skynewsus--2020-09-17--Downing Street hits back at Joe Biden and suggests he doesn't understand its Brexit proposals

Downing Street has suggested US presidential candidate Joe Biden does n't understand its proposed Brexit legislation after the White House hopeful weighed into the controversy .
On Wednesday night , Mr Biden issued a warning that a post-Brexit US-UK trade deal `` must be contingent upon respect '' for the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland , and the avoidance of a hard border on the island of Ireland .
The Democratic presidential candidate , who is hoping to beat Donald Trump in November 's presidential election , wrote on Twitter : `` We ca n't allow the Good Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to become a casualty of Brexit . ''
Mr Biden , a former US vice president , posted his tweet in response to a letter from four US congressmen warning of their `` grave concern '' over the UK government 's plans to override provisions for Northern Ireland in the UK 's withdrawal agreement with the EU .
The government has admitted its UK Internal Market Bill , if passed , would break international law - but stressed it is `` critical '' to ensuring the unfettered access for goods from Northern Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to protect the Good Friday Agreement .
Mr Biden 's stance contrasted with Donald Trump 's Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , who said he had `` great confidence '' that the UK government `` will get this right in a way that treats everyone fairly '' .
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Asked to respond to Mr Biden 's comments on Thursday , a Number 10 spokesman said : `` We continue to remain absolutely committed to no hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland .
`` And we will continue to engage with our US partners on a bipartisan basis to ensure that our positions are understood . ''
Asked if Mr Biden was wrong , the spokesman responded : `` We will continue to work with our US partners to ensure our position is understood , but the whole point of this - as the prime minister has set out - is to make sure the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement is upheld . ''
Downing Street 's comments came after former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Biden to `` worry more '' about `` killing and rioting '' in the US than the government 's Brexit legislation .
He told The Times : `` We do n't need lectures on the Northern Ireland peace deal from Mr Biden .
`` If I were him I would worry more about the need for a peace deal in the USA to stop the killing and rioting before lecturing other sovereign nations . ''
The government 's UK Internal Market Bill has prompted a storm of criticism both at Westminster and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU stuck by its demand for the UK government to withdraw part of the proposed legislation by the end of this month .
: : Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Eric Mamer , chief spokesperson of the European Commission , told reporters : `` We have as you know set out a position extremely clearly , it is in our statement , and it relates to those clauses being withdrawn from the law .
`` That position has not changed and we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the earliest possible convenience and by the end of September at the latest .
That has not changed . ''
Mr Mamer had been asked whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's compromise with Tory rebels - which would give MPs a vote before using powers that would break international law - had altered the EU 's stance .

Downing Street has suggested US presidential candidate Joe Biden doesn't understand its proposed Brexit legislation after the White House hopeful weighed into the controversy.
On Wednesday night, Mr Biden issued a warning that a post-Brexit US-UK trade deal "must be contingent upon respect" for the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, and the avoidance of a hard border on the island of Ireland.
The Democratic presidential candidate, who is hoping to beat Donald Trump in November's presidential election, wrote on Twitter: "We can't allow the Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to Northern Ireland to become a casualty of Brexit."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:49 PM compromises on Brexit bill
Mr Biden, a former US vice president, posted his tweet in response to a letter from four US congressmen warning of their "grave concern" over the UK government's plans to override provisions for Northern Ireland in the UK's withdrawal agreement with the EU.
The government has admitted its UK Internal Market Bill, if passed, would break international law - but stressed it is "critical" to ensuring the unfettered access for goods from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK, and to protect the Good Friday Agreement.
Mr Biden's stance contrasted with Donald Trump's Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said he had "great confidence" that the UK government "will get this right in a way that treats everyone fairly".
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Asked to respond to Mr Biden's comments on Thursday, a Number 10 spokesman said: "We continue to remain absolutely committed to no hard border and no border infrastructure between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
"And we will continue to engage with our US partners on a bipartisan basis to ensure that our positions are understood."
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Asked if Mr Biden was wrong, the spokesman responded: "We will continue to work with our US partners to ensure our position is understood, but the whole point of this - as the prime minister has set out - is to make sure the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement is upheld."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:30 'We trust the United Kingdom'
Downing Street's comments came after former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith warned Mr Biden to "worry more" about "killing and rioting" in the US than the government's Brexit legislation.
He told The Times: "We don't need lectures on the Northern Ireland peace deal from Mr Biden.
"If I were him I would worry more about the need for a peace deal in the USA to stop the killing and rioting before lecturing other sovereign nations."
The government's UK Internal Market Bill has prompted a storm of criticism both at Westminster and in Brussels.
On Thursday, the EU stuck by its demand for the UK government to withdraw part of the proposed legislation by the end of this month.
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Eric Mamer, chief spokesperson of the European Commission, told reporters: "We have as you know set out a position extremely clearly, it is in our statement, and it relates to those clauses being withdrawn from the law.
"That position has not changed and we have asked the UK to do this at the earliest possible convenience and by the end of September at the latest. That has not changed."
Mr Mamer had been asked whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson's compromise with Tory rebels - which would give MPs a vote before using powers that would break international law - had altered the EU's stance.


skynewsus--2020-09-17--Alrighty then! Jim Carrey to play Joe Biden on SNL

Jim Carrey is joining the cast of Saturday Night Live , portraying Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden .
Famous for his physical comedy in blockbusters including The Mask and Ace Ventura , the 58-year-old Canadian star is understood to have approached the team to say how much he 'd like to play the part .
He will appear opposite the show 's most popular spoof guest role - Donald Trump brought to you by Alec Baldwin .
Baldwin , who has just become a father for the sixth time , has played the president since 2019 .
The long-running show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ page , along with a GIF showing performers wearing costumes for some of Carrey 's best-loved characters .
SNL boss Lorne Michaels told New York magazine website Vulture : `` Jim Carrey is going to do Biden… It came down to discussions of what his take was … He will give the part energy and strength , and [ Laughs ] hopefully it 's funny . ''
Prosthetics , wigs and make up will no doubt be used to help the Liar Liar star age up nearly 20 years for the part .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ new role .
It will be the 46th series of the late-night NBC sketch show and will also feature a return performance from Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris , Biden 's Democratic vice-presidential nominee .
Biden was played by three different performers during the show 's 45th season .
Woody Harrelson played him three times , Jason Sudeikis took the role during Barack Obama 's presidency and John Mulaney played him this February .
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Previous high-profile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who played US virus expert Dr Anthony Fauci .
SNL also announced three new cast members for its new season Lauren Holt , Punkie Johnson , and Andrew Dismukes .
Saturday Night Live airs in the US from Saturday 3 October on NBC .

Jim Carrey is joining the cast of Saturday Night Live, portraying Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
Famous for his physical comedy in blockbusters including The Mask and Ace Ventura, the 58-year-old Canadian star is understood to have approached the team to say how much he'd like to play the part.
He will appear opposite the show's most popular spoof guest role - Donald Trump brought to you by Alec Baldwin.
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Baldwin, who has just become a father for the sixth time, has played the president since 2019.
The long-running show announced the news on its official Twitter page, along with a GIF showing performers wearing costumes for some of Carrey's best-loved characters.
SNL boss Lorne Michaels told New York magazine website Vulture: "Jim Carrey is going to do Biden… It came down to discussions of what his take was … He will give the part energy and strength, and [Laughs] hopefully it's funny."
Prosthetics, wigs and make up will no doubt be used to help the Liar Liar star age up nearly 20 years for the part.
Carrey has yet to comment on his new role.
Image: Carrey will go head to head with Alec Baldwin who plays Donald Trump
It will be the 46th series of the late-night NBC sketch show and will also feature a return performance from Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris, Biden's Democratic vice-presidential nominee.
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Biden was played by three different performers during the show's 45th season.
Woody Harrelson played him three times, Jason Sudeikis took the role during Barack Obama's presidency and John Mulaney played him this February.
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Previous high-profile signings for the show include Brad Pitt who played US virus expert Dr Anthony Fauci.
SNL also announced three new cast members for its new season Lauren Holt, Punkie Johnson, and Andrew Dismukes.
Saturday Night Live airs in the US from Saturday 3 October on NBC.


skynewsus--2020-09-17--First volume of Obama's memoir gets release date

The first volume of former US president Barack Obama 's memoir will be released on 17 November .
The date is two weeks after the American people choose between Joe Biden and Donald Trump in the US presidential election .
Mr Obama 's 768-page book - which will be called A Promised Land - will cover America 's first black president 's historic rise to the White House and his first term in office after he was elected in 2008 .
The publication date for the second volume has not yet been decided .
Mr Obama said : `` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on my presidency and in A Promised Land I 've tried to provide an honest accounting of my presidential campaign and my time in office - the key events and people who shaped it ; my take on what I got right and the mistakes I made , and the political , economic and cultural forces that my team and I had to confront then - and that as a nation we are grappling with still .
`` In the book , I 've also tried to give readers a sense of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through during those years , with all the incredible highs and lows .
`` And finally , at a time when America is going through such enormous upheaval , the book offers some of my broader thoughts on how we can heal the divisions in our country going forward and make our democracy work for everybody - a task that wo n't depend on any single president but on all of us as engaged citizens . ''
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like his previous ones , will be released by Crown .

