csmonitor--2020-12-19--Cyberattack: Pompeo says ‘clearly’ Russia; Trump tweets ‘China’

Contradicting his secretary of state and other top officials , President Donald Trump suggested Saturday without evidence that China — not Russia — may be behind the cyberattack against the United States and tried to minimized its impact .
In his first comments on the breach , Mr. Trump scoffed at the focus on the Kremlin and downplayed the intrusions , which the nation ’ s cybersecurity agency has warned posed a “ grave ” risk to government and private networks .
“ The Cyber Hack is far greater in the Fake News Media than in actuality .
I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under control , ” Trump tweeted .
He also claimed the media are “ petrified ” of “ discussing the possibility that it may be China ( it may ! )
.
” There is no evidence to suggest that is the case .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said late Friday that Russia was “ pretty clearly ” behind the cyberattack against the United States .
“ This was a very significant effort and I think it ’ s the case that now we can say pretty clearly that it was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said in the interview with radio talk show host Mark Levin .
Officials at the White House had been prepared to put out a statement Friday afternoon that accused Russia of being “ the main actor ” in the hack , but were told at the last minute to stand down , according to one U.S. official familiar with the conversations who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations .
It is not clear whether Mr. Pompeo got that message before his interview , but officials are now scrambling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disparate accounts .
The White House did not immediately respond to questions about the statement or the basis of the president ’ s claims .
Throughout his presidency , Mr. Trump has refused to blame Russia for well-documented hostilities , including its interference in the 2016 election to help him get elected .
He blamed his predecessor , Barack Obama , for Russia ’ s annexation of Crimea , has endorsed allowing Russia to return to the G-7 group of nations , and has never taken the country to task for allegedly putting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the interview , Secretary Pompeo said the government was still “ unpacking ” the cyberattack and some of it would likely remain classified .
“ But suffice it to say there was a significant effort to use a piece of third-party software to essentially embed code inside of U.S. government systems , and it now appears systems of private companies and companies and governments across the world as well , ” he said .
Though Mr. Pompeo was the first Trump administration official to publicly blame Russia for the attacks , cybersecurity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear over the past week that the operation appears to be the work of Russia .
There has been no credible suggestion that any other country — including China — is responsible .
Democrats in Congress who have received classified briefings have also affirmed publicly that Russia , which in 2014 hacked the State Department and interfered through hacking in the 2016 presidential election , was behind it .
It ’ s not clear exactly what the hackers were seeking , but experts say it could include nuclear secrets , blueprints for advanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information for dossiers on government and industry leaders .
Russia has said it had “ nothing to do ” with the hacking .
While Mr. Trump downplayed the impact of the hacks , the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has said it compromised federal agencies as well as “ critical infrastructure.
” Homeland Security , the agency ’ s parent department , defines such infrastructure as any “ vital ” assets to the U.S. or its economy , a broad category that could include power plants and financial institutions .
One U.S. official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discuss a matter that is under investigation , described the hack as severe and extremely damaging .
“ This is looking like it ’ s the worst hacking case in the history of America , ” the official said .
“ They got into everything.
” Trump had been silent on the attacks before Saturday .
Deputy White House press secretary Brian Morgenstern declined Friday to discuss the matter , but told reporters that national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien had sometimes been leading multiple daily meetings with the FBI , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the intelligence agencies , looking for ways to mitigate the hack .
“ Rest assured we have the best and brightest working hard on it each and every single day , ” he said .
The Democratic leaders of four House committees given classified briefings by the administration on the hack have complained that they “ were left with more questions than answers.
” “ Administration officials were unwilling to share the full scope of the breach and identities of the victims , ” they said .
The secretary of state , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia was on the list of “ folks that want to undermine our way of life , our republic , our basic democratic principles ... .
You see the news of the day with respect to their efforts in the cyberspace .
We ’ ve seen this for an awfully long time , using asymmetric capabilities to try and put themselves in a place where they can impose costs on the United States.
” What makes this hacking campaign so extraordinary is its scale : 18,000 organizations were infected from March to June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ network-management software from an Austin , Texas , company called SolarWinds .
It ’ s going to take months to kick elite hackers out of the U.S. government networks they have been quietly rifling through since as far back as March .
Experts say there simply are not enough skilled threat-hunting teams to duly identify all the government and private-sector systems that may have been hacked .
FireEye , the cybersecurity company that discovered the intrusion into U.S. agencies and was among the victims , has already tallied dozens of casualties .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many federal workers — and others in the private sector — must presume that unclassified networks are teeming with spies .
Agencies will be more inclined to conduct sensitive government business on Signal , WhatsApp , and other encrypted smartphone apps .
If the hackers are indeed from Russia ’ s SVR foreign intelligence agency , as experts believe , their resistance may be tenacious .
The only way to be sure a network is clean is “ to burn it down to the ground and rebuild it , ” said Bruce Schneier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow .
Florida became the first state to acknowledge falling victim to a SolarWinds hack .
Officials told The Associated Press that hackers apparently infiltrated the state ’ s health care administration agency and others .
Associated Press writers Frank Bajak in Boston , Eric Tucker in Washington , and Bobby Caina Calvan in Tallahassee , Florida , contributed to this report .

Contradicting his secretary of state and other top officials, President Donald Trump suggested Saturday without evidence that China — not Russia — may be behind the cyberattack against the United States and tried to minimized its impact.
In his first comments on the breach, Mr. Trump scoffed at the focus on the Kremlin and downplayed the intrusions, which the nation’s cybersecurity agency has warned posed a “grave” risk to government and private networks.
“The Cyber Hack is far greater in the Fake News Media than in actuality. I have been fully briefed and everything is well under control,” Trump tweeted. He also claimed the media are “petrified” of “discussing the possibility that it may be China (it may!).”
There is no evidence to suggest that is the case. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said late Friday that Russia was “pretty clearly” behind the cyberattack against the United States.
“This was a very significant effort and I think it’s the case that now we can say pretty clearly that it was the Russians that engaged in this activity,” he said in the interview with radio talk show host Mark Levin.
Officials at the White House had been prepared to put out a statement Friday afternoon that accused Russia of being “the main actor” in the hack, but were told at the last minute to stand down, according to one U.S. official familiar with the conversations who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations.
How to explain dispute?
It is not clear whether Mr. Pompeo got that message before his interview, but officials are now scrambling to figure out how to square the disparate accounts. The White House did not immediately respond to questions about the statement or the basis of the president’s claims.
Throughout his presidency, Mr. Trump has refused to blame Russia for well-documented hostilities, including its interference in the 2016 election to help him get elected. He blamed his predecessor, Barack Obama, for Russia’s annexation of Crimea, has endorsed allowing Russia to return to the G-7 group of nations, and has never taken the country to task for allegedly putting bounties on U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.
In the interview, Secretary Pompeo said the government was still “unpacking” the cyberattack and some of it would likely remain classified.
“But suffice it to say there was a significant effort to use a piece of third-party software to essentially embed code inside of U.S. government systems, and it now appears systems of private companies and companies and governments across the world as well,” he said.
Though Mr. Pompeo was the first Trump administration official to publicly blame Russia for the attacks, cybersecurity experts and other U.S. officials have been clear over the past week that the operation appears to be the work of Russia. There has been no credible suggestion that any other country — including China — is responsible.
Democrats in Congress who have received classified briefings have also affirmed publicly that Russia, which in 2014 hacked the State Department and interfered through hacking in the 2016 presidential election, was behind it.
Hackers’ target unclear
It’s not clear exactly what the hackers were seeking, but experts say it could include nuclear secrets, blueprints for advanced weaponry, COVID-19 vaccine-related research, and information for dossiers on government and industry leaders.
Russia has said it had “nothing to do” with the hacking.
While Mr. Trump downplayed the impact of the hacks, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has said it compromised federal agencies as well as “critical infrastructure.” Homeland Security, the agency’s parent department, defines such infrastructure as any “vital” assets to the U.S. or its economy, a broad category that could include power plants and financial institutions.
One U.S. official, speaking Thursday on condition of anonymity to discuss a matter that is under investigation, described the hack as severe and extremely damaging.
“This is looking like it’s the worst hacking case in the history of America,” the official said. “They got into everything.”
Trump had been silent on the attacks before Saturday.
Deputy White House press secretary Brian Morgenstern declined Friday to discuss the matter, but told reporters that national security adviser Robert O’Brien had sometimes been leading multiple daily meetings with the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the intelligence agencies, looking for ways to mitigate the hack.
“Rest assured we have the best and brightest working hard on it each and every single day,” he said.
The Democratic leaders of four House committees given classified briefings by the administration on the hack have complained that they “were left with more questions than answers.”
“Administration officials were unwilling to share the full scope of the breach and identities of the victims,” they said.
The secretary of state, in the interview with Mr. Levin, said Russia was on the list of “folks that want to undermine our way of life, our republic, our basic democratic principles.... You see the news of the day with respect to their efforts in the cyberspace. We’ve seen this for an awfully long time, using asymmetric capabilities to try and put themselves in a place where they can impose costs on the United States.”
Months to kick out hackers
What makes this hacking campaign so extraordinary is its scale: 18,000 organizations were infected from March to June by malicious code that piggybacked on popular network-management software from an Austin, Texas, company called SolarWinds.
It’s going to take months to kick elite hackers out of the U.S. government networks they have been quietly rifling through since as far back as March.
Experts say there simply are not enough skilled threat-hunting teams to duly identify all the government and private-sector systems that may have been hacked. FireEye, the cybersecurity company that discovered the intrusion into U.S. agencies and was among the victims, has already tallied dozens of casualties. It’s racing to identify more.
Many federal workers — and others in the private sector — must presume that unclassified networks are teeming with spies. Agencies will be more inclined to conduct sensitive government business on Signal, WhatsApp, and other encrypted smartphone apps.
If the hackers are indeed from Russia’s SVR foreign intelligence agency, as experts believe, their resistance may be tenacious.
The only way to be sure a network is clean is “to burn it down to the ground and rebuild it,” said Bruce Schneier, a prominent security expert and Harvard fellow.
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Florida became the first state to acknowledge falling victim to a SolarWinds hack. Officials told The Associated Press that hackers apparently infiltrated the state’s health care administration agency and others.
Associated Press writers Frank Bajak in Boston, Eric Tucker in Washington, and Bobby Caina Calvan in Tallahassee, Florida, contributed to this report.


