washingtontimes--2020-12-20--Hunter Biden evidence suppressed by media, Silicon Valley allies

Democrats , along with allies in Silicon Valley and the news media , have suppressed the Hunter Biden scandal despite mounting evidence that President-elect Joseph R. Biden ’ s son had secret , lucrative financial ties to oligarchs and a powerful communist-connected Chinese businessman .
Since September , it has been a remarkable combination of blacklisting , promoting the theory of a Russian plot against the Bidens or simply ignoring the story .
Liberal news websites acknowledged the scandal only after Mr. Biden won the election and Hunter Biden publicly stated that he is under criminal investigation for suspected tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump ’ s associates whom media excoriated during the long FBI Russia probe , which did not establish a conspiracy in the 2016 election .
“ It was an unprecedented cover-up across so many entities inside and outside of the government , ” J.D .
Gordon , the 2016 Trump campaign ’ s national security adviser , told The Washington Times .
“ Silicon Valley suppressed an actual scandal related to Hunter Biden while hyping a manufactured scandal over Trump-Russia.
” Mr. Gordon , now an analyst for One America News , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the special counsel ’ s office over how he handled a proposed amendment to the Republican Party platform on arming the Ukrainian military .
Investigators found no wrongdoing .
News of Hunter Biden ’ s extensive cash flow from shady foreigners was documented in a Sept. 23 report by Senate Republicans .
It revealed a series of Treasury Department suspicious activity reports on Hunter Biden from Europe to Asia .
The pre-election report , by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley , Iowa Republican , and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received coverage from conservative media .
From the dominant liberal press , it was a blackout .
“ We found that [ the Bidens ] engaged in potential criminal financial deals across the globe , including China , which created counterintelligence concerns , ” Mr. Grassley said on the Senate floor .
“ I think it ’ s outrageous that the Fourth Estate would choose to ignore facts when they are uncovered by Republicans.
” Committee Democrats responded to the report , which relied on official bank wire transfers , by accusing Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had leaked the conspiracy beforehand to liberal news outlets .
The Democrats claimed that Mr. Johnson ’ s staff communicated with a Ukrainian politician and known Russian puppet .
Mr. Johnson has called that a lie .
“ Democrats laundered their unclassified speculation through classified analysis of intelligence reporting to fabricate a veneer of credibility in an effort to shield their claims from public scrutiny .
Those false claims were then leaked to friendly media outlets , which reported them as fact , ” Mr. Johnson and Mr. Grassley said .
In October @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stunning contents of Hunter Biden ’ s abandoned MacBook Pro laptop .
The hard drive showed the son ’ s global financial dealings , including message traffic about including Joseph R. Biden in the deals .
At least one Ukrainian oligarch representative who financed Hunter Biden received a private audience with his father , who was vice president at the time .
How did the Democrats-Silicon Valley-news media triumvirate react ?
They played the Russia card .
After the New York Post story appeared , Democrat-aligned former intelligence officers , led by appointees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laptop was an elaborate Russian plot .
Weeks later , after Mr. Biden won the presidency , no proof of a Moscow-laptop link has emerged .
But an open letter , led by former CIA Director John O. Brennan and former Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper , provided the talking point that news media needed to condemn the laptop reporting instead of following it up .
Cable channels CNN and MSNBC launched a cacophony of “ Russian plot ” talking points to try to suppress the story .
Twitter went a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Post story altogether from its 6,000-tweets-a-second platform .
Gatekeepers claimed the messages were the result of a hack , even though there was no such evidence .
Facebook limited the article ’ s distribution .
Jason Maloni , a public relations executive who worked as a spokesman for former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort , told The Washington Times that he is surprised the media ignored what Hunter Biden did during his father ’ s vice presidency .
Manafort , hounded relentlessly by the press and congressional Democrats , was convicted of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I am surprised and saddened about how incurious some are about some truly concerning and verifiable facts , ” Mr. Maloni told The Washington Times .
“ Every single day , stories emerge where there is a need for no-agenda investigative journalism , apolitical platforms , and lawmakers with zero interest in scoring political points to help us understand how large is the iceberg beneath the surface .
When did we become so afraid of a narrative that doesn ’ t quite fit our neat little worldview ?
” David Harsanyi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim they can ’ t cover the New York Post ’ s Hunter Biden email scoop because the underlying evidence has yet to be verified .
Also , they won ’ t look for any verifying evidence because there isn ’ t enough evidence .
It ’ s quite the conundrum.
” Ironically , it was Democrats , led by Rep. Adam B. Schiff of California , and their penchant for accusing detractors of being Russian assets that prompted former Hunter Biden business partner Tony Bobulinski to come forward on Fox News .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liberal media still shunned the story .
Mr. Harsanyi wrote : “ Perhaps my favorite part of yesterday ’ s interview , though , was learning that Adam Schiff ’ s ugly and mendacious habit of smearing anyone he disagrees with as a Russian asset is what allegedly helped spur Bobulinski , a former U.S. Navy lieutenant , to come forward.
” The laptop launch point was a computer repair shop in Wilmington , Delaware .
The owner said Hunter Biden dropped it off for repairs in April 2019 and never returned .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FBI and to Trump attorney Rudolph W. Giuliani .
Together , the laptop and the Senate report showed the profile of a son cashing in on his father ’ s federal office .
Millions of dollars in investments and consulting fees flowed to him from a Moscow oligarch close to Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2014 , a Ukrainian energy firm deemed corrupt by the U.S. government and a fantastically wealthy Chinese corporate figure working with the Chinese Communist Party and the People ’ s Liberation Army .
That businessman , Ye @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dollars to Hunter Biden , was accused of corruption in 2018 and disappeared .
At one point , Ye associates financed a $ 100,000 shopping spree by Hunter Biden and his uncle James Biden , the Senate report showed .
Hunter Biden also provided thousands of dollars to European women involved in human trafficking .
The conservative watchdog Media Research Center commissioned a poll by Republican pollster McLaughlin & Associates .
It showed that 36 % of Biden voters were not aware of Hunter Biden ’ s scandal and that 13 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voted for the former vice president if they had known .
“ Big Media and Big Tech Stole the 2020 Election , ” the Media Research Center said .
Said Mr. Gordon , the former campaign adviser : “ For all the attention on foreign election interference , public censorship by domestic groups like Twitter and Facebook was more impactful in shaping the outcome .
Big Tech is rapidly becoming Big Brother straight out of Orwell ’ s ‘ 1984.
’ Its unholy alliance with the federal bureaucracy and elected Democrats poses one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today .
Our freedom is in free fall .
”

Democrats, along with allies in Silicon Valley and the news media, have suppressed the Hunter Biden scandal despite mounting evidence that President-elect Joseph R. Biden’s son had secret, lucrative financial ties to oligarchs and a powerful communist-connected Chinese businessman.
Since September, it has been a remarkable combination of blacklisting, promoting the theory of a Russian plot against the Bidens or simply ignoring the story. Liberal news websites acknowledged the scandal only after Mr. Biden won the election and Hunter Biden publicly stated that he is under criminal investigation for suspected tax fraud.
The difference is striking for President Trump’s associates whom media excoriated during the long FBI Russia probe, which did not establish a conspiracy in the 2016 election.
“It was an unprecedented cover-up across so many entities inside and outside of the government,” J.D. Gordon, the 2016 Trump campaign’s national security adviser, told The Washington Times. “Silicon Valley suppressed an actual scandal related to Hunter Biden while hyping a manufactured scandal over Trump-Russia.”
Mr. Gordon, now an analyst for One America News, was dogged by the news media and the special counsel’s office over how he handled a proposed amendment to the Republican Party platform on arming the Ukrainian military. Investigators found no wrongdoing.
News of Hunter Biden’s extensive cash flow from shady foreigners was documented in a Sept. 23 report by Senate Republicans. It revealed a series of Treasury Department suspicious activity reports on Hunter Biden from Europe to Asia.
SEE ALSO: Hunter Biden case turns intelligence professionals into partisan activists
The pre-election report, by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley, Iowa Republican, and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson, Wisconsin Republican, received coverage from conservative media. From the dominant liberal press, it was a blackout.
“We found that [the Bidens] engaged in potential criminal financial deals across the globe, including China, which created counterintelligence concerns,” Mr. Grassley said on the Senate floor. “I think it’s outrageous that the Fourth Estate would choose to ignore facts when they are uncovered by Republicans.”
Committee Democrats responded to the report, which relied on official bank wire transfers, by accusing Mr. Johnson of accepting Russian disinformation. Democrats had leaked the conspiracy beforehand to liberal news outlets.
The Democrats claimed that Mr. Johnson’s staff communicated with a Ukrainian politician and known Russian puppet. Mr. Johnson has called that a lie.
“Democrats laundered their unclassified speculation through classified analysis of intelligence reporting to fabricate a veneer of credibility in an effort to shield their claims from public scrutiny. Those false claims were then leaked to friendly media outlets, which reported them as fact,” Mr. Johnson and Mr. Grassley said.
In October, the New York Post revealed the stunning contents of Hunter Biden’s abandoned MacBook Pro laptop. The hard drive showed the son’s global financial dealings, including message traffic about including Joseph R. Biden in the deals. At least one Ukrainian oligarch representative who financed Hunter Biden received a private audience with his father, who was vice president at the time.
How did the Democrats-Silicon Valley-news media triumvirate react? They played the Russia card.
After the New York Post story appeared, Democrat-aligned former intelligence officers, led by appointees of President Obama, alleged that the laptop was an elaborate Russian plot.
Weeks later, after Mr. Biden won the presidency, no proof of a Moscow-laptop link has emerged.
But an open letter, led by former CIA Director John O. Brennan and former Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper, provided the talking point that news media needed to condemn the laptop reporting instead of following it up. Cable channels CNN and MSNBC launched a cacophony of “Russian plot” talking points to try to suppress the story.
Twitter went a step further. It blacklisted the New York Post story altogether from its 6,000-tweets-a-second platform. Gatekeepers claimed the messages were the result of a hack, even though there was no such evidence. Facebook limited the article’s distribution.
Jason Maloni, a public relations executive who worked as a spokesman for former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, told The Washington Times that he is surprised the media ignored what Hunter Biden did during his father’s vice presidency. Manafort, hounded relentlessly by the press and congressional Democrats, was convicted of tax fraud but not a Russian conspiracy.
“I am surprised and saddened about how incurious some are about some truly concerning and verifiable facts,” Mr. Maloni told The Washington Times. “Every single day, stories emerge where there is a need for no-agenda investigative journalism, apolitical platforms, and lawmakers with zero interest in scoring political points to help us understand how large is the iceberg beneath the surface. When did we become so afraid of a narrative that doesn’t quite fit our neat little worldview?”
David Harsanyi wrote in National Review: “Journalists claim they can’t cover the New York Post’s Hunter Biden email scoop because the underlying evidence has yet to be verified. Also, they won’t look for any verifying evidence because there isn’t enough evidence. It’s quite the conundrum.”
Ironically, it was Democrats, led by Rep. Adam B. Schiff of California, and their penchant for accusing detractors of being Russian assets that prompted former Hunter Biden business partner Tony Bobulinski to come forward on Fox News. He verified the messages’ authenticity. Liberal media still shunned the story.
Mr. Harsanyi wrote: “Perhaps my favorite part of yesterday’s interview, though, was learning that Adam Schiff’s ugly and mendacious habit of smearing anyone he disagrees with as a Russian asset is what allegedly helped spur Bobulinski, a former U.S. Navy lieutenant, to come forward.”
The laptop launch point was a computer repair shop in Wilmington, Delaware. The owner said Hunter Biden dropped it off for repairs in April 2019 and never returned. The owner eventually provided the contents to the FBI and to Trump attorney Rudolph W. Giuliani.
Together, the laptop and the Senate report showed the profile of a son cashing in on his father’s federal office.
Millions of dollars in investments and consulting fees flowed to him from a Moscow oligarch close to Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2014, a Ukrainian energy firm deemed corrupt by the U.S. government and a fantastically wealthy Chinese corporate figure working with the Chinese Communist Party and the People’s Liberation Army.
That businessman, Ye Jianming, whose firm directly wired millions of dollars to Hunter Biden, was accused of corruption in 2018 and disappeared.
At one point, Ye associates financed a $100,000 shopping spree by Hunter Biden and his uncle James Biden, the Senate report showed. Hunter Biden also provided thousands of dollars to European women involved in human trafficking.
The conservative watchdog Media Research Center commissioned a poll by Republican pollster McLaughlin & Associates. It showed that 36% of Biden voters were not aware of Hunter Biden’s scandal and that 13% of those said they would not have voted for the former vice president if they had known.
“Big Media and Big Tech Stole the 2020 Election,” the Media Research Center said.
Said Mr. Gordon, the former campaign adviser: “For all the attention on foreign election interference, public censorship by domestic groups like Twitter and Facebook was more impactful in shaping the outcome. Big Tech is rapidly becoming Big Brother straight out of Orwell’s ‘1984.’ Its unholy alliance with the federal bureaucracy and elected Democrats poses one of the biggest internal threats facing America today. Our freedom is in free fall.”
• Rowan Scarborough can be reached at rscarborough@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-20--Trooper investigated after firing gun at ground during chase

