skynewsus--2020-12-08--'100 million shots in the first 100 days': Biden's promise to turn tide against coronavirus

Joe Biden has promised to distribute `` 100 million shots '' of COVID-19 vaccine in the `` first 100 days '' of his presidency .
Mr Biden , who will take over as US president from Donald Trump in January , was speaking as he introduced his pandemic response team .
He said that Americans should wear masks for 100 days to prevent the coronavirus from spreading and that he would make this mandatory on public transport and in federal buildings .
`` In 100 days , we can change the course of the disease and change life in America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding : `` Whatever your politics or point of view , mask up for 100 days . ''
Mr Biden also said he believed the virus could be well enough under control to allow the `` majority '' of schools to be reopened during his first 100 days as president .
He said : `` My first 100 days wo n't end the COVID-19 virus .
I ca n't promise that .
`` But we did not get into this mess quickly .
We 're not going to get out of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some time . ''
The number of US deaths from the coronavirus has soared to an average of more than 2,200 a day , matching the peak seen in April .
More than 283,000 people have died with the virus in the US and the average number of daily cases has passed 200,000 for the first time .
Meanwhile , Mr Trump threatened to use the Defense Production Act to make sure Americans are first in line for US-produced coronavirus vaccines .
The US president was speaking at a summit on vaccine development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive order to ensure vaccines procured by the US are used there before they are sent anywhere else .
The Defense Production Act was passed in 1950 and allows the president to expand industrial production of key materials or products for national security .
Mr Trump said : `` If necessary ... we 'll invoke the Defense Production Act , but we do n't think it will be necessary .
`` If it is , it 's a very powerful act , as you know , because we 've used it very , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team was not invited to the summit , despite the fact that they will be handling most of the vaccine distribution effort .
Mr Trump , meanwhile , appeared to be still struggling with the fact that he had lost November 's election .
When asked why none of Mr Biden 's team had been invited , he said : `` We 're going to have to see who the next administration is , because we won in those swing states and there was terrible things that went on .
But whichever the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we have been able to do .
`` Hopefully the next administration will be the Trump administration . ''
The US has not yet given the go ahead for the widespread use of a coronavirus vaccine , but the jab from Pfizer - the one that has been rolled out in the UK - is expected to be approved this week .


skynewsus--2020-12-09--'Mayor Pete' reportedly being lined up as US ambassador to China

Pete Buttigieg , an early candidate for the 2020 US election , is reportedly being tapped to head to Beijing as the country 's ambassador to China .
Mr Buttigieg , who saw early successes in the US presidential race during the Democratic primaries , is considered a rising star in US politics and the high profile move is seen as a way for him to bolster his foreign policy credentials .
Axios reports that Mr Buttigieg was overlooked for the role of ambassador to the United Nations ( UN ) , with sources telling the site he could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is thought that the Biden administration sees the Afghanistan veteran as a future president , and offering him the job in Beijing gives China a chance to get to know him .
If confirmed by Mr Biden and a subsequent Senate hearing , the former South Bend mayor would be the youngest person to ever hold the position , at 39 .
However , the job offer is far from confirmed and Mr Buttigieg 's name is also associated with some domestic roles , such as transport and commerce , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China has deteriorated over recent years , with US President Donald Trump blaming it for the COVID-19 outbreak , as well as slapping wide ranging tariffs on its goods .
Despite winning early contests during the Democratic primaries , Mr Buttigieg , who was the first openly gay person to run for president , pulled out of the race so he could support Joe Biden .
Since then , he has been one of the most vocal anti-Trump politicians in his party , setting him in favour with the president-elect .
He also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate with the current vice president , Mike Pence , using his knowledge of Mr Pence 's record as the former governor of Indiana .
Previously , Joe Biden has heaped praise on the former mayor , saying : `` I do n't think I 've ever done this before , but he reminds me of my son Beau .
`` I know that may not mean much to most people , but , to me , it 's the highest compliment I can give any man or woman . ''

Pete Buttigieg, an early candidate for the 2020 US election, is reportedly being tapped to head to Beijing as the country's ambassador to China.
Mr Buttigieg, who saw early successes in the US presidential race during the Democratic primaries, is considered a rising star in US politics and the high profile move is seen as a way for him to bolster his foreign policy credentials.
Axios reports that Mr Buttigieg was overlooked for the role of ambassador to the United Nations (UN), with sources telling the site he could be on his way to Beijing instead.
Image: Pete Buttigieg is reportedly being tapped up for a move to the US embassy in Beijing
It is thought that the Biden administration sees the Afghanistan veteran as a future president, and offering him the job in Beijing gives China a chance to get to know him.
If confirmed by Mr Biden and a subsequent Senate hearing, the former South Bend mayor would be the youngest person to ever hold the position, at 39.
However, the job offer is far from confirmed and Mr Buttigieg's name is also associated with some domestic roles, such as transport and commerce, according to Axios.
The country's relationship with China has deteriorated over recent years, with US President Donald Trump blaming it for the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as slapping wide ranging tariffs on its goods.
Despite winning early contests during the Democratic primaries, Mr Buttigieg, who was the first openly gay person to run for president, pulled out of the race so he could support Joe Biden.
Since then, he has been one of the most vocal anti-Trump politicians in his party, setting him in favour with the president-elect.
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He also helped Kamala Harris to prepare for her debate with the current vice president, Mike Pence, using his knowledge of Mr Pence's record as the former governor of Indiana.
Previously, Joe Biden has heaped praise on the former mayor, saying: "I don't think I've ever done this before, but he reminds me of my son Beau.
"I know that may not mean much to most people, but, to me, it's the highest compliment I can give any man or woman."


skynewsus--2020-12-09--Team of 18 astronauts to be announced for NASA's new moon missions

Mike Pence , the US vice president , is set to announce the 18-strong cadre of astronauts who will be available for NASA 's new moon missions .
The announcement , which was first reported by Ars Technica , will be made in Florida as part of an update on NASA 's Artemis programme .
It follows an audit report by the space agency 's office of inspector general ( OIG ) , which warned NASA 's plans to to land the first woman and the next man on the moon by 2024 are `` unlikely '' to be achieved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named today wo n't all be going to the moon , but will be available for crew assignments when the schedule for these is established .
According to Ars Technica , the first moon-landing mission , Artemis III , may carry up to four astronauts to the lunar surface , but is unlikely to fly before 2026 .
The timeline for these missions will depend on how much support the incoming Biden administration is prepared to invest in NASA 's exploration activities .
The agenda of today 's meeting `` suggests it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Trump administration to note its accomplishments in civil and military space '' , according to Ars .
The online magazine also reported that the public announcement has caused some concern for NASA 's Astronaut Office based in Houston .
Although NASA did n't officially comment , Ars reported there was concern `` it would essentially create a group of 'favourites ' within the office , undermining a sense of unity shared among the space fliers '' .
NASA 's Artemis programme - named after the mythological sister of Apollo , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take the first woman and the next man to the lunar surface by 2024 , although that date is now in question .
While president-elect Joe Biden has named the members of his NASA transition team , he has n't yet set out his administration 's priorities for the space agency or the Artemis programme .
Alongside the astronaut landings , NASA had intended to establish a `` Lunar Gateway '' outpost , which will be orbiting the moon by the mid-2020s , and then lunar landers to deliver cargo to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OIG report stated that due to numerous challenges facing the Lunar Gateway mission , `` we anticipate further schedule delays and cost increases , making the Gateway unlikely to be available for the planned 2024 lunar landing '' .
It is not clear whether these missions will continue at all or if they will postponed .
Some reports expect that , as president , Mr Biden would re-prioritise the agency 's climate change research , refunding missions which the Trump administration sidelined .
His administration could then push the lunar landing date back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill from the US House science committee which endorsed plans to venture to Mars , but on a longer timescale .
The OIG report stated : `` Over the past decade , our oversight work has found NASA consistently struggling to address each of these significant issues and the Artemis mission 's accelerated timetable will likely further exacerbate these challenges . ''
The agency had always acknowledged that the 2024 date was an `` ambitious timeline '' , noting that spaceflight systems `` can take six to eight years to develop '' when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go for the agency to meet its 2024 target .

