skynewsus--2020-12-03--Ivanka Trump questioned as part of inauguration fund lawsuit

Ivanka Trump has been questioned this week under oath as part of the Washington DC attorney general 's investigation into an alleged misuse of non-profit funds for her father Donald Trump 's inauguration four years ago .
District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine 's office disclosed in a court filing that the president 's eldest daughter and a senior White House adviser were interviewed on Tuesday by lawyers from the Washington DC attorney general 's office .
In a January 2020 lawsuit , Mr Racine claimed Mr Trump 's real estate business and other entities misused non-profit funds to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has filed a lawsuit alleging waste of non-profit funds and accuses the 58th Presidential Inaugural Committee of making more than $ 1m ( £750,000 ) in improper payments to the Trump International Hotel in Washington during the week of the inauguration in 2017 .
It is alleged that in one case , more than $ 300,000 ( £224,000 ) was paid to hold a private reception at the hotel for the president 's three eldest children - Donald Jr , Ivanka and Eric - on the evening of the inauguration on 20 January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Ms Trump , first lady Melania Trump , Thomas Barrack Jr , the chair of the inaugural committee who was also interviewed last month , and others .
`` District law requires non-profits to use their funds for their stated public purpose , not to benefit private individuals or companies , '' Mr Racine said earlier this year .
His lawsuit seeks to recover the $ 1m that was allegedly funnelled directly to the Trump family business .
Mr Racine is also accusing the committee of misusing non-profit funds and coordinating with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump family to arrange the events .
The committee has faced continuous scrutiny over its spending , particularly when it raised an unprecedented $ 107m ( £80m ) to host events celebrating Mr Trump 's inauguration in January 2017 .
Alan Garten , from the Trump Organisation , said in a statement : `` Ms Trump 's only involvement was connecting the parties and instructing the hotel to charge a 'fair market rate ' , which the hotel did . ''

Ivanka Trump has been questioned this week under oath as part of the Washington DC attorney general's investigation into an alleged misuse of non-profit funds for her father Donald Trump's inauguration four years ago.
District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine's office disclosed in a court filing that the president's eldest daughter and a senior White House adviser were interviewed on Tuesday by lawyers from the Washington DC attorney general's office.
In a January 2020 lawsuit, Mr Racine claimed Mr Trump's real estate business and other entities misused non-profit funds to enrich the Trump family.
Image: Ivanka Trump with husband Jared Kushner and Melania Trump at her father's inaugural parade in 2017
The office has filed a lawsuit alleging waste of non-profit funds and accuses the 58th Presidential Inaugural Committee of making more than $1m (£750,000) in improper payments to the Trump International Hotel in Washington during the week of the inauguration in 2017.
It is alleged that in one case, more than $300,000 (£224,000) was paid to hold a private reception at the hotel for the president's three eldest children - Donald Jr, Ivanka and Eric - on the evening of the inauguration on 20 January 2017.
The lawyers have subpoenaed records from Ms Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Thomas Barrack Jr, the chair of the inaugural committee who was also interviewed last month, and others.
"District law requires non-profits to use their funds for their stated public purpose, not to benefit private individuals or companies," Mr Racine said earlier this year.
His lawsuit seeks to recover the $1m that was allegedly funnelled directly to the Trump family business.
Image: Ivanka Trump works as an adviser to her father
Mr Racine is also accusing the committee of misusing non-profit funds and coordinating with the hotel's management and members of the Trump family to arrange the events.
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The committee has faced continuous scrutiny over its spending, particularly when it raised an unprecedented $107m (£80m) to host events celebrating Mr Trump's inauguration in January 2017.
Alan Garten, from the Trump Organisation, said in a statement: "Ms Trump's only involvement was connecting the parties and instructing the hotel to charge a 'fair market rate', which the hotel did."


skynewsus--2020-12-03--More than 1,000 Chinese researchers leave US amid tech theft crackdown

More than 1,000 Chinese researchers have left the US amid a crackdown on alleged technology theft , US security officials have said .
It is also claimed they had already been targeting the incoming Biden administration .
John Demers , chief of the justice department 's national security division , said the researchers left the country when the department launched several criminal cases against Chinese operatives for industrial and technological espionage .
Another Justice Department official said the Chinese nationals were a different group to those mentioned by the State Department in September - when the US revoked visas for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential measure , denying entry to students and researchers deemed security risks .
The Chinese researchers are believed to be affiliated with China 's People 's Liberation Army and left the US after the FBI conducted interviews in more than 20 cities and the State Department closed China 's Houston consulate in July .
`` Only the Chinese have the resources and ability and will '' to engage in the breadth of foreign influence activity that US agencies have seen in recent years , Mr Demers said , during a discussion hosted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers were already targeting personnel of the incoming administration of president-elect Joe Biden , as well as `` people close '' to Mr Biden 's team , according to William Evanina , chief of the counterintelligence branch of the office of the US Director of National Intelligence .
He added that the researchers who were under the scrutiny of US agencies were `` all coming here at the behest of the Chinese government '' .
Mr Biden 's transition team has declined to comment , but his campaign team said earlier this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China previously condemned the visa crackdown as `` naked '' political persecution and racial discrimination that seriously violated human rights .
China-US relations have continued on a downward spiral since Donald Trump 's presidency over disputes on trade and technology , to Hong Kong and China 's handling of the COVID-19 outbreak .

More than 1,000 Chinese researchers have left the US amid a crackdown on alleged technology theft, US security officials have said.
It is also claimed they had already been targeting the incoming Biden administration.
John Demers, chief of the justice department's national security division, said the researchers left the country when the department launched several criminal cases against Chinese operatives for industrial and technological espionage.
Another Justice Department official said the Chinese nationals were a different group to those mentioned by the State Department in September - when the US revoked visas for more than 1,000 Chinese nationals under a presidential measure, denying entry to students and researchers deemed security risks.
The Chinese researchers are believed to be affiliated with China's People's Liberation Army and left the US after the FBI conducted interviews in more than 20 cities and the State Department closed China's Houston consulate in July.
Image: Chinese agents are believed to be already targeting president-elect Joe Biden's incoming administration
"Only the Chinese have the resources and ability and will" to engage in the breadth of foreign influence activity that US agencies have seen in recent years, Mr Demers said, during a discussion hosted by the Aspen Institute think tank.
The researchers were already targeting personnel of the incoming administration of president-elect Joe Biden, as well as "people close" to Mr Biden's team, according to William Evanina, chief of the counterintelligence branch of the office of the US Director of National Intelligence.
He added that the researchers who were under the scrutiny of US agencies were "all coming here at the behest of the Chinese government".
Mr Biden's transition team has declined to comment, but his campaign team said earlier this year it was prepared for cyber attacks.
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China condemned that visa crackdown as "naked" political persecution and racial discrimination that seriously violated human rights.
China-US relations have continued on a downward spiral since Donald Trump's presidency over disputes on trade and technology, to Hong Kong and China's handling of the COVID-19 outbreak.


skynewsus--2020-12-03--Third monolith found on mountain following Utah and Romania discoveries

A third metal monolith has been spotted - with the latest structure in California .
It follows the appearance of @ @ @ @ @ Romania .
This monolith was spotted at the top of a mountain in Atascadero , @ @ @ @ @ who says he runs and hikes in the area every day , revealed he had @ @ @ @ @ and that it had not been there the day before .
According to local reports @ @ @ @ @ nine feet high ( 2.7m ) - similar to the one in Utah .
It @ @ @ @ @ of the first of the metal shapes in Utah went viral .
It has since @ @ @ @ @ was found in Romania a few days later , but this too has since disappeared @ @ @ @ @ resemblance to a metal form seen in Stanley Kubrick 's 2001 : A Space Odyssey @ @ @ @ @ apes are seen discovering a metal monolith in the desert .
Millions of years later @ @ @ @ @ the Moon .

