newsweek--2020-12-26--Authorities 'Not Naming Anyone' Yet in Nashville Explosion, Describe Incident as 'Bombing'

Law enforcement authorities in Nashville announced Saturday afternoon that they are currently investigating over 500 tips regarding the Christmas Day blast .
Officials representing both federal and local agencies held a press conference in the downtown part of the city , in which U.S. Attorney Don Cochran condemned the `` cowardly bombing on Christmas morning . ''
Cochran said the ATF , FBI and local law enforcement are working on the case and they 've had more than 500 leads and tips that are all being actively investigated .
The Associated Press reported that federal authorities were investigating the home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to law enforcement officials .
An FBI representative said , according to The Tennessean , that agents have been at the residence for 'court authorized activity ' related to the case .
Cochran , one of several law enforcement authorities who spoke at 2nd Avenue South and Korean Veterans Boulevard Saturday afternoon , said it is unclear if there is just one or several suspects involved in the blast .
Each of the officials confirmed they believe the explosion was intentional but they 're `` not naming anyone '' yet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ T building was central to the explosion but declined to say whether that was the primary target as previous reports had indicated .
At least 250 FBI agents , analysts and staff are working the case that led to three injured people , the Associated Press reported Saturday afternoon .
Nashville Chief of Police John Drake declared that the city is `` safe '' as of Saturday afternoon , but patience is needed for tenants of the 40 or so buildings affected by Friday blast .
The city 's mayor , John Cooper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downtown area until Sunday through an executive order intended to limit public access to the crime scene .
Despite having 500 investigative leads , all officials declined to identify any single individual who is currently a person of interest .
FBI special agent in charge Douglas Korneski said `` we have no indication of additional explosive threats . ''
AT & T officials told the Associated Press that an overnight fire complicated restoration efforts to service in the region and caused the `` evacuation of the building . ''
The Tennessee governor 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city center have been damaged in some way .
`` Our teams continue to work around the clock on recovery efforts from yesterday morning 's explosion in Nashville , '' AT & T said in a Saturday statement to the AP .
`` 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 . ''
A person of interested tied to the make and model of the RV used in the blast was named by CBS News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement has not independently confirmed this information to Newsweek Saturday afternoon .
Updated 5:26 PM ET , with additional information that federal authorities have been at the home of a person of interest .

Law enforcement authorities in Nashville announced Saturday afternoon that they are currently investigating over 500 tips regarding the Christmas Day blast.
Officials representing both federal and local agencies held a press conference in the downtown part of the city, in which U.S. Attorney Don Cochran condemned the "cowardly bombing on Christmas morning."
Cochran said the ATF, FBI and local law enforcement are working on the case and they've had more than 500 leads and tips that are all being actively investigated.
The Associated Press reported that federal authorities were investigating the home of a person of interest in Antioch, according to law enforcement officials. An FBI representative said, according to The Tennessean, that agents have been at the residence for 'court authorized activity' related to the case.
Cochran, one of several law enforcement authorities who spoke at 2nd Avenue South and Korean Veterans Boulevard Saturday afternoon, said it is unclear if there is just one or several suspects involved in the blast.
Each of the officials confirmed they believe the explosion was intentional but they're "not naming anyone" yet. They did acknowledge that the AT&T building was central to the explosion but declined to say whether that was the primary target as previous reports had indicated.
At least 250 FBI agents, analysts and staff are working the case that led to three injured people, the Associated Press reported Saturday afternoon.
Nashville Chief of Police John Drake declared that the city is "safe" as of Saturday afternoon, but patience is needed for tenants of the 40 or so buildings affected by Friday blast. The city's mayor, John Cooper, has enforced a curfew in the downtown area until Sunday through an executive order intended to limit public access to the crime scene.
Despite having 500 investigative leads, all officials declined to identify any single individual who is currently a person of interest.
FBI special agent in charge Douglas Korneski said "we have no indication of additional explosive threats."
AT&T officials told the Associated Press that an overnight fire complicated restoration efforts to service in the region and caused the "evacuation of the building." The Tennessee governor's office said at least 41 buildings in the city center have been damaged in some way.
"Our teams continue to work around the clock on recovery efforts from yesterday morning's explosion in Nashville," AT&T said in a Saturday statement to the AP. "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."
A person of interested tied to the make and model of the RV used in the blast was named by CBS News earlier in the day, but law enforcement has not independently confirmed this information to Newsweek Saturday afternoon.
Updated 5:26 PM ET, with additional information that federal authorities have been at the home of a person of interest.


newsweek--2020-12-26--Biden Calls Out Trump on 'Abdication of Responsibility' for Not Yet Signing COVID Relief Bill