US Vice President Mike Pence has announced the 18-strong cadre of astronauts who will be available for NASA's new moon missions.
Mr Pence made the announcement, which was first reported in advance by Ars Technica, in Florida as part of an update on NASA's Artemis programme.
"I give you the heroes who will carry us to the Moon and beyond - the Artemis Generation," he said.
Image: There are concerns NASA's Lunar Gateway will be delayed
"It is amazing to think that the next man and first woman on the Moon are among the names that we just read. The Artemis Team astronauts are the future of American space exploration - and that future is bright."
The 18 Artemis team members are: Joseph Acaba, Kayla Barron, Raja Chari, Matthew Dominick, Victor Glover, Warren Hoburg, Jonny Kim, Christina Hammock Koch, Kjell Lindgren, Nicole Mann, Anne McClain, Jessica Meir, Jasmin Moghbeli, Kate Rubins, Frank Rubio, Scott Tingle, Jessica Watkins and Stephanie Wilson.
They won't all be going to the moon, but will be available for crew assignments when the schedule for these is established.
The group members are mostly in their 30s or 40s, with the oldest 55 and the youngest 32.
Half of them have spaceflight experience and two - Kate Rubins and Victor Glover - are currently at the International Space Station.
The two astronauts who performed the world's first all-female spacewalk last year made the cut: Christina Koch and Jessica Meir.
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Only two - Joe Acaba and Stephanie Wilson - flew on NASA's old space shuttles.
Mr Acaba said after the announcement: "The history is awesome, but we're here to look toward the future."
It follows an audit report by the space agency's office of inspector general (OIG), which warned NASA's plans to to land the first woman and the next man on the moon by 2024 are "unlikely" to be achieved.
NASA said: "The agency's modern lunar exploration program will land the first woman and next man on the Moon in 2024 and establish a sustainable human lunar presence by the end of the decade".
According to Ars Technica, the first moon-landing mission, Artemis III, may carry up to four astronauts to the lunar surface, but is unlikely to fly before 2026.
The timeline for these missions will depend on how much support the incoming Biden administration is prepared to invest in NASA's exploration activities.
Image: The US remains the only country to have landed people on the moon
Ars reported the suggestion that the Pence-led meeting "suggests it will be something of a 'victory lap' for the Trump administration to note its accomplishments in civil and military space".
The online magazine also reported that the public announcement caused some concern for NASA's Astronaut Office based in Houston.
Although NASA didn't officially comment, Ars reported there was concern "it would essentially create a group of 'favourites' within the office, undermining a sense of unity shared among the space fliers".
NASA's Artemis programme - named after the mythological sister of Apollo, the first moon mission's namesake - aimed to take the first woman and the next man to the lunar surface by 2024, although that date is now in question.
While president-elect Joe Biden has named the members of his NASA transition team, he hasn't yet set out his administration's priorities for the space agency or the Artemis programme.
Alongside the astronaut landings, NASA had intended to establish a "Lunar Gateway" outpost, which will be orbiting the moon by the mid-2020s, and then lunar landers to deliver cargo to the surface by the late 2020s.
The OIG report stated that due to numerous challenges facing the Lunar Gateway mission, "we anticipate further schedule delays and cost increases, making the Gateway unlikely to be available for the planned 2024 lunar landing".
It is not clear whether these missions will continue at all or if they will postponed.
Image: Donald Trump has flown to Florida to watch NASA launches during his presidency
Some reports expect that, as president, Mr Biden would re-prioritise the agency's climate change research, refunding missions which the Trump administration sidelined.
His administration could then push the lunar landing date back until 2028, in-line with a proposed bill from the US House science committee which endorsed plans to venture to Mars, but on a longer timescale.
The OIG report stated: "Over the past decade, our oversight work has found NASA consistently struggling to address each of these significant issues and the Artemis mission's accelerated timetable will likely further exacerbate these challenges."
The agency had always acknowledged that the 2024 date was an "ambitious timeline", noting that spaceflight systems "can take six to eight years to develop" when there were less than five years to go for the agency to meet its 2024 target.


skynewsus--2020-12-09--Nearly 160 'Wet ND Wild' super-spreader partygoers arrested in LA

Nearly 160 people have been arrested after a `` super-spreader '' party in California on Saturday night .
The illegal party , which was a ticketed event , was raided in the city of Palmdale as coronavirus cases rise across the state .
The 158 people arrested were aged between 16 and 22 , with many of them not wearing masks .
Sheriff 's deputies also found six weapons at the home as well as $ 424 ( £316 ) in cash .
They also rescued a 17-year-old victim of human trafficking .
Another 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Villanueva said during a news conference on Tuesday : `` Even without the health order , these actions were criminal in nature . ''
The `` massive underground party '' took place after the sheriff had vowed to crack down on `` super-spreader '' events .
It took place at a vacant home in a residential neighbourhood without the owner 's knowledge .
The party had been advertised on Instagram as `` Project Wet ND ' Wild '' .
The property has a pool but it was not in use on Saturday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 ( £3.70 ) to $ 15 ( £11.20 ) , with extras up to $ 60 ( £44 ) .
The five teenage organisers , who broke into the home , were among those arrested .
Police said they are facing burglary charges .
They also hired a videographer to film the party , officials said .
Police added they had promoted previous parties in Pomona and Ontario .
Every partygoer who attended the California event faces misdemeanour offences of trespassing and violating the pandemic health order , officials said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news channel KTTV Fox 11 .
The channel captured the moment deputies showed up and announced `` this is the LA County Sheriff 's Department , this is an unlawful gathering '' over a loudspeaker .
The TV station 's footage showed a fenced-in home with dozens of partygoers lined up and sitting on the ground with their hands behind their backs .
They were given masks and blankets as officers checked their temperatures .
Sheriff 's Lieutenant Paul Zarris told KTTV said : `` It was what we call a super-spreader for @ @ @

Nearly 160 people have been arrested after a "super-spreader" party in California on Saturday night.
The illegal party, which was a ticketed event, was raided in the city of Palmdale as coronavirus cases rise across the state.
The 158 people arrested were aged between 16 and 22, with many of them not wearing masks.
Image: Firearms were seized during the raid. Pic: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Sheriff's deputies also found six weapons at the home as well as $424 (£316) in cash.
They also rescued a 17-year-old victim of human trafficking.
Another 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva said during a news conference on Tuesday: "Even without the health order, these actions were criminal in nature."
The "massive underground party" took place after the sheriff had vowed to crack down on "super-spreader" events.
It took place at a vacant home in a residential neighbourhood without the owner's knowledge.
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The party had been advertised on Instagram as "Project Wet ND' Wild".
The property has a pool but it was not in use on Saturday night.
Tickets ranged in price from $5 (£3.70) to $15 (£11.20), with extras up to $60 (£44).
The five teenage organisers, who broke into the home, were among those arrested.
Police said they are facing burglary charges.
They also hired a videographer to film the party, officials said.
Police added they had promoted previous parties in Pomona and Ontario.
Every partygoer who attended the California event faces misdemeanour offences of trespassing and violating the pandemic health order, officials said.
The party was first reported by the US news channel KTTV Fox 11.
The channel captured the moment deputies showed up and announced "this is the LA County Sheriff's Department, this is an unlawful gathering" over a loudspeaker.
The TV station's footage showed a fenced-in home with dozens of partygoers lined up and sitting on the ground with their hands behind their backs.
They were given masks and blankets as officers checked their temperatures.
Sheriff's Lieutenant Paul Zarris told KTTV said: "It was what we call a super-spreader for COVID."


skynewsus--2020-12-09--Cyber security firm FireEye hacked by foreign government agents

Cyber security firm FireEye says it has been hacked by foreign government agents with `` top-tier capabilities '' .
FireEye has 8,800 customers , including US federal government agencies and more than half of the Forbes Global 2000 list .
The US firm said hackers broke into its network and stole `` red team tools '' , which it uses to test the defences of its clients .
However , there was no indication that information about customers , breach response , or threat intelligence was stolen .
It is unclear when the hack took place but reports said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past two weeks .
FireEye chief executive Kevin Mandia said : `` I 've concluded we are witnessing an attack by a nation with top-tier offensive capabilities .
`` This attack is different from the tens of thousands of incidents we have responded to throughout the years . ''
He added that the hackers `` primarily sought information related to certain government customers '' and had used `` a novel combination of techniques not witnessed by us or our partners in the past '' .
Matt Gorham , assistant FBI director for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The FBI is investigating the incident and preliminary indications show an actor with a high level of sophistication consistent with a nation state . ''
Former NSA hacker Jake Williams , president of Rendition Infosec , said : `` I do think what we know of the operation is consistent with a Russian state actor .
`` Whether or not customer data was accessed , it 's still a big win for Russia . ''
Thomas Rid , a cyber conflict scholar at Johns Hopkins , said that if Russia was to blame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see what FireEye knows about its cyber operations .
The tools stolen do not yet appear to have been used maliciously but could be modified and used against governments or businesses in future .
Cyber security expert Dmitri Alperovitch added : `` This could have been much worse if their customer data had been hacked and exfiltrated .
So far there is no evidence of that . ''
California-based FireEye is known for having responded to the Sony and Equifax data breaches and helped Saudi Arabia deal with a cyber attack on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a major role in identifying Russia as being behind numerous cyber attacks in the past .
Its stock fell more than 7 % in after-hours trading on Tuesday following news of the hack .

