courthousenews--2020-12-25--We’ll Hammer it Out

We’ll Hammer it Out

I have been studying how I may make jokes about this year that ’ s ending .
And because there is nothing funny about it , I can not do it .
Yet I ’ ll hammer it out .
I have been studying how I may compare This prison where I live unto the world : And for because the world is populous And here is not a creature but myself , I can not do it ; yet I ’ ll hammer it out .
OK !
Let ’ s have some jokes here !
Didya hear the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was taken from her Mom in Laredo and thrown into prison apart from her Mom ?
Then they both killed themselves ?
Har !
What a joke on them !
Didya hear the one about the Honduran woman who was tortured so badly that she bled from her eyes as they killed her husband in front of her , for trying to organize a union ?
What a joke on them !
Didya hear the one about Bill Barr ’ s theory of the “ unitary presidency ” ?
Think you could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Or just a lump of coal ?
OK. All right .
This is supposed to be a humor column .
So get a load of this !
Many years ago , a lovely young Salvadoran woman was dragged from a city park and gang-raped by a death squad and left for dead , naked in a ditch .
They carried off her boyfriend and killed him .
She had to make her way , naked , through the back streets of San Salvador .
After that , she and her brother planned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they didn ’ t have the money .
So he told her to go first .
‘ Get a job in Los Yunay and send for me.
’ So she did .
The Border Patrol caught her on Day 1 and threw her into prison in Laredo : the first U.S. immigration prison farmed out to a private prison company specifically to imprison women , children and babies .
There , they strip-searched her , including body cavity searches , before and after each time she sought legal counsel .
And only when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learned that her brother , the one who gave her all his money and stayed behind , had been kidnapped and killed by a Salvadoran death squad .
They dismembered him and tossed his body pieces into this young woman ’ s back yard , where her young children lived , and saw it .
Ha !
What a joke that was !
So .
I got her out of prison by marrying her .
There was no other way back then , on the border .
Political asylum ?
Forget it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that followed , after a few happy years , she tried to kill me .
More than once .
I had to leave her .
What a joke on us that was !
As we used to say in junior high school : So funny I forgot to laugh .
That was thirty-some years ago .
Under Reagan .
Would you believe me if I told you that the past four years have been worse ?
Well , they have been .
They have been .
Wish I could tell you a joke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind .

I have been studying how I may make jokes about this year that’s ending. And because there is nothing funny about it, I cannot do it. Yet I’ll hammer it out.
I have been studying how I may make jokes about this year that’s ending. And because there is nothing funny about it, I cannot do it. Yet I’ll hammer it out.
I stole that from Shakespeare: Richard II, Act V, scene v.
I have been studying how I may compare
This prison where I live unto the world:
And for because the world is populous
And here is not a creature but myself,
I cannot do it; yet I'll hammer it out.
(Courthouse News photo)
OK! Let’s have some jokes here!
Didya hear the one about the little girl from Guanajuato who was taken from her Mom in Laredo and thrown into prison apart from her Mom? Then they both killed themselves?
Har! What a joke on them!
Didya hear the one about the Honduran woman who was tortured so badly that she bled from her eyes as they killed her husband in front of her, for trying to organize a union?
Talk about “enhanced interrogation”!
What a joke on them!
Didya hear the one about Bill Barr’s theory of the “unitary presidency”?
Ho ho … ho? What’s in your stocking, Bill?
Think you could find a backbone there? Maybe? Or just a lump of coal?
OK. All right. This is supposed to be a humor column. So get a load of this!
Many years ago, a lovely young Salvadoran woman was dragged from a city park and gang-raped by a death squad and left for dead, naked in a ditch. They carried off her boyfriend and killed him. She had to make her way, naked, through the back streets of San Salvador.
After that, she and her brother planned to escape to the United States. But they didn’t have the money. So he told her to go first. ‘Get a job in Los Yunay and send for me.’ So she did.
The Border Patrol caught her on Day 1 and threw her into prison in Laredo: the first U.S. immigration prison farmed out to a private prison company specifically to imprison women, children and babies.
There, they strip-searched her, including body cavity searches, before and after each time she sought legal counsel.
And only when she sought legal counsel.
I was her legal counsel.
Not a lawyer, just a paralegal.
Then we learned that her brother, the one who gave her all his money and stayed behind, had been kidnapped and killed by a Salvadoran death squad. They dismembered him and tossed his body pieces into this young woman’s back yard, where her young children lived, and saw it.
Ha! What a joke that was!
Your taxes at work!
So. I got her out of prison by marrying her. There was no other way back then, on the border. Political asylum? Forget it. This was 1985.
In the years that followed, after a few happy years, she tried to kill me. More than once. I had to leave her.
What a joke on us that was! As we used to say in junior high school: So funny I forgot to laugh.
That was thirty-some years ago. Under Reagan.
Would you believe me if I told you that the past four years have been worse?
Well, they have been. They have been.
Wish I could tell you a joke right now. But none come to mind.
(Author’s Note: “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40))


courthousenews--2020-12-26--Holiday Sales Tick Up as Shoppers Invest in Their Homes

NEW YORK ( AP ) — Retail sales increased a modest 3 % during a longer holiday season this year , as homebound shoppers spent more on furnishing and food but less on clothing and jewelry , according to figures released Saturday by a firm that tracks all forms of payments .
The increase fell short of predictions from the National Retail Federation , the nation ’ s largest retail trade group , which had expected sales to rise between 3.6 % and 5.2 % this year compared to 2019 .
As expected , a surge in online shopping fueled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a record 49 % year-over-year between Oct. 11 and Dec. 24 , according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse figures , which exclude services , automotive and gasoline sales .
The holiday shopping season was considered longer this year as retailers offered promotions sooner and encouraged customers to get a jump-start to avoid delivery delays .
During the traditional holiday period , between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24 , retail sales rose 2.4 % year-over-year , according to Mastercard ’ s data .
Steve Sadove , senior advisor for Mastercard and former CEO and Chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in online spending and the early shopping was “ a testament to the holiday season and strength of retailers and consumers alike.
” Buying trends benefited e-commerce giant Amazon and big-box stores like Target and Walmart , which already had robust e-commerce operations and were allowed to stay open during the pandemic , attracting shoppers who wanted to avoid visiting multiple stores .
But the pandemic has been detrimental for smaller shops , clothing brands and department stores , which had already been struggling to adapt to the rise of online shopping .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since the pandemic started forcing shutdowns in March .
Holiday department store sales fell 10.2 % year-over-year , according to Mastercard .
Spending on apparel plunged 19.1 % , and jewelry sales fell 2.3 % .
Shoppers instead invested in their homes .
Furniture and furnishing sales increased 16.2 % , while spending on home improvement rose 14.1 % .
Consumers also favored electronics and appliances , a category where sales rose 6 % .
Clothing stores and specialty retailers offered big discounts and promoted curbside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday season and surviving a difficult year .
There was some payoff , as online clothing sales rose 15.7 % , according to Mastercard .
E-commerce sales at department stores also ticked up 3.3 % .

Retail sales increased a modest 3% during a longer holiday season this year, as homebound shoppers spent more on furnishing and food but less on clothing and jewelry, according to figures released Saturday by a firm that tracks all forms of payments.
NEW YORK (AP) — Retail sales increased a modest 3% during a longer holiday season this year, as homebound shoppers spent more on furnishing and food but less on clothing and jewelry, according to figures released Saturday by a firm that tracks all forms of payments.
The increase fell short of predictions from the National Retail Federation, the nation's largest retail trade group, which had expected sales to rise between 3.6% and 5.2% this year compared to 2019.
As expected, a surge in online shopping fueled much of spending. Online sales rose a record 49% year-over-year between Oct. 11 and Dec. 24, according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse figures, which exclude services, automotive and gasoline sales.
The holiday shopping season was considered longer this year as retailers offered promotions sooner and encouraged customers to get a jump-start to avoid delivery delays. During the traditional holiday period, between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, retail sales rose 2.4% year-over-year, according to Mastercard's data.
Steve Sadove, senior advisor for Mastercard and former CEO and Chairman of Saks Incorporated, said the surge in online spending and the early shopping was "a testament to the holiday season and strength of retailers and consumers alike."
Buying trends benefited e-commerce giant Amazon and big-box stores like Target and Walmart, which already had robust e-commerce operations and were allowed to stay open during the pandemic, attracting shoppers who wanted to avoid visiting multiple stores.
But the pandemic has been detrimental for smaller shops, clothing brands and department stores, which had already been struggling to adapt to the rise of online shopping. Already, more than 40 U.S. retailers have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since the pandemic started forcing shutdowns in March.
Holiday department store sales fell 10.2% year-over-year, according to Mastercard. Spending on apparel plunged 19.1%, and jewelry sales fell 2.3%.
Shoppers instead invested in their homes. Furniture and furnishing sales increased 16.2%, while spending on home improvement rose 14.1%. Consumers also favored electronics and appliances, a category where sales rose 6%.
Clothing stores and specialty retailers offered big discounts and promoted curbside pickup in the hopes of rescuing the holiday season and surviving a difficult year. There was some payoff, as online clothing sales rose 15.7%, according to Mastercard. E-commerce sales at department stores also ticked up 3.3%.
By ALEXANDRA OLSON AP Business Writer


courthousenews--2020-12-26--Unemployment Benefits for Millions in Limbo as Trump Rages