President-elect Joe Biden criticized President Donald Trump Saturday for not yet signing a COVID relief bill into effect .
In a statement , Biden warned about the possible impact that not signing the bill may have .
`` [ M ] illions of families do n'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 , '' he said , adding : `` This abdication of responsibility has devastating consequences . ''
The president-elect mentioned that 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greater risk following federal unemployment insurance benefits expiring on Saturday .
Biden also warned about government funding expiring , which in turn puts military paychecks and other services at risk , as well as the moratorium on evictions to lapse .
He also spoke about the negative economic impact that delaying stimulus checks would have on small businesses and their owners .
`` [ W ] hile there is hope with the vaccines , we need funding to be able to distribute and administer them to millions of Americans , including frontline health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The president-elect called on Trump to sign the bill into effect immediately , saying that it was a first step to further action in 2021 that will `` revive the economy and contain the pandemic . ''
Biden commended the bipartisan support that the bill received in Congress and said that Trump should take a page out of their book to help the American people .
`` I was heartened to see members of Congress heed that message , reach across the aisle , and work together .
President Trump should join them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads in this holiday season , '' he said .
As previously reported , Trump had called the COVID relief bill that was passed by Congress a `` disgrace . ''
On Thursday , Republicans voted against increasing the relief money to be distributed to Americans from $ 600 to $ 2,000 , and Democrats blocked Republicans voting to cut $ 1.4 trillion in foreign spending .
On Saturday morning , Trump tweeted : `` I simply want to get our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the measly $ 600 that is now in the bill .
Also , stop the billions of dollars in `` pork . ''
'' Newsweek reached out to the Biden transition team and the White House for further comment .

President-elect Joe Biden criticized President Donald Trump Saturday for not yet signing a COVID relief bill into effect.
In a statement, Biden warned about the possible impact that not signing the bill may have.
"[M]illions 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," he said, adding: "This abdication of responsibility has devastating consequences."
The president-elect mentioned that 10 million Americans will be put at a greater risk following federal unemployment insurance benefits expiring on Saturday. Biden also warned about government funding expiring, which in turn puts military paychecks and other services at risk, as well as the moratorium on evictions to lapse. He also spoke about the negative economic impact that delaying stimulus checks would have on small businesses and their owners.
"[W]hile there is hope with the vaccines, we need funding to be able to distribute and administer them to millions of Americans, including frontline health care workers," he said.
The president-elect called on Trump to sign the bill into effect immediately, saying that it was a first step to further action in 2021 that will "revive the economy and contain the pandemic."
Biden commended the bipartisan support that the bill received in Congress and said that Trump should take a page out of their book to help the American people.
"I was heartened to see members of Congress heed that message, reach across the aisle, and work together. President Trump should join them, and make sure millions of Americans can put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads in this holiday season," he said.
As previously reported, Trump had called the COVID relief bill that was passed by Congress a "disgrace." On Thursday, Republicans voted against increasing the relief money to be distributed to Americans from $600 to $2,000, and Democrats blocked Republicans voting to cut $1.4 trillion in foreign spending.
On Saturday morning, Trump tweeted: "I simply want to get our great people $2000, rather than the measly $600 that is now in the bill. Also, stop the billions of dollars in "pork.""
I simply want to get our great people $2000, rather than the measly $600 that is now in the bill. Also, stop the billions of dollars in “pork”. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2020
Newsweek reached out to the Biden transition team and the White House for further comment.


newsweek--2020-12-26--GOP Lawmaker Accuses Trump and 'Grifters' of Pushing Electoral Challenge to Raise Funds