Cyber security firm FireEye says it has been hacked by foreign government agents with "top-tier capabilities".
FireEye has 8,800 customers, including US federal government agencies and more than half of the Forbes Global 2000 list.
The US firm said hackers broke into its network and stole "red team tools", which it uses to test the defences of its clients.
However, there was no indication that information about customers, breach response, or threat intelligence was stolen.
It is unclear when the hack took place but reports said the company had been resetting user passwords over the past two weeks.
FireEye chief executive Kevin Mandia said: "I've concluded we are witnessing an attack by a nation with top-tier offensive capabilities.
"This attack is different from the tens of thousands of incidents we have responded to throughout the years."
He added that the hackers "primarily sought information related to certain government customers" and had used "a novel combination of techniques not witnessed by us or our partners in the past".
Image: Kevin Mandia is chief executive at FireEye, one of the US's biggest cybersecurity firms
Matt Gorham, assistant FBI director for the cyber division, said: "The FBI is investigating the incident and preliminary indications show an actor with a high level of sophistication consistent with a nation state."
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Many experts suspect Russia.
Former NSA hacker Jake Williams, president of Rendition Infosec, said: "I do think what we know of the operation is consistent with a Russian state actor.
"Whether or not customer data was accessed, it's still a big win for Russia."
Thomas Rid, a cyber conflict scholar at Johns Hopkins, said that if Russia was to blame, it could have been trying to see what FireEye knows about its cyber operations.
The tools stolen do not yet appear to have been used maliciously but could be modified and used against governments or businesses in future.
Cyber security expert Dmitri Alperovitch added: "This could have been much worse if their customer data had been hacked and exfiltrated. So far there is no evidence of that."
California-based FireEye is known for having responded to the Sony and Equifax data breaches and helped Saudi Arabia deal with a cyber attack on its oil industry.
It has also played a major role in identifying Russia as being behind numerous cyber attacks in the past.
Its stock fell more than 7% in after-hours trading on Tuesday following news of the hack.


skynewsus--2020-12-09--Hunter Biden 'confident' as investigation begins into his tax affairs

President-elect Joe Biden 's son has said his tax affairs are being investigated .
Hunter Biden said he learned about the investigation , which is being run by the Delaware US attorney 's office , on Tuesday .
He added : `` I take this matter very seriously but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately , including with the benefit of professional tax advisers . ''
Joe Biden is due to be sworn in as the next US president on 20 January and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the awkward position of overseeing the investigation if it is still running .
A statement from Joe Biden 's transition team said he is `` deeply proud of his son , who has fought through difficult challenges , including the vicious personal attacks of recent months , only to emerge stronger '' .
In 2014 , Hunter revealed a years-long struggle with drug addiction after he was discharged from the naval reserve due to a positive test for cocaine .
This was during his father 's vice presidency .
He has also been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies over his connections to Ukraine at a time when his father was involved in US policy towards that country .
Hunter , 50 , joined the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma six years ago and Mr Trump has accused him of profiting from his political connections .
However , a Republican-led Senate investigation did not identify any policies that were directly affected by Hunter 's work .
But Reuters news agency quoted a source `` familiar with the investigation '' , who said : `` This is not related to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made against Hunter during the campaign . ''

President-elect Joe Biden's son has said his tax affairs are being investigated.
Hunter Biden said he learned about the investigation, which is being run by the Delaware US attorney's office, on Tuesday.
He added: "I take this matter very seriously but I am confident that a professional and objective review of these matters will demonstrate that I handled my affairs legally and appropriately, including with the benefit of professional tax advisers."
Joe Biden is due to be sworn in as the next US president on 20 January and his choice for attorney general could be in the awkward position of overseeing the investigation if it is still running.
A statement from Joe Biden's transition team said he is "deeply proud of his son, who has fought through difficult challenges, including the vicious personal attacks of recent months, only to emerge stronger".
In 2014, Hunter revealed a years-long struggle with drug addiction after he was discharged from the naval reserve due to a positive test for cocaine.
This was during his father's vice presidency.
He has also been targeted by President Donald Trump and his allies over his connections to Ukraine at a time when his father was involved in US policy towards that country.
Hunter, 50, joined the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma six years ago and Mr Trump has accused him of profiting from his political connections.
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However, a Republican-led Senate investigation did not identify any policies that were directly affected by Hunter's work.
But Reuters news agency quoted a source "familiar with the investigation", who said: "This is not related to the attacks the Trump team and their allies made against Hunter during the campaign."


skynewsus--2020-12-10--Trump claims it's 'the big one' but Texas election lawsuit looks doomed to failure

Legal experts are calling it a Hail Mary bid , an 11th hour desperate moonshot and one of the dumbest cases they 've ever seen .
And yet , Donald Trump claims it 's `` the big one , '' that will deliver him a second term in the White House .
What am I talking about ?
Mr Trump 's latest legal effort to overturn the election .
He 's requesting permission to intervene as a private citizen in a lawsuit filed by the state of Texas against the states of Michigan , Georgia , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prevent those states from participating in the all-important Electoral College vote on Monday .
And despite many conservative legal aficionados claiming he has no hope of success , Mr Trump and the 17 states he carried are pushing on .
The Texas lawsuit alleges that election officials in the four states made protocol changes that were contrary to election laws set by the state legislatures , in violation of the Constitution .
Here are a few glaring issues people are pointing to : • It calls on the court to delay the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to allow investigations of voting issues to continue .
But that would be unconstitutional .
Article II Section 4 says Congress can choose the day the electors meet to vote and says that day `` shall be the same throughout the United States '' .
• Texas has no legal right to claim that officials elsewhere did n't follow the rules set by their own legislatures .
One state does n't have the legal right to challenge how another state conducts itself .
• If one state wants to sue another then it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But it needs permission first and prove there 's no other way of resolving it .
• The lawsuit is asking to invalidate roughly 20 million votes .
That 's extremely hard to imagine .
And it all feels a little back of the envelope .
• And finally , the suit has a slapdash quality .
For example , it says the four states Texas wants to sue have a combined total of 72 electoral votes .
Close but no cigar .
The total is 62 .
This lawsuit may achieve one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the horse has well and truly bolted .
At the very best it might pause the clock but getting the hands to turn the other way is almost unimaginable right now .

Legal experts are calling it a Hail Mary bid, an 11th hour desperate moonshot and one of the dumbest cases they've ever seen.
And yet, Donald Trump claims it's "the big one," that will deliver him a second term in the White House.
What am I talking about? Mr Trump's latest legal effort to overturn the election.
He's requesting permission to intervene as a private citizen in a lawsuit filed by the state of Texas against the states of Michigan, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
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The president is asking the Supreme Court to prevent those states from participating in the all-important Electoral College vote on Monday.
And despite many conservative legal aficionados claiming he has no hope of success, Mr Trump and the 17 states he carried are pushing on.
The Texas lawsuit alleges that election officials in the four states made protocol changes that were contrary to election laws set by the state legislatures, in violation of the Constitution.
Here are a few glaring issues people are pointing to:
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It calls on the court to delay the electoral vote in the four targeted states to allow investigations of voting issues to continue. But that would be unconstitutional. Article II Section 4 says Congress can choose the day the electors meet to vote and says that day "shall be the same throughout the United States".
Texas has no legal right to claim that officials elsewhere didn't follow the rules set by their own legislatures. One state doesn't have the legal right to challenge how another state conducts itself.
If one state wants to sue another then it can go to the Supreme Court. But it needs permission first and prove there's no other way of resolving it.
The lawsuit is asking to invalidate roughly 20 million votes. That's extremely hard to imagine. And it all feels a little back of the envelope.
And finally, the suit has a slapdash quality. For example, it says the four states Texas wants to sue have a combined total of 72 electoral votes. Close but no cigar. The total is 62.
This lawsuit may achieve one thing - getting a bit of attention, but the horse has well and truly bolted.
At the very best it might pause the clock but getting the hands to turn the other way is almost unimaginable right now.
So far, no court has found a single instance of election fraud.


skynewsus--2020-12-09--Team of 18 astronauts announced for NASA's new moon missions