WEST PALM BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) — Unemployment benefits for millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet were set to lapse at midnight Saturday night unless President Donald Trump signed an end-of-year COVID relief and spending bill that had been considered a done deal before his sudden objections .
Trump ’ s refusal to sign the bipartisan package as he demands larger COVID relief checks and complains about “ pork ” spending could also force a federal government shutdown when money runs out at 12:01 Tuesday in the middle of a pandemic .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Lanetris Haines , a self-employed single mother of three in South Bend , Indiana , who stands to lose her $ 129 weekly jobless benefit unless Trump signs the package into law or succeeds in his improbable quest for changes .
Washington has been reeling since Trump threw the package into limbo after it had already won sweeping approval in both houses of Congress and after the White House assured Republican leaders that Trump would support it .
Instead , he has assailed the bill ’ s plan to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans — insisting it should be $ 2,000 .
House Republicans swiftly rejected that idea during a rare Christmas Eve session .
But Trump has not been swayed .
“ I simply want to get our great people $ 2000 , rather than the measly $ 600 that is now in the bill , ” Trump tweeted Saturday from Palm Beach , where he is spending the holiday .
“ Also , stop the billions of dollars in ‘ pork . '
” President-elect Joe Biden called on Trump to sign the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid were set to expire Saturday .
“ It is the day after Christmas , and millions of families don ’ t know if they ’ ll be able to make ends meet because of President Donald Trump ’ s refusal to sign an economic relief bill approved by Congress with an overwhelming and bipartisan majority , ” Biden said in a statement .
He accused Trump of an “ abdication of responsibility ” that has “ devastating consequences.
” “ I ’ ve been talking to people who are scared they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their homes , during the Christmas holidays , and still might be if we don ’ t sign this bill , ” said Rep. Debbie Dingell , a Michigan Democrat .
Lauren Bauer , a fellow in economic studies at the Brookings Institution , has calculated that 11 million people would lose aid from the programs immediately without additional relief ; millions more would exhaust other unemployment benefits within weeks .
Andrew Stettner , an unemployment insurance expert and senior fellow at the Century Foundation think tank , said the number may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spiked since Thanksgiving .
“ All these folks and their families will suffer if Trump doesn ’ t sign the damn bill , ” Heidi Shierholz , director of policy at the liberal Economic Policy Institute , tweeted Wednesday .
However , she said the unemployed could potentially receive payments retroactively if the bill is eventually signed .
How and when people are affected by the lapse depends on the state they live in , the program they are relying on and when they applied for benefits .
In some states , people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive payments under a program that extends benefits when the jobless rate surpasses a certain threshold , Stettner said .
About 9.5 million people , however , rely on the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program that expires altogether Saturday .
That program made unemployment insurance available to freelancers , gig workers and others who are normally not eligible .
After receiving their last checks , those recipients will not be able to file for more aid starting Monday , Stettner said .
While payments could be received retroactively , any gap means more hardship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grappled with bureaucratic delays , often depleting much of their savings to stay afloat while waiting for payments to kick in .
They are people like Earl McCarthy , a father of four who lives in South Fulton , Georgia , and has been relying on unemployment since losing his job as a sales representative for a luxury senior living community .
He said he will be left with no income by the second week of January if Trump fails to sign the bill .
McCarthy said he already burned through much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to begin receiving his unemployment benefits .
After leaving weekly messages with the unemployment agency , McCarthy reached out to the South Fulton mayor ’ s office , then to his state legislative representative to ask for help .
He finally started getting payments in November .
“ The entire experience was horrifying , ” said McCarthy , who is receiving about $ 350 a week in unemployment insurance .
“ For me , I shudder to think if I had not saved anything or had an emergency fund through those five months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ It ’ s going to be difficult if the president doesn ’ t sign this bill.
” The bill awaiting Trump ’ s signature would also activate a weekly $ 300 federal supplement to unemployment payments .
Sharon Shelton Corpening had been hoping the extra help would allow her 83-year-old mother , with whom she lives , to stop eating into her social security payments to make their $ 1,138 rent .
Corpening , who lives in the Atlanta area , had launched a freelance content strategy business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic hit , prompting several of her contracts to fall through .
She is receiving about $ 125 a week under the pandemic unemployment program and says she will be unable to pay her bills in about a month .
This , despite her temporary work for the U.S. census and as an elections poll worker .
“ We on the brink , ” said Corpening .
“ One more month , if that .
Then , I run out of everything.
” Trump , meanwhile , has been spending his final days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he refuses to accept his loss to Biden in the Nov. 3 election .
On Saturday , he again lashed out at members of his own party for failing to join his quest to try to overturn the results of the election with baseless claims of mass voter fraud that have been repeatedly rejected by the courts .
“ If a Democrat Presidential Candidate had an Election Rigged & Stolen , with proof of such acts at a level never seen before , the Democrat Senators would consider it an act of war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he railed .
He said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his Republicans “ just want to let it pass .
NO FIGHT !
” Trump also lashed out at the Supreme Court , the Justice Department and the FBI as he seemed to encourage his supporters to gather in Washington on Jan. 6 , the day Congress tallies the Electoral College vote — even though a similar event last month devolved into violence , with multiple people being stabbed in the capital ’ s streets .
In addition to freezing unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action on the bill would lead to the expiration of eviction protections and put on hold a new round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses , restaurants and theaters , along with money to help schools and vaccine distribution .
The relief is also attached to a $ 1.4 trillion government funding bill to keep the federal government operating .
By ALEXANDRA OLSON and JILL COLVIN Associated Press

Unemployment benefits for millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet were set to lapse at midnight Saturday night unless President Donald Trump signed an end-of-year COVID relief and spending bill that had been considered a done deal before his sudden objections.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Unemployment benefits for millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet were set to lapse at midnight Saturday night unless President Donald Trump signed an end-of-year COVID relief and spending bill that had been considered a done deal before his sudden objections.
Trump's refusal to sign the bipartisan package as he demands larger COVID relief checks and complains about "pork" spending could also force a federal government shutdown when money runs out at 12:01 Tuesday in the middle of a pandemic.
"It's a chess game and we are pawns," said Lanetris Haines, a self-employed single mother of three in South Bend, Indiana, who stands to lose her $129 weekly jobless benefit unless Trump signs the package into law or succeeds in his improbable quest for changes.
Washington has been reeling since Trump threw the package into limbo after it had already won sweeping approval in both houses of Congress and after the White House assured Republican leaders that Trump would support it.
Instead, he has assailed the bill's plan to provide $600 COVID relief checks to most Americans — insisting it should be $2,000. House Republicans swiftly rejected that idea during a rare Christmas Eve session. But Trump has not been swayed.
"I simply want to get our great people $2000, rather than the measly $600 that is now in the bill," Trump tweeted Saturday from Palm Beach, where he is spending the holiday. "Also, stop the billions of dollars in 'pork.'"
President-elect Joe Biden called on Trump to sign the bill immediately as two federal programs providing unemployment aid were set to expire Saturday.
"It is the day after Christmas, and millions of families don't know if they'll be able to make ends meet because of President Donald Trump's refusal to sign an economic relief bill approved by Congress with an overwhelming and bipartisan majority," Biden said in a statement. He accused Trump of an "abdication of responsibility" that has "devastating consequences."
"I've been talking to people who are scared they're going to be kicked out from their homes, during the Christmas holidays, and still might be if we don't sign this bill,'' said Rep. Debbie Dingell, a Michigan Democrat.
Lauren Bauer, a fellow in economic studies at the Brookings Institution, has calculated that 11 million people would lose aid from the programs immediately without additional relief; millions more would exhaust other unemployment benefits within weeks.
Andrew Stettner, an unemployment insurance expert and senior fellow at the Century Foundation think tank, said the number may be closer to 14 million because joblessness has spiked since Thanksgiving.
"All these folks and their families will suffer if Trump doesn't sign the damn bill,'' Heidi Shierholz, director of policy at the liberal Economic Policy Institute, tweeted Wednesday. However, she said the unemployed could potentially receive payments retroactively if the bill is eventually signed.
How and when people are affected by the lapse depends on the state they live in, the program they are relying on and when they applied for benefits. In some states, people on regular unemployment insurance could continue to receive payments under a program that extends benefits when the jobless rate surpasses a certain threshold, Stettner said.
About 9.5 million people, however, rely on the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program that expires altogether Saturday. That program made unemployment insurance available to freelancers, gig workers and others who are normally not eligible. After receiving their last checks, those recipients will not be able to file for more aid starting Monday, Stettner said.
While payments could be received retroactively, any gap means more hardship and uncertainty for Americans who have already grappled with bureaucratic delays, often depleting much of their savings to stay afloat while waiting for payments to kick in.
They are people like Earl McCarthy, a father of four who lives in South Fulton, Georgia, and has been relying on unemployment since losing his job as a sales representative for a luxury senior living community. He said he will be left with no income by the second week of January if Trump fails to sign the bill.
McCarthy said he already burned through much of his savings as he waited five months to begin receiving his unemployment benefits. After leaving weekly messages with the unemployment agency, McCarthy reached out to the South Fulton mayor's office, then to his state legislative representative to ask for help. He finally started getting payments in November.
"The entire experience was horrifying," said McCarthy, who is receiving about $350 a week in unemployment insurance.
"For me, I shudder to think if I had not saved anything or had an emergency fund through those five months, where would we have been?" he said. "It's going to be difficult if the president doesn't sign this bill."
The bill awaiting Trump's signature would also activate a weekly $300 federal supplement to unemployment payments.
Sharon Shelton Corpening had been hoping the extra help would allow her 83-year-old mother, with whom she lives, to stop eating into her social security payments to make their $1,138 rent.
Corpening, who lives in the Atlanta area, had launched a freelance content strategy business that was just taking off before the pandemic hit, prompting several of her contracts to fall through. She is receiving about $125 a week under the pandemic unemployment program and says she will be unable to pay her bills in about a month. This, despite her temporary work for the U.S. census and as an elections poll worker.
"We on the brink," said Corpening. "One more month, if that. Then, I run out of everything."
Trump, meanwhile, has been spending his final days in office golfing and angrily tweeting as he refuses to accept his loss to Biden in the Nov. 3 election. On Saturday, he again lashed out at members of his own party for failing to join his quest to try to overturn the results of the election with baseless claims of mass voter fraud that have been repeatedly rejected by the courts.
"If a Democrat Presidential Candidate had an Election Rigged & Stolen, with proof of such acts at a level never seen before, the Democrat Senators would consider it an act of war, and fight to the death," he railed. He said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his Republicans "just want to let it pass. NO FIGHT!"
Trump also lashed out at the Supreme Court, the Justice Department and the FBI as he seemed to encourage his supporters to gather in Washington on Jan. 6, the day Congress tallies the Electoral College vote — even though a similar event last month devolved into violence, with multiple people being stabbed in the capital's streets.
In addition to freezing unemployment benefits, Trump's lack of action on the bill would lead to the expiration of eviction protections and put on hold a new round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses, restaurants and theaters, along with money to help schools and vaccine distribution.
The relief is also attached to a $1.4 trillion government funding bill to keep the federal government operating.
By ALEXANDRA OLSON and JILL COLVIN Associated Press