KENNER La .
( AP ) - Louisiana State Police are investigating a trooper who fired his gun at the @ @ @ @ @ a speeder in Kenner .
A news release says the incident happened Saturday morning after @ @ @ @ @ stop 21-year-old Darryl Brown of Donaldsonville for driving 23 mph ( 37 kph ) over @ @ @ @ @ 10 in St. John the Baptist Parish .
The trooper pursued Brown and caught up @ @ @ @ @ Brown ‘ s 2007 Buick Lacrosse briefly stopped on a surface street in Jefferson Parish @ @ @ @ @ and approached the vehicle with his gun firing .
Brown sped off again and was @ @ @ @ @ in Kenner .
Brown was booked into jail on charges of speeding , driving on @ @ @ @ @ plate , littering , and both felony and misdemeanor flight from an officer .

KENNER La. (AP) - Louisiana State Police are investigating a trooper who fired his gun at the ground while trying to stop a speeder in Kenner.
A news release says the incident happened Saturday morning after the unnamed trooper tried to stop 21-year-old Darryl Brown of Donaldsonville for driving 23 mph (37 kph) over the speed limit on Interstate 10 in St. John the Baptist Parish.
The trooper pursued Brown and caught up with him miles later when Brown’s 2007 Buick Lacrosse briefly stopped on a surface street in Jefferson Parish. The trooper got out and approached the vehicle with his gun firing.
Brown sped off again and was later arrested at a house in Kenner.
No injuries were reported.
Brown was booked into jail on charges of speeding , driving on the shoulder, fictitious license plate, littering, and both felony and misdemeanor flight from an officer.


washingtontimes--2020-12-20--Regulator ends inquiry on utility payments to internet unit

LAFAYETTE , La .
( AP ) - The Louisiana Public Service Commission has ended an inquiry into whether Lafayette ’ s publicly owned internet system illegally benefitted from payments from other parts of the city-owned utility system , but isn ’ t saying whether or not the payments were legal .
The Public Service Commission on Wednesday was told the case is closed , spokesperson Colby Cook told local news outlets .
The staff recommended no action on allegations made by Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux in December 2019 .
State law was written to bar Lafayette Utilities System ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from subsidizing LUS Fiber .
But Robideaux and current Mayor-President Josh Guillory have alleged LUS was improperly charged millions of dollars by the fiber division .
Robideaux counted as much as $ 10 million in improper payments .
That included $ 8 million for a questioned power outage-monitoring system .
Questioned earlier were $ 1.75 million in payments for unused services at sewage lift stations .
The fiber division repaid LUS about $ 1 million .
Guillory contracted for a forensic audit of LUS fiber operations from November 2010 through October 2018 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the forensic audit to the FBI , PSC and District Attorney Keith Stutes .
No update has been provided regarding the FBI .
Stutes found no basis for criminal charges , calling the questionable transactions between the divisions an internal matter to be dealt with by the Guillory administration , not the courts .
He also noted the statute of limitations on some of the allegations had expired .
Robideaux said he saw the PSC decision as an affirmation of changes his administration made to Fiber ’ s pricing practices after the initial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Terry Huval ’ s director position into separate directors for LUS and LUS Fiber , and changes made after further investigation prompted by a list of concerns identified by the commission during its audit of the lift station payments .
The city-parish has said it has cut payments to the utility by $ 975,000 by moving to long-term contract rates .
“ All of those things are enough for the PSC to say that we ’ ve taken care of accounting for these payments correctly , ” Robideaux said , though he expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a clear declaration on the payments ’ legality before putting the matter to rest Wednesday .

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - The Louisiana Public Service Commission has ended an inquiry into whether Lafayette’s publicly owned internet system illegally benefitted from payments from other parts of the city-owned utility system, but isn’t saying whether or not the payments were legal.
The Public Service Commission on Wednesday was told the case is closed, spokesperson Colby Cook told local news outlets. The staff recommended no action on allegations made by Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux in December 2019.
State law was written to bar Lafayette Utilities System’s electric, water and wastewater divisions from subsidizing LUS Fiber.
But Robideaux and current Mayor-President Josh Guillory have alleged LUS was improperly charged millions of dollars by the fiber division. Robideaux counted as much as $10 million in improper payments. That included $8 million for a questioned power outage-monitoring system. Questioned earlier were $1.75 million in payments for unused services at sewage lift stations. The fiber division repaid LUS about $1 million.
Guillory contracted for a forensic audit of LUS fiber operations from November 2010 through October 2018.
City-Parish Attorney Greg Logan in August sent the forensic audit to the FBI, PSC and District Attorney Keith Stutes. No update has been provided regarding the FBI. Stutes found no basis for criminal charges, calling the questionable transactions between the divisions an internal matter to be dealt with by the Guillory administration, not the courts. He also noted the statute of limitations on some of the allegations had expired.
Robideaux said he saw the PSC decision as an affirmation of changes his administration made to Fiber’s pricing practices after the initial sewage lift station payments, like splitting Terry Huval’s director position into separate directors for LUS and LUS Fiber, and changes made after further investigation prompted by a list of concerns identified by the commission during its audit of the lift station payments.
The city-parish has said it has cut payments to the utility by $975,000 by moving to long-term contract rates.
“All of those things are enough for the PSC to say that we’ve taken care of accounting for these payments correctly,” Robideaux said, though he expressed frustration that the commission didn’t make a clear declaration on the payments’ legality before putting the matter to rest Wednesday.


washingtontimes--2020-12-20--Hayden Harris, Missing Fort Drum soldier, found dead

SYRACUSE , N.Y. — A 20-year-old soldier from Tennessee who went missing from New York state ’ s Fort Drum was found dead , officials said Sunday , adding that an investigation has been launched .
Hayden Harris , of Guys , Tennessee , was last heard from Thursday night after he headed from Fort Drum to Watertown for a vehicle transaction , according to an Army statement .
The Army asked for help from the public , and police agencies in several states joined the search effort .
The Selmer Police Department in Tennessee reported on its Facebook page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Neither police nor the Army gave any details about how Harris died or where he was found .
The Army ’ s Criminal Investigation Command said foul play is suspected .
“ His death is a tremendous loss for his loved ones , this division and our nation , ” Brigadier Gen. Brett Funck , acting commander for Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division , said in a statement .
Harris , an infantryman with the 1st Squadron , 89th Cavalry Regiment , 2nd Brigade Combat Team , trained at Fort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum in July 2019 .
Fort Drum is located near the Canadian border , around 80 miles ( 130 kilometers ) north of Syracuse .
His awards and decorations include two Army Achievement Medals , the National Defense Service Medal , the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal , and the Army Service Ribbon .
He graduated Air Assault School in 2019 .
He was promoted from specialist to corporal following his death .