US Vice President Mike Pence has announced the 18-strong cadre of astronauts who will be available for NASA 's new moon missions .
Mr Pence made the announcement , which was first reported in advance by Ars Technica , in Florida as part of an update on NASA 's Artemis programme .
`` I give you the heroes who will carry us to the Moon and beyond - the Artemis Generation , '' he said .
`` It is amazing to think that the next man and first woman on the Moon are among the names that we just read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future of American space exploration - and that future is bright . ''
The 18 Artemis team members are : Joseph Acaba , Kayla Barron , Raja Chari , Matthew Dominick , Victor Glover , Warren Hoburg , Jonny Kim , Christina Hammock Koch , Kjell Lindgren , Nicole Mann , Anne McClain , Jessica Meir , Jasmin Moghbeli , Kate Rubins , Frank Rubio , Scott Tingle , Jessica Watkins and Stephanie Wilson .
They wo n't all be going to the moon , but will be available for crew assignments when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The group members are mostly in their 30s or 40s , with the oldest 55 and the youngest 32 .
Half of them have spaceflight experience and two - Kate Rubins and Victor Glover - are currently at the International Space Station .
The two astronauts who performed the world 's first all-female spacewalk last year made the cut : Christina Koch and Jessica Meir .
Only two - Joe Acaba and Stephanie Wilson - flew on NASA 's old space shuttles .
Mr Acaba said after the announcement : `` The history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to look toward the future . ''
It follows an audit report by the space agency 's office of inspector general ( OIG ) , which warned NASA 's plans to to land the first woman and the next man on the moon by 2024 are `` unlikely '' to be achieved .
NASA said : `` The agency 's modern lunar exploration program will land the first woman and next man on the Moon in 2024 and establish a sustainable human lunar presence by the end of the decade '' .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mission , Artemis III , may carry up to four astronauts to the lunar surface , but is unlikely to fly before 2026 .
The timeline for these missions will depend on how much support the incoming Biden administration is prepared to invest in NASA 's exploration activities .
Ars reported the suggestion that the Pence-led meeting `` suggests it will be something of a 'victory lap ' for the Trump administration to note its accomplishments in civil and military space '' .
The online magazine also reported that the public announcement caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based in Houston .
Although NASA did n't officially comment , Ars reported there was concern `` it would essentially create a group of 'favourites ' within the office , undermining a sense of unity shared among the space fliers '' .
NASA 's Artemis programme - named after the mythological sister of Apollo , the first moon mission 's namesake - aimed to take the first woman and the next man to the lunar surface by 2024 , although that date is now in question .
While president-elect Joe Biden has named @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he has n't yet set out his administration 's priorities for the space agency or the Artemis programme .
Alongside the astronaut landings , NASA had intended to establish a `` Lunar Gateway '' outpost , which will be orbiting the moon by the mid-2020s , and then lunar landers to deliver cargo to the surface by the late 2020s .
The OIG report stated that due to numerous challenges facing the Lunar Gateway mission , `` we anticipate further schedule delays and cost increases , making the Gateway unlikely to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
It is not clear whether these missions will continue at all or if they will postponed .
Some reports expect that , as president , Mr Biden would re-prioritise the agency 's climate change research , refunding missions which the Trump administration sidelined .
His administration could then push the lunar landing date back until 2028 , in-line with a proposed bill from the US House science committee which endorsed plans to venture to Mars , but on a longer timescale .
The OIG report stated : `` Over the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NASA consistently struggling to address each of these significant issues and the Artemis mission 's accelerated timetable will likely further exacerbate these challenges . ''
The agency had always acknowledged that the 2024 date was an `` ambitious timeline '' , noting that spaceflight systems `` can take six to eight years to develop '' when there were less than five years to go for the agency to meet its 2024 target .


skynewsus--2020-12-09--Facebook 'abuse of power' lawsuits call for it to sell off WhatsApp and Instagram

Facebook is facing two separate lawsuits in the US which accuse it of abusing its power and demand that it sells off WhatsApp and Instagram .
The US Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) and a coalition of US states are suing the social network firm on the grounds it has employed a `` systematic strategy '' to eliminate its competition .
Facebook is accused of breaking competition law by suppressing innovation , cutting privacy protections for users of its platforms and monetising data , according to New York 's attorney general , Letitia James .
She said its `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidence in the market and the lawsuit it had brought with 45 other states and three districts would ask that Facebook 's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp be judged illegal .
The federal case is seeking an injunction that `` could , among other things : require divestitures of assets , including Instagram and WhatsApp '' .
Mark Zuckerberg 's company bought Instagram in 2012 for $ 1bn and WhatsApp two years ' later for $ 19bn .
Ms James told reporters she hoped to collaborate with the FTC in the legal process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was reviewing the complaints but added it was clear that there was `` no regard for the impact that precedent would have on the broader business community or the people who choose our products every day '' .
Shares fell 3 % on news of the lawsuits .
US technology stocks have largely enjoyed a boom in their market values this year - with investors betting on such companies being immune to COVID-19 disruption and benefiting from it as people work from home and shop more online .
Facebook shares are up by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date , giving it a market cap of $ 800bn ( £600bn ) .
But the sector 's success has been met with increased scrutiny over companies ' behaviour both at home and abroad .
In October , the US Justice Department sued Google claiming it had abused its market power to fend off rivals .
It is understood that , like in Facebook 's case , US states are set to launch a separate case against Google .

Facebook is facing two separate lawsuits in the US which accuse it of abusing its power and demand that it sells off WhatsApp and Instagram.
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a coalition of US states are suing the social network firm on the grounds it has employed a "systematic strategy" to eliminate its competition.
Facebook is accused of breaking competition law by suppressing innovation, cutting privacy protections for users of its platforms and monetising data, according to New York's attorney general, Letitia James.
Image: Facebook responded by saying that such action would hurt users and the communities in which it is based
She said its "predatory acquisition" of companies had sapped confidence in the market and the lawsuit it had brought with 45 other states and three districts would ask that Facebook's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp be judged illegal.
The federal case is seeking an injunction that "could, among other things: require divestitures of assets, including Instagram and WhatsApp".
Mark Zuckerberg's company bought Instagram in 2012 for $1bn and WhatsApp two years' later for $19bn.
Ms James told reporters she hoped to collaborate with the FTC in the legal process.
In response, Facebook said it was reviewing the complaints but added it was clear that there was "no regard for the impact that precedent would have on the broader business community or the people who choose our products every day".
Shares fell 3% on news of the lawsuits.
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Image: Google is facing a similar case relating to its market power
US technology stocks have largely enjoyed a boom in their market values this year - with investors betting on such companies being immune to COVID-19 disruption and benefiting from it as people work from home and shop more online.
Facebook shares are up by over a third in the year to date, giving it a market cap of $800bn (£600bn).
But the sector's success has been met with increased scrutiny over companies' behaviour both at home and abroad.
In October, the US Justice Department sued Google claiming it had abused its market power to fend off rivals.
It is understood that, like in Facebook's case, US states are set to launch a separate case against Google.


skynewsus--2020-12-10--Chinese embassy in US blames hackers for retweet of Trump's election fraud claim

The Chinese embassy in the US has said its Twitter account was hacked after it retweeted a baseless claim from President Donald Trump that the Democrats cheated in the election .
`` If somebody cheated in the Election , which the Democrats did , why would n't the Election be immediately overturned ?
How can a Country be run like this ?
, '' Mr Trump tweeted on Wednesday , without any evidence .
The social media post was retweeted by the Chinese embassy - and the moment was captured by a Reuters reporter who posted an image of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Interesting retweet . ''
The Chinese embassy claimed it was hacked and had not retweeted anything on Wednesday .
It tweeted : `` The Chinese Embassy twitter account was hacked this afternoon and we condemn such an act .
For clarification , the Embassy did n't do any retweeting on Dec.9 . ''
Twitter had labelled Mr Trump 's tweet , saying : `` This claim about election fraud is disputed . ''
Mr Trump has consistently made allegations about voter and election fraud without offering any proof - claims that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal officials .
In his latest legal effort to overturn the election , the president and the 17 states that backed him have thrown their weight behind a Texas lawsuit against the states of Michigan , Georgia , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
The president is asking the Supreme Court to prevent those states from participating in the all-important Electoral College vote on Monday .
Election law experts have said the Texas lawsuit stands little chance of success and lacks legal merit .
The retweet dispute also comes just days after China criticised the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their actions in Hong Kong .
China 's foreign ministry summoned the top US diplomat in China to express `` strong indignation and strong condemnation '' and vowed to take `` reciprocal '' action .
The US on Monday imposed financial sanctions and a travel ban on 14 Chinese officials over their role in adopting a national security law for Hong Kong , and Beijing 's disqualification last month of elected opposition legislators in Hong Kong .
China has been accused of breaking the `` one country , two systems '' pledge to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made when the UK handed back the territory in 1997 .
Many around the world believe the territory 's controversial new security law will violate Hong Kong 's traditional liberties , including a free press , independent judiciary , and the right to protest .
Beijing insists Hong Kong 's freedoms will be protected and that the law is necessary to restore order to the city .