courthousenews--2020-12-26--Girl Scouts Rebuke Boy Scouts in Escalating Recruitment War

NEW YORK ( AP ) — The Girl Scouts are in a “ highly damaging ” recruitment war with the Boy Scouts after the latter opened its core services to girls , leading to marketplace confusion and some girls unwittingly joining the Boy Scouts , lawyers for the century-old Girl Scouts organization claim in papers filed in a federal court .
The competition , more conjecture than reality two years ago , has intensified as the Boy Scouts of America organization — which insists recruits pledge to be “ trustworthy , loyal , helpful , friendly , courteous and kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to claims in legal briefs filed on behalf of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America .
The lawyers filed papers in Manhattan federal court Thursday to repel an effort by the Boy Scouts to toss out before trial a trademark infringement lawsuit the Girl Scouts filed in 2018 .
Last month , lawyers for the Boy Scouts asked a judge to reject claims that the Boy Scouts can not use “ scouts ” and “ scouting ” in its recruitment of girls without infringing trademarks .
Messages seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scouts were sent Saturday to lawyers for the Boy Scouts .
In its filing , the Girl Scouts said the Boy Scouts ’ marketing of expanded services for girls was “ extraordinary and highly damaging to Girl Scouts ” and had set off an “ explosion of confusion.
” “ As a result of Boy Scouts ’ infringement , parents have mistakenly enrolled their daughters in Boy Scouts thinking it was Girl Scouts , ” the lawyers said , adding that this never occurred before 2018 .
The Girls Scouts said they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confusion and mistaken instances of association between Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts ” after the Boy Scouts targeted girls and their parents with marketing and recruiting communications in ways it never has before .
“ The parties ’ programs , which have many similarities , are now directly competitive , ” the Girls Scouts maintained .
The organization cited proof from a narrow subset of documents turned over by 19 of 250 local Boy Scout councils , including evidence that registration fees sometimes were returned to parents who mistakenly thought they registered girls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeated instances of confusion and interference at the local level by the Boy Scouts was a tiny fraction of what was occurring nationwide .
Each of dozens of times the Girl Scouts complained about unfair marketing , the Boy Scouts responded by blaming individuals , churches or others for what they said was an isolated incident , the lawyers said .
“ According to Boy Scouts , blame for the rampant marketplace confusion lies at everyone ’ s feet but its own , ” they wrote .
Both the Girl Scouts and Boy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have seen declines in membership in recent years as competition grew pre-pandemic from sports leagues and busy family schedules .
In spring 2018 , the Boy Scouts program for 11- to 17-year-olds announced it would change its name to Scouts BSA in early 2019 .
The parent organization , the Boy Scouts of America , and the Cub Scouts , a program serving children from kindergarten through fifth grade , kept their names .
The organization started admitting girls into the Cub Scouts in August 2018 , and Scouts BSA began accepting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Afterward , Boy Scouts councils and volunteers began using Girl Scouts ’ intellectual property to recruit girls , employing targeted advertising utilizing terms such as “ Scout , Scouts , Scouting , Scout Me In and Scouts BSA , ” the lawyers wrote .
“ Boy Scouts knew full well in 2017 , just as it had in the 1930s and 1970s , that SCOUT , SCOUTS and SCOUTING , when used in connection with girls ’ services , could only create associations with Girl Scouts unless other distinguishing content referencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and promotional materials , ” they said .
“ But it did so anyway , and the only plausible inference is that its motive was to free ride off of Girl Scouts ‘ impeccable ’ reputation and boost its position in a ‘ new market — Girls in Scouting . '
” The lawyers said Boy Scouts councils in Illinois acknowledging improperly using the Girl Scouts ’ slogan in Cub Scout recruiting materials and pictures of Girl Scouts to promote a Boy Scouts “ Scouts Sign-Up Night !
” They said a western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flyer on Facebook including a photograph of a girl depicted in her Girl Scouts Brownie uniform .
Meanwhile , Ohio Boy Scouts used the Girl Scouts trademark to try to get a local newspaper to write an article , suggesting a storyline entitled “ Boy and Girl Scouts Looking for Members ” even though the recruitment involved only the Boy Scouts , the lawyers said .
In Seattle , a Boy Scouts council used the Girl Scouts trademark in social media recruiting materials , the lawyers said .
They said confusion has skyrocketed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religious organizations and they cited examples in other states , including Florida , Minnesota , Arkansas , Michigan , North Carolina and Hawaii .