A third metal monolith has been spotted - with the latest structure in California.
It follows the appearance of metallic structures in Utah and Romania.
This monolith was spotted at the top of a mountain in Atascadero, California.
Image: The metal monolith found in Utah. Pic: Utah Department of Public Safety
Gary Lyons, who says he runs and hikes in the area every day, revealed he had found the object on Wednesday and that it had not been there the day before.
According to local reports, the monolith is around nine feet high (2.7m) - similar to the one in Utah.
Image: The monolith that appeared in Romania. Pic: Ziar Piatra Neamt
It comes two weeks after pictures of the first of the metal shapes in Utah went viral.
It has since been removed.
Another monolith was found in Romania a few days later, but this too has since disappeared.
Image: The monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey
The monoliths bear a resemblance to a metal form seen in Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey.
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In the film, apes are seen discovering a metal monolith in the desert.
Millions of years later, another is found on the Moon.


skynewsus--2020-12-03--'True trailblazer': First openly gay professional wrestler Pat Patterson dies aged 79

The first openly gay professional wrestling star , Pat Patterson , has died aged 79 .
Tributes have been paid to the Canadian brawler by the WWE ( World Wrestling Entertainment company ) , Dwayne 'The Rock ' Johnson and John Cena , among others .
Hollywood actor Johnson , who is a former professional wrestler , described Patterson as a `` father figure '' , while the WWE called him a `` true trailblazer of the industry '' and said `` his name will forever be revered '' .
It said : `` Patterson was linked to many 'firsts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the first-ever Intercontinental Title reign and the creation of the Royal Rumble Match .
`` In a career spanning six decades , the renaissance man left an indelible mark on the industry in the ring , on the microphone and behind the scenes . ''
Patterson started wrestling in 1958 , and by 1978 was appearing in the ring for the WWE .
His most famous storyline was his rivalry with Sgt Slaughter , which saw the pair go head to head several times .
By 1984 , Patterson had retired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the commentary booth .
In 1988 , the Royal Rumble - his brainchild - made its first appearance , going on to become one of the most recognisable events in world wrestling .
He was inducted into the WWE hall of fame in 1996 .
In a post to his Instagram page , Johnson said : `` Rest in love , Pat .
You 'll be missed .
`` Rough phone calls to get this morning to tell me , our dear family member , Pat Patterson who was my pro wrestling mentor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' In another tribute , wrestler Chris Jericho , using a Star Wars analogy , called Patterson the `` Yoda to my Luke '' .
`` He taught me 90 % of what I know about putting together a wrestling match . ''
Fellow wrestling star John Cena tweeted : `` Loss is incredibly difficult .
Those we love are only truly gone if we stop caring .
Pat Patterson lived life as it should be lived with passion , love and purpose .
`` He helped so many and always entertained with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live on in my life always .
Love you Patrick.. '' Paul Michael Levesque , known as Triple H in the industry , tweeted : `` No words can describe what he gave to us .
His body as an in-ring performer , his mind as a storyteller , and his spirit as a beloved member of our large @ WWE family .
`` I will miss him for so many reasons ... it 's never goodbye , it 's see ya down the road .
Love you , Pat .
Abooze '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Whether in the ring , on the microphone or behind the scenes , Pat Patterson was one of sports-entertainment 's most successful and well-known superstars for five decades .
`` In addition , Patterson was linked to many 'firsts ' in the industry , as his voice and his mind helped him continue his career well after his in-ring days were over . ''
It added : `` In his 25-plus years in WWE , Patterson was synonymous with making history .
`` His name will forever be revered in WWE lore @ @

The first openly gay professional wrestling star, Pat Patterson, has died aged 79.
Tributes have been paid to the Canadian brawler by the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment company), Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and John Cena, among others.
Hollywood actor Johnson, who is a former professional wrestler, described Patterson as a "father figure", while the WWE called him a "true trailblazer of the industry" and said "his name will forever be revered".
It said: "Patterson was linked to many 'firsts' in sports-entertainment throughout his storied career, including the first-ever Intercontinental Title reign and the creation of the Royal Rumble Match.
"In a career spanning six decades, the renaissance man left an indelible mark on the industry in the ring, on the microphone and behind the scenes."
Image: Patterson (R) with The Grand Wizard (Ernie Roth) in 1979
Patterson started wrestling in 1958, and by 1978 was appearing in the ring for the WWE.
His most famous storyline was his rivalry with Sgt Slaughter, which saw the pair go head to head several times.
By 1984, Patterson had retired from the ring and had moved to the commentary booth.
In 1988, the Royal Rumble - his brainchild - made its first appearance, going on to become one of the most recognisable events in world wrestling.
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He was inducted into the WWE hall of fame in 1996.
In a post to his Instagram page, Johnson said: "Rest in love, Pat. You'll be missed.
"Rough phone calls to get this morning to tell me, our dear family member, Pat Patterson who was my pro wrestling mentor and father figure has passed away."
In another tribute, wrestler Chris Jericho, using a Star Wars analogy, called Patterson the "Yoda to my Luke".
"He taught me 90% of what I know about putting together a wrestling match."
Fellow wrestling star John Cena tweeted: "Loss is incredibly difficult. Those we love are only truly gone if we stop caring. Pat Patterson lived life as it should be lived with passion, love and purpose.
"He helped so many and always entertained with a story or joke. He will live on in my life always. Love you Patrick.."
Paul Michael Levesque, known as Triple H in the industry, tweeted: "No words can describe what he gave to us. His body as an in-ring performer, his mind as a storyteller, and his spirit as a beloved member of our large @WWE family.
"I will miss him for so many reasons... it's never goodbye, it's see ya down the road. Love you, Pat. Abooze"
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A tribute from the WWE added: "Whether in the ring, on the microphone or behind the scenes, Pat Patterson was one of sports-entertainment's most successful and well-known superstars for five decades.
"In addition, Patterson was linked to many 'firsts' in the industry, as his voice and his mind helped him continue his career well after his in-ring days were over."
It added: "In his 25-plus years in WWE, Patterson was synonymous with making history.
"His name will forever be revered in WWE lore."


skynewsus--2020-12-03--Miley Cyrus: I will 'always love' Liam Hemsworth but there was 'too much conflict'

Miley Cyrus has spoken about her divorce from Liam Hemsworth , saying she will always love him `` very much '' but that there was `` too much conflict '' in their relationship .
The singer married the Australian actor in December 2018 following almost 10 years of an on-and-off relationship .
They decided to get married after their house was destroyed in wildfires in California .
However , they announced their break-up less than a year later .
Speaking on Howard Stern 's SiriusXM radio show , Cyrus said losing their home affected their relationship .
`` Me being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sit with it and not wanting to go , you know , 'What could be purposeful about this ? '
I just clung to what I had left of that house , which was me and him , '' she said .
Cyrus , 28 , added : `` And I really do and did love him very , very , very much and still do , always will . ''
She said there was `` too much conflict '' between the pair .
`` When I come home , I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't get off on drama or fighting . ''
After the break-up , Hemsworth , 30 , wished the star `` health and happiness '' in a post on social media .
A few weeks later , Cyrus posted a thread of tweets denying that she had cheated during their seven-month marriage , : : Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker As well as her break-up , the singer , who released her latest album Plastic Hearts in November , also discussed her attempts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her interview with Stern .
She gave up alcohol following surgery on her vocal cords in 2019 .
`` The hardest times have been in this pandemic , '' she said .
`` I am always truthful .
And a lot of people , their sobriety broke during this time .
I was one of them .
Luckily , I have n't gone back to using any drugs , but I was drinking during the pandemic . ''
However , she said she was not calling it a `` relapse , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demon '' .
`` If anything , it just makes me not reach my full potential , which is unacceptable to me , '' she said .

Miley Cyrus has spoken about her divorce from Liam Hemsworth, saying she will always love him "very much" but that there was "too much conflict" in their relationship.
The singer married the Australian actor in December 2018 following almost 10 years of an on-and-off relationship.
They decided to get married after their house was destroyed in wildfires in California.
However, they announced their break-up less than a year later.
Speaking on Howard Stern's SiriusXM radio show, Cyrus said losing their home affected their relationship.
Image: Miley Cyrus has opened up about her divorce
"Me being an intense person and not wanting to sit with it and not wanting to go, you know, 'What could be purposeful about this?' I just clung to what I had left of that house, which was me and him," she said.
Cyrus, 28, added: "And I really do and did love him very, very, very much and still do, always will."
She said there was "too much conflict" between the pair. "When I come home, I want to be anchored by someone. I don't get off on drama or fighting."
After the break-up, Hemsworth, 30, wished the star "health and happiness" in a post on social media.
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A few weeks later, Cyrus posted a thread of tweets denying that she had cheated during their seven-month marriage,
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As well as her break-up, the singer, who released her latest album Plastic Hearts in November, also discussed her attempts to stay sober during the COVID-19 pandemic in her interview with Stern.
She gave up alcohol following surgery on her vocal cords in 2019.
"The hardest times have been in this pandemic," she said. "I am always truthful. And a lot of people, their sobriety broke during this time. I was one of them. Luckily, I haven't gone back to using any drugs, but I was drinking during the pandemic."
However, she said she was not calling it a "relapse," saying drinking had not "been my demon".
"If anything, it just makes me not reach my full potential, which is unacceptable to me," she said.


skynewsus--2020-12-04--Trump ally on president's next move after Thanksgiving phone call

Donald Trump 's legal battle to overturn the election is n't going well for him .
His legal team continues to lose cases in the key states it so desperately hoped to win back from Joe Biden .
They 've been trying to make the case for a grand conspiracy - concocted by everyone from China , to Venezuela , to Joe Biden himself .
But it ai n't working .
Most TV networks in the US have stopped even airing their claims - concerned the unsubstantiated comments are damaging to America 's democracy .
But Chris Ruddy , CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years and a close friend of Donald Trump , is willing to give it airtime .
: : You can hear more from our conversation on the Divided States podcast , along with an interview with Dr Anthony Fauci - subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker And he 's enjoyed a big spike in ratings ever since .
In an interview , he told me : `` Our position is that we 're waiting for the recount process on the certification , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Joe Biden , we 're not going to oppose him .
It appears that he 's the likely winner , we 're going to accept that . ''
But Mr Trump 's opponent has an increasingly staggering lead - seven million votes currently - 80.9 million overall .
But for Mr Ruddy , the `` slim '' margins in certain key battlegrounds justify his stance .
`` In Georgia , it was less than a quarter of a percent .
They 're now on their third recount , and there 's additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsmax has also provided a platform for some wild uncorroborated discussion .
In one clip , the president 's favourite rally duo , Diamond and Silk claim the `` China virus '' and the `` scamdemic '' are linked to an overall plan for the Democrats to rig the election .
Mr Ruddy says they are in the `` nebulous area between comedians and commentators '' and free speech means they should be able to share their views .
For what it 's worth , his view is that there is `` no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy the arguments about the Dominion voting system '' and he has n't seen any evidence of wrongdoing .
But he does think the process for mail-in ballots was irregular .
Over Thanksgiving he spoke with President Trump on the phone who he said was `` confident '' about his legal fight , but still `` very upset '' about the election results .
His close friend thinks he should prepare to concede on 14 December when the electors meet in each state and cast their ballots for president and vice president .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't think Mr Trump will run again .
`` He 's going to really like the influence and the lifestyle he has as a former president . ''
He also does n't think he 'll start his own TV channel as many have speculated , but he 's convinced he 'll remain a `` media omnivore '' and hugely influential .