The Chinese embassy in the US has said its Twitter account was hacked after it retweeted a baseless claim from President Donald Trump that the Democrats cheated in the election.
"If somebody cheated in the Election, which the Democrats did, why wouldn't the Election be immediately overturned? How can a Country be run like this?," Mr Trump tweeted on Wednesday, without any evidence.
The social media post was retweeted by the Chinese embassy - and the moment was captured by a Reuters reporter who posted an image of the retweet on his Twitter account and wrote: "Interesting retweet."
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The Chinese embassy claimed it was hacked and had not retweeted anything on Wednesday.
It tweeted: "The Chinese Embassy twitter account was hacked this afternoon and we condemn such an act. For clarification, the Embassy didn't do any retweeting on Dec.9."
Twitter had labelled Mr Trump's tweet, saying: "This claim about election fraud is disputed."
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Mr Trump has consistently made allegations about voter and election fraud without offering any proof - claims that have been repeatedly rejected by state and federal officials.
In his latest legal effort to overturn the election, the president and the 17 states that backed him have thrown their weight behind a Texas lawsuit against the states of Michigan, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
The president is asking the Supreme Court to prevent those states from participating in the all-important Electoral College vote on Monday.
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Election law experts have said the Texas lawsuit stands little chance of success and lacks legal merit.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:24 Donald Trump says Democrats 'cheated'
The retweet dispute also comes just days after China criticised the US over sanctions against Chinese officials for their actions in Hong Kong.
China's foreign ministry summoned the top US diplomat in China to express "strong indignation and strong condemnation" and vowed to take "reciprocal" action.
The US on Monday imposed financial sanctions and a travel ban on 14 Chinese officials over their role in adopting a national security law for Hong Kong, and Beijing's disqualification last month of elected opposition legislators in Hong Kong.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:53 China's grip on Hong Kong tightens
China has been accused of breaking the "one country, two systems" pledge to maintain greater political and economic freedoms, made when the UK handed back the territory in 1997.
Many around the world believe the territory's controversial new security law will violate Hong Kong's traditional liberties, including a free press, independent judiciary, and the right to protest.
Beijing insists Hong Kong's freedoms will be protected and that the law is necessary to restore order to the city.


skynewsus--2020-12-10--SpaceX prototype launches...then crashes in flames

SpaceX 's rocket ship has crashed in flames just minutes after its much-anticipated launch .
Starship 's test had been delayed repeatedly over the past week and excitement had been building since a last-minute engine abort on Tuesday .
But the rocket 's eventual launch from SpaceX 's facility in Boca Chica , Texas , was uneventful and the prototype appeared to come close to reaching its goal altitude of around eight miles .
For about five minutes , the 50m-tall stainless steel craft soared over the Gulf of Mexico before turning sideways as planned and heading back towards Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The engines reignited but on touching down , the self-guided rocket exploded and its parts flew everywhere .
The test flight had lasted just six minutes and 40 seconds - a blow for SpaceX 's boss Elon Musk , who has said he wants the rocket to carry people to Mars in as little as six years .
Mr Musk blamed technical problems with the rocket , saying `` fuel header tank pressure was low '' during the descent , causing `` touchdown velocity to be high '' .
But he also said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we needed '' .
Earlier in the week , he had warned that Starship 's first high-altitude attempt probably had only a one-in-three chance of complete success .

SpaceX's rocket ship has crashed in flames just minutes after its much-anticipated launch.
Starship's test had been delayed repeatedly over the past week and excitement had been building since a last-minute engine abort on Tuesday.
But the rocket's eventual launch from SpaceX's facility in Boca Chica, Texas, was uneventful and the prototype appeared to come close to reaching its goal altitude of around eight miles.
For about five minutes, the 50m-tall stainless steel craft soared over the Gulf of Mexico before turning sideways as planned and heading back towards Texas, near the border with Mexico.
The engines reignited but on touching down, the self-guided rocket exploded and its parts flew everywhere.
The test flight had lasted just six minutes and 40 seconds - a blow for SpaceX's boss Elon Musk, who has said he wants the rocket to carry people to Mars in as little as six years.
Mr Musk blamed technical problems with the rocket, saying "fuel header tank pressure was low" during the descent, causing "touchdown velocity to be high".
But he also said SpaceX had obtained "all the data we needed".
Earlier in the week, he had warned that Starship's first high-altitude attempt probably had only a one-in-three chance of complete success.


skynewsus--2020-12-10--Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine recommended for approval by US govt advisory panel

The US government advisory panel has recommended the Pfizer COVID-19 be approved for use .
The Food and Drug Administration administration 's vote to recommend the vaccine 's approval represents the penultimate hurdle before the rollout of the biggest vaccination campaign in US history .
Depending on how fast the FDA signs off on the panel 's recommendation - which it is expected to do - jabs could begin within days .
The advisory group , in a 17-4 vote with one abstention , voted to answer yes to the question : `` Based on the totality of scientific evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine outweigh its risks for use in individuals 16 years of age and older ? ''
Coronavirus has killed nearly 300,000 people in the US so far , with infections still surging in the country .
The FDA 's endorsement came despite questions about allergic reactions in two people who received the vaccine earlier this week when the UK became the first country to begin dispensing the Pfizer-BioNTech shot .
Panel member Dr Paul Offit , of Children 's Hospital of Philadelphia , concluded that the shot 's potential potential benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remaining unknowns , in an emergency , `` the question is whether you know enough , '' he said .
The independent review by non-government experts in vaccine development , infectious diseases and medical statistics was considered critical to boosting Americans ' confidence in the safety of the vaccine .
The shot was developed at unprecedented speed , less than a year after the virus was identified .
While millions of shots will be transported to begin vaccinating health care workers and nursing home residents as soon as the approval has been granted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not expected until the spring .
With unprecedented interest in the normally obscure panel , the FDA broadcast the meeting live via Youtube , and thousands logged on .
`` The American public demands and deserves a rigorous , comprehensive and independent review of the data , '' said FDA 's Dr Doran Fink , who added that agency scientists had been working nights , weekends and over Thanksgiving to get that done .
It comes eight days after the UK became the first country in the world to approve the vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % effective .
Meanwhile , the first 30,000 doses of the vaccine are set to arrive in Canada in the next few days and should be ready to be administered next Monday , senior officials said .
Canada was only the third country in the world , after Britain and Bahrain , to approve the vaccine .

The US government advisory panel has authorised the use of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, marking a turning point in America where the pandemic has killed more than 295,000 people.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the vaccine for emergency use for people aged 16 and older, with healthcare workers and nursing home residents expected to be the main recipients of a first round of 2.9 million doses.
President Donald Trump said the first inoculation would take place "in less than 24 hours".
In a video message posted on Twitter, Mr Trump said that Pfizer had "passed the gold standard of safety" and hailed the vaccine as "one of the greatest scientific accomplishments in history".
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The FDA's endorsement came despite questions about allergic reactions in two people who received the vaccine earlier this week when the UK became the first country to begin dispensing the Pfizer-BioNTech shot.
Panel member Dr Paul Offit, of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, concluded that the shot's potential benefits outweighed its risks.
Despite all the remaining unknowns, he said "the question is whether you know enough".
The independent review by non-government experts in vaccine development, infectious diseases and medical statistics was considered critical to boosting Americans' confidence in the safety of the vaccine.
The shot was developed at unprecedented speed, less than a year after the virus was identified.
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While millions of shots will be transported to begin vaccinating healthcare workers and nursing home residents, widespread access to the general public is not expected until the spring.
The federal government plans to release the nation's first 2.9 million doses within days to 64 states, US territories and major cities, as well as five federal agencies.
Although the federal government is co-ordinating distribution efforts, states have the final decision over who gets the first inoculations.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:37 Pfizer vaccine: 'If I can do it, so can you' - Patient A
New York City officials announced plans to open a vaccine command centre near City Hall on Monday to co-ordinate distribution throughout America's largest city.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said particular attention will be paid to 27 hard-hit neighbourhoods largely populated by ethnic minorities.
"This is unprecedented because it's not just about logistics, it's about making sure we win public trust, it's about ensuring equity," Mr de Blasio told a news briefing.
The development in the US comes nine days after the UK became the first country in the world to approve the vaccine, which studies have indicated is 95% effective.
Meanwhile, the first 30,000 doses of the vaccine are set to arrive in Canada in the next few days and should be ready to be administered next Monday, senior officials said.
Canada was only the third country in the world, after Britain and Bahrain, to approve the vaccine.