The Girl Scouts are in a "highly damaging" recruitment war with the Boy Scouts after the latter opened its core services to girls, leading to marketplace confusion and some girls unwittingly joining the Boy Scouts, lawyers for the century-old Girl Scouts organization claim in papers filed in a federal court.
NEW YORK (AP) — The Girl Scouts are in a "highly damaging" recruitment war with the Boy Scouts after the latter opened its core services to girls, leading to marketplace confusion and some girls unwittingly joining the Boy Scouts, lawyers for the century-old Girl Scouts organization claim in papers filed in a federal court.
The competition, more conjecture than reality two years ago, has intensified as the Boy Scouts of America organization — which insists recruits pledge to be "trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous and kind" — has unfairly recruited girls lately, according to claims in legal briefs filed on behalf of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America.
The lawyers filed papers in Manhattan federal court Thursday to repel an effort by the Boy Scouts to toss out before trial a trademark infringement lawsuit the Girl Scouts filed in 2018.
Last month, lawyers for the Boy Scouts asked a judge to reject claims that the Boy Scouts cannot use "scouts" and "scouting" in its recruitment of girls without infringing trademarks.
It called the lawsuit "utterly meritless."
Messages seeking comment on the latest filing by Girl Scouts were sent Saturday to lawyers for the Boy Scouts.
In its filing, the Girl Scouts said the Boy Scouts' marketing of expanded services for girls was "extraordinary and highly damaging to Girl Scouts" and had set off an "explosion of confusion."
"As a result of Boy Scouts' infringement, parents have mistakenly enrolled their daughters in Boy Scouts thinking it was Girl Scouts," the lawyers said, adding that this never occurred before 2018.
The Girls Scouts said they can prove there are "rampant instances of confusion and mistaken instances of association between Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts" after the Boy Scouts targeted girls and their parents with marketing and recruiting communications in ways it never has before.
"The parties' programs, which have many similarities, are now directly competitive," the Girls Scouts maintained.
The organization cited proof from a narrow subset of documents turned over by 19 of 250 local Boy Scout councils, including evidence that registration fees sometimes were returned to parents who mistakenly thought they registered girls for the Girl Scouts.
It said repeated instances of confusion and interference at the local level by the Boy Scouts was a tiny fraction of what was occurring nationwide.
Each of dozens of times the Girl Scouts complained about unfair marketing, the Boy Scouts responded by blaming individuals, churches or others for what they said was an isolated incident, the lawyers said.
"According to Boy Scouts, blame for the rampant marketplace confusion lies at everyone's feet but its own," they wrote.
Both the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, like other major youth organizations, have seen declines in membership in recent years as competition grew pre-pandemic from sports leagues and busy family schedules.
In spring 2018, the Boy Scouts program for 11- to 17-year-olds announced it would change its name to Scouts BSA in early 2019. The parent organization, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Cub Scouts, a program serving children from kindergarten through fifth grade, kept their names.
The organization started admitting girls into the Cub Scouts in August 2018, and Scouts BSA began accepting girls in February, 2019, lawyers said.
Afterward, Boy Scouts councils and volunteers began using Girl Scouts' intellectual property to recruit girls, employing targeted advertising utilizing terms such as "Scout, Scouts, Scouting, Scout Me In and Scouts BSA," the lawyers wrote.
"Boy Scouts knew full well in 2017, just as it had in the 1930s and 1970s, that SCOUT, SCOUTS and SCOUTING, when used in connection with girls' services, could only create associations with Girl Scouts unless other distinguishing content referencing Boy Scouts of America appeared in advertising and promotional materials," they said. "But it did so anyway, and the only plausible inference is that its motive was to free ride off of Girl Scouts 'impeccable' reputation and boost its position in a 'new market — Girls in Scouting.'"
The lawyers said Boy Scouts councils in Illinois acknowledging improperly using the Girl Scouts' slogan in Cub Scout recruiting materials and pictures of Girl Scouts to promote a Boy Scouts "Scouts Sign-Up Night!"
They said a western Massachusetts Boy Scouts council posted a recruiting flyer on Facebook including a photograph of a girl depicted in her Girl Scouts Brownie uniform.
Meanwhile, Ohio Boy Scouts used the Girl Scouts trademark to try to get a local newspaper to write an article, suggesting a storyline entitled "Boy and Girl Scouts Looking for Members" even though the recruitment involved only the Boy Scouts, the lawyers said.
In Seattle, a Boy Scouts council used the Girl Scouts trademark in social media recruiting materials, the lawyers said.
They said confusion has skyrocketed among children, parents, schools and religious organizations and they cited examples in other states, including Florida, Minnesota, Arkansas, Michigan, North Carolina and Hawaii.
By LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press


courthousenews--2020-12-26--Dig of Pompeii Fast-Food Place Reveals Ancient Tastes

ROME ( AP ) — A fast-food eatery at Pompeii has been excavated , helping to reveal dishes that were popular for the citizens of the ancient Roman city who were partial to eating out .
Pompeii Archaeological Park ’ s longtime chief , Massimo Osanna said Saturday that while some 80 such fast-foods have been found at Pompeii , it is the first time such a hot-food-drink eatery — known as a thermopolium — was completely unearthed .
A segment of the fast-food counter was partially dug up in 2019 during work to shore up Pompeii ’ s oft-crumbling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digging , revealing a multi-sided-counter , with typical wide holes inserted into its top .
The countertop held deep vessels for hot foods , not unlike soup containers nestled into modern-day salad bars .
Plant and animal specialists are still analyzing remains from the site , with its counter frescoed with a figure of an undersea nymph astride a horse .
Images of two upside-down mallards and a rooster , whose plumage was painted with the typical vivid color known as Pompeiian red , also brightened the eatery and likely served to advertise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dog on a leash , perhaps not unlike modern reminders to leash pets .
Vulgar graffiti were inscribed on the painting ’ s frame .
Valeria Amoretti , a Pompeii staff anthropologist , said “ initial analyses confirm how the painted images represent , at least in part , the foods and beverages effectively sold inside.
” Her statement noted that duck bone fragment was found in one of the containers , along with remains from goats , pigs , fish and snails .
At the bottom of a wine container were traces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ancient times were added to wine for flavor and to lighten its color , Amoretti said .
“ We know what they were eating that day , ” said Osanna , referring to the day of Pompeii ’ s destruction in 79 A.D .
The food remains indicated “ what ’ s popular with the common folk , ” Osanna told Rai state TV , noting that street-food places weren ’ t frequented by the Roman elite .
One surprise find was the complete skeleton of a dog .
The discovery intrigued the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ large , muscular dog like that painted on the counter but of an extremely small example ” of an adult dog , whose height at shoulder level was 20-to-25 centimeters ( 8-to-10 inches ) , Amoretti said .
It ’ s rather rare , Amoretti said , to find remains from ancient times of such small dogs , discoveries that “ attest to selective breeding in the Roman epoch to obtain this result.
” Also unearthed were a bronze ladle , nine amphorae , which were popular food containers in Roman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ceramic oil container .
Successful restaurateurs know that a good location can be crucial , and the operator of this ancient fast-food seemed to have found a good spot .
Osanna noted that right outside the eatery was a small square with a fountain , with another thermopolium in the vicinity .
Pompeii was destroyed by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius , which is near present-day Naples .
Much of the ancient city still lies unexcavated .
The site is one of Italy ’ s most popular tourist attractions .
Human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the eatery .
Those bones were apparently disturbed in the 17th century during clandestine excavations by thieves looking for valuables , Pompeii authorities said .
Some of the bones belonged to a man , who , when the Vesuvius volcano erupted , appeared to have been lying on a bed or a cot , since nails and pieces of wood were found under his body , authorities said .
Other human remains were found inside one of the counter ’ s vessels , possibly placed there by those excavators centuries ago .

A fast-food eatery at Pompeii has been excavated, helping to reveal dishes that were popular for the citizens of the ancient Roman city who were partial to eating out.
ROME (AP) — A fast-food eatery at Pompeii has been excavated, helping to reveal dishes that were popular for the citizens of the ancient Roman city who were partial to eating out.
Pompeii Archaeological Park's longtime chief, Massimo Osanna said Saturday that while some 80 such fast-foods have been found at Pompeii, it is the first time such a hot-food-drink eatery — known as a thermopolium — was completely unearthed.
A segment of the fast-food counter was partially dug up in 2019 during work to shore up Pompeii's oft-crumbling ruins. Since then, archaeologists kept digging, revealing a multi-sided-counter, with typical wide holes inserted into its top. The countertop held deep vessels for hot foods, not unlike soup containers nestled into modern-day salad bars.
Plant and animal specialists are still analyzing remains from the site, with its counter frescoed with a figure of an undersea nymph astride a horse. Images of two upside-down mallards and a rooster, whose plumage was painted with the typical vivid color known as Pompeiian red, also brightened the eatery and likely served to advertise the menu.
Another fresco depicted a dog on a leash, perhaps not unlike modern reminders to leash pets. Vulgar graffiti were inscribed on the painting's frame.
Valeria Amoretti, a Pompeii staff anthropologist, said "initial analyses confirm how the painted images represent, at least in part, the foods and beverages effectively sold inside." Her statement noted that duck bone fragment was found in one of the containers, along with remains from goats, pigs, fish and snails. At the bottom of a wine container were traces of ground fava beans, which in ancient times were added to wine for flavor and to lighten its color, Amoretti said.
"We know what they were eating that day," said Osanna, referring to the day of Pompeii's destruction in 79 A.D. The food remains indicated "what's popular with the common folk," Osanna told Rai state TV, noting that street-food places weren't frequented by the Roman elite.
One surprise find was the complete skeleton of a dog. The discovery intrigued the excavators, since it wasn't a "large, muscular dog like that painted on the counter but of an extremely small example" of an adult dog, whose height at shoulder level was 20-to-25 centimeters (8-to-10 inches), Amoretti said. It's rather rare, Amoretti said, to find remains from ancient times of such small dogs, discoveries that "attest to selective breeding in the Roman epoch to obtain this result."
Also unearthed were a bronze ladle, nine amphorae, which were popular food containers in Roman times, a couple of flasks and a ceramic oil container.
Successful restaurateurs know that a good location can be crucial, and the operator of this ancient fast-food seemed to have found a good spot. Osanna noted that right outside the eatery was a small square with a fountain, with another thermopolium in the vicinity.
Pompeii was destroyed by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which is near present-day Naples. Much of the ancient city still lies unexcavated. The site is one of Italy's most popular tourist attractions.
Human remains were also discovered in the excavation of the eatery.
Those bones were apparently disturbed in the 17th century during clandestine excavations by thieves looking for valuables, Pompeii authorities said.
Some of the bones belonged to a man, who, when the Vesuvius volcano erupted, appeared to have been lying on a bed or a cot, since nails and pieces of wood were found under his body, authorities said. Other human remains were found inside one of the counter's vessels, possibly placed there by those excavators centuries ago.
By FRANCES D'EMILIO Associated Press


