skynewsus--2020-11-17--Spanish businessman paid $28m in 'lucrative' PPE deal - US court papers

A Spanish businessman was paid more than $ 28m ( £21m ) as part of a `` lucrative '' deal by a Florida company to supply personal protective equipment ( PPE ) to the UK government , US court documents reveal .
Gabriel Gonzalez Andersson was hired by Miami-based Saiger to help procure the goods in March this year - at the height of the coronavirus pandemic - according to legal documents .
Saiger has been handed contracts totalling nearly £300m to supply PPE and hand sanitiser during the pandemic , according to government procurement database Tussell .
The arrangement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the UK by campaigners who say Saiger is a jewellery company with no experience of supplying PPE and that the deals were offered without any competitive tendering process .
Details emerged in court papers related to a dispute between Saiger and Mr Andersson .
The document submitted to a Florida court says that Michael Saiger set up the business earlier this year to help governments obtain bulk orders of PPE in response to the coronavirus crisis .
They say that at the time , Mr Saiger had `` significant experience in working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that based on this experience he was `` able to secure a number of lucrative contracts with the government of the United Kingdom '' .
Saiger then hired Mr Andersson to be involved in `` procurement , logistics , due diligence , product sourcing and quality control '' of the PPE equipment .
The Spanish businessman `` did very well under this arrangement '' and was paid $ 28m , lawyers for Saiger say .
But Saiger alleges that after a similar arrangement in June to supply gloves and gowns , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 21m ( £16m ) , he `` stopped performing any of the required services '' .
The Florida company was left to `` scramble '' to complete the work , resulting in `` business interruptions that delayed the delivery of PPE to healthcare providers and first responders in the United Kingdon during the COVID-19 pandemic '' .
Two campaigning organisations , the Good Law Project and Everydoctor , claim the government overpaid for goods supplied under the contracts .
Jolyon Maugham QC , director of the Good Law Project , said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - in simple black and white - the staggering sums flowing from public coffers to private pockets .
`` Who could blame individuals for joining the queue if government is handing out free money ?
`` But you and I - and our children - are going to have to pay higher taxes because government 's incompetence handed fortunes big enough to last generations to obscure foreign businessmen . ''
The DHSC said : `` We have been working tirelessly to deliver PPE , delivering more than 4.9 billion items to the frontline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ items have been ordered to provide a continuous supply , which will meet the future needs of health and social care staff .
`` Proper due diligence is carried out for all government contracts and we take these checks extremely seriously . ''
Saiger told Sky News in a statement : `` We have an extensive network of manufacturing and distribution contacts in Asia and we are an agile , nimble firm able to move rapidly .
`` These attributes mean that few other suppliers can match us on speed , quality or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ height of the pandemic , and at a time when the NHS was in need of high-quality PPE that met the required safety standards , we delivered for Britain , on time and at value .
`` At no time have we ever used any 'middlemen '' .

A Spanish businessman was paid more than $28m (£21m) as part of a "lucrative" deal by a Florida company to supply personal protective equipment (PPE) to the UK government, US court documents reveal.
Gabriel Gonzalez Andersson was hired by Miami-based Saiger to help procure the goods in March this year - at the height of the coronavirus pandemic - according to legal documents.
Saiger has been handed contracts totalling nearly £300m to supply PPE and hand sanitiser during the pandemic, according to government procurement database Tussell.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 10:15 Coronavirus Pandemic: NHS Frontline
The arrangement is subject to a separate legal challenge in the UK by campaigners who say Saiger is a jewellery company with no experience of supplying PPE and that the deals were offered without any competitive tendering process.
Details emerged in court papers related to a dispute between Saiger and Mr Andersson.
The document submitted to a Florida court says that Michael Saiger set up the business earlier this year to help governments obtain bulk orders of PPE in response to the coronavirus crisis.
They say that at the time, Mr Saiger had "significant experience in working with manufacturers and distributors in China" and that based on this experience he was "able to secure a number of lucrative contracts with the government of the United Kingdom".
Saiger then hired Mr Andersson to be involved in "procurement, logistics, due diligence, product sourcing and quality control" of the PPE equipment.
The Spanish businessman "did very well under this arrangement" and was paid $28m, lawyers for Saiger say.
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Image: The court case alleges there was a delay in supplying PPE to the UK
But Saiger alleges that after a similar arrangement in June to supply gloves and gowns, for which Mr Andersson would have been paid $21m (£16m), he "stopped performing any of the required services".
The Florida company was left to "scramble" to complete the work, resulting in "business interruptions that delayed the delivery of PPE to healthcare providers and first responders in the United Kingdon during the COVID-19 pandemic".
Mr Andersson denies the allegations.
Two campaigning organisations, the Good Law Project and Everydoctor, claim the government overpaid for goods supplied under the contracts.
Jolyon Maugham QC, director of the Good Law Project, said: "At last we can all see - in simple black and white - the staggering sums flowing from public coffers to private pockets.
"Who could blame individuals for joining the queue if government is handing out free money?
"But you and I - and our children - are going to have to pay higher taxes because government's incompetence handed fortunes big enough to last generations to obscure foreign businessmen."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:36 Face masks: £252m supply can't be used by NHS
The DHSC said: "We have been working tirelessly to deliver PPE, delivering more than 4.9 billion items to the frontline so far.
"Almost 32 billion items have been ordered to provide a continuous supply, which will meet the future needs of health and social care staff.
"Proper due diligence is carried out for all government contracts and we take these checks extremely seriously."
Saiger told Sky News in a statement: "We have an extensive network of manufacturing and distribution contacts in Asia and we are an agile, nimble firm able to move rapidly.
"These attributes mean that few other suppliers can match us on speed, quality or value to the taxpayer. At the height of the pandemic, and at a time when the NHS was in need of high-quality PPE that met the required safety standards, we delivered for Britain, on time and at value.
"At no time have we ever used any 'middlemen".


skynewsus--2020-11-18--Pfizer vaccine 95% effective and will be submitted for authorisation 'within days'

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has now proved 95 % effective in preventing coronavirus and has met the safety criteria needed for emergency authorisation , the firms have said .
Pfizer and BioNTech say they plan to submit the COVID-19 vaccine to the US regulator for emergency use approval `` within days '' after `` no serious safety concerns '' were reported .
The UK regulator , the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) , is also poised to fast-track authorisation of the vaccine after the government ordered enough for 20 million people .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NHS will be ready to roll them out to the most vulnerable from 1 December .
Final efficacy analysis of the jab showed 95 % were protected from the virus within 28 days of the first dose - up from when results of Phase 3 trials were shared last week .
It also proved 94 % effective among adults over the age of 65 - who are generally more vulnerable .
There were no serious side effects , with only 2 % of the 43,000 participants reporting a headache and 3.7 % reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 November , Pfizer became the first company in the world to complete Phase 3 of its coronavirus vaccine trials , which showed 90 % efficacy .
The news was followed earlier this week by an announcement from US pharmaceutical firm Moderna that its own vaccine candidate had a similarly promising efficacy of 94.5 % .
So far the UK government has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech jab - enough for 20 million people - and five million - for use on 2.5 million patients - of the Moderna one .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be able to produce 50 million doses this year and 1.3 billion in 2021 .
Professor Stephen Powis , medical director for NHS England , today told a Downing Street briefing that the health service is `` working hard '' to ensure it has the means to deliver the vaccines .
He said this would be through traditional vaccine routes such as GPs and pharmacies , but also vaccine centres .
`` We are planning for different types of vaccine and the plans around the delivery mechanism , with this contingent upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes from the trials and the advice from regulators , '' he said .
`` We will be saying more about this in the next few days but meanwhile we are working hard , we are ensuring we have a workforce to do this , I have talked about general practice who are stepping up for this , but St John 's are also recruiting volunteers , so we have additional vaccine workforce . ''
St John Ambulance Service this week confirmed it has been approached to train thousands of volunteers to administer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pfizer 's have to be kept at sub-zero temperatures .
Pfizer chairman and chief executive Dr Albert Bourla said : `` The study results mark an important step in this historic eight-month journey to bring forward a vaccine capable of helping to end this devastating pandemic .
`` We continue to move at the speed of science to compile all the data collected thus far and share with regulators around the world . ''
Pfizer and Moderna 's vaccine trials are two of around 12 worldwide , including one being developed by AstraZeneca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final stages of testing .
Analysis : Most significant news yet provides massive tick in the COVID vaccine wish-list By Thomas Moore , science correspondent Of all the exciting recent news on COVID vaccines , this is perhaps the most significant of all .
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine works in the people who need it the most .
In the over-65s it was over 94 % effective against the disease .
It 's a massive tick in the wish-list for a vaccine .
The immune systems of older people do n't generally work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the latest data shows the vaccine is just about as effective in people of all ages .
The companies also say the overall effectiveness of the vaccine is now 95 % , up from the 90 % suggested by the interim analysis last week .
That 's the same as the Moderna vaccine , which uses similar technology .
The clinical trials on just over 43,000 volunteers found no serious safety concerns .
A few had headaches and fatigue , but that 's not unusual for a vaccine .
One big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immunity last ?
If people need regular booster doses that will stretch manufacturing capacity still further .
The answer to that will come from the ongoing monitoring of antibody and T-cell levels in people who have had the vaccine .
In the short term , the success of this vaccine will depend on the logistics .
Its activity depends on the dry ice and heavily insulated container that keeps it at minus 70C for up to 15 days .
Raise the temperature by just 10 degrees and it may not work .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now the NHS and its suppliers need to get it where it 's needed , and fast .