csmonitor--2020-12-19--Britain orders London shops shut, Christmas gatherings canceled

Millions of people must cancel their Christmas get-togethers and most shops have to close in London and much of southern England , British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Saturday as he imposed a new , stricter level of coronavirus restrictions on the region to curb rapidly spreading infections .
Mr. Johnson said the capital and large areas in southern England already placed at the highest level of the U.K. government ’ s three-tiered coronavirus alert system will move into a new Tier 4 that requires all non-essential shops , hairdressers , and indoor leisure venues to close after the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days to go until Christmas , the prime minister also announced that a planned easing of socializing rules that would have allowed up to three households to meet in “ Christmas bubbles ” from Dec. 23 to Dec. 27 , will be canceled for Tier 4 areas and sharply curtailed in the rest of England .
“ It is with a very heavy heart that I must tell you we can not proceed with Christmas as planned , ” he said .
He said he concluded there was “ no alternative open to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas to have a better chance of protecting the lives of loved ones .
No mixing of households will be allowed in Tier 4 except under very limited conditions outside in public places .
Travel in and out of Tier 4 areas won ’ t be allowed unless essential .
In the rest of England , people will be allowed to meet in Christmas bubbles for just one day instead of five , as the government originally planned .
The changes upend the plans of millions of people who were looking forward to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force scores to revise their travel plans at the last minute .
Before Saturday , government officials maintained they would allow small , private gatherings to go ahead .
While restaurants , pubs , bars and theaters in much of England had to close Wednesday and were prepared for a bleak Christmas , all shops in Tier 4 areas that don ’ t sell food or medicine received only hours ’ notice that they must shutter after Saturday until officials review the situation on Dec. 30 .
The British Retail Consortium said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially coming just two weeks after a month-long lockdown in England ended and at the height of the year ’ s peak retail period .
“ Retailers have invested hundreds of millions of pounds making stores COVID-secure for customers and staff , ” said Helen Dickinson , the trade body ’ s chief executive .
“ For businesses , the government ’ s stop-start approach is deeply unhelpful.
” In announcing the more restrictive category , Mr. Johnson said that a fast-moving new variant of the coronavirus that is believed to be more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strains appears to be driving the rapid spread in London and southern England .
London now has the highest infection rates in England , and officials said the new mutation accounted for some 60 % of the capital ’ s cases .
“ There ’ s no evidence to suggest it is more lethal or causes more severe illness , ” the prime minister stressed , or that vaccines will be less effective against it .
England ’ s chief medical officer , Chris Whitty , said the U.K. has alerted the World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week appears to be accelerating the spread of COVID-19 .
The government ’ s scientific advisers came to that conclusion based on preliminary modeling figures , and they are continuing to analyze the available data , he said .
Viruses mutate regularly , and scientists have found thousands of different mutations among samples of the virus .
But many of these changes have no effect on how easily the virus spreads or how severe symptoms are .
Maria Van Kerkhove , WHO ’ s technical lead on COVID-19 , told reporters after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.N. health agency had “ no evidence this variant behaves differently ” and that it was similar to a variant initially reported among mink in Europe .
She said scientists would study the virus strain to see if there might be any difference in how it prompts an immune response in people .
In Wales , authorities said they decided to move up a lockdown planned for after Christmas and people must stay at home from 12:01 a.m. Sunday .
The move will largely scrap Christmas gatherings in line with the rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Saturday that residents would be subject to Tier 4 restrictions starting Dec. 26 , and a travel ban between Scotland and the rest of the U.K. will be in force throughout the holiday period .
Northern Ireland already said a fresh lockdown will start once Christmas is over .
U.K. officials reported another 27,052 confirmed cases on Saturday and 534 further deaths of people who had tested positive within the previous 28 days .
The U.K. has Europe ’ s second-highest COVID-19 death toll behind Italy , standing at 67,075 .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Millions of people must cancel their Christmas get-togethers and most shops have to close in London and much of southern England, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Saturday as he imposed a new, stricter level of coronavirus restrictions on the region to curb rapidly spreading infections.
Mr. Johnson said the capital and large areas in southern England already placed at the highest level of the U.K. government’s three-tiered coronavirus alert system will move into a new Tier 4 that requires all non-essential shops, hairdressers, and indoor leisure venues to close after the end of business hours Saturday.
With just days to go until Christmas, the prime minister also announced that a planned easing of socializing rules that would have allowed up to three households to meet in “Christmas bubbles” from Dec. 23 to Dec. 27, will be canceled for Tier 4 areas and sharply curtailed in the rest of England.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I must tell you we cannot proceed with Christmas as planned,” he said.
He said he concluded there was “no alternative open to me” and people must sacrifice this Christmas to have a better chance of protecting the lives of loved ones.
No mixing of households will be allowed in Tier 4 except under very limited conditions outside in public places. Travel in and out of Tier 4 areas won’t be allowed unless essential. In the rest of England, people will be allowed to meet in Christmas bubbles for just one day instead of five, as the government originally planned.
The changes upend the plans of millions of people who were looking forward to gathering family and friends next week and force scores to revise their travel plans at the last minute. Before Saturday, government officials maintained they would allow small, private gatherings to go ahead.
While restaurants, pubs, bars and theaters in much of England had to close Wednesday and were prepared for a bleak Christmas, all shops in Tier 4 areas that don’t sell food or medicine received only hours’ notice that they must shutter after Saturday until officials review the situation on Dec. 30.
The British Retail Consortium said it was “hugely regrettable news,” especially coming just two weeks after a month-long lockdown in England ended and at the height of the year’s peak retail period.
“Retailers have invested hundreds of millions of pounds making stores COVID-secure for customers and staff,” said Helen Dickinson, the trade body’s chief executive. “For businesses, the government’s stop-start approach is deeply unhelpful.”
In announcing the more restrictive category, Mr. Johnson said that a fast-moving new variant of the coronavirus that is believed to be more than 70% more transmissible than existing strains appears to be driving the rapid spread in London and southern England.
London now has the highest infection rates in England, and officials said the new mutation accounted for some 60% of the capital’s cases.
“There’s no evidence to suggest it is more lethal or causes more severe illness,” the prime minister stressed, or that vaccines will be less effective against it.
England’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, said the U.K. has alerted the World Health Organization that the new variant identified this week appears to be accelerating the spread of COVID-19. The government’s scientific advisers came to that conclusion based on preliminary modeling figures, and they are continuing to analyze the available data, he said.
Viruses mutate regularly, and scientists have found thousands of different mutations among samples of the virus. But many of these changes have no effect on how easily the virus spreads or how severe symptoms are.
Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead on COVID-19, told reporters after receiving notification from England this week that the U.N. health agency had “no evidence this variant behaves differently” and that it was similar to a variant initially reported among mink in Europe. She said scientists would study the virus strain to see if there might be any difference in how it prompts an immune response in people.
In Wales, authorities said they decided to move up a lockdown planned for after Christmas and people must stay at home from 12:01 a.m. Sunday. The move will largely scrap Christmas gatherings in line with the rules for southern England.
The Scottish government said Saturday that residents would be subject to Tier 4 restrictions starting Dec. 26, and a travel ban between Scotland and the rest of the U.K. will be in force throughout the holiday period. Northern Ireland already said a fresh lockdown will start once Christmas is over.
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U.K. officials reported another 27,052 confirmed cases on Saturday and 534 further deaths of people who had tested positive within the previous 28 days. The U.K. has Europe’s second-highest COVID-19 death toll behind Italy, standing at 67,075.
This story was reported by The Associated Press.


csmonitor--2020-12-20--Congress agrees on $900 billion US economic relief package