The first volume of former US president Barack Obama's memoir will be released on 17 November.
The date is two weeks after the American people choose between Joe Biden and Donald Trump in the US presidential election.
Mr Obama's 768-page book - which will be called A Promised Land - will cover America's first black president's historic rise to the White House and his first term in office after he was elected in 2008.
The publication date for the second volume has not yet been decided.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:39 Trump uses Oval Office 'to get attention'
Mr Obama said: "I've spent the last few years reflecting on my presidency and in A Promised Land I've tried to provide an honest accounting of my presidential campaign and my time in office - the key events and people who shaped it; my take on what I got right and the mistakes I made, and the political, economic and cultural forces that my team and I had to confront then - and that as a nation we are grappling with still.
"In the book, I've also tried to give readers a sense of the personal journey that Michelle and I went through during those years, with all the incredible highs and lows.
"And finally, at a time when America is going through such enormous upheaval, the book offers some of my broader thoughts on how we can heal the divisions in our country going forward and make our democracy work for everybody - a task that won't depend on any single president but on all of us as engaged citizens."
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Mr Obama's latest book, like his previous ones, will be released by Crown.


skynewsus--2020-09-17--Don't use our song for 'moronic cause': Twister Sister singer has angry message for anti-maskers

Twisted Sister singer , Dee Snider , condemned anti-maskers using one of the band 's hits while ripping off their face masks .
The group of people removed their masks in a Target store in Florida while playing the band 's `` We 're Not Gon na Take It '' .
The singer tweeted that the group did n't have `` permission or blessing to use my song for their moronic cause '' .
Mr Snider also shared a video recorded by an upset customer which has gained more than 30 million views .
Broward County officials identified three people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 100 ( £77 ) to each of them .
Target also received a fine for not enforcing mask laws , according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel .
Chris Nelson , a member of the group Reopen South Florida - and a regular protester - told local media they organised the `` flash mob '' .
He posted a video on YouTube , captioning it : `` In celebration of Burn Your Mask Day we decided to spread some freedom dust over the shoppers and employees of Target ! ''
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sister hit despite criticism , saying `` it 's sad '' because `` it 's a great anthem about freedom and overcoming oppression '' The group of anti-maskers approached customers inside the store , with one woman shouting `` we 're Americans , breathe '' and `` it 's all a lie ! ''
Another woman told a customer to remove her mask , saying `` you do n't need it '' .
The group cheered whenever a customer took off their mask .
Police have said any additional people who are identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The protesters arrived at the store with their masks on , however they had left by the time officers arrived .
A Target spokesperson said the group was asked to leave `` after they removed their masks and became disruptive and rude to other shoppers '' .
Federal health officials have said masks could effectively halt the spread of coronavirus , urging the public to wear them .
Robert Redfield , director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention , told a committee of senators that face coverings could be more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from COVID-19 on Wednesday .

Twisted Sister singer, Dee Snider, condemned anti-maskers using one of the band's hits while ripping off their face masks.
The group of people removed their masks in a Target store in Florida while playing the band's "We're Not Gonna Take It".
The singer tweeted that the group didn't have "permission or blessing to use my song for their moronic cause".
Mr Snider also shared a video recorded by an upset customer which has gained more than 30 million views.
Broward County officials identified three people on video and mailed out fines of $100 (£77) to each of them.
Target also received a fine for not enforcing mask laws, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Image: The protesters had used the Twisted Sister song 'We're Not Gonna Take It'
Chris Nelson, a member of the group Reopen South Florida - and a regular protester - told local media they organised the "flash mob".
He posted a video on YouTube, captioning it: "In celebration of Burn Your Mask Day we decided to spread some freedom dust over the shoppers and employees of Target!"
He said he would continue to use the Twisted Sister hit despite criticism, saying "it's sad" because "it's a great anthem about freedom and overcoming oppression"
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The group of anti-maskers approached customers inside the store, with one woman shouting "we're Americans, breathe" and "it's all a lie!"
Another woman told a customer to remove her mask, saying "you don't need it".
The group cheered whenever a customer took off their mask.
Police have said any additional people who are identified will also receive fines in the mail.
The protesters arrived at the store with their masks on, however they had left by the time officers arrived.
A Target spokesperson said the group was asked to leave "after they removed their masks and became disruptive and rude to other shoppers".
Federal health officials have said masks could effectively halt the spread of coronavirus, urging the public to wear them.
Robert Redfield, director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, told a committee of senators that face coverings could be more effective than a vaccine in protecting people from COVID-19 on Wednesday.


skynewsus--2020-09-16--'Nightmare' hurricane moving at just 3mph wipes out section of new bridge

Hurricane Sally has brought heavy winds and devastating flooding to America 's Gulf Coast , destroying part of a new bridge in Florida .
Officials confirmed that part of the Three Mile Bridge in Pensacola , which was being reconstructed after being damaged by previous hurricanes , is missing .
Sally , now a tropical storm , brought `` life-threatening '' 105mph winds and rain across the American South when it made landfall as a category two storm at 4.45am local time on Wednesday .
Parts of Pensacola have been swamped with floods as high as 1.5m ( 5ft ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just north of the Florida Panhandle with winds of up to 45mph , spreading heavy rain into eastern Alabama and western Georgia .
The storm is moving at speeds of just 3mph - about as fast as a person can walk - and officials have warned that thousands of people will need to flee rising waters in the coming days .
David Morgan , the sheriff of Escambia County in Florida , said : `` There are entire communities that we 're going to have to evacuate .
It 's going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days . ''
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Although the storm is expected to weaken as it moves farther inland , heavy rainfall is expected to continue well into Thursday .
One forecaster in the Alabama city of Mobile , David Eversole , said : `` It 's not common that you start measuring rainfall in feet .
Sally 's moving so slowly , so it just keeps pounding and pounding and pounding the area with tropical rain and just powerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Forecasters have nearly run through the alphabet of storm names , with two-and-a-half months left in the season , with Hurricane Teddy , currently in the Atlantic , heading for Bermuda .
`` We 've only got one name left , '' said Jim Foerster , a chief meteorologist .
`` That 's going to happen here soon , Wilfred , and then we 'll be into the Greek alphabet . ''
Like the wildfires raging on the West Coast , the onslaught of hurricanes has focused attention on climate change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , rainier , more powerful and more destructive storms .
More than 377 people have been rescued from flooded areas in Escambia County ( which includes Pensacola ) by Wednesday afternoon .
More than 40 people trapped by high water were brought to safety within a single hour , including a family of four found in a tree , Sheriff Morgan said .
In some areas , such as Orange Beach in Alabama , rescue operations were hampered by the conditions .
The city 's mayor , Tony Kennon , said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just have n't been able to get to because the water is so high .
But they are safe in their home , as soon as the water recedes , we will rescue them . ''
The National Hurricane Centre has likened Sally 's slow pace to that of Hurricane Harvey , which inundated the Texas city of Houston back in 2017 .
President Donald Trump issued emergency declarations for parts of Florida , Alabama , Mississippi and Louisiana .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said on Fox News that Trump was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ready to help `` in every way possible '' .
More than 540,000 homes and businesses are without electricity in south Alabama and the Florida Panhandle .

