judge panel, all appointed by Republican presidents.
The case had been argued last week in a lower court by Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who insisted during five hours of oral arguments that the 2020 presidential election had been marred by widespread fraud in Pennsylvania. However, Giuliani failed to offer any tangible proof of that in court.
U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann had said the campaign’s error-filled complaint, “like Frankenstein’s Monster, has been haphazardly stitched together” and denied Giuliani the right to amend it for a second time.
The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals called any revisions “futile.” Chief Judge D. Brooks Smith and Judge Michael Chagares were on the panel with Bibas, a former University of Pennsylvania law professor. Trump’s sister, Judge Maryanne Trump Barry, sat on the court for 20 years, retiring in 2019.
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“Voters, not lawyers, choose the president. Ballots, not briefs, decide elections,” Bibas said in the opinion, which also denied the campaign’s request to stop the state from certifying its results, a demand he called “breathtaking.”
In fact, Pennsylvania officials had announced Tuesday that they had certified their vote count for President-elect Joe Biden, who defeated Trump by more than 80,000 votes in the state. Nationally, Biden and running mate Kamala Harris garnered nearly 80 million votes, a record in U.S. presidential elections.
Biden campaign spokesman Mike Gwin said Friday in response to the judges’ ruling according to CNN that “This election is over and Donald Trump lost, both in Pennsylvania and nationally. Desperate and embarrassingly lawsuits like this one will continue to fail and not change the fact that Joe Biden will be sworn in as President on January 20, 2021.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-27--Trump Now Insists Biden Must 'Prove' He Won 80 Million Votes To Enter The White House

Less than 24 hours after Donald Trump said he was ready to step aside for President-elect Joe Biden , he has reversed his position , claiming that Biden must first “ prove ” he actually won the 80 million votes that states across the nation have tabulated in his favor .
On Friday , a federal appeals court panel in Philadelphia shot down Trump ’ s legal team ’ s attempt to challenge election results in Pennsylvania , a state Biden won .
Yet in a tweet completely detached from reality , Trump insisted that it ’ s now Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The president-elect can “ only enter the White House as President if he can prove that his ridiculous ‘ 80,000,000 votes ’ were not fraudulently or illegally obtained , ” Trump tweeted Friday .
He did not indicate how Biden was expected to prove the legitimacy of votes that have already gone through a certification process .
Trump also falsely said Biden only did well in the large cities of Detroit , Philadelphia , Atlanta and Milwaukee , which he claimed have “ long [ been ] known as being politically corrupt.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pennsylvania , Georgia and Wisconsin in 2016 , but not this year .
Biden can only enter the White House as President if he can prove that his ridiculous “ 80,000,000 votes ” were not fraudulently or illegally obtained .
When you see what happened in Detroit , Atlanta , Philadelphia & Milwaukee , massive voter fraud , he ’ s got a big unsolvable problem !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) November 27 , 2020 Biden did poorly in big cities ( Politico ) , except those of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , Philadelphia , Atlanta and Milwaukee , which he had to win .
Not surprisingly , they are all located in the most important swing states , and are long known for being politically corrupt !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) November 27 , 2020 “ Charges of unfairness are serious .
But calling an election unfair does not make it so .
Charges require specific allegations and then proof .
We have neither here , ” Trump appointee Judge Stephanos Bibas wrote in an opinion filed Friday for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Circuit Court of Appeals .
The judges on the panel were all appointed by GOP presidents .
“ Voters , not lawyers , choose the President .
Ballots , not briefs , decide elections , ” the court said .
“ The campaign can not win this lawsuit.
” When reporters had asked Trump on Thursday if he would leave the White House when his term is up , the president had responded : “ Certainly I will .
… Certainly I will , and you know that.
” But he also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very hard thing to concede ” and again falsely insisted there “ was massive fraud.
” Electors will meet on Dec. 14 to cast their votes in their respective states , a move that constitutionally determines the next president .
The president golfed on Friday at his club in Virginia before traveling on Marine One to Camp David .

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Less than 24 hours after Donald Trump said he was ready to step aside for President-elect Joe Biden, he has reversed his position, claiming that Biden must first “prove” he actually won the 80 million votes that states across the nation have tabulated in his favor.
On Friday, a federal appeals court panel in Philadelphia shot down Trump’s legal team’s attempt to challenge election results in Pennsylvania, a state Biden won. Yet in a tweet completely detached from reality, Trump insisted that it’s now Biden who has a “big unsolvable problem.”
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The president-elect can “only enter the White House as President if he can prove that his ridiculous ‘80,000,000 votes’ were not fraudulently or illegally obtained,” Trump tweeted Friday. He did not indicate how Biden was expected to prove the legitimacy of votes that have already gone through a certification process.
Trump also falsely said Biden only did well in the large cities of Detroit, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Milwaukee, which he claimed have “long [been] known as being politically corrupt.” Trump won the states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Wisconsin in 2016, but not this year.
Twitter marked both of Trump’s tweets as “disputed.”
Biden can only enter the White House as President if he can prove that his ridiculous “80,000,000 votes” were not fraudulently or illegally obtained. When you see what happened in Detroit, Atlanta, Philadelphia & Milwaukee, massive voter fraud, he’s got a big unsolvable problem! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2020
Biden did poorly in big cities (Politico), except those of Detroit (more votes than people!), Philadelphia, Atlanta and Milwaukee, which he had to win. Not surprisingly, they are all located in the most important swing states, and are long known for being politically corrupt! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2020
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“Charges of unfairness are serious. But calling an election unfair does not make it so. Charges require specific allegations and then proof. We have neither here,” Trump appointee Judge Stephanos Bibas wrote in an opinion filed Friday for the three-judge panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The judges on the panel were all appointed by GOP presidents.
“Voters, not lawyers, choose the President. Ballots, not briefs, decide elections,” the court said. “The campaign cannot win this lawsuit.”
When reporters had asked Trump on Thursday if he would leave the White House when his term is up, the president had responded: “Certainly I will. … Certainly I will, and you know that.”
But he also said it was “going to be a very hard thing to concede” and again falsely insisted there “was massive fraud.”
Electors will meet on Dec. 14 to cast their votes in their respective states, a move that constitutionally determines the next president.
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Trump refused to say on Thursday if he planned to attend Biden’s inauguration.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-27--Dan Rather Reflects On 2020, Trump's Legacy And The 'Deep And Wide' Divisions Of America