skynewsus--2020-12-10--Trump administration to execute man in hours as Kardashian joins last-ditch clemency calls

The Trump administration is planning an unprecedented five more federal executions before President-elect Joe Biden takes power , starting with a man set to be put to death today for his role in a crime committed when he was 18 .
Brandon Bernard was convicted over his part in the 1999 killings of an Iowa religious couple , whose bodies he burned in the boot of their car .
He and four other teenagers abducted and robbed Todd and Stacie Bagley on their way from a Sunday service in Killeen , Texas .
Bernard , now 40 , would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since July , when Donald Trump ended a 17-year hiatus in federal executions .
If he receives a lethal injection as planned at the federal prison in Terre Haute , Indiana , it would be a rare execution of a person who was in his teens when the crime occurred .
Federal executions during a presidential transfer of power are also rare , especially during a transition from a death-penalty supporter to a president-elect like Biden opposed to capital punishment .
The last time executions were carried out during a lame-duck period was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1890s .
Defence lawyers have argued in court and in a petition for clemency from Mr Trump that Bernard was a low-ranking , subservient member of the group .
They say both Bagleys were likely dead before Bernard doused their car with lighter fluid and set it on fire , a claim that conflicts with government testimony at trial .
`` I ca n't imagine how they feel about losing their family , '' Bernard said about surviving Bagley relatives in a 2016 video statement from death row .
`` I wish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change it . ''
He also described taking part in youth outreach programs and embracing religion , adding : `` I have tried to be a better person since that day . ''
The case has prompted calls for Mr Trump to intervene , including from one prosecutor at his 2000 trial .
That prosecutor now says racial bias may have influenced the nearly all-white jury 's decision to order a death sentence against Bernard , who is black .
A number of jurors have also since said publicly that they regret not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And Reality TV star Kim Kardashian West is among those who have asked Mr Trump to stop the execution , saying in a series of recent tweets that Bernard 's `` role was minor compared to that of the other teens involved '' .
The Justice Department has refused to delay Thursday 's execution of Bernard , another inmate on Friday and three more in January , despite eight officials who participated in an execution last month testing positive for the coronavirus .
The eight federal executions in 2020 is already more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federal executions are those ordered by the US government for federal crimes , as opposed to those carried out by individual states .
One of Bernard 's co-defendants , Christopher Vialva , was put do death in September .
Todd Bagley 's mother , Georgia , issued a statement after that execution , saying : `` I believe when someone deliberately takes the life of another , they suffer the consequences for their actions . ''

The Trump administration is planning an unprecedented five more federal executions before President-elect Joe Biden takes power, starting with a man set to be put to death today for his role in a crime committed when he was 18.
Brandon Bernard was convicted over his part in the 1999 killings of an Iowa religious couple, whose bodies he burned in the boot of their car.
He and four other teenagers abducted and robbed Todd and Stacie Bagley on their way from a Sunday service in Killeen, Texas.
Image: Kim Kardashian speaks alongside Donald Trump during a criminal justice reform event in 2019
Bernard, now 40, would be the ninth federal inmate put to death since July, when Donald Trump ended a 17-year hiatus in federal executions.
If he receives a lethal injection as planned at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, it would be a rare execution of a person who was in his teens when the crime occurred.
Federal executions during a presidential transfer of power are also rare, especially during a transition from a death-penalty supporter to a president-elect like Biden opposed to capital punishment.
The last time executions were carried out during a lame-duck period was during the presidency of Grover Cleveland in the 1890s.
Defence lawyers have argued in court and in a petition for clemency from Mr Trump that Bernard was a low-ranking, subservient member of the group.
They say both Bagleys were likely dead before Bernard doused their car with lighter fluid and set it on fire, a claim that conflicts with government testimony at trial.
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Bernard, they add, has repeatedly expressed remorse.
"I can't imagine how they feel about losing their family," Bernard said about surviving Bagley relatives in a 2016 video statement from death row.
"I wish that we could all go back and change it."
He also described taking part in youth outreach programs and embracing religion, adding: "I have tried to be a better person since that day."
The case has prompted calls for Mr Trump to intervene, including from one prosecutor at his 2000 trial.
That prosecutor now says racial bias may have influenced the nearly all-white jury's decision to order a death sentence against Bernard, who is black.
A number of jurors have also since said publicly that they regret not opting for life in prison instead.
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And Reality TV star Kim Kardashian West is among those who have asked Mr Trump to stop the execution, saying in a series of recent tweets that Bernard's "role was minor compared to that of the other teens involved".
The Justice Department has refused to delay Thursday's execution of Bernard, another inmate on Friday and three more in January, despite eight officials who participated in an execution last month testing positive for the coronavirus.
The eight federal executions in 2020 is already more than in the previous 56 years combined. Federal executions are those ordered by the US government for federal crimes, as opposed to those carried out by individual states.
One of Bernard's co-defendants, Christopher Vialva, was put do death in September.
Todd Bagley's mother, Georgia, issued a statement after that execution, saying: "I believe when someone deliberately takes the life of another, they suffer the consequences for their actions."


skynewsus--2020-12-11--Mastercard and Visa will no longer allow their cards to be used on Pornhub

Mastercard and Visa have said that they will no longer allow their credit and debit cards to be used for purchases on Pornhub .
Both payment companies had launched an investigation after a report in The New York Times alleged that many videos posted on the adult website were taken without consent - and some depicted children being sexually assaulted .
Mastercard said its own investigation had confirmed there was illegal content on the platform , adding that other websites are also being scrutinised .
Visa was yet to complete its inquiry , yet said that it too has decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their decision as `` extremely disappointing '' - as it has announced plans to stop images of abuse , non-consensual activity and underage models from appearing on the site earlier this week .
`` This news is crushing for the hundreds of thousands of models who rely on our platform for their livelihoods , '' a statement added .
Figures suggest that the company had more than 42 billion visits to its website last year .
The National Centre on Sexual Exploitation , an organisation based in the US , has welcomed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mastercard 's policy - and had urged both companies to stop processing payments for Pornhub earlier this year .

Mastercard and Visa have said that they will no longer allow their credit and debit cards to be used for purchases on Pornhub.
Both payment companies had launched an investigation after a report in The New York Times alleged that many videos posted on the adult website were taken without consent - and some depicted children being sexually assaulted.
Mastercard said its own investigation had confirmed there was illegal content on the platform, adding that other websites are also being scrutinised.
Visa was yet to complete its inquiry, yet said that it too has decided to block transactions.
Pornhub has described their decision as "extremely disappointing" - as it has announced plans to stop images of abuse, non-consensual activity and underage models from appearing on the site earlier this week.
"This news is crushing for the hundreds of thousands of models who rely on our platform for their livelihoods," a statement added.
Figures suggest that the company had more than 42 billion visits to its website last year.
The National Centre on Sexual Exploitation, an organisation based in the US, has welcomed the "significant changes" in Visa and Mastercard's policy - and had urged both companies to stop processing payments for Pornhub earlier this year.


skynewsus--2020-12-10--Five cyclists on 'retirement ride' die after truck 'hit car' following them in Nevada

Five cyclists have died and four others were injured following a collision involving a truck near Las Vegas , according to police in Nevada .
The incident happened on US Highway 95 when the vehicle allegedly hit a car assigned to follow a group of about 20 cyclists , said state department of transportation spokesman Tony Illia .
The five victims were pronounced dead at the scene , south of Boulder City , Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Travis Smaka added .
Of the four riders who were injured , one in a critical condition was flown to hospital in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part an informal ride to celebrate one of the cyclists ' retirement .
Authorities said the truck driver remained at the scene as inspections were carried out on the vehicle 's brakes , tyres and overall condition following the crash at 9.40am on Thursday .
Video footage from the site showed a white truck on the side of the highway with damage to its front .
Clay Weeks , a worker at the Pro Cyclery bike shop , knew many of the cyclists involved in the crash .
He was quoted by USA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a retirement ride for one of the community cyclists .
`` We 've talked to a couple of people who were on the ride .
Obviously everybody is super upset and distraught .
`` It 's pretty horrific that something like this would happen .
There 's really no words . ''