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has now proved 95% effective in preventing coronavirus and has met the safety criteria needed for emergency authorisation, the firms have said.
Pfizer and BioNTech say they plan to submit the COVID-19 vaccine to the US regulator for emergency use approval "within days" after "no serious safety concerns" were reported.
The UK regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), is also poised to fast-track authorisation of the vaccine after the government ordered enough for 20 million people.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said that, pending authorisation, the NHS will be ready to roll them out to the most vulnerable from 1 December.
Final efficacy analysis of the jab showed 95% were protected from the virus within 28 days of the first dose - up from when results of Phase 3 trials were shared last week.
It also proved 94% effective among adults over the age of 65 - who are generally more vulnerable.
There were no serious side effects, with only 2% of the 43,000 participants reporting a headache and 3.7% reporting fatigue, the companies said.
On 9 November, Pfizer became the first company in the world to complete Phase 3 of its coronavirus vaccine trials, which showed 90% efficacy.
The news was followed earlier this week by an announcement from US pharmaceutical firm Moderna that its own vaccine candidate had a similarly promising efficacy of 94.5%.
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So far the UK government has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech jab - enough for 20 million people - and five million - for use on 2.5 million patients - of the Moderna one.
The US and German companies say they will be able to produce 50 million doses this year and 1.3 billion in 2021.
Professor Stephen Powis, medical director for NHS England, today told a Downing Street briefing that the health service is "working hard" to ensure it has the means to deliver the vaccines.
He said this would be through traditional vaccine routes such as GPs and pharmacies, but also vaccine centres.
"We are planning for different types of vaccine and the plans around the delivery mechanism, with this contingent upon the particular vaccine and the data that comes from the trials and the advice from regulators," he said.
"We will be saying more about this in the next few days but meanwhile we are working hard, we are ensuring we have a workforce to do this, I have talked about general practice who are stepping up for this, but St John's are also recruiting volunteers, so we have additional vaccine workforce."
:: Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
St John Ambulance Service this week confirmed it has been approached to train thousands of volunteers to administer vaccines, which in the case of Pfizer's have to be kept at sub-zero temperatures.
Reacting to the findings, Professor Trudie Lang of Oxford University said: "This is a remarkable and very reassuring situation that we find ourselves in.
"To go from identifying a new virus to having several vaccines at the point of applying for regulatory approval is an incredible milestone for science."
But Professor Stephen Evans of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said that "relying on a press release is not enough" and more safety data is needed.
King's College London professor Dr Penny Ward also noted the lack of detail about whether there were any deaths or serious hospitalisations.
Pfizer chairman and chief executive Dr Albert Bourla said: "The study results mark an important step in this historic eight-month journey to bring forward a vaccine capable of helping to end this devastating pandemic.
"We continue to move at the speed of science to compile all the data collected thus far and share with regulators around the world."
Pfizer and Moderna's vaccine trials are two of around 12 worldwide, including one being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, that are in the final stages of testing.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:06 COVID-19 vaccine: Will it end the crisis?
Analysis: Most significant news yet provides massive tick in the COVID vaccine wish-list
By Thomas Moore, science correspondent
Of all the exciting recent news on COVID vaccines, this is perhaps the most significant of all.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine works in the people who need it the most. In the over-65s it was over 94% effective against the disease.
It's a massive tick in the wish-list for a vaccine.
The immune systems of older people don't generally work as well as those of the young.
But the latest data shows the vaccine is just about as effective in people of all ages.
The companies also say the overall effectiveness of the vaccine is now 95%, up from the 90% suggested by the interim analysis last week.
That's the same as the Moderna vaccine, which uses similar technology.
The clinical trials on just over 43,000 volunteers found no serious safety concerns. A few had headaches and fatigue, but that's not unusual for a vaccine.
One big scientific question remains. How long does immunity last? If people need regular booster doses that will stretch manufacturing capacity still further.
The answer to that will come from the ongoing monitoring of antibody and T-cell levels in people who have had the vaccine.
In the short term, the success of this vaccine will depend on the logistics.
Its activity depends on the dry ice and heavily insulated container that keeps it at minus 70C for up to 15 days. Raise the temperature by just 10 degrees and it may not work.
It's a smart and effective vaccine. Now the NHS and its suppliers need to get it where it's needed, and fast.


skynewsus--2020-11-18--Trump sacks cyber security boss who told him election wasn't rigged

Donald Trump has sacked the head of a government agency that he set up to ensure the reliability of voting , over his insistence that the election was fair and secure .
The president publicly fired Christopher Krebs , former Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA ) , on Twitter .
Mr Trump tweeted : `` The recent statement by Chris Krebs on the security of the 2020 Election was highly inaccurate , in that there were massive improprieties and fraud - including dead people voting , Poll Watchers not allowed into polling locations , 'glitches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes from Trump to Biden , late voting , and many more .
`` Therefore , effective immediately , Chris Krebs has been terminated as Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency . ''
Mr Krebs , who was hired by Mr Trump in 2016 , tweeted a report on Tuesday that cited almost 60 election security officials which said there was no credible evidence of computer fraud in the election .
He has repeatedly denied claims by the president that the election was fraudulent , saying last week : `` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in American history . ''
According to reports in US media , Mr Krebs was warned the White House may begin to attack him personally following his refusal to defend the president , after supporters of Mr Trump began targeting him .
He apparently learned of his sacking via President Trump 's tweet .
Tweeting after his dismissal , Mr Krebs wrote : `` Honored to serve .
We did it right .
Defend Today , Secure Tomorrow .
# Protect2020 '' .
The outgoing president remains staunchly defiant that fraud took place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuits in swing states in an attempt to get results overturned - despite having no hard evidence of any wrongdoing .
Reacting to the sacking of Mr Krebs , US Representative Adam Schiff , a Democrat who chairs the House Intelligence Committee , praised the former director , saying he `` worked diligently to safeguard our elections , provide vital support to state and local election officials , and inform the American people about what was true and what was not '' .
He added : `` Instead of rewarding this great service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Krebs and other officials who did their duty .
`` It 's pathetic , but sadly predictable that upholding and protecting our democratic processes would be cause for firing . ''
It is not the first personnel change Mr Trump has made since the election , after firing his defence secretary Mark Esper , in an attempt to sure up support in the Pentagon .
President-elect Joe Biden 's office did not immediately return a request for comment .

Donald Trump has sacked the head of a government agency that he set up to ensure the reliability of voting, over his insistence that the election was fair and secure.
The president publicly fired Christopher Krebs, former Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), on Twitter.
Mr Trump tweeted: "The recent statement by Chris Krebs on the security of the 2020 Election was highly inaccurate, in that there were massive improprieties and fraud - including dead people voting, Poll Watchers not allowed into polling locations, 'glitches' in the voting machines which changed votes from Trump to Biden, late voting, and many more.
"Therefore, effective immediately, Chris Krebs has been terminated as Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:21 US Election: Trump supporters remain vocal
Mr Krebs, who was hired by Mr Trump in 2016, tweeted a report on Tuesday that cited almost 60 election security officials which said there was no credible evidence of computer fraud in the election.
He has repeatedly denied claims by the president that the election was fraudulent, saying last week: "The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history."
According to reports in US media, Mr Krebs was warned the White House may begin to attack him personally following his refusal to defend the president, after supporters of Mr Trump began targeting him.
He apparently learned of his sacking via President Trump's tweet.
Tweeting after his dismissal, Mr Krebs wrote: "Honored to serve. We did it right. Defend Today, Secure Tomorrow. #Protect2020".
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The outgoing president remains staunchly defiant that fraud took place during the election and is still opening lawsuits in swing states in an attempt to get results overturned - despite having no hard evidence of any wrongdoing.
Reacting to the sacking of Mr Krebs, US Representative Adam Schiff, a Democrat who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, praised the former director, saying he "worked diligently to safeguard our elections, provide vital support to state and local election officials, and inform the American people about what was true and what was not".
He added: "Instead of rewarding this great service, President Trump is retaliating against Director Krebs and other officials who did their duty.
"It's pathetic, but sadly predictable that upholding and protecting our democratic processes would be cause for firing."
It is not the first personnel change Mr Trump has made since the election, after firing his defence secretary Mark Esper, in an attempt to sure up support in the Pentagon.
President-elect Joe Biden's office did not immediately return a request for comment.


skynewsus--2020-11-18--Bride and groom among  32 infected at Ohio superspreader wedding

An Ohio wedding attended by 83 guests has become the latest superspreader event in which nearly half of attendees contracted COVID-19 .
The recent nuptials resulted in 32 people catching the virus - including the couple , Anthony and Mikayla Bishop , and three of their grandparents , two of which needed emergency care .
The couple told their local news station in Ohio , NBC-affiliated television station WLWT , that they had taken precautions for their big day .
With a local rise in cases , they opted to significantly reduce their guest list down from 200 .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also distributed at the event - but apart from the couple 's grandparents , very few people took up the offer , even during the close contact dancing at the reception .
Mikayla said she was surprised that people caught coronavirus at her wedding .
She said : `` I did n't think that almost half of our wedding guests were gon na ' get sick .
`` You 're in the moment .
You 're having fun .
You do n't think about COVID anymore . ''
This is not the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been responsible for an outbreak of the virus .
Events in Washington State , New York and Minnesota have led to mass virus spread .
One wedding in Maine led to 176 people contracting coronavirus - seven of whom died .
Mikayla said she started displaying symptoms while on honeymoon in North Carolina .
The newly married couple decided to cut their holiday short after receiving a call that their grandparents were unwell with the virus .
The 31 October event comes as states across the US see a sharp rise in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials to impose new restrictions on indoor businesses and schools .
The state of Ohio is one of several where cases have surged the past two weeks - increasing from 221,000 on 2 November to 305,000 on Monday , according to Johns Hopkins University .
It now faces a curfew in an attempt to curb this rise in cases .