Dan Rather reflected on a chaotic 2020 , wondered how history will judge President Donald Trump and addressed the deep divisions in the United States in an interview with The Washington Post published Monday .
The coronavirus pandemic led to an outburst of misinformation and “ lies ... spreading faster than mildew in a damp basement , ” the veteran newsman said .
That combined with the chaotic presidential election and the rise of propaganda to create a storm that compared to previous pivotal points in America ’ s history , including the Great Depression and the civil rights movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But 2020 was also its own beast , he added .
“ We ’ ve seen difficult times before , but no doubt about it , 2020 was difficult , ” Rather said .
“ In some ways it was uniquely difficult , I think , in terms of both the spirit and tone and substance of the presidency.
” The former “ CBS Evening News ” anchorman added that it was very difficult for him to imagine “ that history is going to be anything but exceptionally harsh on President Trump.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disagreed with him , including members of the judiciary , members of Congress , the press , ” Rather said .
“ He did immense damage to the institutions , and that damage can ’ t be repaired very easily.
” Rather added that he has always been an optimist and believes in America ’ s resilience , but the fact that a large share of Americans still voted for Trump gave him pause .
“ If you read the election returns , there were more than 70 million people who voted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Rather said .
“ This has me rethinking how really deep and wide divisions are .
I ’ m sorry to say that , and I ’ d love to be proven wrong , but I think the election speaks loud and clear.
” Rather called President-elect Joe Biden a good man and mused that he might be up to the task of guiding America toward a less divisive era .
But it ’ s up to all Americans to do their part to bring the country back from a period largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and propaganda masquerading as fact , he said .
“ I do think we need both in the political sphere and in every sphere in the country an attitude of : ‘ Listen , you and I may disagree about 100 things , and we ’ re not going to agree about those .
Let ’ s find one thing that we can agree on that is common ground and work on it .
’ ”

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Dan Rather reflected on a chaotic 2020, wondered how history will judge President Donald Trump and addressed the deep divisions in the United States in an interview with The Washington Post published Monday.
The coronavirus pandemic led to an outburst of misinformation and “lies ... spreading faster than mildew in a damp basement,” the veteran newsman said.
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That combined with the chaotic presidential election and the rise of propaganda to create a storm that compared to previous pivotal points in America’s history, including the Great Depression and the civil rights movement of the 1960s, Rather said.
But 2020 was also its own beast, he added. “We’ve seen difficult times before, but no doubt about it, 2020 was difficult,” Rather said. “In some ways it was uniquely difficult, I think, in terms of both the spirit and tone and substance of the presidency.”
The former “CBS Evening News” anchorman added that it was very difficult for him to imagine “that history is going to be anything but exceptionally harsh on President Trump.”
“He attacked anybody and everybody who disagreed with him, including members of the judiciary, members of Congress, the press,” Rather said. “He did immense damage to the institutions, and that damage can’t be repaired very easily.”
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Rather added that he has always been an optimist and believes in America’s resilience, but the fact that a large share of Americans still voted for Trump gave him pause.
“If you read the election returns, there were more than 70 million people who voted to return Donald Trump to the presidency,” Rather said. “This has me rethinking how really deep and wide divisions are. I’m sorry to say that, and I’d love to be proven wrong, but I think the election speaks loud and clear.”
Rather called President-elect Joe Biden a good man and mused that he might be up to the task of guiding America toward a less divisive era. But it’s up to all Americans to do their part to bring the country back from a period largely defined by presidential braggadocio, partisan bickering and propaganda masquerading as fact, he said.
“I do think we need both in the political sphere and in every sphere in the country an attitude of: ‘Listen, you and I may disagree about 100 things, and we’re not going to agree about those. Let’s find one thing that we can agree on that is common ground and work on it.’”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-27--Security Experts Fear State Secrets Won't Be Safe With Indebted Donald Trump

