skynewsus--2020-11-30--Moderna seeks US approval for 94.1% effective vaccine

Moderna has said it is filing for regulatory approval in the US , and that its vaccine trials have shown no serious safety concerns .
The US-based company has also said its vaccine was 94.1 % effective , with 100 % efficacy against severe COVID-19 in its phase three trial .
Efficacy was consistent across age , race and ethnicity , as well as gender , the company has said .
Moderna said it would also apply for conditional approval from the European Medicines Agency , which has already started a rolling review of the data .
Speaking to Reuters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tal Zaks said : `` We believe that we have a vaccine that is very highly efficacious .
We now have the data to prove it .
`` We expect to be playing a major part in turning around this pandemic . ''
Dr Zaks admitted he was emotional after seeing the 94.1 % result : `` It was the first time I allowed myself to cry , '' he said .
`` At this level of effectiveness , when you just do the math of what it means for the pandemic that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just overwhelming . ''
If the approval process is successful , Moderna 's chief executive Stephane Bancel said the first injections could be given on 21 December , reported The New York Times .
The product is the second vaccine expected to receive US emergency use authorisation this year following a shot developed by Pfizer and BioNTech , which had a 95 % efficacy rate in trials .
Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines proved more effective than anticipated and far superior to the 50 % benchmark set by the US Food and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moderna , health secretary Alex Azar said the first two vaccines could be administered to Americans before Christmas .
Mr Azar told CBS that he and Vice President Mike Pence will speak to the nation 's governors on Monday to discuss the vaccines and which groups of people should be prioritised to receive them first .
Last week , it was revealed Americans could start receiving a COVID-19 vaccine as early as 11 December , according to the chief scientific adviser for the US government 's vaccine programme .
Dr Moncef Slaoui , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBC : `` Within 24 hours from the approval , the vaccine will be moving and located in the areas where each state will have told us where they want the vaccine doses . ''

Moderna has said it is filing for regulatory approval in the US, and that its vaccine trials have shown no serious safety concerns.
The US-based company has also said its vaccine was 94.1% effective, with 100% efficacy against severe COVID-19 in its phase three trial.
Efficacy was consistent across age, race and ethnicity, as well as gender, the company has said.
Moderna said it would also apply for conditional approval from the European Medicines Agency, which has already started a rolling review of the data.
Speaking to Reuters news agency, chief medical officer Dr Tal Zaks said: "We believe that we have a vaccine that is very highly efficacious. We now have the data to prove it.
"We expect to be playing a major part in turning around this pandemic."
Dr Zaks admitted he was emotional after seeing the 94.1% result: "It was the first time I allowed myself to cry," he said.
"At this level of effectiveness, when you just do the math of what it means for the pandemic that's raging around us, it's just overwhelming."
If the approval process is successful, Moderna's chief executive Stephane Bancel said the first injections could be given on 21 December, reported The New York Times.
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Image: How COVID-19 vaccines ordered by the UK compare
The product is the second vaccine expected to receive US emergency use authorisation this year following a shot developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, which had a 95% efficacy rate in trials.
Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines proved more effective than anticipated and far superior to the 50% benchmark set by the US Food and Drug Administration.
After the announcement by Moderna, health secretary Alex Azar said the first two vaccines could be administered to Americans before Christmas.
Mr Azar told CBS that he and Vice President Mike Pence will speak to the nation's governors on Monday to discuss the vaccines and which groups of people should be prioritised to receive them first.
Last week, it was revealed Americans could start receiving a COVID-19 vaccine as early as 11 December, according to the chief scientific adviser for the US government's vaccine programme.
Dr Moncef Slaoui, part of Operation Warp Speed, told NBC: "Within 24 hours from the approval, the vaccine will be moving and located in the areas where each state will have told us where they want the vaccine doses."


skynewsus--2020-11-30--Biden fractures foot while playing with dog and will likely need to wear a boot

President-elect Joe Biden has fractured his foot while playing with one of his dogs and will likely need to wear a boot for several weeks , his doctor has said .
Mr Biden visited an orthopaedist in Newark , Delaware , on Sunday afternoon after suffering the injury the day before .
A CT scan found tiny fractures of two small bones in the middle of his right foot , his doctor Kevin O'Connor said in a statement .
`` It is anticipated that he will likely require a walking boot for several weeks , '' Mr O'Connor added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ later tweeted him to say `` Get well soon '' , in a move considered surprising by some .
Mr Biden was spotted limping as he left the doctor 's office for his CT scan , although he did not use a crutch or walking aid .
Wearing a mask and casual clothing , he seemed in good spirits as he waved to reporters .
The president-elect had been playing with his dog , Major , when he sustained the injury .
Major was adopted from a rescue centre in 2018 , meaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first rescue dog to live in the White House .
The Bidens also have another dog , Champ , and have said they plan to get a cat .
At 78 , Mr Biden will be the oldest president when he is inaugurated in January , although he has frequently brushed off questions about his age .
In a doctor 's report he released last year , he was described as `` healthy , vigorous '' and `` fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency '' .

President-elect Joe Biden has fractured his foot while playing with one of his dogs and will likely need to wear a boot for several weeks, his doctor has said.
Mr Biden visited an orthopaedist in Newark, Delaware, on Sunday afternoon after suffering the injury the day before.
A CT scan found tiny fractures of two small bones in the middle of his right foot, his doctor Kevin O'Connor said in a statement.
Image: Joe Biden was playing with his dog, Major. Credit: Delaware Humane Association Instagram
"It is anticipated that he will likely require a walking boot for several weeks," Mr O'Connor added.
The Democrat's political opponent Donald Trump later tweeted him to say "Get well soon", in a move considered surprising by some.
Mr Biden was spotted limping as he left the doctor's office for his CT scan, although he did not use a crutch or walking aid.
Wearing a mask and casual clothing, he seemed in good spirits as he waved to reporters.
The president-elect had been playing with his dog, Major, when he sustained the injury.
Major was adopted from a rescue centre in 2018, meaning that in January he will be the first rescue dog to live in the White House.
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The Bidens also have another dog, Champ, and have said they plan to get a cat.
At 78, Mr Biden will be the oldest president when he is inaugurated in January, although he has frequently brushed off questions about his age.
In a doctor's report he released last year, he was described as "healthy, vigorous" and "fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency".


skynewsus--2020-11-30--Sailor found clinging to capsized boat after almost two days missing at sea

A man who vanished at sea was found clinging to the bow of his capsized boat around 86 miles off the coast of Florida after almost two days at sea .
Stuart Bee had set off on his vessel from Cape Marina in Port Canaveral on Friday afternoon before it was crippled by mechanical problems on Saturday .
The 32-foot Sea Ray became disabled , leaving him drifting helplessly in the Atlantic Ocean .
Officials say he was woken abruptly sometime after midnight on Sunday `` when water rushed into the forward cabin and pushed him out of the front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was left stranded in the sea for hours in the dark , hanging on to last part of his boat that was still above water .
But the US Coast Guard said that as conditions became lighter , he eventually spotted another vessel and began desperately trying to flag it down .
`` After sunrise he noticed the motor vessel Angeles in the distance , removed his shirt and began waving to gain the attention of the crew , '' a spokesperson said .
Images show him clambering aboard the boat , before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Group Calling '' message to say they had located the missing man .
Captain Mark Vlaun , commanding officer of US Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville , hailed those involved in the rescue .
`` Saving lives at sea is our highest calling , '' he said .
`` This is a truly incredible outcome that demonstrates the bond among all mariners and our community .
`` Thank you to our mission partners that launch into action and to all who got the word out to find and rescue Mr Bee . ''
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thank you to all mariners who were on the lookout and especially the motor vessel Angeles for rescuing Mr Bee . ''

A man who vanished at sea was found clinging to the bow of his capsized boat around 86 miles off the coast of Florida after almost two days at sea.
Stuart Bee had set off on his vessel from Cape Marina in Port Canaveral on Friday afternoon before it was crippled by mechanical problems on Saturday.
The 32-foot Sea Ray became disabled, leaving him drifting helplessly in the Atlantic Ocean.
Officials say he was woken abruptly sometime after midnight on Sunday "when water rushed into the forward cabin and pushed him out of the front hatch of the vessel".
Image: The missing sailor was rescued by the Angeles motorised vessel. Pic: US Coast Guard Southeast
He was left stranded in the sea for hours in the dark, hanging on to last part of his boat that was still above water.
But the US Coast Guard said that as conditions became lighter, he eventually spotted another vessel and began desperately trying to flag it down.
"After sunrise he noticed the motor vessel Angeles in the distance, removed his shirt and began waving to gain the attention of the crew," a spokesperson said.
Images show him clambering aboard the boat, before the crew responded to an "Enhanced Group Calling" message to say they had located the missing man.
Captain Mark Vlaun, commanding officer of US Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville, hailed those involved in the rescue.
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"Saving lives at sea is our highest calling," he said.
"This is a truly incredible outcome that demonstrates the bond among all mariners and our community.
"Thank you to our mission partners that launch into action and to all who got the word out to find and rescue Mr Bee."
A US Coast Guard spokesperson added: "Thank you to all mariners who were on the lookout and especially the motor vessel Angeles for rescuing Mr Bee."