An Ohio wedding attended by 83 guests has become the latest superspreader event in which nearly half of attendees contracted COVID-19.
The recent nuptials resulted in 32 people catching the virus - including the couple, Anthony and Mikayla Bishop, and three of their grandparents, two of which needed emergency care.
The couple told their local news station in Ohio, NBC-affiliated television station WLWT, that they had taken precautions for their big day.
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With a local rise in cases, they opted to significantly reduce their guest list down from 200.
They said hand sanitiser and face masks were also distributed at the event - but apart from the couple's grandparents, very few people took up the offer, even during the close contact dancing at the reception.
Mikayla said she was surprised that people caught coronavirus at her wedding.
She said: "I didn't think that almost half of our wedding guests were gonna' get sick.
"You're in the moment. You're having fun. You don't think about COVID anymore."
This is not the first time a wedding in a US state has been responsible for an outbreak of the virus.
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Image: Mikayla Bishop started experiencing symptoms while on honeymoon in North Carolina Pic: iStock
Events in Washington State, New York and Minnesota have led to mass virus spread.
One wedding in Maine led to 176 people contracting coronavirus - seven of whom died.
Mikayla said she started displaying symptoms while on honeymoon in North Carolina.
The newly married couple decided to cut their holiday short after receiving a call that their grandparents were unwell with the virus.
The 31 October event comes as states across the US see a sharp rise in coronavirus cases and overwhelmed hospitals have led officials to impose new restrictions on indoor businesses and schools.
The state of Ohio is one of several where cases have surged the past two weeks - increasing from 221,000 on 2 November to 305,000 on Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University.
It now faces a curfew in an attempt to curb this rise in cases.


skynewsus--2020-11-18--Pfizer vaccine is safe, 95% effective and will be submitted for authorisation 'within days'

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has now proved 95 % effective in preventing coronavirus and has met the safety criteria needed for emergency authorisation , the firms have said .
Pfizer and BioNTech say they plan to submit the COVID-19 vaccine to the US regulator for emergency use approval `` within days '' after `` no serious safety concerns '' were reported .
The UK regulator , the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) , is also poised to fast-track authorisation of the vaccine after the government ordered enough for 20 million people .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NHS will be ready to roll them out to the most vulnerable from 1 December .
Final efficacy analysis of the jab showed 95 % were protected from the virus within 28 days of the first dose - up from when results of Phase 3 trials were shared last week .
It also proved 94 % effective among adults over the age of 65 - who are generally more vulnerable .
There were no serious side effects , with only 2 % of the 43,000 participants reporting a headache and 3.7 % reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 November , Pfizer became the first company in the world to complete Phase 3 of its coronavirus vaccine trials , which showed 90 % efficacy .
The news was followed earlier this week by an announcement from US pharmaceutical firm Moderna that its own vaccine candidate had a similarly promising efficacy of 94.5 % .
So far the UK government has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech jab - enough for 20 million people - and five million - for use on 2.5 million patients - of the Moderna one .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be able to produce 50 million doses this year and 1.3 billion in 2021 .
Professor Stephen Powis , medical director for NHS England , today told a Downing Street briefing that the health service is `` working hard '' to ensure it has the means to deliver the vaccines .
He said this would be through traditional vaccine routes such as GPs and pharmacies , but also vaccine centres .
`` We are planning for different types of vaccine and the plans around the delivery mechanism , with this contingent upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes from the trials and the advice from regulators , '' he said .
`` We will be saying more about this in the next few days but meanwhile we are working hard , we are ensuring we have a workforce to do this , I have talked about general practice who are stepping up for this , but St John 's are also recruiting volunteers , so we have additional vaccine workforce . ''
: : Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker St @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been approached to train thousands of volunteers to administer vaccines , which in the case of Pfizer 's have to be kept at sub-zero temperatures .
Reacting to the findings , Professor Trudie Lang of Oxford University said : `` This is a remarkable and very reassuring situation that we find ourselves in .
`` To go from identifying a new virus to having several vaccines at the point of applying for regulatory approval is an incredible milestone for science . ''
But Professor Stephen Evans of the London School of Hygiene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relying on a press release is not enough '' and more safety data is needed .
King 's College London professor Dr Penny Ward also noted the lack of detail about whether there were any deaths or serious hospitalisations .
Pfizer chairman and chief executive Dr Albert Bourla said : `` The study results mark an important step in this historic eight-month journey to bring forward a vaccine capable of helping to end this devastating pandemic .
`` We continue to move at the speed of science to compile all the data collected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world . ''
Pfizer and Moderna 's vaccine trials are two of around 12 worldwide , including one being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University , that are in the final stages of testing .
Analysis : Most significant news yet provides massive tick in the COVID vaccine wish-list By Thomas Moore , science correspondent Of all the exciting recent news on COVID vaccines , this is perhaps the most significant of all .
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine works in the people who need it the most .
In the over-65s it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's a massive tick in the wish-list for a vaccine .
The immune systems of older people do n't generally work as well as those of the young .
But the latest data shows the vaccine is just about as effective in people of all ages .
The companies also say the overall effectiveness of the vaccine is now 95 % , up from the 90 % suggested by the interim analysis last week .
That 's the same as the Moderna vaccine , which uses similar technology .
The clinical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no serious safety concerns .
A few had headaches and fatigue , but that 's not unusual for a vaccine .
One big scientific question remains .
How long does immunity last ?
If people need regular booster doses that will stretch manufacturing capacity still further .
The answer to that will come from the ongoing monitoring of antibody and T-cell levels in people who have had the vaccine .
In the short term , the success of this vaccine will depend on the logistics .
Its activity depends on the dry ice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at minus 70C for up to 15 days .
Raise the temperature by just 10 degrees and it may not work .
It 's a smart and effective vaccine .
Now the NHS and its suppliers need to get it where it 's needed , and fast .


skynewsus--2020-11-19--What a hoot! Tiny owl rescued from Rockafeller Center Christmas tree

It might still be November , but we 've already had the first 'miracle ' of the festive season .
A tiny Saw-whet owl , one of the smallest varieties in North America , has been rescued from the Christmas tree that is traditionally placed outside the Rockafeller Center in New York .
The Norway Spruce was felled last week in Oneonta , New York State , before embarking on a three day , 170 mile road trip to the city , along with its feathered resident .
The bird was discovered on Tuesday , tucked amongst the branches , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tree .
His wife then contacted a local wildlife rescue charity .
On its Facebook page the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center said : `` Yesterday morning , I received a phone call from someone who asked if we take in owls for rehabilitation .
I replied 'yes we do ' , there was silence for a moment and she said : 'OK , I 'll call back when my husband comes home , he 's got the baby owl in a box tucked in for the long ride . '
`` I asked where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owl .
She said he works for the company that transports and secures the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center .
`` She lived about an hour south so we met in the middle to do the transfer .
Once secured , I peaked in the box and saw this little face looking up at me .
He/she was a little Saw-whet owl , the smallest owls we have in the northeast .
All baby owls are born in the spring so the idea that there was a baby owl in November did n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wildlife Center , we 've given him fluids and are feeding him all the mice he will eat .
It had been three days since he ate or drank anything.
`` `` So far so good , his eyes are bright and seems relatively in good condition with all he 's been through .
Once he checks in with the vet and gets a clean bill of health , he 'll be released to continue on his wild and wonderful journey .
`` Our hearts go out to all those 'behind the scenes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for saving 'Rockefeller ' !