Hurricane Sally has brought heavy winds and devastating flooding to America's Gulf Coast, destroying part of a new bridge in Florida.
Officials confirmed that part of the Three Mile Bridge in Pensacola, which was being reconstructed after being damaged by previous hurricanes, is missing.
Sally, now a tropical storm, brought "life-threatening" 105mph winds and rain across the American South when it made landfall as a category two storm at 4.45am local time on Wednesday.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:23 The hurricane has brought a deluge of water to areas of Florida
Image: A driver navigates along a flooded road as Hurricane Sally made landfall
Parts of Pensacola have been swamped with floods as high as 1.5m (5ft).
By Wednesday night, Sally was just north of the Florida Panhandle with winds of up to 45mph, spreading heavy rain into eastern Alabama and western Georgia.
The storm is moving at speeds of just 3mph - about as fast as a person can walk - and officials have warned that thousands of people will need to flee rising waters in the coming days.
David Morgan, the sheriff of Escambia County in Florida, said: "There are entire communities that we're going to have to evacuate. It's going to be a tremendous operation over the next several days."
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Although the storm is expected to weaken as it moves farther inland, heavy rainfall is expected to continue well into Thursday.
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One forecaster in the Alabama city of Mobile, David Eversole, said: "It's not common that you start measuring rainfall in feet. Sally's moving so slowly, so it just keeps pounding and pounding and pounding the area with tropical rain and just powerful winds. It's just a nightmare."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:22 Tree uprooted before eyes of residents
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:25 The hurricane is moving across the US, causing massive damage wherever it goes.
Forecasters have nearly run through the alphabet of storm names, with two-and-a-half months left in the season, with Hurricane Teddy, currently in the Atlantic, heading for Bermuda.
"We've only got one name left," said Jim Foerster, a chief meteorologist. "That's going to happen here soon, Wilfred, and then we'll be into the Greek alphabet."
Image: A man walks though a flooded parking lot
Like the wildfires raging on the West Coast, the onslaught of hurricanes has focused attention on climate change, which scientists say is causing slower, rainier, more powerful and more destructive storms.
More than 377 people have been rescued from flooded areas in Escambia County (which includes Pensacola) by Wednesday afternoon.
More than 40 people trapped by high water were brought to safety within a single hour, including a family of four found in a tree, Sheriff Morgan said.
In some areas, such as Orange Beach in Alabama, rescue operations were hampered by the conditions.
Image: Hurricane Sally makes landfall in Mobile, Alabama
The city's mayor, Tony Kennon, said: "We got a few people that we just haven't been able to get to because the water is so high. But they are safe in their home, as soon as the water recedes, we will rescue them."
The National Hurricane Centre has likened Sally's slow pace to that of Hurricane Harvey, which inundated the Texas city of Houston back in 2017.
Image: Flooding due to Hurricane Sally is seen in Pensacola
President Donald Trump issued emergency declarations for parts of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said on Fox News that Trump was in contact with the states' governors and ready to help "in every way possible".
Image: Morgan Griffin cleans up the broken window in the store he works in as Hurricane Sally passes through the area in Alabama
More than 540,000 homes and businesses are without electricity in south Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.


skynewsus--2020-09-16--NYC mayor orders 500 staff, including himself, to take unpaid leave as budget crisis worsens

New York City mayor Bill de Blasio will furlough himself and almost 500 staff members for a week to close a budget gap created by the coronavirus pandemic .
Everyone at the mayor 's office in City Hall will be placed on unpaid furlough for a week at some point between October and March 2021 , it was announced on Wednesday .
A total of 495 staff members will be affected , according to The New York Times .
Due to the economic shutdown arising from the coronavirus outbreak , the city has lost $ 9bn ( £6.9bn ) in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £5.4bn ) of cuts to the city 's annual budget .
Mr de Blasio has said the week-long furlough will save around $ 1m ( £770,000 ) - and it may serve as a useful symbol while he continues negotiations regarding broader payroll savings with labour unions representing employees .
He said `` it was not a decision I made lightly '' , adding : `` To have to do this is painful for them and their families , but it is the right thing to do at this moment in history .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the budget for the mayor 's office will be 12 % smaller this year .
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Mr de Blasio said there are no planned pay cuts for any New York City employees , but added : `` We never know what the future brings . ''
He has warned that 22,000 employees in the city may lose their jobs if savings are n't found in negotiations with labour unions .
The mayor added : `` We 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation for years , so this borrowing capacity is to give us a fallback no matter what happens up ahead . ''
When asked whether furlough could be applied to the city 's entire workforce of over 320,000 , Mr de Blasio said : `` Everything 's on the table .
We 're talking to labour about any and all ways to save money . ''
He is also seeking more borrowing power from state lawmakers in Albany - the capital city of New York state - who have so far been resistant @ @ @ @

New York City mayor Bill de Blasio will furlough himself and almost 500 staff members for a week to close a budget gap created by the coronavirus pandemic.
Everyone at the mayor's office in City Hall will be placed on unpaid furlough for a week at some point between October and March 2021, it was announced on Wednesday.
A total of 495 staff members will be affected, according to The New York Times.
Due to the economic shutdown arising from the coronavirus outbreak, the city has lost $9bn (£6.9bn) in revenue and has made $7bn (£5.4bn) of cuts to the city's annual budget.
Mr de Blasio has said the week-long furlough will save around $1m (£770,000) - and it may serve as a useful symbol while he continues negotiations regarding broader payroll savings with labour unions representing employees.
He said "it was not a decision I made lightly", adding: "To have to do this is painful for them and their families, but it is the right thing to do at this moment in history."
Alongside the furloughs being made, the budget for the mayor's office will be 12% smaller this year.
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Mr de Blasio said there are no planned pay cuts for any New York City employees, but added: "We never know what the future brings."
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He has warned that 22,000 employees in the city may lose their jobs if savings aren't found in negotiations with labour unions.
The mayor added: "We're going to be in a horrible budget situation for years, so this borrowing capacity is to give us a fallback no matter what happens up ahead."
When asked whether furlough could be applied to the city's entire workforce of over 320,000, Mr de Blasio said: "Everything's on the table. We're talking to labour about any and all ways to save money."
He is also seeking more borrowing power from state lawmakers in Albany - the capital city of New York state - who have so far been resistant towards the idea.


skynewsus--2020-09-16--Trump claims he 'up-played' pandemic - despite earlier admission he downplayed it

Donald Trump has claimed he `` up-played '' the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic - despite admitting earlier this year he had `` wanted to always play it down '' .
The US president was answering questions at an ABC News event in Philadelphia when he was asked why he would `` downplay a pandemic that is known to disproportionately harm low-income families and minority communities '' .
Mr Trump said : `` Yeah , well , I did n't downplay it .
I actually , in many ways , I up-played it , in terms of action .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to recorded interviews , his comments contradict those he made with renowned US journalist Bob Woodward earlier this year , when he said : `` I wanted to always play it down .
I still like playing it down , because I do n't want to create a panic . ''
Mr Trump has been criticised for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic .
According to Johns Hopkins University , the US has seen more than 6.6 million cases and 195,942 deaths .
The figures account for about 20 % of the cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 4 % of the world 's population .
His Democratic challenger for the presidency in November , Joe Biden , last week accused Mr Trump of a `` dereliction '' of duty in dealing with the pandemic , which has also cost millions of people their jobs .
During the event , Mr Trump claimed a vaccine against the coronavirus `` could be three weeks , four weeks '' away despite scepticism among health experts about that type of timescale .
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes as Scientific American announced it has endorsed Mr Biden for the White House - the first time the magazine has backed a presidential candidate in its 175-year history .
In an editorial , it said : `` The evidence and the science show that Donald Trump has badly damaged the US and its people - because he rejects evidence and science .
`` The most devastating example is his dishonest and inept response to the COVID-19 pandemic , which cost more than 190,000 Americans their lives by the middle of September .
@