skynewsus--2020-11-30--Dolly Parton says she 'cried all night' after turning down Elvis deal

Dolly Parton says she `` cried all night long '' after a deal for Elvis Presley to sing her song I Will Always Love You went sour .
Parton 's 1974 tune went on to become a hit for Whitney Houston in 1992 , as the lead track for the film The Bodyguard .
However , if history had turned out differently , it could have been a song more closely associated with The King .
Parton told The Big Issue that Presley had approached her to record a version of the ballad , but she had turned him down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` I 'd been invited down to the studio to meet Elvis and be there when he sang my song .
That was the most exciting thing that had ever happened to me .
Who does n't love Elvis ?
`` But then Colonel ( Tom Parker , Presley 's manager ) called me the afternoon before the session and said 'You do know we have to have at least half the publishing on any song that Elvis records ? '
`` And I said 'No , I did not know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's just a rule ' .
So I said 'Well , it 's not my rule ' . ''
Parton added : `` And I cried all night long , because I was so disappointed .
It was n't Elvis , I loved Elvis .
And I 'm sure he was as disappointed as I was because he had it all worked up and ready to go .
I know he loved the song . ''
She also said she would choose Presley as her `` last conversation '' if she could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she could clear up the dispute .
`` I 'd probably talk about I Will Always Love You and say 'Hey , I bet you were as disappointed as I was about all that and I still dream about you singing that song ' .
`` Matter of fact , I even wrote a song called I Dreamed About Elvis Last Night and I had an Elvis soundalike sing it with me and we actually sing ' I will always love you ' in it .
`` And one day , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So I think that I 'd talk to Elvis , and just clear that up with him . ''
: : Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker She also said that Presley 's ex-wife , Priscilla , once told her that Elvis sang the song to her after they left the court hand-in-hand following their divorce .
Parton added : `` That really touched me and I thought 'Oh well , I can only imagine ' .
But it was n't his fault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To My Younger Self is available in The Big Issue from Wednesday 2 December .

Dolly Parton says she "cried all night long" after a deal for Elvis Presley to sing her song I Will Always Love You went sour.
Parton's 1974 tune went on to become a hit for Whitney Houston in 1992, as the lead track for the film The Bodyguard.
However, if history had turned out differently, it could have been a song more closely associated with The King.
Image: Elvis Presley was keen to cover I Will Always Love You
Parton told The Big Issue that Presley had approached her to record a version of the ballad, but she had turned him down over money.
The 74-year-old country star said: "I'd been invited down to the studio to meet Elvis and be there when he sang my song. That was the most exciting thing that had ever happened to me. Who doesn't love Elvis?
"But then Colonel (Tom Parker, Presley's manager) called me the afternoon before the session and said 'You do know we have to have at least half the publishing on any song that Elvis records?'
"And I said 'No, I did not know that'. He said 'Well, it's just a rule'. So I said 'Well, it's not my rule'."
Parton added: "And I cried all night long, because I was so disappointed. It wasn't Elvis, I loved Elvis. And I'm sure he was as disappointed as I was because he had it all worked up and ready to go. I know he loved the song."
She also said she would choose Presley as her "last conversation" if she could speak to anyone from history, so that she could clear up the dispute.
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Image: Parton would love to speak to him one more time, to settle the dispute
"I'd probably talk about I Will Always Love You and say 'Hey, I bet you were as disappointed as I was about all that and I still dream about you singing that song'.
"Matter of fact, I even wrote a song called I Dreamed About Elvis Last Night and I had an Elvis soundalike sing it with me and we actually sing 'I will always love you' in it.
"And one day, I'm going to put that track out. So I think that I'd talk to Elvis, and just clear that up with him."
:: Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
She also said that Presley's ex-wife, Priscilla, once told her that Elvis sang the song to her after they left the court hand-in-hand following their divorce.
Parton added: "That really touched me and I thought 'Oh well, I can only imagine'. But it wasn't his fault."
Dolly Parton's full Letter To My Younger Self is available in The Big Issue from Wednesday 2 December.


skynewsus--2020-11-30--President-elect chooses most diverse economics team in US history

Joe Biden is pressing ahead with forming his government by announcing his picks for some of the top jobs in his economic team .
A number of his choices are set to make history - together they make up the country 's most diverse economic leadership team ever .
His picks include the first woman to head up the US Treasury , the first black person to deputise and the first women of colour leading the Office of Management and Budget and the Council of Economic Advisers .
The president-elect is also clearly keen to surround himself with heavyweights .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic experience , in government , in academia and at America 's central bank .
The transition team said this team would help `` lift America out of the current economic downturn and build back better '' .
If confirmed , Janet Yellen will be the first woman to lead the Treasury Department in its nearly 232 year history .
She is a highly regarded economist having formerly chaired the US Federal Reserve and worked as a senior economic adviser to President Bill Clinton .
She led America 's central bank between 2014-2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Markets rallied last week when it was first made clear last week she would be appointed .
She is widely credited with having helped lead America through the recession following the 2008 financial crash and has spoken about the need to address challenges ranging from inequality , financial exclusion and climate change .
Donald Trump broke with the tradition that usually sees presidents reappoint their predecessor 's choice to head up the Federal Reserve for a second term , hence Yellen only served one four year term at the bank .
Her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make her palatable to both progressive Democrats and Republicans .
Who else is on the list ?
This will be the most diverse economics team in American history .
For the first time the Deputy Treasury Secretary will be black .
Nigerian born Wally Adeyemo served in a number of economic advisory positions under Barack Obama and is currently the CEO of the not-for-profit Obama Foundation .
In addition to Janet Yellen there will also be three other women in senior positions , two of colour .
Neera Tanden , a former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and CEO of the liberal think tank Center for American Progress has been appointed to serve as Director of the Office of Management and Budget .
Cecilia Rouse , a labour economist and senior academic at Princeton University , is Biden 's pick to serve as the chair of the Council of Economic Advisers ( CEA ) .
Both will be the first women of colour in their roles .
Ms Rouse has previously served on the CEA and earlier this year she organised a letter signed by 100 economists calling for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic .
Underneath her on the CEA , Biden has appointed Jared Bernstein and Heather Boushey .
Both have distinguished economic backgrounds and both advised Biden during the presidential campaign .
Neera Tanden is the daughter of Indian immigrants and as well as being a longstanding Hillary Clinton ally , she served as a healthcare adviser to President Obama playing a role in formulating the Affordable Care Act - or 'Obamacare ' .
But her nomination to lead the US Budget Department has drawn criticism from both the left and the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate confirmation , and unless the Democrats can win two razor tight Senate runoffs in Georgia , it 's likely to be controlled by the Republicans .
Progressive Democrats do n't like her because she 's been an outspoken critic of key figures from that wing of the party including Bernie Sanders .
They see her politics as too far to the right , some have today circulated old tweets from her supporting , amongst other things , Donald Trump 's policies on social security .
While on the other side Republicans do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of very public criticism and jibes aimed at their leaders .
A spokesman for one Senate Republican said she `` stands zero chance of being confirmed '' .
Confirming Ms Tanden in her position may be Biden 's first major test in the Senate .

Joe Biden is pressing ahead with forming his government by announcing his picks for some of the top jobs in his economic team.
A number of his choices are set to make history - together they make up the country's most diverse economic leadership team ever.
His picks include the first woman to head up the US Treasury, the first black person to deputise and the first women of colour leading the Office of Management and Budget and the Council of Economic Advisers.
The president-elect is also clearly keen to surround himself with heavyweights. Many of his nominees have decades of economic experience, in government, in academia and at America's central bank.
The transition team said this team would help "lift America out of the current economic downturn and build back better".
Janet Yellen - Nominee for Treasury Secretary
If confirmed, Janet Yellen will be the first woman to lead the Treasury Department in its nearly 232 year history.
She is a highly regarded economist having formerly chaired the US Federal Reserve and worked as a senior economic adviser to President Bill Clinton.
She led America's central bank between 2014-2018 and served as vice chair before that. Markets rallied last week when it was first made clear last week she would be appointed.
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Image: Janet Yellen will be the first woman treasury secretary
She is widely credited with having helped lead America through the recession following the 2008 financial crash and has spoken about the need to address challenges ranging from inequality, financial exclusion and climate change.
Donald Trump broke with the tradition that usually sees presidents reappoint their predecessor's choice to head up the Federal Reserve for a second term, hence Yellen only served one four year term at the bank.
Her breadth of experience and beliefs are likely to make her palatable to both progressive Democrats and Republicans.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:41 Joe Biden appoints first-ever US climate envoy
Who else is on the list?
This will be the most diverse economics team in American history.
For the first time the Deputy Treasury Secretary will be black. Nigerian born Wally Adeyemo served in a number of economic advisory positions under Barack Obama and is currently the CEO of the not-for-profit Obama Foundation.
In addition to Janet Yellen there will also be three other women in senior positions, two of colour.
Neera Tanden, a former adviser to both Obama and Hillary Clinton and CEO of the liberal think tank Center for American Progress has been appointed to serve as Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
Cecilia Rouse, a labour economist and senior academic at Princeton University, is Biden's pick to serve as the chair of the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA).
Both will be the first women of colour in their roles.
Image: Heather Boushey will serve on the Council of Economic Advisers
Ms Rouse has previously served on the CEA and earlier this year she organised a letter signed by 100 economists calling for more action to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Underneath her on the CEA, Biden has appointed Jared Bernstein and Heather Boushey. Both have distinguished economic backgrounds and both advised Biden during the presidential campaign.
Why has Neera Tanden's nomination caused controversy?
Neera Tanden is the daughter of Indian immigrants and as well as being a longstanding Hillary Clinton ally, she served as a healthcare adviser to President Obama playing a role in formulating the Affordable Care Act - or 'Obamacare'.
But her nomination to lead the US Budget Department has drawn criticism from both the left and the right.
This matters because her appointment needs Senate confirmation, and unless the Democrats can win two razor tight Senate runoffs in Georgia, it's likely to be controlled by the Republicans.
Image: Neera Tanden is facing criticism from both Democrats and Republicans
Progressive Democrats don't like her because she's been an outspoken critic of key figures from that wing of the party including Bernie Sanders.
They see her politics as too far to the right, some have today circulated old tweets from her supporting, amongst other things, Donald Trump's policies on social security.
While on the other side Republicans don't like her because of her record of very public criticism and jibes aimed at their leaders.
A spokesman for one Senate Republican said she "stands zero chance of being confirmed".
Confirming Ms Tanden in her position may be Biden's first major test in the Senate.


