cnbc--2020-10-16--Ray McGuire to leave Citigroup to run for mayor of New York

Ray McGuire , vice chairman of Citigroup Inc. , speaks during a Bloomberg Television interview at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills , California , April 29 , 2019 .
`` We 're in a war for the survival of this great city .
Without a doubt we can do this .
From the streets to the suites , '' McGuire told CNBC , confirming his plans to announce his departure from the bank on Thursday and jump into the race .
McGuire is a vice chairman of Citigroup and chairman of banking , capital markets and advisory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for mayor since January .
Ray McGuire , a top executive at Citigroup , is set to leave the bank and run for mayor of New York .
Citi 's CEO , Michael Corbat , and Paco Ybarra , CEO of the bank 's institutional clients group , informed employees on Thursday that McGuire will be departing to `` explore opportunities that will allow him to pursue his lifelong passion for public service , '' according to a memo obtained by CNBC .
McGuire , 63 , is getting into a crowded Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Maya Wiley , a former top attorney for Mayor Bill de Blasio , recently announced her entrance into the race .
She was previously a legal analyst for MSNBC .
De Blasio 's term ends on the first day of 2022 .
McGuire will be surrounded by what a source familiar with the campaign called an `` A+ team . ''
Charles Phillips , one of McGuire 's closest friends and the former CEO of Infor , has been advising him on running for mayor .
Valerie Jarrett , a longtime close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will act as co-chair of McGuire 's campaign , according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter .
Phillips separately told CNBC on Thursday that he will also co-chair McGuire 's campaign .
`` NYC faces its largest economic challenge in decades and we need to execute with purpose and efficiency , '' Phillips told CNBC .
`` Ray is the right person to lead and unify the city to create something better when we get through this .
He took the time to prepare and he 's more than ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others expected to be named as co-chairs in the coming weeks , including film director Spike Lee , a source added .
McGuire has been vocal on key issues when it comes to policing and the Black community .
After the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers , McGuire told CNBC that the killing was `` cold-blooded murder '' and called on corporate leaders to take the necessary steps to combat racism .
He recently authored a preface to a Citi report titled `` Closing the Racial Inequality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the banking executive reflects on how he 's seen as a Black man .
`` Yet even today , with all those credentials and as one of the leading executives on Wall Street , I am still seen first as a six-foot-four , two-hundred-pound Black man wherever I go — even in my own neighborhood .
I could have been George Floyd , '' he writes .

Ray McGuire, vice chairman of Citigroup Inc., speaks during a Bloomberg Television interview at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, April 29, 2019.
"We're in a war for the survival of this great city. Without a doubt we can do this. From the streets to the suites," McGuire told CNBC, confirming his plans to announce his departure from the bank on Thursday and jump into the race.
McGuire is a vice chairman of Citigroup and chairman of banking, capital markets and advisory. He has been privately discussing running for mayor since January.
Ray McGuire, a top executive at Citigroup, is set to leave the bank and run for mayor of New York.
Citi's CEO, Michael Corbat, and Paco Ybarra, CEO of the bank's institutional clients group, informed employees on Thursday that McGuire will be departing to "explore opportunities that will allow him to pursue his lifelong passion for public service," according to a memo obtained by CNBC.
McGuire, 63, is getting into a crowded Democratic primary field for the mayor's office. Maya Wiley, a former top attorney for Mayor Bill de Blasio, recently announced her entrance into the race. She was previously a legal analyst for MSNBC. De Blasio's term ends on the first day of 2022.
McGuire will be surrounded by what a source familiar with the campaign called an "A+ team." Charles Phillips, one of McGuire's closest friends and the former CEO of Infor, has been advising him on running for mayor.
Valerie Jarrett, a longtime close advisor to former President Barack Obama, will act as co-chair of McGuire's campaign, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.
Phillips separately told CNBC on Thursday that he will also co-chair McGuire's campaign.
"NYC faces its largest economic challenge in decades and we need to execute with purpose and efficiency," Phillips told CNBC. "Ray is the right person to lead and unify the city to create something better when we get through this. He took the time to prepare and he's more than ready to outwork everyone."
There are others expected to be named as co-chairs in the coming weeks, including film director Spike Lee, a source added.
McGuire has been vocal on key issues when it comes to policing and the Black community.
After the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, McGuire told CNBC that the killing was "cold-blooded murder" and called on corporate leaders to take the necessary steps to combat racism.
He recently authored a preface to a Citi report titled "Closing the Racial Inequality Gaps." In the introduction, the banking executive reflects on how he's seen as a Black man.
"Yet even today, with all those credentials and as one of the leading executives on Wall Street, I am still seen first as a six-foot-four, two-hundred-pound Black man wherever I go — even in my own neighborhood. I could have been George Floyd," he writes.


cnbc--2020-10-17--U.S. condemns apparent Turkish test of Russian missile system

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon and State Department issued strong rebukes Friday following reports that Turkey 's military tested a Russia-made missile system , a move that could further stoke tensions between Washington and the NATO member .
In recent days , Turkey said it was preparing to test the Russian-made S-400 , a mobile surface-to-air missile system , that is believed to pose a risk to the NATO alliance as well as America 's most expensive weapons platform : Lockheed Martin 's F-35 fighter .
Ankara brokered a deal with Moscow in 2017 for the S-400 , despite warnings from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Moscow delivered the first of four missile batteries in July 2019 .
A week later , the United States cut Turkey , a financial and manufacturing partner , from the F-35 program after Ankara accepted delivery of the Russian-made system .
Both the departments of Defense and State condemned Friday 's apparent missile test off Turkey 's Black Sea coast but would not confirm if the launch occurred .
`` The United States has expressed to the Government of Turkey , at the most senior levels , that the acquisition of Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unacceptable , '' State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus wrote in an emailed statement .
`` The United States has been clear on our expectation that the S-400 system should not be operationalized , '' she added .
`` We object to Turkey 's purchase of the system and are deeply concerned with reports that Turkey is bringing it into operation .
It should not be activated .
Doing so risks serious consequences for our security relationship , '' echoed chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman in an emailed statement Friday .

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon and State Department issued strong rebukes Friday following reports that Turkey's military tested a Russia-made missile system, a move that could further stoke tensions between Washington and the NATO member.
In recent days, Turkey said it was preparing to test the Russian-made S-400, a mobile surface-to-air missile system, that is believed to pose a risk to the NATO alliance as well as America's most expensive weapons platform: Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter.
Ankara brokered a deal with Moscow in 2017 for the S-400, despite warnings from the United States and other NATO allies. Moscow delivered the first of four missile batteries in July 2019. A week later, the United States cut Turkey, a financial and manufacturing partner, from the F-35 program after Ankara accepted delivery of the Russian-made system.
Both the departments of Defense and State condemned Friday's apparent missile test off Turkey's Black Sea coast but would not confirm if the launch occurred.
"The United States has expressed to the Government of Turkey, at the most senior levels, that the acquisition of Russian military systems such as the S-400 is unacceptable," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus wrote in an emailed statement. "The United States has been clear on our expectation that the S-400 system should not be operationalized," she added.
"We object to Turkey's purchase of the system and are deeply concerned with reports that Turkey is bringing it into operation. It should not be activated. Doing so risks serious consequences for our security relationship," echoed chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman in an emailed statement Friday.


cnbc--2020-10-19--Pelosi gives White House 48 hours to reach coronavirus stimulus deal before election