Donald Trump has claimed he "up-played" the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic - despite admitting earlier this year he had "wanted to always play it down".
The US president was answering questions at an ABC News event in Philadelphia when he was asked why he would "downplay a pandemic that is known to disproportionately harm low-income families and minority communities".
Image: Mr Trump takes the stage with ABC News host George Stephanopoulos
Mr Trump said: "Yeah, well, I didn't downplay it. I actually, in many ways, I up-played it, in terms of action. My action was very strong."
According to recorded interviews, his comments contradict those he made with renowned US journalist Bob Woodward earlier this year, when he said: "I wanted to always play it down. I still like playing it down, because I don't want to create a panic."
Mr Trump has been criticised for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Johns Hopkins University, the US has seen more than 6.6 million cases and 195,942 deaths. The figures account for about 20% of the cases worldwide, despite the US having just over 4% of the world's population.
His Democratic challenger for the presidency in November, Joe Biden, last week accused Mr Trump of a "dereliction" of duty in dealing with the pandemic, which has also cost millions of people their jobs.
During the event, Mr Trump claimed a vaccine against the coronavirus "could be three weeks, four weeks" away despite scepticism among health experts about that type of timescale.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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It comes as Scientific American announced it has endorsed Mr Biden for the White House - the first time the magazine has backed a presidential candidate in its 175-year history.
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In an editorial, it said: "The evidence and the science show that Donald Trump has badly damaged the US and its people - because he rejects evidence and science.
"The most devastating example is his dishonest and inept response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which cost more than 190,000 Americans their lives by the middle of September."


skynewsus--2020-09-16--'Heart-wrenching': Searching for her father's ashes in the charred remains of her home

When Marcie Barlow returned to what was left of her home for the first time , she had just one thing in mind .
Five weeks after her father died she wanted to find the urn containing his ashes .
In truth , it was a heartbreaking mission that looked futile : her house , like those of hundreds of her neighbours , was a pile of ashes itself .
Marcie had made her way back to the house on Samuel Lane in Phoenix , Oregon even with the town still under an evacuation order .
The devastation in Phoenix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Talent , is extensive .
It can appear freakish what survives an inferno like this : Marcie 's garden table suffered one small crack , everything else was destroyed .
One minute , she said , she feels like she is coping and then she remembers something lost .
The family photos were the hardest thing to accept .
`` It 's all gone .
There 's no getting it back . ''
`` Heart wrenching '' is how she described it .
`` You look around and you know you 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people going through the same devastation as you are .
`` You 're in shock , you 're not functioning , and thinking .
You think you are and then the grief overtakes you . ''
She said it would be too hard for to rebuild on the peaceful cul-de-sac .
This chapter of her life is over .
The fire happened on her son 's 23rd birthday - `` What a day to remember , '' she said - and she hopes his baby due in December will arrive in January .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ come into the world in 2020 . ''
Close to downtown Phoenix , Willow McCloud patrols the streets with a wheelbarrow of supplies for those , like her , who stayed as the fire raged and have remained hunkered down .
She watched homes and businesses around her burn .
`` It 's just too overwhelming , '' she said .
`` It has been a week now .
That 's a long time to be scared in your house .
`` I think we 're relieved but we 're really sad for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people that still have houses standing we feel guilty . ''
The residents of Phoenix hope they will be allowed to return in the days to come .
Many question how it will rise from the ashes .
The nervousness about looters is evident on the edge of the evacuation zone : `` You loot , we shoot '' reads a yard sign .
In this jumpy atmosphere , strangers are subjected to understandable scrutiny .
It hardly does it justice to call what has happened in Phoenix as unprecedented .
And there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catastrophe has come so close to home .

When Marcie Barlow returned to what was left of her home for the first time, she had just one thing in mind.
Five weeks after her father died she wanted to find the urn containing his ashes.
In truth, it was a heartbreaking mission that looked futile: her house, like those of hundreds of her neighbours, was a pile of ashes itself.
Image: By some quirk of nature, her garden table was barely touched
Marcie had made her way back to the house on Samuel Lane in Phoenix, Oregon even with the town still under an evacuation order.
The devastation in Phoenix, like that in the neighbouring town of Talent, is extensive.
It can appear freakish what survives an inferno like this: Marcie's garden table suffered one small crack, everything else was destroyed.
One minute, she said, she feels like she is coping and then she remembers something lost. The family photos were the hardest thing to accept. "It's all gone. There's no getting it back."
"Heart wrenching" is how she described it.
"You look around and you know you're not alone because there's thousands of people going through the same devastation as you are.
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"You're in shock, you're not functioning, and thinking. You think you are and then the grief overtakes you."
Image: Next to nothing remains of Marcie's home
She said it would be too hard for to rebuild on the peaceful cul-de-sac. This chapter of her life is over.
The fire happened on her son's 23rd birthday - "What a day to remember," she said - and she hopes his baby due in December will arrive in January. "I don't want it to come into the world in 2020."
Close to downtown Phoenix, Willow McCloud patrols the streets with a wheelbarrow of supplies for those, like her, who stayed as the fire raged and have remained hunkered down.
She watched homes and businesses around her burn. "It's just too overwhelming," she said.
"It has been a week now. That's a long time to be scared in your house.
"I think we're relieved but we're really sad for our friends and our community and the people that still have houses standing we feel guilty."
Image: There is little left of the town of Phoenix, Oregon
The residents of Phoenix hope they will be allowed to return in the days to come. Many question how it will rise from the ashes.
The nervousness about looters is evident on the edge of the evacuation zone: "You loot, we shoot" reads a yard sign.
In this jumpy atmosphere, strangers are subjected to understandable scrutiny.
It hardly does it justice to call what has happened in Phoenix as unprecedented.
And there are a lot of raw emotions when catastrophe has come so close to home.


skynewsus--2020-09-16--Uber safety driver charged over death of pedestrian struck by self-driving car

An Uber safety driver who was behind the wheel of a self-driving car that struck and killed a woman in the US has been charged over the death .
Rafaela Vasquez pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide on Tuesday following the 2018 crash that resulted in the first recorded death involving a self-driving vehicle .
Elaine Herzberg , 49 , died after she was struck by the car while walking a bike across a street at night in Tempe , Arizona .
Uber escaped charges over the crash after prosecutors said last year that the company was not criminally liable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was watching the TV show The Voice on her phone at the time of the crash and was repeatedly looking down instead of keeping her eyes on the road .
The 46-year-old is now due to face trial in February .
She told investigators she did not use her mobile phones before the collision .
However , the National Transportation Safety Board ( NTSB ) concluded her failure to monitor the road as she watched The Voice on her phone was the main cause of the crash .
The contributing factors cited by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedures and ineffective oversight of its drivers , Ms Herzberg 's decision to cross the street outside of a crosswalk , and the Arizona Department of Transportation 's insufficient oversight of autonomous vehicle testing .
The board also concluded Uber 's de-activation of its automatic emergency braking system increased the risks associated with testing automated vehicles on public roads .
Instead of the system , Uber relied on the human backup driver to intervene .
The Uber system detected Ms Herzberg 5.6 seconds before the crash .
However it failed to determine whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unknown object , or that she was headed into the vehicle 's path , the NTSB said .
Before starting work as an Uber driver , Vasquez had previously spent more than four years in prison for two felony convictions - making false statements when obtaining unemployment benefits and attempted armed robbery , according to court records .
Uber reached a civil settlement with Ms Herzberg 's family several weeks after the accident .
Its driverless car programme , which was suspended in the wake of the crash , resumed last December .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a driver 's licence as Rafael , but police say Vasquez identifies as a woman and goes by the first name of Rafaela .