skynewsus--2020-11-23--Janet Yellen appointed to key Joe Biden cabinet role - find out who his picks are and why they matte

Janet Yellen appointed to key Joe Biden cabinet role - find out who his picks are and why they matter

President-elect Joe Biden has formally announced some key cabinet picks for his top teams .
The list brings together people who worked in the Obama administration and the White House , with some who have relationships with Mr Biden dating back many years .
It also marks several firsts for America - including the first woman to lead national intelligence , the first Latino and immigrant to lead the Department of Homeland Security , and the first ever climate change envoy .
Many are well-known to foreign diplomats around the world and share a belief in strong US alliances internationally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of foreign interventions after the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan .
Here 's who Mr Biden plans to bring on board - and more importantly , why they matter .
John Kerry , the former secretary of state , will be climate czar .
A statement released by the transition office said Mr Kerry `` will fight climate change full-time as special presidential envoy for climate and will sit on the National Security Council '' .
Mr Kerry is perhaps the most well-known of Mr Biden 's appointments , with a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said he looked forward to working with `` young leaders of the climate movement '' .
This group , spearheaded by the Sunrise Movement , helped get Mr Biden elected .
Many support the Green New Deal and will be holding Mr Biden 's feet to the fire .
Unlike others , this role does n't need Senate confirmation .
Ms Yellen is seen as a safe pair of hands at the tiller of the country 's economy after one of the sharpest contractions in US GDP in history .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 2014 to 2018 , when she placed a greater emphasis than previous Fed chairs on maximising employment and less focus on price inflation .
Ms Yellen , if confirmed by the Senate , would be the first woman to serve as treasury secretary , after breaking ground as the first woman to chair the Fed .
Mr Biden has also selected Wally Adeyemo to be Ms Yellen 's deputy , which would make him the first Black deputy treasury secretary .
Ms Yellen , whose nomination has been met with general approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we must restore the American dream - a society where each person can rise to their potential and dream even bigger for their children .
As Treasury Secretary , I will work every day towards rebuilding that dream for all . ''
Antony Blinken , secretary of state , one of Mr Biden 's closest and longest-serving foreign policy advisers Mr Blinken has previously said Brexit was like a dog being run over by a car - a `` total mess '' .
He compared it to the rise of far right leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Boris Johnson may have some persuading to do and some delicate conversations ahead .
Like Mr Biden , expect Mr Blinken to be pushing hard on the sanctity of the Northern Irish peace deal in any Brexit negotiations .
He is widely viewed as a pragmatic centrist on foreign policy who has supported past American interventions and is well respected by some Republicans .
Democrats say they hope he will revive what they see as a beleaguered State Department and the career Foreign and Civil Service .
In an interview with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as `` outstanding '' and `` smart , gracious , a skilled diplomat , well-regarded around the world '' .
Alejandro Mayorkas , secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Served as deputy Homeland Security secretary from 2013 to 2016 .
He 'd be the first Latino to run the department if confirmed and will be tasked with implementing and managing the nation 's immigration policies .
He also worked as an attorney in California .
He 'll need to work on rebuilding faith in the department after President Trump , some critics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recipient of his most controversial policies .
Linda Thomas-Greenfield , US ambassador to the United Nations Mr Biden 's nominee to become the next US ambassador to the United Nations served as Barack Obama 's top diplomat on Africa from 2013 to 2017 .
In the role , she led US policy in Africa south of the Sahara during the West African Ebola outbreak , during which thousands of people died but many lives were saved by international intervention .
She will take on a job that Mr Biden plans to restore to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman to occupy the role was Susan Rice , under Mr Obama .
She 'd be the first woman appointed to this position .
Ms Haines served as deputy director of the CIA in the Obama administration before succeeding Tony Blinken as Mr Obama 's deputy national security adviser .
She , too , is a former aide to Mr Biden .
There are no great shocks , no great controversies or creative elements in any of these appointments .
Many of the picks are people Mr Biden has worked with for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signature quality of his leadership preferences .
They are largely centrist globalists who will want to restore relations with organisations like NATO that President Trump heavily criticised .
There are more women and more people of colour than we 've seen in the past four years - a sign Mr Biden wants to be seen to be reflecting America 's demographics .
His team are also vetting Representative Deb Haaland for the interior secretary post .
The Democratic Representative for New Mexico and member of the Pueblo of Laguna , would be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bedingfield , who Mr Biden has chosen as White House communications director , was his campaign spokeswoman .
She will be part of a team that includes veteran Democratic spokeswoman Jen Psaki as press secretary .
The economist at Princeton University has been nominated as chair of the Council of Economic Advisers .
She would be the first black woman to lead the council , which advises the president on economic policy .
She was a member of the council under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2011 .
Mr Biden has proposed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for American Progress think tank as head of the Office of Management and Budget .
As a daughter of Indian immigrants , she would be the first Asian heritage woman to run the OMB .
Ms Tanden helped the Obama administration create the Affordable Care Act , the healthcare overhaul popularly known as Obamacare , which Republicans have tried to dismantle , and she is expected to face a tough confirmation hearing process when it reaches the Senate .