Donald Trump's legal battle to overturn the election isn't going well for him.
His legal team continues to lose cases in the key states it so desperately hoped to win back from Joe Biden.
They've been trying to make the case for a grand conspiracy - concocted by everyone from China, to Venezuela, to Joe Biden himself. But it isn't working.
Most TV networks in the US have stopped even airing their claims - concerned the unsubstantiated comments are damaging to America's democracy.
But Chris Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax, a journalist of 30 years and a close friend of Mr Trump, is willing to give it airtime.
:: You can hear more from our conversation on the Divided States podcast, along with an interview with Dr Anthony Fauci - subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
And he's enjoyed a big spike in ratings ever since. In an interview, he told me: "Our position is that we're waiting for the recount process on the certification, and the legal process.
"We're not against Joe Biden, we're not going to oppose him. It appears that he's the likely winner, we're going to accept that."
Image: Chris Ruddy is a journalist of 30 years and a close friend of Donald Trump
But Mr Trump's opponent has an increasingly staggering lead - seven million votes currently - 80.9 million overall.
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But for Mr Ruddy, the "slim" margins in certain key battlegrounds justify his stance.
"In Georgia, it was less than a quarter of a percent. They're now on their third recount, and there's additional legal suits being filed."
But Newsmax has also provided a platform for some wild uncorroborated discussion.
In one clip, the president's favourite rally duo, Diamond and Silk, claim the "China virus" and the "scamdemic" are linked to an overall plan for the Democrats to rig the election.
Mr Ruddy says they are in the "nebulous area between comedians and commentators" and free speech means they should be able to share their views.
Image: Attorney general William Barr has not found any evidence of voter fraud
For what it's worth, his view is that there is "no conspiracy". He doesn't "buy the arguments about the Dominion voting system" and he hasn't seen any evidence of wrongdoing.
But he does think the process for mail-in ballots was irregular.
Over Thanksgiving he spoke with President Trump on the phone who he said was "confident" about his legal fight, but still "very upset" about the election results.
His close friend thinks he should prepare to concede on 14 December when the electors meet in each state and cast their ballots for president and vice president.
Despite all the speculation, he doesn't think Mr Trump will run again.
"He's going to really like the influence and the lifestyle he has as a former president."
He also doesn't think he'll start his own TV channel as many have speculated, but he's convinced he'll remain a "media omnivore" and hugely influential.


skynewsus--2020-12-03--US logs more than 3,100 COVID deaths - a record for a single day

The US has reported more than 3,100 coronavirus-related deaths in a single day - a record for the country .
The 3,157 deaths far exceed the previous record of 2,603 set in the spring , while the number of Americans in hospital with COVID-19 has risen past 100,000 for the first time and cases are topping more than 200,000 a day .
The latest update shows more people died with coronavirus in one day than died in the 9/11 terror attacks .
The figures , which are being tracked by Johns Hopkins University , indicate the US is slipping deeper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be yet to come following the Thanksgiving holiday , where millions ignored advice and visited family and friends across the country .
Authorities had warned before the holiday that the numbers could fluctuate around Thanksgiving , with a lag in reporting meaning cases could drop , but sharply rise as state agencies catch up .
Hospitals across the country have been inundated with coronavirus patients , with a top health official warning : `` The reality is December and January and February are going to be rough times . ''
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most difficult time in the public health history of this nation , '' Dr Robert Redfield , head of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention , said .
Deaths related to COVID-19 have risen steadily over the past few weeks , with records breaking for days on end and the virus resulting in around 270,000 total deaths - and more than 14 million infections .
The figures come as senior politicians in Washington attempt to negotiate a fresh financial relief bill in an effort to bring much-needed aid to Americans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ get behind the bill , worth more than $ 900bn ( £658bn ) , which would create a $ 300 ( £224 ) per week benefit for out-of-work Americans , as well as send $ 160bn ( £120bn ) to state governments to boost education , offer business subsidies , and bail out transport systems and airlines .
Meanwhile , Americans are not expected to have much longer to wait for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to be approved .
The White House 's chief immunologist Dr Anthony Fauci told Sky News that while he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rigorous than the UK 's , the jab is `` safe and effective '' and would likely be signed off for use in the US in the coming days .

The US has reported more than 3,100 coronavirus-related deaths in a single day - a record for the country.
The 3,157 deaths far exceed the previous record of 2,603 set in the spring, while the number of Americans in hospital with COVID-19 has risen past 100,000 for the first time and cases are topping more than 200,000 a day.
The latest update shows more people died with coronavirus in one day than died in the 9/11 terror attacks.
Image: The US has reported a record number of infections
The figures, which are being tracked by Johns Hopkins University, indicate the US is slipping deeper into trouble, with worries the worst could be yet to come following the Thanksgiving holiday, where millions ignored advice and visited family and friends across the country.
Authorities had warned before the holiday that the numbers could fluctuate around Thanksgiving, with a lag in reporting meaning cases could drop, but sharply rise as state agencies catch up.
Hospitals across the country have been inundated with coronavirus patients, with a top health official warning: "The reality is December and January and February are going to be rough times."
"I actually believe they are going to be the most difficult time in the public health history of this nation," Dr Robert Redfield, head of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, said.
Deaths related to COVID-19 have risen steadily over the past few weeks, with records breaking for days on end and the virus resulting in around 270,000 total deaths - and more than 14 million infections.
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The figures come as senior politicians in Washington attempt to negotiate a fresh financial relief bill in an effort to bring much-needed aid to Americans.
President-elect Joe Biden has encouraged Republicans to get behind the bill, worth more than $900bn (£658bn), which would create a $300 (£224) per week benefit for out-of-work Americans, as well as send $160bn (£120bn) to state governments to boost education, offer business subsidies, and bail out transport systems and airlines.
Meanwhile, Americans are not expected to have much longer to wait for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to be approved.
The White House's chief immunologist Dr Anthony Fauci told Sky News that while he believed America's approval process was more rigorous than the UK's, the jab is "safe and effective" and would likely be signed off for use in the US in the coming days.


skynewsus--2020-12-03--Silent night: Crowds avoid Rockefeller tree switch-on as US warned to expect 'devastating Christmas'

The familiar moment the Christmas lights went on in midtown Manhattan only highlighted the surreal scenes of an empty New York .
The tree illumination in Rockefeller Plaza had the usual theatre , but was empty of the thousands of people who usually pack the area to watch the display .
And there was little to cheer about this year as the country marked its deadliest day of the pandemic so far .
America is breaking coronavirus records with more than 100,000 COVID patients now in hospital - nearly double the amount at the worst point of the pandemic 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legacy of the hell New York experienced in the country 's first wave , and small gatherings are being blamed for its second .
Police closed off the area around Rockefeller Plaza as authorities fear festive celebrations will become superspreader events .
That did n't stop many trying to gather to watch the famous light display begin outside Saks Fifth Avenue .
The city has been through a lot this year and many seemed desperate to feel a little joy .
`` I think the more people that gather , the more they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I wanted to come see the tree anyway , '' said Kelsey Stirling , who lives in Midtown .
Kneco , visiting as a key worker from Texas , said : `` It 's been going on for so long .
A lot of us are extremely tired and so we just took a chance and came out here anyway . ''
Her co-worker Charles Ward added : `` I do n't think it can get any worse . ''
The reality is it can get worse and the numbers suggest it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country - state after state is reaching near hospital capacity .
Los Angeles ' mayor has told residents to cancel everything .
Despite warnings to stay at home , nearly a million Americans travelled for Thanksgiving .
The country is still bracing for the full impact of last week 's holiday and test sites are overwhelmed with New Yorkers returning from the break .
The city 's positivity rate is now at around 5 % .
`` My brother has it right now .
My nephews both have it .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting outside a testing clinic in Brooklyn .
`` One hundred per cent , people should n't be travelling . ''
But for others , they 're fed up and want to see their families in other states .
Like Marco Perrone , who plans to visit his mother for Christmas .
`` I just want it to be over with so I can go out with my friends again and have fun again .
It 's just work , sleep , eat - that 's it , '' he said .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way off here .
New York is still empty of the usual crowds and still closed to most other states .
An almost empty Times Square still feels a very surreal sight .
But coronavirus numbers paint an even bleaker picture with new infections at a record high across the US .
`` The cases are going to go up again .
We 're going to see that again because obviously there 's a lag time from people becoming infected to having infections , and then a couple of weeks later we 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of deaths , '' said Danielle Ompad , professor of epidemiology at NYU .
`` For many people it 's going to be a devastating Christmas . ''
Certainly the holiday season is only adding to concern a surge is expected across America .