Top Capitol Hill negotiators sealed a deal Sunday on an almost $ 1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package , finally delivering long-overdue help to businesses and individuals and providing money to deliver vaccines to a nation eager for them .
The agreement , announced by congressional leaders , would establish a temporary $ 300 per week supplemental jobless benefit and a $ 600 direct stimulus payment to most Americans , along with a new round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses and money for schools , health care providers and renters facing eviction .
It came after months of battling and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Republicans ' favor after the election and as the end of the congressional session neared .
President-elect Joe Biden was eager for a deal to deliver long-awaited help to suffering people and a boost to the economy , even though it was less than half the size that Democrats wanted this fall .
House leaders informed lawmakers that they would vote on the legislation on Monday , and the Senate was likely to vote on Monday , too .
Lawmakers were eager to leave Washington and close out a tumultuous year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ package for the American people , ” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , said in announcing the agreement for a relief bill that would total almost $ 900 billion .
“ It is packed with targeted policies to help struggling Americans who have already waited too long.
” A fight over Federal Reserve emergency powers was resolved Saturday night by the Senate ’ s top Democrat , Chuck Schumer of New York , and conservative Republican Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania .
That breakthrough led to a final round of negotiations Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement prompted the House to pass a one-day stopgap spending bill to prevent a government shutdown at midnight Sunday .
The Senate was likely to pass the measure Sunday night as well .
The final agreement would be the largest spending measure yet .
It combined COVID-19 relief with a $ 1.4 trillion government-wide funding plan and lots of other unrelated measures on taxes , health , infrastructure and education .
The government-wide funding would keep the government open through September .
Passage neared as coronavirus cases and deaths spiked and evidence piled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The legislation had been held up by months of dysfunction , posturing and bad faith .
But talks turned serious in recent days as lawmakers on both sides finally faced the deadline of acting before leaving Washington for Christmas .
“ This bill is a good bill .
Tonight is a good night .
But it is not the end of the story , it is not the end of the job , '' Schumer told reporters .
“ Anyone who thinks this bill is enough does not know what ’ s going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per week bonus jobless benefit was one half the supplemental federal unemployment benefit provided under the $ 1.8 billion CARES Act in March and would be limited to 11 weeks instead of 16 weeks .
The direct $ 600 stimulus payment to most people would also be half the March payment , subject to the same income limits in which an individual ’ s payment began to phase out after $ 75,000 .
The CARES Act was credited with keeping the economy from falling off a cliff amid widespread lockdowns this spring , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns in pushing against Democratic demands .
Republican politicians , starting with President Donald Trump , focused more on reopening the economy and less on taxpayer-financed steps like supplemental jobless benefits .
Lawmakers had hoped to pass the bill this weekend and avoid the need for a stopgap spending bill , but progress slowed Saturday as Toomey pressed for the inclusion of a provision to close down the Fed ’ s lending facilities .
Democrats and the White House said it was too broadly worded and would have tied the hands of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Toomey ’ s position .
Late-breaking decisions would limit $ 300 per week bonus jobless benefits — one half the supplemental federal unemployment benefit provided under the CARES Act in March — to 10 weeks instead of 16 weeks as before .
After the announcement , Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , announced additional details , including $ 25 billion in rental assistance , $ 15 billion for theaters and other live venues , $ 82 billion for local schools , colleges and universities , and $ 10 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted more .
Pelosi , in a letter to colleagues , called the package an initial step .
“ In 31 days , when Joe Biden enters the White House , more help will be on the way , ” Pelosi said .
The governmentwide appropriations bill would fund agencies through next September .
That measure was likely to provide a last $ 1.4 billion installment for Trump ’ s U.S.-Mexico border wall as a condition of winning his signature .
The bill was an engine to carry much of Capitol Hill ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 400-page water resources bill that targets $ 10 billion for 46 Army Corps of Engineers flood control , environmental and coastal protection projects .
Another addition would extend a batch of soon-to-expire tax breaks , including one for craft brewers , wineries and distillers .
It also would carry numerous clean energy provisions , $ 7 billion to increase access to broadband , $ 4 billion to help other nations vaccinate their people , and $ 27 billion for highways , cash-starved transit systems , Amtrak and airports .
Democrats failed in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to states and local governments , but they successfully pressed for $ 22 billion would help states and local governments with COVID-19-related health expenses .
The end-of-session rush also promised relief for victims of shockingly steep surprise medical bills , a phenomenon that often occurs when providers drop out of insurance company networks .

Top Capitol Hill negotiators sealed a deal Sunday on an almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package, finally delivering long-overdue help to businesses and individuals and providing money to deliver vaccines to a nation eager for them.
The agreement, announced by congressional leaders, would establish a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit and a $600 direct stimulus payment to most Americans, along with a new round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses and money for schools, health care providers and renters facing eviction.
It came after months of battling and posturing, but the negotiating dynamic changed in Republicans' favor after the election and as the end of the congressional session neared. President-elect Joe Biden was eager for a deal to deliver long-awaited help to suffering people and a boost to the economy, even though it was less than half the size that Democrats wanted this fall.
House leaders informed lawmakers that they would vote on the legislation on Monday, and the Senate was likely to vote on Monday, too. Lawmakers were eager to leave Washington and close out a tumultuous year.
“There will be another major rescue package for the American people,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in announcing the agreement for a relief bill that would total almost $900 billion. “It is packed with targeted policies to help struggling Americans who have already waited too long.”
A fight over Federal Reserve emergency powers was resolved Saturday night by the Senate’s top Democrat, Chuck Schumer of New York, and conservative Republican Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania. That breakthrough led to a final round of negotiations Sunday.
Still, delays in finalizing the agreement prompted the House to pass a one-day stopgap spending bill to prevent a government shutdown at midnight Sunday. The Senate was likely to pass the measure Sunday night as well.
The final agreement would be the largest spending measure yet. It combined COVID-19 relief with a $1.4 trillion government-wide funding plan and lots of other unrelated measures on taxes, health, infrastructure and education. The government-wide funding would keep the government open through September.
Passage neared as coronavirus cases and deaths spiked and evidence piled up that the economy was struggling. The legislation had been held up by months of dysfunction, posturing and bad faith. But talks turned serious in recent days as lawmakers on both sides finally faced the deadline of acting before leaving Washington for Christmas.
“This bill is a good bill. Tonight is a good night. But it is not the end of the story, it is not the end of the job," Schumer told reporters. “Anyone who thinks this bill is enough does not know what’s going on in America.”
Progress came after a bipartisan group of pragmatists and moderates devised a $908 billion plan that built a middle ground position that the top four leaders of Congress — the GOP and Democratic leaders of both the House and Senate — used as the basis for their talks. The lawmakers urged leaders on both sides to back off of hard-line positions.
“We put our heads down and worked around the clock for nearly a month to produce a bipartisan, bicameral bill to address the emergency needs of our country," the bipartisan group of about a dozen lawmakers said in a statement. “Our consensus bill was the foundation of this final package."
Republicans were most intent on reviving the Paycheck Protection Program with $284 billion, which would cover a second round of PPP grants to especially hard-hit businesses. Democrats won set-asides for low-income and minority communities.
The $300 per week bonus jobless benefit was one half the supplemental federal unemployment benefit provided under the $1.8 billion CARES Act in March and would be limited to 11 weeks instead of 16 weeks. The direct $600 stimulus payment to most people would also be half the March payment, subject to the same income limits in which an individual’s payment began to phase out after $75,000.
The CARES Act was credited with keeping the economy from falling off a cliff amid widespread lockdowns this spring, but Republicans controlling the Senate cited debt concerns in pushing against Democratic demands. Republican politicians, starting with President Donald Trump, focused more on reopening the economy and less on taxpayer-financed steps like supplemental jobless benefits.
Lawmakers had hoped to pass the bill this weekend and avoid the need for a stopgap spending bill, but progress slowed Saturday as Toomey pressed for the inclusion of a provision to close down the Fed’s lending facilities. Democrats and the White House said it was too broadly worded and would have tied the hands of the incoming Biden administration, but Republicans rallied to Toomey’s position.
Late-breaking decisions would limit $300 per week bonus jobless benefits — one half the supplemental federal unemployment benefit provided under the CARES Act in March — to 10 weeks instead of 16 weeks as before.
After the announcement, Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., announced additional details, including $25 billion in rental assistance, $15 billion for theaters and other live venues, $82 billion for local schools, colleges and universities, and $10 billion for child care.
Still, Democrats wanted more. Pelosi, in a letter to colleagues, called the package an initial step. “In 31 days, when Joe Biden enters the White House, more help will be on the way,” Pelosi said.
The governmentwide appropriations bill would fund agencies through next September. That measure was likely to provide a last $1.4 billion installment for Trump’s U.S.-Mexico border wall as a condition of winning his signature.
The bill was an engine to carry much of Capitol Hill’s unfinished business, including an almost 400-page water resources bill that targets $10 billion for 46 Army Corps of Engineers flood control, environmental and coastal protection projects. Another addition would extend a batch of soon-to-expire tax breaks, including one for craft brewers, wineries and distillers.
It also would carry numerous clean energy provisions, $7 billion to increase access to broadband, $4 billion to help other nations vaccinate their people, and $27 billion for highways, cash-starved transit systems, Amtrak and airports.
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Democrats failed in a monthslong battle to deliver direct fiscal relief to states and local governments, but they successfully pressed for $22 billion would help states and local governments with COVID-19-related health expenses.
The end-of-session rush also promised relief for victims of shockingly steep surprise medical bills, a phenomenon that often occurs when providers drop out of insurance company networks.