Joe Biden has largely finalised the cabinet he wants to work with after entering the White House.
Almost all have connections to the Obama administration, with some having relationships with Mr Biden that date back many years.
If all are confirmed, his picks will mark several firsts for America - including the first woman to lead national intelligence, the first Latino and immigrant to lead the Department of Homeland Security, the first black defence secretary, the first native American to serve in the cabinet and the first ever climate change envoy.
Image: Joe Biden's new cabinet appointments reflect one of the most diverse in US history
But it may take time before they are all in place, as many have to be approved by the Senate, which is busy with other matters for the near future.
In the meantime, Mr Biden has said he intends to appoint interim agency heads to lead cabinet agencies and departments while his nominees await confirmation.
Here's who Mr Biden plans to bring on board - and more importantly, why they matter.
John Kerry, the former secretary of state, will be climate envoy for national security issues.
A statement released by the transition office said Mr Kerry "will fight climate change full-time as special presidential envoy for climate and will sit on the National Security Council".
Mr Kerry is perhaps the most well-known of Mr Biden's appointments, with a lot of experience in global crises.
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On Twitter, he said he looked forward to working with "young leaders of the climate movement".
Unlike others, this role doesn't need Senate confirmation.
Janet Yellen is seen as a safe pair of hands at the tiller of the country's economy after one of the sharpest contractions in US GDP in history.
She served as chair of the Federal Reserve from 2014 to 2018, when she placed a greater emphasis than previous Fed chairs on maximising employment and less focus on price inflation.
Ms Yellen, if confirmed by the Senate, would be the first woman to serve as treasury secretary, after breaking ground as the first woman to chair the Fed.
Mr Biden has also selected Wally Adeyemo to be Ms Yellen's deputy, which would make him the first Black deputy treasury secretary.
California's attorney general has been nominated at a time when the US is grappling with one of the worst stages of the pandemic since it began.
The 62-year-old Latino has been picked to lead the health agency as the daily number of dead in the US passes 4,000 and the country is aiming to vaccinate tens of millions.
The former congressman will, if confirmed, will head up a team that will include Dr Rochelle Walensky to run the US Centers for Disease Control, Dr Vivek Murthy as surgeon general and Dr Anthony Fauci, as chief medical officer, in a signal of approval for an official who has faced criticism from Donald Trump.
Gen Austin oversaw US forces in the Middle East under Mr Obama and would be the first black leader of the Pentagon if the Senate confirms him.
He also served in 2012 as the first black vice chief of staff of the army, the service's number two ranking position.
Having retired in 2016, he has been out of the military less than the required seven years, so would need a waiver from Congress to take the post.
Mr Blinken has previously said Brexit was like a dog being run over by a car - a "total mess".
He compared it to the rise of far-right leader Marine Le Pen in France.
So, Boris Johnson may have some persuading to do and some delicate conversations ahead.
Like Mr Biden, expect Mr Blinken to be pushing hard on the sanctity of the Northern Irish peace deal in the aftermath of Brexit.
He is widely viewed as a pragmatic centrist on foreign policy who has supported past American interventions and is well respected by some Republicans.
Served as deputy homeland security secretary from 2013 to 2016.
He'd be the first Latino to run the department if confirmed and will be tasked with implementing and managing the nation's immigration policies.
He's a Cuban-born immigrant whose family fled the Castro revolution. He also worked as an attorney in California.
He'll need to work on rebuilding faith in the department after President Trump, some critics say, turned it into a passive recipient of his most controversial policies.
If confirmed, the former presidential nomination candidate would be the first openly gay person approved by the Senate to a cabinet position.
At 38, Mr Buttigieg was one of the youngest in the large group of Democratic wannabes who sought the chance to run for the White House in the early primaries.
He had undergone a meteoric rise having only been the mayor of a small Indiana city before his presidential run.
But the success he scored in some of the first contests to choose a contender to Mr Trump in January marked him out as unexpectedly popular.
Likely to be working extensively with Mr Buttigieg and John Kerry will be Ms Granholm, who if confirmed will have the task of moving the country towards achieving the requirements of the Paris Accord, which Mr Biden has said he will rejoin as soon as he is inaugurated.
The 61-year-old was Michigan's first female governor between 2003 and 2010 and was a strong supporter of Mr Biden's presidential bid, having worked with him in 2009 during the bailout of General Motors and Chrysler.
Democratic governor of Rhode Island and a lawyer with a background in venture capital.
Ms Raimondo has launched successful workforce training programs in her state.
Ms Fudge has served in the House of Representatives since 2008, for Ohio's 11th congressional district
If confirmed, she would be the second black woman to lead the department.
Mr Walsh was elected mayor of Boston in 2013.
He has backed both a $15 minimum wage and paid family leave and said he wants to expand union membership.
After working as a federal appeals court judge since 1997, Mr Garland was nominated by Barack Obama to be a US Supreme Court judge in 2016.
His nomination was blocked by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Mr Cardona is currently the education commissioner for Connecticut.
As a former teacher, his appointment would fulfil Mr Biden's pledge to choose a professional educator to lead the education department.
Mr Vilsack led the US Department of Agriculture under Barack Obama, for both terms of his presidency.
He was also Iowa's governor from 1999 until 2007.
Mr Burns spent more than three decades as a US diplomat honing his specialities in Russia and the Middle East, including a period as ambassador to Russia.
Under President Obama, he was deputy secretary of state.
Mr McDonough was the White House chief of staff throughout the whole of Barack Obama's second term and also served as the president's deputy national security adviser.
While he has a long history of working in national security roles, he would be the second non-veteran to head up the department.
The US ambassador to the United Nations under President Barack Obama has been chosen to run the agency overseeing American foreign humanitarian and development aid.
If confirmed by the Senate, UK-born Ms Power will head a US agency which has an annual budget of about $20 billion.
Mr Biden called the 50-year-old, who was born to Irish parents and grew up in Ireland before becoming a US citizen in 1993, "a world-renowned voice of conscience and moral clarity."
The graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School worked as a journalist during the Balkan wars in the early 1990s and served as UN ambassador from 2013 to 2017.
The former assistant administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency will run Mr Biden's ambitious climate plans across federal government.
She had previously worked for the Obama administration in the Office of Air and Radiation, and brought into action a plan to set national standards to reduce power plant carbon emissions.
The plan was later discarded by Donald Trump.
Mr Biden's nominee to become the next US ambassador to the United Nations served as Barack Obama's top diplomat on Africa from 2013 to 2017.
In the role, she led US policy in Africa south of the Sahara during the West African Ebola outbreak, during which thousands of people died but many lives were saved by international intervention.
She will take on a job that Mr Biden plans to restore to a cabinet level. The first black woman to occupy the role was Susan Rice, under Mr Obama.
She'd be the first woman appointed to this position.
Ms Haines served as deputy director of the CIA in the Obama administration before succeeding Tony Blinken as Mr Obama's deputy national security adviser.
She, too, is a former aide to Mr Biden.
Image: Deb Haaland, interior secretary
Deb Haaland, a Democratic congresswoman from New Mexico since 2019, would be the first Native American Cabinet secretary.
The member of the Pueblo of Laguna, would also be the Native American first to oversee the department, whose jurisdiction includes tribal lands.
Kate Bedingfield, who Mr Biden has chosen as White House communications director, was his campaign spokeswoman.
She will be part of a team that includes veteran Democratic spokeswoman Jen Psaki as press secretary.
The economist at Princeton University has been nominated as chair of the Council of Economic Advisers.
She would be the first black woman to lead the council, which advises the president on economic policy.
She was a member of the council under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2011.
Mr Biden has proposed the current chief executive of the liberal Center for American Progress think tank as head of the Office of Management and Budget.
As a daughter of Indian immigrants, she would be the first Asian heritage woman to run the OMB.
She is expected to face a tough confirmation hearing process when it reaches the Senate.


skynewsus--2020-12-01--Melania Trump unveils White House Christmas decorations for the last time

Melania Trump has unveiled the White House Christmas decorations for the final time as first lady .
In a departure from previous years , Mrs Trump chose traditional green trees for the 132 rooms at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue .
This year 125 volunteers helped decorate 62 trees , put up 106 wreaths , more than 1,200ft of garland , over 3,200 strands of lights and 17,000 bows to reflect Mrs Trump 's `` America the Beautiful '' theme for the festive season .
Monday 's big reveal came just weeks after a secret recording emerged in which the first lady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holidays .
The July 2018 conversation was recorded by former White House aide Stephanie Winston Wolkoff , who published a tell-all book about their relationship and was fired this year .
In it , Mrs Trump said : `` I 'm working ... my a** off on the Christmas stuff , that you know , who gives a f*** about the Christmas stuff and decorations ?
But I need to do it , right ? ''
This year , frontline workers and first responders are the focus of the Red Room decorations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handmade ornaments .
The official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room - a fir more than 18ft tall - was designed by students , who were asked by the National Park Service to depict what makes their home states beautiful .
In the state dining room a Gingerbread White House - made from more than 400lb of dough , gum paste , chocolate and royal icing - features the Rose Garden for the first time after Mrs Trump renovated it this year .
The Rose Garden was where President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event in September that saw Amy Coney Barrett sworn in as a Supreme Court Judge and was linked to several cases of coronavirus among White House staff .
Mr and Mrs Trump tested positive for the virus days later .
This year , a buck and a crane are featured in a three-dimensional art hanging in windows of the Green Room , where American wildlife is the highlight .
The East Wing walkway is lined with green foliage from different states .
Trees and other decorations in the East Room feature planes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air Force One - in a nod to triumphs in innovations and technology .
And presents beneath decorated trees lining the Cross Hall bear tags that say `` peace , '' `` love , '' `` faith '' and `` joy '' .
In previous years , Mrs Trump 's unusual festive choices have included red trees that were likened to Margaret Atwood 's The Handmaid 's Tale and bright white foliage instead of the traditional green .
This December is the last the Trumps will spend in the White House , before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 January .
Mr Trump continues to falsely insist he won the 3 November election .

Melania Trump has unveiled the White House Christmas decorations for the final time as first lady.
In a departure from previous years, Mrs Trump chose traditional green trees for the 132 rooms at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
This year 125 volunteers helped decorate 62 trees, put up 106 wreaths, more than 1,200ft of garland, over 3,200 strands of lights and 17,000 bows to reflect Mrs Trump's "America the Beautiful" theme for the festive season.
Monday's big reveal came just weeks after a secret recording emerged in which the first lady was heard complaining about decorating for the holidays.
Image: The White House Cross Hall is decorated with traditional green trees in a departure from previous years
Image: Melania Trump with the White House Christmas tree as it arrived last week
The July 2018 conversation was recorded by former White House aide Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, who published a tell-all book about their relationship and was fired this year.
In it, Mrs Trump said: "I'm working... my a** off on the Christmas stuff, that you know, who gives a f*** about the Christmas stuff and decorations? But I need to do it, right?"
This year, frontline workers and first responders are the focus of the Red Room decorations, where the trees have been adorned with handmade ornaments.
The official White House Christmas tree in the Blue Room - a fir more than 18ft tall - was designed by students, who were asked by the National Park Service to depict what makes their home states beautiful.
Image: Frontline workers are the focus of the Red Room decorations, where the trees have been adorned with handmade ornaments
In the state dining room a Gingerbread White House - made from more than 400lb of dough, gum paste, chocolate and royal icing - features the Rose Garden for the first time after Mrs Trump renovated it this year.
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The Rose Garden was where President Donald Trump hosted the so-called "super spreader" event in September that saw Amy Coney Barrett sworn in as a Supreme Court Judge and was linked to several cases of coronavirus among White House staff.
Image: The gingerbread White House displayed in the state dining room features the Rose Garden for the first time
Mr and Mrs Trump tested positive for the virus days later.
This year, a buck and a crane are featured in a three-dimensional art hanging in windows of the Green Room, where American wildlife is the highlight.
Image: American wildlife is the focus of the Green Room this year
The East Wing walkway is lined with green foliage from different states.
Trees and other decorations in the East Room feature planes, trains and cars - including models of Air Force One - in a nod to triumphs in innovations and technology.
Image: The East Room's theme is innovation and technology with a models of trains and planes including Air Force One
And presents beneath decorated trees lining the Cross Hall bear tags that say "peace," "love," "faith" and "joy".
In previous years, Mrs Trump's unusual festive choices have included red trees that were likened to Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale and bright white foliage instead of the traditional green.
This December is the last the Trumps will spend in the White House, before president-elect Joe Biden is sworn in on 20 January.
Mr Trump continues to falsely insist he won the 3 November election.