An Uber safety driver who was behind the wheel of a self-driving car that struck and killed a woman in the US has been charged over the death.
Rafaela Vasquez pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide on Tuesday following the 2018 crash that resulted in the first recorded death involving a self-driving vehicle.
Elaine Herzberg, 49, died after she was struck by the car while walking a bike across a street at night in Tempe, Arizona.
Image: Investigators examine the self-driving car involved in the fatal crash
Uber escaped charges over the crash after prosecutors said last year that the company was not criminally liable.
Police have said previously that Vasquez was watching the TV show The Voice on her phone at the time of the crash and was repeatedly looking down instead of keeping her eyes on the road.
Image: Rafael Vasquez is shown inside the Uber at the moment of impact
The 46-year-old is now due to face trial in February.
She told investigators she did not use her mobile phones before the collision.
However, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded her failure to monitor the road as she watched The Voice on her phone was the main cause of the crash.
The contributing factors cited by the board included Uber's inadequate safety procedures and ineffective oversight of its drivers, Ms Herzberg's decision to cross the street outside of a crosswalk, and the Arizona Department of Transportation's insufficient oversight of autonomous vehicle testing.
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Image: Police at the crash scene in Arizona
The board also concluded Uber's de-activation of its automatic emergency braking system increased the risks associated with testing automated vehicles on public roads.
Instead of the system, Uber relied on the human backup driver to intervene.
The Uber system detected Ms Herzberg 5.6 seconds before the crash.
However it failed to determine whether she was a bicyclist, pedestrian or unknown object, or that she was headed into the vehicle's path, the NTSB said.
Image: The vehicle damage following the crash
A toxicology report showed that Ms Herzberg tested positive for methamphetamine.
Before starting work as an Uber driver, Vasquez had previously spent more than four years in prison for two felony convictions - making false statements when obtaining unemployment benefits and attempted armed robbery, according to court records.
Uber reached a civil settlement with Ms Herzberg's family several weeks after the accident.
Its driverless car programme, which was suspended in the wake of the crash, resumed last December.
Vasquez's first name was listed on a driver's licence as Rafael, but police say Vasquez identifies as a woman and goes by the first name of Rafaela.


skynewsus--2020-09-18--TikTok downloads to be blocked in US within days

People in the US will be banned from downloading TikTok from this Sunday .
The US Commerce Department said that starting 20 September , Americans will not be able to get the popular video-sharing app .
The ban will also cover the messaging app WeChat .
President Donald Trump could still withdraw the ban before Sunday evening if a deal is done between TikTok 's Chinese owners ByteDance and US technology giant Oracle .
The two firms are in talks to create a new company , TikTok Global , that aims to address the White House 's concerns about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TikTok has 100 million users in the US .
A statement from the department said : `` The Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) has demonstrated the means and motives to use these apps to threaten the national security , foreign policy , and the economy of the US .
`` Today 's announced prohibitions , when combined , protect users in the US by eliminating access to these applications and significantly reducing their functionality . ''
It went on : `` While the threats posed by WeChat and TikTok are not identical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vast swaths of data from users , including network activity , location data , and browsing and search histories .
`` Each is an active participant in China 's civil-military fusion and is subject to mandatory cooperation with the intelligence services of the CCP .
`` This combination results in the use of WeChat and TikTok creating unacceptable risks to our national security . ''
TikTok has said it would never share user information with Chinese authorities .
Bytedance and Oracle have submitted a proposal for a deal in which TikTok would become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American board .
There would also be a security committee - the head of which would need government security clearance .
Microsoft had previously been in the running to take over the app , but their offer was rejected on 13 September .
Any deal will need the approval of both Washington and Beijing .

People in the US will be banned from downloading TikTok from this Sunday.
The US commerce department said that starting 20 September, Americans will not be able to get the popular video-sharing app.
The ban will also cover the messaging app WeChat.
Image: Chinese messaging app WeChat is also covered by the ban
President Donald Trump could still withdraw the ban before Sunday evening - if a deal is done between TikTok's Chinese owners ByteDance and US technology giant Oracle.
The two firms are in talks to create a new company, TikTok Global, that aims to address the White House's concerns about the security of its users' data, with Oracle having moved ahead of Microsoft in the race for a deal.
TikTok has 100 million users in the US.
A statement from the department said: "The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has demonstrated the means and motives to use these apps to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and the economy of the US.
"Today's announced prohibitions, when combined, protect users in the US by eliminating access to these applications and significantly reducing their functionality."
It went on: "While the threats posed by WeChat and TikTok are not identical, they are similar. Each collects vast swaths of data from users, including network activity, location data, and browsing and search histories.
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"Each is an active participant in China's civil-military fusion and is subject to mandatory cooperation with the intelligence services of the CCP.
"This combination results in the use of WeChat and TikTok creating unacceptable risks to our national security."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:23 Trump: 'I don't mind' if Microsoft buys TikTok
TikTok has said it would never share user information with Chinese authorities.
Bytedance and Oracle have submitted a proposal for a deal in which TikTok would become a separate US company with with an American board.
There would also be a security committee - the head of which would need government security clearance.
Microsoft had previously been in the running to take over the app, but their offer was rejected on 13 September.
Any deal will need the approval of both Washington and Beijing.


skynewsus--2020-09-18--Ex-White House aide reveals why Trump thought COVID-19 might be a 'good thing'

A former White House aide who helped co-ordinate the Trump administration 's response to the coronavirus pandemic has heavily criticised the president and said she plans to vote for Democrat Joe Biden .
Olivia Troye , a one-time aide to Vice President Mike Pence , said in a video released by the group Republican Voters Against Trump that the government knew by mid-February it was facing a pandemic .
`` But the president did n't want to hear that because his biggest concern was that we were in an election year and how was this going to affect what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
The lifelong Republican , who served as a top organiser for the White House Coronavirus Task Force , said Mr Trump had referred to the coronavirus as a hoax in the early stages .
`` The truth is he does n't actually care about anyone else but himself , '' she said .
`` If the president had taken this virus seriously ... he would have slowed the virus spread , he would have saved lives . ''
She also recalled comments Mr Trump allegedly made during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be `` a good thing '' because it would mean he would not have to `` shake hands '' with `` disgusting people '' .
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The president has told reporters he did not know Ms Troye , saying she was let go but had written a `` beautiful letter '' praising the administration as she left .
`` I never met her , '' he added .
Mr Pence said the former aide 's remarks sounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House spokesperson said her claims were not true .
`` Outside of generally watching the White House Coronavirus Taskforce from the overflow staff room , this disgruntled former detailee was never in private meetings with the president and her assertions have no basis in reality and are flat out inaccurate , '' spokesperson Judd Deere said in a statement .
Ms Troye has said that while it was an honour to work in the White House , she had feared she was not making a difference because of the president 's actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
`` It was terrifying . ''
More than 190,000 people have died with coronavirus in the US since the beginning of the pandemic .
Mr Trump has been stepping up efforts to win over voters ahead of the presidential election in November .
Trying to appeal to his core base of white voters , the president spoke on Thursday at the National Archives to commemorate the 233rd anniversary of the signing of the constitution .
He also announced plans to set up a `` 1776 Commission '' which will champion @ @ @ @ @ @ @

A former White House aide who helped co-ordinate the Trump administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic has heavily criticised the president and said she plans to vote for Democrat Joe Biden.
Olivia Troye, a one-time aide to Vice President Mike Pence, said in a video released by the group Republican Voters Against Trump that the government knew by mid-February it was facing a pandemic.
"But the president didn't want to hear that because his biggest concern was that we were in an election year and how was this going to affect what he considered to be his record of success," she said.
Image: Donald Trump says he 'never met' Olivia Troye
The lifelong Republican, who served as a top organiser for the White House Coronavirus Task Force, said Mr Trump had referred to the coronavirus as a hoax in the early stages.
"The truth is he doesn't actually care about anyone else but himself," she said.
"If the president had taken this virus seriously... he would have slowed the virus spread, he would have saved lives."
She also recalled comments Mr Trump allegedly made during a task force meeting suggesting that COVID-19 might be "a good thing" because it would mean he would not have to "shake hands" with "disgusting people".
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The president has told reporters he did not know Ms Troye, saying she was let go but had written a "beautiful letter" praising the administration as she left.
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"I never met her," he added.
Mr Pence said the former aide's remarks sounded like a disgruntled employee, while a White House spokesperson said her claims were not true.
"Outside of generally watching the White House Coronavirus Taskforce from the overflow staff room, this disgruntled former detailee was never in private meetings with the president and her assertions have no basis in reality and are flat out inaccurate," spokesperson Judd Deere said in a statement.
Ms Troye has said that while it was an honour to work in the White House, she had feared she was not making a difference because of the president's actions.
"It was awful," she said. "It was terrifying."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:32 How to win a US election
More than 190,000 people have died with coronavirus in the US since the beginning of the pandemic.
Mr Trump has been stepping up efforts to win over voters ahead of the presidential election in November.
Trying to appeal to his core base of white voters, the president spoke on Thursday at the National Archives to commemorate the 233rd anniversary of the signing of the constitution.
He also announced plans to set up a "1776 Commission" which will champion "patriotic education" in schools.