csmonitor--2020-12-21--Monday Sunrise Briefing: A $900 billion US relief package

Help is on the way .
After negotiating through the weekend , U.S. Congressional leaders on Sunday finalized a $ 900 billion economic stimulus package .
While smaller than the $ 2.2 trillion CARES Act earlier this year , this bill provides a $ 600 check for Americans earning up to $ 75,000 per year , a $ 300 per week bonus for those collecting unemployment , and about $ 300 billion to help businesses , as well as money for vaccine distribution , renters , schools and child care , the Postal Service , and people needing food aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extension of the moratorium on evictions .
While many states face a sharp drop in tax revenues , Republicans successfully opposed Democrats ’ demands for hundreds of billions of dollars in state and local aid .
The House and Senate are expected to vote on the relief package Monday , along with the $ 1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill for a new fiscal year .
2 .
Preventative steps .
Across Europe , plus Canada and India , governments banned travelers from the U.K. Sunday after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found in southern England .
He stressed “ there ’ s no evidence to suggest it is more lethal or causes more severe illness , ” or that vaccines will be less effective against it .
But Germany , for example , said all flights coming from Britain , except cargo flights , were no longer allowed to land as of midnight Sunday .
The Eurostar passenger trains from London to Paris , Brussels , and Amsterdam were also halted .
On Saturday , Mr. Johnson also announced new , stricter level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and restaurants , and forbidding mixing of households through Christmas .
In the rest of England , people will be allowed to meet in Christmas bubbles for just one day instead of five , as the government originally planned .
The Great Conjunction : In a spectacular conjunction , Jupiter and Saturn will appear extremely close about a half hour after sunset - appearing like an elongated star or double planet .
It ’ s the closest observable conjunction in 800 years .
The next will be in 80 years .
If it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you could watch online .
EV milestone .
Tesla stock will be added to the S & P 500 index today .
The electric vehicle maker will become the 6th largest stock in the index .
Tesla 's price per share hit a new high Friday , and has risen more than 700 percent in 2020 .
Longest and shortest day .
Dec. 21 marks the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere , where it is the darkest day of the year .
In the Southern Hemisphere , it is the summer solstice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Welcome mat challenged .
A federal judge in Houston is scheduled to hear arguments about invalidating the Obama-era DACA program preventing the deportations of roughly 650,000 people .
The hearing is a continuation of a 2018 lawsuit brought against the federal government by Texas and eight other states that argue they will face “ irreparable harm ” if the program continues .
NBA returns .
A shortened 72-game NBA season begins today , and is tentatively scheduled to end in May .
No word yet on whether fans may attend .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tampa , Florida .
Blockbusters debut online .
`` Wonder Woman 1984 '' opens on HBO Max today and so does Pixar 's `` Soul '' on Disney+ .
Netflix 's period English romance `` Bridgerton , '' based on Julia Quinn 's bestselling novels , opens too .
Produced by Shonda Rhimes .
Feroza Syed was shocked .
The guy ahead of her at the McDonald ’ s drive-through had just thrown his drink back at the employee .
She pulled up to the window to find Bryanna soaked in soda and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t want ice in his drink .
Ms. Syed commiserated and gave her a $ 20 tip .
But she couldn ’ t stop thinking about what she ’ d witnessed .
Later that day , she retuned to the McDonald ’ s with the license plate number of the offensive customer .
That ’ s when she discovered Bryanna was pregnant .
In 24 hours , Ms. Syed raised $ 1,700 for Bryanna by sharing the incident on social media earlier this month .
Later , in response to continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Cashapp , Venmo , and PayPal information so folks could donate directly , and she set up a baby registry at Target .
`` Doing the right thing inspires others to do the right thing and what I keep learning again and again and again is when you see something like this or any situation where someone is being mistreated or harmed ... all it takes is one person to change the narrative , '' Ms. Syed told CNN .
Start your week with a recent story that inspired Monitor readers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , watch for our film critic 's list of the best movies of 2020 .
Finally , check out the Monitor ’ s selected stories from Friday 's subscription-only Daily Edition : • Mexican reform reins in DEA partnership .
Why now ?
• Telescope sales and stargazers are both looking up these days • From H.E.R .
to Taylor Swift , women deliver the best songs of 2020 You have unlimited access to all our pandemic coverage .
If you value our credibly hopeful and nonpartisan approach , please consider subscribing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking a holiday break next week .
See you in January !
Please give us your feedback via the link below .
Thank you !

Help is on the way. After negotiating through the weekend, U.S. Congressional leaders on Sunday finalized a $900 billion economic stimulus package. While smaller than the $2.2 trillion CARES Act earlier this year, this bill provides a $600 check for Americans earning up to $75,000 per year, a $300 per week bonus for those collecting unemployment, and about $300 billion to help businesses, as well as money for vaccine distribution, renters, schools and child care, the Postal Service, and people needing food aid. The bill also reportedly includes an extension of the moratorium on evictions. While many states face a sharp drop in tax revenues, Republicans successfully opposed Democrats’ demands for hundreds of billions of dollars in state and local aid. The House and Senate are expected to vote on the relief package Monday, along with the $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill for a new fiscal year.
2. Preventative steps. Across Europe, plus Canada and India, governments banned travelers from the U.K. Sunday after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said a new strain of the COVID-19 virus was found in southern England. He stressed “there’s no evidence to suggest it is more lethal or causes more severe illness,” or that vaccines will be less effective against it. But Germany, for example, said all flights coming from Britain, except cargo flights, were no longer allowed to land as of midnight Sunday. The Eurostar passenger trains from London to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam were also halted.
On Saturday, Mr. Johnson also announced new, stricter level of coronavirus restrictions, including closing London shops and restaurants, and forbidding mixing of households through Christmas. In the rest of England, people will be allowed to meet in Christmas bubbles for just one day instead of five, as the government originally planned.
Why We Wrote This Good morning! Welcome to your Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, sunrise briefing. Here are two news events from this past weekend (while you may have been watching the SpaceX launch, Christmas caroling, and enjoying an offline life). Also, what to look for in the news this week.
AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack View caption Hide caption Like father, like son. Tiger Woods and his son, 11-year-old Charlie, share a fist bump at the PNC Championship, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. The pro-tournament for major champions and family members was Charlie's prime-time debut.
Look Ahead
Monday, Dec. 21
The Great Conjunction: In a spectacular conjunction, Jupiter and Saturn will appear extremely close about a half hour after sunset - appearing like an elongated star or double planet. It’s the closest observable conjunction in 800 years. The next will be in 80 years. If it’s cloudy where you are, you could watch online.
EV milestone. Tesla stock will be added to the S&P 500 index today. The electric vehicle maker will become the 6th largest stock in the index. Tesla's price per share hit a new high Friday, and has risen more than 700 percent in 2020.
Longest and shortest day. Dec. 21 marks the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, where it is the darkest day of the year. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the summer solstice and the longest day of the year.
Tuesday, Dec. 22
Welcome mat challenged. A federal judge in Houston is scheduled to hear arguments about invalidating the Obama-era DACA program preventing the deportations of roughly 650,000 people. The hearing is a continuation of a 2018 lawsuit brought against the federal government by Texas and eight other states that argue they will face “irreparable harm” if the program continues.
NBA returns. A shortened 72-game NBA season begins today, and is tentatively scheduled to end in May. No word yet on whether fans may attend. The Toronto Raptors will start their season in Tampa, Florida.
Friday, Dec. 25
Christmas Day.
Blockbusters debut online. "Wonder Woman 1984" opens on HBO Max today and so does Pixar's "Soul" on Disney+. Netflix's period English romance "Bridgerton," based on Julia Quinn's bestselling novels, opens too. Produced by Shonda Rhimes.
Generosity Watch
Feroza Syed was shocked. The guy ahead of her at the McDonald’s drive-through had just thrown his drink back at the employee. She pulled up to the window to find Bryanna soaked in soda and crying. Her offense? The guy didn’t want ice in his drink. Ms. Syed commiserated and gave her a $20 tip.
But she couldn’t stop thinking about what she’d witnessed.
Later that day, she retuned to the McDonald’s with the license plate number of the offensive customer. That’s when she discovered Bryanna was pregnant.
In 24 hours, Ms. Syed raised $1,700 for Bryanna by sharing the incident on social media earlier this month. Later, in response to continuing requests to help, Syed shared Bryanna’s Cashapp, Venmo, and PayPal information so folks could donate directly, and she set up a baby registry at Target.
"Doing the right thing inspires others to do the right thing and what I keep learning again and again and again is when you see something like this or any situation where someone is being mistreated or harmed ... all it takes is one person to change the narrative," Ms. Syed told CNN.
Hidden gem
Courtesy of Maisie Sparks View caption Hide caption Maisie Sparks turned a frightening traffic stop into an important lesson for all involved.
Start your week with a recent story that inspired Monitor readers:
Contesting a traffic stop leads to justice – and mercy
Sneak preview
In tonight’s Daily Edition, watch for our film critic's list of the best movies of 2020.
Finally, check out the Monitor’s selected stories from Friday's subscription-only Daily Edition:
You have unlimited access to all our pandemic coverage. If you value our credibly hopeful and nonpartisan approach, please consider subscribing.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Have Merry Christmas! We’re taking a holiday break next week. See you in January!
Please give us your feedback via the link below. Thank you!


csmonitor--2020-12-21--‘The Last Days of Ellis Island’ probes bureaucracy and abuse of power