courthousenews--2020-12-26--FBI at Home of Person of Interest in Nashville Bomb

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) — Federal agents converged Saturday on the home of a possible person of interest in the explosion that rocked downtown Nashville as investigators scoured hundreds of tips and leads in the blast that damaged dozens of buildings on Christmas morning .
More than 24 hours after the explosion , a motive remained elusive as investigators worked round-the-clock to resolve unanswered questions about a recreational vehicle that blew up on a mostly deserted street on a sleepy holiday morning and was prefaced by a recorded warning advising those nearby to evacuate .
The attack , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , continued to wreak havoc Saturday on cellphone service and police and hospital communications in several Southern states .
Investigators from multiple federal and local law enforcement agencies were at a home in Antioch , in suburban Nashville , after receiving information relevant to the investigation , said FBI Special Agent Jason Pack .
Another law enforcement official , who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity , said investigators regard a person associated with the property as a person of interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the property , searching the home and the backyard .
A Google Maps image had shown a similar recreational vehicle parked in the backyard when the photo was captured in May 2019 ; an AP reporter at the scene did not see the vehicle at the property in the late afternoon Saturday .
There were other signs of progress in the investigation , as the FBI revealed that it was looking at a number of individuals who may be connected to it .
Officials also said no additional explosive devices have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the area .
Investigators have received around 500 tips and leads .
“ It ’ s just going to take us some time , ” Douglas Korneski , the special agent in charge in charge of the FBI ’ s Memphis field office , said at a Saturday afternoon news conference .
“ Our investigative team is turning over every stone ” to understand who did this and why .
Separately , the Federal Emergency Management Agency said in a report Saturday that tissue samples found at the scene were determined to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working vigorously to identify whom the remains belong to .
Beyond that , the only known casualties were three injured people .
The infrastructure damage , meanwhile , was broadly felt , due to an AT & T central office being affected by the blast .
Police emergency systems in Tennessee , Kentucky and Alabama , as well as Nashville ’ s COVID-19 community hotline and a handful of hospital systems , remained out of service .
The building contained a telephone exchange , with network equipment in it — but the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have been impacted .
Asked whether the AT & T building could have been a possible target , Korneski said , “ We ’ re looking at every possible motive that could be involved.
” Investigators shut down the heart of downtown Nashville ’ s tourist scene — an area packed with honky-tonks , restaurants and shops — as they shuffled through broken glass and damaged buildings to learn more about the explosion .
Mayor John Cooper has enforced a curfew in the downtown area until Sunday via executive order to limit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 40 buildings were affected .
AT & T said restoration efforts are facing several challenges , which include a fire that “ reignited overnight and led to the evacuation of the building.
” This has forced their teams to work with safety and structural engineers and drilling access holes into the building in order to reconnect power .
“ Our teams continue to work around the clock on recovery efforts from yesterday morning ’ s explosion in Nashville , ” the company said in a Saturday statement .
“ We have two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with numerous additional portable sites being deployed in the Nashville area and in the region.
” Ray Neville , president of technology at T-Mobile , said on Twitter that service disruptions affected Louisville , Nashville , Knoxville , Birmingham and Atlanta .
“ We continue to see service interruptions in these areas following yesterday ’ s explosion .
Restoration efforts continue around the clock & we will keep you updated on progress , ” he said in a tweet Saturday .
The outages had even briefly grounded flights at the Nashville International Airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Saturday .
The Federal Aviation Association has since issued a temporary flight restriction around the airport , requiring pilots to follow strict procedures until Dec. 30 .
According to Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake , police officers responded on Friday to a report of shots fired when they encountered the RV blaring a recorded warning that a bomb would detonate in 15 minutes .
Police evacuated nearby buildings and called in the bomb squad .
The RV exploded shortly afterward .
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI , MICHAEL BALSAMO and ERIC TUCKER Associated @

Sweeping communications outages continued to plague large swaths of Tennessee on Saturday as federal investigators combed the site for clues into the explosion of a recreational vehicle that rocked sleepy downtown Nashville on Christmas.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Federal agents converged Saturday on the home of a possible person of interest in the explosion that rocked downtown Nashville as investigators scoured hundreds of tips and leads in the blast that damaged dozens of buildings on Christmas morning.
More than 24 hours after the explosion, a motive remained elusive as investigators worked round-the-clock to resolve unanswered questions about a recreational vehicle that blew up on a mostly deserted street on a sleepy holiday morning and was prefaced by a recorded warning advising those nearby to evacuate. The attack, which damaged an AT&T building, continued to wreak havoc Saturday on cellphone service and police and hospital communications in several Southern states.
Investigators from multiple federal and local law enforcement agencies were at a home in Antioch, in suburban Nashville, after receiving information relevant to the investigation, said FBI Special Agent Jason Pack. Another law enforcement official, who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said investigators regard a person associated with the property as a person of interest.
Federal agents could be seen looking around the property, searching the home and the backyard. A Google Maps image had shown a similar recreational vehicle parked in the backyard when the photo was captured in May 2019; an AP reporter at the scene did not see the vehicle at the property in the late afternoon Saturday.
There were other signs of progress in the investigation, as the FBI revealed that it was looking at a number of individuals who may be connected to it. Officials also said no additional explosive devices have been found — indicating no active threat to the area. Investigators have received around 500 tips and leads.
"It's just going to take us some time," Douglas Korneski, the special agent in charge in charge of the FBI's Memphis field office, said at a Saturday afternoon news conference. "Our investigative team is turning over every stone" to understand who did this and why.
Separately, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said in a report Saturday that tissue samples found at the scene were determined to be human remains. Officials said they were working vigorously to identify whom the remains belong to.
Beyond that, the only known casualties were three injured people. The infrastructure damage, meanwhile, was broadly felt, due to an AT&T central office being affected by the blast. Police emergency systems in Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama, as well as Nashville's COVID-19 community hotline and a handful of hospital systems, remained out of service.
The building contained a telephone exchange, with network equipment in it — but the company has declined to say exactly how many people have been impacted.
Asked whether the AT&T building could have been a possible target, Korneski said, "We're looking at every possible motive that could be involved."
Investigators shut down the heart of downtown Nashville's tourist scene — an area packed with honky-tonks, restaurants and shops — as they shuffled through broken glass and damaged buildings to learn more about the explosion.
Mayor John Cooper has enforced a curfew in the downtown area until Sunday via executive order to limit public access to the area. More than 40 buildings were affected.
AT&T said restoration efforts are facing several challenges, which include a fire that "reignited overnight and led to the evacuation of the building." This has forced their teams to work with safety and structural engineers and drilling access holes into the building in order to reconnect power.
"Our teams continue to work around the clock on recovery efforts from yesterday morning's explosion in Nashville," the company said in a Saturday statement. "We have two portable cell sites operating in downtown Nashville with numerous additional portable sites being deployed in the Nashville area and in the region."
Ray Neville, president of technology at T-Mobile, said on Twitter that service disruptions affected Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Birmingham and Atlanta. "We continue to see service interruptions in these areas following yesterday's explosion. Restoration efforts continue around the clock & we will keep you updated on progress," he said in a tweet Saturday.
The outages had even briefly grounded flights at the Nashville International Airport, but service was continuing normally as of Saturday. The Federal Aviation Association has since issued a temporary flight restriction around the airport, requiring pilots to follow strict procedures until Dec. 30.
According to Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake, police officers responded on Friday to a report of shots fired when they encountered the RV blaring a recorded warning that a bomb would detonate in 15 minutes. Police evacuated nearby buildings and called in the bomb squad. The RV exploded shortly afterward.
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI, MICHAEL BALSAMO and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press


courthousenews--2020-12-27--US Officials: Suspect in Nashville Explosion Died in Blast