Security experts are raising concerns about the safety of state secrets accessible to Donald Trump , particularly as massive debts on his businesses come due .
Trump already has access to secrets that could be devastating to the U.S. if they were leaked or sold .
In addition , presidents typically continue to be briefed on national security in certain circumstances even after they leave office , NBC News reports .
“ Is that a risk ?
” former CIA officer and author of “ The President ’ s Book of Secrets ” David Preiss asked in an NBC interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a security clearance , damn right it would be a risk.
” Such concern about state secrets is “ not something that one could have ever imagined with other presidents , but it ’ s easy to imagine with this one , ” Jack Goldsmith , who worked as a senior Justice Department official in the George W. Bush administration , told NBC .
“ He ’ s shown as president that he doesn ’ t take secret-keeping terribly seriously , ” Goldsmith added .
“ He has a known tendency to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And he has a known tendency to like to sell things that are valuable to him.
” Former CIA officer Doug Wise noted in a piece in Just Security earlier this month that Trump ’ s large debts pose “ obvious and alarming counterintelligence risks ” to the U.S. “ A frightening scenario is where the owners of Trump ’ s debt or actors like Putin who have the massive capacity to make him debt free pressure Trump into making decisions that are beneficial to Russia in the final days of his administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump has international business interests or business relationships with people in China , Russia and other nations with interests contrary to America ’ s that would benefit from access to U.S. state secrets .
Earlier this month , former CIA director John Brennan said Trump “ not only has total disdain for the intelligence community , but a disregard for the intelligence itself.
” ( Check out the video below . )
The president has “ called for the wholesale declassification of intelligence in order to further his own personal political interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donnell on MSNBC .
Trump will leave the White House with knowledge of state secrets , as well as records that he can use to “ advance his own personal , political or even financial interests , ” Brennan warned .
Trump has often been reckless with secret information in the White House , such as the time he bragged about sensitive information linked to a terrorist threat to Russian officials in the Oval Office in 2017 .
That year , Trump also gave the location of two American nuclear submarines near North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

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Security experts are raising concerns about the safety of state secrets accessible to Donald Trump, particularly as massive debts on his businesses come due.
Trump already has access to secrets that could be devastating to the U.S. if they were leaked or sold. In addition, presidents typically continue to be briefed on national security in certain circumstances even after they leave office, NBC News reports.
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Trump has proven to be dangerously reckless with intelligence and confoundingly supportive of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Is that a risk?” former CIA officer and author of “The President’s Book of Secrets” David Preiss asked in an NBC interview. “If it were someone applying for a security clearance, damn right it would be a risk.”
Such concern about state secrets is “not something that one could have ever imagined with other presidents, but it’s easy to imagine with this one,” Jack Goldsmith, who worked as a senior Justice Department official in the George W. Bush administration, told NBC.
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“He’s shown as president that he doesn’t take secret-keeping terribly seriously,” Goldsmith added. “He has a known tendency to disrespect rules related to national security. And he has a known tendency to like to sell things that are valuable to him.”
Former CIA officer Doug Wise noted in a piece in Just Security earlier this month that Trump’s large debts pose “obvious and alarming counterintelligence risks” to the U.S.
“A frightening scenario is where the owners of Trump’s debt or actors like Putin who have the massive capacity to make him debt free pressure Trump into making decisions that are beneficial to Russia in the final days of his administration,” Wise wrote.
Trump’s biggest creditor is reportedly Deutsche Bank, a German institution with ties to Russia. Such an entanglement would typically exclude someone from a top-secret clearance.
In addition, Trump has international business interests or business relationships with people in China, Russia and other nations with interests contrary to America’s that would benefit from access to U.S. state secrets.
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Earlier this month, former CIA director John Brennan said Trump “not only has total disdain for the intelligence community, but a disregard for the intelligence itself.” (Check out the video below.)
The president has “called for the wholesale declassification of intelligence in order to further his own personal political interests,” Brennan told Lawrence O’Donnell on MSNBC. Trump will leave the White House with knowledge of state secrets, as well as records that he can use to “advance his own personal, political or even financial interests,” Brennan warned.
Trump has often been reckless with secret information in the White House, such as the time he bragged about sensitive information linked to a terrorist threat to Russian officials in the Oval Office in 2017. That year, Trump also gave the location of two American nuclear submarines near North Korea to the president of the Philippines.
Earlier this year, Trump revealed the existence of a secret American nuclear weapons system in interviews with Bob Woodward for the journalist’s latest book.
Last year, he tweeted what experts said was a secret satellite photo of an Iranian nuclear installation.


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-27--COVID-19 Keeps Black Friday Crowds Thin, Shoppers Shift To Online