skynewsus--2020-12-01--Trump adviser and coronavirus sceptic Scott Atlas leaves White House job

Dr Scott Atlas , a science adviser to President Donald Trump who clashed with top government scientists over COVID-19 control measures , has resigned from his White House post .
A White House official confirmed that the Stanford University neuro-radiologist , who had no formal experience in public health or infectious diseases , resigned at the end of his temporary government assignment .
He joined the White House this summer , where he voiced his scepticism at measures recommended by Dr Anthony Fauci and Dr Deborah Birx , and resisted stronger efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Atlas has clashed with government experts , and the overwhelming consensus of the scientific community , to criticise efforts to encourage the use of face coverings to slow the spread of the virus .
Just weeks ago on Twitter he responded to Michigan 's latest virus restrictions by encouraging people to `` rise up '' against the state 's policies .
He also said lockdowns had been `` an epic failure '' in stopping the spread of the virus .
On 1 November Mr Atlas had to apologise for an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying he was unaware it was a registered foreign agent .
His views also prompted Stanford to issue a statement distancing itself from the faculty member , saying Mr Atlas `` has expressed views that are inconsistent with the university 's approach in response to the pandemic '' .
`` We support using masks , social distancing , and conducting surveillance and diagnostic testing , '' the university said on 16 November .
`` We also believe in the importance of strictly following the guidance of local and state health authorities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his resignation letter , saying , `` I can not think of a time where safeguarding science and the scientific debate is more urgent . ''
He was hired as a `` special government employee '' , which limited his service to government to 130 days in a calendar year - a deadline he reached this week .
`` Dr Scott Atlas ' resignation today is long overdue and underscores the triumph of science and truth over falsehoods and misinformation , '' his peers at Stanford University 's medical school said in a @ @ @ @ @ @

Dr Scott Atlas, a science adviser to President Donald Trump who clashed with top government scientists over COVID-19 control measures, has resigned from his White House post.
A White House official confirmed that the Stanford University neuro-radiologist, who had no formal experience in public health or infectious diseases, resigned at the end of his temporary government assignment.
Mr Atlas confirmed the news in a Monday evening tweet.
He joined the White House this summer, where he voiced his scepticism at measures recommended by Dr Anthony Fauci and Dr Deborah Birx, and resisted stronger efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 267,000 people in the US.
Image: Dr Atlas criticised the use of face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19
Mr Atlas has clashed with government experts, and the overwhelming consensus of the scientific community, to criticise efforts to encourage the use of face coverings to slow the spread of the virus.
Just weeks ago on Twitter he responded to Michigan's latest virus restrictions by encouraging people to "rise up" against the state's policies.
He also said lockdowns had been "an epic failure" in stopping the spread of the virus.
On 1 November Mr Atlas had to apologise for an interview with Russia's Kremlin-backed television station RT, saying he was unaware it was a registered foreign agent.
His views also prompted Stanford to issue a statement distancing itself from the faculty member, saying Mr Atlas "has expressed views that are inconsistent with the university's approach in response to the pandemic".
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"We support using masks, social distancing, and conducting surveillance and diagnostic testing," the university said on 16 November.
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"We also believe in the importance of strictly following the guidance of local and state health authorities."
Mr Atlas defended his role in his resignation letter, saying, "I cannot think of a time where safeguarding science and the scientific debate is more urgent."
He was hired as a "special government employee", which limited his service to government to 130 days in a calendar year - a deadline he reached this week.
"Dr Scott Atlas' resignation today is long overdue and underscores the triumph of science and truth over falsehoods and
misinformation," his peers at Stanford University's medical school said in a statement issued late on Monday.


skynewsus--2020-12-01--Blow for Trump as key ally says US prosecutors have found no evidence of voter fraud

Attorney General William Barr has said federal prosecutors have found no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 US presidential election .
Mr Barr told the Associated Press on Tuesday : `` To date , we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have affected a different outcome in the election . ''
Last month , he instructed the US Justice Department to investigate credible allegations of election fraud - but warned them to avoid probes into `` fanciful or far-fetched claims . ''
Since then , US attorneys and FBI agents have been working to follow-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had received , but have uncovered nothing .
Mr Barr 's stance is notable because he has been seen as one of Donald Trump 's most ardent allies .
Before the election , he had repeatedly suggested the voting process could be especially vulnerable to fraud during the coronavirus pandemic as Americans feared going to polls and instead chose to vote by mail .
Democratic president-elect Joe Biden beat Mr Trump by 306 to 232 Electoral College votes to win the White House .
Despite that , Mr Trump has continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud - claims that have been repeatedly rejected by state and federal officials .
The president took several weeks to allow his administration to begin the transition over to Mr Biden , but he has still refused to admit that he lost the election .
Shortly after Mr Barr 's statement was published , the president tweeted out even more baseless allegations .
Mr Trump has pursued a series of legal challenges in numerous states , although none have thus far resulted in any meaningful gains for the president .
Most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's legal team responded to Mr Barr 's comments by saying the Justice Department did not do enough to investigate allegations of voter fraud .
In a joint statement , Trump attorneys Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis said : `` With all due respect to the attorney general , there has n't been any semblance of a Department of Justice investigation .
`` Nonetheless , we will continue our pursuit of the truth . ''

Attorney General William Barr says federal prosecutors have found no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 US presidential election.
Mr Barr told the Associated Press on Tuesday: "To date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have affected a different outcome in the election."
Last month, he instructed the US Justice Department to investigate credible allegations of election fraud - but warned them to avoid probes into "fanciful or far-fetched claims".
Image: Donald Trump's legal team said they would 'continue their pursuit of truth'
Since then, US attorneys and FBI agents have been working to follow-up specific complaints about the election and information they had received, but have uncovered nothing.
Mr Barr's stance is notable because he has been seen as one of Donald Trump's most ardent allies.
Before the election, he had repeatedly suggested the voting process could be especially vulnerable to fraud during the coronavirus pandemic as Americans feared going to polls and instead chose to vote by mail.
Democratic president-elect Joe Biden beat Mr Trump by 306 to 232 Electoral College votes to win the White House.
Despite that, Mr Trump has continued to claim the election was marred by widespread fraud - claims that have been repeatedly rejected by state and federal officials.
The president took several weeks to allow his administration to begin the transition over to Mr Biden, but he has still refused to admit that he lost the election.
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Shortly after Mr Barr's statement was published, the president tweeted out even more baseless allegations.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:45 Trump: I'll 'certainly' leave if Biden is winner
Mr Trump has pursued a series of legal challenges in numerous states, although none have thus far resulted in any meaningful gains for the president. Most of the lawsuits have been rejected.
His campaign's legal team responded to Mr Barr's comments by saying the Justice Department did not do enough to investigate allegations of voter fraud.
In a joint statement, Trump attorneys Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis said: "With all due respect to the attorney general, there hasn't been any semblance of a Department of Justice investigation.
"Nonetheless, we will continue our pursuit of the truth."


skynewsus--2020-12-02--US investigators looking into political-bribery-for-presidential-pardon scheme

Investigators are looking into whether bribes were used to try to obtain presidential pardons in the US , according to federal court papers .
The heavily redacted document was unsealed by the chief judge for the federal court in Washington on Tuesday and do not name any of the individuals involved .
In a statement a Justice Department spokesperson said no government official was , or is currently a subject or target of the investigation .
According to the 18-page document , a number of people are suspected of having acted to secretly lobby White House officials to secure a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a related scheme , a substantial political contribution was floated in exchange for a pardon .
The court papers says the investigation is looking into whether at least two people `` acted as lobbyists to senior White House officials , without complying with the registration requirement of the Lobbying Disclosure Act… to secure a pardon or reprieve of sentence for '' an individual whose name is redacted .
The investigation also involves a possible offer by a redacted individual to `` offer a substantial political contribution in exchange for a presidential pardon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the probe , more than 50 laptops , iPads and other digital devices have been seized , according to the document .
The existence of the investigation was revealed in a court order from US District Judge Beryl Howell , the chief judge of Washington 's federal court , in which she granted investigators access to certain email communications connected to the alleged schemes that she said were not protected by attorney-client privilege .
Prosecutors will be able to use that material to confront any subject or target of the investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was dated August 28 , and prosecutors sought to keep it private because they said it identified people not charged by a grand jury .
But on Tuesday , Ms Howell unsealed that document while redacting from view any personally identifiable information .
There do not appear to have been any charges in the investigation yet .