It might still be November, but we've already had the first "miracle" of the festive season.
A tiny Saw-whet owl, one of the smallest varieties in North America, has been rescued from the Christmas tree that is traditionally placed outside the Rockefeller Center in New York.
The Norway Spruce was felled last week in Oneonta, New York State, before embarking on a three day, 170-mile road trip to the city, along with its feathered resident.
Image: The owl was found by one of the workers putting up the tree Pic: Ravensbeard Wildlife Center
The bird was discovered on Tuesday, tucked amongst the branches, by a worker helping to erect the tree.
His wife then contacted a local wildlife rescue charity.
On its Facebook page the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center said: "Yesterday morning, I received a phone call from someone who asked if we take in owls for rehabilitation.
I replied 'yes we do', there was silence for a moment and she said: 'OK, I'll call back when my husband comes home, he's got the baby owl in a box tucked in for the long ride.'
"I asked where her husband was when he found the owl. She said he works for the company that transports and secures the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center.
"She lived about an hour south so we met in the middle to do the transfer.
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Image: Rescue worker Ellen Kalish with the Saw-whet owl Pic: Ravensbeard Wildlife Center
Once secured, I peeked in the box and saw this little face looking up at me. He/she was a little Saw-whet owl, the smallest owls we have in the northeast.
All baby owls are born in the spring so the idea that there was a baby owl in November didn't make sense.
"Back at Ravensbeard Wildlife Center, we've given him fluids and are feeding him all the mice he will eat. It had been three days since he ate or drank anything. "
Image: The Norway Spruce will be decorated with five miles of lights
"So far so good, his eyes are bright and seems relatively in good condition with all he's been through.
Once he checks in with the vet and gets a clean bill of health, he'll be released to continue on his wild and wonderful journey.
"Our hearts go out to all those 'behind the scenes' workers. Great job and thanks for saving 'Rockefeller'!


skynewsus--2020-11-19--US passes 250,000 COVID deaths as hospitals face prospect of 'rationing care'

More than 250,000 people have now died with coronavirus in the US , with the rate of new infections and hospitalisations on the rise .
Latest figures from Johns Hopkins University , which has been tracking the pandemic , showed the number of people killed by the virus in the country is now 250,485 .
It comes as the pandemic shatters more records nationwide , with the daily count of new coronavirus cases running at close to 160,000 on average - a jump of 80 % in the last two weeks .
Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in all 50 states .
Deaths are averaging more than 1,155 per day , the highest in months .
And the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 has doubled in the past month and set new records every day this week .
As of Tuesday , nearly 77,000 were hospitalised with the virus .
Dr Anthony Fauci , the country 's top infectious disease expert , has urged Americans to `` double down '' on basic precautions such as masks and social distancing .
He said the country would be better served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting the surge .
`` We need some fundamental public health measures that everyone should be adhering to , not a disjointed , 'one state says one thing , another state says another thing ' , '' he told The New York Times .
Governors and mayors across the US - some grudgingly - have issued mask mandates , limited the size of private and public gatherings ahead of Thanksgiving , banned indoor restaurant dining , closed gyms or restricted the hours and capacity of bars , stores and other businesses .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's school system - the nation 's largest , with more than one million students - will shut again from today .
However , eight months after New York City emerged as the country 's first major flashpoint of the epidemic - the epicentre of the crisis has shifted to the upper Midwest .
Ordering the shutdown of dining , fitness and entertainment venues for four weeks , Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota , one of several states in the region dogged by the country 's highest case rates per capita , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point in this pandemic . ''
In the northwest , doctors in Idaho warned that hospitals have almost reached the point where they need to ration care , unable to treat everyone because there are not enough beds or staff .
`` Never in my career did I think we would even contemplate the idea of rationing care in the United States of America , '' said Dr Jim Souza , chief medical officer for St Luke 's Health System .
Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race to find a vaccine offer some hope , with the makers of two leading candidates announcing both jabs are about 95 % effective .
But both candidates - from Pfizer and Moderna - are still months away from deployment at a mass scale and both face complex logistical challenges .
President-elect Joe Biden tweeted : `` What was true with the first vaccine remains true with the second : we are still months away . ''
Earlier this week , a leaked White House coronavirus task force report warned of `` aggressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country , reaching most counties , without evidence of improvement but rather , further deterioration '' .
Dr Michael Osterholm , a member of Mr Biden 's new coronavirus advisory board , told NBC this week : `` We are in a very dangerous period , the most dangerous public health period since 1918 .
And if we do n't basically take important steps like stop swapping air with our , our neighbours , our friends , our colleagues , we 're going to see these numbers grow substantially . ''

More than 250,000 people have now died with coronavirus in the US, with the rate of new infections and hospitalisations on the rise.
Latest figures from Johns Hopkins University, which has been tracking the pandemic, showed the number of people killed by the virus in the country is now 250,485.
It comes as the pandemic shatters more records nationwide, with the daily count of new coronavirus cases running at close to 160,000 on average - a jump of 80% in the last two weeks.
Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world
Cases are on the rise in all 50 states. Deaths are averaging more than 1,155 per day, the highest in months.
And the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 has doubled in the past month and set new records every day this week.
As of Tuesday, nearly 77,000 were hospitalised with the virus.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the country's top infectious disease expert, has urged Americans to "double down" on basic precautions such as masks and social distancing.
He said the country would be better served by a "uniform approach" to fighting the surge.
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"We need some fundamental public health measures that everyone should be adhering to, not a disjointed, 'one state says one thing, another state says another thing'," he told The New York Times.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:25 Fauci: 'I'd take new vaccines'
Governors and mayors across the US - some grudgingly - have issued mask mandates, limited the size of private and public gatherings ahead of Thanksgiving, banned indoor restaurant dining, closed gyms or restricted the hours and capacity of bars, stores and other businesses.
On Wednesday, officials announced New York City's school system - the nation's largest, with more than one million students - will shut again from today.
However, eight months after New York City emerged as the country's first major flashpoint of the epidemic - the epicentre of the crisis has shifted to the upper Midwest.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:29 Vaccine success gives hope for those over 65
Ordering the shutdown of dining, fitness and entertainment venues for four weeks, Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, one of several states in the region dogged by the country's highest case rates per capita, said: "We are at a dangerous point in this pandemic."
In the northwest, doctors in Idaho warned that hospitals have almost reached the point where they need to ration care, unable to treat everyone because there are not enough beds or staff.
"Never in my career did I think we would even contemplate the idea of rationing care in the United States of America," said Dr Jim Souza, chief medical officer for St Luke's Health System.
Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Major breakthroughs in the race to find a vaccine offer some hope, with the makers of two leading candidates announcing both jabs are about 95% effective.
But both candidates - from Pfizer and Moderna - are still months away from deployment at a mass scale and both face complex logistical challenges.
President-elect Joe Biden tweeted: "What was true with the first vaccine remains true with the second: we are still months away."
Earlier this week, a leaked White House coronavirus task force report warned of "aggressive, unrelenting, expanding broad community spread across the country, reaching most counties, without evidence of improvement but rather, further deterioration".
Dr Michael Osterholm, a member of Mr Biden's new coronavirus advisory board, told NBC this week: "We are in a very dangerous period, the most dangerous public health period since 1918. And if we don't basically take important steps like stop swapping air with our, our neighbours, our friends, our colleagues, we're going to see these numbers grow substantially."


skynewsus--2020-11-19--Bobby Brown Jr: Son of singer Bobby Brown found dead at his home

Bobby Brown Jr , the son of the singer Bobby Brown , has been found dead in Los Angeles , police have said .
The 28-year-old was discovered at his home on Wednesday after officers were called to a `` medical emergency '' , the Los Angeles Police Department said .
There is no suspicion of foul play in relation to his death .
The cause of death is not yet clear .
Brown Jr was the son of Brown and his former partner Kim Ward .
His brother Landon shared a black-and-white photo of his late sibling on Instagram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I love you forever King . ''
Brown Jr 's death follows that of his 22-year-old half-sister , Bobbi Kristina Brown , in 2015 .
Bobbi Kristina was the daughter of Brown and chart-topping singer Whitney Houston .
The mother and daughter died in eerily similar circumstances three years apart .
Houston , one of the best-selling artists of all time , died aged 48 in 2012 .
She accidentally drowned in a bathtub at a hotel in Beverly Hills .
A coroner listed her drug use as a contributing factor to her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a coma after being found unconscious in a bathtub at her home in Georgia .
Brown and Houston had a tempestuous relationship and were married from 1992 to 2007 .
As well as Bobby Jr and Bobbi Kristina , Brown has five other children .
His hits include My Prerogative , Every Little Step and Rock Wit'cha .