“ They ’ ve been away from their friends , ” said Kelly , who failed to get the console at a GameStop in New York City ’ s Union Square but said he would keep trying online .
“ They ’ ve done everything they had to do in school and outside of school , so I have to award them for being exceptional kids.
” Before Black Friday , GameStop teased that it would have a limited supply of the new $ 500 PlayStation 5 game console for sale only at its stores , in contrast to other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online .
Many retailers beefed up their safety protocols to reassure wary customers about coming in on Black Friday .
But stores also catered to those shopping digitally by moving their doorbuster deals online and ramping up curbside pickup options as a last grasp at sales before the year ends The National Retail Federation , the nation ’ s largest retail trade group , predicted that shoppers will be looking for reasons to celebrate .
The trade group expects sales for the November and December period to increase between 3.6 % and 5.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 % increase the year before .
Holiday sales have averaged gains of 3.5 % over the past five years .
Thanksgiving Day hit a new record online as spending reached $ 5.1 billion , up 21.5 % compared to a year ago , according to Adobe Analytics , which measures sales at 80 of the top 100 U.S. online retailers .
Among the most popular items were Lego sets , Barbie toys , and kid scooters , HP laptops , and Apple Watches , according to Adobe .
The popularity of Netflix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” has boosted sales for chess-related items .
“ Is there going to be a surge in apparel gifting , footwear gifting to help out any of the specialty retailers , and do they have the digital presence to actually capture the attention of the consumers ?
” said Sonia Lapinsky , managing director in AlixPartner ’ s retail practice .
“ That remains to be seen , and I think it will be more on the grim side.
” There are also fewer deals to be had this year .
Non-essential retailers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onset of the pandemic , leading to lower inventory .
As a result , holiday promotions are tracking below last year ’ s levels for clothing , consumer electronics , power and hand tools , and home goods , according to Numerator , a market research firm .
Erika Mendez usually heads to the mall every Black Friday to shop at clothing brands Zara , H & M , or Forever 21 .
But this year , the New Jersey journalist student ended up shopping on Amazon , scoring a Nike tracksuit for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nike sneakers that were 20 % off .

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NEW YORK (AP) — The raging coronavirus pandemic kept crowds thin at malls and stores across the country on Black Friday, but a surge in online shopping offered a beacon of hope for struggling retailers after months of slumping sales and businesses toppling into bankruptcy.
In normal times, Black Friday is the busiest shopping day of the year, drawing millions of people eager to get started on their holiday spending.
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But these are not normal times: A spike in coronavirus cases is threatening the economy’s fitful recovery from the sudden plunge in the spring. Crowds at stores were dramatically diminished as shoppers shifted online.
Game consoles, cookware, robotic vacuum cleaners, slippers, and pajamas were popular among shoppers preparing to spend a lot of time indoors this winter. Many were still eager to get into the holiday spirit and delight their loved ones after a tough year.
Eric Kelly, a boxing gym owner, camped outside a store on Black Friday for the first time in his life, trying to score a PlayStation 5 for his 13-year-old twin sons as a reward for persevering through remote learning during the pandemic.
“They’ve been away from their friends,” said Kelly, who failed to get the console at a GameStop in New York City’s Union Square but said he would keep trying online. “They’ve done everything they had to do in school and outside of school, so I have to award them for being exceptional kids.”
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Before Black Friday, GameStop teased that it would have a limited supply of the new $500 PlayStation 5 game console for sale only at its stores, in contrast to other retailers that offered the hot ticket-items only online.
Many retailers beefed up their safety protocols to reassure wary customers about coming in on Black Friday. But stores also catered to those shopping digitally by moving their doorbuster deals online and ramping up curbside pickup options as a last grasp at sales before the year ends
“Black Friday is still critical,” said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail. “No retailer wants it to be tarnished. It’s still vital to get their consumers spending and get consumers into the holiday mood.”
Several hundred shoppers lined up ahead of opening at Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, which normally attracts several thousand on Black Friday.
The smaller crowds were planned, said Jill Renslow, Mall of America’s senior vice president of business development. The mall spread out the Black Friday deals over eight days, and many retail tenants pivoted more to online and curbside pickup.
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“It feels good, and it’s the right thing to do to keep everybody safe,” Renslow said “Everyone is shopping a little differently but that’s OK.”
Only a trickle of shoppers showed up at Macy’s Herald Square in New York, which offered 50% off handbags and 60% off women’s and men’s coats. Workers sanitized doorknobs and windows.
A Christmas tree towered over the largely empty streets around The Domain, the most popular outdoor mall in Austin, Texas. Store employees counted masked shoppers trickling in to stay within the state’s 75% capacity limit.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has labeled shopping in crowded stores during the holidays a “higher risk” activity and says people should limit any in-person shopping.
A Black Friday shopper wearing a face mask carries bags at the Glendale Galleria in Glendale, Calif., Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) ASSOCIATED PRESS
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The National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, predicted that shoppers will be looking for reasons to celebrate. The trade group expects sales for the November and December period to increase between 3.6% and 5.2% over 2019, compared with a 4% increase the year before. Holiday sales have averaged gains of 3.5% over the past five years.
“We think there’s going to be a psychological factor that they owe it to themselves and their families to have a better-than-normal holiday,” said NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz.
Thanksgiving Day hit a new record online as spending reached $5.1 billion, up 21.5% compared to a year ago, according to Adobe Analytics, which measures sales at 80 of the top 100 U.S. online retailers. Among the most popular items were Lego sets, Barbie toys, and kid scooters, HP laptops, and Apple Watches, according to Adobe. The popularity of Netflix’s “Queen’s Gambit” has boosted sales for chess-related items.
Walmart, which spread out its Black Friday deals over several weekends, said its most popular deals included this year’s new gaming consoles, wireless headphones, home appliances like the Edufy Robotic Vacuum.
Black Friday shoppers wearing face masks wait in line to enter a store at the Glendale Galleria in Glendale, Calif., Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Black Friday is projected to generate $10 billion in online sales, a 39% bump from the year-ago period, according to Adobe. And Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving, will remain the biggest online shopping day of the year with $12.7 billion in sales, a 35% jump.
Big box stores like Walmart and Target, which were allowed to stay open during the spring lockdowns, have enjoyed further gains from ramping up their online services, analysts say.
But stores deemed non-essential that were forced to close have struggled to recover. More than 40 chains, including J.C. Penney and J.Crew, filed for bankruptcy.
“Is there going to be a surge in apparel gifting, footwear gifting to help out any of the specialty retailers, and do they have the digital presence to actually capture the attention of the consumers?” said Sonia Lapinsky, managing director in AlixPartner’s retail practice. “That remains to be seen, and I think it will be more on the grim side.”
There are also fewer deals to be had this year. Non-essential retailers were forced to halt production at the onset of the pandemic, leading to lower inventory. As a result, holiday promotions are tracking below last year’s levels for clothing, consumer electronics, power and hand tools, and home goods, according to Numerator, a market research firm.
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Erika Mendez usually heads to the mall every Black Friday to shop at clothing brands Zara, H&M, or Forever 21. But this year, the New Jersey journalist student ended up shopping on Amazon, scoring a Nike tracksuit for 25% off, as well as Nike sneakers that were 20% off.
“It’s just easier ordering online than going out,” says Mendez.
And Black Friday was the last thing on the minds of some hurt the most by the pandemic. At a popular shopping area in St. Petersburg, Florida, several storefronts were empty, and the only line was at a plasma donation center.
Leonard Chester, 58, said he hoped to get at least $55 for the donation, saying that he needed to eat. When reminded that it was Black Friday, he let out a laugh and pointed to the line around him.
“This says that people are hurting. The economy’s bad,” said Chester, who was laid off from his job as a bouncer at a strip club two months ago.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-27--Pat Sajak Jokingly Snaps At 'Ungrateful' 'Wheel Of Fortune' Contestant