Investigators are looking into whether bribes were used to try to obtain presidential pardons in the US, according to federal court papers.
The heavily redacted document was unsealed by the chief judge for the federal court in Washington on Tuesday and do not name any of the individuals involved.
In a statement a Justice Department spokesperson said no government official was, or is currently a subject or target of the investigation. Despite that, President Trump could not stop himself tweeting that the investigation was "Fake News!".
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According to the 18-page document, a number of people are suspected of having acted to secretly lobby White House officials to secure a pardon or sentence commutation and that, in a related scheme, a substantial political contribution was floated in exchange for a pardon.
The court papers says the investigation is looking into whether at least two people "acted as lobbyists to senior White House officials, without complying with the registration requirement of the Lobbying Disclosure Act… to secure a pardon or reprieve of sentence for" an individual whose name is redacted.
The investigation also involves a possible offer by a redacted individual to "offer a substantial political contribution in exchange for a presidential pardon or reprieve of sentence."
As part of the probe, more than 50 laptops, iPads and other digital devices have been seized, according to the document.
The existence of the investigation was revealed in a court order from US District Judge Beryl Howell, the chief judge of Washington's federal court, in which she granted investigators access to certain email communications connected to the alleged schemes that she said were not protected by attorney-client privilege.
Prosecutors will be able to use that material to confront any subject or target of the investigation, the judge wrote.
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The order was dated August 28, and prosecutors sought to keep it private because they said it identified people not charged by a grand jury. But on Tuesday, Ms Howell unsealed that document while redacting from view any personally identifiable information.
There do not appear to have been any charges in the investigation yet.


skynewsus--2020-12-01--Photographer explains what happened to mysterious monolith that disappeared

Part of the mystery surrounding the baffling appearance and disappearance of a monolith in Utah appears to have been explained .
Conspiracy theorists had speculated that the structure , which was discovered in the desert late last month , was removed by aliens - but a photographer has revealed he watched it being taken away by a group of men .
In an Instagram post , Ross Bernards said he had spotted four men removing the monolith on Friday evening before mysteriously saying : `` Leave no trace . ''
Mr Bernards explained he had driven to the location with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monolith .
`` I had just finished taking some photos of the monolith under the moonlight and was taking a break , thinking about settings I needed to change for my last battery of drone flight when we heard some voices coming up the canyon , '' he said .
`` 4 guys rounded the corner and 2 of them walked forward .
They gave a couple of pushes on the monolith and one of them said 'You better have got your pictures ' .
`` He then gave it a big push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to one side .
He yelled back to his other friends that they did n't need the tools .
The other guy with him at the monolith then said 'this is why you do n't leave trash in the desert ' . ''
The photographer described how the men pushed the structure until it landed on the ground with a `` loud bang '' .
`` They quickly broke it apart and as they were carrying to the wheelbarrow that they had brought one of them looked back at us all and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Explaining why his group did not stop the men , Mr Bernards said they were `` right '' to remove the monolith because people keen to see the mysterious structure were starting to ruin the local landscape .
`` We could literally see people trying to approach it from every direction to try and reach it , permanently altering the untouched landscape , '' he said .
`` Mother Nature is an artist , it 's best to leave the art in the wild to her . ''
The monolith 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it had come to be there - especially after a similar structure was discovered in Romania two weeks later .
Some have guessed the monolith is a tribute to science-fiction film 2001 : A Space Odyssey , in which a metal monolith is discovered in the desert by apes .
The Utah Bureau of Land Management ( BLM ) had indicated that it would not investigate its disappearance , saying : `` The BLM did not remove the structure , which is considered private property .
`` We do not investigate crimes involving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the local sheriff 's office . ''

Part of the mystery surrounding the baffling appearance and disappearance of a monolith in Utah appears to have been explained.
Conspiracy theorists had speculated that the structure, which was discovered in the desert late last month, was removed by aliens - but a photographer has revealed he watched it being taken away by a group of men.
In an Instagram post, Ross Bernards said he had spotted four men removing the monolith on Friday evening before mysteriously saying: "Leave no trace."
Mr Bernards explained he had driven to the location with three friends to take photographs of the monolith.
"I had just finished taking some photos of the monolith under the moonlight and was taking a break, thinking about settings I needed to change for my last battery of drone flight when we heard some voices coming up the canyon," he said.
"4 guys rounded the corner and 2 of them walked forward. They gave a couple of pushes on the monolith and one of them said 'You better have got your pictures'.
"He then gave it a big push, and it went over, leaning to one side. He yelled back to his other friends that they didn't need the tools. The other guy with him at the monolith then said 'this is why you don't leave trash in the desert'."
The photographer described how the men pushed the structure until it landed on the ground with a "loud bang".
"They quickly broke it apart and, as they were carrying to the wheelbarrow that they had brought, one of them looked back at us all and said 'Leave no trace'," he said.
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Image: The men said 'leave no trace' after removing the monolith. Pic: Utah Department of Public Safety
Explaining why his group did not stop the men, Mr Bernards said they were "right" to remove the monolith because people keen to see the mysterious structure were starting to ruin the local landscape.
"We could literally see people trying to approach it from every direction to try and reach it, permanently altering the untouched landscape," he said.
"Mother Nature is an artist, it's best to leave the art in the wild to her."
Image: A similar monolith appeared in 2001: A Space Odyssey
The monolith's strange appearance had sparked speculation about how it had come to be there - especially after a similar structure was discovered in Romania two weeks later.
Some have guessed the monolith is a tribute to science-fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey, in which a metal monolith is discovered in the desert by apes.
The Utah Bureau of Land Management (BLM) had indicated that it would not investigate its disappearance, saying: "The BLM did not remove the structure, which is considered private property.
"We do not investigate crimes involving private property, which are handled by the local sheriff's office."


skynewsus--2020-12-01--Airbnb targets $34.8bn valuation in Wall Street float

Airbnb is aiming for a valuation of up to $ 34.8bn ( £25.5bn ) when it floats in New York next week after a swift recovery in its fortunes in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic .
The company 's plans for an initial public offering ( IPO ) had been delayed earlier this year as travel restrictions hit bookings and prompted a cull of jobs .
But it has recovered more quickly than traditional hotels as guests seek homes in rural locations away from crowds .
In a regulatory filing on Tuesday , the company said it expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and $ 50 when they list on Wall Street 's Nasdaq exchange on 10 December , giving it a valuation of $ 34.8bn at the top end .
Founders Brian Chesky , Joe Gebbia and Nathan Blecharczyk , whose stakes in the company will each be worth more than $ 3bn , plan to sell stock worth nearly $ 100m in the IPO launch .
Some of its other investors include Hollywood actor Ashton Kutcher .
San Francisco-based Airbnb , launched in 2008 , has more than seven million listings on its platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The company allows homeowners to make money by renting their flats and houses while they are away themselves .
Revenues fell 32 % to $ 2.5bn in the first nine months of this year as travellers cancelled plans .
In May , Airbnb cut 1,900 jobs , or around 25 % of its workforce , as it slashed investments in projects not related to its core business , including film production .
The number of nights and experiences booked on its platform were down by 72 % in April .
But they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only about 20 % down in July , August and September .
Its recovery helped Airbnb post a surprise profit in the third quarter .
The company appears to have benefited from a trend revealed in figures from hospitality data firm STR , which showed short-term rental occupancy in some locations was much higher than occupancy for hotels in October .
Airbnb has said it thinks the shift to working from home will see more businesspeople book holiday rentals .
`` We believe that the lines between travel and living are blurring , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to live anywhere , '' the company said in a recent financial filing .

Airbnb is aiming for a valuation of up to $34.8bn (£25.5bn) when it floats in New York next week after a swift recovery in its fortunes in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The company's plans for an initial public offering (IPO) had been delayed earlier this year as travel restrictions hit bookings and prompted a cull of jobs.
But it has recovered more quickly than traditional hotels as guests seek homes in rural locations away from crowds.
Image: Co-founder Brian Chesky's stake will be worth more than $3bn
In a regulatory filing on Tuesday, the company said it expected to price its shares at between $44 and $50 when they list on Wall Street's Nasdaq exchange on 10 December, giving it a valuation of $34.8bn at the top end.
Founders Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia and Nathan Blecharczyk, whose stakes in the company will each be worth more than $3bn, plan to sell stock worth nearly $100m in the IPO launch.
Some of its other investors include Hollywood actor Ashton Kutcher.
San Francisco-based Airbnb, launched in 2008, has more than seven million listings on its platform, with four million hosts, worldwide.
The company allows homeowners to make money by renting their flats and houses while they are away themselves.
Revenues fell 32% to $2.5bn in the first nine months of this year as travellers cancelled plans.
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Image: Ashton Kutcher is among investors in Airbnb
In May, Airbnb cut 1,900 jobs, or around 25% of its workforce, as it slashed investments in projects not related to its core business, including film production.
The number of nights and experiences booked on its platform were down by 72% in April. But they recovered later in the year and were only about 20% down in July, August and September.
Its recovery helped Airbnb post a surprise profit in the third quarter.
The company appears to have benefited from a trend revealed in figures from hospitality data firm STR, which showed short-term rental occupancy in some locations was much higher than occupancy for hotels in October.
Airbnb has said it thinks the shift to working from home will see more businesspeople book holiday rentals.
"We believe that the lines between travel and living are blurring, and the global pandemic has accelerated the ability to live anywhere," the company said in a recent financial filing.


skynewsus--2020-12-01--Melania unveils Christmas decorations - after secret recording revealed


skynewsus--2020-12-02--Captain charged with 34 counts of manslaughter after scuba diving boat fire