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called on the Trump administration to reconcile remaining disputes on coronavirus stimulus legislation within 48 hours as lawmakers attempt to pass a bill before the 2020 election .
Pelosi set the 48-hour deadline on negotiations after speaking with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Saturday night for more than an hour .
They agreed to speak again on Monday .
In an interview on ABC News on Sunday , Pelosi said the deadline has to do with lawmakers ' ability to get a deal done before the Nov. 3 election , which is just over two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's optimistic about negotiations but that the outcome ultimately depends on the White House .
`` The 48 only relates to if we want to get it done before the election , which we do , '' Pelosi said .
`` We 're saying to them , we have to freeze the design on some of these things — are we going with it or not and what is the language ?
I 'm optimistic , because again we 've been back and forth on all this . ''
Stimulus talks have dragged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spreads across the U.S. and millions of Americans remain unemployed .
Pelosi , in a letter to House Democrats on Sunday , said Mnuchin had sent her the awaited language on coronavirus testing over the weekend , a long-standing point of contention in the negotiations .
She said there was some `` encouraging news , '' though `` much work remains '' on the issue .
Mnuchin said last week that the White House wo n't let differences over funding targets for testing derail stimulus talks .
However , Pelosi accused the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on testing and tracing so much that the funding would create a slush fund for the administration .
`` Instead of recognizing the need for a strategic plan , they have changed words including 'shall ' to 'may , ' 'requirement ' to 'recommendation , ' and 'strategic plan ' to 'strategy , ' '' Pelosi wrote in the letter to House Democrats .
`` These changes make the funding a slush fund for the Administration which 'may ' grant or withhold rather than a prescribed , funded plan to crush the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had removed 55 % of the language in the Heroes Act on testing and tracing , despite administration promises to accept the Democratic language with a `` light touch . ''
`` Especially disappointing was the elimination of measures to address the virus 's disproportionate and deadly impact on communities of color , '' the House speaker wrote .
`` The White House does not appreciate the need to direct resources to culturally competent contact tracing . ''
The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC 's inquiry regarding Pelosi 's comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2.2 trillion relief bill in the House , have dismissed the Trump administration 's latest $ 1.8 trillion proposal as insufficient .
The two sides also disagree on other major policy issues including funding for state and local governments and liability protections for businesses during the pandemic .
Even if Pelosi and Mnuchin are able to reach a bipartisan deal , many Senate Republicans have opposed spending close to $ 2 trillion on a package .
The Senate is set to vote on a limited $ 500 billion stimulus bill on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , expanded unemployment benefits and a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program .
But Democrats blocked a $ 500 billion Republican plan in the Senate last month and will likely dismiss the latest GOP proposal as insufficient too .
On Friday , the number of coronavirus infections reached a staggering 69,000 cases , the highest daily number in months .
As infections soar and deaths increase , we must urgently act to protect the lives and livelihoods of the American people .
Coronavirus relief negotiations proceeded over the weekend , with Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While there was some encouraging news , much work remains .
The White House had assured Democrats that they would accept our language on testing with a `` light touch . ''
Unfortunately , as the committees of jurisdiction review the White House 's language provision-by-provision , it has become clear that these changes are not a light touch but instead , a deep dive .
These unacceptable changes include , but are not limited to , the White House 's refusal to commit to a science-based national plan for testing , tracing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The White House has removed 55 percent of the Heroes Act 's language for testing , tracing , and treatment .
Especially disappointing was the elimination of measures to address the virus 's disproportionate and deadly impact on communities of color .
The White House does not appreciate the need to direct resources to culturally competent contact tracing .
Instead of recognizing the need for a strategic plan , they have changed words including `` shall '' to `` may , '' `` requirement '' to `` recommendation , '' and `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' These changes make the funding a slush fund for the Administration which `` may '' grant or withhold rather than a prescribed , funded plan to crush the virus .
It is important to note the impact in terms of the disparity facing communities of color : a Latino child is eight times more likely to have to go to the hospital because of COVID-19 than a white child , and a Black child is five times more likely .
We want all of our children protected .
Children are further affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to expand the Child Tax Credit , Child and Dependent Tax Credit , and the Earned Income Tax Credit , while continuing tax benefits for some of the wealthiest in America .
This is especially disappointing in light of reports this weekend that poverty has grown by six million in the past three months as CARES benefits are exhausting , meaning that eight million Americans are now living in poverty .
Our proposal would reduce childhood poverty significantly .
Children are also shortchanged by the refusal of the Administration to increase the child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to go to school , parents are not able to go to work .
Child care is therefore essential .
At the same time , everyone wants children to be able to go back to school safely .
This takes money , and the Republicans are still falling short on what is needed to provide the separation , ventilation , sanitation , and especially , funding for teachers and support staff to enable this to happen .
Funding for schools comes largely from state and local government , and the Administration continues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for funds to protect frontline workers in health care , first responders , sanitation , transportation , food workers , teachers and others , and to prevent service cuts to struggling communities .
Sadly for our country , the Administration wants to undermine the Census , unless we can act legislatively .
The Administration and the President 's appointees to the Courts have decided in his favor to hold up the count in the Census .
At the same time , the Administration refused to allow time for the count , once hopefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Congress .
These are a few of the issues that were discussed this weekend , but they are not exhaustive of our concerns .
We are hoping to find common ground .
I am optimistic that we can reach agreement before the election .
To that end , we are writing language as we negotiate the priorities , so that we are fully prepared to move forward once we reach agreement .
Updates will be ongoing as our Chairs continue to review language for Liability and OSHA , small business , health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will have more progress to report on our conference call tomorrow .
Thank you for your leadership .
Stay safe .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called on the Trump administration to reconcile remaining disputes on coronavirus stimulus legislation within 48 hours as lawmakers attempt to pass a bill before the 2020 election.
Pelosi set the 48-hour deadline on negotiations after speaking with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Saturday night for more than an hour. They agreed to speak again on Monday.
In an interview on ABC News on Sunday, Pelosi said the deadline has to do with lawmakers' ability to get a deal done before the Nov. 3 election, which is just over two weeks away. The speaker said she's optimistic about negotiations but that the outcome ultimately depends on the White House.
"The 48 only relates to if we want to get it done before the election, which we do," Pelosi said. "We're saying to them, we have to freeze the design on some of these things — are we going with it or not and what is the language? I'm optimistic, because again we've been back and forth on all this."
Stimulus talks have dragged on for months even as the coronavirus spreads across the U.S. and millions of Americans remain unemployed.
Pelosi, in a letter to House Democrats on Sunday, said Mnuchin had sent her the awaited language on coronavirus testing over the weekend, a long-standing point of contention in the negotiations. She said there was some "encouraging news," though "much work remains" on the issue.
Mnuchin said last week that the White House won't let differences over funding targets for testing derail stimulus talks. However, Pelosi accused the White House on Sunday of weakening the language on testing and tracing so much that the funding would create a slush fund for the administration.
"Instead of recognizing the need for a strategic plan, they have changed words including 'shall' to 'may,' 'requirement' to 'recommendation,' and 'strategic plan' to 'strategy,'" Pelosi wrote in the letter to House Democrats. "These changes make the funding a slush fund for the Administration which 'may' grant or withhold rather than a prescribed, funded plan to crush the virus."
Pelosi said the White House had removed 55% of the language in the Heroes Act on testing and tracing, despite administration promises to accept the Democratic language with a "light touch."
"Especially disappointing was the elimination of measures to address the virus's disproportionate and deadly impact on communities of color," the House speaker wrote. "The White House does not appreciate the need to direct resources to culturally competent contact tracing."
The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC's inquiry regarding Pelosi's comments.
Democrats, who have passed a $2.2 trillion relief bill in the House, have dismissed the Trump administration's latest $1.8 trillion proposal as insufficient. The two sides also disagree on other major policy issues including funding for state and local governments and liability protections for businesses during the pandemic.
Even if Pelosi and Mnuchin are able to reach a bipartisan deal, many Senate Republicans have opposed spending close to $2 trillion on a package.
The Senate is set to vote on a limited $500 billion stimulus bill on Wednesday, which will include funding for schools, expanded unemployment benefits and a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program.
But Democrats blocked a $500 billion Republican plan in the Senate last month and will likely dismiss the latest GOP proposal as insufficient too.
Read House Speaker Pelosi's full letter:


cnbc--2020-10-17--Senate to vote on $500 billion GOP coronavirus stimulus bill Wednesday

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) walks to his office on Capitol Hill in Washington , September 10 , 2020 .
The Senate will vote on a $ 500 billion coronavirus stimulus bill on Wednesday , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Saturday , as a larger bipartisan deal remains elusive despite continued talks between top Democrats and the Trump administration .
McConnell blamed his opponents across the political aisle for the current stalemate , arguing that the Senate has enough time to pass the GOP stimulus package and confirm Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barret if `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` Nobody thinks this $ 500B+ proposal would resolve every problem forever , '' McConnell said in a statement on Saturday .
`` It would deliver huge amounts of additional help to workers and families right now while Washington keeps arguing over the rest . ''
Democrats have accused McConnell of pushing ahead with Barrett 's confirmation instead of focusing on passing stimulus legislation .
Democrats blocked a $ 500 billion Republican plan in the Senate last month and will likely dismiss the latest GOP proposal as insufficient .
The chances of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 presidential election have dimmed as the Senate GOP plan is more limited than what the Trump administration or Democrats have proposed .
The GOP bill will include funding for schools , expanded unemployment benefits and a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program , McConnell said .
The Senate will vote on the bill a day after a standalone vote on more PPP funds on Tuesday .
Earlier this month , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin offered House Speaker Nancy Pelosi a $ 1.8 trillion stimulus deal , about $ 400 billion less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this month .
Pelosi , whose party passed a $ 2.2 trillion relief bill in the House , dismissed the White House proposal and said it `` amounted to one step forward , two steps back . ''
Senate Republicans , on the other hand , oppose the White House package as too large .
Pelosi and Mnuchin continued their negotiations this week , though they were unable to reach an agreement .
Both sides characterized the talks as productive but said major differences remain .
Congress has n't pushed through new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worsens across the U.S. and millions of Americans remain unemployed .