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A 20-year-old soldier from Tennessee who went missing from New York state’s Fort Drum was found dead, officials said Sunday, adding that an investigation has been launched.
Hayden Harris, of Guys, Tennessee, was last heard from Thursday night after he headed from Fort Drum to Watertown for a vehicle transaction, according to an Army statement. The Army asked for help from the public, and police agencies in several states joined the search effort.
The Selmer Police Department in Tennessee reported on its Facebook page Saturday evening that Harris was found dead. Neither police nor the Army gave any details about how Harris died or where he was found. The Army’s Criminal Investigation Command said foul play is suspected.
“His death is a tremendous loss for his loved ones, this division and our nation,” Brigadier Gen. Brett Funck, acting commander for Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division, said in a statement.
Harris, an infantryman with the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, trained at Fort Benning, Georgia, before he joined the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum in July 2019.
Fort Drum is located near the Canadian border, around 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of Syracuse.
His awards and decorations include two Army Achievement Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. He graduated Air Assault School in 2019.
He was promoted from specialist to corporal following his death.


washingtontimes--2020-12-20--New Mexico reports 1,077 new COVID-19 cases, 16 more deaths

SANTA FE , N.M. ( AP ) - Health officials in New Mexico on Sunday reported 1,077 new COVID-19 cases and 16 related deaths .
The statewide totals increased to 129,993 cases and 2,171 known deaths as seven-day rolling averages for daily new cases dropped and daily deaths rose over the last two weeks .
Of the 1,077 new cases , New Mexico Department of Health officials said 278 of them were in Bernalillo County , the state ’ s largest county that includes the metro Albuquerque area .
According to data from Johns Hopkins University and The COVID Tracking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases in New Mexico dropped from 1,869 on Dec. 4 to 1,542.1 on Friday while the rolling average of deaths rose from 28.9 to 34.1 .
On Thursday , when the state reported a pandemic-high 48 daily deaths linked to the pandemic , Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham said she was concerned that daily deaths could grow even higher over the year-end holidays .
The number of overall infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected with the @ @ @ @ @

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Health officials in New Mexico on Sunday reported 1,077 new COVID-19 cases and 16 related deaths.
The statewide totals increased to 129,993 cases and 2,171 known deaths as seven-day rolling averages for daily new cases dropped and daily deaths rose over the last two weeks.
Of the 1,077 new cases, New Mexico Department of Health officials said 278 of them were in Bernalillo County, the state’s largest county that includes the metro Albuquerque area.
According to data from Johns Hopkins University and The COVID Tracking Project, the rolling average of daily new cases in New Mexico dropped from 1,869 on Dec. 4 to 1,542.1 on Friday while the rolling average of deaths rose from 28.9 to 34.1.
On Thursday, when the state reported a pandemic-high 48 daily deaths linked to the pandemic, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said she was concerned that daily deaths could grow even higher over the year-end holidays.
The number of overall infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.


washingtontimes--2020-12-20--Real Madrid president backs soccer changes post-COVID

MADRID ( AP ) - Long linked to the creation of a more lucrative competition , Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez wants financial disruption caused to soccer by the coronavirus pandemic to spur deep changes to current playing formats .
“ Nothing will go back to being like before , ” Pérez told an online assembly of Real Madrid ’ s club members on Sunday .
“ The pandemic must make us more competitive , ” he said .
“ We must innovate , discover formulas so that football remains attractive .
Real Madrid was there at the beginning of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ model now needs a new impulse , and the impact of COVID-19 has shown that.
” Elite clubs , including Madrid , have been pushing for more guaranteed Champions League matches and revenue starting in the 2024-25 season , but UEFA-led talks failed to reach an agreement last year amid opposition from leagues and less wealthy clubs .
Pérez also in 2019 formed the World Football Club Association , which has been formulating plans for new competitions of its own .
Those proposals only emerged in reports after Pérez met with FIFA President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a remodeling of world football .
There is a saturation ( of games ) and our fans , who are the most important thing we have , suffer , ” Pérez said .
“ Football reform can not wait .
The biggest clubs in Europe have millions of fans spread across the world .
We have the responsibility to fight for this change.
” Pérez did not elaborate on what exact changes he would support .
The pandemic has shone the spotlight on an economic reality for clubs in top-tier leagues : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in bars watching games on television trump the thousands of die-hard supporters who have mostly not been able to attend matches .
The trend in world football has also been to increase the number of games and competitions , both for clubs and national teams , such as the UEFA Nations League .
There is talk of adding more Champions League games for elite clubs in Europe .
Pérez said that the impact of the pandemic , which has kept fans out of stadiums in Spain since March , has reduced the Spanish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ euros ( $ 1 billion ) to 715 million euros .
“ The reality is that all big football clubs are suffering this significant financial blow and we ’ re not immune to it either , ” he said .
Madrid is currently renovating its Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and playing games in a much smaller stadium at its training campus .

MADRID (AP) - Long linked to the creation of a more lucrative competition, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez wants financial disruption caused to soccer by the coronavirus pandemic to spur deep changes to current playing formats.
“Nothing will go back to being like before,” Pérez told an online assembly of Real Madrid’s club members on Sunday.
“The pandemic must make us more competitive,” he said. “We must innovate, discover formulas so that football remains attractive. Real Madrid was there at the beginning of FIFA and the European Cup. Our model now needs a new impulse, and the impact of COVID-19 has shown that.”
Elite clubs, including Madrid, have been pushing for more guaranteed Champions League matches and revenue starting in the 2024-25 season, but UEFA-led talks failed to reach an agreement last year amid opposition from leagues and less wealthy clubs.
Pérez also in 2019 formed the World Football Club Association, which has been formulating plans for new competitions of its own. Those proposals only emerged in reports after Pérez met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“Everyone is arguing for a remodeling of world football. There is a saturation (of games) and our fans, who are the most important thing we have, suffer,” Pérez said. “Football reform cannot wait. The biggest clubs in Europe have millions of fans spread across the world. We have the responsibility to fight for this change.”
Pérez did not elaborate on what exact changes he would support.
The pandemic has shone the spotlight on an economic reality for clubs in top-tier leagues: Millions of fans sitting on sofas and in bars watching games on television trump the thousands of die-hard supporters who have mostly not been able to attend matches.
The trend in world football has also been to increase the number of games and competitions, both for clubs and national teams, such as the UEFA Nations League. There is talk of adding more Champions League games for elite clubs in Europe.
Pérez said that the impact of the pandemic, which has kept fans out of stadiums in Spain since March, has reduced the Spanish champion’s revenues from 822 million euros ($1 billion) to 715 million euros.
“The reality is that all big football clubs are suffering this significant financial blow and we’re not immune to it either,” he said.
Madrid is currently renovating its Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and playing games in a much smaller stadium at its training campus.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-12-20--Mitch McConnell says leadership finalized $900 billion coronavirus deal

Congressional leaders finalized a nearly $ 900 billion coronavirus relief bill Sunday night , breaking eight months of gridlock to deliver another round of stimulus checks , unemployment benefits and assistance to small businesses , as well as cash to help get new vaccines into waiting arms .
“ At long last , we have the bipartisan breakthrough the country has needed , ” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , the Kentucky Republican who hashed out the final deal with the other top party leaders .
Both chambers are hoping to vote on the package Monday , and leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the House and Senate .
The bill is expected to be coupled with a full-year 2021 spending bill as well .
But with funding running out Sunday night , Congress was rushing to approve a one-day extension of money to prevent a Christmas-time shutdown .
Leaders said the coronavirus bill includes $ 600 stimulus checks , a $ 300-a-week federal unemployment boost on top of what states already pay , and $ 284 billion for another round of the Paycheck Protection Program , which pays small businesses to keep workers on payrolls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer also said there is $ 25 billion in rental assistance , an extension of the eviction moratorium , $ 13 billion for food programs , and a $ 7 billion broadband fund .
The deal lacks the liability protections for reopening businesses that the GOP had wanted , and also lacks the massive direct aid to states and localities Democrats had sought .
But there is $ 82 billion for education , $ 27 billion for testing and health-care programs , and more than $ 30 billion for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with those specific costs , Democrats said .
Mr. Schumer , New York Democrat , said the final agreement was “ far from perfect ” but will at least help “ a nation in the throes of a genuine emergency.
” Negotiators had been aiming to finish by last Friday , but a late stalemate over lending authority granted to the Federal Reserve in a previous coronavirus relief package in March became a major sticking point .
Senate Republicans insisted that authority be curbed , fearing it would become a slush fund for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states and localities .
Democrats said the GOP was trying to hamstring the Biden team ’ s ability to deal with a sluggish economy .
Congress passed three coronavirus relief bills in quick succession in the spring , totaling $ 3 trillion , but have struggled to match that bipartisanship in the ensuing eight months .
Even after the election , party leaders hardened their positions , with Mrs. Pelosi saying she wanted a package of more than $ 2 trillion , and Mr. McConnell insisting on a much smaller bill .
Things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centrist lawmakers , led by Sens .
Susan Collins , Maine Republican , and Joe Manchin , West Virginia Democrat , announced they ’ d settled on an approximately $ 900 billion framework .
Sunday ’ s deal changed a lot of the details , but the price tag and scope track with what the centrists proposed .
Mr. McConnell said a deal could have been had months ago , save for Mrs. Pelosi ’ s insistence on such a high price tag .
“ As far back as July , and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted package right in the ballpark of this total amount , with the same kinds of policies in the mix , ” he said .
He said Democrats refused to deal earlier because they didn ’ t want to deliver a win to President Trump .
Mrs. Pelosi said Sunday that while she is backing this package , they ’ ll be back to ask for more once President-elect Joseph R. Biden is sworn in .
“ State and local governments will certainly need additional funding to prevent the senseless layoffs of heroic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she and Mr. Schumer said in a joint statement .
The $ 900 billion coronavirus relief package will be tied to a $ 1.4 trillion spending bill to fund government agencies for 2021 .
If leaders stick to their schedule for Monday votes , it will mean rank-and-file lawmakers will have less than 24 hours to study hundreds of pages encompassing well more than $ 2 trillion in taxpayer money .
“ When a few people decide everything in Congress , it means we have an oligarchy , not a representative democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our system as a good thing , it means there ’ s little hope for avoiding further lurches toward one-person rule , ” Rep. Justin Amash , Michigan independent , tweeted .
Some liberal lawmakers were not pleased with what they heard about the details of the pandemic package .
“ At the end of the day , the amount of money in total is not adequate to address the enormous economic crisis facing this country , ” said Sen. Bernard Sanders , Vermont independent .
Sen. Ron Wyden , Oregon Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bill beyond what Republicans had wanted , expanding the unemployment assistance from four weeks to 11 weeks , but he said “ this is not the bill I would have written.
” “ Mitch McConnell is imposing unnecessary hardship on millions of Americans this winter , and he could do even worse once President-elect Biden has been inaugurated , ” Mr. Wyden said .