Pat Sajak is wheel-y sick of the “ ungrateful ” attitudes displayed by some contestants on his game show .
The longtime host hilariously called out “ Wheel of Fortune ” contestant Darin McBain on Wednesday after the player took issue with getting one of his answers correct .
McBain was tasked with solving a crossword involving words that started with “ kitchen.
” He rattled off his answers ― “ cabinet , oven , towels , sink ” ― and answered correctly but found himself puzzled .
“ Yeah , where else would you keep an oven ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having it on Wednesday night .
McBain didn ’ t stop his line of questioning .
“ Well , for sure in the kitchen , but who calls it a ‘ kitchen oven ?
’ ” Sajak wasn ’ t having it and understandably lost his cool just a bit .
“ You won !
Don ’ t argue , Darin !
You got the puzzle !
Ungrateful players !
I ’ ve had it !
” Sajak responded , before adding that he was “ just teasing.
” McBain , whose mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1982 , finished the night in second place and took home a cool $ 15,350 .
He also got an apology from Sajak .
“ I ’ m sorry I yelled at you , ” the host said .
“ It ’ s just — I don ’ t remember your mother giving us trouble like you did.
” The exchange was fairly mild as far as outbursts go and nowhere near as cringeworthy as the actions of another “ Wheel of Fortune ” contestant earlier in the month .
A player @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer for a group puzzle but broke one of the show ’ s strict rules : He added another word to the answer .

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Pat Sajak is wheel-y sick of the “ungrateful” attitudes displayed by some contestants on his game show.
The longtime host hilariously called out “Wheel of Fortune” contestant Darin McBain after the player took issue with getting one of his answers correct.
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McBain was tasked with solving a crossword involving words that started with “kitchen.” He rattled off his answers ― “cabinet, oven, towels, sink” ― and answered correctly but found himself puzzled.
“Kitchen oven? What was that?” McBain asked Sajak.
“Yeah, where else would you keep an oven?” Sajak retorted.
Pat was just not having it. Twitter
McBain didn’t stop his line of questioning. “Well, for sure in the kitchen, but who calls it a ‘kitchen oven?’”
Sajak wasn’t having it and understandably lost his cool just a bit.
“You won! Don’t argue, Darin! You got the puzzle! Ungrateful players! I’ve had it!” Sajak responded, before adding that he was “just teasing.”
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“I finally snapped!” the host quipped.
One Twitter user captured the entire exchange.
McBain, whose mother was a three-day champion on the show in 1982, finished the night in second place and took home a cool $15,350. He also got an apology from Sajak.
“I’m sorry I yelled at you,” the host said. “It’s just — I don’t remember your mother giving us trouble like you did.”
Then Pat follows it up at the end apologized for yelling 😂 pic.twitter.com/sEhwjt2mcc — Peter Bojarinov (@russian98) November 26, 2020
The exchange was fairly mild as far as outbursts go and nowhere near as cringeworthy as the actions of another “Wheel of Fortune” contestant earlier in the month.
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A player named Alex tried to give the final answer for a group puzzle but broke one of the show’s strict rules: He added another word to the answer.
Alex accidentally said a word in front of the correct phrase, “Declaring Victory,” rendering his answer incorrect.
another classic wheel of fortune L “I’m declaring victory” lmao pic.twitter.com/lazHrNcNWN — Wood Slanga (@anthme) November 17, 2020


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-27--Drake Says Grammys 'May No Longer Matter' After The Weeknd's Glaring Snub