The Senate will vote on a $500 billion coronavirus stimulus bill on Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Saturday, as a larger bipartisan deal remains elusive despite continued talks between top Democrats and the Trump administration.
McConnell blamed his opponents across the political aisle for the current stalemate, arguing that the Senate has enough time to pass the GOP stimulus package and confirm Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barret if "Democrats do not obstruct this legislation."
"Nobody thinks this $500B+ proposal would resolve every problem forever," McConnell said in a statement on Saturday. "It would deliver huge amounts of additional help to workers and families right now while Washington keeps arguing over the rest."
Democrats have accused McConnell of pushing ahead with Barrett's confirmation instead of focusing on passing stimulus legislation. Democrats blocked a $500 billion Republican plan in the Senate last month and will likely dismiss the latest GOP proposal as insufficient.
The chances of Congress passing new aid before the Nov. 3 presidential election have dimmed as the Senate GOP plan is more limited than what the Trump administration or Democrats have proposed.
The GOP bill will include funding for schools, expanded unemployment benefits and a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program, McConnell said. The Senate will vote on the bill a day after a standalone vote on more PPP funds on Tuesday.
Earlier this month, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin offered House Speaker Nancy Pelosi a $1.8 trillion stimulus deal, about $400 billion less than the bill proposed by House Democrats earlier this month.
Pelosi, whose party passed a $2.2 trillion relief bill in the House, dismissed the White House proposal and said it "amounted to one step forward, two steps back." Senate Republicans, on the other hand, oppose the White House package as too large.
Pelosi and Mnuchin continued their negotiations this week, though they were unable to reach an agreement. Both sides characterized the talks as productive but said major differences remain.
Congress hasn't pushed through new relief legislation in months as the coronavirus worsens across the U.S. and millions of Americans remain unemployed.
— CNBC's Jacob Pramuk contributed reporting


cnbc--2020-10-19--Former president Barack Obama to hit the campaign trail for Joe Biden on Wednesday

Democratic presidential candidate Illinois Senator Barack Obama and running mate Delaware Senator Joe Biden wave during a rally in Springfield , Illinois , on August 23 , 2008 .
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will hit the campaign trail this week on behalf of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , adding a potent voice to the Biden campaign 's efforts to increase turnout and enthusiasm in the final days of the 2020 presidential campaign .
Obama is scheduled to appear at an event for his former vice president and close friend on Wednesday in the battleground state of Pennsylvania , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign .
The event in Philadelphia will mark the first time Obama has campaigned in person for Biden this year .
The former president has appeared in Biden campaign videos , however , and he gave a keynote address at the virtual Democratic National Convention this summer .
Nearly four years out of office , Obama remains among the most popular figures in American politics , according to polls .
Obama 's high approval ratings are not lost on his successor , Republican President Donald Trump .
Trump has made dismantling Obama 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has also accused Obama of `` spying '' on his 2016 presidential campaign , and claimed that after Trump won , Obama took steps to hobble Trump 's incoming administration .
None of these allegations has been proven , but that has n't stopped the president from demanding that the Justice Department investigate and prosecute Obama , Biden and other members of Obama 's Cabinet .
Biden currently leads Trump by about 9 percentage points in an NBC News national polling average , according to NBC News , and he also leads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to Obama 's office for additional details about the event and will update this story as more information becomes available .

Democratic presidential candidate Illinois Senator Barack Obama and running mate Delaware Senator Joe Biden wave during a rally in Springfield, Illinois, on August 23, 2008.
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will hit the campaign trail this week on behalf of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, adding a potent voice to the Biden campaign's efforts to increase turnout and enthusiasm in the final days of the 2020 presidential campaign.
Obama is scheduled to appear at an event for his former vice president and close friend on Wednesday in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, according to a release from the Biden campaign.
The event in Philadelphia will mark the first time Obama has campaigned in person for Biden this year.
The former president has appeared in Biden campaign videos, however, and he gave a keynote address at the virtual Democratic National Convention this summer.
Nearly four years out of office, Obama remains among the most popular figures in American politics, according to polls.
Obama's high approval ratings are not lost on his successor, Republican President Donald Trump.
Trump has made dismantling Obama's legacy a cornerstone of his presidency. He has also accused Obama of "spying" on his 2016 presidential campaign, and claimed that after Trump won, Obama took steps to hobble Trump's incoming administration.
None of these allegations has been proven, but that hasn't stopped the president from demanding that the Justice Department investigate and prosecute Obama, Biden and other members of Obama's Cabinet.
Biden currently leads Trump by about 9 percentage points in an NBC News national polling average, according to NBC News, and he also leads in most battleground states.
CNBC reached out to Obama's office for additional details about the event and will update this story as more information becomes available.


cnbc--2020-10-20--Trump and Biden will have mics muted for part of last presidential debate

U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden speaking during the first 2020 presidential campaign debate .
President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden will at times have their microphones cut during their next debate , the event 's sponsors announced Monday .
When one of the two candidates is given a chance to provide a two-minute answer to each of the six debate topics , his opponent 's microphone will be muted , the Commission on Presidential Debates said in a statement .
`` It is the hope of the Commission that the candidates will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which will advance civil discourse for the benefit of the viewing public , '' the statement said .
The final debate scheduled between Trump and Biden is set for Thursday at 9 p.m .
ET in Nashville .
It will be moderated by NBC News ' Kristen Welker .
It will run 90 minutes in length , with each of the six topics allotted 15 minutes .
The topics , selected by Welker , are : The changes were implemented in the wake of the vicious and messy first debate in late September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former vice president and at times argued with the moderator , Fox News ' Chris Wallace .
The debate commission 's statement Monday night said it `` considered the opinion of many who expressed concern the debate fell short of expectations , depriving voters of the opportunity to be informed of the candidates ' positions on the issues . ''
In order to allow the candidates to freely share their views in the final debate , the commission announced that `` the only candidate whose microphone will be open during these two-minute periods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the rules . ''
`` We realize , after discussions with both campaigns , that neither campaign may be totally satisfied with the measures announced today .
One may think they go too far , and one may think they do not go far enough , '' the commission said in the statement .
`` We are comfortable that these actions strike the right balance and that they are in the interest of the American people , for whom these debates are held . ''
The commission 's statement noted that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement to the two-minute , uninterrupted rule . ''
Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien in a statement accused the commission of bias , but said the president `` is committed to debating Joe Biden regardless of last minute rule changes . ''
Stepien 's statement also signaled that Trump would bring up allegations against Biden 's son , Hunter Biden , during the debate .
A spokesman for Biden 's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
The commission had originally scheduled three debates between the two presidential candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fourth debate to be scheduled .
But the second debate was canceled after Trump refused to participate , following the commission 's decision hold the event virtually , rather than in person .
That move was made following Trump 's diagnosis with the coronavirus and subsequent hospitalization .
The president and his campaign have aggressively criticized the debate commission and its chosen slate of moderators .
Wallace , who had repeatedly admonished Trump during the debate to wait his turn before speaking , was attacked by the president and his surrogates .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moderated by C-SPAN 's political editor , Steve Scully .
Beforehand , Trump had accused Scully of political bias .
After the debate had already been scrapped , Scully was suspended by C-SPAN after he admitted to lying that his Twitter account had been `` hacked . ''
Scully had made the false claim after tweeting a message to former White House official-turned-critic Anthony Scaramucci , which had apparently been intended to be private .
On Saturday , Trump said of Welker in a tweet : `` She 's always been terrible & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fake News reporters , but I 'll still play the game . ''
Earlier Monday , Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien shared a letter on Twitter urging the debate hosts to ensure that foreign policy would be the main focus , rather than the coronavirus , climate change or race in America .

President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden will at times have their microphones cut during their next debate, the event's sponsors announced Monday.
When one of the two candidates is given a chance to provide a two-minute answer to each of the six debate topics, his opponent's microphone will be muted, the Commission on Presidential Debates said in a statement.
"It is the hope of the Commission that the candidates will be respectful of each other's time, which will advance civil discourse for the benefit of the viewing public," the statement said.
The final debate scheduled between Trump and Biden is set for Thursday at 9 p.m. ET in Nashville. It will be moderated by NBC News' Kristen Welker. It will run 90 minutes in length, with each of the six topics allotted 15 minutes.
The topics, selected by Welker, are:
Fighting Covid-19
American families
Race in America
Climate change
National security
Leadership
The changes were implemented in the wake of the vicious and messy first debate in late September, during which Trump frequently interrupted the former vice president and at times argued with the moderator, Fox News' Chris Wallace.
The debate commission's statement Monday night said it "considered the opinion of many who expressed concern the debate fell short of expectations, depriving voters of the opportunity to be informed of the candidates' positions on the issues."
In order to allow the candidates to freely share their views in the final debate, the commission announced that "the only candidate whose microphone will be open during these two-minute periods is the candidate who has the floor under the rules."
"We realize, after discussions with both campaigns, that neither campaign may be totally satisfied with the measures announced today. One may think they go too far, and one may think they do not go far enough," the commission said in the statement.
"We are comfortable that these actions strike the right balance and that they are in the interest of the American people, for whom these debates are held."
The commission's statement noted that "both campaigns this week again reaffirmed their agreement to the two-minute, uninterrupted rule."
Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien in a statement accused the commission of bias, but said the president "is committed to debating Joe Biden regardless of last minute rule changes."
Stepien's statement also signaled that Trump would bring up allegations against Biden's son, Hunter Biden, during the debate.
A spokesman for Biden's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The commission had originally scheduled three debates between the two presidential candidates. Trump had previously pushed for a fourth debate to be scheduled.
But the second debate was canceled after Trump refused to participate, following the commission's decision to hold the event virtually, rather than in person. That move was made following Trump's diagnosis with the coronavirus and subsequent hospitalization.
The president and his campaign have aggressively criticized the debate commission and its chosen slate of moderators. Wallace, who had repeatedly admonished Trump during the debate to wait his turn before speaking, was attacked by the president and his surrogates.
The now-canned second debate was set to be moderated by C-SPAN's political editor, Steve Scully. Beforehand, Trump had accused Scully of political bias.
After the debate had already been scrapped, Scully was suspended by C-SPAN after he admitted to lying that his Twitter account had been "hacked." Scully had made the false claim after tweeting a message to former White House official-turned-critic Anthony Scaramucci, which had apparently been intended to be private.
On Saturday, Trump said of Welker in a tweet: "She's always been terrible & unfair, just like most of the Fake News reporters, but I'll still play the game."
Earlier Monday, Stepien shared a letter on Twitter urging the debate hosts to ensure that foreign policy would be the main focus, rather than the coronavirus, climate change or race in America.
— CNBC's Amanda Macias contributed to this report.


cnbc--2020-10-19--Pelosi and Mnuchin make progress in stimulus talks, plan to speak again Tuesday

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin made progress in their latest coronavirus stimulus talks Monday as time @ @ @ @ @ deal before the 2020 election .
In a nearly one-hour phone call , the pair @ @ @ @ @ differences , '' the California Democrat 's spokesman , Drew Hammill , said in a @ @ @ @ @ directed House committee chairs to work to resolve areas of disagreement with the White House @ @ @ @ @ Mnuchin plan to talk again Tuesday , Hammill added .
`` The Speaker continues to @ @ @ @ @ end of the day Tuesday , we will have clarity on whether we will be @ @ @ @ @ before the election , '' he said .
The Trump administration and Democratic leaders have @ @ @ @ @ stimulus deal before the Nov. 3 election .
On Sunday , Pelosi set a 48-hour @ @ @ @ @ — even as the sides appeared far apart on a handful of key issues .