Congressional leaders finalized a nearly $900 billion coronavirus relief bill Sunday night, breaking eight months of gridlock to deliver another round of stimulus checks, unemployment benefits and assistance to small businesses, as well as cash to help get new vaccines into waiting arms.
“At long last, we have the bipartisan breakthrough the country has needed,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican who hashed out the final deal with the other top party leaders.
Both chambers are hoping to vote on the package Monday, and leaders are optimistic that they can deliver strong majorities in the House and Senate.
The bill is expected to be coupled with a full-year 2021 spending bill as well.
But with funding running out Sunday night, Congress was rushing to approve a one-day extension of money to prevent a Christmastime shutdown.
Leaders said the coronavirus bill includes $600 stimulus checks, a $300-a-week federal unemployment boost on top of what states already pay and $284 billion for another round of the Paycheck Protection Program, which helps small businesses keep workers on payrolls.
SEE ALSO: Steve Daines: COVID-19 vaccine ‘early Christmas present’ for Americans
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, also said there is $25 billion in rental assistance, an extension of the eviction moratorium, $13 billion for food programs and a $7 billion broadband fund.
The deal lacks the liability protections for reopening businesses that Republicans wanted and lacks the massive direct aid to states and localities that Democrats sought.
But there is $82 billion for education, $27 billion for testing and health care programs and more than $30 billion for vaccine distribution, which will help states with those specific costs, Democrats said.
Mr. Schumer, New York Democrat, said the final agreement was “far from perfect” but will at least help “a nation in the throes of a genuine emergency.”
Negotiators had been aiming to finish by last Friday, but a late stalemate over lending authority granted to the Federal Reserve in a coronavirus relief package in March became a major sticking point.
Senate Republicans insisted that authority be curbed. They feared it would become a slush fund for the new administration to distribute money to states and localities. Democrats said Republicans were trying to hamstring the Biden team’s ability to deal with a sluggish economy.
SEE ALSO: Highlights of $900 billion COVID-19 relief, wrapup bills
Congress passed three coronavirus relief bills in quick succession in the spring, totaling $3 trillion, but have struggled to match that bipartisanship in the ensuing eight months.
Even after Nov. 3 elections, party leaders hardened their positions. Mrs. Pelosi said she wanted a package of more than $2 trillion, and Mr. McConnell insisted on a much smaller bill.
Things were looking grim until a group of centrist lawmakers, led by Sens. Susan M. Collins, Maine Republican, and Joe Manchin III, West Virginia Democrat, announced that they had settled on an approximately $900 billion framework.
Sunday’s deal changed a lot of the details, but the price tag and scope track with what the centrists proposed.
Mr. McConnell said a deal could have been had months ago, save for Mrs. Pelosi’s insistence on such a high price tag.
“As far back as July, and all autumn, Republicans have consistently supported a targeted package right in the ballpark of this total amount, with the same kinds of policies in the mix,” he said.
He said Democrats refused to deal earlier because they didn’t want to deliver a win to President Trump.
Mrs. Pelosi said Sunday that while she is backing this package, Democrats will be back to ask for more once President-elect Joseph R. Biden is sworn into office.
“State and local governments will certainly need additional funding to prevent the senseless layoffs of heroic essential workers and critical service cuts,” she and Mr. Schumer said in a joint statement.
The $900 billion coronavirus relief package will be tied to a $1.4 trillion spending bill to fund government agencies for 2021.
If leaders stick to their schedule for Monday votes, it will mean rank-and-file lawmakers will have less than 24 hours to study hundreds of pages encompassing well more than $2 trillion in taxpayer money.
“When a few people decide everything in Congress, it means we have an oligarchy, not a representative democracy. When the media cast this corruption of our system as a good thing, it means there’s little hope for avoiding further lurches toward one-person rule,” Rep. Justin Amash, Michigan independent, tweeted.
Some liberal lawmakers were not pleased with what they heard about the details of the package.
“At the end of the day, the amount of money in total is not adequate to address the enormous economic crisis facing this country,” said Sen. Bernard Sanders, Vermont independent.
Sen. Ron Wyden, Oregon Democrat, said they were able to improve the bill beyond what Republicans wanted, expanding the unemployment assistance from four weeks to 11 weeks, but he added that “this is not the bill I would have written.”
“Mitch McConnell is imposing unnecessary hardship on millions of Americans this winter, and he could do even worse once President-elect Biden has been inaugurated,” Mr. Wyden said.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-20--Teen shot, killed after confrontation in north Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - Authorities say a 17-year-old boy was shot and killed in north Minneapolis Sunday morning .
@ @ @ @ @ release that officers were in the area about 2:25 a.m. when they heard the sound @ @ @ @ @ eventually found the teen suffering from a gunshot wound and attempted life-saving measures before they @ @ @ @ @ The boy died later at a local hospital .
Police say they believe the teen @ @ @ @ @ that escalated into the shooting .
Others who may have been involved fled the scene @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis police crime lab and homicide detectives are investigating the shooting .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Authorities say a 17-year-old boy was shot and killed in north Minneapolis Sunday morning.
Minneapolis police said in a release that officers were in the area about 2:25 a.m. when they heard the sound of multiple gunshots. Officers eventually found the teen suffering from a gunshot wound and attempted life-saving measures before they were relieved by paramedics.
The boy died later at a local hospital.
Police say they believe the teen was involved in a confrontation that escalated into the shooting. Others who may have been involved fled the scene before officers arrived.
The Minneapolis police crime lab and homicide detectives are investigating the shooting.


washingtontimes--2020-12-20--Arkansas reports 1,536 new COVID-19 cases, 46 more deaths

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - Arkansas on Sunday reported 1,536 new cases of the coronavirus and 46 more deaths .
The Arkansas Department of Health said that the state has reported 201,650 cases since the pandemic began .
The state ’ s death toll is at 3,237 .
“ The high number of Arkansans who have died is heartbreaking , ” Gov .
Asa Hutchinson said Sunday on Twitter .
Noting that Christmas is just five days away , he asked Arkansans to protect each other .
“ What we do will determine how we start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Health officials said that 1,057 people with COVID-19 are in Arkansas hospitals .
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say that over the past two weeks , the rolling average number of daily new cases in Arkansas has increased by 215.1 , an increase of 10.5 % .
One in every 190 people in Arkansas tested positive in the past week .
The true number of infections in Arkansas is likely higher because many haven ’ t been tested , and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks .
But for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal .

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas on Sunday reported 1,536 new cases of the coronavirus and 46 more deaths.
The Arkansas Department of Health said that the state has reported 201,650 cases since the pandemic began. The state’s death toll is at 3,237.
“The high number of Arkansans who have died is heartbreaking,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Sunday on Twitter.
Noting that Christmas is just five days away, he asked Arkansans to protect each other. “What we do will determine how we start our new year,” Hutchinson said.
Health officials said that 1,057 people with COVID-19 are in Arkansas hospitals.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say that over the past two weeks, the rolling average number of daily new cases in Arkansas has increased by 215.1, an increase of 10.5%. One in every 190 people in Arkansas tested positive in the past week.
The true number of infections in Arkansas is likely higher because many haven’t been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal.


washingtontimes--2020-12-20--Inside the Beltway: The 'Great Reset' comes for Christmas