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) — The man believed to be responsible for the Christmas Day bombing that tore through downtown Nashville blew himself up in the explosion , and appears to have acted alone , federal officials said Sunday .
Investigators used DNA and other evidence to link the man , identified as Anthony Quinn Warner , to the mysterious explosion but said they have not determined a motive .
Officials have received hundreds of tips and leads , but have concluded that no one other than Warner is believed to have been involved in the early morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Nashville is considered safe , ” said Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake .
” There are no known threats against this city.
” In publicly identifying the suspect and his fate , officials disclosed a major breakthrough in their investigation even as they acknowledged the lingering mystery behind the explosion , which took place on a holiday morning well before downtown streets were bustling with activity and was accompanied by a recorded announcement warning anyone nearby that a bomb would soon detonate .
Then , for reasons that may never be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recording of Petula Clark ’ s 1964 hit “ Downtown ” shortly before the blast .
Investigators have not uncovered a singular motive for the act nor was it revealed why Warner had selected the particular location for the bombing , which damaged an AT & T building and has continued to wreak havoc on cellphone service and police and hospital communications in several Southern states as the company worked to restore service .
Warner , who public records show had experience with electronics and alarms and who had also worked as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been regarded as a person of interest in the bombing since at least Saturday when federal and local investigators converged on a home in suburban Nashville linked to him .
Federal agents could be seen looking around the property , searching the home and the backyard .
A Google Maps image captured in May 2019 had shown a recreational vehicle similar to the one that exploded parked in the backyard , but it was not at the property on Saturday , according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as being under investigation .
Officials said their identification of Warner relied on several key pieces of evidence , including DNA found at the explosion site .
Investigators had previously revealed that human remains had been found in the vicinity .
In addition , investigators from the Tennessee Highway Patrol recovered parts from the RV where the bomb was detonated among the wreckage from the blast , and were able to link the vehicle identification number to an RV that was registered to Warner , officials said .
“ We ’ re still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no indication that any other persons were involved , ” said Douglas Korneski , special agent in charge of the FBI ’ s Memphis field office .
“ We ’ ve reviewed hours of security video surrounding the recreation vehicle .
We saw no other people involved.
” Police were responding to a report of shots fired Friday when they encountered the RV blaring a recorded warning that a bomb would detonate in 15 minutes .
Suddenly the warning stopped , and Clark ’ s hit “ Downtown ” started playing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ black smoke and flames billowing from the heart of downtown Nashville ’ s tourist scene , an area packed with honky-tonks , restaurants and shops .
Buildings shook and windows shattered streets away from the explosion near a building owned by AT & T that lies one block from the company ’ s office tower , a landmark in downtown .
Forensic analysts were reviewing evidence collected from the blast site to try to identify the components of the explosives as well as information from the U.S .
Bomb Data Center for intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement official who said investigators were examining Warner ’ s digital footprint and financial history , as well as a recent deed transfer of the home they searched in suburban Nashville .
The official , who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity , said federal agents were examining a number of potential leads and pursuing several theories , including the possibility that the AT & T building was targeted .
Korneski said Sunday that officials were looking at any and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s to try to determine what may have motivated him .
Earlier Sunday , the officers who responded provided harrowing details , at times getting choked up reliving the moments that led up to the blast .
“ This is going to tie us together forever , for the rest of my life , ” Officer James Wells , who suffered some hearing loss due to the explosion , told reporters at a news conference .
“ Christmas will never be the same.
” Officer Brenna Hosey said she and her colleagues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearby apartments to warn people to evacuate .
She particularly remembered a startled mother of four children .
“ I don ’ t have kids but I have cousins and nieces , people who I love who are small , ” Hosey said , adding she had to plead with the family to leave the building as quickly as possible .
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI , MICHAEL BALSAMO and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press

Nashville police urged nearby residents to get away as an ominous recording blared from a recreational vehicle. Suddenly the warning stopped, and Petula Clark's 1964 hit "Downtown" started playing. Then the bomb went off.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The man believed to be responsible for the Christmas Day bombing that tore through downtown Nashville blew himself up in the explosion, and appears to have acted alone, federal officials said Sunday.
Investigators used DNA and other evidence to link the man, identified as Anthony Quinn Warner, to the mysterious explosion but said they have not determined a motive. Officials have received hundreds of tips and leads, but have concluded that no one other than Warner is believed to have been involved in the early morning explosion that damaged dozens of buildings.
"Nashville is considered safe," said Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake ."There are no known threats against this city."
In publicly identifying the suspect and his fate, officials disclosed a major breakthrough in their investigation even as they acknowledged the lingering mystery behind the explosion, which took place on a holiday morning well before downtown streets were bustling with activity and was accompanied by a recorded announcement warning anyone nearby that a bomb would soon detonate.
Then, for reasons that may never be known, the audio switched to a recording of Petula Clark's 1964 hit "Downtown" shortly before the blast.
Investigators have not uncovered a singular motive for the act nor was it revealed why Warner had selected the particular location for the bombing, which damaged an AT&T building and has continued to wreak havoc on cellphone service and police and hospital communications in several Southern states as the company worked to restore service.
Warner, who public records show had experience with electronics and alarms and who had also worked as a computer consultant for a Nashville realtor, had been regarded as a person of interest in the bombing since at least Saturday when federal and local investigators converged on a home in suburban Nashville linked to him.
Federal agents could be seen looking around the property, searching the home and the backyard. A Google Maps image captured in May 2019 had shown a recreational vehicle similar to the one that exploded parked in the backyard, but it was not at the property on Saturday, according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene.
On Sunday morning, police formally named Warner as being under investigation.
Officials said their identification of Warner relied on several key pieces of evidence, including DNA found at the explosion site. Investigators had previously revealed that human remains had been found in the vicinity.
In addition, investigators from the Tennessee Highway Patrol recovered parts from the RV where the bomb was detonated among the wreckage from the blast, and were able to link the vehicle identification number to an RV that was registered to Warner, officials said.
"We're still following leads, but right now there is no indication that any other persons were involved," said Douglas Korneski, special agent in charge of the FBI's Memphis field office. "We've reviewed hours of security video surrounding the recreation vehicle. We saw no other people involved."
Police were responding to a report of shots fired Friday when they encountered the RV blaring a recorded warning that a bomb would detonate in 15 minutes. Suddenly the warning stopped, and Clark's hit "Downtown" started playing.
The RV exploded shortly afterward, sending black smoke and flames billowing from the heart of downtown Nashville's tourist scene, an area packed with honky-tonks, restaurants and shops.
Buildings shook and windows shattered streets away from the explosion near a building owned by AT&T that lies one block from the company's office tower, a landmark in downtown.
Forensic analysts were reviewing evidence collected from the blast site to try to identify the components of the explosives as well as information from the U.S. Bomb Data Center for intelligence and investigative leads, according to a law enforcement official who said investigators were examining Warner's digital footprint and financial history, as well as a recent deed transfer of the home they searched in suburban Nashville.
The official, who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity, said federal agents were examining a number of potential leads and pursuing several theories, including the possibility that the AT&T building was targeted.
Korneski said Sunday that officials were looking at any and all motives and were interviewing acquaintances of Warner's to try to determine what may have motivated him.
Earlier Sunday, the officers who responded provided harrowing details, at times getting choked up reliving the moments that led up to the blast.
"This is going to tie us together forever, for the rest of my life," Officer James Wells, who suffered some hearing loss due to the explosion, told reporters at a news conference. "Christmas will never be the same."
Officer Brenna Hosey said she and her colleagues knocked on six or seven doors in nearby apartments to warn people to evacuate. She particularly remembered a startled mother of four children.
"I don't have kids but I have cousins and nieces, people who I love who are small," Hosey said, adding she had to plead with the family to leave the building as quickly as possible.
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI, MICHAEL BALSAMO and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press


courthousenews--2020-12-27--Lawmakers Press Trump on Relief Bill as Jobless Aid Expires

WEST PALM BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) — President Donald Trump appeared no closer to signing an end-of-year Covid relief and spending bill Sunday as unemployment aid expired , the government barrels toward a mid-pandemic shutdown and lawmakers implored him to break the impasse he created after Congress approved the deal .
Trump blindsided members of both parties with a demand for larger COVID relief checks , imperiling not only a massive package of economic and public-health assistance but the basic functions of government itself .
The package passed with wide margins in the House and Senate and with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump supported it .
Now , the federal government will run out of money at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday if Trump refuses to sign the bill in time as he spends the holidays in Florida .
In the face of economic hardship and spreading disease , lawmakers urged Trump on Sunday to sign the legislation immediately , then have Congress follow up with more .
Aside from unemployment benefits and relief payments to families , money for vaccine distribution , businesses , cash-starved public transit systems and more is on the line .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ balance .
“ What the president is doing right now is unbelievably cruel , ” Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont said Sunday .
“ So many people are hurting .
… It is really insane and this president has got to finally … do the right thing for the American people and stop worrying about his ego.
” Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania , with more measured words , agreed Trump should sign the bill , then make the case for more .
“ We ’ ve got a bill right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ I think we ought to get that done.
” The same point was echoed by Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan , a Republican who ’ s criticized Trump ’ s pandemic response and his efforts to undo the election results .
“ I just gave up guessing what he might do next , ” he said .
Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois said too much is at stake for Trump to “ play this old switcheroo game.
” “ I don ’ t get the point , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t understand what ’ s being done , why , unless it ’ s just to create chaos and show power and be upset because you lost the election.
” Trump was spending Sunday golfing at his West Palm Beach course .
He has given no indication he plans to sign the bill as he spends the last days of his presidency in a rage .
Indeed , his dissatisfaction with the legislation seems only to have grown in recent days as he has criticized it both privately to club members and publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on , Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health warned that the country is at a “ critical point ” in COVID-19 infections , with the Christmas and New Year ’ s holidays posing the threat of a “ surge upon a surge ” as people congregate with families and others , against the advice of public-health officials .
“ As we get into the next few weeks , it might actually get worse , ” he said on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union.
” Days ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to Washington for a vote Monday on Trump ’ s proposal to send out $ 2,000 relief checks , instead of the $ 600 approved by Congress .
The idea is likely to die in the Republican-controlled Senate .
Democrats were also considering a vote Monday on a stop-gap measure aimed at keeping the government running until Democrat Joe Biden is inaugurated Jan. 20 .
Washington has been reeling since Trump turned on the deal , without warning , after it had won sweeping approval in both houses of Congress and after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump would support it .
Instead , he assailed the bill ’ s plan to provide $ 600 COVID relief checks to most Americans — insisting it should be $ 2,000 .
House Republicans swiftly rejected that idea during a rare Christmas Eve session .
But Trump has not been swayed despite the pandemic gripping the nation .
The impact of the sidelined aid is already being felt .
Lauren Bauer of the Brookings Institution has calculated that at least 11 million people were losing aid from the programs immediately without additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment benefits within weeks .
How and when people would be affected by the lapse depended on the state they lived in , the program they were relying on and when they applied for benefits .
In some states , people on regular unemployment insurance would continue to receive payments under a program that extends benefits when the jobless rate surpassed a certain threshold , said Andrew Stettner , an unemployment insurance expert and senior fellow at the Century Foundation think tank .
About 9.5 million people , however , had been relying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expired altogether Saturday .
That program made unemployment insurance available to freelancers , gig workers and others who were normally not eligible .
After receiving their last checks , those recipients would not be able to file for more aid , Stettner said .
The relief was attached to a $ 1.4 trillion government funding bill to keep the federal government operating through September , which would mean that failing to sign it by Tuesday would trigger a federal shutdown .
“ Now to be put in a lurch , after the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president doesn ’ t want , it ’ s just — it ’ s surprising , ” Kinzinger said .
“ But we will have to find a way out.
” Kinzinger and Fauci spoke on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union , ” and Hogan and Sanders on ABC ’ s “ This Week .
”