Bobby Brown Jr, the son of the singer Bobby Brown, has been found dead in Los Angeles, police have said.
The 28-year-old was discovered at his home on Wednesday after officers were called to a "medical emergency", the Los Angeles Police Department said.
There is no suspicion of foul play in relation to his death.
The cause of death is not yet clear.
Brown Jr was the son of Brown and his former partner Kim Ward.
His brother Landon shared a black-and-white photo of his late sibling on Instagram, writing in the caption: "I love you forever King."
Brown Jr's death follows that of his 22-year-old half-sister, Bobbi Kristina Brown, in 2015.
Bobbi Kristina was the daughter of Brown and chart-topping singer Whitney Houston.
The mother and daughter died in eerily similar circumstances three years apart.
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Image: Whitney Houston, left, with her daughter Bobbi Kristina
Houston, one of the best-selling artists of all time, died aged 48 in 2012.
She accidentally drowned in a bathtub at a hotel in Beverly Hills.
A coroner listed her drug use as a contributing factor to her death.
Kristina spent nearly six months in a coma after being found unconscious in a bathtub at her home in Georgia.
Brown and Houston had a tempestuous relationship and were married from 1992 to 2007.
As well as Bobby Jr and Bobbi Kristina, Brown has five other children.
His hits include My Prerogative, Every Little Step and Rock Wit'cha.


skynewsus--2020-11-18--Anti-lockdown militias on streets of Michigan as virus surges across US

On the first day of a new lockdown in Michigan hundreds of people ventured out to one of the only places still open for business - a COVID-19 testing site .
People waited for up to four hours to be swabbed .
Not all had symptoms , but all shared a weariness at spiralling infections and new lockdown measures in their state .
There 's a sense that America has been distracted .
People , politicians and media alike all focused on a gripping national election .
But while the world looked away the virus has surged .
The number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed 250,000 , there are an average of 150,000 new daily cases and more people are in hospital than at any other time during the pandemic .
In Michigan alone COVID-related deaths are up 150 % on what they were just two weeks ago .
The new rules here mean no in-person teaching at schools or colleges , no inside dining and no theatres , cinemas or gyms can open .
`` I 'm retired , '' says Terry Fiedler who has come to get tested .
`` I 'm just glad I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If I was trying to make a living it would put me right out of business .
They need to be fair with them somehow .
Trump would have been a lot fairer but that 's the way it goes . ''
And that 's the striking thing here , very few people talk about the pandemic without also mentioning politics .
Many rolled their eyes when we asked why some Americans are resistant to new restrictions .
One man was more blunt : `` One word , Trump . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden and Donald Trump more on the election trail .
Trump has already it made clear there will be no national lockdown under his watch - the imposition of new measures , in Michigan as elsewhere , is being taken by local , largely Democrat , politicians .
It means many of his supporters feel restrictions are unnecessary and unfair .
And they 're joined by other vocal groups who resist being told what to do by lawmakers in the name of freedom and liberty .
`` You 've been told 'no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been told 'no ' by the Supreme Court and you 're still continuing to do this , people are n't gon na stand for that , '' says Zakkari Clark addressing the Michigan governor directly .
A small number of them gathered outside the state capital today , their faces covered and heavily armed with assault rifles .
`` Right now , we 're the rational people .
If you keep pushing out you 're gon na get irrational people . ''
This is n't a big group but their presence speaks of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're gon na do everything in our power to try the peaceful route , you know , civil disobedience and stuff like that , '' says Nomad , another heavily armed Boogaloo Boi .
`` But when it comes to our livelihoods and our rights that we are born with as humans , we 're not going to budge . ''
Would he use violence ?
`` If my life was threatened .
Or my rights . ''
No matter where they are , the imposition of measures to protect lives often means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Speaker Under the new restrictions bars will have to close .
Stephanie Fox has worked in hospitality most of her adult life , she has no safety net and says she 's deeply fearful of what the next few months will bring .
She looks emotional when she talks about the impact on her personally .
`` I 'm seeing all my savings are gone , my bills are coming up , my dog needs surgery , you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get it , but it 's scary , really scary . ''
Joe Biden has said he 'll step up efforts to bring the virus under control and reduce the tensions surrounding it .
If Michigan is anything to go by , it wo n't be easy .

On the first day of a new lockdown in Michigan hundreds of people ventured out to one of the only places still open for business - a COVID-19 testing site.
People waited for up to four hours to be swabbed. Not all had symptoms, but all shared a weariness at spiralling infections and new lockdown measures in their state.
There's a sense that America has been distracted. People, politicians and media alike all focused on a gripping national election.
But while the world looked away the virus has surged.
The number of coronavirus deaths across the US has passed 250,000, there are an average of 150,000 new daily cases and more people are in hospital than at any other time during the pandemic.
In Michigan alone COVID-related deaths are up 150% on what they were just two weeks ago.
The new rules here mean no in-person teaching at schools or colleges, no inside dining and no theatres, cinemas or gyms can open.
"I'm retired," says Terry Fiedler who has come to get tested. "I'm just glad I'm not trying to make a living. If I was trying to make a living it would put me right out of business. They need to be fair with them somehow. Trump would have been a lot fairer but that's the way it goes."
And that's the striking thing here, very few people talk about the pandemic without also mentioning politics.
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Many rolled their eyes when we asked why some Americans are resistant to new restrictions.
One man was more blunt: "One word, Trump."
The politicisation is understandable. Few issues divided Joe Biden and Donald Trump more on the election trail.
Trump has already it made clear there will be no national lockdown under his watch - the imposition of new measures, in Michigan as elsewhere, is being taken by local, largely Democrat, politicians.
It means many of his supporters feel restrictions are unnecessary and unfair.
And they're joined by other vocal groups who resist being told what to do by lawmakers in the name of freedom and liberty.
Image: Zakkari Clark is opposed to the Michigan lockdown
"You've been told 'no' by the people, you've been told 'no' by the Supreme Court and you're still continuing to do this, people aren't gonna stand for that," says Zakkari Clark addressing the Michigan governor directly.
He's a member of the so-called Boogaloo Bois, a self-styled, anti-government militia.
A small number of them gathered outside the state capital today, their faces covered and heavily armed with assault rifles.
"Right now, we're the rational people. If you keep pushing out you're gonna get irrational people."
This isn't a big group but their presence speaks of palpable tension and distrust.
"We're gonna do everything in our power to try the peaceful route, you know, civil disobedience and stuff like that," says Nomad, another heavily armed Boogaloo Boi. "But when it comes to our livelihoods and our rights that we are born with as humans, we're not going to budge."
Would he use violence? "If my life was threatened. Or my rights."
No matter where they are, the imposition of measures to protect lives often means a threat to livelihoods.
:: Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Speaker
Under the new restrictions bars will have to close.
Stephanie Fox has worked in hospitality most of her adult life, she has no safety net and says she's deeply fearful of what the next few months will bring.
She looks emotional when she talks about the impact on her personally.
"I'm seeing all my savings are gone, my bills are coming up, my dog needs surgery, you know. But at the same time I get it, but it's scary, really scary."
Joe Biden has said he'll step up efforts to bring the virus under control and reduce the tensions surrounding it.
If Michigan is anything to go by, it won't be easy.


skynewsus--2020-11-19--Apple to pay $113m settlement after admitting slowing down older iPhones

Apple will pay $ 113m ( £85m ) to settle a case alleging it deliberately deceived consumers by slowing down older iPhones to help extend the life of their batteries .
The payment announced in Arizona on Wednesday resolves around a case brought by more than 30 states .
The tech giant had already agreed to pay up to $ 500m ( £378m ) to settle a class-action lawsuit brought in California in relation to the case .
Apple has agreed to pay out on the settlements after acknowledging a software update released in 2017 hampered the performance of older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions as a way to prevent unintended shutdowns of the older iPhones as their batteries deteriorated .
But critics contended the company did it to help encourage more consumers to upgrade to newer models .
The company , based in Cupertino , California , apologised for slowing down the handsets and has agreed to replace batteries at a steeply discounted price .
Apple , though , has never acknowledged any wrongdoing .
The settlement with the states adds to Apple 's bill , which it can easily afford to pay .
The company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revenue and boasts a market value of $ 2tn ( £1.5tn ) .

Apple will pay $113m (£85m) to settle a case alleging it deliberately deceived consumers by slowing down older iPhones to help extend the life of their batteries.
The payment announced in Arizona on Wednesday resolves around a case brought by more than 30 states.
The tech giant had already agreed to pay up to $500m (£378m) to settle a class-action lawsuit brought in California in relation to the case.
Apple has agreed to pay out on the settlements after acknowledging a software update released in 2017 hampered the performance of older iPhones.
The tech giant defended its actions as a way to prevent unintended shutdowns of the older iPhones as their batteries deteriorated.
But critics contended the company did it to help encourage more consumers to upgrade to newer models.
The company, based in Cupertino, California, apologised for slowing down the handsets and has agreed to replace batteries at a steeply discounted price.
Apple, though, has never acknowledged any wrongdoing.
The settlement with the states adds to Apple's bill, which it can easily afford to pay.
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The company generates $275bn (£208bn) annual revenue and boasts a market value of $2tn (£1.5tn).


skynewsus--2020-11-19--Matthew McConaughey wouldn't rule out shot at Texas governor role

Matthew McConaughey could be the latest Hollywood actor to consider throwing his hat into the political ring .
The Wolf Of Wall Street star was discussing politics during a radio interview when he was asked if he would run for governor in his home state Texas , or another position .
`` I mean , that would n't be up to me .
It would be up to the people more than it would me , '' McConaughey told talk radio host Hugh Hewitt .
`` I would say this , '' he continued .
`` Look , politics seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now .
And when politics redefines its purpose , I could be a hell of a lot more interested . ''
McConaughey , 51 , was born and raised in Texas before moving to Los Angeles to begin his film career .
In the interview , he described his political philosophy as being `` behind personal values to rebind our social contracts with each other as Americans . ''
But he seemed some way from having made any decision to swap acting for politics .
`` I still question how much you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I do n't know if politics is my avenue to get what maybe I am best equipped to get done , '' he said .
McConaughey , who won an Oscar for his role in 2013 AIDS drama Dallas Buyers Club , would be one of a series of celebrities who have flirted with , or won , political office in the US .
They include presidents Donald Trump and the late Ronald Reagan , former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger , former Carmel Mayor Clint Eastwood and former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura @

Matthew McConaughey could be the latest Hollywood actor to consider throwing his hat into the political ring.
The Wolf Of Wall Street star was discussing politics during a radio interview when he was asked if he would run for governor in his home state Texas, or another position.
"I mean, that wouldn't be up to me. It would be up to the people more than it would me," McConaughey told talk radio host Hugh Hewitt.
"I would say this," he continued. "Look, politics seems to be a broken business to me right now. And when politics redefines its purpose, I could be a hell of a lot more interested."
Image: McConaughey serving meals to first responders battling LA wildfires
McConaughey, 51, was born and raised in Texas before moving to Los Angeles to begin his film career.
In the interview, he described his political philosophy as being "behind personal values to rebind our social contracts with each other as Americans."
But he seemed some way from having made any decision to swap acting for politics.
"I still question how much you can really get done in politics, and I don't know if politics is my avenue to get what maybe I am best equipped to get done," he said.
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
McConaughey, who won an Oscar for his role in 2013 AIDS drama Dallas Buyers Club, would be one of a series of celebrities who have flirted with, or won, political office in the US.
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They include presidents Donald Trump and the late Ronald Reagan, former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, former Carmel Mayor Clint Eastwood and former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura.


skynewsus--2020-11-19--Naya Rivera's ex-husband files lawsuit over drowning

The former husband of Glee actress Naya Rivera is suing a local authority in Southern California , alleging it did not adequately warn users of the risks at the lake she drowned in .
Rivera , who is best known for her role in Glee , died in July , when she disappeared under the water during a boat trip on Lake Piru with her five-year-old son , Josey .
Her son was found alone and unhurt on the boat .
Ryan Dorsey , Rivera 's ex-husband , has now filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of their son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims that the boat used by Rivera was `` not equipped with a safely accessible ladder , adequate rope , an anchor , a radio , or any security mechanisms to prevent swimmers from being separated from their boats '' .
He adds that the boat did not have any flotation devices , saying that is `` in direct violation of California law '' .
According to the lawsuit , Dorsey also alleges there were no warning signs at Lake Piru , alerting users to strong currents , changing water depths and low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 26 other people have drowned in the lake , and gives details describing Rivera 's final moment , saying how wind speed the afternoon she went missing were 21mph .
It states : `` Josey knew Naya was still in the water , and heard her cry , 'Help !
Help ! '
in her struggle to get back to the boat and avoid drowning .
: : Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' Josey searched in vain for rope to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Josey then looked back at the water for his mother , and saw that Naya had disappeared .
Josey yelled for help and cried alone in the boat until he was found more than an hour later by a PMC boat leasing agent . ''
Two other agencies - United Water Conservation District and Parks and Recreation Management - are also named in the lawsuit , and have yet to respond .
Dorsey and Rivera divorced in 2018 , after four years of marriage .

The former husband of Glee actress Naya Rivera is suing a local authority in Southern California, alleging it did not adequately warn users of the risks at the lake she drowned in.
Rivera, who is best known for her role in Glee, died in July, when she disappeared under the water during a boat trip on Lake Piru with her five-year-old son, Josey.
Her son was found alone and unhurt on the boat.
Ryan Dorsey, Rivera's ex-husband, has now filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of their son against Ventura County in California.
Dorsey claims that the boat used by Rivera was "not equipped with a safely accessible ladder, adequate rope, an anchor, a radio, or any security mechanisms to prevent swimmers from being separated from their boats".
He adds that the boat did not have any flotation devices, saying that is "in direct violation of California law".
According to the lawsuit, Dorsey also alleges there were no warning signs at Lake Piru, alerting users to strong currents, changing water depths and low visibility.
The actor adds that at least 26 other people have drowned in the lake, and gives details describing Rivera's final moment, saying how wind speed the afternoon she went missing were 21mph.
It states: "Josey knew Naya was still in the water, and heard her cry, 'Help! Help!' in her struggle to get back to the boat and avoid drowning.
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:: Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"Josey searched in vain for rope to help his mother get back on the boat. Josey then looked back at the water for his mother, and saw that Naya had disappeared. Josey yelled for help and cried alone in the boat until he was found more than an hour later by a PMC boat leasing agent."
Two other agencies - United Water Conservation District and Parks and Recreation Management - are also named in the lawsuit, and have yet to respond.
Dorsey and Rivera divorced in 2018, after four years of marriage.


skynewsus--2020-11-19--What a hoot! Tiny owl rescued from Rockefeller Center Christmas tree

It might still be November , but we 've already had the first `` miracle '' of the festive season .
A tiny Saw-whet owl , one of the smallest varieties in North America , has been rescued from the Christmas tree that is traditionally placed outside the Rockefeller Center in New York .
The Norway Spruce was felled last week in Oneonta , New York State , before embarking on a three day , 170-mile road trip to the city , along with its feathered resident .
The bird was discovered on Tuesday , tucked amongst the branches , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tree .
On its Facebook page the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center said : `` Yesterday morning , I received a phone call from someone who asked if we take in owls for rehabilitation .
I replied 'yes we do ' , there was silence for a moment and she said : 'OK , I 'll call back when my husband comes home , he 's got the baby owl in a box tucked in for the long ride . '
`` I asked where her husband was when he found the owl .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transports and secures the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center .
`` She lived about an hour south so we met in the middle to do the transfer .
Once secured , I peeked in the box and saw this little face looking up at me .
He/she was a little Saw-whet owl , the smallest owls we have in the northeast .
All baby owls are born in the spring so the idea that there was a baby owl in November did n't make sense .
`` Back at Ravensbeard Wildlife Center , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feeding him all the mice he will eat .
It had been three days since he ate or drank anything.
`` `` So far so good , his eyes are bright and seems relatively in good condition with all he 's been through .
Once he checks in with the vet and gets a clean bill of health , he 'll be released to continue on his wild and wonderful journey .
`` Our hearts go out to all those 'behind the scenes ' workers .
Great job and thanks for saving 'Rockefeller @ @


skynewsus--2020-11-19--American train attack hero hospitalised in Paris

An American man who was due to testify about his role in the capture of an `` Islamic State '' operative aboard a high-speed train has been hospitalised , according to his lawyer .
Spencer Stone helped avert a potential mass killing on a fast train from Amsterdam to Paris in 2015 .
His lawyer , Thibault de Montbrial , has said that his witness was hospitalised after he flew in to Paris .
It remains unclear what exactly happened to Mr Stone - with his representation citing medical privacy .
Mr Stone - a 23-year-old US airman at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped subdue attacker Ayoub El Khazzani on the train .
Their actions inspired Clint Eastwood to direct the Hollywood film The 15:17 to Paris based on the attack .
Eastwood was denied the opportunity to testify by a French court yesterday .
It was thought he could discuss the authenticity of the scenes in his film .
The actor-turned-director cast the Americans who intervened - Spencer Stone , Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler - to play themselves in his 2018 film , based on a book published by the three friends recounting their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trial - 17 November - Mr De Montbrial , representing the Americans , said the `` terror attack could have killed up to 300 people based on the number of ammunition that was found '' .
He added that - given the scale of what could have happened - it was `` one of the most terrifying Islamist terror attacks in 2015 '' .
Meanwhile , El Khazzani 's defence lawyer Sarah Mauger-Poliak said her client was eager to show how sorry he was .
She said : `` I believe there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to demonstrate his remorse . ''
Sarah Mauger-Poliak added that El Khazzani wanted to speak with the victims ' families , if the judge would permit it .
El Khazzani , 31 , is charged with attempted terrorist murder for the foiled attack .
Three suspected accomplices are also on trial .
If convicted , he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison .

An American man who was due to testify about his role in the capture of an "Islamic State" operative aboard a high-speed train has been hospitalised, according to his lawyer.
Spencer Stone helped avert a potential mass killing on a fast train from Amsterdam to Paris in 2015.
His lawyer, Thibault de Montbrial, has said that his witness was hospitalised after he flew in to Paris.
Image: French lawyer Thibault de Montbrial is representing the US soldiers that helped foil a terror attack on an Amsterdam-Paris train in 2015
It remains unclear what exactly happened to Mr Stone - with his representation citing medical privacy.
Mr Stone - a 23-year-old US airman at the time - was among several passengers that helped subdue attacker Ayoub El Khazzani on the train.
Their actions inspired Clint Eastwood to direct the Hollywood film The 15:17 to Paris based on the attack.
Eastwood was denied the opportunity to testify by a French court yesterday.
It was thought he could discuss the authenticity of the scenes in his film.
The actor-turned-director cast the Americans who intervened - Spencer Stone, Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler - to play themselves in his 2018 film, based on a book published by the three friends recounting their experience.
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Image: The American men who helped foil a terror attack receive the Hero Award from actor/director Clint Eastwood in 2016
On the first day of the trial - 17 November - Mr De Montbrial, representing the Americans, said the "terror attack could have killed up to 300 people based on the number of ammunition that was found".
He added that - given the scale of what could have happened - it was "one of the most terrifying Islamist terror attacks in 2015".
Meanwhile, El Khazzani's defence lawyer Sarah Mauger-Poliak said her client was eager to show how sorry he was.
Image: Spencer Stone was unable to testify for medical reasons, according to his lawyer
She said: "I believe there's a certain impatience on his part to demonstrate his remorse."
Sarah Mauger-Poliak added that El Khazzani wanted to speak with the victims' families, if the judge would permit it.
El Khazzani, 31, is charged with attempted terrorist murder for the foiled attack. Three suspected accomplices are also on trial.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.