The rapper wrote that the Grammy Awards “ may no longer matter ” after fellow artist The Weeknd failed to garner a single nomination for the upcoming awards show .
“ I think we should stop allowing ourselves to be shocked every year by the disconnect between impactful music and these awards , ” the “ Worst Behavior ” entertainer wrote on his Instagram stories after The Weeknd ’ s glaring snub on Tuesday .
Drake , who has tallied 47 Grammy nominations and won four times , said the people should “ just accept that what once was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter to the artists that exist now and the ones that come after.
” Drake and The Weeknd perform onstage during Drake 's `` Nothing Was the Same '' world tour on March 16 , 2014 .
“ It ’ s like a relative you keep expecting to fix up but they just can ’ t change their ways , ” Drake said .
He had figured The Weeknd ’ s new album “ After Hours ” and smash hit single “ Blinding Lights ” were “ a lock for either album or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other reasonable assumptions and it just never goes that way.
” “ This is a great time for somebody to start something new that we can build up over time and pass on to the generations to come , ” Drake said before signing off .
Drake says the # GRAMMYs are losing their relevance in new Instagram story : “ This is a great time for somebody to start something new that we can build up over time and pass on to the generations to come.
” pic.twitter.com/MKhS3IjwIj — Pop Crave ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The message resonated with Nicki Minaj , who reposted Drake ’ s story on her own Instagram .
Other artists , like Kid Cudi and Elton John , shared their own anger at the snub .
“ Abel was robbed man this shits weak , ” Kid Cudi tweeted on Tuesday , referring to The Weeknd by his real first name .
John posted a photo on Instagram of The Weeknd ’ s “ Blinding Lights ” artwork and added that the artist deserved Song of the Year and Record of the Year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weeknd earlier this week called out the Recording Academy , which puts on the Grammys , for failing to acknowledge his fourth album .
It currently holds the title of the most streamed R & B album of all time .
“ The Grammys remain corrupt , ” The Weeknd said on his social media accounts Tuesday .
“ You owe me , my fans and the industry transparency.
” “ I was surprised and can empathize with what he ’ s feeling .
His music this year was excellent , and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world are worthy of everyone ’ s admiration , ” the statement said , later adding : “ Unfortunately , every year , there are fewer nominations than the number of deserving artists .
”

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Just hold on, Drake has a solution.
The rapper wrote that the Grammy Awards “may no longer matter” after fellow artist The Weeknd failed to garner a single nomination for the upcoming awards show.
“I think we should stop allowing ourselves to be shocked every year by the disconnect between impactful music and these awards,” the “Worst Behavior” entertainer wrote on his Instagram stories after The Weeknd’s glaring snub on Tuesday.
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Drake, who has tallied 47 Grammy nominations and won four times, said the people should “just accept that what once was the highest form of recognition may no longer matter to the artists that exist now and the ones that come after.”
Drake and The Weeknd perform onstage during Drake's "Nothing Was the Same" world tour on March 16, 2014. Ollie Millington via Getty Images
“It’s like a relative you keep expecting to fix up but they just can’t change their ways,” Drake said.
He had figured The Weeknd’s new album “After Hours” and smash hit single “Blinding Lights” were “a lock for either album or song of the year along with countless other reasonable assumptions and it just never goes that way.”
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“This is a great time for somebody to start something new that we can build up over time and pass on to the generations to come,” Drake said before signing off.
Drake says the #GRAMMYs are losing their relevance in new Instagram story:
“This is a great time for somebody to start something new that we can build up over time and pass on to the generations to come.” pic.twitter.com/MKhS3IjwIj — Pop Crave (@PopCrave) November 26, 2020
The message resonated with Nicki Minaj, who reposted Drake’s story on her own Instagram. Other artists, like Kid Cudi and Elton John, shared their own anger at the snub.
“Abel was robbed man this shits weak,” Kid Cudi tweeted on Tuesday, referring to The Weeknd by his real first name. John posted a photo on Instagram of The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” artwork and added that the artist deserved Song of the Year and Record of the Year in his “humble opinion.”
The Weeknd earlier this week called out the Recording Academy, which puts on the Grammys, for failing to acknowledge his fourth album. It currently holds the title of the most streamed R&B album of all time.
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“The Grammys remain corrupt,” The Weeknd said on his social media accounts Tuesday. “You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency.”
The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency... — The Weeknd (@theweeknd) November 25, 2020
He later posted that he’d been “collaboratively planning a performance for weeks” with the awards show.
“In my opinion zero nominations = you’re not invited,” The Weeknd added.
Harvey Mason Jr., the Recording Academy’s chair and interim president-CEO, told CNN in a statement, “We understand that The Weeknd is disappointed at not being nominated.”
“I was surprised and can empathize with what he’s feeling. His music this year was excellent, and his contributions to the music community and broader world are worthy of everyone’s admiration,” the statement said, later adding: “Unfortunately, every year, there are fewer nominations than the number of deserving artists.”


thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-27--New Rule To Allow Use Of Firing Squads, Electrocution For Federal Executions