The familiar moment the Christmas lights went on in midtown Manhattan only highlighted the surreal scenes of an empty New York.
The tree illumination in Rockefeller Plaza had the usual theatre, but was empty of the thousands of people who usually pack the area to watch the display.
And there was little to cheer about this year as the country marked its deadliest day of the pandemic so far.
America is breaking coronavirus records with more than 100,000 COVID patients now in hospital - nearly double the number at the worst point of the pandemic's first wave.
Image: Normally thousands would turn out
Tight restrictions are a legacy of the hell New York experienced in the country's first wave, and small gatherings are being blamed for its second.
Police closed off the area around Rockefeller Plaza as authorities fear festive celebrations will become superspreader events.
That didn't stop many trying to gather to watch the famous light display begin outside Saks Fifth Avenue.
The city has been through a lot this year and many seemed desperate to feel a little joy.
Image: Police closed off the area around Rockefeller Plaza
"I think the more people that gather, the more they travel, it'll get worse - but I wanted to come see the tree anyway," said Kelsey Stirling, who lives in Midtown.
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Kneco, visiting as a key worker from Texas, said: "It's been going on for so long. A lot of us are extremely tired and so we just took a chance and came out here anyway."
Her co-worker Charles Ward added: "I don't think it can get any worse."
Image: An almost empty Times Square
The reality is that it can get worse and the numbers suggest it will.
Cases are now exploding across the country - state after state is reaching near hospital capacity. Los Angeles' mayor has told residents to cancel everything.
Despite warnings to stay at home, nearly a million Americans travelled for Thanksgiving. The country is still bracing for the full impact of last week's holiday and test sites are overwhelmed with New Yorkers returning from the break.
The city's positivity rate is now at around 5%.
"My brother has it right now. My nephews both have it. It's scary," said Alix Baker, waiting outside a testing clinic in Brooklyn. "One hundred per cent, people shouldn't be travelling."
But for others, they're fed up and want to see their families in other states.
Image: A return to normal still feels a long way off in New York
Like Marco Perrone, who plans to visit his mother for Christmas.
"I just want it to be over with so I can go out with my friends again and have fun again. It's just work, sleep, eat - that's it," he said.
A return to normal still feels a long way off here. New York is still empty of the usual crowds and still closed to most other states.
An almost empty Times Square still feels a very surreal sight. But coronavirus numbers paint an even bleaker picture with new infections at a record high across the US.
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"The cases are going to go up again. We're going to see that again because obviously there's a lag time from people becoming infected to having infections, and then a couple of weeks later we'll probably see an increase in the number of deaths," said Danielle Ompad, professor of epidemiology at NYU.
"For many people it's going to be a devastating Christmas."
Certainly the holiday season is only adding to concern a surge is expected across America.


skynewsus--2020-12-03--Fauci: UK vaccine approval 'much less deep' than US - but jab is 'safe'

The White House 's chief immunologist has told Sky News he believes the British approval of the Pfizer COVID vaccine has been done in a `` much less deep '' way than would have been done in the US .
Dr Anthony Fauci told Sky News he believed the data `` clearly shows that the vaccine is safe and effective '' but that the speed in which it had been passed by the UK health regulator would have prompted scepticism in the US about its safety .
On Wednesday the UK became the first country in the world to approve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dermot Murnaghan his comments about its testing in the UK were not meant as `` a criticism '' , but he said : `` I think it 's very important for people to realise there are different levels of stringency and scrutiny when you look at the data .
`` The FDA in the United States , I think , everyone realises globally is the gold standard of regulatory function .
`` Here in the United States , as I 'm sure is somewhat in the UK , there is this degree of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about wanting to take a vaccine , thinking that perhaps it was done too quickly , perhaps it is n't as safe and effective as we say they are .
`` So we put the data through a very , very stringent process of literally point-by-point , analysing the data .
`` The UK has decided to do it a little bit differently , they 've gone over it very quickly .
`` And I can say - and this is not a criticism , but they 've done it in a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been done , and is being done by the FDA in the United States . ''
However , following Dr Fauci 's comments , UK health regulator , the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) , doubled down on its commitment to the vaccine 's safety .
A spokesperson said all related data had been `` rigorously assessed '' and `` in the shortest time possible , without compromising the thoroughness '' of the review .
The statement added that the data had included results from lab work and from clinical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and quality controls , product sampling , and testing of the final product .
It concluded : `` This process is designed to make sure that any vaccine approved meets the expected high standards of safety , quality and effectiveness .
No vaccine would be authorised for supply in the UK unless the expected standards of safety , quality and efficacy are met.
`` And Dr June Raine , its chief executive , said simply : `` The public 's safety has always been at the forefront of our minds - safety is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Evans , who worked on vaccines for the previous incarnation of the MHRA said he thought criticisms of the speed with which the UK approved the first coronavirus vaccine were `` mistaken '' .
He added : `` I suspect Dr Fauci does n't necessarily know all the details of the MHRA procedures .
I respect him enormously ... .
but he is not a regulator , he is a researcher… His criticism , I do n't think , has a great deal of validity . ''

America's top infectious diseases expert has rowed back on his suggestion that the UK's vaccine approval process was "less deep" than the US.
In an interview with Sky News, Dr Anthony Fauci had questioned the level of scrutiny that British regulators had given to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine - prompting the MHRA to say that it had approved the jab without compromising safety.
But the White House's chief immunologist subsequently apologised and has said comments he made about the UK's approval were "taken out of context".
Live coronavirus updates from the UK and around the world
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Dr Fauci told NBC's Today show on Friday: "It was just one of those things where I sat down in front of the TV with a British TV station and the first thing they said was, 'Ah, we beat you guys. We beat the Americans to the punch'.
"And I kind of reacted back at him when I think I probably should not have done."
He added: "Now the Brits are good. They know what they're doing - I mean they're really pros, so that was just not really what I meant."
Dr Fauci also told NBC he had accepted a request to be US Joe Biden's chief medical adviser as part of the incoming White House administration, and a member of the president-elect's COVID-19 advisory team.
On Wednesday, the UK became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID vaccine.
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Dr Fauci had told Sky's Dermot Murnaghan his comments about its testing in the UK were not meant as "a criticism", but he said: "I think it's very important for people to realise there are different levels of stringency and scrutiny when you look at the data.
"The FDA in the United States, I think, everyone realises globally is the gold standard of regulatory function.
"Here in the United States, as I'm sure there is somewhat in the UK, there is this degree of scepticism on the part of the people about wanting to take a vaccine, thinking that perhaps it was done too quickly, perhaps it isn't as safe and effective as we say they are.
"So we put the data through a very, very stringent process of literally point by point, analysing the data.
"The UK has decided to do it a little bit differently, they've gone over it very quickly.
"And I can say - and this is not a criticism, but they've done it in a way that is much less deep than has been done, and is being done by the FDA in the United States."
Image: Britain's health regulator said the Pfizer vaccine had been 'rigorously assessed'
Following Dr Fauci's comments, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA), doubled down on its commitment to the vaccine's safety.
A spokesperson for the UK health regulator said all related data had been "rigorously assessed" in the shortest time possible - "without compromising the thoroughness" of the review.
The statement added that the data had included results from lab work and from clinical trials in humans as well as manufacturing and quality controls, product sampling, and testing of the final product.
It concluded: "This process is designed to make sure that any vaccine approved meets the expected high standards of safety, quality and effectiveness. No vaccine would be authorised for supply in the UK unless the expected standards of safety, quality and efficacy are met. "
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And Dr June Raine, its chief executive, said: "The public's safety has always been at the forefront of our minds - safety is our watchword."
Professor Stephen Evans, who worked on vaccines for the previous incarnation of the MHRA. said he thought criticisms of the speed with which the UK approved the first coronavirus vaccine were "mistaken".
He added: "I suspect Dr Fauci doesn't necessarily know all the details of the MHRA procedures. I respect him enormously... but he is not a regulator, he is a researcher... His criticism, I don't think, has a great deal of validity."


skynewsus--2020-12-03--Fauci 'mistaken' on criticism of UK regulator on vaccine approval