So many American families picture Ellis Island from the same perspective : through the stories of forebears who were among the millions of new immigrants passing through its halls .
In “ The Last Days of Ellis Island , ” Gaëlle Josse imagines a different viewpoint .
Rather than viewing the facility through the eyes of those seeking a new life , the French poet and author hands the spyglass instead to a fictional bureaucrat within its walls .
The character she creates , Commissioner John Mitchell , is the facility ’ s self-described “ last guardian ” and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his career as he readies the federal property for its 1954 shutdown after a 45-year career .
“ I have an inexplicable urge to delve into a past I hoped I would be able to forget , but which it seems I can not , ” he begins .
The slim book , translated from the French by Natasha Lehrer , is latticed with historical details – including a few real characters , such as the island ’ s last detainee , a Norwegian man named Arne Peterssen .
Its main story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a man whose life is disrupted first by circumstances and later by his own choices .
Josse explains in the book ’ s afterward that the story came to her after a visit to New York brought her to Ellis Island , now a national museum .
It is wistful and , at times , disturbing .
The book , winner of a European Union Prize for Literature in 2015 , is most affecting when Mitchell must consider how much human compassion should interfere with inflexible rules and pedestrian logistics .
After inevitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is always on the side of the human spirit , guilt on the side of power , and history is always the only judge.
” Josse ’ s account is also engaging when it leaves Ellis Island behind , picturing Mitchell ’ s childhood in New York early in the 20th century and his short marriage to Liz , the sister of a childhood friend .
“ She was my intermediary , my intercessor , my translator , and my interpreter .
Unlike me , she loved the city , the parade of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , broad avenues , all the bustle , as if it were a single , extraordinary , gigantic performance with multiple scenes and sets , a Broadway show split into parts , as unchanging as it was constantly reinvented.
” Mitchell , we learn , is a reserved man who finds a well-suited niche as a “ reliable and efficient ” civil servant .
He rises through the ranks , overseeing the smooth functioning of “ sleeping quarters , kitchens , infirmary , sanitary areas , and isolation zones ” for the onslaught @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ellis Island before new laws diminished its role in 1924 .
“ Every language was spoken here .
It was like a new tower of Babel , but instead of rising up to the sky , the building was low , tethered to the ground , ” he says of his workplace .
Liz , more open and empathetic , works as a nurse on the island ’ s medical staff and gives him a greater understanding of the traumas behind the bookkeeping .
Mitchell finds he is “ discovering with her the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hope.
” The lessons are interrupted by tragedy : The narrator , so emotionally cautious he won ’ t even talk with his wife about why they remain childless , retreats into the lonely rhythms of his job after Liz ’ s death .
Another family tragedy isolates him still more , with the island becoming “ an outpost , a watchtower or rampart , with me standing sentinel against invasion.
” More distressingly , through flashbacks we learn about another event dominating Mitchell ’ s psyche .
Decades earlier , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young Italian immigrant under the pretense of compassionately taking her aside to help her cause .
The 19-year-old , Nella Casarini , is the daughter of a “ caster of spells ” and apparently inherited some of those powers , adding a supernatural note to the story that ’ s reinforced at the book ’ s end .
Mitchell bitterly regrets his actions , especially when a catastrophe strikes the woman ’ s family before he can intervene in their favor .
The reader gets the sense , though , that his regrets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his crimes .
Nella curses Mitchell , yet he spends years trying to find out what happened to her , questioning whether she had “ yielded to me merely out of desperation and necessity ?
… Or was it possible that , in spite of everything , she had seen me as a man who wanted to love her ?
” Such thoughts may be true to character for a protagonist from a very different era , but they ’ re disturbing to the modern reader .
The first-person account also leaves us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitchell to be an unreliable narrator or whether we ’ re supposed to actually see any opening in the scenes with Nella for romance or sympathy .
Ultimately , whatever lessons Mitchell has learned about compassion and guilt – and power – don ’ t feel like enough .

So many American families picture Ellis Island from the same perspective: through the stories of forebears who were among the millions of new immigrants passing through its halls.
In “The Last Days of Ellis Island,” Gaëlle Josse imagines a different viewpoint. Rather than viewing the facility through the eyes of those seeking a new life, the French poet and author hands the spyglass instead to a fictional bureaucrat within its walls. The character she creates, Commissioner John Mitchell, is the facility’s self-described “last guardian” and “last prisoner,” writing an account of his career as he readies the federal property for its 1954 shutdown after a 45-year career.
“I have an inexplicable urge to delve into a past I hoped I would be able to forget, but which it seems I cannot,” he begins.
The slim book, translated from the French by Natasha Lehrer, is latticed with historical details – including a few real characters, such as the island’s last detainee, a Norwegian man named Arne Peterssen. Its main story is entirely invented, an account of a man whose life is disrupted first by circumstances and later by his own choices. Josse explains in the book’s afterward that the story came to her after a visit to New York brought her to Ellis Island, now a national museum. It is wistful and, at times, disturbing.
The book, winner of a European Union Prize for Literature in 2015, is most affecting when Mitchell must consider how much human compassion should interfere with inflexible rules and pedestrian logistics. After inevitable errors, he concludes that “idealism is always on the side of the human spirit, guilt on the side of power, and history is always the only judge.”
Josse’s account is also engaging when it leaves Ellis Island behind, picturing Mitchell’s childhood in New York early in the 20th century and his short marriage to Liz, the sister of a childhood friend. “She was my intermediary, my intercessor, my translator, and my interpreter. Unlike me, she loved the city, the parade of people, the store windows, streetcars, broad avenues, all the bustle, as if it were a single, extraordinary, gigantic performance with multiple scenes and sets, a Broadway show split into parts, as unchanging as it was constantly reinvented.”
Mitchell, we learn, is a reserved man who finds a well-suited niche as a “reliable and efficient” civil servant. He rises through the ranks, overseeing the smooth functioning of “sleeping quarters, kitchens, infirmary, sanitary areas, and isolation zones” for the onslaught of new American hopefuls who came through Ellis Island before new laws diminished its role in 1924.
“Every language was spoken here. It was like a new tower of Babel, but instead of rising up to the sky, the building was low, tethered to the ground,” he says of his workplace.
Liz, more open and empathetic, works as a nurse on the island’s medical staff and gives him a greater understanding of the traumas behind the bookkeeping. Mitchell finds he is “discovering with her the meaning of abject misery, separation, and hope.”
The lessons are interrupted by tragedy: The narrator, so emotionally cautious he won’t even talk with his wife about why they remain childless, retreats into the lonely rhythms of his job after Liz’s death. Another family tragedy isolates him still more, with the island becoming “an outpost, a watchtower or rampart, with me standing sentinel against invasion.”
More distressingly, through flashbacks we learn about another event dominating Mitchell’s psyche. Decades earlier, he had abused his authority and raped a young Italian immigrant under the pretense of compassionately taking her aside to help her cause. The 19-year-old, Nella Casarini, is the daughter of a “caster of spells” and apparently inherited some of those powers, adding a supernatural note to the story that’s reinforced at the book’s end.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
Mitchell bitterly regrets his actions, especially when a catastrophe strikes the woman’s family before he can intervene in their favor. The reader gets the sense, though, that his regrets don’t completely match up with his crimes. Nella curses Mitchell, yet he spends years trying to find out what happened to her, questioning whether she had “yielded to me merely out of desperation and necessity? … Or was it possible that, in spite of everything, she had seen me as a man who wanted to love her?” Such thoughts may be true to character for a protagonist from a very different era, but they’re disturbing to the modern reader. The first-person account also leaves us rudderless, unsure whether the author intends Mitchell to be an unreliable narrator or whether we’re supposed to actually see any opening in the scenes with Nella for romance or sympathy.
Ultimately, whatever lessons Mitchell has learned about compassion and guilt – and power – don’t feel like enough.


csmonitor--2020-12-21--‘Black Sun’ weaves fantastic worlds in faraway lands

Cities carved into the facades of steep cliffs .
A non-human siren masquerading as a sea captain .
A mother who believes her son is a god .
If you ’ ve been looking to add a fantasy saga to your list of must-reads , Rebecca Roanhorse ’ s “ Black Sun ” is a good choice .
Roanhorse is no stranger to weaving fantastic worlds in faraway lands .
Her past works include “ Star Wars : Resistance Reborn ” and “ Trail of Lightning , ” the first novel in her “ The Sixth World ” series .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Roanhorse ’ s new `` Between Earth and Sky '' trilogy , is an impressive addition to her catalog .
“ Black Sun ” begins as many other epic fantasy tales begin : with a prophecy .
Serapio , who makes for an intense yet empathetic lead character , is a god .
Or at least , that ’ s what his mother told him after she stitched his eyes shut .
After years of training , he ’ s on a mission to fulfill a destiny he ’ s quite sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Black Sun ” dizzyingly unfolds across the ( somewhat ) magical continent of Meridian , taking the reader from the portside land of Cuecola to the holy cliff-city of Tova , where four noble houses rule underneath a religion that canonizes star charts and science , not magic .
It ’ s in Tova where Serapio believes he will find his destiny and he teams up with Xiala , a bisexual , forthright sea captain , to get there .
Xiala is undoubtedly the stand-out character in “ Black Sun.
” She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a knack for sweet-talking men and women .
But she proves to be much more than just a tough exterior .
She comes from a non-human race called the Teek , a society of sirens who are able to influence the sea by singing .
But being Teek comes at the price of marginalization and persecution .
While her skills lend her ferocity and a sense of fearlessness , Xiala is still vulnerable and insecure in her Teek identity .
Roanhorse does an excellent job of adding nuance to Xiala ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebellious attitude .
As Serapio and Xiala leave the vibrant port city of Cuecola , we catch a glimpse of the tensions broiling in Tova , dubbed the “ gem ” of the Meridian continent .
In Tova , a religious sect made up of the Watchers and headed by the Sun Priest have a dwindling hold over the lands and over the four clans – the Carrion Crows , the Golden Eagles , the Winged Serpents , and the Water Striders .
Because of their kingdom in the cliffs , members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” an important social signifier in the city of Tova .
It ’ s at the holy Celestial Tower in Tova where we meet the idyllic and simultaneously frustrating Naranpa , a young woman who has taken over the mantle of “ Sun Priest.
” She ’ s eager to change how the citizens of Tova perceive her order , known as the Watchers , who ’ ve gained a violent reputation in their efforts to maintain power .
However , her status as the first non-noble Sun Priest sets her up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is honorable in her intentions , her persistent desire to grasp onto the mantle of Sun Priest belies her supposed mission to reform Tova ’ s religious practices .
The dissonance , after a while , becomes less of a character trait and more of an annoyance .
“ Black Sun ” is ambitious in nature and will remind readers of Tomi Adeyemi ’ s West African-inspired “ Legacy of Orïsha ” trilogy .
There ’ s action , political intrigue , and of course PG-13 romance .
The inclusion of queer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Sun ” is admirable , but needs to be done with more finesse .
It feels as though sexual and gender identities were afterthoughts in the formation of the characters to check off a diversity and inclusion requirement .
Previous critiques of Roanhorse ’ s work have focused on the liberal use of Native cultures in her stories .
Some of this shows up in “ Black Sun.
” There are vague cultural references to the indigenous cultures of Central America and the American Southwest , but there ’ s nothing concrete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in “ Black Sun ” to their real-world counterparts .
It ’ s hard to tell if this is a good thing .
On the one hand , Roanhorse creates a compelling world in which readers can get lost in the gods and prophecies .
But the customs and traditions don ’ t feel as whole or as fleshed-out as they could be , which is a little disappointing since “ Black Sun ” is no quick read at almost 800 pages .
While the handling of real-world cultures and sex and gender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intentional way , the world of “ Black Sun ” still alludes to problems of inequality and power imbalances in our own .
Xiala , with her Teek identity , represents an experience that feels an awful lot like what it feels to be a person of color , especially in the current cultural climate in the U.S .
The firm and unyielding hold of the Sun Priest religion of Tova and its desire to stamp out the “ old gods ” feels an awful lot like the relationship between secular and indigenous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite being set in a fictional world , touches on many of the ills in contemporary society .
Overall , “ Black Sun ” is the perfect read for speculative fiction lovers looking to expand beyond the very white and Eurocentric fantasy worlds that dominate the genre .
While “ Black Sun ” certainly stumbles at some points , Roanhorse still weaves a story so immersive and intriguing that you ’ ll find yourself wishing the second book in the trilogy was already here .