Five cyclists have died and four others were injured following a collision involving a truck near Las Vegas, according to police in Nevada.
The incident happened on US Highway 95 when the vehicle allegedly hit a car assigned to follow a group of about 20 cyclists, said state department of transportation spokesman Tony Illia.
The five victims were pronounced dead at the scene, south of Boulder City, Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Travis Smaka added.
Of the four riders who were injured, one in a critical condition was flown to hospital in a helicopter.
Image: Police are investigating the fatal collision. File pic
The group was reportedly taking part an informal ride to celebrate one of the cyclists' retirement.
Authorities said the truck driver remained at the scene as inspections were carried out on the vehicle's brakes, tyres and overall condition following the crash at 9.40am on Thursday.
Video footage from the site showed a white truck on the side of the highway with damage to its front.
Clay Weeks, a worker at the Pro Cyclery bike shop, knew many of the cyclists involved in the crash.
He was quoted by USA Today as saying: "They were on a retirement ride for one of the community cyclists.
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"We've talked to a couple of people who were on the ride. Obviously everybody is super upset and distraught.
"It's pretty horrific that something like this would happen. There's really no words."


skynewsus--2020-12-10--'We just couldn't stop writing': Taylor Swift drops surprise 'sister album'

Taylor Swift has surprised fans with a brand-new album - just five months after she released her last collection .
Announcing her ninth studio album on social media , Swift called it a `` sister album '' to Folklore and explained that she and her collaborators `` just could n't stop writing songs '' .
The 17-track LP was recorded in the same sessions as her earlier album - which was created during coronavirus lockdown - with collaborators including Bon Iver and Aaron Dessner .
It will be released at 5am on Friday morning here in the UK ( midnight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to release new music so soon , Swift wrote : `` To put it plainly , we just could n't stop writing songs .
`` To try and put it more poetically , it feels like we were standing on the edge of the folklorian woods and had a choice : to turn and go back or to travel further into the forest of this music .
We chose to wander deeper in .
`` I 've never done this before .
In the past I 've always treated albums as one-off eras @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one after an album was released .
There was something different with folklore .
`` In making it , I felt less like I was departing and more like I was returning .
I loved the escapism I found in these imaginary/not imaginary tales .
I loved the ways you welcomed the dreamscapes and tragedies and epic tales of love lost and found into your lives .
So I just kept writing them . ''
Swift also teased some new collaborators including pop-rock trio Haim , adding : `` We 've also welcomed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to our musical kitchen table this time around ... '' A self-directed video for the album 's lead song Willow will also be released at the same time .
The singer said she was sharing the album now due to her 31st birthday on 13 December .
`` Ever since I was 13 , I 've been excited about turning 31 because it 's my lucky number backwards , which is why I wanted to surprise you with this now .
You 've all been so caring , supportive and thoughtful on my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would give you something ! ''
Folklore topped both the UK and US charts on its release and has six nominations for the 2021 Grammy awards .
Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Swift is currently re-recording her first six albums , amid a high-profile master recording dispute with music mogul Scooter Braun .

Taylor Swift has surprised fans with a brand-new album - just five months after she released her last collection.
Announcing her ninth studio album on social media, Swift called it a "sister album" to Folklore and explained that she and her collaborators "just couldn't stop writing songs".
The 17-track LP was recorded in the same sessions as her earlier album - which was created during coronavirus lockdown - with collaborators including Bon Iver and Aaron Dessner.
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It will be released at 5am on Friday morning here in the UK (midnight Eastern Time).
Explaining her decision to release new music so soon, Swift wrote: "To put it plainly, we just couldn't stop writing songs.
"To try and put it more poetically, it feels like we were standing on the edge of the folklorian woods and had a choice: to turn and go back or to travel further into the forest of this music. We chose to wander deeper in.
"I've never done this before. In the past I've always treated albums as one-off eras and moved on to planning the next one after an album was released. There was something different with folklore.
"In making it, I felt less like I was departing and more like I was returning. I loved the escapism I found in these imaginary/not imaginary tales. I loved the ways you welcomed the dreamscapes and tragedies and epic tales of love lost and found into your lives. So I just kept writing them."
Image: Swift compared the album to 'standing on the edge of the folklorian woods'
Swift also teased some new collaborators including pop-rock trio Haim, adding: "We've also welcomed some new (and longtime) friends to our musical kitchen table this time around..."
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A self-directed video for the album's lead song Willow will also be released at the same time.
The singer said she was sharing the album now due to her 31st birthday on 13 December.
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"Ever since I was 13, I've been excited about turning 31 because it's my lucky number backwards, which is why I wanted to surprise you with this now. You've all been so caring, supportive and thoughtful on my birthdays and so this time I thought I would give you something!"
Folklore topped both the UK and US charts on its release and has six nominations for the 2021 Grammy awards.
Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Swift is currently re-recording her first six albums, amid a high-profile master recording dispute with music mogul Scooter Braun.


skynewsus--2020-12-10--Brosnahan: 'We're going to the bad place for waking a sleeping baby'

Rachel Brosnahan says babies are nightmare scene partners and admits the cast of her latest film - I 'm Your Woman - may be `` all going to the bad place for waking a sleeping baby '' .
The Marvellous Mrs Maisel star plays suburban housewife Jean who finds herself on the run with her baby after her criminal husband goes missing .
The 1970s inspired crime drama used twins called Justin and Jameson to play baby Harry , who Brosnahan says `` had very different personalities '' .
She says attempting to strategise how and when they used each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sky News : `` Babies are n't acting , they 're extremely unprofessional and they 're just living their lives… There were beautiful scenes that Julia and Jordan [ creators of the film Julia Hart and Jordan Horowitz ] wrote that that obviously fell apart the minute that it required the baby to interact with me or just smile or to laugh .
`` And of course , on all of those days , they were crying and not having it .
They fell asleep in the middle of a scene sometimes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad place for waking a sleeping baby .
But on the other side of that , they created these magical moments that we could n't possibly have expected . ''
In the movie , which was also directed by Julia Hart , Jean teams up with Teri ( played by Marsha Stephanie Blake ) , the wife of her husband 's old friend , and the pair find themselves thrust into a criminal underworld .
Blake too was working closely with a young first-time actor , who played her son .
She says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She told Sky News : `` You do n't want anyone who 's too polished , weirdly you want someone who can be a kid .
He had a lot of questions , but he was always excited .
`` He cried on his last day because he was so happy that he had done this thing and met all these people and he thought of us as his friends .
He could n't believe that now he had to leave .
And so , of course , he got us all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a typically male genre , both women say the chance to reclaim 1970s crime drama attracted them to their role .
Brosnahan explains : `` It 's a really different story about motherhood than anything that I 've ever seen and one that that acknowledges and celebrates a non-traditional path towards motherhood - a struggle towards motherhood and a non-Instagram , perfect relationship to a child . ''
She also says the role was `` excitingly different '' to her previous role of Midge Maisel - who was also a suburban housewife .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have this confident and loud and proud character in Midge who has the energy of a hummingbird and moves at a million miles an hour .
`` And then you have Jean who is who is quiet and still and very careful with her words and is coming from a place of deep insecurity and trauma and is going on this journey frame by frame from being this woman to transforming into this quiet woman 's action hero of sorts . ''
Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only did the movie put women at the centre of the story , but also previously ignored black characters .
She explained : `` I grew up watching nothing but old-crime dramas with my dad .
We had a black and white TV in Jamaica and we 'd just watch them every Sunday .
There were never any black people in those things and I did n't give it a thought - I was a kid and I did n't care .
`` But actually , black people did exist in those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw them ?
I love that Julia and Jordan chose to write a film where you see these characters come to the forefront of the story . ''
I 'm Your Woman is now showing in select UK cinemas and streaming on Amazon Prime Video .