President Donald Trump appeared no closer to signing an end-of-year Covid relief and spending bill Sunday as unemployment aid expired, the government barrels toward a mid-pandemic shutdown and lawmakers implored him to break the impasse he created after Congress approved the deal.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump appeared no closer to signing an end-of-year Covid relief and spending bill Sunday as unemployment aid expired, the government barrels toward a mid-pandemic shutdown and lawmakers implored him to break the impasse he created after Congress approved the deal.
Trump blindsided members of both parties with a demand for larger COVID relief checks, imperiling not only a massive package of economic and public-health assistance but the basic functions of government itself.
The package passed with wide margins in the House and Senate and with the understanding of members of both parties that Trump supported it. Now, the federal government will run out of money at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday if Trump refuses to sign the bill in time as he spends the holidays in Florida.
In the face of economic hardship and spreading disease, lawmakers urged Trump on Sunday to sign the legislation immediately, then have Congress follow up with more. Aside from unemployment benefits and relief payments to families, money for vaccine distribution, businesses, cash-starved public transit systems and more is on the line. Protections against evictions also hang in the balance.
"What the president is doing right now is unbelievably cruel," Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont said Sunday. "So many people are hurting. ... It is really insane and this president has got to finally ... do the right thing for the American people and stop worrying about his ego."
Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, with more measured words, agreed Trump should sign the bill, then make the case for more. "We've got a bill right now that his administration helped negotiate," he said. "I think we ought to get that done."
The same point was echoed by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican who's criticized Trump's pandemic response and his efforts to undo the election results. "I just gave up guessing what he might do next," he said.
Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois said too much is at stake for Trump to "play this old switcheroo game."
"I don't get the point," he said. "I don't understand what's being done, why, unless it's just to create chaos and show power and be upset because you lost the election."
Trump was spending Sunday golfing at his West Palm Beach course.
He has given no indication he plans to sign the bill as he spends the last days of his presidency in a rage. Indeed, his dissatisfaction with the legislation seems only to have grown in recent days as he has criticized it both privately to club members and publicly on Twitter.
As the impasse dragged on, Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health warned that the country is at a "critical point" in COVID-19 infections, with the Christmas and New Year's holidays posing the threat of a "surge upon a surge" as people congregate with families and others, against the advice of public-health officials.
"As we get into the next few weeks, it might actually get worse," he said on CNN's "State of the Union."
Days ago, Democrats said they would call House lawmakers back to Washington for a vote Monday on Trump's proposal to send out $2,000 relief checks, instead of the $600 approved by Congress. The idea is likely to die in the Republican-controlled Senate. Democrats were also considering a vote Monday on a stop-gap measure aimed at keeping the government running until Democrat Joe Biden is inaugurated Jan. 20.
Washington has been reeling since Trump turned on the deal, without warning, after it had won sweeping approval in both houses of Congress and after the White House had assured Republican leaders that Trump would support it.
Instead, he assailed the bill's plan to provide $600 COVID relief checks to most Americans — insisting it should be $2,000. House Republicans swiftly rejected that idea during a rare Christmas Eve session. But Trump has not been swayed despite the pandemic gripping the nation.
The impact of the sidelined aid is already being felt. Lauren Bauer of the Brookings Institution has calculated that at least 11 million people were losing aid from the programs immediately without additional relief; millions more would exhaust other unemployment benefits within weeks.
How and when people would be affected by the lapse depended on the state they lived in, the program they were relying on and when they applied for benefits.
In some states, people on regular unemployment insurance would continue to receive payments under a program that extends benefits when the jobless rate surpassed a certain threshold, said Andrew Stettner, an unemployment insurance expert and senior fellow at the Century Foundation think tank.
About 9.5 million people, however, had been relying on the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program that expired altogether Saturday. That program made unemployment insurance available to freelancers, gig workers and others who were normally not eligible. After receiving their last checks, those recipients would not be able to file for more aid, Stettner said.
The relief was attached to a $1.4 trillion government funding bill to keep the federal government operating through September, which would mean that failing to sign it by Tuesday would trigger a federal shutdown.
"Now to be put in a lurch, after the president's own person negotiated something that the president doesn't want, it's just -- it's surprising," Kinzinger said. "But we will have to find a way out."
Kinzinger and Fauci spoke on CNN's "State of the Union," and Hogan and Sanders on ABC's "This Week."
By JILL COLVIN Associated Press


courthousenews--2020-12-27--AstraZeneca: Shot Will Be Effective Against Covid-19 Variant

LONDON ( AP ) — The head of drugmaker AstraZeneca , which is developing a coronavirus vaccine widely expected to be approved by U.K. authorities this week , said Sunday that researchers believe the shot will be effective against a new variant of the virus driving a rapid surge in infections in Britain .
AstraZeneca chief executive Pascal Soriot also told the Sunday Times that researchers developing its vaccine have figured out a “ winning formula ” making the jab as effective as rival candidates .
Some have raised concern that the AstraZeneca vaccine , which is being developed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good as the one made by Pfizer already being distributed in the U.K. and other countries .
Partial results suggest that the AstraZeneca shot is about 70 % effective for preventing illness from coronavirus infection , compared to the 95 % efficacy reported by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech .
“ We think we have figured out the winning formula and how to get efficacy that , after two doses , is up there with everybody else , ” Soriot said .
“ I can ’ t tell you more because we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s government says its medicines regulator is reviewing the final data from AstraZeneca ’ s phase three clinical trials .
The Times and others have reported that the green light could come by Thursday , and the vaccines can start to be rolled out for the U.K. public in the first week of January .
Asked about the vaccine ’ s efficacy against the new variant of coronavirus spreading in the U.K. , Soriot said : “ So far , we think the vaccine should remain effective .
But we can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re going to test that.
” British authorities have blamed the new virus variant for soaring infection rates across the country .
They said the variant is much more transmittable , but stress there is no evidence it makes people more ill. Prime Minister Boris Johnson sounded an urgent alarm about the variant days before Christmas , saying the new version of the virus was spreading rapidly and that plans to travel and gather must be canceled for millions to curb the spread of the virus .
Authorities have since put increasing areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million people , or 43 % of the population — in the strictest level of restrictions .
Nonessential shops have closed , restaurants and pubs can only operate for takeout and no indoor socializing is allowed .
Many countries swiftly barred travel from the U.K. , but cases of the new variant have since also been reported in a dozen locations around the world .
Public health officials said on Dec. 24 that more than 600,000 people had received the first of two doses of the Pfizer vaccine .
Britain recorded another 30,501 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths on Sunday , bringing the country ’ s total death toll to 70,752 .
Many hospitals are under pressure , including the largest hospital in Wales , which issued an urgent appeal on Saturday for health care staff or medical students to help care for coronavirus patients in intensive care .
The health board that runs University Hospital of Wales said Sunday that the situation has improved , but its critical care unit remains extremely busy .