skynewsus--2020-11-20--Pfizer requests emergency authorisation for coronavirus vaccine in US

Pfizer and BioNTech are submitting an emergency authorisation request in the US which could allow its coronavirus vaccine to be used to treat high-risk populations in the country by mid-December .
The UK has already ordered enough of the vaccine to treat 20 million people but it has not yet been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) .
BioNTech told Sky News it had not submitted its vaccine for approval in the UK yet .
If the vaccine is approved in the US , it suggests a similar rollout of the treatment could soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and BioNTech will submit its emergency use authorisation request to the US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) , and is also seeking approval for their vaccine in other countries across the world including Australia , Canada and Japan .
The companies intend to submit applications to other regulatory agencies worldwide in the coming days .
Live COVID-19 updates from the UK and around the world Pfizer and BioNTech expect to produce up to 50 million doses globally in 2020 and up to 1.3 billion doses by the end of 2021 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to distribute the vaccine candidate within hours after authorisation .
The vaccine demonstrated an efficacy rate of 95 % in the companies ' phase 3 clinical study .
There were no serious safety concerns observed in those who took part in the trials , with the treatment tested on people with and without a prior coronavirus infection .
Pfizer and BioNTech 's submission to the FDA is supported by safety data from a randomised group of around 8,000 participants less than 18 years of age .
It is also supported by data from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed for an average of two months following a second dose of the vaccine candidate .
The submission includes data on approximately 100 children 12 to 15 years of age .
Around 42 % of participants around the world and 30 % of US participants in the phase 3 study were from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds .
Some 41 % of global and 45 % of US participants were between 56 and 85 years of age .
: : Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's chairman and chief executive , said : `` Our work to deliver a safe and effective vaccine has never been more urgent , as we continue to see an alarming rise in the number of cases of COVID-19 globally .
`` Filing in the US represents a critical milestone in our journey to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine to the world and we now have a more complete picture of both the efficacy and safety profile of our vaccine , giving us confidence in its potential . ''
Ugur Sahin , the chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Filing for emergency use authorization in the US is a critical step in making our vaccine candidate available to the global population as quickly as possible .
`` We intend to continue to work with regulatory agencies worldwide to enable the rapid distribution of our vaccine globally .
`` As a company located in Germany in the heart of Europe , our interactions with the European Medicines Agency [ EMA ] are of particular importance to us and we have continuously provided data to them as part of our rolling review @ @ @

Pfizer and BioNTech are submitting an emergency authorisation request in the US which could allow its coronavirus vaccine to be used to treat high-risk populations in the country by mid-December.
The UK has already ordered enough of the vaccine to treat 20 million people but it has not yet been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
BioNTech told Sky News it had not submitted its vaccine for approval in the UK yet.
If the vaccine is approved in the US, it suggests a similar rollout of the treatment could soon take place in the UK.
Pfizer and BioNTech will submit its emergency use authorisation request to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and is also seeking approval for their vaccine in other countries across the world including Australia, Canada and Japan.
The companies intend to submit applications to other regulatory agencies worldwide in the coming days.
Live COVID-19 updates from the UK and around the world
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 7:38 Pfizer boss: 'Light at the end of the tunnel'
Pfizer and BioNTech expect to produce up to 50 million doses globally in 2020 and up to 1.3 billion doses by the end of 2021, and have said they will be ready to distribute the vaccine candidate within hours after authorisation.
The vaccine demonstrated an efficacy rate of 95% in the companies' phase 3 clinical study.
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There were no serious safety concerns observed in those who took part in the trials, with the treatment tested on people with and without a prior coronavirus infection.
Pfizer and BioNTech's submission to the FDA is supported by safety data from a randomised group of around 8,000 participants less than 18 years of age.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:26 Vaccine inventor: December rollout 'possible'
It is also supported by data from around 38,000 trial participants who have been followed for an average of two months following a second dose of the vaccine candidate.
The submission includes data on approximately 100 children 12 to 15 years of age.
Around 42% of participants around the world and 30% of US participants in the phase 3 study were from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds.
Some 41% of global and 45% of US participants were between 56 and 85 years of age.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 UK 'weeks away' from vaccine rollout
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Dr Albert Bourla, Pfizer's chairman and chief executive, said: "Our work to deliver a safe and effective vaccine has never been more urgent, as we continue to see an alarming rise in the number of cases of COVID-19 globally.
"Filing in the US represents a critical milestone in our journey to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine to the world and we now have a more complete picture of both the efficacy and safety profile of our vaccine, giving us confidence in its potential."
Ugur Sahin, the chief executive and co-founder of BioNTech, said: "Filing for emergency use authorization in the US is a critical step in making our vaccine candidate available to the global population as quickly as possible.
"We intend to continue to work with regulatory agencies worldwide to enable the rapid distribution of our vaccine globally.
"As a company located in Germany in the heart of Europe, our interactions with the European Medicines Agency [EMA] are of particular importance to us and we have continuously provided data to them as part of our rolling review process."


skynewsus--2020-11-19--Inside the place with the world's highest COVID death rate

They used to joke that social distancing would be easy in North Dakota .
Being six feet from someone , they said , always felt a bit too close anyway .
For many in the wide open spaces of America 's prairies , where they pride themselves on their stoicism , the joke has fallen flat .
North Dakota has , according to the Federation of American Scientists , the highest mortality rate from COVID-19 not just in the US but in the world .
The surge in cases over recent weeks is beginning to overwhelm hospitals , many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the emergency room at the city 's regional medical centre , Dr Steve Inglish says , in a small community , his team is often looking after patients who are friends and neighbours .
`` They 've had to take care of people they know and you take it personally when you do n't have that outcome that you want , '' he says .
`` When you see their family members in the store it 's almost hard to look them in the eye .
In your heart you believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's hard . ''
Nurse Rachel MacDonald has n't hugged her husband or son for more than a hundred days , she says , to lower the risk of spread .
The thing that brings her to tears though is that she can not reassure terrified patients by something as simple as holding their hand .
The hospital activated its surge plan last week , with just one bed available .
Lynne Tucker was admitted to the coronavirus ward on Friday .
Cautious since the start of the pandemic , she is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` For so long it did n't touch us , we were following rules , '' she says .
`` It 's scary and the death rate is going up .
A priest just died just before I came in and that makes it too real for me . ''
It is a sentiment many share .
The pandemic they watched from a distance for so long , is now hitting hard in their own communities .
But not everyone .
In the Comforts of Home quilting shop , owner Trish Greenwood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the belated decision by Governor Doug Burgun last Friday to issue a mask mandate for North Dakota .
`` We need to stop living in fear and stop living in the basement , '' adds Trish .
`` I have n't really seen enough evidence yet to convince me I should stay at home and twiddle my thumbs and weep over it , '' said Bev .
She accepted her view was `` harsh , North Dakota harsh '' .
Three miles away at the Jamestown Regional Medical Centre , they tell a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about whether we 're going to have the room , '' said nurse Rachel MacDonald .
`` Do we have enough nurses to take care of these patients and do it well ?
Some days it does n't feel like we do . ''
The ambulances of Jamestown once went to New York to help out in the pandemic .
They are now overwhelmed on the home front .
Rural America is now the frontline .

They used to joke that social distancing would be easy in North Dakota.
Being six feet from someone, they said, always felt a bit too close anyway.
For many in the wide open spaces of America's prairies, where they pride themselves on their stoicism, the joke has fallen flat.
Image: Rural America may be the new COVID-19 frontline
North Dakota has, according to the Federation of American Scientists, the highest mortality rate from COVID-19 not just in the US but in the world.
The surge in cases over recent weeks is beginning to overwhelm hospitals, many of them in small rural communities like Jamestown.
In the emergency room at the city's regional medical centre, Dr Steve Inglish says, in a small community, his team is often looking after patients who are friends and neighbours.
Image: Anti-mask protests have sprung up across America
"They've had to take care of people they know and you take it personally when you don't have that outcome that you want," he says.
"When you see their family members in the store it's almost hard to look them in the eye. In your heart you believe that you did everything you could but it's hard."
Nurse Rachel MacDonald hasn't hugged her husband or son for more than a hundred days, she says, to lower the risk of spread.
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The thing that brings her to tears though is that she cannot reassure terrified patients by something as simple as holding their hand.
The hospital activated its surge plan last week, with just one bed available.
Lynne Tucker was admitted to the coronavirus ward on Friday. Cautious since the start of the pandemic, she is baffled at how she contracted the virus.
"For so long it didn't touch us, we were following rules," she says.
"It's scary and the death rate is going up. A priest just died just before I came in and that makes it too real for me."
It is a sentiment many share. The pandemic they watched from a distance for so long, is now hitting hard in their own communities.
But not everyone.
In the Comforts of Home quilting shop, owner Trish Greenwood and cattle rancher Bev Vollmer are discussing the belated decision by Governor Doug Burgun last Friday to issue a mask mandate for North Dakota.
"It stinks," says Bev.
"We need to stop living in fear and stop living in the basement," adds Trish.
Image: Shop owner Trish Greenwood and cattle rancher Bev Vollmer say the coronavirus restrictions 'stink'
"I haven't really seen enough evidence yet to convince me I should stay at home and twiddle my thumbs and weep over it," said Bev.
She accepted her view was "harsh, North Dakota harsh".
Three miles away at the Jamestown Regional Medical Centre, they tell a different story.
"I'm worried about whether we're going to have the room," said nurse Rachel MacDonald.
"Do we have enough nurses to take care of these patients and do it well? Some days it doesn't feel like we do."
The ambulances of Jamestown once went to New York to help out in the pandemic. They are now overwhelmed on the home front.
Rural America is now the frontline.