Rachel Brosnahan says babies are nightmare scene partners and admits the cast of her latest film - I'm Your Woman - may be "all going to the bad place for waking a sleeping baby".
The Marvellous Mrs Maisel star plays suburban housewife Jean who finds herself on the run with her baby after her criminal husband goes missing.
The 1970s inspired crime drama used twins called Justin and Jameson to play baby Harry, who Brosnahan says "had very different personalities". She says attempting to strategise how and when they used each of them was challenging.
Image: Jean goes from passive housewife to 'action hero'. Pic: Amazon Studios
Brosnahan told Sky News: "Babies aren't acting, they're extremely unprofessional and they're just living their lives… There were beautiful scenes that Julia and Jordan [creators of the film Julia Hart and Jordan Horowitz] wrote that that obviously fell apart the minute that it required the baby to interact with me or just smile or to laugh.
"And of course, on all of those days, they were crying and not having it. They fell asleep in the middle of a scene sometimes. And we are all going to the bad place for waking a sleeping baby. But on the other side of that, they created these magical moments that we couldn't possibly have expected."
In the movie, which was also directed by Julia Hart, Jean teams up with Teri (played by Marsha Stephanie Blake), the wife of her husband's old friend, and the pair find themselves thrust into a criminal underworld.
Blake too was working closely with a young first-time actor, who played her son. She says his rookie status was actually an advantage.
She told Sky News: "You don't want anyone who's too polished, weirdly you want someone who can be a kid. He had a lot of questions, but he was always excited.
"He cried on his last day because he was so happy that he had done this thing and met all these people and he thought of us as his friends. He couldn't believe that now he had to leave. And so, of course, he got us all crying."
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Image: Brosnahan with Marsha Stephanie Blake, who plays Teri. Pic: Amazon Studios
A female take on a typically male genre, both women say the chance to reclaim 1970s crime drama attracted them to their role.
Brosnahan explains: "It's a really different story about motherhood than anything that I've ever seen and one that that acknowledges and celebrates a non-traditional path towards motherhood - a struggle towards motherhood and a non-Instagram, perfect relationship to a child."
She also says the role was "excitingly different" to her previous role of Midge Maisel - who was also a suburban housewife.
"On the one hand, you have this confident and loud and proud character in Midge who has the energy of a hummingbird and moves at a million miles an hour.
"And then you have Jean who is who is quiet and still and very careful with her words and is coming from a place of deep insecurity and trauma and is going on this journey frame by frame from being this woman to transforming into this quiet woman's action hero of sorts."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Subscribe to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Blake, says not only did the movie put women at the centre of the story, but also previously ignored black characters.
She explained: "I grew up watching nothing but old-crime dramas with my dad. We had a black and white TV in Jamaica and we'd just watch them every Sunday. There were never any black people in those things and I didn't give it a thought - I was a kid and I didn't care.
"But actually, black people did exist in those times, so how come we never saw them? I love that Julia and Jordan chose to write a film where you see these characters come to the forefront of the story."
I'm Your Woman is now showing in select UK cinemas and streaming on Amazon Prime Video.


skynewsus--2020-12-11--Joe Biden and Kamala Harris named Time magazine's Person of the Year

President-elect Joe Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris have been named Time magazine 's Person of the Year .
The incoming US leaders won the honour for `` changing the American story , for showing that the forces of empathy are greater than the furies of division , and for sharing a vision of healing in a grieving world '' , Time 's editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal said .
It is not unusual for presidents to be elected Person of the Year - in fact , every elected president since Franklin D Roosevelt has been chosen for the honour at some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included Mr Biden 's rival President Donald Trump , frontline healthcare workers , top infectious diseases expert Dr Anthony Fauci , and the movement for racial justice .
Korean boyband BTS won Time 's Entertainer of the Year , while Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James took home the prize for Athlete of the Year .
Applauding Mr Biden 's election win last month , the magazine said the Democrat `` had the vision , set the tone and topped the ticket '' .
But it also pointed out his running mate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could : `` Generational change , a fresh perspective , and an embodiment of America 's diversity . ''
When she makes her historic entrance to the White House in January , Ms Harris will be the first woman to do so - as well as the first black or Asian-American vice president .
In a memorable victory speech after their election win , Ms Harris said : `` While I may be the first woman in this office , I will not be the last . ''
The pair managed to gather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in history , racking up 81 million votes and counting .
But they will be dealing with a divided America in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic when they take the reins , and they could face issues passing legislation through the Senate .

President-elect Joe Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris have been named Time magazine's Person of the Year.
The incoming US leaders won the honour for "changing the American story, for showing that the forces of empathy are greater than the furies of division, and for sharing a vision of healing in a grieving world", Time's editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal said.
It is not unusual for presidents to be elected Person of the Year - in fact, every elected president since Franklin D Roosevelt has been chosen for the honour at some point during their term.
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Other nominees included Mr Biden's rival President Donald Trump, frontline healthcare workers, top infectious diseases expert Dr Anthony Fauci, and the movement for racial justice.
Korean boyband BTS won Time's Entertainer of the Year, while Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James took home the prize for Athlete of the Year.
Applauding Mr Biden's election win last month, the magazine said the Democrat "had the vision, set the tone and topped the ticket".
But it also pointed out his running mate, Ms Harris, provided something he never could: "Generational change, a fresh perspective, and an embodiment of America's diversity."
When she makes her historic entrance to the White House in January, Ms Harris will be the first woman to do so - as well as the first black or Asian-American vice president.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:41 Harris honours 'generations of women'
In a memorable victory speech after their election win, Ms Harris said: "While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last."
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The pair managed to gather the most votes in any presidential election in history, racking up 81 million votes and counting.
But they will be dealing with a divided America in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic when they take the reins, and they could face issues passing legislation through the Senate.


skynewsus--2020-12-11--Kim Kardashian distraught as Trump rushes through first in series of executions

Death row inmate Brandon Bernard has been killed by lethal injection at a federal prison after the US Supreme Court rejected a last-minute request to delay his execution .
Bernard , 40 , was just 18 when he took part in the 1999 double murder of an Iowa religious couple , whose bodies he burned in the boot of their car in Texas .
He told Todd and Stacey Bagley 's family he was sorry shortly before he was put to death .
His execution is the first of five the Trump administration is rushing through in almost unprecedented fashion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the outgoing US leader having defied calls from campaigners including Kim Kardashian West to stop the killing .
It is the ninth execution since Attorney General William Barr resumed the use of the federal death penalty earlier this year following a 17-year hiatus .
The last time executions were carried out during a presidential lame-duck period was during the tenure of the 22nd president Grover Cleveland in the 1890s .
Defence lawyers had requested an emergency stay and argued in court that Bernard was a low-level member of a youth gang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also pleaded for clemency , saying they regretted not opting for life in prison instead .
Reality TV star Kardashian West also voiced her concerns and was among those who had asked Mr Trump to stop the execution , saying in a series of recent tweets that Bernard 's `` role was minor compared to that of the other teens involved '' .
Kardashian West has met with Mr Trump during his time in office to discuss prison reform .
`` I 'm so messed up right now .
They killed Brandon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` He was such a reformed person .
So hopeful and positive until the end .
More importantly he is sorry , so sorry for the hurt and pain he has caused others .
`` I could go on and on about what an amazing person Brandon was .
I do know he left this earth feeling supported and loved and at peace . ''
One of Bernard 's co-defendants , Christopher Vialva , was put to death in September .
Several more inmates are set to be executed before Mr Biden takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is scheduled to be executed later today for torturing and killing his two-year-old daughter in South Texas in 2004 .

Death row inmate Brandon Bernard has been killed by lethal injection at a federal prison after the US Supreme Court rejected a last-minute request to delay his execution.
Bernard, 40, was just 18 when he took part in the 1999 double murder of an Iowa religious couple, whose bodies he burned in the boot of their car in Texas.
He told Todd and Stacey Bagley's family he was sorry shortly before he was put to death.
His execution is the first of five the Trump administration is rushing through in almost unprecedented fashion before incoming President-elect Joe Biden takes power, with the outgoing US leader having defied calls from campaigners including Kim Kardashian West to stop the killing.
It is the ninth execution since Attorney General William Barr resumed the use of the federal death penalty earlier this year following a 17-year hiatus.
The last time executions were carried out during a presidential lame-duck period was during the tenure of the 22nd president Grover Cleveland in the 1890s.
Defence lawyers had requested an emergency stay and argued in court that Bernard was a low-level member of a youth gang, while five jurors from his trial also pleaded for clemency, saying they regretted not opting for life in prison instead.
Reality TV star Kardashian West also voiced her concerns and was among those who had asked Mr Trump to stop the execution, saying in a series of recent tweets that Bernard's "role was minor compared to that of the other teens involved".
Kardashian West has met with Mr Trump during his time in office to discuss prison reform.
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"I'm so messed up right now. They killed Brandon," she tweeted after his death.
"He was such a reformed person. So hopeful and positive until the end. More importantly he is sorry, so sorry for the hurt and pain he has caused others.
"I could go on and on about what an amazing person Brandon was. I do know he left this earth feeling supported and loved and at peace."
Image: Kim Kardashian West speaks alongside Donald Trump during a criminal justice reform event in 2019
One of Bernard's co-defendants, Christopher Vialva, was put to death in September.
Several more inmates are set to be executed before Mr Biden takes office on 20 January.
Alfred Bourgeois is scheduled to be executed later today for torturing and killing his two-year-old daughter in South Texas in 2004.