Let us review the “ Great Reset , ” a proposal released in May by the World Economic Forum and other global-minded folk who outlined a plan for planet-wide economic recovery .
It ’ s complicated .
“ The world must act jointly and swiftly to revamp all aspects of our societies and economies , from education to social contracts and working conditions .
Every country , from the United States to China , must participate , and every industry , from oil and gas to tech , must be transformed .
In short , we need a ‘ Great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization said in a master statement at the time .
The Great Reset embraces such mottoes as “ You ’ ll own nothing , and you ’ ll be happy ” and “ The U.S. won ’ t be the world ’ s leading superpower , ” says Marc Morano , founder of the Climate Depot , a canny online news site which tracks climate alarmism and other issues .
He found these phrases in a video produced by the World Economic Forum — WEF for short .
The outreach , Mr. Morano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greenest icon of the Christmas season .
“ The Great Reset/Green New Deal/Build Back Better are all using COVID-19 and a ‘ climate emergency , ’ to very clearly lay out your future .
No private ownership of homes or cars or even Christmas trees , ” Mr. Morano said .
“ There ’ s no way around the fact that Christmas has a large carbon footprint , from the traveling we do to the presents we give and the large amounts of food we eat .
But it is possible to at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate change and carbon dioxide levels now major sources of concern , surely it is time to see what can be done to be friendlier to the environment , and the Christmas tree is a good place to start , ” explained a research article featured at the WEF website , which came with how-to recommendations .
The transportation , harvesting and disposal of Christmas trees apparently contribute to their carbon foot print — or trunk print , as the case may be .
“ World Economic Forum touts the Christmas tree ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the festive period in a bid to stop millions from going to landfill .
The trees are taken home in a pot and returned in the same one .
The farm then re-plants it until the following year , ” Mr. Morano said .
NOT GOING TO WORRY There ’ s lots of bustling around in President-elect Joseph R. Biden ’ s corner these days .
“ Does the president-elect care whether President Trump attends the inauguration ?
Does he even want him there ?
” “ Fox News Sunday ” host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House press secretary .
“ I would say it ’ s not on the top-10 list , ” she replied , who added that no one was worrying about the possibility .
“ Our focus is on getting the president-elect inaugurated , on pursuing our agenda moving forward , on getting the pandemic under control , on taking on the herculean task of distributing the vaccine — which is going to be a big part of our focus in the first couple of months .
And so , we ’ re not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not attend the inauguration , ” Ms. Psaki advised .
It ’ s all happened before , though .
Outgoing Presidents John Adams , John Quincy Adams and Andrew Johnson all skipped the inaugurations of the men who replaced them , for assorted personal reasons .
And who knows ?
Mr. Trump may already be planning a cheerful , jumbo-sized rally of his own on Inauguration Day .
MILLIONS SPENT ON NOT MUCH Political advertising was nonstop and epic in 2020 — and the spending on those ads proved to be a record-breaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on political ads this cycle than ever before — topping $ 8 billion with less than a week left until Election Day , ” reported Newsweek at the time , citing figures from Advertising Analytics , an industry research group — which gauged ad expenditures for the presidential , Senate , House , and state and local campaigns .
Was the money worth it ?
Uh , maybe not .
The intended audience for all that advertising was not particularly moved by it all .
Only 32 % of U.S. adults felt that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” on the election , according to a mammoth poll of over 12,000 people .
See what did actually move the voters in the Poll du Jour at column ’ s end .
President Trump marked the first birthday of the U.S. Space Force on Sunday with a formal message citing the nation ’ s historical accomplishments in space and the strategic advantages of the future .
“ As our beautiful American flag was planted on the Moon ’ s surface , it was clear what had brought humans to this new and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One year ago , we opened another chapter in the extraordinary history of American leadership in space , and strengthened America ’ s heritage as the world ’ s greatest arsenal of democracy , ” Mr. Trump said .
He also cited “ Semper Supra ” — the new force ’ s guiding phrase .
“ True to their motto , ‘ Always Above , ’ the Guardians of the United States Space Force ensure our nation continues to maintain peace through strength by securing the farthest reaches of humanity , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pioneers keep watch around the world by detecting missile launches , providing strategic advantages to our military and intelligence community , and propelling our Armed Forces into the future , ” he said .
“ The United States has the most capable military on Earth , and today , we celebrate the Space Force for extending our safety and security beyond it .
May God protect all those who serve our great Nation in uniform , and may He continue to bless the United States of America .
Semper Supra , ” Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. adults say “ news media coverage of the campaigns ” had a “ major impact ” on the presidential election ; 71 % of Republicans and 56 % of Democrats agree .
• 60 % overall say “ made up news and information intended to mislead the public ” had a major impact ; 69 % of Republicans and 54 % of Democrats agree .
• 48 % overall say “ social media companies ’ decisions about election content ” had a major impact ; 62 % of Republicans , and 37 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % overall say “ advertisements from the campaigns and other groups ” had a major impact ; 30 % of Republicans and 33 % of Democrats agree .
Source : A Pew Research Center poll of 12,648 U.S. adults conducted Nov. 18-29 and released Dec. 15 .

NEWS AND OPINION:
Let us review the “Great Reset,” a proposal released in May by the World Economic Forum and other global-minded folk who outlined a plan for planet-wide economic recovery. It’s complicated.
“The world must act jointly and swiftly to revamp all aspects of our societies and economies, from education to social contracts and working conditions. Every country, from the United States to China, must participate, and every industry, from oil and gas to tech, must be transformed. In short, we need a ‘Great Reset’ of capitalism,” the organization said in a master statement at the time.
The Great Reset embraces such mottoes as “You’ll own nothing, and you’ll be happy” and “The U.S. won’t be the world’s leading superpower,” says Marc Morano, founder of the Climate Depot, a canny online news site which tracks climate alarmism and other issues.
He found these phrases in a video produced by the World Economic Forum — WEF for short. The outreach, Mr. Morano says, is now coming for the greenest icon of the Christmas season.
“The Great Reset/Green New Deal/Build Back Better are all using COVID-19 and a ‘climate emergency,’ to very clearly lay out your future. No private ownership of homes or cars or even Christmas trees,” Mr. Morano said.
“There’s no way around the fact that Christmas has a large carbon footprint, from the traveling we do to the presents we give and the large amounts of food we eat. But it is possible to at least reduce the negative impacts. With climate change and carbon dioxide levels now major sources of concern, surely it is time to see what can be done to be friendlier to the environment, and the Christmas tree is a good place to start,” explained a research article featured at the WEF website, which came with how-to recommendations.
The transportation, harvesting and disposal of Christmas trees apparently contribute to their carbon foot print — or trunk print, as the case may be.
“World Economic Forum touts the Christmas tree ‘rental.’ Christmas trees are being rented over the festive period in a bid to stop millions from going to landfill. The trees are taken home in a pot and returned in the same one. The farm then re-plants it until the following year,” Mr. Morano said.
NOT GOING TO WORRY
There’s lots of bustling around in President-elect Joseph R. Biden‘s corner these days.
“Does the president-elect care whether President Trump attends the inauguration? Does he even want him there?” “Fox News Sunday” host Chris Wallace asked Jen Psaki, incoming White House press secretary.
“I would say it’s not on the top-10 list,” she replied, who added that no one was worrying about the possibility.
“Our focus is on getting the president-elect inaugurated, on pursuing our agenda moving forward, on getting the pandemic under control, on taking on the herculean task of distributing the vaccine — which is going to be a big part of our focus in the first couple of months. And so, we’re not too worried about who does or does not attend the inauguration,” Ms. Psaki advised.
It’s all happened before, though. Outgoing Presidents John Adams, John Quincy Adams and Andrew Johnson all skipped the inaugurations of the men who replaced them, for assorted personal reasons. And who knows? Mr. Trump may already be planning a cheerful, jumbo-sized rally of his own on Inauguration Day.
MILLIONS SPENT ON NOT MUCH
Political advertising was nonstop and epic in 2020 — and the spending on those ads proved to be a record-breaker.
“Campaigns have spent more money on political ads this cycle than ever before — topping $8 billion with less than a week left until Election Day,” reported Newsweek at the time, citing figures from Advertising Analytics, an industry research group — which gauged ad expenditures for the presidential, Senate, House, and state and local campaigns.
Was the money worth it? Uh, maybe not. The intended audience for all that advertising was not particularly moved by it all. Only 32% of U.S. adults felt that campaign advertising had a “major impact” on the election, according to a mammoth poll of over 12,000 people. See what did actually move the voters in the Poll du Jour at column’s end.
SEMPER SUPRA
President Trump marked the first birthday of the U.S. Space Force on Sunday with a formal message citing the nation’s historical accomplishments in space and the strategic advantages of the future.
“As our beautiful American flag was planted on the Moon’s surface, it was clear what had brought humans to this new and wondrous frontier — the American spirit. One year ago, we opened another chapter in the extraordinary history of American leadership in space, and strengthened America’s heritage as the world’s greatest arsenal of democracy,” Mr. Trump said.
He also cited “Semper Supra” — the new force’s guiding phrase.
“True to their motto, ‘Always Above,’ the Guardians of the United States Space Force ensure our nation continues to maintain peace through strength by securing the farthest reaches of humanity,” the president continued.
“These 21st century pioneers keep watch around the world by detecting missile launches, providing strategic advantages to our military and intelligence community, and propelling our Armed Forces into the future,” he said.
“The United States has the most capable military on Earth, and today, we celebrate the Space Force for extending our safety and security beyond it. May God protect all those who serve our great Nation in uniform, and may He continue to bless the United States of America. Semper Supra,” Mr. Trump concluded.
POLL DU JOUR
• 63% of U.S. adults say “news media coverage of the campaigns” had a “major impact” on the presidential election; 71% of Republicans and 56% of Democrats agree.
• 60% overall say “made up news and information intended to mislead the public” had a major impact; 69% of Republicans and 54% of Democrats agree.
• 48% overall say “social media companies’ decisions about election content” had a major impact; 62% of Republicans, and 37% of Democrats agree.
• 32% overall say “advertisements from the campaigns and other groups” had a major impact; 30% of Republicans and 33% of Democrats agree.
Source: A Pew Research Center poll of 12,648 U.S. adults conducted Nov. 18-29 and released Dec. 15.
• Kindly follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-20--Louisiana seeks private firm to build Lake Charles bridge

LAKE CHARLES , La .
( AP ) - A Louisiana legislative committee has approved a plan to seek private operators to build and maintain a new bridge over the Calcasieu River in Lake Charles in exchange for toll revenues .
The new Interstate 10 bridge , estimated to cost between $ 600 million and $ 800 million , would replace a 68-year-old structure built before the interstate highway system .
Officials say it doesn ’ t meet current highway standards .
The Joint Committee on Transportation , Highways and Public Works approved the plan for the state to seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s unclear what the toll might be .
“ I am not interested in seeing a $ 6 toll ( or ) a $ 5 toll , ” Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson told the American Press of Lake Charles .
“ I ’ m interested in seeing the least amount of money we can get for the shortest amount of time.
” George Swift , president and CEO of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance , said area officials want the lowest toll possible .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is about the only way we see that it can be done , ” Swift said .
A private entity would partner with the state to pay for construction of the bridge in exchange for a long-term agreement to operate the structure and recoup its investment .
“ We all agree that the time is now to deliver this bridge as best we can , ” Wilson said .
“ Waiting is no longer an option , and the cost is only going to increase.
” He noted that the state hasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 30 years , sapping public funding .
“ We ’ re not in a position to pay for this with our own resources , ” he said .
“ There ’ s no way we could deliver this project or any other billion-dollar project , quite frankly , with the 16-cent tax that dates back to the 1990s .
You have to attract private investment.
” The Lake Charles project is nearing the end of the environmental phase .
Three potential locations have been identified .
A site decision is expected in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in early 2023 .

LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) - A Louisiana legislative committee has approved a plan to seek private operators to build and maintain a new bridge over the Calcasieu River in Lake Charles in exchange for toll revenues.
The new Interstate 10 bridge, estimated to cost between $600 million and $800 million, would replace a 68-year-old structure built before the interstate highway system. Officials say it doesn’t meet current highway standards.
The Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works approved the plan for the state to seek proposals and sign a contract on Thursday.
It’s unclear what the toll might be.
“I am not interested in seeing a $6 toll (or) a $5 toll,” Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson told the American Press of Lake Charles. “I’m interested in seeing the least amount of money we can get for the shortest amount of time.”
George Swift, president and CEO of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, said area officials want the lowest toll possible.
“I think we can confidently say this is about the only way we see that it can be done,” Swift said.
A private entity would partner with the state to pay for construction of the bridge in exchange for a long-term agreement to operate the structure and recoup its investment.
“We all agree that the time is now to deliver this bridge as best we can,” Wilson said. “Waiting is no longer an option, and the cost is only going to increase.”
He noted that the state hasn’t increased its gasoline tax in more than 30 years, sapping public funding.
“We’re not in a position to pay for this with our own resources,” he said. “There’s no way we could deliver this project or any other billion-dollar project, quite frankly, with the 16-cent tax that dates back to the 1990s. You have to attract private investment.”
The Lake Charles project is nearing the end of the environmental phase. Three potential locations have been identified.
A site decision is expected in 2022 and a contract could be awarded in early 2023.


washingtontimes--2020-12-20--Mark Flessner, Chicago attorney, resigns over botched Anjanette Young raid

CHICAGO — The city of Chicago ’ s top attorney resigned Sunday in the fallout of a botched police raid on the home of a Black woman who was not allowed to put on clothes before being handcuffed .
Corporation Counsel Mark Flessner announced the move in an email to employees , saying he was only recently involved with the legal case connected to police video of the February 2019 wrongful raid on the home of social worker Anjanette Young .
Flessner did not say if he was asked to resign .
“ It is clear that the raid of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tragedy that we must learn from , ” Flessner said in a statement .
“ Standing up for racial injustice and fighting for equality within our justice system are crucial matters that we must continue to work toward addressing as a community.
” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Sunday she accepted Flessner ’ s his resignation effective immediately .
“ I am committed to a full review of everything that occurred surrounding this incident , will take corrective action where appropriate , and will hold people accountable , ” Lightfoot said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Young ’ s home , first reported by Chicago ’ s WBBM-TV , has prompted an uproar .
Civil rights groups , city aldermen , pastors and Black state legislators have called the incident racist , gendered violence and a violation of a Black woman ’ s dignity .
Police body camera video shows officers breaking down Young ’ s door and ignoring her repeated pleas that they have the wrong home .
Young , a social worker , said she did not have time to dress before officers stormed into her apartment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over her shoulders but because she was handcuffed it slipped off her shoulders , leaving her exposed again .
Lightfoot ’ s administration has been on the defensive for a series of missteps and controversial decisions related to the incident .
Lightfoot has apologized publicly .
Young was denied a Freedom of Information Act request to the city for footage of the incident last year .
She later obtained it through a lawsuit with the city .
However , Lightfoot ’ s administration recently admitted that it did not give Young ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The city then sought to block the footage from being aired on television , but was rejected in court .
City lawyers also tried to have Young sanctioned for apparently violating a confidentiality agreement , which they later withdrew .
The city recently released 20 files of footage of officers executing a search warrant .
Young has said it has been difficult to have the videos out publicly , but she wants accountability .
A message left Sunday for Young ’ s attorney wasn ’ t immediately returned .
The Civilian Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident .

CHICAGO — The city of Chicago’s top attorney resigned Sunday in the fallout of a botched police raid on the home of a Black woman who was not allowed to put on clothes before being handcuffed.
Corporation Counsel Mark Flessner announced the move in an email to employees, saying he was only recently involved with the legal case connected to police video of the February 2019 wrongful raid on the home of social worker Anjanette Young. Flessner did not say if he was asked to resign.
“It is clear that the raid of Anjanette Young’s home was a tragedy that we must learn from,” Flessner said in a statement. “Standing up for racial injustice and fighting for equality within our justice system are crucial matters that we must continue to work toward addressing as a community.”
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Sunday she accepted Flessner’s his resignation effective immediately.
“I am committed to a full review of everything that occurred surrounding this incident, will take corrective action where appropriate, and will hold people accountable,” Lightfoot said in a statement.
Footage of the raid on Anjanette Young’s home, first reported by Chicago’s WBBM-TV, has prompted an uproar. Civil rights groups, city aldermen, pastors and Black state legislators have called the incident racist, gendered violence and a violation of a Black woman’s dignity.
Police body camera video shows officers breaking down Young’s door and ignoring her repeated pleas that they have the wrong home. Young, a social worker, said she did not have time to dress before officers stormed into her apartment. An officer eventually put a blanket over her shoulders but because she was handcuffed it slipped off her shoulders, leaving her exposed again.
Lightfoot’s administration has been on the defensive for a series of missteps and controversial decisions related to the incident. Lightfoot has apologized publicly.
Young was denied a Freedom of Information Act request to the city for footage of the incident last year. She later obtained it through a lawsuit with the city. However, Lightfoot’s administration recently admitted that it did not give Young’s attorney all of the body camera footage.
The city then sought to block the footage from being aired on television, but was rejected in court. City lawyers also tried to have Young sanctioned for apparently violating a confidentiality agreement, which they later withdrew.
The city recently released 20 files of footage of officers executing a search warrant.
Young has said it has been difficult to have the videos out publicly, but she wants accountability. A message left Sunday for Young’s attorney wasn’t immediately returned.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability has been investigating the incident.


washingtontimes--2020-12-20--Fort Drum soldier found dead, investigation launched

SYRACUSE , N.Y. ( AP ) - A 20-year-old soldier from Tennessee who went missing from New York state ’ s Fort Drum was found dead , officials said Sunday , adding that an investigation has been launched .
Hayden Harris , of Guys , Tennessee , was last heard from Thursday night after he headed from Fort Drum to Watertown for a vehicle transaction , according to an Army statement .
The Army asked for help from the public , and police agencies in several states joined the search effort .
The Selmer Police Department in Tennessee reported on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was found dead .
Neither police nor the Army gave any details about how Harris died or where he was found .
The Army ’ s Criminal Investigation Command said foul play is suspected .
“ His death is a tremendous loss for his loved ones , this division and our nation , ” Brigadier Gen. Brett Funck , acting commander for Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division , said in a statement .
Harris , an infantryman with the 1st Squadron , 89th Cavalry Regiment , 2nd Brigade Combat Team , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before he joined the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum in July 2019 .
Fort Drum is located near the Canadian border , around 80 miles ( 130 kilometers ) north of Syracuse .
His awards and decorations include two Army Achievement Medals , the National Defense Service Medal , the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal , and the Army Service Ribbon .
He graduated Air Assault School in 2019 .
He was promoted from specialist to corporal following his death .

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) - A 20-year-old soldier from Tennessee who went missing from New York state’s Fort Drum was found dead, officials said Sunday, adding that an investigation has been launched.
Hayden Harris, of Guys, Tennessee, was last heard from Thursday night after he headed from Fort Drum to Watertown for a vehicle transaction, according to an Army statement. The Army asked for help from the public, and police agencies in several states joined the search effort.
The Selmer Police Department in Tennessee reported on its Facebook page Saturday evening that Harris was found dead. Neither police nor the Army gave any details about how Harris died or where he was found. The Army’s Criminal Investigation Command said foul play is suspected.
“His death is a tremendous loss for his loved ones, this division and our nation,” Brigadier Gen. Brett Funck, acting commander for Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division, said in a statement.
Harris, an infantryman with the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, trained at Fort Benning, Georgia, before he joined the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum in July 2019.
Fort Drum is located near the Canadian border, around 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of Syracuse.
His awards and decorations include two Army Achievement Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. He graduated Air Assault School in 2019.
He was promoted from specialist to corporal following his death.


washingtontimes--2020-12-20--Shreveport city workers to get one-time payment

SHREVEPORT , La .
( AP ) - City workers in northwest Louisiana will be getting a one-time payout , although the city says it doesn ’ t have enough money for a permanent pay raise .
The Shreveport City Council on Friday voted 6-1 to approve a payment of $ 1,000 for every full-time employee and $ 500 for every part-time employee .
Workers will get the money by Christmas , the Times of Shreveport reports .
Shreveport City Council member James Flurry said the payment is hazard pay for workers during the coronavirus pandemic , not a bonus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in excess of sales tax revenue .
City Council member John Nickelson said he voted against the move because the state constitution bars the city from paying a bonus to city employees .
He also said the federal CARES Act barred bonsues other than hazard pay or overtime .
The plan originally called for taking the money from federal coronavirus relief funds , but was amended to take the money from the city ’ s general fund .
“ I wish we could pay everybody more but we have to do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nickelson told KTBS-TV .
The city approved a permanent 4 % raise for police and fire employees on Dec. 8