skynewsus--2020-11-20--Georgia recount upholds Biden's victory as Trump loses clutch of lawsuits

Joe Biden has been confirmed as the winner of the 3 November election in Georgia following a hand tally of election ballots .
The audit was launched after unofficial results showed Mr Biden leading president Donald Trump by about 14,000 votes .
Following the recount , Georgia 's secretary of state Brad Raffensperger said there was `` no doubt '' that the state would certify Mr Biden 's victory on Friday .
`` The audit has aligned very close to what we had in election night reporting , '' he said .
`` It 's so close , it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Once the state certifies the results , the losing campaign has two business days to request a recount since the margin remains within 0.5 % .
The news comes just hours after Mr Trump 's lawyer Rudy Giuliani used a news conference to repeat baseless claims that electoral fraud was involved in the process leading to Mr Biden 's victory .
Meanwhile , Mr Trump and his allies lost three court rulings on Thursday in their effort to stop Mr Biden from taking office , even as they continued to claim a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a judge appointed by the president denied a request by Lin Wood , a conservative lawyer , to halt certification of Mr Biden 's victory in the state .
The lawsuit alleged Georgia election officials improperly changed the process for handling absentee ballots .
`` To halt the certification at literally the eleventh hour would breed confusion and disenfranchisement that I find have no basis in fact and law , '' said US district judge Steven Grimberg .
A judge in Pennsylvania then rejected the Trump campaign 's bid to invalidate about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philadelphia , over purported defects such as missing `` secrecy envelopes '' .
The judge noted that the Trump campaign had stipulated that there was `` no evidence of any fraud , misconduct , or any impropriety with respect to the challenged ballots '' .
In Arizona , a state court judge threw out a Republican-backed lawsuit seeking to halt Phoenix officials from certifying Mr Biden as the winner .
The Arizona Republican Party had asked Judge John Hannah to order a new audit of ballots in Maricopa County , where the majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been conducted in a manner that violated state law .
The judge did not explain why he was denying the request but said he would issue a lengthier decision soon .
The Arizona Republican Party said in a statement that it had sought `` judicial clarification '' of a law relating to determining a sample for a post-election audit of ballots .

Joe Biden has been confirmed as the winner of the 3 November election in Georgia following a hand tally of election ballots.
The audit was launched after unofficial results showed Mr Biden leading president Donald Trump by about 14,000 votes.
Following the recount, Georgia's secretary of state Brad Raffensperger said there was "no doubt" that the state would certify Mr Biden's victory on Friday.
"The audit has aligned very close to what we had in election night reporting," he said.
"It's so close, it's not a thimble full of difference."
Once the state certifies the results, the losing campaign has two business days to request a recount since the margin remains within 0.5%.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:33 Bad hair dye for Trump's personal lawyer?
The news comes just hours after Mr Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani used a news conference to repeat baseless claims that electoral fraud was involved in the process leading to Mr Biden's victory.
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Meanwhile, Mr Trump and his allies lost three court rulings on Thursday in their effort to stop Mr Biden from taking office, even as they continued to claim a viable path to victory.
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In Georgia, a judge appointed by the president denied a request by Lin Wood, a conservative lawyer, to halt certification of Mr Biden's victory in the state.
The lawsuit alleged Georgia election officials improperly changed the process for handling absentee ballots.
"To halt the certification at literally the eleventh hour would breed confusion and disenfranchisement that I find have no basis in fact and law," said US district judge Steven Grimberg.
A judge in Pennsylvania then rejected the Trump campaign's bid to invalidate about 2,200 ballots in Bucks County, near Philadelphia, over purported defects such as missing "secrecy envelopes".
The judge noted that the Trump campaign had stipulated that there was "no evidence of any fraud, misconduct, or any impropriety with respect to the challenged ballots".
Image: State election officials carry out the recount
In Arizona, a state court judge threw out a Republican-backed lawsuit seeking to halt Phoenix officials from certifying Mr Biden as the winner.
The Arizona Republican Party had asked Judge John Hannah to order a new audit of ballots in Maricopa County, where the majority of Arizonans live, arguing it had been conducted in a manner that violated state law.
The judge did not explain why he was denying the request but said he would issue a lengthier decision soon.
The Arizona Republican Party said in a statement that it had sought "judicial clarification" of a law relating to determining a sample for a post-election audit of ballots.


skynewsus--2020-11-19--Bad hair dye? Sweating Trump lawyer feels the heat in latest news conference embarrassment

Donald Trump 's lawyer appears to be feeling the heat following the president 's defeat in the US election .
Speaking to reporters in Washington DC , what appeared to be hair dye began streaming down Rudy Giuliani 's cheeks .
The 76-year-old mopped his brow but failed to realise there were dark brown streaks running from his hairline down to his jaw at the Republican National Committee headquarters .
Mr Giuliani used the news conference to repeat baseless claims that electoral fraud was a factor in Joe Biden 's victory .
When asked by Sky 's US correspondent Cordelia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overturn the election result , Mr Giuliani said : `` The most important thing here is that this has been a massive attack on the integrity of the voting system in the greatest democracy on Earth .
`` The people who did this have committed one of the worst crimes that I have ever seen or observed . ''
It has been a running theme since Mr Trump failed to secure re-election , but no firm evidence has been provided .
Under what were presumably very hot lights , Mr Giuliani wiped his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , too , looking a little sheepish as a reporter asked a question .
Amid widespread amusement on Twitter , one user said the Trump aide was `` sweating black goo '' , while another speculated that he had a sponsorship deal with a hair dye manufacturer - which had just been cancelled .
It is the latest in a series of embarrassing events for the former mayor of New York City .
Another recent news conference was held opposite a crematorium and next to a sex shop .
Footage also emerged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside a hotel room with a 24-year-old actress after she tricked him into going back with her for the new Borat film .
In the movie , he is seen lying on a bed in a New York room , seemingly with his hands down his trousers .
The scene was filmed in July and prompted Mr Giuliani to call the police , who decided not to pursue the matter .
In a tweet , Mr Giuliani described the video as a `` complete fabrication '' , adding : `` I was tucking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recording equipment .
`` At no time before , during , or after the interview was I ever inappropriate .
If Sacha Baron Cohen implies otherwise he is a stone-cold liar . ''

Donald Trump's lawyer appears to be feeling the heat following the president's defeat in the US election.
Speaking to reporters in Washington DC, what appeared to be hair dye began streaming down Rudy Giuliani's cheeks.
The 76-year-old mopped his brow but failed to realise there were dark brown streaks running from his hairline down to his jaw at the Republican National Committee headquarters.
Image: Mr Giuliani mopped his brow as he took questions
Mr Giuliani used the news conference to repeat baseless claims that electoral fraud was a factor in Joe Biden's victory.
When asked by Sky's US correspondent Cordelia Lynch about the president's efforts to overturn the election result, Mr Giuliani said: "The most important thing here is that this has been a massive attack on the integrity of the voting system in the greatest democracy on Earth.
"The people who did this have committed one of the worst crimes that I have ever seen or observed."
It has been a running theme since Mr Trump failed to secure re-election, but no firm evidence has been provided.
Under what were presumably very hot lights, Mr Giuliani wiped his brow again - and his cheeks this time, too, looking a little sheepish as a reporter asked a question.
Amid widespread amusement on Twitter, one user said the Trump aide was "sweating black goo", while another speculated that he had a sponsorship deal with a hair dye manufacturer - which had just been cancelled.
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Image: Mr Giuliani has been through a series of embarrassing events
It is the latest in a series of embarrassing events for the former mayor of New York City.
Another recent news conference was held opposite a crematorium and next to a sex shop.
Footage also emerged days before the election of Mr Giuliani inside a hotel room with a 24-year-old actress after she tricked him into going back with her for the new Borat film.
In the movie, he is seen lying on a bed in a New York room, seemingly with his hands down his trousers.
The scene was filmed in July and prompted Mr Giuliani to call the police, who decided not to pursue the matter.
In a tweet, Mr Giuliani described the video as a "complete fabrication", adding: "I was tucking in my shirt after taking off the recording equipment.
"At no time before, during, or after the interview was I ever inappropriate. If Sacha Baron Cohen implies otherwise he is a stone-cold liar."