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin made progress in their latest coronavirus stimulus talks Monday as time runs short to reach a deal before the 2020 election.
In a nearly one-hour phone call, the pair "continued to narrow their differences," the California Democrat's spokesman, Drew Hammill, said in a tweeted statement. Pelosi has directed House committee chairs to work to resolve areas of disagreement with the White House, and the speaker and Mnuchin plan to talk again Tuesday, Hammill added.
"The Speaker continues to hope that, by the end of the day Tuesday, we will have clarity on whether we will be able to pass a bill before the election," he said.
The Trump administration and Democratic leaders have scrambled to strike a coronavirus stimulus deal before the Nov. 3 election. On Sunday, Pelosi set a 48-hour deadline to reach an agreement — even as the sides appeared far apart on a handful of key issues.


cnbc--2020-10-19--Lobbyists begin to prepare for a potential Biden presidency

Lobbyists are preparing for a potential Joe Biden presidency as he leads President Donald Trump in national and several swing state polls .
In recent weeks , some lobbyists have started meeting with Biden advisors , including Rhett Buttle , the campaign 's national business advisor , according to people familiar with the discussions .
These lobbyists have participated in Zoom meetings with questions on how a possible Biden administration plans to work with Congress on many of the campaign 's policy proposals , such as tax and infrastructure reform , the people noted .
The answers to these questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clients may see a benefit or a downturn in a Biden White House .
Though Biden 's advisors have privately waved off lobbyists asking policy-related questions , they have encouraged them to help Biden through get-out-the-vote efforts and raising money for the Democratic National Committee , they added .
It 's notable Biden 's advisors have not told lobbyists to give directly to the campaign , as the Democratic nominee has sworn off contributions from those in the influence industry .
Still , these meetings and sometimes informal conversations are examples of how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a Biden victory .
The people who declined to be named in this story did so in order to speak freely .
Many lobbyists have been telling their clients that they expect a strong relationship with a potential Biden administration .
Reasons include : Steve Ricchetti , himself a former lobbyist , is Biden 's campaign chairman and has been mentioned as a potential candidate for White House chief of staff ; and the campaign 's transition team allows the inclusion of lobbyists .
Also , Biden would likely surround himself with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lobbyists and industry chiefs over the years .
`` The message is you will have a much more predictable and traditional policy making process , '' said Matthew Epperly , a managing director at lobbying firm Chartwell Strategy Group , in describing his conversations with clients .
`` So when you are making a domestic policy advocacy campaign you can do it more of a ground up approach through the agencies and make your way into the White House , '' he added .
`` In the Trump White House , policy is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's moving conversations into social media and TV .
It 's conversations that happen on CNBC and Fox Business , that then create an echo chamber to create policy , '' he noted .
Biden has pledged to curb the `` improper influence of lobbyists '' and build upon the Obama administration 's ethics pledge .
Obama signed an executive order early on in his first term as president , which said that appointees who were previously registered lobbyists during the prior two years should not participate in any government matters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment on this story .

Lobbyists are preparing for a potential Joe Biden presidency as he leads President Donald Trump in national and several swing state polls.
In recent weeks, some lobbyists have started meeting with Biden advisors, including Rhett Buttle, the campaign's national business advisor, according to people familiar with the discussions.
These lobbyists have participated in Zoom meetings with questions on how a possible Biden administration plans to work with Congress on many of the campaign's policy proposals, such as tax and infrastructure reform, the people noted. The answers to these questions could give lobbyists insight into how their clients may see a benefit or a downturn in a Biden White House.
Though Biden's advisors have privately waved off lobbyists asking policy-related questions, they have encouraged them to help Biden through get-out-the-vote efforts and raising money for the Democratic National Committee, they added. It's notable Biden's advisors have not told lobbyists to give directly to the campaign, as the Democratic nominee has sworn off contributions from those in the influence industry.
Still, these meetings and sometimes informal conversations are examples of how lobbyists are angling themselves for what could be a Biden victory. The people who declined to be named in this story did so in order to speak freely.
Many lobbyists have been telling their clients that they expect a strong relationship with a potential Biden administration. Reasons include: Steve Ricchetti, himself a former lobbyist, is Biden's campaign chairman and has been mentioned as a potential candidate for White House chief of staff; and the campaign's transition team allows the inclusion of lobbyists.
Also, Biden would likely surround himself with administration officials who have built relationships with lobbyists and industry chiefs over the years.
"The message is you will have a much more predictable and traditional policy making process," said Matthew Epperly, a managing director at lobbying firm Chartwell Strategy Group, in describing his conversations with clients. "So when you are making a domestic policy advocacy campaign you can do it more of a ground up approach through the agencies and make your way into the White House," he added.
"In the Trump White House, policy is more personality driven than through the agencies. It's moving conversations into social media and TV. It's conversations that happen on CNBC and Fox Business, that then create an echo chamber to create policy," he noted.
Biden has pledged to curb the "improper influence of lobbyists" and build upon the Obama administration's ethics pledge. Obama signed an executive order early on in his first term as president, which said that appointees who were previously registered lobbyists during the prior two years should not participate in any government matters on which they had previously lobbied.
The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment on this story.


cnbc--2020-10-19--Trump or Biden will need support from allies to keep China in check, H.R. McMaster says

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump 's former national security advisor said Monday that the winner of the presidential election next month will need to elicit the help of the international community in order to rein in a more ambitious and aggressive China .
Retired Army Lt. Gen. H.R .
McMaster , who served as Trump 's second national security advisor , described China as the biggest national security threat facing the United States .
`` I think whoever gets sworn in on Jan. 20 has to ramp up international coordination and cooperation , '' McMaster said in an interview on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Since the 1990s , China has increased their military spending 800 % .
It 's the largest peacetime military buildup in history , '' he said , adding that the Chinese government has also `` been much more aggressive at exporting its authoritarian mercantilist model abroad . ''
`` This is n't just a U.S.-China problem , this is a free world-China problem , and if the world 's largest economies work together to counter Chinese economic aggression as well as physical aggression , I think we can go a long way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy is not working , '' McMaster said .
The crumbling relationship between Washington and Beijing has intensified following an attempt from the world 's two largest economies to mend trade relations .

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's former national security advisor said Monday that the winner of the presidential election next month will need to elicit the help of the international community in order to rein in a more ambitious and aggressive China.
Retired Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, who served as Trump's second national security advisor, described China as the biggest national security threat facing the United States.
"I think whoever gets sworn in on Jan. 20 has to ramp up international coordination and cooperation," McMaster said in an interview on CNBC's "Closing Bell."
"Since the 1990s, China has increased their military spending 800%. It's the largest peacetime military buildup in history," he said, adding that the Chinese government has also "been much more aggressive at exporting its authoritarian mercantilist model abroad."
"This isn't just a U.S.-China problem, this is a free world-China problem, and if the world's largest economies work together to counter Chinese economic aggression as well as physical aggression, I think we can go a long way in convincing Xi Jinping that his aggressive strategy is not working," McMaster said.
The crumbling relationship between Washington and Beijing has intensified following an attempt from the world's two largest economies to mend trade relations.


cnbc--2020-10-19--Trump says he will take coronavirus test before next debate with Joe Biden

U.S. President Donald Trump participates in the first 2020 presidential campaign debate with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden , held on the campus of the Cleveland Clinic at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland , Ohio , September 29 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump said Monday that he will take a coronavirus test before his upcoming debate with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
Trump earlier this month tested positive for Covid-19 and was hospitalized for several days on the heels of his first debate with the former vice president , but since then has been declared free of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two men are set to square off for their second and final debate Thursday evening at Belmont University in Nashville , Tennessee .
That debate originally was supposed to be the third one of the 2020 election campaign .
But the second scheduled debate , originally planned for last Thursday , was scrapped after Trump balked at a plan by the Commission on Presidential Debates to hold the showdown virtually , instead of in person , in light of the president 's positive diagnosis .
Trump has claimed he does not remember whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day of the first debate , Sept. 29 , in Cleveland .
That debate occurred two days before Trump tested positive for Covid-19 .