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) - City workers in northwest Louisiana will be getting a one-time payout, although the city says it doesn’t have enough money for a permanent pay raise.
The Shreveport City Council on Friday voted 6-1 to approve a payment of $1,000 for every full-time employee and $500 for every part-time employee. Workers will get the money by Christmas, the Times of Shreveport reports.
Shreveport City Council member James Flurry said the payment is hazard pay for workers during the coronavirus pandemic, not a bonus, taken from more than $2 million in excess of sales tax revenue.
City Council member John Nickelson said he voted against the move because the state constitution bars the city from paying a bonus to city employees. He also said the federal CARES Act barred bonsues other than hazard pay or overtime. The plan originally called for taking the money from federal coronavirus relief funds, but was amended to take the money from the city’s general fund.
“I wish we could pay everybody more but we have to do it within constraints of our authority,” Nickelson told KTBS-TV.
The city approved a permanent 4% raise for police and fire employees on Dec. 8


washingtontimes--2020-12-20--Police investigate after man's body found in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - Police are investigating after a man was found dead Sunday morning @ @ @ @ @ Someone called police to report finding the man ’ s body near East 45th Street @ @ @ @ @ around 9 a.m. Sunday .
Kansas City Police Department spokeswoman Officer Donna Drake said first @ @ @ @ @ at the scene .
Drake said the man ’ s death was suspicious but she @ @ @ @ @ he died .
The victim ’ s name and age were not immediately released on @ @

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Police are investigating after a man was found dead Sunday morning in Kansas City, Missouri
Someone called police to report finding the man’s body near East 45th Street and Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard around 9 a.m. Sunday.
Kansas City Police Department spokeswoman Officer Donna Drake said first responders declared the man dead at the scene. Drake said the man’s death was suspicious but she didn’t say how he died.
The victim’s name and age were not immediately released on Sunday.


washingtontimes--2020-12-20--Highlights of $900 billion COVID-19 relief, wrapup bills

Congressional leaders have hashed out a massive , year-end catchall bill that combines $ 900 billion in COVID-19 aid with a $ 1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill and reams of other unfinished legislation on taxes , energy , education and health care .
The huge , still-unreleased bill is slated for votes on Monday - with lawmakers having only a few hours to read it before casting their votes .
Highlights of the measure with overall funding amounts and specific amounts for some but not necessarily all initiatives : Unemployment insurance ( $ 120 billion ) .
Revives supplemental federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per week - through March 14 - instead of the $ 600 per week benefit that expired in July .
Extends special pandemic benefits for “ gig ” workers and extends the maximum period for state-paid jobless benefits to 50 weeks .
Direct payments ( $ 166 billion ) .
Provides $ 600 direct payments to individuals making UP TO ?
?
$ 75,000 per year and couples making $ 150,000 per year , with $ 600 additional payments per dependent child .
Paycheck Protection Program ( $ 284 billion ) .
Revives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forgivable loans to qualified businesses .
Especially hard-hit businesses that received PPP grants would be eligible for a second round .
Ensures that PPP subsidies are not taxed .
Delivers more than $ 30 billion for procurement of vaccines and treatments , distribution funds for states , and a strategic stockpile .
Adds $ 22 billion for testing , tracing and mitigation , $ 9 billion for health care providers , and $ 4.5 billion for mental health .
Delivers $ 54 billion to public K-12 schools affected by the pandemic and $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 4 billion would be awarded to a Governors Emergency Education Relief Fund ; nearly $ 1 billion for Native American schools .
Provides money for a first-ever federal rental assistance program ; funds to be distributed by state and local governments to help people who have fallen behind on their rent and may be facing eviction .
Increases food stamp benefits by 15 % and provides funding to food banks , Meals on Wheels and other food aid .
Provides an equal amount ( $ 13 billion ) in aid to farmers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Child Care Development Block Grant to help families with child care costs and help providers cover increased operating costs .
Forgives a $ 10 billion loan to the Postal Service provided in earlier relief legislation .

Congressional leaders have hashed out a massive, year-end catchall bill that combines $900 billion in COVID-19 aid with a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill and reams of other unfinished legislation on taxes, energy, education and health care. The huge, still-unreleased bill is slated for votes on Monday - with lawmakers having only a few hours to read it before casting their votes.
Highlights of the measure with overall funding amounts and specific amounts for some but not necessarily all initiatives:
___
DIRECT ECONOMIC RELIEF ($286 billion)
Unemployment insurance ($120 billion). Revives supplemental federal pandemic unemployment benefits but at $300 per week - through March 14 - instead of the $600 per week benefit that expired in July. Extends special pandemic benefits for “gig” workers and extends the maximum period for state-paid jobless benefits to 50 weeks.
Direct payments ($166 billion). Provides $600 direct payments to individuals making UP TO?? $75,000 per year and couples making $150,000 per year, with $600 additional payments per dependent child.
___
SMALL BUSINESS ($325 billion)
Paycheck Protection Program ($284 billion). Revives the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides forgivable loans to qualified businesses. Especially hard-hit businesses that received PPP grants would be eligible for a second round. Ensures that PPP subsidies are not taxed.
___
VACCINE, TESTING, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ($69 billion)
Delivers more than $30 billion for procurement of vaccines and treatments, distribution funds for states, and a strategic stockpile. Adds $22 billion for testing, tracing and mitigation, $9 billion for health care providers, and $4.5 billion for mental health.
___
SCHOOLS ($82 billion)
Delivers $54 billion to public K-12 schools affected by the pandemic and $23 billion for colleges and universities; $4 billion would be awarded to a Governors Emergency Education Relief Fund; nearly $1 billion for Native American schools.
___
RENTAL ASSISTANCE ($25 billion)
Provides money for a first-ever federal rental assistance program; funds to be distributed by state and local governments to help people who have fallen behind on their rent and may be facing eviction.
___
FOOD/FARM AID ($26 billion)
Increases food stamp benefits by 15% and provides funding to food banks, Meals on Wheels and other food aid. Provides an equal amount ($13 billion) in aid to farmers and ranchers.
___
CHILD CARE ($10 billion)
Provides $10 billion to the Child Care Development Block Grant to help families with child care costs and help providers cover increased operating costs.
___
POSTAL SERVICE ($10 billion)
Forgives a $10 billion loan to the Postal Service provided in earlier relief legislation.


washingtontimes--2020-12-20--Asian shares skid despite US economic stimulus deal

Shares started the week out on a sour note in Asia as worsening coronavirus outbreaks overshadowed news that U.S. lawmakers finally have a deal on more support for American families and businesses .
Markets fell in Japan , Hong Kong and South Korea on Monday but rose in Shanghai .
Passage of the nearly $ 1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package was expected later Monday .
However , a resurgence of virus outbreaks around the globe has dented optimism that vaccines can bring a swift end to the pandemic .
Most investors had already factored in expectations for the fresh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a commentary .
“ The tentative accord on the approximate $ 900 billion coronavirus stimulus deal , having been the talk of the town for weeks , brought forth little fresh enthusiasm for markets , ” Pan said .
In Asia , new COVID-19 outbreaks have led authorities to impose lockdowns or other restrictions in Australia and Thailand .
In Japan , the government has suspended a travel promotion program and advised restaurants and bars to close early .
Meanwhile , in Britain the spread of an especially contagious form of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other activity .
Other European governments are likewise stepping up measures to contain a resurgence of the pandemic .
Tokyo ’ s Nikkei 225 index lost 0.6 % to 26,613.05 while in Hong Kong the Hang Seng declined 0.5 % to 26,368.23 .
South Korea ’ s Kospi declined 0.6 % to 2,755.37 and in Australia , the S & P ; /ASX 200 shed 0.5 % to 6,643.60 .
The Shanghai Composite index gained 0.3 % to 3,406.04 .
Shares rose in Taiwan but fell in Singapore .
The U.S. stimulus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per week supplemental jobless benefits and $ 600 direct stimulus payments to most Americans , along with a fresh round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses and funding for schools , health care providers , and renters facing eviction .
The final agreement was reached after a breakthrough over Federal Reserve emergency powers was resolved by the Senate ’ s top Democrat and a senior conservative Republican .
Wall Street retreated on Friday as investors waited to see if Congress would deliver on its promises of more cash for struggling workers and businesses .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.4 % , a day after it and other major indexes returned to record heights .
The decline snapped a three-day winning streak for the benchmark index , but it still notched a 1.3 % weekly gain that more than made up its prior week ’ s loss .
Friday was a quadruple “ witching day , ” Wall Street-speak for the quarterly expiration of stock options and futures contracts , which forces traders to tie up loose ends in contracts they hold , leading to particularly heavy trading volume .
The S @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points to 3,709.41 .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.4 % to 30,179.05 .
The Nasdaq composite gave up 0.1 % to 12,755.64 .
The Russell 2000 dropped 0.4 % to 1,969.99 .
The worsening pandemic has been tightening its chokehold on the economy Reports last week showed more workers are applying for jobless benefits and sales for retailers slumped by more last month than economists expected .
Wall Street ’ s hope is that big stimulus for the economy might help carry it through a tough winter , until the widespread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But it will be months before most people can get the shots , and the pandemic is likely to do even more damage in the interim .
In the bond market , the yield on the 10-year Treasury was at 0.93 % , down slightly from 0.94 % late Friday .
U.S. benchmark crude oil lost $ 1.46 to $ 47.78 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange .
It gained 70 cents to $ 49.24 per barrel on Friday .
Brent crude , the international standard , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barrel .
The dollar slipped to 103.29 Japanese yen from 103.32 yen on Friday .
The dollar ’ s prolonged weakness against the yen prompted Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to warn that the government did not want to see the dollar-yen rate fall below 100 yen .
The euro slipped to $ 1.2212 from $ 1.2262 .