Criticisms of the speed with which the UK approved the first coronavirus vaccine are `` mistaken '' , a former regulator has said , adding that approval was faster in the UK because Brexit gave the regulator a brief moment of `` spare capacity '' .
Professor Stephen Evans , who worked on vaccines for the previous incarnation of Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) , was responding to comments made by Dr Anthony Fauci , the director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases .
Dr Fauci criticised regulators that proceeded `` quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the US had `` the gold standard of a regulatory approach . ''
By comparison , he said : `` The UK did not do it as carefully . ''
But Prof Evans , who is professor of pharmacoepidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and an expert on clinical trials , told Sky News that Dr Fauci was `` mistaken '' .
`` I suspect Dr Fauci does n't necessarily know all the details of the MHRA procedures , '' said Prof Evans .
`` I respect him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a regulator , he is a researcher… His criticism , I do n't think , has a great deal of validity . ''
Asked why he thought Dr Fauci had made his statement , Prof Evans said : `` I imagine it 's because there 's been criticism of [ American regulator ] the FDA being slower than the MHRA in the assessment of this particular vaccine .
But that 's been the sort of complaint that 's been made over a long time , that one regulator or another has not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Wednesday , the UK became the first western country to license a coronavirus vaccine , but the pace of its regulatory approval process has attracted some criticism , with suggestions it was putting speed over winning public confidence .
Prof Evans said that the regulatory process for the vaccine had been hugely accelerated in all countries by the decision to perform rolling reviews which examined the data from the clinical trials while they were being conducted .
But even though it was still operating under EU law , he said , Brexit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because the regulator , which previously provided substantial input to the European Medicines Agency , was no longer doing work for Europe .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock claimed that the authorisation of the vaccine had been possible `` because of Brexit '' , although in fact it was performed under EU law .
`` My own theory is that because we came out of the EU system around 18 months ago and stopped taking on work for Europe , we have people in the regulatory authority , who until January have some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The MHRA probably wo n't like to admit it , but because of this limbo period where they are n't having to do all the work for the European agency , and they 're not having to do the work for the UK at the moment , they have this breathing space . ''
However , Prof Evans warned that the breathing space would end once the transition period comes to an end , saying that `` once we get into 2021 , there wo n't be the spare capacity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK is a bit slower in the future '' .
Asked whether the American FDA represented the `` gold standard '' for regulators , as Dr Fauci asserted , Professor Evans said that the `` one key difference '' between it and other regulators was that it tended to ask for all trial data from pharmaceutical companies in order to reanalyse it .
But he said : `` It 's only a higher standard , if it gives you different conclusions . ''
`` Nearly all differences in conclusions relate to the interpretation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers , '' he added , although he admitted that it was .
The MHRA has also been criticised for its speed by the European Medicines Agency ( EMA ) , which suggested that its slower approach was more likely to win over public confidence .
It emerged today that the EMA and the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) had asked the MHRA to see the data it had used to assess the Pfizer vaccine .
`` This decision is a big decision by any of the national regulatory authorities because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Dr Siddhartha Sankar Datta , programme manager for Vaccine-preventable Diseases and Immunisation at WHO Europe .
`` All the population will be receiving this vaccine , so it is extremely important that this process is robust , that this process is based on evidence and this decision is made and shared in a transparent form . ''

Criticisms of the speed with which the UK approved the first coronavirus vaccine are "mistaken", a former regulator has said, adding that approval was faster in the UK because Brexit gave the regulator a brief moment of "spare capacity".
Professor Stephen Evans, who worked on vaccines for the previous incarnation of Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), was responding to comments made by Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Dr Fauci criticised regulators that proceeded "quickly" and "superficially", saying that the US had "the gold standard of a regulatory approach." By comparison, he said: "The UK did not do it as carefully."
But Prof Evans, who is professor of pharmacoepidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and an expert on clinical trials, told Sky News that Dr Fauci was "mistaken".
Live COVID updates as UK prepares for vaccine rollout
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:35 Behind the scenes of the Pfizer vaccine
"I suspect Dr Fauci doesn't necessarily know all the details of the MHRA procedures," said Prof Evans.
"I respect him enormous.... but he is not a regulator, he is a researcher… His criticism, I don't think, has a great deal of validity."
Asked why he thought Dr Fauci had made his statement, Prof Evans said: "I imagine it's because there's been criticism of [American regulator] the FDA being slower than the MHRA in the assessment of this particular vaccine. But that's been the sort of complaint that's been made over a long time, that one regulator or another has not been quick enough in doing things."
On Wednesday, the UK became the first western country to license a coronavirus vaccine, but the pace of its regulatory approval process has attracted some criticism, with suggestions it was putting speed over winning public confidence.
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Prof Evans said that the regulatory process for the vaccine had been hugely accelerated in all countries by the decision to perform rolling reviews which examined the data from the clinical trials while they were being conducted.
But even though it was still operating under EU law, he said, Brexit was still a benefit to the MHRA, because the regulator, which previously provided substantial input to the European Medicines Agency, was no longer doing work for Europe.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock claimed that the authorisation of the vaccine had been possible "because of Brexit", although in fact it was performed under EU law.
"My own theory is that because we came out of the EU system around 18 months ago and stopped taking on work for Europe, we have people in the regulatory authority, who until January have some spare capacity," said Prof Evans.
"The MHRA probably won't like to admit it, but because of this limbo period where they aren't having to do all the work for the European agency, and they're not having to do the work for the UK at the moment, they have this breathing space."
However, Prof Evans warned that the breathing space would end once the transition period comes to an end, saying that "once we get into 2021, there won't be the spare capacity, so it may well be that the UK is a bit slower in the future".
Asked whether the American FDA represented the "gold standard" for regulators, as Dr Fauci asserted, Professor Evans said that the "one key difference" between it and other regulators was that it tended to ask for all trial data from pharmaceutical companies in order to reanalyse it.
But he said: "It's only a higher standard, if it gives you different conclusions."
"Nearly all differences in conclusions relate to the interpretation of the data rather than the actual numbers," he added, although he admitted that it was.
The MHRA has also been criticised for its speed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which suggested that its slower approach was more likely to win over public confidence.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:02 PM hails scientists' 'biological jujutsu'
It emerged today that the EMA and the World Health Organisation (WHO) had asked the MHRA to see the data it had used to assess the Pfizer vaccine.
"This decision is a big decision by any of the national regulatory authorities because it will instil trust in the system," said Dr Siddhartha Sankar Datta, programme manager for Vaccine-preventable Diseases and Immunisation at WHO Europe.
"All the population will be receiving this vaccine, so it is extremely important that this process is robust, that this process is based on evidence and this decision is made and shared in a transparent form."


skynewsus--2020-12-04--'Just 100 days to mask - not forever' - Biden's inauguration plea to US

Joe Biden will ask all Americans to wear face masks for the first 100 days of his term to stop the spread of coronavirus .
The president-elect , who has frequently emphasised mask-wearing as a `` patriotic duty '' , will also order masks to be worn in all US government buildings .
Speaking with CNN 's Jake Tapper , Mr Biden said : `` On the first day I 'm inaugurated , I 'm going to ask the public for 100 days to mask .
`` Just 100 days to mask - not forever , just 100 days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a significant reduction in the virus . ''
The move marks a notable shift from President Donald Trump , whose own scepticism of mask-wearing has contributed to a politicisation of the issue .
Mr Biden has also asked Dr Anthony Fauci to stay on in his administration , `` in the exact same role he 's had for the past several presidents '' , as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , the nation 's top infectious disease expert .
He said he has asked Dr Fauci to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as part of his COVID-19 advisory team .
Regarding a coronavirus vaccine , the president-elect said he would be `` happy '' to get inoculated in public to ease any concerns about its efficacy and safety .
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Three former presidents - Barack Obama , George W Bush and Bill Clinton - have said they would also get vaccinated publicly to show that it is safe .
`` People have lost faith in the ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Biden said , adding that `` it matters what a president and the vice president do '' .

Joe Biden will ask all Americans to wear face masks for the first 100 days of his term to stop the spread of coronavirus.
The president-elect, who has frequently emphasised mask-wearing as a "patriotic duty", will also order masks to be worn in all US government buildings.
Speaking with CNN's Jake Tapper, Mr Biden said: "On the first day I'm inaugurated, I'm going to ask the public for 100 days to mask.
"Just 100 days to mask - not forever, just 100 days.
"And I think we'll see a significant reduction in the virus."
Image: President Trump's scepticism of wearing a mask has fuelled opposition
The move marks a notable shift from President Donald Trump, whose own scepticism of mask-wearing has contributed to a politicisation of the issue.
Mr Biden has also asked Dr Anthony Fauci to stay on in his administration, "in the exact same role he's had for the past several presidents", as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the nation's top infectious disease expert.
He said he has asked Dr Fauci to be a "chief medical adviser" as well as part of his COVID-19 advisory team.
Regarding a coronavirus vaccine, the president-elect said he would be "happy" to get inoculated in public to ease any concerns about its efficacy and safety.
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Three former presidents - Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton - have said they would also get vaccinated publicly to show that it is safe.
"People have lost faith in the ability of the vaccine to work," Mr Biden said, adding that "it matters what a president and the vice president do".


skynewsus--2020-12-04--30 people rescued from house in Texas after man runs in street and shouts he has been kidnapped

Dozens of people have been rescued from a house in Texas where they were being held in a human smuggling @ @ @ @ @ after a man was seen running in the street shouting he had been kidnapped and @ @ @ @ @ at a property in the city of Houston .
Police forced entry into the building @ @ @ @ @ one female , NBC News reported .
Three people were detained as possible suspects .
@ @ @ @ @ said they were picked up in Brownsville between two days and a week ago and @ @ @ @ @ there , '' Commander Jonathon Halliday said .
Most of the people rescued are from @ @ @ @ @ Honduras and Cuba .
Immigration authorities were on the scene and planned to investigate , @ @ @ @ @ Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) is involved , and the victims are cooperating @ @ @ @ @ of those rescued were taken to a high school and given food and clothes , @ @ @ @ @ by neighbours .