U.S. President Donald Trump participates in the first 2020 presidential campaign debate with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, held on the campus of the Cleveland Clinic at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, September 29, 2020.
President Donald Trump said Monday that he will take a coronavirus test before his upcoming debate with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
Trump earlier this month tested positive for Covid-19 and was hospitalized for several days on the heels of his first debate with the former vice president, but since then has been declared free of the virus by his doctor.
The two men are set to square off for their second and final debate Thursday evening at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
That debate originally was supposed to be the third one of the 2020 election campaign.
But the second scheduled debate, originally planned for last Thursday, was scrapped after Trump balked at a plan by the Commission on Presidential Debates to hold the showdown virtually, instead of in person, in light of the president's positive diagnosis.
Trump has claimed he does not remember whether he was tested for the virus on the day of the first debate, Sept. 29, in Cleveland. That debate occurred two days before Trump tested positive for Covid-19.


cnbc--2020-10-19--Iran celebrates 'momentous day' as UN arms embargo lifts. Here's what it means

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates — Iran is now free to buy a range of previously restricted weapons , its government announced Sunday , hailing a `` momentous day '' as a 13-year-old U.N. arms embargo on the country was lifted as part of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal — and against vociferous opposition from Washington .
The government in Tehran insists that any weapons purchases would be `` based on its defensive needs , '' as allowed under the multilateral deal , from which the Trump administration withdrew in 2018 .
`` A momentous day for the international community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US efforts—has protected UNSC Res .
2231 and JCPOA , '' Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted on Sunday , referring to the 2015 agreement .
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement Sunday that `` as of today , the Islamic Republic of Iran may procure any necessary arms and equipment from any source without any legal restrictions and solely based on its defensive needs . ''
Opponents of the embargo 's lifting do n't believe weapons buys will be solely defensive .
They also take issue with another part of Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` export defensive armaments based on its own policies , '' in the words of Iran 's Foreign Ministry .
That could mean selling weapons to its proxies , analysts say , including militant and political group Hezbollah , designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization .
`` The legitimate concern when it comes to the lifting of the embargo is that Iran will be more capable of accessing weapons from states such as Russia and China , or selling weapons to non-state actors , '' Aniseh Tabrizi , a senior research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in London , told CNBC .
`` This is a concern that even countries that oppose the U.S. position have . ''
Washington has already threatened to slap sanctions on any individual or entity supporting Iran 's weapons program .
What can Iran actually do now ?
The embargo 's expiration allows Iran to buy major conventional weapons systems , including everything from battle tanks and large caliber artillery to combat aircraft and warships , and perhaps most importantly , missiles and missile launchers — the latter group already highly developed indigenously in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem for Iran : It 's cash-strapped .
Additionally , no number of jets or armored vehicles it can afford will enable it to match the conventional forces of its adversaries .
And U.S. sanctions will likely again come into play to deter potential sellers .
But what Iran can now do is purchase new weapons parts to upgrade the systems it already has .
`` While concerns that Tehran will become a conventional military power overnight are overblown , this is a critical juncture for the country to enhance lethality , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow at the hawkish Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington , D.C .
The FDD is highly critical of the 2015 nuclear deal , which gave Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs to its nuclear program .
Tehran has said it has no intention of going on a conventional arms buying spree — though it 's restricted by its sanctions-hobbled economy regardless .
Given its strained budget , Iran will likely pursue more selective modernization , Ben Taleblu said , `` with a likely emphasis on homeland defense and long-range strike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reproducible capacity' Iran 's specialty is asymmetric warfare , honed under years of sanctions with the help of reverse engineering to replicate other countries ' missiles and smaller arms — and in some cases , make them better .
Kirsten Fontenrose , director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council , predicts this capability will only get stronger .
`` What we 're worried about is not so much the drones themselves , but the pieces on them , so things like higher-quality engines for the units and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said during a webinar hosted by Washington-based think tank AGSIW .
`` What Iran has shown is that even if they buy a small number of weapons , within 20 years they will produce a variant of that which in some instances is even better than what they bought , '' Dave DesRoches , an associate professor and senior military fellow at the National Defense University in Washington , D.C. , said during the same webinar .
`` So as they make incremental improvements , as they reverse engineer new technologies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting much more quickly operational , lethal and reproducible capability . ''
Initial purchases for Iran might be solid fuel rocket motors , guidance systems , optical jammers that could counter drones or anti-tank missiles , and small arms like upgraded anti-tank guided missiles , DesRoches said , with China and former Soviet states as key sellers .
There may even be some aircraft purchases from Russia as a symbolic move , and Tehran is also likely to pursue Russia 's S-400 missile defense system , as an upgrade to the S-300 system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea that they 're going to build an air force that can counter the Saudi Air Force in the air I think is misguided , '' DesRoches said .
Still , drone and missile attacks are a serious threat to Iran 's arch-rival Saudi Arabia , as demonstrated during the September 2019 Abqaiq and Khurais attacks .
Now that Iran has easier means of delivering weapons to its proxies , the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels fighting the Saudis in Yemen will likely enjoy the benefits of some of those potential upgrades .
Why did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?

An Iranian military truck carries surface-to-air missiles past a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a parade on the occasion of the country's annual army day on April 18, 2018, in Tehran. Atta Kenare | AFP | Getty Images
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran is now free to buy a range of previously restricted weapons, its government announced Sunday, hailing a "momentous day" as a 13-year-old U.N. arms embargo on the country was lifted as part of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal — and against vociferous opposition from Washington. The government in Tehran insists that any weapons purchases would be "based on its defensive needs," as allowed under the multilateral deal, from which the Trump administration withdrew in 2018. "A momentous day for the international community, which — in defiance of malign US efforts—has protected UNSC Res. 2231 and JCPOA," Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted on Sunday, referring to the 2015 agreement. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement Sunday that "as of today, the Islamic Republic of Iran may procure any necessary arms and equipment from any source without any legal restrictions and solely based on its defensive needs." Opponents of the embargo's lifting don't believe weapons buys will be solely defensive. They also take issue with another part of Iran's newfound freedom: it can now "export defensive armaments based on its own policies," in the words of Iran's Foreign Ministry. That could mean selling weapons to its proxies, analysts say, including militant and political group Hezbollah, designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization. "The legitimate concern when it comes to the lifting of the embargo is that Iran will be more capable of accessing weapons from states such as Russia and China, or selling weapons to non-state actors," Aniseh Tabrizi, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, told CNBC. "This is a concern that even countries that oppose the U.S. position have." Washington has already threatened to slap sanctions on any individual or entity supporting Iran's weapons program.
What can Iran actually do now?
The embargo's expiration allows Iran to buy major conventional weapons systems, including everything from battle tanks and large caliber artillery to combat aircraft and warships, and perhaps most importantly, missiles and missile launchers — the latter group already highly developed indigenously in Iran. But there's one major problem for Iran: It's cash-strapped. Additionally, no number of jets or armored vehicles it can afford will enable it to match the conventional forces of its adversaries. And U.S. sanctions will likely again come into play to deter potential sellers. But what Iran can now do is purchase new weapons parts to upgrade the systems it already has.
What Iran has shown is that even if they buy a small number of weapons, within 20 years they will produce a variant of that which in some instances is even better than what they bought. Dave DesRoches associate professor and senior military fellow, National Defense University
"While concerns that Tehran will become a conventional military power overnight are overblown, this is a critical juncture for the country to enhance lethality," said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the hawkish Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington, D.C. The FDD is highly critical of the 2015 nuclear deal, which gave Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs to its nuclear program. Tehran has said it has no intention of going on a conventional arms buying spree — though it's restricted by its sanctions-hobbled economy regardless. Given its strained budget, Iran will likely pursue more selective modernization, Ben Taleblu said, "with a likely emphasis on homeland defense and long-range strike capability."
'Much more capable lethal and reproducible capacity'
Iran's specialty is asymmetric warfare, honed under years of sanctions with the help of reverse engineering to replicate other countries' missiles and smaller arms — and in some cases, make them better. Kirsten Fontenrose, director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council, predicts this capability will only get stronger. "What we're worried about is not so much the drones themselves, but the pieces on them, so things like higher-quality engines for the units and optical lenses to improve targeting," she said during a webinar hosted by Washington-based think tank AGSIW.
Members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) march during the annual military parade In Iran's southwestern city of Ahvaz before the attack. STRINGER | AFP | Getty Images
"What Iran has shown is that even if they buy a small number of weapons, within 20 years they will produce a variant of that which in some instances is even better than what they bought," Dave DesRoches, an associate professor and senior military fellow at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., said during the same webinar. "So as they make incremental improvements, as they reverse engineer new technologies, integrate new imported motors, they're getting much more quickly operational, lethal and reproducible capability." Initial purchases for Iran might be solid fuel rocket motors, guidance systems, optical jammers that could counter drones or anti-tank missiles, and small arms like upgraded anti-tank guided missiles, DesRoches said, with China and former Soviet states as key sellers.
Fires burn in the distance after a drone strike by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group on Saudi company Aramco's oil processing facilities, in Buqayq, Saudi Arabia September 14, 2019 in this still image taken from a social media video obtained by REUTERS
There may even be some aircraft purchases from Russia as a symbolic move, and Tehran is also likely to pursue Russia's S-400 missile defense system, as an upgrade to the S-300 system it already has. "But this idea that they're going to build an air force that can counter the Saudi Air Force in the air I think is misguided," DesRoches said. Still, drone and missile attacks are a serious threat to Iran's arch-rival Saudi Arabia, as demonstrated during the September 2019 Abqaiq and Khurais attacks. Now that Iran has easier means of delivering weapons to its proxies, the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels fighting the Saudis in Yemen will likely enjoy the benefits of some of those potential upgrades.
Why did the Security Council let the embargo lift?
The U.S. was overwhelmingly defeated by other U.N. Security Council members when it attempted to extend the arms embargo in August. It subsequently declared a "snapback" of nearly all U.N. sanctions on Iran last month against the opposition of the 2015 deal's European, Russian and Chinese signatories, who called the move void. Pompeo called the failure to extend the embargo "inexcusable." But for the vast majority of the Security Council, lifting the embargo is crucial to the Iranian nuclear deal's survival, says RUSI's Tabrizi.
watch now


cnbc--2020-10-20--Trump calls Dr. Anthony Fauci a 'disaster,' says Americans 'are tired of Covid' as nation faces spik