Asian shares retreated on Tuesday, extending losses on growing worries over a new, potentially more infectious strain of the coronavirus.
The outbreaks are raising worries that the world economy may take even worse punishment.
Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.5% to 26,595.52. In Hong Kong the Hang Seng edged 0.2% lower to 26,262.02. South Korea’s Kospi declined 0.6% to 2,760.93. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 gave up 0.7% to 6,626.70. The Shanghai Composite index shed 0.4% to 3,406.30.
With new uncertainties, “investors appear to be treading more cautiously in Asia this morning, getting more selective and probably waiting for the new mutant virus to be better understood before aggressively diving back into the Airlines, Travel & Leisure vaccinated bandwagon,” Stephen Innes of Axi said in a commentary.
Stocks, oil prices and Treasury yields fell on Monday, a sign investors are uneasy about the economy.
News of the new and potentially more infectious strain of the coronavirus has countries around the world restricting travel from the United Kingdom. That has traders worried about the possible economic consequences should it spread to other countries or prove resistant to vaccines being distributed now.
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson put London and the southeast of England in a new level of restrictions after scientific advisers warned they had detected the new variant of the coronavirus. There is no evidence that the new strain’s mutations make it more deadly, but it seems to infect more easily than others.
The S&P 500 fell 1.4% to 3,694.92. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1% to 30,216.45. The Nasdaq composite slipped 0.1% to 12,742.52. The Russell 2000 small-cap index gained 0.1% to 1,970.33.
Encouraging news out of Washington helped keep the selling in check. Congress finally approved a $900 billion relief effort for the economy that includes $600 in cash payments for most Americans, extra benefits for laid-off workers and other financial support.
Economists and investors have been clamoring for such aid for months, and a recent upswing in momentum for talks had stock prices rising in anticipation of a deal. Analysts said some traders may have been selling to lock in profits, with the compromise all but assured and prices close to the highest they’ve ever been. Even after Monday’s drop, the S&P 500 is back only to where it was earlier this month.
Across the Atlantic, negotiators blew past a Sunday deadline set for talks on trade terms for the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union. Investors have been fixed on the progress of those talks because a Brexit with no deal could cause massive disruptions for businesses on New Year’s Day.
Monday was also the first day of trading for Tesla since joining the S&P 500 index. The electric-vehicle maker surged so much this year, nearly 731% as of Friday evening, that some critics say its price doesn’t make sense. But its inclusion in the benchmark index triggered $90.3 billion in trades, as the company instantly became the sixth-biggest in the S&P 500. Tesla slumped 6.5% Monday.
The yield on the 10-year Treasury held steady at 0.93%.
Benchmark U.S. crude oil lost 27 cents to $47.70 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It gave up $1.27 on Monday to $47.97 per barrel.
Brent crude, the international standard, slipped 23 cents to $50.68 per barrel.
The dollar rose to 103.41 Japanese yen from 103.31 yen on Monday. The euro fell to $1.2232 from $1.2243.
___
AP Business Writers Stan Choe and Alex Veiga contributed.


washingtontimes--2020-12-20--Bill Lee, Tennessee governor, limits social gatherings,  forgoes mask mandate

NASHVILLE , Tenn. – Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee has announced new social gathering restrictions while still refusing to implement @ @ @ @ @ from front-line healthcare workers in a state experiencing the highest new cases per capita in @ @ @ @ @ a mask mandate , the Republican on Sunday signed an executive order limiting public gatherings @ @ @ @ @ , places of worship , weddings and funerals are exempt from the order .
He @ @ @ @ @ zero ” in the COVID-19 battle and urged Tennesseans not to gather with people outside @ @ @ @ @ upcoming holidays .
His message comes just a day after Lee confirmed that his wife @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
Lee says he has tested negative but will remain in quarantine at the @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee is one of a dozen states without a mask mandate .
Instead , local @ @ @ @ @ implementing their own mask restrictions .
Lee was originally scheduled to take reporter questions after @ @ @ @ @ his office later postponed that until Monday without giving a reason why .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has announced new social gathering restrictions while still refusing to implement a mask mandate despite pleas from front-line healthcare workers in a state experiencing the highest new cases per capita in the country.
Instead of a mask mandate, the Republican on Sunday signed an executive order limiting public gatherings to 10 people. However, places of worship, weddings and funerals are exempt from the order.
He called the state “ground zero” in the COVID-19 battle and urged Tennesseans not to gather with people outside their immediate households during the upcoming holidays. His message comes just a day after Lee confirmed that his wife Maria had tested positive for COVID-19. Lee says he has tested negative but will remain in quarantine at the governor’s residence.
Tennessee is one of a dozen states without a mask mandate. Instead, local counties have the option of implementing their own mask restrictions.
Lee was originally scheduled to take reporter questions after his statewide address, but his office later postponed that until Monday without giving a reason why.


washingtontimes--2020-12-20--Tennessee governor limits gatherings, resists mask mandate

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee on Sunday announced new social gathering restrictions while still refusing to implement a mask mandate despite pleas from front-line health care workers in a state experiencing the highest new cases per capita in the country .
“ Many people think that a statewide mask mandate would improve mask wearing .
Many think it would have the opposite effect .
This has been a heavily politicized issue , please do not get caught up in that , ” Lee said during a rare statewide address that lasted just over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state “ ground zero ” in the COVID-19 battle and urged Tennesseans not to gather with people outside their immediate households during the upcoming holidays .
Yet instead of a mask mandate , Lee signed an executive order limiting public gatherings to 10 people .
However , places of worship , weddings and funerals are exempt from the order .
His message comes just a day after Lee confirmed that his wife Maria had tested positive for COVID-19 .
Lee said he has tested negative but will remain in quarantine at the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
But for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , the highly contagious virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal .
Tennessee is one of a dozen states without a mask mandate .
Instead , local counties have the option of implementing their own mask restrictions .
The White House has repeatedly recommended Tennessee adopt such statewide mandates as cases skyrocket .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has long advised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent people who are infected - whether they know it or not - from spreading the coronavirus .
“ Tonight , I am asking you to make some hard decisions , ” Lee said .
“ I am asking you to not engage in indoor gatherings for the holidays that include anyone outside your household.
” Lee was originally scheduled to take reporter questions after his statewide address , but his office later postponed that until Monday without giving a reason why .
Lee ’ s continued reluctance to avoid issuing a statewide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curb the spread of the disease has frustrated Democratic leaders and medical workers .
Some Democratic lawmakers on social media called for the governor to resign , while health care staffers once again asked Lee to listen to the workers who have been battling the virus first-hand .
“ Tennessee needs a statewide mask mandate , and other interventions , to get COVID under control so that Tennesseans can safely stay at work , provide for their families , and keep their kids in school - and most importantly , to save lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a critical care pulmonologist currently treating COVID-19 patients .
“ Gov .
Lee , we still need you to do your part.
” Meanwhile , earlier Sunday , Tennessee ’ s Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey issued a strong warning that the state ’ s hospitals were reaching a breaking point and staffing was becoming increasingly more difficult .
She pleaded with the public not to gather with others outside of their immediate households .
“ If we have another surge after Christmas and New Year ’ s like we did after Thanksgiving , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Piercey told reporters .
According to Piercey , two hospitals have had to ask the state for help in securing emergency ventilators in the past week .
Meanwhile , National Guard medical personnel are helping staff a handful of hospitals to help handle the spike in coronavirus patients .
And a state board just recently approved allowing COVID-19 positive staff continue working at long-term care facilities - an option not available for hospitals .
There were roughly 1,567 new cases per 100,000 people in Tennessee over the past two weeks , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases per capita , according to researchers with Johns Hopkins .
One in every 112 people in Tennessee tested positive in the past week .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Sunday announced new social gathering restrictions while still refusing to implement a mask mandate despite pleas from front-line health care workers in a state experiencing the highest new cases per capita in the country.
“Many people think that a statewide mask mandate would improve mask wearing. Many think it would have the opposite effect. This has been a heavily politicized issue, please do not get caught up in that,” Lee said during a rare statewide address that lasted just over five minutes.
The Republican called the state “ground zero” in the COVID-19 battle and urged Tennesseans not to gather with people outside their immediate households during the upcoming holidays.
Yet instead of a mask mandate, Lee signed an executive order limiting public gatherings to 10 people. However, places of worship, weddings and funerals are exempt from the order.
His message comes just a day after Lee confirmed that his wife Maria had tested positive for COVID-19. Lee said he has tested negative but will remain in quarantine at the governor’s residence.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the highly contagious virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal.
Tennessee is one of a dozen states without a mask mandate. Instead, local counties have the option of implementing their own mask restrictions. The White House has repeatedly recommended Tennessee adopt such statewide mandates as cases skyrocket.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has long advised people to wear masks because they help prevent people who are infected - whether they know it or not - from spreading the coronavirus.
“Tonight, I am asking you to make some hard decisions,” Lee said. “I am asking you to not engage in indoor gatherings for the holidays that include anyone outside your household.”
Lee was originally scheduled to take reporter questions after his statewide address, but his office later postponed that until Monday without giving a reason why.
Lee’s continued reluctance to avoid issuing a statewide mask mandate and other restrictions to help curb the spread of the disease has frustrated Democratic leaders and medical workers. Some Democratic lawmakers on social media called for the governor to resign, while health care staffers once again asked Lee to listen to the workers who have been battling the virus first-hand.
“Tennessee needs a statewide mask mandate, and other interventions, to get COVID under control so that Tennesseans can safely stay at work, provide for their families, and keep their kids in school - and most importantly, to save lives,” said Dr. Aaron Milstone, a critical care pulmonologist currently treating COVID-19 patients. “Gov. Lee, we still need you to do your part.”
Meanwhile, earlier Sunday, Tennessee’s Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey issued a strong warning that the state’s hospitals were reaching a breaking point and staffing was becoming increasingly more difficult. She pleaded with the public not to gather with others outside of their immediate households.
“If we have another surge after Christmas and New Year’s like we did after Thanksgiving, it will completely break our hospitals,” Piercey told reporters.
According to Piercey, two hospitals have had to ask the state for help in securing emergency ventilators in the past week. Meanwhile, National Guard medical personnel are helping staff a handful of hospitals to help handle the spike in coronavirus patients. And a state board just recently approved allowing COVID-19 positive staff continue working at long-term care facilities - an option not available for hospitals.
There were roughly 1,567 new cases per 100,000 people in Tennessee over the past two weeks, which ranks first in the country for new cases per capita, according to researchers with Johns Hopkins. One in every 112 people in Tennessee tested positive in the past week.
___
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.