Cities carved into the facades of steep cliffs. A non-human siren masquerading as a sea captain. A mother who believes her son is a god. If you’ve been looking to add a fantasy saga to your list of must-reads, Rebecca Roanhorse’s “Black Sun” is a good choice.
Roanhorse is no stranger to weaving fantastic worlds in faraway lands. Her past works include “Star Wars: Resistance Reborn” and “Trail of Lightning,” the first novel in her “The Sixth World” series. “Black Sun,” the first in Roanhorse’s new "Between Earth and Sky" trilogy, is an impressive addition to her catalog.
“Black Sun” begins as many other epic fantasy tales begin: with a prophecy. Serapio, who makes for an intense yet empathetic lead character, is a god. Or at least, that’s what his mother told him after she stitched his eyes shut. After years of training, he’s on a mission to fulfill a destiny he’s quite sure will result in his timely death.
“Black Sun” dizzyingly unfolds across the (somewhat) magical continent of Meridian, taking the reader from the portside land of Cuecola to the holy cliff-city of Tova, where four noble houses rule underneath a religion that canonizes star charts and science, not magic. It’s in Tova where Serapio believes he will find his destiny and he teams up with Xiala, a bisexual, forthright sea captain, to get there.
Xiala is undoubtedly the stand-out character in “Black Sun.” She’s witty and brutally honest, with a knack for sweet-talking men and women. But she proves to be much more than just a tough exterior. She comes from a non-human race called the Teek, a society of sirens who are able to influence the sea by singing. But being Teek comes at the price of marginalization and persecution. While her skills lend her ferocity and a sense of fearlessness, Xiala is still vulnerable and insecure in her Teek identity. Roanhorse does an excellent job of adding nuance to Xiala’s character, beyond her humorous one-liners and rebellious attitude.
As Serapio and Xiala leave the vibrant port city of Cuecola, we catch a glimpse of the tensions broiling in Tova, dubbed the “gem” of the Meridian continent. In Tova, a religious sect made up of the Watchers and headed by the Sun Priest have a dwindling hold over the lands and over the four clans – the Carrion Crows, the Golden Eagles, the Winged Serpents, and the Water Striders. Because of their kingdom in the cliffs, members of these clans are called “sky made,” an important social signifier in the city of Tova.
It’s at the holy Celestial Tower in Tova where we meet the idyllic and simultaneously frustrating Naranpa, a young woman who has taken over the mantle of “Sun Priest.” She’s eager to change how the citizens of Tova perceive her order, known as the Watchers, who’ve gained a violent reputation in their efforts to maintain power. However, her status as the first non-noble Sun Priest sets her up for an inevitable coup. While Naranpa is honorable in her intentions, her persistent desire to grasp onto the mantle of Sun Priest belies her supposed mission to reform Tova’s religious practices. The dissonance, after a while, becomes less of a character trait and more of an annoyance.
“Black Sun” is ambitious in nature and will remind readers of Tomi Adeyemi’s West African-inspired “Legacy of Orïsha” trilogy. There’s action, political intrigue, and of course PG-13 romance. The inclusion of queer and gender-nonconforming people in Roanhorse’s “Black Sun” is admirable, but needs to be done with more finesse. It feels as though sexual and gender identities were afterthoughts in the formation of the characters to check off a diversity and inclusion requirement.
Previous critiques of Roanhorse’s work have focused on the liberal use of Native cultures in her stories. Some of this shows up in “Black Sun.” There are vague cultural references to the indigenous cultures of Central America and the American Southwest, but there’s nothing concrete to solidly tie certain clans or cities in “Black Sun” to their real-world counterparts. It’s hard to tell if this is a good thing. On the one hand, Roanhorse creates a compelling world in which readers can get lost in the gods and prophecies. But the customs and traditions don’t feel as whole or as fleshed-out as they could be, which is a little disappointing since “Black Sun” is no quick read at almost 800 pages.
Get stories that
empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
While the handling of real-world cultures and sex and gender identities could be executed in a more intentional way, the world of “Black Sun” still alludes to problems of inequality and power imbalances in our own. Xiala, with her Teek identity, represents an experience that feels an awful lot like what it feels to be a person of color, especially in the current cultural climate in the U.S. The firm and unyielding hold of the Sun Priest religion of Tova and its desire to stamp out the “old gods” feels an awful lot like the relationship between secular and indigenous religions. “Black Sun,” despite being set in a fictional world, touches on many of the ills in contemporary society.
Overall, “Black Sun” is the perfect read for speculative fiction lovers looking to expand beyond the very white and Eurocentric fantasy worlds that dominate the genre. While “Black Sun” certainly stumbles at some points, Roanhorse still weaves a story so immersive and intriguing that you’ll find yourself wishing the second book in the trilogy was already here.


csmonitor--2020-12-21--‘Our last, best chance’ to heal Senate, says key Biden ally