Trump calls Dr. Anthony Fauci a 'disaster,' says Americans 'are tired of Covid' as nation faces spiking cases

Fauci is a civil servant who , under the law , can not be directly fired by the president .
And Fauci could appeal any dismissal ordered by the president through the political appointees who oversee him .
`` He 's been here for 500 years , '' Trump said of Fauci , who is 79 years old .
The president at another point called Fauci a `` nice '' man , but in a backhanded way .
`` There 's a bigger bomb if you fire him , '' Trump said .
`` This guy 's a disaster .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for why he has not fired Fauci as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , despite his unhappiness with him .
Trump also claimed that `` every time [ Fauci ] goes on television there 's always a bomb , '' an apparent reference to Fauci 's media appearances , which included him telling CBS 's `` 60 Minutes '' on Sunday night that he was `` absolutely not '' surprised that Trump himself caught the coronavirus .
`` People are tired of hearing Fauci and all these idiots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong , '' Trump said on the call .
`` People are tired of Covid , '' Trump said in a call with the staff of his reelection campaign against former Vice President Joe Biden , the Democratic nominee .
After this article was first published , Trump insulted Fauci with two tweets , which referenced Fauci 's extremely errant ceremonial `` first pitch '' at a Washington Nationals baseball game earlier this year .
`` Dr.Tony Fauci says we do n't allow him to do television , and yet I saw him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he seems to get more airtime than anybody since the late , great , Bob Hope , '' Trump wrote .
`` All I ask of Tony is that he make better decisions .
He said 'no masks & let China in ' .
Also , Bad arm ! ''
`` P.S .
Tony should stop wearing the Washington Nationals ' Mask for two reasons .
Number one , it is not up to the high standards that he should be exposing .
Number two , it keeps reminding me that Tony threw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the history of Baseball !
, '' Trump wrote .
Eduardo Silva , a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee `` War Room , '' in a statement said , `` Trump claimed that 'people are tired of COVID , ' and he 's right — they 're tired of him ignoring experts and prolonging a crisis that has already taken more than 219,000 American lives . ''
`` For months , Trump has lied to the American people about the coronavirus , and now , as cases surge and hospitals are again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's clearly learned nothing from the pain and suffering he 's already caused , '' Silva said .
`` Americans across the country are paying the price for Trump 's disastrous response to the coronavirus , and the more he doubles down on this reckless strategy , the more they 'll oppose his failed leadership . ''
During a campaign event Sunday , Trump made fun of Biden by imitating him saying he would `` listen to the scientists '' about the pandemic .
`` If I listened totally to the scientists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would be in a massive depression , '' Trump then said at the rally in Carson City , Nevada .
`` We 're like a rocket ship . ''
Trump also criticized Democratic governors of several states for enacting measures designed to thwart a second wave of coronavirus cases .
`` Get the places open , let 's go , '' Trump said .
Even as he spoke , daily new cases in the United States continued rising in more than half of the states .
As of Monday , more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. since 2020 began , with at least 219,765 deaths linked to the virus .
Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander , R-Tenn. , said in a statement , `` Dr. Fauci is one of our country 's most distinguished public servants .
He has served six presidents , starting with Ronald Reagan . ''
`` If more Americans paid attention to his advice , we 'd have fewer cases of COVID-19 , and it would be safer to go back to school and back to work and out to eat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman Andrew Bates fired back at Trump 's claim that the country would be worse off economically if Trump had listened to scientists , tweeting , `` This is tellingly out of touch and the polar opposite of reality . ''
`` Trump crashed the strong economy he inherited from the Obama-Biden Administration by lying about and attacking the science , and layoffs are rising , '' Bates tweeted .
`` Meanwhile , Joe Biden would create millions more jobs than Trump . ''
Also Sunday , the social media platform Twitter removed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advisor Scott Atlas , who had written “ Masks work ?
NO.
” Twitter said that Atlas — who unlike Fauci seems favored by Trump — violated the platform 's coronavirus misinformation policy , which bars `` sharing false or misleading content which could lead to harm . ''
Trump , first lady Melania Trump , their son Barron , and more than two dozen people linked to the White House , the president 's campaign and to presidential events have been diagnosed this month with Covid-19 .
During his `` 60 Minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not surprised that Trump had gotten ill , because of the lack of sufficient precautions against the virus at a White House gathering Sept. 26 to watch Trump formally announce federal appeals Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his nominee to the Supreme Court .
`` I was worried that he was going to get sick when I saw him in a completely precarious situation of crowded , no separation between people , and almost nobody wearing a mask , '' Fauci said .
`` When I saw that on TV , I said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can come out of that , that 's got to be a problem , '' Fauci said .
`` And then sure enough , it turned out to be a superspreader event . ''
Fauci last week took a shot at Trump 's campaign after it featured him in a recent ad saying of Trump in an interview about the coronavirus response , `` I ca n't imagine that anybody could be doing more . ''
That Fauci interview was from March , the month the virus began spreading in earnest in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of public service , I have never publicly endorsed any political candidate , '' Fauci told CNN in a statement .
`` The comments attributed to me without my permission in the GOP campaign ad were taken out of context from a broad statement I made months ago about the efforts of federal public health officials . ''

Fauci is a civil servant who, under the law, cannot be directly fired by the president. And Fauci could appeal any dismissal ordered by the president through the political appointees who oversee him.
"He's been here for 500 years," Trump said of Fauci, who is 79 years old.
The president at another point called Fauci a "nice" man, but in a backhanded way.
"There's a bigger bomb if you fire him," Trump said. "This guy's a disaster."
But Trump also offered an explanation for why he has not fired Fauci as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, despite his unhappiness with him.
Trump also claimed that "every time [Fauci] goes on television there's always a bomb," an apparent reference to Fauci's media appearances, which included him telling CBS's "60 Minutes" on Sunday night that he was "absolutely not" surprised that Trump himself caught the coronavirus.
"People are tired of hearing Fauci and all these idiots, all these idiots who got it wrong," Trump said on the call.
"People are tired of Covid," Trump said in a call with the staff of his reelection campaign against former Vice President Joe Biden , the Democratic nominee.
After this article was first published, Trump insulted Fauci with two tweets, which referenced Fauci's extremely errant ceremonial "first pitch" at a Washington Nationals baseball game earlier this year.
"Dr.Tony Fauci says we don't allow him to do television, and yet I saw him last night on @60Minutes, and he seems to get more airtime than anybody since the late, great, Bob Hope," Trump wrote. "All I ask of Tony is that he make better decisions. He said 'no masks & let China in'. Also, Bad arm!"
"P.S. Tony should stop wearing the Washington Nationals' Mask for two reasons. Number one, it is not up to the high standards that he should be exposing. Number two, it keeps reminding me that Tony threw out perhaps the worst first pitch in the history of Baseball!," Trump wrote.
Eduardo Silva, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee "War Room," in a statement said, "Trump claimed that 'people are tired of COVID,' and he's right — they're tired of him ignoring experts and prolonging a crisis that has already taken more than 219,000 American lives."
"For months, Trump has lied to the American people about the coronavirus, and now, as cases surge and hospitals are again being pushed to the brink, he's clearly learned nothing from the pain and suffering he's already caused," Silva said. "Americans across the country are paying the price for Trump's disastrous response to the coronavirus, and the more he doubles down on this reckless strategy, the more they'll oppose his failed leadership."
During a campaign event Sunday, Trump made fun of Biden by imitating him saying he would "listen to the scientists" about the pandemic.
"If I listened totally to the scientists, we would right now have a country that would be in a massive depression," Trump then said at the rally in Carson City, Nevada. "We're like a rocket ship."
Trump also criticized Democratic governors of several states for enacting measures designed to thwart a second wave of coronavirus cases.
"Get the places open, let's go," Trump said.
Even as he spoke, daily new cases in the United States continued rising in more than half of the states. As of Monday, more than 8.1 million Covid-19 cases have been reported in the U.S. since 2020 began, with at least 219,765 deaths linked to the virus.
Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said in a statement, "Dr. Fauci is one of our country's most distinguished public servants. He has served six presidents, starting with Ronald Reagan."
"If more Americans paid attention to his advice, we'd have fewer cases of COVID-19, and it would be safer to go back to school and back to work and out to eat," Alexander said.
Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates fired back at Trump's claim that the country would be worse off economically if Trump had listened to scientists, tweeting, "This is tellingly out of touch and the polar opposite of reality."
"Trump crashed the strong economy he inherited from the Obama-Biden Administration by lying about and attacking the science, and layoffs are rising," Bates tweeted. "Meanwhile, Joe Biden would create millions more jobs than Trump."
Also Sunday, the social media platform Twitter removed a tweet by the White House pandemic advisor Scott Atlas, who had written “Masks work? NO.”
Twitter said that Atlas — who unlike Fauci seems favored by Trump — violated the platform's coronavirus misinformation policy, which bars "sharing false or misleading content which could lead to harm."
Trump, first lady Melania Trump, their son Barron, and more than two dozen people linked to the White House, the president's campaign and to presidential events have been diagnosed this month with Covid-19.
During his "60 Minutes" interview, Fauci said he was not surprised that Trump had gotten ill, because of the lack of sufficient precautions against the virus at a White House gathering Sept. 26 to watch Trump formally announce federal appeals Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his nominee to the Supreme Court.
"I was worried that he was going to get sick when I saw him in a completely precarious situation of crowded, no separation between people, and almost nobody wearing a mask," Fauci said.
"When I saw that on TV, I said, 'Oh my goodness. Nothing good can come out of that, that's got to be a problem," Fauci said.
"And then sure enough, it turned out to be a superspreader event."
Fauci last week took a shot at Trump's campaign after it featured him in a recent ad saying of Trump in an interview about the coronavirus response, "I can't imagine that anybody could be doing more."
That Fauci interview was from March, the month the virus began spreading in earnest in the U.S.
"In my nearly five decades of public service, I have never publicly endorsed any political candidate," Fauci told CNN in a statement.
"The comments attributed to me without my permission in the GOP campaign ad were taken out of context from a broad statement I made months ago about the efforts of federal public health officials."