Dozens of people have been rescued from a house in Texas where they were being held in a human smuggling operation.
Officers discovered them after a man was seen running in the street shouting he had been kidnapped and that others were being held at a property in the city of Houston.
Police forced entry into the building and found 29 men and one female, NBC News reported.
Three people were detained as possible suspects.
Image: Most of the victims are from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras or Cuba. Pic: NBC
"Most of the people said they were picked up in Brownsville between two days and a week ago and that they were being held there," Commander Jonathon Halliday said.
Most of the people rescued are from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras and Cuba.
Immigration authorities were on the scene and planned to investigate, Mr Halliday added.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is involved, and the victims are cooperating with the agency.
All of those rescued were taken to a high school and given food and clothes, some of which was donated by neighbours.


skynewsus--2020-12-04--Time magazine names 15-year-old scientist as first Kid Of The Year

A 15-year-old scientist and inventor has been named as Time magazine 's first Kid Of The Year .
Gitanjali Rao has invented a number of new technologies across a range of fields , including a device that can identify lead in drinking water and an app and Chrome extension that uses artificial intelligence to detect cyberbullying .
The teenager , from Denver , Colorado in the US , said she hoped to inspire others into dreaming up ideas to `` solve the world 's problems '' .
Speaking to Hollywood star Angelina Jolie after beating 5,000 nominees to receive the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't look like your typical scientist .
Everything I see on TV is that it 's an older , usually white man as a scientist .
`` My goal has really shifted , not only from creating my own devices to solve the world 's problems , but inspiring others to do the same as well .
`` Because , from personal experience , it 's not easy when you do n't see anyone else like you .
`` So I really want to put out that message : If I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and anyone can do it . ''
Time began awarding its Man Of The Year honour - later updated to Person Of The Year - in 1927 , but this is the first time it has named a Kid Of The Year .
Last year , climate activist Greta Thunberg became the youngest ever Person Of The Year when she was given the honour at age 16 .
Time teamed up with children 's TV channel Nickelodeon for the new award .
Gitanjali was chosen from a field of 5,000 US-based nominees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finalists by a committee of young people alongside comedian and TV presenter Trevor Noah .
She and the other four finalists will be honoured in a TV special next Friday .

A 15-year-old scientist and inventor has been named as Time magazine's first Kid Of The Year.
Gitanjali Rao has invented a number of new technologies across a range of fields, including a device that can identify lead in drinking water and an app and Chrome extension that uses artificial intelligence to detect cyberbullying.
The teenager, from Denver, Colorado in the US, said she hoped to inspire others into dreaming up ideas to "solve the world's problems".
Image: It is the first time Time has named a Kid Of The Year
Speaking to Hollywood star Angelina Jolie after beating 5,000 nominees to receive the honour, Gitanjali said: "I don't look like your typical scientist. Everything I see on TV is that it's an older, usually white man as a scientist.
"My goal has really shifted, not only from creating my own devices to solve the world's problems, but inspiring others to do the same as well.
"Because, from personal experience, it's not easy when you don't see anyone else like you.
"So I really want to put out that message: If I can do it, you can do it, and anyone can do it."
Time began awarding its Man Of The Year honour - later updated to Person Of The Year - in 1927, but this is the first time it has named a Kid Of The Year.
Last year, climate activist Greta Thunberg became the youngest ever Person Of The Year when she was given the honour at age 16.
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Image: Greta Thunberg was named Time's Person Of The Year last year
Time teamed up with children's TV channel Nickelodeon for the new award.
Gitanjali was chosen from a field of 5,000 US-based nominees, which was whittled down to five finalists by a committee of young people alongside comedian and TV presenter Trevor Noah.
She and the other four finalists will be honoured in a TV special next Friday.


skynewsus--2020-12-04--'Con Queen of Hollywood' accused of duping actors with fake film scams is arrested in UK

A suspected con artist who allegedly impersonated top female Hollywood executives and tricked aspiring stars out of hundreds of thousands of dollars has been arrested in Manchester after a US extradition request .
Dubbed the `` Con Queen of Hollywood '' , the suspect was identified in court papers on Thursday as Hargobind Tahilramani , a 41-year-old Indonesian man .
The Department of Justice and FBI unsealed the seven-page grand jury indictment , according to entertainment news website The Hollywood Reporter , outlining eight federal charges including wire fraud , conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims by luring them to Indonesia on the promise of work .
Once there , they were duped into handing over cash for up-front costs and expenses - but the projects never materialised and the money was never reimbursed .
It is also alleged Tahilramani - also known as Gobind Lal Tahil - threatened violence if people questioned his assumed identity .
He would threaten to `` dismember '' them or send pictures to them of their children , the indictment alleges .
The series of impersonation scams started in 2015 and continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
He had also set up shop in the UK by 2016 , before he was unmasked last month .
`` The defendant has been arrested in the United Kingdom based on a request for his provisional arrest submitted by the United States with a view towards his extradition , '' an FBI spokesman in San Diego , California , told AFP .
Among the Hollywood moguls Tahilramani allegedly impersonated were Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy , former Sony movie chief Amy Pascal , and ex-Paramount boss Sherry Lansing .
He also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ex-wife of News Corp executive chairman Rupert Murdoch , Christine Hearst Schwarzman , the intellectual property lawyer and wife of billionaire Blackstone Group CEO Stephen Schwarzman , and prominent Singapore business magnate and so-called `` Boss of Bond Street '' Christina Ong .
He would `` use fake accents and alter his voice to sound like a woman '' - the documents state .
According to The Hollywood Reporter , Tahilramani was arrested by Manchester police last week with the assistance of private investigators .
In a statement to AFP , co-founder Jules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British and Indonesian authorities in `` bringing the individual known as the 'Con Queen of Hollywood ' to justice '' .

A suspected con artist who allegedly impersonated top female Hollywood executives and tricked aspiring stars out of hundreds of thousands of dollars has been arrested in Manchester after a US extradition request.
Dubbed the "Con Queen of Hollywood", the suspect was identified in court papers on Thursday as Hargobind Tahilramani, a 41-year-old Indonesian man.
The Department of Justice and FBI unsealed the seven-page grand jury indictment, according to entertainment news website The Hollywood Reporter, outlining eight federal charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Image: Sony movie chief Amy Pascal is among the Hollywood moguls the Hargobind Tahilramani allegedly impersonated
It is alleged Tahilramani swindled scores of victims by luring them to Indonesia on the promise of work.
Once there, they were duped into handing over cash for up-front costs and expenses - but the projects never materialised and the money was never reimbursed.
It is also alleged Tahilramani - also known as Gobind Lal Tahil - threatened violence if people questioned his assumed identity.
He would threaten to "dismember" them or send pictures to them of their children, the indictment alleges.
The series of impersonation scams started in 2015 and continued for five years, even during the coronavirus pandemic. He had also set up shop in the UK by 2016, before he was unmasked last month.
"The defendant has been arrested in the United Kingdom based on a request for his provisional arrest submitted by the United States with a view towards his extradition," an FBI spokesman in San Diego, California, told AFP.
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Image: Tahilramani is also alleged to have impersonated Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy
Among the Hollywood moguls Tahilramani allegedly impersonated were Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy, former Sony movie chief Amy Pascal, and ex-Paramount boss Sherry Lansing.
He also claimed to be Wendi Murdoch, the ex-wife of News Corp executive chairman Rupert Murdoch, Christine Hearst Schwarzman, the intellectual property lawyer and wife of billionaire Blackstone Group CEO Stephen Schwarzman, and prominent Singapore business magnate and so-called "Boss of Bond Street" Christina Ong.
He would "use fake accents and alter his voice to sound like a woman" - the documents state.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Tahilramani was arrested by Manchester police last week with the assistance of private investigators.
In a statement to AFP, co-founder Jules Kroll said K2 had helped US, British and Indonesian authorities in "bringing the individual known as the 'Con Queen of Hollywood' to justice".