The head of drugmaker AstraZeneca, which is developing a coronavirus vaccine widely expected to be approved by U.K. authorities this week, said Sunday that researchers believe the shot will be effective against a new variant of the virus driving a rapid surge in infections in Britain.
LONDON (AP) — The head of drugmaker AstraZeneca, which is developing a coronavirus vaccine widely expected to be approved by U.K. authorities this week, said Sunday that researchers believe the shot will be effective against a new variant of the virus driving a rapid surge in infections in Britain.
AstraZeneca chief executive Pascal Soriot also told the Sunday Times that researchers developing its vaccine have figured out a "winning formula" making the jab as effective as rival candidates.
Some have raised concern that the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is being developed with Oxford University, may not be as good as the one made by Pfizer already being distributed in the U.K. and other countries. Partial results suggest that the AstraZeneca shot is about 70% effective for preventing illness from coronavirus infection, compared to the 95% efficacy reported by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech.
"We think we have figured out the winning formula and how to get efficacy that, after two doses, is up there with everybody else," Soriot said. "I can't tell you more because we will publish at some point."
Britain's government says its medicines regulator is reviewing the final data from AstraZeneca's phase three clinical trials. The Times and others have reported that the green light could come by Thursday, and the vaccines can start to be rolled out for the U.K. public in the first week of January.
Asked about the vaccine's efficacy against the new variant of coronavirus spreading in the U.K., Soriot said: "So far, we think the vaccine should remain effective. But we can't be sure, so we're going to test that."
British authorities have blamed the new virus variant for soaring infection rates across the country. They said the variant is much more transmittable, but stress there is no evidence it makes people more ill.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson sounded an urgent alarm about the variant days before Christmas, saying the new version of the virus was spreading rapidly and that plans to travel and gather must be canceled for millions to curb the spread of the virus.
Authorities have since put increasing areas of the country — affecting about 24 million people, or 43% of the population — in the strictest level of restrictions. Nonessential shops have closed, restaurants and pubs can only operate for takeout and no indoor socializing is allowed.
Many countries swiftly barred travel from the U.K., but cases of the new variant have since also been reported in a dozen locations around the world.
Public health officials said on Dec. 24 that more than 600,000 people had received the first of two doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
Britain recorded another 30,501 positive COVID-19 cases and a further 316 deaths on Sunday, bringing the country's total death toll to 70,752. Many hospitals are under pressure, including the largest hospital in Wales, which issued an urgent appeal on Saturday for health care staff or medical students to help care for coronavirus patients in intensive care.
The health board that runs University Hospital of Wales said Sunday that the situation has improved, but its critical care unit remains extremely busy.
By SYLVIA HUI Associated Press


courthousenews--2020-12-27--France Takes Careful Vaccine Approach to Counter Skepticism

PARIS ( AP ) — While governments across Europe kicked off their virus vaccination plans this weekend with fanfare , France took a more low-key approach because of widespread skepticism among it citizens around the vaccines .
After the first shots were injected Sunday into the arm of 78-year-old Mauricette , a woman in a long-term care facility near Paris , President Emmanuel Macron appealed to his compatriots : “ Let ’ s have trust in our researchers and doctors .
We are the nation of the Enlightenment and of ( vaccine pioneer Louis ) Pasteur .
Reason and science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his compatriots worry .
They remember French health scandals in recent decades , including those involving mismanaged vaccines .
They fear that the coronavirus vaccines were developed too quickly , are aimed at bringing profit to big pharmaceutical companies , or risk long-term side effects that the world will only discover years from now .
France has lost more lives to the virus than most countries , and its economy — one of the world ’ s biggest — has been deeply crippled by two virus lockdowns .
Doctors hope that French vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccinated .
Dr. Jean-Jacques Monsuez , a 65-year-old cardiologist at a nursing home northeast of Paris , was France ’ s second vaccine recipient Sunday .
After he and several elderly patients were injected , he said , “ they are vaccinated , we are vaccinated , we are all in the same boat .
And the boat can not sink .
“ And around the boat there is a country that can not sink.
” Politicians on France ’ s far right and far left have fueled vaccine concerns , but polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the skepticism comes from some moderate voters too .
Justine Lardon walks with a crutch after suffering severe side effects from a hepatitis B vaccine in 2010 , and is hesitating over whether to get vaccinated against the virus .
She told regional newspaper Le Progres that she supports vaccination , but is concerned that doctors don ’ t pay enough attention to individual health issues .
“ If ( the vaccine ) can wipe out the epidemic , that ’ s really great , but I don ’ t want a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she is quoted as saying .
The French government has been cautious in its messaging , keen to ensure that it ’ s not seen as forcing vaccination on the public .
Instead , authorities are counting on doctors to convince patients that the vaccine is in their , and the country ’ s , best interests .
Macron reiterated Sunday that the vaccine will be free of charge — and not obligatory .
France ’ s first vaccination wasn ’ t broadcast on live television as it was elsewhere , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials have said they ’ re getting the vaccine yet , instead insisting it should go to the most vulnerable first .
In a country with a large elderly population , including many with cognitive impairments , the government came under pressure from concerned families to devise extensive guidance for collecting consent from nursing home patients before vaccinating them .
Many French people , however , are eager to get vaccinated as soon as they can .
“ I ’ m very touched , ” Mauricette said when told she was the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ You ’ re a star , ” said the medic who administered it , after gently folding Mauricette ’ s sleeve down over the small bandage on her upper arm .
“ We didn ’ t need to convince her .
She said ‘ yes , I ’ m ready for anything to avoid getting this disease , ' ” said Dr. Samir Tine , head of geriatric services at her facility in Sevran northeast of Paris .
“ It ’ s an important day , ” Tine said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapon at our disposition , and we are very eager to rediscover our normal lives.
” France has reported the highest number of virus infections in Western Europe and among the highest death tolls , at 62,573 lives lost .
Nearly a third died in nursing homes , so the government decided to give the vaccine to the elderly first , as well as some at-risk medical workers .
Noting that France ’ s infections are rising again in some regions , particularly among older people in rural areas , Health Minister Olivier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Journal du Dimanche newspaper published Sunday that pressure on hospitals could start growing again , and said the government isn ’ t ruling out a third lockdown .

While governments across Europe kicked off their virus vaccination plans this weekend with fanfare, France took a more low-key approach because of widespread skepticism among it citizens around the vaccines.
PARIS (AP) — While governments across Europe kicked off their virus vaccination plans this weekend with fanfare, France took a more low-key approach because of widespread skepticism among it citizens around the vaccines.
After the first shots were injected Sunday into the arm of 78-year-old Mauricette, a woman in a long-term care facility near Paris, President Emmanuel Macron appealed to his compatriots: "Let's have trust in our researchers and doctors. We are the nation of the Enlightenment and of (vaccine pioneer Louis) Pasteur. Reason and science should guide us."
Yet many of his compatriots worry. They remember French health scandals in recent decades, including those involving mismanaged vaccines. They fear that the coronavirus vaccines were developed too quickly, are aimed at bringing profit to big pharmaceutical companies, or risk long-term side effects that the world will only discover years from now.
France has lost more lives to the virus than most countries, and its economy — one of the world's biggest — has been deeply crippled by two virus lockdowns. Doctors hope that French vaccine hesitancy will fade as more people get vaccinated.
Dr. Jean-Jacques Monsuez, a 65-year-old cardiologist at a nursing home northeast of Paris, was France's second vaccine recipient Sunday. After he and several elderly patients were injected, he said, "they are vaccinated, we are vaccinated, we are all in the same boat. And the boat cannot sink.
"And around the boat there is a country that cannot sink."
Politicians on France's far right and far left have fueled vaccine concerns, but polls commissioned by the national health agency suggest that the skepticism comes from some moderate voters too.
Justine Lardon walks with a crutch after suffering severe side effects from a hepatitis B vaccine in 2010, and is hesitating over whether to get vaccinated against the virus. She told regional newspaper Le Progres that she supports vaccination, but is concerned that doctors don't pay enough attention to individual health issues.
"If (the vaccine) can wipe out the epidemic, that's really great, but I don't want a vaccine that is a time bomb," she is quoted as saying.
The French government has been cautious in its messaging, keen to ensure that it's not seen as forcing vaccination on the public. Instead, authorities are counting on doctors to convince patients that the vaccine is in their, and the country's, best interests.
Macron reiterated Sunday that the vaccine will be free of charge — and not obligatory.
France's first vaccination wasn't broadcast on live television as it was elsewhere, and no government ministers attended. No top officials have said they're getting the vaccine yet, instead insisting it should go to the most vulnerable first.
In a country with a large elderly population, including many with cognitive impairments, the government came under pressure from concerned families to devise extensive guidance for collecting consent from nursing home patients before vaccinating them.
Many French people, however, are eager to get vaccinated as soon as they can.
"I'm very touched," Mauricette said when told she was the first in France to get the vaccine. "You're a star," said the medic who administered it, after gently folding Mauricette's sleeve down over the small bandage on her upper arm.
"We didn't need to convince her. She said 'yes, I'm ready for anything to avoid getting this disease,'" said Dr. Samir Tine, head of geriatric services at her facility in Sevran northeast of Paris.
"It's an important day," Tine said. "We are very eager to have a new weapon at our disposition, and we are very eager to rediscover our normal lives."
France has reported the highest number of virus infections in Western Europe and among the highest death tolls, at 62,573 lives lost. Nearly a third died in nursing homes, so the government decided to give the vaccine to the elderly first, as well as some at-risk medical workers.
Noting that France's infections are rising again in some regions, particularly among older people in rural areas, Health Minister Olivier Veran warned in an interview with the Journal du Dimanche newspaper published Sunday that pressure on hospitals could start growing again, and said the government isn't ruling out a third lockdown.
By ANGELA CHARLTON Associated Press