cnbc--2020-10-19--Goldman Sachs says Democratic sweep would unleash 'substantially' more stimulus

A Democratic `` blue wave '' in November could unleash the fiscal floodgates and fuel the amount of stimulus flowing from Washington , Goldman Sachs told its clients on Monday .
The bank 's chief economist , Jan Hatzius , wrote in a note that a large Democratic Senate majority could coordinate more Covid-19 relief , infrastructure spending and new minimum wage legislation .
A `` congressional Democratic majority would likely result in substantially more fiscal support .
We expect that spending would increase the most under a Democratic sweep of the House , Senate and White House , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include a stimulus package in Q1 , followed by infrastructure and climate legislation , '' he added .
`` In this scenario , we would expect legislation expanding health and other benefits , financed by tax increases , to pass '' by the third quarter of 2021 .
Former Vice President Joe Biden has proposed some $ 5.4 trillion in new spending over the next 10 years , according to the Penn Wharton Budget Model , a nonpartisan group at the University of Pennsylvania 's Wharton School .
The spending — earmarked for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , education and housing — would be partially offset by higher taxes on households with income greater than $ 400,000 and a rollback in the 2017 corporate tax cut .
On net , Biden 's proposals would increase federal tax revenues by $ 2.4 trillion over the next decade , according to the Tax Policy Center .
Goldman Sachs also reiterated its finding that the boost to U.S. economic growth from fiscal stimulus favored by the Biden campaign would `` outweigh the negative effects of tax increases , particularly in light of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to funding new spending . ''
The bank noted that public opinion polls , prediction markets and statistical models imply that Democrats are likely to win the presidency , the House and the Senate .
The 2020 elections are scheduled for Nov. 3 .
RealClearPolitics ' polling average gives Biden an 8.9-point advantage over President Donald Trump , 51.3 % -42.4 % .
PredictIt odds show markets are pricing in a 63 % chance Democrats control both the House and the Senate after the 2020 election .

A Democratic "blue wave" in November could unleash the fiscal floodgates and fuel the amount of stimulus flowing from Washington, Goldman Sachs told its clients on Monday.
The bank's chief economist, Jan Hatzius, wrote in a note that a large Democratic Senate majority could coordinate more Covid-19 relief, infrastructure spending and new minimum wage legislation.
A "congressional Democratic majority would likely result in substantially more fiscal support. We expect that spending would increase the most under a Democratic sweep of the House, Senate and White House," Hatzius wrote.
"This would likely include a stimulus package in Q1, followed by infrastructure and climate legislation," he added. "In this scenario, we would expect legislation expanding health and other benefits, financed by tax increases, to pass" by the third quarter of 2021.
Former Vice President Joe Biden has proposed some $5.4 trillion in new spending over the next 10 years, according to the Penn Wharton Budget Model, a nonpartisan group at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.
The spending — earmarked for a variety of programs such as infrastructure, education and housing — would be partially offset by higher taxes on households with income greater than $400,000 and a rollback in the 2017 corporate tax cut.
On net, Biden's proposals would increase federal tax revenues by $2.4 trillion over the next decade, according to the Tax Policy Center.
Goldman Sachs also reiterated its finding that the boost to U.S. economic growth from fiscal stimulus favored by the Biden campaign would "outweigh the negative effects of tax increases, particularly in light of the fact that the increased tax revenue would go to funding new spending."
The bank noted that public opinion polls, prediction markets and statistical models imply that Democrats are likely to win the presidency, the House and the Senate. The 2020 elections are scheduled for Nov. 3.
RealClearPolitics' polling average gives Biden an 8.9-point advantage over President Donald Trump, 51.3%-42.4%. PredictIt odds show markets are pricing in a 63% chance Democrats control both the House and the Senate after the 2020 election.


cnbc--2020-10-19--Supreme Court to hear cases over Trump's border wall and 'remain in Mexico' asylum policy

U.S. President Donald Trump talks with U.S. Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott as he tours a section of the U.S.-Mexico border wall in San Luis , Arizona , U.S. , June 23 , 2020 .
The Supreme Court said Monday that it will hear two cases related to President Donald Trump 's efforts to limit migration into the U.S. from Mexico and other Latin American countries .
One case concerns whether the Trump administration 's use of disputed military funds to construct a portion of a border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border violated the law .
Another involves his administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those seeking asylum in the United States .
The Justice Department asked the top court to hear appeals in both cases after suffering defeats in lower courts .
The announcement from the justices was made in an order .
Decisions in the cases are expected by the end of June .
The court 's action comes just 15 days before the election between the president and his Democratic rival , former Vice President Joe Biden , and amid a battle on Capitol Hill over Judge Amy Coney Barrett , Trump 's third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected to be confirmed by the Senate later this month .
Biden has campaigned on being essentially the opposite of Trump on immigration and other issues , calling Trump 's policies `` an unrelenting assault on our values and our history as a nation of immigrants . ''
The border wall case stems from the Trump administration 's dispute with Congress in 2018 over funding for the barrier , which helped cause the longest government shutdown in U.S. history .
After lawmakers granted only about $ 1.4 billion of the nearly $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump transferred an additional $ 2.5 billion for use in wall construction that had been allocated to the Department of Defense .
The administration said the purpose of the wall was to combat drug smuggling .
The Sierra Club and a border area advocacy organization sued over the use of the funds , alleging that construction would harm the local environment and surrounding communities and that the executive branch had violated the clear intentions of Congress .
A federal district court blocked the transfer in 2019 .
The Supreme Court , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with construction of the wall in July 2019 while the White House pursued an appeal at the 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals .
The federal appeals court ultimately sided against the administration .
The other case concerns the Department of Homeland Security 's `` Migrant Protection Protocols '' implemented in January 2019 .
Under the policy , asylum-seekers who travel through Mexico to seek asylum in the U.S. are returned to Mexico for the duration of their removal proceedings .
Those challenging the policy argue that the government returns migrants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most dangerous places in the world .
The Innovation Law Lab , an immigration nonprofit , other groups and several individual asylum seekers challenged the policy and a federal district court ordered the government to halt it in April 2019 .
The challengers argued that forcing immigrants to remain Mexico violated federal immigration law as well as international prohibitions on returning individuals to places where they face the risk of torture and persecution .
The 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals substantially upheld the lower court ruling , though that decision was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court allowed the administration to temporarily reinstate the policy pending appeal .
The American Civil Liberties Union , a national civil rights organization , is representing the challengers to both Trump administration efforts .
In statements released Monday , attorneys for the group noted that lower courts had ruled against the administration and called on the Supreme Court to do so as well .
`` Everyone knows that Trump failed to get Congress to fund his xenophobic wall obsession , and every lower court that has considered the case has found that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of taxpayer dollars on construction , '' Dror Ladin , a senior staff attorney with the ACLU 's National Security Project , said in an email .
Judy Rabinovitz , an ACLU attorney and lead counsel in the lawsuit challenging the `` remain in Mexico '' policy , said that asylum-seekers `` face grave danger every day this illegal and depraved policy is in effect . ''
`` The courts have repeatedly ruled against it , and the Supreme Court should as well , '' Rabinovitz said .
The Justice Department did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @

U.S. President Donald Trump talks with U.S. Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott as he tours a section of the U.S.-Mexico border wall in San Luis, Arizona, U.S., June 23, 2020.
The Supreme Court said Monday that it will hear two cases related to President Donald Trump's efforts to limit migration into the U.S. from Mexico and other Latin American countries.
One case concerns whether the Trump administration's use of disputed military funds to construct a portion of a border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border violated the law.
Another involves his administration's "remain in Mexico" policy for those seeking asylum in the United States.
The Justice Department asked the top court to hear appeals in both cases after suffering defeats in lower courts. The announcement from the justices was made in an order. Decisions in the cases are expected by the end of June.
The court's action comes just 15 days before the election between the president and his Democratic rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, and amid a battle on Capitol Hill over Judge Amy Coney Barrett, Trump's third pick for the Supreme Court. Barrett is expected to be confirmed by the Senate later this month.
Biden has campaigned on being essentially the opposite of Trump on immigration and other issues, calling Trump's policies "an unrelenting assault on our values and our history as a nation of immigrants."
The border wall case stems from the Trump administration's dispute with Congress in 2018 over funding for the barrier, which helped cause the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
After lawmakers granted only about $1.4 billion of the nearly $6 billion the White House had requested, Trump transferred an additional $2.5 billion for use in wall construction that had been allocated to the Department of Defense. The administration said the purpose of the wall was to combat drug smuggling.
The Sierra Club and a border area advocacy organization sued over the use of the funds, alleging that construction would harm the local environment and surrounding communities and that the executive branch had violated the clear intentions of Congress. A federal district court blocked the transfer in 2019.
The Supreme Court, however, allowed the administration to move forward with construction of the wall in July 2019 while the White House pursued an appeal at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The federal appeals court ultimately sided against the administration.
The other case concerns the Department of Homeland Security's "Migrant Protection Protocols" implemented in January 2019.
Under the policy, asylum-seekers who travel through Mexico to seek asylum in the U.S. are returned to Mexico for the duration of their removal proceedings. Those challenging the policy argue that the government returns migrants to parts of Mexico that are among the most dangerous places in the world.
The Innovation Law Lab, an immigration nonprofit, other groups and several individual asylum seekers challenged the policy and a federal district court ordered the government to halt it in April 2019.
The challengers argued that forcing immigrants to remain Mexico violated federal immigration law as well as international prohibitions on returning individuals to places where they face the risk of torture and persecution.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals substantially upheld the lower court ruling, though that decision was reversed in in March when the Supreme Court allowed the administration to temporarily reinstate the policy pending appeal.
The American Civil Liberties Union, a national civil rights organization, is representing the challengers to both Trump administration efforts. In statements released Monday, attorneys for the group noted that lower courts had ruled against the administration and called on the Supreme Court to do so as well.
"Everyone knows that Trump failed to get Congress to fund his xenophobic wall obsession, and every lower court that has considered the case has found that the President has no authority to waste billions of taxpayer dollars on construction," Dror Ladin, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU's National Security Project, said in an email.
Judy Rabinovitz, an ACLU attorney and lead counsel in the lawsuit challenging the "remain in Mexico" policy, said that asylum-seekers "face grave danger every day this illegal and depraved policy is in effect."
"The courts have repeatedly ruled against it, and the Supreme Court should as well," Rabinovitz said.
The Justice Department did not immediately return a request for comment.


cnbc--2020-10-20--Here's what to watch during the final two weeks of the Trump-Biden campaign

There 's just one more chance for the candidates to assail each other , and deliver an ultimate pitch to voters , before Election Day .
The second and final debate is scheduled for Thursday in Nashville and is set to be moderated by NBC News White House correspondent Kristen Welker .
This time , Trump or Biden will be given two minutes of uninterrupted time to answer questions at the start of each segment while the other candidate 's microphone is muted .
Presidential debates can make a real difference , even on the eve of an election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate against John F. Kennedy , for instance , was seen as an inflection point in the 1960 race .
Then-President George H.W .
Bush 's glance down at his watch in his 1992 debate against Bill Clinton became a key moment in the campaign .
But the debates themselves have been wildly politicized in 2020 , and it 's unclear what form the final event will take — if it takes one at all .
Another debate was supposed to be held last Thursday in Miami .
But it was scrapped after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commission on Presidential Debates to host the event virtually .
That move was made following Trump 's Covid-19 diagnosis and subsequent hospitalization , though Trump was out of the hospital and deemed noncontagious by his doctors ahead of the event .
In its place , the two candidates participated in separate town hall events , which were aired at the same time on different networks .
The president in his town hall avoided an opportunity to condemn QAnon , the baseless pro-Trump conspiracy theory , while Biden refused to rule out the possibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court if he is elected .
Ahead of the last scheduled debate , Trump has preemptively attacked Welker for being `` unfair , '' and his campaign has complained about the format of the event .
On Monday , Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien shared a letter on Twitter urging the debate hosts to ensure that foreign policy would be the main focus , rather than the coronavirus , climate change or race in America .
The pandemic has been a central focus of the final year of the 2020 campaign .
Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis , arguing that he bears responsibility for the hundreds of thousands of deaths in the U.S. that have so far been attributed to the disease .
The president , meanwhile , has frequently promised that a vaccine was on the way and that the country would be freed from Covid-19 in time for a record-breaking economic boom in 2021 .
Coronavirus cases are on the rise once again , and experts warn the pandemic could be even more difficult to fight as flu season progresses .
But Trump has preemptively rejected the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures that squelched the economy and sent markets plummeting downward earlier in the year .
On Capitol Hill , the window of opportunity for another round of pandemic relief before the election appears to be closing shut .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have grappled for months with Trump administration negotiators , including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows .
Trump has frequently contradicted Republican leaders ' desires for an additional stimulus bill and recently walked away from the negotiating table before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in any of the deliberations himself .
Still , Pelosi said Democrats and the White House have `` continued to narrow their differences '' following an hourlong talk Monday .
Health experts have poured cold water on Trump 's repeated refrain that a vaccine could come as soon as Election Day , or possibly even sooner .
Even if it did , questions remain about its timeline for distribution .
Trump has touted his administration 's efforts to prepare to ship out millions of doses as soon as a vaccine is approved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take months before most Americans are vaccinated .
But if a major development in the search for a vaccine does occur before the election , expect the Trump campaign to shout it from the rooftops .
`` If there 's a vaccine that 's ready or if there 's a therapy that 's ready , I fully expect that the president will trumpet it , and do it very loudly , '' said Chris Campbell , former assistant secretary of the Treasury for financial institutions .
`` If that process yields a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's all that we will hear between that day and the Election Day , '' Campbell said .
The most dramatic moments in a campaign often come in the final weeks before an election , but good luck trying to spot them in advance .
`` There is always an October surprise and it at times can be needle-moving , but there 's really no way to plan for it , because it 's just that , it 's a surprise , '' Campbell said .
In October 2016 , there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and largely written off , after audio surfaced of him in 2005 bragging about making sexual advances on women , saying `` when you 're a star , they let you do it . ''
But soon after , focus shifted to then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton 's use of a private email server .
Then-FBI Director James Comey 's public remarks about the Democrat 's emails , delivered just a few days before the 2016 election , are arguably what cost her the presidency .
A New York Post report published last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun '' emails related to Biden and his son Hunter Biden is being treated as an October surprise by the Trump campaign and its surrogates .
The report , which cites Trump 's lawyer , Rudy Giuliani , and his former top advisor , Steve Bannon , as sources , has been treated with skepticism by other news outlets .
The Post alleges Hunter Biden attempted to set up a meeting between his father and a top executive at a Ukrainian company he worked for while Joe Biden was vice president .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have a noticeable impact on the race , though the Post has also claimed polls are narrowing in the wake of its exclusive .
The president and his supporters have railed against the decisions by Facebook and Twitter to limit distribution of the story on their platforms , accusing the tech giants of politically motivated censorship .
Biden 's son was at the center of Trump 's impeachment fight , which revolved in large part around a phone call in which Trump asked Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to `` look into '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House and acquitted in the Senate .
Another possible October surprise may have already come and gone : the president 's Covid-19 infection .
Trump revealed on Oct. 2 that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for the coronavirus .
He flew to Walter Reed Military Medical Center that same day , and was discharged three days later .
`` I tend to think that the president getting coronavirus was a pretty good surprise , '' Campbell said , adding that Trump 's apparent recovery from the virus might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consistently downplayed the threat of the virus and disregarded his own administration 's guidelines for social distancing and wearing protective equipment to avoid spreading the disease .
At least 219,950 people in the U.S. have died from Covid-19 , according to Johns Hopkins University .

Joe Biden and Donald Trump Getty Images
The final debate
Trump and Biden debated face to face for the first time in late September. It didn't go well. Trump constantly interrupted, and Biden hurled unfiltered insults, as the debate offered plenty of heat but little light. Polls showed the debate was panned by majorities of viewers, though Biden's performance was generally viewed more favorably.
watch now
The coronavirus
The pandemic has been a central focus of the final year of the 2020 campaign. Democrats have ripped Trump's handling of the crisis, arguing that he bears responsibility for the hundreds of thousands of deaths in the U.S. that have so far been attributed to the disease. The president, meanwhile, has frequently promised that a vaccine was on the way and that the country would be freed from Covid-19 in time for a record-breaking economic boom in 2021. Coronavirus cases are on the rise once again, and experts warn the pandemic could be even more difficult to fight as flu season progresses. But Trump has preemptively rejected the possibility of reapplying the strict social distancing measures that squelched the economy and sent markets plummeting downward earlier in the year. On Capitol Hill, the window of opportunity for another round of pandemic relief before the election appears to be closing shut. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have grappled for months with Trump administration negotiators, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. Trump has frequently contradicted Republican leaders' desires for an additional stimulus bill and recently walked away from the negotiating table before restarting talks — all without being directly involved in any of the deliberations himself. Still, Pelosi said Democrats and the White House have "continued to narrow their differences" following an hourlong talk Monday. Health experts have poured cold water on Trump's repeated refrain that a vaccine could come as soon as Election Day, or possibly even sooner. Even if it did, questions remain about its timeline for distribution. Trump has touted his administration's efforts to prepare to ship out millions of doses as soon as a vaccine is approved, but officials have said it could take months before most Americans are vaccinated. But if a major development in the search for a vaccine does occur before the election, expect the Trump campaign to shout it from the rooftops. "If there's a vaccine that's ready or if there's a therapy that's ready, I fully expect that the president will trumpet it, and do it very loudly," said Chris Campbell, former assistant secretary of the Treasury for financial institutions. "If that process yields a result prior to the election, I think that's all that we will hear between that day and the Election Day," Campbell said.
The October surprise