skynewsus--2020-09-18--Harvey Weinstein stripped of CBE following rape conviction

Harvey Weinstein has been stripped of his CBE following his conviction for rape and sexual assault earlier this year .
The disgraced producer , 68 , is currently serving a 23-year jail sentence after being found guilty of sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006 and raping former aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013 .
More than 100 women , including famous actresses such as Gwyneth Paltrow , Salma Hayek and Uma Thurman , had accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct stretching back decades - fuelling the # MeToo movement against sexual abuse and harassment .
Now , six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Honours Forfeiture Committee have voted to strip him of his honour .
The announcement was published in The Gazette , the UK 's official public record .
The notice said : `` The Queen has directed that the appointment of Harvey Weinstein to be an Honorary Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire , dated 29 January 2004 , shall be cancelled and annulled and that his name shall be erased from the Register of the said Order . ''
The removal of honours - formally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when someone is judged to have brought the honours system into disrepute .
Numerous other distinctions bestowed on Weinstein during his career - including France 's prestigious Legion of Honour - have been revoked since allegations against Weinstein first surfaced .
The multi-Oscar winner , who was responsible for blockbusters including Pulp Fiction , The English Patient , Good Will Hunting , Gangs Of New York and Shakespeare In Love , was expelled from the Academy in 2017 .
They had previously nominated his work for 341 awards , earning him 81 statuettes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Order of the British Empire is his final award of note to be rescinded .
Weinstein was awarded the honorary CBE in 2004 , for services to the British film industry .
It was honorary as he is not a citizen of a Commonwealth country .
On receiving the honour , Weinstein said : `` My life and my career have been greatly influenced and enriched by great British film-makers and authors and so I am especially honoured and humbled to be receiving the CBE . ''
Senior Labour MP Chi Onwurah had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed since 2017 .
CBE stands for Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and is one step below a knighthood .
Set up in 1917 by King George V , the honours are spit into civilian and military divisions , the most senior of which make the recipient into a knight or dame .
Weinstein , who has consistently denied all charges , says he will appeal his convictions .
: : Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denies the charges - is pending in California .
The Los Angeles District Attorney 's Office has now started the extradition process for Weinstein to face five counts of sexual assault charges there .
If the request is approved , it could lead to a second high-profile trial .

Harvey Weinstein has been stripped of his CBE following his conviction for rape and sexual assault earlier this year.
The disgraced producer, 68, is currently serving a 23-year jail sentence after being found guilty of sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006 and raping former aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013.
More than 100 women, including famous actresses such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Salma Hayek and Uma Thurman, had accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct stretching back decades - fuelling the #MeToo movement against sexual abuse and harassment.
Image: Gwyneth Paltrow was among the actresses to accuse him of wrongdoing, pictured with Brad Pitt in 1996
Now, six months after the landmark trial, the Honours Forfeiture Committee have voted to strip him of his honour.
The announcement was published in The Gazette, the UK's official public record.
The notice said: "The Queen has directed that the appointment of Harvey Weinstein to be an Honorary Commander of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, dated 29 January 2004, shall be cancelled and annulled and that his name shall be erased from the Register of the said Order."
Image: The Queen meets Weinstein at a reception in Buckingham Palace in 2014
The removal of honours - formally called "forfeiture"- is done when someone is judged to have brought the honours system into disrepute.
Numerous other distinctions bestowed on Weinstein during his career - including France's prestigious Legion of Honour - have been revoked since allegations against Weinstein first surfaced.
The multi-Oscar winner, who was responsible for blockbusters including Pulp Fiction, The English Patient, Good Will Hunting, Gangs Of New York and Shakespeare In Love, was expelled from the Academy in 2017.
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They had previously nominated his work for 341 awards, earning him 81 statuettes over the last 26 years.
The Order of the British Empire is his final award of note to be rescinded.
Weinstein was awarded the honorary CBE in 2004, for services to the British film industry. It was honorary as he is not a citizen of a Commonwealth country.
On receiving the honour, Weinstein said: "My life and my career have been greatly influenced and enriched by great British film-makers and authors and so I am especially honoured and humbled to be receiving the CBE."
Image: Weinstein pictured at the Oscars in 2017 - he was expelled from the Academy later that year
Senior Labour MP Chi Onwurah had been calling for the distinction to be removed since 2017.
CBE stands for Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and is one step below a knighthood.
Set up in 1917 by King George V, the honours are spit into civilian and military divisions, the most senior of which make the recipient into a knight or dame.
Weinstein, who has consistently denied all charges, says he will appeal his convictions.
:: Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
A second criminal case - for which Weinstein also denies the charges - is pending in California.
The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office has now started the extradition process for Weinstein to face five counts of sexual assault charges there.
If the request is approved, it could lead to a second high-profile trial.


skynewsus--2020-09-18--'One of our legends': Forrest Gump author Winston Groom dies

Tributes have been paid to Forrest Gump author Winston Groom , who has died aged 77 .
Groom 's novel about a slow-witted but kind-hearted man from Alabama was adapted into a Hollywood film in 1994 .
Tom Hanks won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Gump , and the film itself won six other Oscars - including best picture - after grossing more than $ 683m ( £527m ) at the global box office .
It became a cultural sensation and in 2011 was selected for preservation in the US National Film Registry .
She said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of our most gifted writers . ''
`` While he will be remembered for creating Forrest Gump , Winston Groom was a talented journalist and noted author of American history .
`` Our hearts & prayers are extended to his family . ''
Groom graduated from the University of Alabama in 1965 before a spell in the US army , which included a tour of duty in the Vietnam War .
In its tribute , the university called him `` one of our legends '' .
Following the success of Forrest Gump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Gump and Co. Groom , a former journalist , also wrote non-fiction on a range of subjects , including the American Civil War .

Tributes have been paid to Forrest Gump author Winston Groom, who has died aged 77.
Groom's novel about a slow-witted but kind-hearted man from Alabama was adapted into a Hollywood film in 1994.
Tom Hanks won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Gump, and the film itself won six other Oscars - including best picture - after grossing more than $683m (£527m) at the global box office.
It became a cultural sensation and in 2011 was selected for preservation in the US National Film Registry.
Image: Winston Groom, pictured in 1995. Pic: Alex Berliner/BEI/Shutterstock
Groom's death was confirmed by Alabama governor Kay Ivey.
She said: "Saddened to learn that Alabama has lost one of our most gifted writers."
"While he will be remembered for creating Forrest Gump, Winston Groom was a talented journalist and noted author of American history.
"Our hearts & prayers are extended to his family."
Groom graduated from the University of Alabama in 1965 before a spell in the US army, which included a tour of duty in the Vietnam War.
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In its tribute, the university called him "one of our legends".
Image: Tom Hanks received an Oscar for his role in the film
Following the success of Forrest Gump, Groom wrote a follow-up, 1995's Gump and Co.
Groom, a former journalist, also wrote non-fiction on a range of subjects, including the American Civil War.


skynewsus--2020-09-18--Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston reunite on screen in racy read through