“ Frankly , we don ’ t have a choice , ” he says .
“ This may be our last , best chance to show that we can make the Senate work.
” The senator , who sits on the Judiciary and Foreign Relations committees and is often in the thick of cross-party negotiations , says he ’ s optimistic about a better tone and more bipartisanship in Washington .
The Monitor recently talked about all this with Sen. Chris Coons , the Democrat from Delaware who holds President-elect Biden ’ s former seat .
The two men are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emerged as one of the incoming president ’ s key point people in Congress – a conduit between the White House and the Senate , and a potential emissary to GOP lawmakers .
As Congress moves forward on a $ 900 billion stimulus deal , announced Sunday night , some see glimmers of hope for bipartisanship in the coming term .
President-elect Joe Biden lays great worth on his relationships with members of both parties on the Hill , and hopes that will help pave the way to agreements .
Will his ties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last president to enter the Oval Office with the congressional credentials of Joe Biden was Democrat Lyndon Baines Johnson – though Mr. Biden , who spent 36 years in the Senate , has him beat by more than a decade on the Hill .
The two men did not overlap , but they experienced the same kind of Senate , one built on personal relationships , with wheeling and dealing across the aisle .
Today ’ s Senate is very different , and in many ways that ’ s a good thing ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ female lawmakers ) .
But senators are now divided by a hard , partisan line , with Republicans and Democrats mostly firing at each other from their bunkers .
Yet as Congress finally moves forward on a $ 900 billion pandemic relief bill , announced Sunday night , some see glimmers of hope for the next term .
The president-elect lays great worth on his relationships with members of both parties on the Hill , and hopes that will help pave the way to bipartisan agreements .
Will his ties and experience make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about all this with Sen. Chris Coons , the Democrat from Delaware who holds President-elect Biden ’ s former seat .
The two men are close , and Senator Coons has already emerged as one of the incoming president ’ s key point people in Congress – a conduit between the White House and the Senate , and an emissary to GOP lawmakers .
The senator , who sits on the Judiciary and Foreign Relations committees and is often in the thick of cross-party negotiations , says he ’ s hopeful about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Frankly , we don ’ t have a choice , ” he says .
“ This may be our last , best chance to show that we can make the Senate work.
” What follows is an edited , condensed transcript of the interview .
Q : To what extent do personal relationships still matter in Washington ?
This isn ’ t the Senate that Joe left – and it ’ s certainly not the Senate of 20 or 30 years ago , where senators mostly moved their families here , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aisle .
Throughout the entire presidential campaign , lots of media commentators dismissed Joe Biden ’ s message of decency and civility and his hope for bipartisanship , and said that just couldn ’ t work anymore .
But in the real world , that ’ s what people want from their government – that we would respect each other , hear each other , compromise , and solve problems .
What I hear from my colleagues , both Republicans and Democrats , is they all believe he is a decent and caring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a place where there are so few chances to build and sustain real relationships .
Now he ’ s going to have a chance to prove that you actually can do it .
Q : President-elect Biden told you he needed you in the Senate , rather than as secretary of state .
What do you think your contribution can be for him in the Senate ?
I ’ ll give you an example .
I ’ ve had a series of conversations with John Cornyn .
You know , John is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He has recently taken to somewhat jokingly calling me his “ Ambassador of Quan ” [ from the movie Jerry Maguire ] .
He sort of pokes me in the ribs and points other Republicans to me and says , “ he ’ s your Ambassador of Quan – he ’ s the guy who ’ s going to help us figure out how to work together.
” Cornyn is someone who is probably going to chair the immigration subcommittee .
He ’ s been a pretty tough hard-liner on immigration .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ good , positive opening call with the president-elect and I ’ m optimistic that I can help weave together a constructive and positive relationship , and that Dick Durbin [ Democrat of Illinois ] and John Cornyn can end up making progress on an issue like Dreamers that really has eluded us .
I ’ m not saying that we ’ re all going to suddenly be standing arm in arm , singing “ Kumbaya ” on the floor of the Senate .
But if you listen to your colleagues and figure out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is possible to find good partners and get things done .
Q : How did you first come to know Joe Biden ?
You ’ ve mentioned him as a mentor .
What has he taught you ?
I was a law-student intern on the Senate Judiciary Committee 30 years ago .
I got to know Joe Biden just a little bit , mostly by watching him during hearings .
It ’ s when I ran for New Castle County council that we first started talking most regularly .
He was a New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other person in Delaware history to go from county government straight to the U.S. Senate .
Most people who run for office for the first time are all excited about their policy platforms .
He said , first , you have to listen more than you talk .
You have to actually recognize that the people you ’ re running to represent , they ’ ve got their policy platform .
And it ’ s probably very direct things like “ fix the pothole.
” So don ’ t overthink it .
Listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know what you ’ re willing to lose [ an election ] over .
Here ’ s his other piece of advice , often repeated : You can always question a Senate colleague ’ s policy conclusions , but don ’ t question their motives .
When you go to the floor and denounce a colleague as being bought and sold by big tobacco or something , you prevent them from ever being able or willing to compromise with you or work with you , once you ’ ve questioned their integrity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ remarkable exchange at the Homeland Security Committee hearing about electoral fraud , where Senator [ Ron ] Johnson of Wisconsin , was yelling at Senator [ Gary ] Peters that he ’ s a liar over and over , it ’ s striking to reflect that Joe could say to me that as of 2000 , he wasn ’ t aware of any time when any of his colleagues had questioned each other ’ s motives or integrity on the floor of the Senate .
So , I do think the institution is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years have been particularly hard on that front , in terms of a commitment to respect and civility and truthfulness .
Q : You mentioned how the media discounted Biden ’ s message .
Do you think they ’ re underestimating the desire for normalcy in politics on the Hill ?
Absolutely .
I have had conversations with a dozen Republicans of all levels of seniority , from the brand new to the seasoned , saying that they ’ re just relieved – that the last four years have been exhausting .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or you loathe him and find him appalling , one thing Donald Trump was , was a master at holding the attention of our nation and changing it to a new crisis , a new issue , a new challenge every single week , often every day , sometimes within the same day .
It was a wild ride .
Lots of members of the Senate of both parties have confided in me that they are looking forward to a little more normal , civil , traditional dialogue between the Senate and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as much as people will have small comments or complaints or concerns about nominees , the one clear thing about the cabinet that Joe Biden is assembling now is this is a very seasoned and experienced group .
And that ’ s going to make for less sudden , unexpected , abrupt changes in direction and policy .
Q : After the caustic Supreme Court nomination hearings for Brett Kavanaugh , you said you were going to redouble your efforts at getting to know your Republican colleagues .
Did you follow up on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dozen Republicans who will tell you that I have redoubled my efforts .
It ’ s been hard because Bob Corker , Jeff Flake , Johnny Isakson , and John McCain were wonderful partners [ who have retired or , in Senator McCain ’ s case , died ] .
I got a lot done with them .
It ’ s been challenging to have to start anew with a bunch of other colleagues .
But the best example I can give you is Mike Braun [ Republican of Indiana ] .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ years and is literally one of the most conservative people I ’ ve ever met .
Yet he and I have founded and are leading the Climate Solutions Caucus together .
We talk regularly .
There are 14 members , seven Republicans , seven Democrats .
Even in the midst of a pandemic , we did events every single month , often two a month .
Think about it .
You got seven Republicans who are publicly saying climate change is real , people cause it , and we urgently need to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is we ’ re in the prayer breakfast together .
And a part of it is I made the effort to go meet with [ Senator Braun ] and sit down and listen and ask him what he cared about and what he wanted to work on .
When my friend Joe Donnelly was running against Mike Braun , I never in a million years would have guessed I ’ d be having a productive working relationship with that guy .
And yet , here we are .

“Frankly, we don’t have a choice,” he says. “This may be our last, best chance to show that we can make the Senate work.”
The senator, who sits on the Judiciary and Foreign Relations committees and is often in the thick of cross-party negotiations, says he’s optimistic about a better tone and more bipartisanship in Washington.
President-elect Joe Biden has made cross-aisle outreach a core goal. Our writer spoke with the senator and fellow Democrat most often hailed as his special liaison in that work.
The Monitor recently talked about all this with Sen. Chris Coons, the Democrat from Delaware who holds President-elect Biden’s former seat. The two men are close, and Senator Coons has already emerged as one of the incoming president’s key point people in Congress – a conduit between the White House and the Senate, and a potential emissary to GOP lawmakers.
As Congress moves forward on a $900 billion stimulus deal, announced Sunday night, some see glimmers of hope for bipartisanship in the coming term. President-elect Joe Biden lays great worth on his relationships with members of both parties on the Hill, and hopes that will help pave the way to agreements. Will his ties and experience make a difference?
The last president to enter the Oval Office with the congressional credentials of Joe Biden was Democrat Lyndon Baines Johnson – though Mr. Biden, who spent 36 years in the Senate, has him beat by more than a decade on the Hill. The two men did not overlap, but they experienced the same kind of Senate, one built on personal relationships, with wheeling and dealing across the aisle.
Today’s Senate is very different, and in many ways that’s a good thing (for instance, the growing presence of female lawmakers). But senators are now divided by a hard, partisan line, with Republicans and Democrats mostly firing at each other from their bunkers.
Yet as Congress finally moves forward on a $900 billion pandemic relief bill, announced Sunday night, some see glimmers of hope for the next term. The president-elect lays great worth on his relationships with members of both parties on the Hill, and hopes that will help pave the way to bipartisan agreements. Will his ties and experience make a difference?
Why We Wrote This President-elect Joe Biden has made cross-aisle outreach a core goal. Our writer spoke with the senator and fellow Democrat most often hailed as his special liaison in that work.
The Monitor recently talked about all this with Sen. Chris Coons, the Democrat from Delaware who holds President-elect Biden’s former seat. The two men are close, and Senator Coons has already emerged as one of the incoming president’s key point people in Congress – a conduit between the White House and the Senate, and an emissary to GOP lawmakers.
The senator, who sits on the Judiciary and Foreign Relations committees and is often in the thick of cross-party negotiations, says he’s hopeful about a better tone and more bipartisanship in Washington.
“Frankly, we don’t have a choice,” he says. “This may be our last, best chance to show that we can make the Senate work.”
What follows is an edited, condensed transcript of the interview.
Q: To what extent do personal relationships still matter in Washington?
This isn’t the Senate that Joe left – and it’s certainly not the Senate of 20 or 30 years ago, where senators mostly moved their families here, and socialized and readily worked across the aisle. Throughout the entire presidential campaign, lots of media commentators dismissed Joe Biden’s message of decency and civility and his hope for bipartisanship, and said that just couldn’t work anymore.
But in the real world, that’s what people want from their government – that we would respect each other, hear each other, compromise, and solve problems.
What I hear from my colleagues, both Republicans and Democrats, is they all believe he is a decent and caring man. That stands out, particularly in a place where there are so few chances to build and sustain real relationships. Now he’s going to have a chance to prove that you actually can do it.
Q: President-elect Biden told you he needed you in the Senate, rather than as secretary of state. What do you think your contribution can be for him in the Senate?
I’ll give you an example. I’ve had a series of conversations with John Cornyn. You know, John is a very capable partisan warrior from Texas. He has recently taken to somewhat jokingly calling me his “Ambassador of Quan” [from the movie Jerry Maguire]. He sort of pokes me in the ribs and points other Republicans to me and says, “he’s your Ambassador of Quan – he’s the guy who’s going to help us figure out how to work together.”
Cornyn is someone who is probably going to chair the immigration subcommittee. He’s been a pretty tough hard-liner on immigration.
[But] he had a really good, positive opening call with the president-elect and I’m optimistic that I can help weave together a constructive and positive relationship, and that Dick Durbin [Democrat of Illinois] and John Cornyn can end up making progress on an issue like Dreamers that really has eluded us.
I’m not saying that we’re all going to suddenly be standing arm in arm, singing “Kumbaya” on the floor of the Senate. But if you listen to your colleagues and figure out what they most care about, it is possible to find good partners and get things done.
Q: How did you first come to know Joe Biden? You’ve mentioned him as a mentor. What has he taught you?
I was a law-student intern on the Senate Judiciary Committee 30 years ago. I got to know Joe Biden just a little bit, mostly by watching him during hearings. It’s when I ran for New Castle County council that we first started talking most regularly. He was a New Castle County councilman, and the only other person in Delaware history to go from county government straight to the U.S. Senate.
Most people who run for office for the first time are all excited about their policy platforms. He said, first, you have to listen more than you talk. You have to actually recognize that the people you’re running to represent, they’ve got their policy platform. And it’s probably very direct things like “fix the pothole.” So don’t overthink it. Listen.
But second, you need to know what you’re willing to lose [an election] over.
Here’s his other piece of advice, often repeated: You can always question a Senate colleague’s policy conclusions, but don’t question their motives. When you go to the floor and denounce a colleague as being bought and sold by big tobacco or something, you prevent them from ever being able or willing to compromise with you or work with you, once you’ve questioned their integrity.
Now, having watched today’s remarkable exchange at the Homeland Security Committee hearing about electoral fraud, where Senator [Ron] Johnson of Wisconsin, was yelling at Senator [Gary] Peters that he’s a liar over and over, it’s striking to reflect that Joe could say to me that as of 2000, he wasn’t aware of any time when any of his colleagues had questioned each other’s motives or integrity on the floor of the Senate.
So, I do think the institution is under genuine strain. The last four years have been particularly hard on that front, in terms of a commitment to respect and civility and truthfulness.
Q: You mentioned how the media discounted Biden’s message. Do you think they’re underestimating the desire for normalcy in politics on the Hill?
Absolutely. I have had conversations with a dozen Republicans of all levels of seniority, from the brand new to the seasoned, saying that they’re just relieved – that the last four years have been exhausting. And whether you love him and support him, or you loathe him and find him appalling, one thing Donald Trump was, was a master at holding the attention of our nation and changing it to a new crisis, a new issue, a new challenge every single week, often every day, sometimes within the same day. It was a wild ride.
Lots of members of the Senate of both parties have confided in me that they are looking forward to a little more normal, civil, traditional dialogue between the Senate and the White House. And that, as much as people will have small comments or complaints or concerns about nominees, the one clear thing about the cabinet that Joe Biden is assembling now is this is a very seasoned and experienced group. And that’s going to make for less sudden, unexpected, abrupt changes in direction and policy.
Q: After the caustic Supreme Court nomination hearings for Brett Kavanaugh, you said you were going to redouble your efforts at getting to know your Republican colleagues. Did you follow up on that?
Yes. There are literally a dozen Republicans who will tell you that I have redoubled my efforts. It’s been hard because Bob Corker, Jeff Flake, Johnny Isakson, and John McCain were wonderful partners [who have retired or, in Senator McCain’s case, died]. I got a lot done with them.
It’s been challenging to have to start anew with a bunch of other colleagues. But the best example I can give you is Mike Braun [Republican of Indiana]. Mike’s in his first two years and is literally one of the most conservative people I’ve ever met. Yet he and I have founded and are leading the Climate Solutions Caucus together.
We talk regularly. There are 14 members, seven Republicans, seven Democrats. Even in the midst of a pandemic, we did events every single month, often two a month. Think about it. You got seven Republicans who are publicly saying climate change is real, people cause it, and we urgently need to do something about it.
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A part of it is we’re in the prayer breakfast together. And a part of it is I made the effort to go meet with [Senator Braun] and sit down and listen and ask him what he cared about and what he wanted to work on.
When my friend Joe Donnelly was running against Mike Braun, I never in a million years would have guessed I’d be having a productive working relationship with that guy. And yet, here we are.