A new rule published by the Justice Department on Friday will allow the use of different methods permitted by states , including firing squads and electrocution , for federal executions .
It ’ s unclear whether the rule will ever actually get used but it could potentially make it easier for the Trump administration to proceed with the wave of federal executions it plans to carry out before President-elect Joe Biden takes office on Jan. 20 .
The proposed rule change was first reported by ProPublica as among many regulations the Trump administration is racing to change before the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to be executed before Biden takes office .
The Justice Department hasn ’ t indicated it is planning on using any methods other than lethal injection , according to The New York Times .
Biden opposes the death penalty and could potentially overturn the rule change .
But the change is a “ symbolic ” step to enable the federal government to carry out its executions , University of Texas law professor Steve Vladeck told the Times .
“ This is basically the attorney general doubling down on , you know , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as many federal prisoners as he can before his tenure is over , ” he said .
After a 17-year hiatus , the Trump administration in July started carrying out a wave of federal executions , despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
Amid legal challenges and availability issues with the three-drug formula used for federal executions , a single drug called pentobarbital has been used .
But autopsy reports show the drug may torture as it kills .
Eight federal inmates have been executed this year , according to CNN .
The only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Montgomery , who is a mentally ill victim of sex trafficking , is scheduled to be executed eight days before Biden ’ s inauguration .
The Justice Department published the proposal in August and only accepted public comments for 30 days instead of the usual 60 , according to ProPublica .
The rule cleared White House review on Nov. 6 and will go into effect on Dec. 24 .
All states that have capital punishment use lethal injection as their primary method , but some states allow for other methods that can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be unconstitutional or unavailable .
Utah , Mississippi and Oklahoma permit firing squads .
Nine states permit electrocution .
The rule , signed by Attorney General William Barr and dated Nov. 18 , says “ future situations may arise ” where a state might need to use a method other than lethal injection .
“ If cases arise in which the Department is required to execute a Federal inmate according to the law of a State that uses a method other than lethal injection , the most expedient means of carrying out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance , ” the rule says .
The Justice Department says it proposed the rule change in August to account for the Federal Death Penalty Act ’ s requirement that federal sentences be carried out how the states stipulate them .

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A new rule published by the Justice Department on Friday will allow the use of different methods permitted by states, including firing squads and electrocution, for federal executions.
It’s unclear whether the rule will ever actually get used but it could potentially make it easier for the Trump administration to proceed with the wave of federal executions it plans to carry out before President-elect Joe Biden takes office on Jan. 20.
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The proposed rule change was first reported by ProPublica as among many regulations the Trump administration is racing to change before the president leaves office.
Five more inmates are scheduled to be executed before Biden takes office. The Justice Department hasn’t indicated it is planning on using any methods other than lethal injection, according to The New York Times. Biden opposes the death penalty and could potentially overturn the rule change.
But the change is a “symbolic” step to enable the federal government to carry out its executions, University of Texas law professor Steve Vladeck told the Times.
“This is basically the attorney general doubling down on, you know, sort of making it possible to execute as many federal prisoners as he can before his tenure is over,” he said.
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After a 17-year hiatus, the Trump administration in July started carrying out a wave of federal executions, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Amid legal challenges and availability issues with the three-drug formula used for federal executions, a single drug called pentobarbital has been used. But autopsy reports show the drug may torture as it kills.
Eight federal inmates have been executed this year, according to CNN. The only woman on federal death row, Lisa Montgomery, who is a mentally ill victim of sex trafficking, is scheduled to be executed eight days before Biden’s inauguration.
The Justice Department published the proposal in August and only accepted public comments for 30 days instead of the usual 60, according to ProPublica. The rule cleared White House review on Nov. 6 and will go into effect on Dec. 24.
All states that have capital punishment use lethal injection as their primary method, but some states allow for other methods that can be used if lethal injection is found to be unconstitutional or unavailable. Utah, Mississippi and Oklahoma permit firing squads. Nine states permit electrocution.
The rule, signed by Attorney General William Barr and dated Nov. 18, says “future situations may arise” where a state might need to use a method other than lethal injection. “If cases arise in which the Department is required to execute a Federal inmate according to the law of a State that uses a method other than lethal injection, the most expedient means of carrying out the execution may be to arrange for State assistance,” the rule says.
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thehuffingtonpost--2020-11-27--How Singer Cher Is Helping Kaavan, The 'World's Loneliest Elephant'