Former Hollywood couple Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have been reunited on screen in a racy read through of 1982 teen movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High .
Performing together via Zoom , Pitt , 56 , and Aniston , 51 , took on the roles of amorous high school students Brad Hamilton and Linda Barrett .
The reading - which was packed to the gills with A-list stars - was set up to support charities Core and Reform Alliance in their efforts to alleviate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic .
Their X-rated scene kicked off with Aniston 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know how cute I always thought you were .
I think you 're so sexy .
Would you come to me ? ''
In the film it 's part of a day-dream scenario , where Brad is imagining Linda making a move on him .
The narrator , played by Morgan Freeman , then came in to describe the scene : `` He walks to Linda .
She reaches out and grabs him for a kiss , pulling him close .
Then she pushes him away so he can watch as she carefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The incredible Linda Barrett 's breasts fall loose , lord have mercy .
She takes Brad 's hands and places them on her as she begins unbuttoning his shirt .
They 're just about to fall into passionate lovemaking when… '' Throughout the scene , Pitt - who is wearing a green T-shirt and wearing his long blonde hair loose around his face - is holding back laughter .
Looking down at his script , at the point his character is interrupted during an intimate moment in the bathroom , he allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Julia Roberts , Matthew McConaughey , John Legend and Sean Penn also giggle throughout .
Always the professional , Aniston , wearing aviator-style glasses and a strappy summer top , remains straight faced throughout , committing to the part whole-heartedly .
Actors Judge Reinhold and Phoebe Cates originally played the roles in the Californian coming-of-age drama .
Henry Golding , Shia LaBeouf , Jimmy Kimmel and Ray Liotta also took part in the reading , along with host Dane Cook .
Despite a very public break up , Pitt and Aniston have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were pictured together in January 2020 at the Screen Actors Guild Awards .
: : Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Both took home an award on the night ( Pitt for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and Aniston for The Morning Show ) but all eyes were on the couple 's backstage meet-up where they embraced and chatted .
Pitt was married to Aniston from 2000 to 2005 , before an acrimonious split after which he got together with Angelina Jolie .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ children together , finally married in 2014 , but broke up two years later .
Their divorce was finalised in 2019 .
Aniston married Justin Theroux ( cousin of British documentary maker Louis ) in 2015 , but they separated two years later .

Former Hollywood couple Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have been reunited on screen in a racy read through of 1982 teen movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Performing together via Zoom, Pitt, 56, and Aniston, 51, took on the roles of amorous high school students Brad Hamilton and Linda Barrett.
The reading - which was packed to the gills with A-list stars - was set up to support charities Core and Reform Alliance in their efforts to alleviate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Image: Their embrace at the Screen Actors Guild Awards led to much speculation
Their X-rated scene kicked off with Aniston's line: "Hi Brad. You know how cute I always thought you were. I think you're so sexy. Would you come to me?"
In the film it's part of a day-dream scenario, where Brad is imagining Linda making a move on him.
The narrator, played by Morgan Freeman, then came in to describe the scene: "He walks to Linda. She reaches out and grabs him for a kiss, pulling him close. Then she pushes him away so he can watch as she carefully unstraps the top of bathing suit.
"The incredible Linda Barrett's breasts fall loose, lord have mercy. She takes Brad's hands and places them on her as she begins unbuttoning his shirt. They're just about to fall into passionate lovemaking when…"
Throughout the scene, Pitt - who is wearing a green T-shirt and wearing his long blonde hair loose around his face - is holding back laughter.
Looking down at his script, at the point his character is interrupted during an intimate moment in the bathroom, he allowed himself a chuckle.
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Image: Aniston and Pitt at the Emmys in Los Angeles in 2004
Fellow cast members including Julia Roberts, Matthew McConaughey, John Legend and Sean Penn also giggle throughout.
Always the professional, Aniston, wearing aviator-style glasses and a strappy summer top, remains straight faced throughout, committing to the part whole-heartedly.
Actors Judge Reinhold and Phoebe Cates originally played the roles in the Californian coming-of-age drama.
Henry Golding, Shia LaBeouf, Jimmy Kimmel and Ray Liotta also took part in the reading, along with host Dane Cook.
Despite a very public break up, Pitt and Aniston have rekindled their friendship over recent years and were pictured together in January 2020 at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
:: Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Both took home an award on the night (Pitt for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and Aniston for The Morning Show) but all eyes were on the couple's backstage meet-up where they embraced and chatted.
Pitt was married to Aniston from 2000 to 2005, before an acrimonious split after which he got together with Angelina Jolie.
Jolie and Pitt, who have six children together, finally married in 2014, but broke up two years later. Their divorce was finalised in 2019.
Aniston married Justin Theroux (cousin of British documentary maker Louis) in 2015, but they separated two years later.


skynewsus--2020-09-17--Donald Trump plans 'patriotic education' for schools

Donald Trump has said he plans to create a national commission promoting `` patriotic education '' in schools .
The US president told the first White House conference on American History that he will sign an executive order to establish the 1776 Commission , which will champion `` pro-America '' education .
He hit out at what he called the `` twisted web of lies '' currently taught in schools and said the new curriculum would `` celebrate the truth about our nation 's great history '' .
Critics have branded the plans `` terrifying '' and say they could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 1776 Commission appears to be in response to The New York Times ' 1619 Project , which explores the legacy of slavery in the US .
The paper said the project aims to `` reframe the country 's history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very center of our national narrative '' .
But Mr Trump criticised the work as `` ideological poison '' and `` totally discredited '' .
`` This project rewrites American history to teach our children that we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not freedom .
Nothing could be further from the truth , '' he said .
He also appeared to reference a graphic exploring `` whiteness '' that has recently been removed from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture following criticism from conservatives .
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker '' This document alleged that concepts such as hard work , rational thinking and the nuclear family and belief in God were not values that unite all Americans but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` This is offensive and outrageous to Americans of every ethnicity , and it 's especially harmful to children of minority backgrounds who should be uplifted not disparaged .
`` Teaching this horrible doctrine to our children is a form of child abuse . ''
The 1916 Project 's creator , Nikole Hannah-Jones , responded to Mr Trump 's comments on Twitter , writing : `` The White House Conference on American History has not a single Black historian on it .
Strange . ''
Former CIA and National Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical of Mr Trump 's plans .
`` I have a masters degree .
I ran CIA and NSA .
Trump wants a patriotic commission , 1776 Commission .
What does he know about that ?
Absolutely nothing .
And he 's not interested in facts , '' he wrote .

Donald Trump has said he plans to create a national commission promoting "patriotic education" in schools.
The US president told the first White House conference on American History that he will sign an executive order to establish the 1776 Commission, which will champion "pro-America" education.
He hit out at what he called the "twisted web of lies" currently taught in schools and said the new curriculum would "celebrate the truth about our nation's great history".
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Critics have branded the plans "terrifying" and say they could be used to "indoctrinate" children.
The 1776 Commission appears to be in response to The New York Times' 1619 Project, which explores the legacy of slavery in the US.
The paper said the project aims to "reframe the country's history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very center of our national narrative".
But Mr Trump criticised the work as "ideological poison" and "totally discredited".
"This project rewrites American history to teach our children that we were founded on the principle of oppression, not freedom. Nothing could be further from the truth," he said.
He also appeared to reference a graphic exploring "whiteness" that has recently been removed from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture following criticism from conservatives.
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"This document alleged that concepts such as hard work, rational thinking and the nuclear family and belief in God were not values that unite all Americans but were instead aspects of whiteness," he said.
"This is offensive and outrageous to Americans of every ethnicity, and it's especially harmful to children of minority backgrounds who should be uplifted not disparaged.
"Teaching this horrible doctrine to our children is a form of child abuse."
The 1916 Project's creator, Nikole Hannah-Jones, responded to Mr Trump's comments on Twitter, writing: "The White House Conference on American History has not a single Black historian on it. Strange."
Former CIA and National Security Agency director General Michael Hayden was also critical of Mr Trump's plans.
"I have a masters degree. I ran CIA and NSA. Trump wants a patriotic commission, 1776 Commission. What does he know about that? Absolutely nothing. And he's not interested in facts," he wrote.


skynewsus--2020-09-19--US Supreme Court judge and women's rights champion Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies

US Supreme Court judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg has died at 87 due to complications from pancreatic cancer .
Justice Ginsburg died at her home in Washington DC surrounded by her family .
She was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton in 1993 and was a champion of women 's rights who became an icon for American liberals .
Young women particularly seemed to embrace the judge , affectionately referring to her as the Notorious RBG .
Hailing from a working-class family in Brooklyn , Justice Ginsburg won major gender discrimination cases before she was appointed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second woman in history to sit on the highest court in the country , providing key votes in landmark rulings securing equal rights for women , expanding gay rights and safeguarding abortion rights .
Justice Ginsburg once said that despite graduating at the top of her Columbia University law school class , she struggled to find a law firm willing to hire her because she had `` three strikes against her '' - for being Jewish , female and a mother .
The 87-year-old announced in July that she was undergoing chemotherapy for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five bouts of cancer beginning in 1999 .
Responding to her death , US President Donald Trump said she was an `` amazing woman '' and he was sad to hear she had died .
Former US president George Bush described her as a `` smart and humourous trailblazer '' , saying he was `` fortunate '' to have known her .
Hillary Clinton said she had `` paved the way for so many women , including me '' .
`` There will never be another like her , '' she added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ also among the first to pay tribute , saying : `` Our nation has lost a jurist of historic stature .
`` We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague .
`` Today we mourn , but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her - a tireless and resolute champion of justice . ''
Nodding to her popularity across political lines , Donald Trump 's son Eric wrote on Twitter : `` Justice Ginsburg was a remarkable woman with an astonishing work ethic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and she has my absolute respect !
# RIP . ''
She was a household name in the US and numerous celebrities have paid tribute , including Hollywood actress Brie Larson , who said : `` Thank you , Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
We 'll keep pushing our way into all the places we 've yet to be invited . ''
Writer and actress Mindy Kaling wrote : `` Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the kind of scholar and patriot you get excited about explaining to your kids .
`` The kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one day you could be HER ' .
I hope you rest well , RBG , you must have been tired from changing the world . ''
Justice Ginsburg 's death just over six weeks before the US election will have profound consequences and is likely to set off a heated battle over who should choose her replacement in the conservative-majority court .
President Donald Trump will likely try to push a successor through the Republican-controlled Senate , moving the court even more to the right .
Mr Trump is likely to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to ABC News , and Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has said the Senate will vote on the president 's pick .
But Democrats argue the seat should remain vacant until the outcome of the election is known .
US Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer wrote on Twitter : `` The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice .
Therefore , this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president ... '' She would want us all to fight as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legacy . ''
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker In a statement dictated to her daughter days before her death , Justice Ginsburg said her `` most fervent wish '' was not to be replaced until a new president is installed , according to non-profit media organisation NPR .
She was married to prominent tax lawyer Martin Ginsburg , who died in 2010 , and is survived by two children , Jane and James .
A private funeral ceremony will be held @ @ @ @ @ @ @

US Supreme Court judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg has died at 87 due to complications from pancreatic cancer.
Justice Ginsburg died at her home in Washington DC surrounded by her family.
She was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton in 1993 and was a champion of women's rights who became an icon for American liberals.
Image: Justice Ginsburg had sat on the Supreme Court since 1993
Young women particularly seemed to embrace the judge, affectionately referring to her as the Notorious RBG.
Hailing from a working-class family in Brooklyn, Justice Ginsburg won major gender discrimination cases before she was appointed to the Supreme Court.
She was only the second woman in history to sit on the highest court in the country, providing key votes in landmark rulings securing equal rights for women, expanding gay rights and safeguarding abortion rights.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:01 Ruth Bader Ginsburg 'stood for all of us' - Biden
Justice Ginsburg once said that despite graduating at the top of her Columbia University law school class, she struggled to find a law firm willing to hire her because she had "three strikes against her" - for being Jewish, female and a mother.
The 87-year-old announced in July that she was undergoing chemotherapy for lesions on her liver, after suffering five bouts of cancer beginning in 1999.
Responding to her death, US President Donald Trump said she was an "amazing woman" and he was sad to hear she had died.
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Former US president George Bush described her as a "smart and humourous trailblazer", saying he was "fortunate" to have known her.
Image: She was only the second woman to be appointed a member of the Supreme Court
Image: Crowds gather outside the Supreme Court to pay tribute
Hillary Clinton said she had "paved the way for so many women, including me".
"There will never be another like her," she added.
Chief Justice John G Roberts Jr was also among the first to pay tribute, saying: "Our nation has lost a jurist of historic stature.
"We at the Supreme Court have lost a cherished colleague.
"Today we mourn, but with confidence that future generations will remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg as we knew her - a tireless and resolute champion of justice."
Nodding to her popularity across political lines, Donald Trump's son Eric wrote on Twitter: "Justice Ginsburg was a remarkable woman with an astonishing work ethic. She was a warrior with true conviction and she has my absolute respect! #RIP."
She was a household name in the US and numerous celebrities have paid tribute, including Hollywood actress Brie Larson, who said: "Thank you, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. We'll keep pushing our way into all the places we've yet to be invited."
Image: A man kneels at a vigil for Justice Ginsburg
Image: People light candles in front of the US Supreme Court
Writer and actress Mindy Kaling wrote: "Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the kind of scholar and patriot you get excited about explaining to your kids.
"The kind of person who you say 'who knows, one day you could be HER'. I hope you rest well, RBG, you must have been tired from changing the world."
Justice Ginsburg's death just over six weeks before the US election will have profound consequences and is likely to set off a heated battle over who should choose her replacement in the conservative-majority court.
Image: Justice Ginsburg greets then-US president Barack Obama prior to delivering his first State of the Union address
President Donald Trump will likely try to push a successor through the Republican-controlled Senate, moving the court further to the right.
Mr Trump is likely to put forth a nominee in the coming days, according to ABC News, and Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has said the Senate will vote on the president's pick.
But Democrats argue the seat should remain vacant until the outcome of the election is known.
Presidential hopeful Joe Biden, who described Justice Ginsburg as an "American hero", pointed to the Republican Senate's decision in 2016 not to appoint a successor to Justice Antonin Scalia until that year's election.
"Just so there is no doubt, let me be clear: the voters should pick a president, and that president should select a successor to Justice Ginsburg," he said.
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In a statement dictated to her daughter days before her death, Justice Ginsburg said her "most fervent wish" was not to be replaced until a new president is installed, according to non-profit media organisation NPR.
She was married to prominent tax lawyer Martin Ginsburg, who died in 2010, and is survived by two children, Jane and James.
A private funeral ceremony will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.


skynewsus--2020-09-18--Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson rips off electric gate with bare hands

Dwayne `` The Rock '' Johnson put his enormous muscles to good use when he was forced to rip off his electric gate from a wall with his bare hands to avoid being late to film scenes for his debut superhero movie .
In an Instagram post , alongside a picture of the gate lying on the ground , the Hollywood star - a former professional wrestler - explained that a storm caused a power outage , meaning the gate at his home would not open .
He wrote : `` Not my finest hour but a man 's got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that `` hundreds '' of crew members working on DC Comics film `` Black Adam '' , would be waiting for him after being told a technician would take 45 minutes to arrive , he literally took matters into his own hands .
`` I pushed , pulled and ripped the gate completely off myself , '' he continued .
`` Ripped it completely out of the brick wall , severed the steel hydraulics and threw it on the grass .
: : Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security team was able to meet the gate technician and welders about an hour later - and they were apparently , 'in disbelief and equally scared ' as to how I ripped it off . ''
He finished his post by saying that he was then `` ready to be BLACK ADAM '' .
The movie is due to be released in UK cinemas on 24 December 2021 .

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson put his enormous muscles to good use when he was forced to rip off his electric gate from a wall with his bare hands to avoid being late to film scenes for his debut superhero movie.
In an Instagram post, alongside a picture of the gate lying on the ground, the Hollywood star - a former professional wrestler - explained that a storm caused a power outage, meaning the gate at his home would not open.
He wrote: "Not my finest hour but a man's gotta go to work."
Image: Johnson said 'a man's gotta go to work'
Fearing that "hundreds" of crew members working on DC Comics film "Black Adam", would be waiting for him after being told a technician would take 45 minutes to arrive, he literally took matters into his own hands.
"I pushed, pulled and ripped the gate completely off myself," he continued.
"Ripped it completely out of the brick wall, severed the steel hydraulics and threw it on the grass.
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"My security team was able to meet the gate technician and welders about an hour later - and they were apparently, 'in disbelief and equally scared' as to how I ripped it off."
He finished his post by saying that he was then "ready to be BLACK ADAM".
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The movie is due to be released in UK cinemas on 24 December 2021.