A captain of a scuba diving boat that caught fire and sank off the coast of California last year has been charged with 34 counts of manslaughter .
All the passengers on board and one crew member - a total of 21 women and 13 men ranging in age from 16 to 62 years old - died when the fire broke out in the early hours of 2 September in one of the deadliest maritime disasters in recent US history .
Jerry Boylan , 67 , was charged with 34 counts of seaman 's manslaughter for `` misconduct , negligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ train his crew , conduct fire drills and have a roving night watchman on the Conception when the blaze started .
US lawyer Nick Hanna said in a statement : `` As a result of the alleged failures of Captain Boylan to follow well-established safety rules , a pleasant holiday dive trip turned into a hellish nightmare as passengers and one crew member found themselves trapped in a fiery bunkroom with no means of escape . ''
Boylan and four other crew members managed to escape the burning boat after he made a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one crew member died in the bunkroom .
Some of the victims were found with their shoes on , leading to speculation they were trying to escape but were trapped by the flames that blocked a stairwell and a small hatch that were the only exits to the deck above .
A coroner 's report established that they all died of smoke inhalation .
The rare federal charges against Boylan were brought under a pre-Civil War law aimed at holding steamboat captains and crew responsible for sea disasters that occurred more often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a possible 10-year prison term with conviction .
The cause of the blaze has been under investigation for than a year and may be impossible to pinpoint .
It took place on the final night of a three-day Labor Day weekend diving excursion near Santa Cruz Island , off Santa Barbara .
In a bid to avoid payouts to the victims ' families , the company that owned the boat , Truth Aquatics Inc , has filed a suit in federal court under a provision in maritime law .
Most of the relatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Dana Fritzler and the company .

A captain of a scuba diving boat that caught fire and sank off the coast of California last year has been charged with 34 counts of manslaughter.
All the passengers on board and one crew member - a total of 21 women and 13 men ranging in age from 16 to 62 years old - died when the fire broke out in the early hours of 2 September in one of the deadliest maritime disasters in recent US history.
Jerry Boylan, 67, was charged with 34 counts of seaman's manslaughter for "misconduct, negligence and inattention" after allegedly failing to train his crew, conduct fire drills and have a roving night watchman on the Conception when the blaze started.
US lawyer Nick Hanna said in a statement: "As a result of the alleged failures of Captain Boylan to follow well-established safety rules, a pleasant holiday dive trip turned into a hellish nightmare as passengers and one crew member found themselves trapped in a fiery bunkroom with no means of escape."
Image: The Conception was destroyed by fire near Santa Cruz Island
Boylan and four other crew members managed to escape the burning boat after he made a breathless mayday call.
All 33 passengers and one crew member died in the bunkroom.
Some of the victims were found with their shoes on, leading to speculation they were trying to escape but were trapped by the flames that blocked a stairwell and a small hatch that were the only exits to the deck above.
A coroner's report established that they all died of smoke inhalation.
The rare federal charges against Boylan were brought under a pre-Civil War law aimed at holding steamboat captains and crew responsible for sea disasters that occurred more often in the past.
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Each count carries a possible 10-year prison term with conviction.
Image: In Santa Barbara, flowers and messages were left in memory of the victims
The cause of the blaze has been under investigation for than a year and may be impossible to pinpoint.
It took place on the final night of a three-day Labor Day weekend diving excursion near Santa Cruz Island, off Santa Barbara.
In a bid to avoid payouts to the victims' families, the company that owned the boat, Truth Aquatics Inc, has filed a suit in federal court under a provision in maritime law.
Most of the relatives are filing claims against boat owners Glen and Dana Fritzler and the company.


skynewsus--2020-12-02--Trump considers 2024 campaign rally on Biden's inauguration day

Donald Trump is said to be considering running for the White House again in 2024 , with a campaign launch on the day Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th US president .
NBC claims that people familiar with the discussions say there is `` preliminary planning '' underway for a 20 January 2021 event and President Trump would miss the swearing in of his successor .
He is also said to have no plans to invite Joe Biden to the White House beforehand or even call him .
For its part the Biden transition team says the lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
NBC reports that Mr Trump has told advisers he wants to announce a 2024 campaign shortly after the Electoral College meets on 14 December .
He has already begun fundraising for future political activity , with a Political Action Committee ( PAC ) dubbed Save America launched last month .
Leadership PACs can accept donations of up to $ 5,000 ( £3,725 ) from individual donors each year .
They can also accept money from other political action committees .
Although emails to potential contributors to the Trump PAC suggest donations are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , PAC rules state that money raised can be used to fund his own political activity by underwriting polling , travel , staff and other expenses .
The Trump team has been deciding whether to extend the lease on his 2020 campaign headquarters in Virginia or move the small team that 's left elsewhere , one person familiar with the discussions said .
Aides say Mr Trump has discussed starting a television channel or social media company to keep himself in the spotlight ahead of a potential 2024 White House bid .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprecedented , breach of norms for a sitting president not to attend the swearing-in of his successor .
John Adams , John Quincy Adams and Andrew Johnson all skipped the event while Richard Nixon departed the White House after his resignation and did not attend Gerald Ford 's swearing-in .
Mr Trump 's flailing effort to reverse his defeat in the November election received a blow on Tuesday when US Attorney General William Barr said federal prosecutors have found no evidence of widespread voter fraud .
`` To date , we have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have affected a different outcome in the election , '' Mr Barr told the Associated Press .
Mr Barr 's stance is notable because he has been seen as one of Donald Trump 's most ardent allies .
The Trump campaign responded by saying the Justice Department did not investigate thoroughly enough .

Donald Trump is said to be considering running for the White House again in 2024, with a campaign launch on the day Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th US president.
NBC claims that people familiar with the discussions say there is "preliminary planning" underway for a 20 January 2021 event and President Trump would miss the swearing in of his successor.
He is also said to have no plans to invite Joe Biden to the White House beforehand or even call him. For its part the Biden transition team says the lack of contact won't affect their plans.
Image: Donald Trump at his inauguration in 2017
NBC reports that Mr Trump has told advisers he wants to announce a 2024 campaign shortly after the Electoral College meets on 14 December.
He has already begun fundraising for future political activity, with a Political Action Committee (PAC) dubbed Save America launched last month.
Leadership PACs can accept donations of up to $5,000 (£3,725) from individual donors each year. They can also accept money from other political action committees.
Although emails to potential contributors to the Trump PAC suggest donations are for an "election defence fund", PAC rules state that money raised can be used to fund his own political activity by underwriting polling, travel, staff and other expenses.
The Trump team has been deciding whether to extend the lease on his 2020 campaign headquarters in Virginia or move the small team that's left elsewhere, one person familiar with the discussions said.
Aides say Mr Trump has discussed starting a television channel or social media company to keep himself in the spotlight ahead of a potential 2024 White House bid.
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It would be a rare, although not unprecedented, breach of norms for a sitting president not to attend the swearing-in of his successor.
John Adams, John Quincy Adams and Andrew Johnson all skipped the event while Richard Nixon departed the White House after his resignation and did not attend Gerald Ford's swearing-in.
Image: Joe Biden and his team say their plans for 20 January won't be affected
Mr Trump's flailing effort to reverse his defeat in the November election received a blow on Tuesday when US Attorney General William Barr said federal prosecutors have found no evidence of widespread voter fraud.
"To date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have affected a different outcome in the election," Mr Barr told the Associated Press.
Mr Barr's stance is notable because he has been seen as one of Donald Trump's most ardent allies.
The Trump campaign responded by saying the Justice Department did not investigate thoroughly enough.


skynewsus--2020-12-02--Slack snapped up by Salesforce in £20.6bn bet on remote working

Cloud computing pioneer Salesforce has agreed a $ 27.7bn ( £20.6bn ) deal to buy Slack , the workplace messaging app that has enjoyed a near-doubling of its market value during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Salesforce.com described the acquisition as a `` match made in heaven '' as the addition of Slack enables the company to offer a unified platform for businesses to connect with staff and match rival Microsoft and its Teams product .
Slack has struggled to make the same headway , in a competitive market , during a coronavirus crisis to date that has forced the closure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strain instead .
Microsoft , for example , has been able to capitalise on the shift through its existing corporate relationships and marketing budget .
It has also bundled Teams with many of its office software packages .
Under the deal , Slack shareholders will receive $ 26.79 in cash and 0.0776 shares of Salesforce common stock for each Slack share .
That is $ 45.5 per share , based on Salesforce 's closing price on Tuesday , a premium of 54 % since news of negotiations emerged a week ago .
Slack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year to date but fell back slightly in after-hours dealing in New York .
Stewart Butterfield , Slack 's chief executive and co-founder , said the deal offered a `` massive '' opportunity .
`` As software plays a more and more critical role in the performance of every organisation , we share a vision of reduced complexity , increased power and flexibility , and ultimately a greater degree of alignment and organisational agility , '' he told investors .
Marc Benioff , his counterpart at Salesforce , said : `` Stewart and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most beloved platforms in enterprise software history , with an incredible ecosystem around it .
`` This is a match made in heaven .
Together , Salesforce and Slack will shape the future of enterprise software and transform the way everyone works in the all-digital , work-from-anywhere world .
`` I 'm thrilled to welcome Slack to the Salesforce Ohana once the transaction closes . ''