csmonitor--2020-12-21--Audiobooks to bring delight to the holiday season

Escapism and hope fill the top four audiobooks of December 2020 , providing comfort for listeners as the end of a difficult year approaches .
An intelligent fable , a seasonally appropriate mystery , and two uplifting memoirs are the perfect stories to usher in 2021 .
“ A Promised Land ” by Barack Obama Read by the author ; Random House Audio ; 29 hours and 10 minutes Sounding authoritative at times , and intimate and relaxed at others , Obama narrates his rather lengthy memoir with polished professionalism .
His familiar unhurried cadence , well-known to so many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listening is reminiscent of a conversation with an old friend .
His writing is as deliberate as his narration , but it never feels slow or tedious , despite the memoir ’ s length .
( And this is only the first volume ! )
The first quarter of the narrative is devoted to his personal life , and frankly , it ’ s the most interesting section .
Topics include his relationship with his mother , his education , his romance with Michelle , and his children .
But the parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s tenure in the White House are also surprisingly engaging : He peppers his memories of policy discussions and political fights with opinionated observations , colorful backgrounds , and very wry humor .
Well worth the long running time .
Grade : A “ Perestroika in Paris ” by Jane Smiley Read by Suzanne Toren ; Recorded Books ; 8 hours and 20 minutes Jane Smiley is back with another of her horse tales – this one a sweet fable set in Paris featuring a lovely filly named Perestroika , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racehorse who , after wandering away from her stable with a purse filled with the day ’ s winnings in her teeth , finds a new life and new friends in one of the city 's parks .
A cunning dog , a bookish and cultivated raven , and a couple of argumentative mallards help her survive at first , but she soon finds shelter with an unusual orphaned boy and his great-great-grandmother .
Even if you aren ’ t a fan of anthropomorphized critters , this conceit works thanks to Smiley ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she paints a bigger picture with smaller stories .
Narrator Suzanne Toren is a huge asset , imbuing each creature , big and small , with a distinct personality befitting its nature .
Grade : A- “ Murder at an Irish Christmas ” by Carlene O'Connor Narrated by Caroline Lennon ; Dreamscape Media ; 9 hours and 19 minutes Though marketed as a `` cozy mystery , '' “ Murder at an Irish Christmas ” has elements of a police procedural that add more detail , atmosphere , and humor than are often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O ’ Sullivan , a member of the Irish Garda , arrives in West Cork with her family for a Christmas holiday .
But when the local celebrity conductor is murdered , it ’ s back to work for her .
Multiple red herrings are unearthed as she pursues the killer , and listeners get to know the villagers , her family , and her fiancé .
Though it ’ s the seventh installment in the Irish Village mystery series , this title can easily stand alone .
Caroline Lennon ’ s narration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endearing ; her impeccable timing is enhanced by her lovely Irish brogue .
Grade : B+ “ Dolly Parton , Songteller : My Life in Lyrics ” by Dolly Parton Performed by Dolly Parton ; Recorded Books ; 5 hours and 18 minutes This delightful oddity is not really an audiobook in any traditional sense , but it is so entertaining and Dolly Parton is so charming that it doesn ’ t matter .
Sometimes she speaks , sometimes she sings , and sometimes an unnamed man introduces the next topic .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past the nontraditional presentation is an enchanting , kind-hearted , philanthropic , and humorous performer .
Parton gets a little earthy at times , but her candor , combined with her unique , chirpy voice , is entertaining – even for those who are not fans of country music .
Grade : B

Escapism and hope fill the top four audiobooks of December 2020, providing comfort for listeners as the end of a difficult year approaches. An intelligent fable, a seasonally appropriate mystery, and two uplifting memoirs are the perfect stories to usher in 2021.
“A Promised Land” by Barack Obama
Read by the author; Random House Audio; 29 hours and 10 minutes
Sounding authoritative at times, and intimate and relaxed at others, Obama narrates his rather lengthy memoir with polished professionalism. His familiar unhurried cadence, well-known to so many across the world, is calming; listening is reminiscent of a conversation with an old friend. His writing is as deliberate as his narration, but it never feels slow or tedious, despite the memoir’s length. (And this is only the first volume!) The first quarter of the narrative is devoted to his personal life, and frankly, it’s the most interesting section. Topics include his relationship with his mother, his education, his romance with Michelle, and his children. But the parts of the memoir that deal with the former president’s tenure in the White House are also surprisingly engaging: He peppers his memories of policy discussions and political fights with opinionated observations, colorful backgrounds, and very wry humor. Well worth the long running time. Grade: A
“Perestroika in Paris” by Jane Smiley
Read by Suzanne Toren; Recorded Books; 8 hours and 20 minutes
Jane Smiley is back with another of her horse tales – this one a sweet fable set in Paris featuring a lovely filly named Perestroika, or Paras for short. Paras is a racehorse who, after wandering away from her stable with a purse filled with the day’s winnings in her teeth, finds a new life and new friends in one of the city's parks. A cunning dog, a bookish and cultivated raven, and a couple of argumentative mallards help her survive at first, but she soon finds shelter with an unusual orphaned boy and his great-great-grandmother. Even if you aren’t a fan of anthropomorphized critters, this conceit works thanks to Smiley’s convincing world. As always, she paints a bigger picture with smaller stories. Narrator Suzanne Toren is a huge asset, imbuing each creature, big and small, with a distinct personality befitting its nature. Grade: A-
“Murder at an Irish Christmas” by Carlene O'Connor
Narrated by Caroline Lennon; Dreamscape Media; 9 hours and 19 minutes
Though marketed as a "cozy mystery," “Murder at an Irish Christmas” has elements of a police procedural that add more detail, atmosphere, and humor than are often found in the cozy subgenre. Siobhán O’Sullivan, a member of the Irish Garda, arrives in West Cork with her family for a Christmas holiday. But when the local celebrity conductor is murdered, it’s back to work for her. Multiple red herrings are unearthed as she pursues the killer, and listeners get to know the villagers, her family, and her fiancé. Though it’s the seventh installment in the Irish Village mystery series, this title can easily stand alone. Caroline Lennon’s narration is sympathetic, funny, and rather endearing; her impeccable timing is enhanced by her lovely Irish brogue. Grade: B+
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empower and uplift daily. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads.
“Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics” by Dolly Parton
Performed by Dolly Parton; Recorded Books; 5 hours and 18 minutes
This delightful oddity is not really an audiobook in any traditional sense, but it is so entertaining and Dolly Parton is so charming that it doesn’t matter. Sometimes she speaks, sometimes she sings, and sometimes an unnamed man introduces the next topic. It’s a little offbeat, but past the nontraditional presentation is an enchanting, kind-hearted, philanthropic, and humorous performer. Parton gets a little earthy at times, but her candor, combined with her unique, chirpy voice, is entertaining – even for those who are not fans of country music. Grade: B