skynewsus--2020-12-04--US in talks to free Huawei's Meng Wanzhou - report

The United States is reportedly working on a deal which would see Huawei 's chief financial officer , Meng Wanzhou , free to return to China without being extradited from Canada .
Meng , 48 , has been under house arrest for two years this week .
She was arrested in Canada following an extradition warrant issued by the US for a range of criminal charges tied to alleged breaches of sanctions against Iran .
According to the Wall Street Journal , citing people familiar with the matter , the US may drop this extradition request against Meng if she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though the Journal reports she is hesitant to do so .
The arrest of Meng , the daughter of Huawei 's founder Ren Zhengfei , which came as the Trump administration targeted the Chinese smartphone company , has had dramatic diplomatic repercussions .
It reportedly provoked a furious reaction from China 's premier Xi Jinping , and the subsequent arrest nine days later of two Canadian citizens in China was widely seen as hostage diplomacy on Beijing 's part .
Entrepreneur Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig have now both been charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister , Justin Trudeau , has in turn accused China of `` using arbitrary detention as a tool to achieve political goals '' .
According to the WSJ , the discussions between the US Department of Justice and Meng 's team picked up following the US presidential election , and Joe Biden 's defeat of incumbent Donald Trump .
The incoming Biden administration has not completely set out its foreign policy objectives , and it is unclear whether the president-elect 's stated focus on human rights will see him take a harder line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuses against Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang and democratic activists in Hong Kong .
Mr Biden described Xi Jinping as a `` thug '' during the Democratic primaries , and a campaign advertisement accused Mr Trump of being `` played '' by China - although the administration 's actual policy may deviate from the approach suggested during these publicity campaigns .
Dr Thomas Gift , the founding director of the centre on US politics at UCL , has suggested Mr Biden 's approach wo n't differ greatly from Donald Trump 's - but will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Europe , to push back against China .

The United States is reportedly working on a deal which would see Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, free to return to China without being extradited from Canada.
Meng, 48, has been under house arrest for two years this week. She was arrested in Canada following an extradition warrant issued by the US for a range of criminal charges tied to alleged breaches of sanctions against Iran.
According to the Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, the US may drop this extradition request against Meng if she admits to some of those charges - though the Journal reports she is hesitant to do so.
The arrest of Meng, the daughter of Huawei's founder Ren Zhengfei, which came as the Trump administration targeted the Chinese smartphone company, has had dramatic diplomatic repercussions.
It reportedly provoked a furious reaction from China's premier Xi Jinping, and the subsequent arrest nine days later of two Canadian citizens in China was widely seen as hostage diplomacy on Beijing's part.
Entrepreneur Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig have now both been charged with espionage, and Canada's prime minister, Justin Trudeau, has in turn accused China of "using arbitrary detention as a tool to achieve political goals".
According to the WSJ, the discussions between the US Department of Justice and Meng's team picked up following the US presidential election, and Joe Biden's defeat of incumbent Donald Trump.
The incoming Biden administration has not completely set out its foreign policy objectives, and it is unclear whether the president-elect's stated focus on human rights will see him take a harder line on the Chinese state for its perceived abuses against Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang and democratic activists in Hong Kong.
Mr Biden described Xi Jinping as a "thug" during the Democratic primaries, and a campaign advertisement accused Mr Trump of being "played" by China - although the administration's actual policy may deviate from the approach suggested during these publicity campaigns.
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Dr Thomas Gift, the founding director of the centre on US politics at UCL, has suggested Mr Biden's approach won't differ greatly from Donald Trump's - but will see America ally with other global partners, including Europe, to push back against China.


skynewsus--2020-12-04--Tiger 'nearly tore arm off' volunteer at Carole Baskin's Big Cat Rescue

A tiger grabbed the arm of a volunteer at Carole Baskin 's Big Cat Rescue sanctuary and `` nearly tore it off at the shoulder '' while being fed .
Candy Couser has been a volunteer at the animal refuge in Florida - made famous by the Netflix series Tiger King - for five years .
The 69-year-old was feeding a three-year-old male tiger named Kimba when she noticed he was not in his usual location , Baskin said in a statement on the sanctuary 's website .
The reality TV star said Ms Couser reached in to open a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This is our universal signal NOT to open a gate '' without assistance , Baskin said .
`` It is against our protocols for anyone to stick any part of their body into a cage with a cat in it .
`` Kimba grabbed her arm and nearly tore it off at the shoulder . ''
The volunteer was taken to hospital for treatment after other staff rushed to her aid to stop the bleeding , Baskin said .
Later on Thursday she said Ms Couser needed surgery , adding that her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her shoulder was badly injured but that she was able to move her fingers .
Baskin said Kimba , who was brought to the sanctuary from a circus , was `` being placed in quarantine for the next 30 days as a precaution , but was just acting normal due to the presence of food and the opportunity '' .
She said Ms Couser did not want Kimba to suffer any consequences for the incident and added that the tiger 's vaccinations , including for rabies , were up to date .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Representatives voted 272-114 to approve a bill , the Big Cat Public Safety Act , championed by Baskin , that would ban private big cat ownership and the handling of cubs .
She cited the incident as evidence for why the law was needed , saying it `` confirms the inherent danger in dealing with these animals and why we need the Big Cat Public Safety Act to eliminate having them untracked in backyards around the country and ending up in sanctuaries '' .
Baskin said `` this sort of tragedy can happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding , `` we can not relax our guard for a second around these dangerous cats '' .

A tiger grabbed the arm of a volunteer at Carole Baskin's Big Cat Rescue sanctuary and "nearly tore it off at the shoulder" while being fed.
Candy Couser has been a volunteer at the animal refuge in Florida - made famous by the Netflix series Tiger King - for five years.
The 69-year-old was feeding a three-year-old male tiger named Kimba when she noticed he was not in his usual location, Baskin said in a statement on the sanctuary's website.
The reality TV star said Ms Couser reached in to open a gate that had been clipped shut.
"This is our universal signal NOT to open a gate" without assistance, Baskin said.
Image: Carole Baskin in Tiger King. Pic: Netflix
"It is against our protocols for anyone to stick any part of their body into a cage with a cat in it.
"Kimba grabbed her arm and nearly tore it off at the shoulder."
The volunteer was taken to hospital for treatment after other staff rushed to her aid to stop the bleeding, Baskin said.
Later on Thursday she said Ms Couser needed surgery, adding that her arm was broken in three places and her shoulder was badly injured but that she was able to move her fingers.
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Baskin said Kimba, who was brought to the sanctuary from a circus, was "being placed in quarantine for the next 30 days as a precaution, but was just acting normal due to the presence of food and the opportunity".
Image: Kimba was rescued from a Guatemala circus. Pic: Big Cat Rescue
She said Ms Couser did not want Kimba to suffer any consequences for the incident and added that the tiger's vaccinations, including for rabies, were up to date.
The incident came as the US House of Representatives voted 272-114 to approve a bill, the Big Cat Public Safety Act, championed by Baskin, that would ban private big cat ownership and the handling of cubs.
She cited the incident as evidence for why the law was needed, saying it "confirms the inherent danger in dealing with these animals and why we need the Big Cat Public Safety Act to eliminate having them untracked in backyards around the country and ending up in sanctuaries".
Baskin said "this sort of tragedy can happen in the blink of an eye", adding, "we cannot relax our guard for a second around these dangerous cats".


skynewsus--2020-12-03--Top COVID expert backtracks after calling UK vaccine approval 'less deep' than US

America 's top infectious diseases expert has rowed back on his suggestion that the UK 's vaccine approval process was `` less deep '' than the US .
In an interview with Sky News , Dr Anthony Fauci had questioned the level of scrutiny that British regulators had given to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine - prompting the MHRA to say that it had approved the jab without compromising safety .
But the White House 's chief immunologist subsequently apologised and has said comments he made about the UK 's approval were `` taken out of context '' .
Live coronavirus updates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Fauci told NBC 's Today show on Friday : `` It was just one of those things where I sat down in front of the TV with a British TV station and the first thing they said was , 'Ah , we beat you guys .
We beat the Americans to the punch ' .
`` And I kind of reacted back at him when I think I probably should not have done . ''
He added : `` Now the Brits are good .
They know what they 're doing - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that was just not really what I meant . ''
Dr Fauci also told NBC he had accepted a request to be US Joe Biden 's chief medical adviser as part of the incoming White House administration , and a member of the president-elect 's COVID-19 advisory team .
On Wednesday , the UK became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID vaccine .
Dr Fauci had told Sky 's Dermot Murnaghan his comments about its testing in the UK were not meant as `` a criticism '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it 's very important for people to realise there are different levels of stringency and scrutiny when you look at the data .
`` The FDA in the United States , I think , everyone realises globally is the gold standard of regulatory function .
`` Here in the United States , as I 'm sure there is somewhat in the UK , there is this degree of scepticism on the part of the people about wanting to take a vaccine , thinking that perhaps it was done too quickly , perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we say they are .
`` So we put the data through a very , very stringent process of literally point by point , analysing the data .
`` The UK has decided to do it a little bit differently , they 've gone over it very quickly .
`` And I can say - and this is not a criticism , but they 've done it in a way that is much less deep than has been done , and is being done by the FDA in the United States .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) , doubled down on its commitment to the vaccine 's safety .
A spokesperson for the UK health regulator said all related data had been `` rigorously assessed '' in the shortest time possible - `` without compromising the thoroughness '' of the review .
The statement added that the data had included results from lab work and from clinical trials in humans as well as manufacturing and quality controls , product sampling , and testing of the final product .
It concluded : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure that any vaccine approved meets the expected high standards of safety , quality and effectiveness .
No vaccine would be authorised for supply in the UK unless the expected standards of safety , quality and efficacy are met.
`` : : Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker And Dr June Raine , its chief executive , said : `` The public 's safety has always been at the forefront of our minds - safety is our watchword . ''
Professor Stephen Evans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incarnation of the MHRA .
said he thought criticisms of the speed with which the UK approved the first coronavirus vaccine were `` mistaken '' .
He added : `` I suspect Dr Fauci does n't necessarily know all the details of the MHRA procedures .
I respect him enormously ... but he is not a regulator , he is a researcher ... His criticism , I do n't think , has a great deal of validity . ''


skynewsus--2020-12-05--US faces 'bleak future' unless swift action is taken on COVID aid bill, Biden warns