Cloud computing pioneer Salesforce has agreed a $27.7bn (£20.6bn) deal to buy Slack, the workplace messaging app that has enjoyed a near-doubling of its market value during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Salesforce.com described the acquisition as a "match made in heaven" as the addition of Slack enables the company to offer a unified platform for businesses to connect with staff and match rival Microsoft and its Teams product.
Slack has struggled to make the same headway, in a competitive market, during a coronavirus crisis to date that has forced the closure of offices as remote working takes the strain instead.
Image: Microsoft is Slack's largest competitor in the workplace messaging space
Microsoft, for example, has been able to capitalise on the shift through its existing corporate relationships and marketing budget.
It has also bundled Teams with many of its office software packages.
Under the deal, Slack shareholders will receive $26.79 in cash and 0.0776 shares of Salesforce common stock for each Slack share.
That is $45.5 per share, based on Salesforce's closing price on Tuesday, a premium of 54% since news of negotiations emerged a week ago.
Slack shares are 95% up in the year to date but fell back slightly in after-hours dealing in New York.
Stewart Butterfield, Slack's chief executive and co-founder, said the deal offered a "massive" opportunity.
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Image: Stewart Butterfield is the chief executive of Slack
"As software plays a more and more critical role in the performance of every organisation, we share a vision of reduced complexity, increased power and flexibility, and ultimately a greater degree of alignment and organisational agility," he told investors.
Marc Benioff, his counterpart at Salesforce, said: "Stewart and his team have built one of the most beloved platforms in enterprise software history, with an incredible ecosystem around it.
"This is a match made in heaven. Together, Salesforce and Slack will shape the future of enterprise software and transform the way everyone works in the all-digital, work-from-anywhere world.
"I'm thrilled to welcome Slack to the Salesforce Ohana once the transaction closes."


skynewsus--2020-12-02--Police officer sacked over shooting of unarmed, naked suspect hiding in rubbish skip - reports

An officer who shot and injured a suspect who emerged naked from a rubbish skip in Minnesota has reportedly been fired .
Todd Axtell , local police chief of St Paul , Minnesota , said he had taken `` swift , decisive and serious action '' against the officer involved , who has been identified by state investigators as Anthony Dean .
Mr Axtell released bodycam footage of Saturday 's confrontation at a news conference on Tuesday , showing the black man being shot at , tasered , and set upon by a dog .
Officers were searching for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crimes , including sexual conduct and rape , when they came across the naked man hiding in a large bin .
In the footage , a female officer attempts to coax him out and on to the ground .
The man , who authorities have identified as 31-year-old Joseph Javonte Washington , gets out and an officer shouts `` do n't run ! ''
before shots are fired .
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension , which is investigating the incident , said Dean shot Washington , who was unarmed .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , St Paul Pioneer Press , and CBS Minnesota , all citing unnamed law enforcement sources , Dean has since been fired .
Mr Axtell did not confirm those reports at his press briefing , but said : `` When I asked myself if the officer 's actions on Saturday night were reasonable and necessary , the only answer I could come up with is no . ''
The president of the St Paul Police Federation , a union , defended the officers involved , saying they were trying to apprehend a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kuntz said : `` The officers worked to arrest the man using many de-escalation techniques .
This was a difficult situation for everyone involved . ''
The union declined to confirm whether Dean had been fired , but all of the officers involved - none of whom were hurt - are confirmed to have been placed on standard administrative leave .
Washington has been charged with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct , one count of kidnapping , and one count of second-degree assault in connection with an alleged attack several hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known whether Washington had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf .

An officer who shot and injured a suspect who emerged naked from a rubbish skip in Minnesota has reportedly been fired.
Todd Axtell, local police chief of St Paul, Minnesota, said he had taken "swift, decisive and serious action" against the officer involved, who has been identified by state investigators as Anthony Dean.
Mr Axtell released bodycam footage of Saturday's confrontation at a news conference on Tuesday, showing the black man being shot at, tasered, and set upon by a dog.
Image: Footage showed the naked man on the ground
Officers were searching for a suspect in connection with a series of crimes, including sexual assault and rape, when they came across the naked man hiding in a large bin.
In the footage, a female officer attempts to coax him out and on to the ground.
The man, who authorities have identified as 31-year-old Joseph Javonte Washington, gets out and an officer shouts "don't run!" before shots are fired.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is investigating the incident, said Dean shot Washington, who was unarmed.
According to local media outlets the Minneapolis Star Tribune, St Paul Pioneer Press, and CBS Minnesota, all citing unnamed law enforcement sources, Dean has since been fired.
Mr Axtell did not confirm those reports at his press briefing, but said: "When I asked myself if the officer's actions on Saturday night were reasonable and necessary, the only answer I could come up with is no."
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Image: Todd Axtell, the Police Chief of St Paul, Minnesota
The president of the St Paul Police Federation, a union, defended the officers involved, saying they were trying to apprehend a "violent and dangerous felon".
Paul Kuntz said: "The officers worked to arrest the man using many de-escalation techniques. This was a difficult situation for everyone involved."
The union declined to confirm whether Dean had been fired, but all of the officers involved - none of whom were hurt - are confirmed to have been placed on standard administrative leave.
Washington has been charged with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of kidnapping, and one count of second-degree assault in connection with an alleged attack several hours earlier in Lakeville.
It is not known whether Washington had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf.


skynewsus--2020-12-03--US warned virus is 'spreading like wildfire' as it records highest daily death toll yet

The US has recorded its biggest daily death toll of the pandemic so far , on the same day it also reached a record number of COVID-19 patients in hospital .
More than 2,670 coronavirus deaths were reported on Wednesday - the equivalent of nearly two deaths a minute - according to Johns Hopkins University .
The widely-respected COVID Tracking Project also found the number of coronavirus patients in hospital had surpassed 100,000 for the first time .
Live COVID updates from the UK and across the world It follows a warning from the US Centers for Disease Control and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic will pose the greatest health threat the US has ever faced in the next few months .
Urging Americans to redouble their efforts in keeping the virus at bay , CDC director Dr Robert Redfield said : `` The reality is that December , January and February are going to be rough times .
`` I actually believe they 're going to be the most difficult time in the public health history of this nation . ''
He said the latest surge in cases has already proved more devastating than previous wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hospital admissions .
In a solemn warning , he added : `` We 're potentially looking at another 150,000 to 200,000 people [ dead ] before we get into February . ''
More than 270,000 people have died in the US since the start of the pandemic and there have been 13.8 million confirmed infections .
New cases are currently averaging about 160,000 a day , with deaths averaging more than 1,500 a day .
In particular , cases are surging in places such as Illinois , California , Indiana , Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the virus is `` spreading like wildfire '' and the rapid increase in cases has left some hospitals struggling to cope .
Across the US , hospitals have been converting cafeterias , waiting rooms and even a car park to makeshift treatment areas .
Officials say people are still not taking basic precautions against the virus , particularly in rural areas , and healthcare workers say they are paying the price .
Dr Eli Perencevich , an epidemiology and internal medicine professor at the University of Iowa , said : `` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 've decided as a society that we 're going to take all the people in our healthcare system and pummel them because we have some insane idea about what freedom really is . ''

The US has recorded its biggest daily death toll of the pandemic so far, on the same day it also reached a record number of COVID-19 patients in hospital.
More than 2,670 coronavirus deaths were reported on Wednesday - the equivalent of nearly two deaths a minute - according to Johns Hopkins University.
The widely-respected COVID Tracking Project also found the number of coronavirus patients in hospital had surpassed 100,000 for the first time.
Live COVID updates from the UK and across the world
Image: People are being urged to redouble their social distancing efforts
It follows a warning from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director that the pandemic will pose the greatest health threat the US has ever faced in the next few months.
Urging Americans to redouble their efforts in keeping the virus at bay, CDC director Dr Robert Redfield said: "The reality is that December, January and February are going to be rough times.
"I actually believe they're going to be the most difficult time in the public health history of this nation."
He said the latest surge in cases has already proved more devastating than previous wave, with a steeper trajectory of deaths and hospital admissions.
In a solemn warning, he added: "We're potentially looking at another 150,000 to 200,000 people [dead] before we get into February."
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More than 270,000 people have died in the US since the start of the pandemic and there have been 13.8 million confirmed infections.
New cases are currently averaging about 160,000 a day, with deaths averaging more than 1,500 a day.
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In particular, cases are surging in places such as Illinois, California, Indiana, Kentucky and Texas.
Kentucky governor Andy Beshear said the virus is "spreading like wildfire" and the rapid increase in cases has left some hospitals struggling to cope.
Across the US, hospitals have been converting cafeterias, waiting rooms and even a car park to makeshift treatment areas.
Image: People demonstrate outside a now shut restaurant against coronavirus restrictions
Officials say people are still not taking basic precautions against the virus, particularly in rural areas, and healthcare workers say they are paying the price.
Dr Eli Perencevich, an epidemiology and internal medicine professor at the University of Iowa, said: "It's sending everyone to war, really.
"We've decided as a society that we're going to take all the people in our healthcare system and pummel them because we have some insane idea about what freedom really is."