ISLAMABAD ( AP ) — Iconic singer and actress Cher is in Pakistan to celebrate the departure of Kaavan , dubbed the “ world ’ s loneliest elephant , ” who will soon leave a Pakistani zoo for better conditions after years of lobbying by animal rights groups and activists .
Because of security concerns , Cher ’ s schedule was not made public .
However , she met Friday with Prime Minister Imran Khan and was expected to visit Kaavan later in the trip , according to the prime minister ’ s office .
Khan ’ s office released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prime minister outside on the expansive grounds of Khan ’ s residence .
Kaavan the elephant has languished in the zoo for 35 years , and lost his partner in 2012 .
He was diagnosed by veterinarians as both overweight and malnourished , and also suffers behavioral issues due to his isolation .
Kaavan is set to leave for a sanctuary in Cambodia on Sunday , said Martin Bauer of Four Paws International , a global animal welfare group that ’ s led the charge to save him since 2016 .
Cher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Kaavan , dubbed the “ world ’ s loneliest elephant , ” who will soon leave a Pakistani zoo for better conditions after years of lobbying .
Cher took up Kaavan ’ s cause and has been a loud voice advocating for his resettlement .
Four Paws , which often carries out animal rescue missions , has provided the medical treatment needed before Kaavan can travel and will accompany him to the sanctuary .
Because of the abysmal living conditions blamed on systemic negligence , Pakistan ’ s high court in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the capital of Islamabad , where Kaavan has lived for much of his life .
Veterinarians of Four Paws International measure Kaavan , the elephant slated to be moved to a sanctuary in Cambodia after it became the subject of a high-profile rights campaign backed by Cher , at the Marghazar Zoo , in Islamabad on Sept. 4 .
The elephant has also developed stereotypical behavior , shaking his head back and forth for hours , which the medical team of wildlife veterinarians and experts blamed on his utter boredom .
Khalil first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the zoo in August , where he was heartbroken at the animal ’ s condition .
Khalil has spent the last three months trying to get him ready for his trip to Cambodia .
Kaavan was put on a diet of fruit and vegetables , and as a result has lost half a ton ( 450 kilograms ) , he said .
Previously , Kaavan was eating 250 kilograms ( 550 pounds ) of pure sugar cane every day , with an occasional fruit and vegetable .
The veterinarian said this was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he developed a strong emotional bond with a rescue animal .
Now , the “ world ’ s loneliest elephant ” comes lumbering over when he hears Khalil ’ s voice .
“ I was always moving , so never allowed myself to develop an emotional attachment , ” but with Kaavan he couldn ’ t resist , Khalil said .
He said he has pampered and protected him for the past three months , cajoling him into losing weight as well as being less fidgety and more relaxed so he can make @ @ @ @ @

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ISLAMABAD (AP) — Iconic singer and actress Cher is in Pakistan to celebrate the departure of Kaavan, dubbed the “world’s loneliest elephant,” who will soon leave a Pakistani zoo for better conditions after years of lobbying by animal rights groups and activists.
Because of security concerns, Cher’s schedule was not made public. However, she met Friday with Prime Minister Imran Khan and was expected to visit Kaavan later in the trip, according to the prime minister’s office. Khan’s office released a video of the singer sitting with the prime minister outside on the expansive grounds of Khan’s residence.
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Kaavan the elephant has languished in the zoo for 35 years, and lost his partner in 2012. He was diagnosed by veterinarians as both overweight and malnourished, and also suffers behavioral issues due to his isolation.
Kaavan is set to leave for a sanctuary in Cambodia on Sunday, said Martin Bauer of Four Paws International, a global animal welfare group that’s led the charge to save him since 2016.
Cher is in Pakistan to celebrate the departure of Kaavan, dubbed the “world’s loneliest elephant,” who will soon leave a Pakistani zoo for better conditions after years of lobbying. Tara Ziemba via Getty Images
Cher took up Kaavan’s cause and has been a loud voice advocating for his resettlement. Four Paws, which often carries out animal rescue missions, has provided the medical treatment needed before Kaavan can travel and will accompany him to the sanctuary.
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Even after he’s in Cambodia, he’ll require years of physical and even psychological assistance, Bauer said.
Because of the abysmal living conditions blamed on systemic negligence, Pakistan’s high court in May ordered the closure of Marghazar Zoo in the capital of Islamabad, where Kaavan has lived for much of his life.
A medical examination in September showed Kaavan’s nails were cracked and overgrown — the result of years of living in an improper enclosure with flooring that damaged his feet.
Veterinarians of Four Paws International measure Kaavan, the elephant slated to be moved to a sanctuary in Cambodia after it became the subject of a high-profile rights campaign backed by Cher, at the Marghazar Zoo, in Islamabad on Sept. 4. AAMIR QURESHI via Getty Images
The elephant has also developed stereotypical behavior, shaking his head back and forth for hours, which the medical team of wildlife veterinarians and experts blamed on his utter boredom.
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For the past three months, a Four Paws team including veterinarian Dr. Amil Khalil and the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board has been readying Kaavan to leave.
Khalil first met Kaavan in 2016, and returned to the zoo in August, where he was heartbroken at the animal’s condition. Khalil has spent the last three months trying to get him ready for his trip to Cambodia.
Kaavan was put on a diet of fruit and vegetables, and as a result has lost half a ton (450 kilograms), he said. Previously, Kaavan was eating 250 kilograms (550 pounds) of pure sugar cane every day, with an occasional fruit and vegetable.
The veterinarian said this was the first time in 30 years that he developed a strong emotional bond with a rescue animal. Now, the “world’s loneliest elephant” comes lumbering over when he hears Khalil’s voice.
A caretaker feeds Kaavan during his farewell ceremony on Nov. 23, before he travels to a sanctuary in Cambodia later this month. FAROOQ NAEEM via Getty Images
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“I was always moving, so never allowed myself to develop an emotional attachment,” but with Kaavan he couldn’t resist, Khalil said. He said he has pampered and protected him for the past three months, cajoling him into losing weight as well as being less fidgety and more relaxed so he can make the trip to Cambodia.
Khalil said there are many elephants at the sanctuary, but in particular three female elephants are awaiting Kaavan’s arrival.
Khalil joked that Kaavan might just find a girlfriend there — who knows?
Bauer lauded the powerful impact celebrity voices can have for animal rights.
“Celebrities lending their voices to good causes are always welcomed, as they help starting public discourse and raising pressure on responsible authorities,” he said.