Joe Biden has said he will not force Americans to take any vaccine - but did warn the country faces a `` bleak future '' unless swift action is taken to agree on a coronavirus aid bill .
His comments come as the country in engulfed in a nationwide spike in the virus that is hampering its economic recovery .
The president-elect also expressed concern that so far he has seen `` no detailed plan '' from the Trump administration on how to distribute an approved coronavirus vaccine .
Mr Biden did confirm he and his team are working on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaps .
He also described November 's national jobs report as `` dire '' and said it `` shows the economy is stalling , '' but added quick action from Congress would halt some of the damage .
`` If we act now - I mean now - we can begin to regain momentum and start to build back a better future , '' he said .
`` There 's no time to lose . ''
Surging cases of the virus have led states and municipalities to roll back their reopening plans and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as lower temperatures and holiday travel lead to records for confirmed cases and deaths .
While he does not support a nationwide lockdown , Mr Biden plans to ask Americans to commit to 100 days of mask-wearing to help combat the virus as one of his first acts after being inaugurated .
And in sharp contrast with Donald Trump , Mr Biden is planning a scaled-back event for safety 's sake during the pandemic .
: : Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be sworn in on 20 January on the platform already being constructed on the steps of the US Capitol , but wanted to avoid the crowds that typically gather on the National Mall and along Pennsylvania Avenue to view the ceremony and parade .
`` My guess is there probably will not be a gigantic inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue .
But my guess is you 'll see a lot of virtual activity in states all across America , engaging even more people than before . ''
The pandemic has killed more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases and hospitalisations are surging as the winter months approach .

Joe Biden has said he will not force Americans to take any vaccine - but did warn the country faces a "bleak future" unless swift action is taken to agree on a coronavirus aid bill.
His comments come as the country in engulfed in a nationwide spike in the virus that is hampering its economic recovery.
The president-elect also expressed concern that so far he has seen "no detailed plan" from the Trump administration on how to distribute an approved coronavirus vaccine.
Mr Biden did confirm he and his team are working on their own proposal to fill in the gaps.
Image: Mr Biden wants tougher rules on facemasks but will not force Americans to take a vaccine
He also described November's national jobs report as "dire" and said it "shows the economy is stalling," but added quick action from Congress would halt some of the damage.
"If we act now - I mean now - we can begin to regain momentum and start to build back a better future," he said.
"There's no time to lose."
Surging cases of the virus have led states and municipalities to roll back their reopening plans and more restrictions may be on the way as lower temperatures and holiday travel lead to records for confirmed cases and deaths.
While he does not support a nationwide lockdown, Mr Biden plans to ask Americans to commit to 100 days of mask-wearing to help combat the virus as one of his first acts after being inaugurated.
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And in sharp contrast with Donald Trump, Mr Biden is planning a scaled-back event for safety's sake during the pandemic.
:: Subscribe to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The Democratic former vice-president said he does expect to be sworn in on 20 January on the platform already being constructed on the steps of the US Capitol, but wanted to avoid the crowds that typically gather on the National Mall and along Pennsylvania Avenue to view the ceremony and parade.
"My guess is there probably will not be a gigantic inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Avenue. But my guess is you'll see a lot of virtual activity in states all across America, engaging even more people than before."
The pandemic has killed more than 273,000 people in the US and cases and hospitalisations are surging as the winter months approach.


skynewsus--2020-12-04--LA approaching 'devastating tipping point' as California imposes new lockdowns

New lockdowns have been ordered in America 's most populous state in the face of what its governor has called the `` final surge '' of COVID-19 .
Gavin Newsom announced new modified stay-at-home orders for 40 million residents of California after a dramatic rise in coronavirus case numbers .
The orders kick-in when a region 's hospitals has fewer than 15 % of its ICU beds available .
It extends an order already in place in Los Angeles where the mayor Eric Garcetti has warned the city is approaching a `` devastating tipping point '' after a record-breaking surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged the public to abide by new restrictions in the hope of suppressing new infections before the anticipated arrival of widespread vaccination .
In March , early lockdowns in California were credited with the state avoiding the fate of places like New York .
The new rules are less restrictive and full of exemptions and there is evidence that a weariness with lockdowns is affecting compliance .
At the weekly farmers ' market in Santa Monica , the number of shoppers is limited but there is still the feel of bustle in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The new rules have received a cool reception from farmers .
`` I do n't think it is justified , '' Greg Nauta said .
`` Step back , in a space shuttle and look down on the Earth and see what 's happening .
They 're destroying the economy . ''
The sentiment of shoppers could not have been different .
`` Just wear the freaking mask , '' one said .
But 30 miles to the south , in Long Beach , hundreds of people marched in protest at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in particular a new ban on outdoor dining .
Among the marchers , with an American flag over her shoulder , restaurant owner Jennifer Mlouk said : `` We 've all spent thousands and thousands of dollars to be compliant and then to be shut down in this way .
`` It 's not just about the owners , my husband and I have 30 employees we 've had to let go for the second time in eight months . ''
But there is equal frustration among public health officials at the risks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a renowned virus hunter and professor of epidemiology at the University of California Los Angeles , said : `` History , when they talk about the pandemic , they 're going to write about this moment when we lost so many lives when we did n't need to , when this virus just spiralled out of control , and that 's what 's happening . ''
The Centres for Disease Control has warned that the next few months will be the grimmest public health crisis the US has ever faced .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with some mixed messages .
More than 500 people who had booked COVID tests at a pop-up centre in Los Angeles were later told it would be closed so a movie could be filmed nearby .
The closure was later reversed but it caused unnecessary confusion on the very day the city recorded its highest number of new cases .

New lockdowns have been ordered in America's most populous state in the face of what its governor has called the "final surge" of COVID-19.
Gavin Newsom announced new modified stay-at-home orders for 40 million residents of California after a dramatic rise in coronavirus case numbers.
The orders kick-in when a region's hospitals has fewer than 15% of its ICU beds available.
In San Francisco, the mayor, London Breed, ordered new lockdowns and business restrictions across the five Bay Area counties, closing all personal services, outdoor dining and most public gatherings.
"What we are seeing in our city, our region, our state and our country is a virus that is taking over," Ms Breed said in announcing the new clampdown.
Image: Hundreds of cars lined up for testing at LA's Dodger Stadium last week
Leaders have urged the public to abide by new restrictions in the hope of suppressing new infections before the anticipated arrival of widespread vaccination.
In March, early lockdowns in California were credited with the state avoiding the fate of places like New York.
The new rules are less restrictive and full of exemptions and there is evidence that a weariness with lockdowns is affecting compliance.
At the weekly farmers' market in Santa Monica, the number of shoppers is limited but there is still the feel of bustle in the warmth of a southern California winter morning.
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The new rules have received a cool reception from farmers.
Image: A health reminder on a Los Angeles bus as infections in the city surge
"I don't think it is justified," Greg Nauta said. "Step back, in a space shuttle and look down on the Earth and see what's happening. They're destroying the economy."
The sentiment of shoppers could not have been different. "Just wear the freaking mask," one said.
But 30 miles to the south, in Long Beach, hundreds of people marched in protest at the impact of new lockdowns on businesses, in particular a new ban on outdoor dining.
Among the marchers, with an American flag over her shoulder, restaurant owner Jennifer Mlouk said: "We've all spent thousands and thousands of dollars to be compliant and then to be shut down in this way.
"It's not just about the owners, my husband and I have 30 employees we've had to let go for the second time in eight months."
But there is equal frustration among public health officials at the risks of people not complying.
Anne Rimoin, a renowned virus hunter and professor of epidemiology at the University of California Los Angeles, said: "History, when they talk about the pandemic, they're going to write about this moment when we lost so many lives when we didn't need to, when this virus just spiralled out of control, and that's what's happening."
The Centres for Disease Control has warned that the next few months will be the grimmest public health crisis the US has ever faced.
But the public could be forgiven for struggling with some mixed messages.
More than 500 people who had booked COVID tests at a pop-up centre in Los Angeles were later told it would be closed so a movie could be filmed nearby.
The closure was later reversed but it caused unnecessary confusion on the very day the city recorded its highest number of new cases.