Illinois Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger accused President Donald Trump and fellow GOP representatives who seek to challenge the Electoral College vote on January 6 of participating in an `` utter scam '' meant to `` raise money and gain followers . ''
`` All this talk about Jan 6th from @ realDonaldTrump and other congressional grifters is simply explained : they will raise money and gain followers by blaming everyone else knowing full well they ca n't do anything .
It 's sad , and an utter scam , '' Kinzinger tweeted Saturday .
The GOP lawmaker 's statement comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senator Tommy Tuberville will challenge the Electoral College vote when Congress convenes in January .
The two lawmakers have previously suggested they would use the Electoral Count Act of 1877 in a last-ditch effort to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election .
If Brooks and Tuberville successfully band together to oppose the electoral vote , the Senate and House of Representatives would be required to hold a two-hour debate and then vote on whether to approve or deny the objection .
For the process to move forward , both chambers would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to throw out contested electoral votes .
Kinzinger 's statement joins a growing list of congressional Republicans who view the attempt as futile and politically damaging .
During a December 15 conference call , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reportedly warned that objecting to counting certain states ' electoral votes on Jan. 6 would be a political mistake , especially for senators up for reelection .
Senate Republican Whip John Thune told CNN on Tuesday that opposing the vote would make zero headway .
`` I think the thing they got to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anywhere .
I mean in the Senate , it would go down like a shot dog .
I just do n't think it makes a lot of sense to put everybody through this when you know what the ultimate outcome is going to be , '' he said .
Thune has also stated that GOP leaders want to `` encourage all of our members—new members included—that we got a lot of work ahead of us and that rehashing this takes a lot of time and energy and political capital that could best be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , '' according to The Hill .
The Electoral College voted to officially confirm Joe Biden as the next president of the United States on December 14 .
Challenging that vote in the upcoming congressional meeting will be the final attempt for Trump and his allies to overturn the election results , after months of failed lawsuits and unsubstantiated claims that the presidential race was riddled with voter fraud .
Brooks told CNN on Monday that a `` double digit '' number of lawmakers attended a meeting at the White House with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan .
`` In a general sense , how it looks like we 're headed , it looks like we 're gon na have valid objections filed to the number of states on January 6 , '' Brooks said .
On Saturday , congresswoman-elect and stringent Trump supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene issued her support for the movement and slammed Kinzinger for tweeting against fellow Republicans .
`` How does it feel to be quote tweeted with resounding approval by Democrats & Progressives while you call yourself 'Republican ' & say # RestoreOurGOP ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'grifters ' know @ realDonaldTrump 's election was stolen .
Do n't worry , traitors @ ProjectLincoln will donate to you , '' she added .
Newsweek reached out to Kinzinger for additional comment but did not hear back in time for publication .

Illinois Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger accused President Donald Trump and fellow GOP representatives who seek to challenge the Electoral College vote on January 6 of participating in an "utter scam" meant to "raise money and gain followers."
"All this talk about Jan 6th from@realDonaldTrump and other congressional grifters is simply explained: they will raise money and gain followers by blaming everyone else knowing full well they can't do anything. It's sad, and an utter scam," Kinzinger tweeted Saturday.
All this talk about Jan 6th from @realDonaldTrump and other congressional grifters is simply explained: they will raise money and gain followers by blaming everyone else knowing full well they can’t do anything. It’s sad, and an utter scam. #restoreourgop — Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) December 26, 2020
The GOP lawmaker's statement comes amid reports that Representative Mo Brooks and Senator Tommy Tuberville will challenge the Electoral College vote when Congress convenes in January.
The two lawmakers have previously suggested they would use the Electoral Count Act of 1877 in a last-ditch effort to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election.
If Brooks and Tuberville successfully band together to oppose the electoral vote, the Senate and House of Representatives would be required to hold a two-hour debate and then vote on whether to approve or deny the objection. For the process to move forward, both chambers would have to agree on the objection in order to throw out contested electoral votes.
Kinzinger's statement joins a growing list of congressional Republicans who view the attempt as futile and politically damaging.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger tweeted Saturday that Congressional members seeking to oppose the Electoral College vote on January 6 are participating in an "utter scam." In this photo, Kinzinger questions witnesses during a House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on September 16, 2020. KEVIN DIETSCH/Getty
During a December 15 conference call, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reportedly warned that objecting to counting certain states' electoral votes on Jan. 6 would be a political mistake, especially for senators up for reelection.
Senate Republican Whip John Thune told CNN on Tuesday that opposing the vote would make zero headway.
"I think the thing they got to remember is, it's not going anywhere. I mean in the Senate, it would go down like a shot dog. I just don't think it makes a lot of sense to put everybody through this when you know what the ultimate outcome is going to be," he said.
Thune has also stated that GOP leaders want to "encourage all of our members—new members included—that we got a lot of work ahead of us and that rehashing this takes a lot of time and energy and political capital that could best be used working on an agenda for next year," according to The Hill.
The Electoral College voted to officially confirm Joe Biden as the next president of the United States on December 14.
Challenging that vote in the upcoming congressional meeting will be the final attempt for Trump and his allies to overturn the election results, after months of failed lawsuits and unsubstantiated claims that the presidential race was riddled with voter fraud.
Brooks told CNN on Monday that a "double digit" number of lawmakers attended a meeting at the White House with President Trump in order to strategize a plan.
"In a general sense, how it looks like we're headed, it looks like we're gonna have valid objections filed to the number of states on January 6," Brooks said.
On Saturday, congresswoman-elect and stringent Trump supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene issued her support for the movement and slammed Kinzinger for tweeting against fellow Republicans.
"How does it feel to be quote tweeted with resounding approval by Democrats & Progressives while you call yourself 'Republican' & say #RestoreOurGOP?" she tweeted.
"75+ million 'grifters' know @realDonaldTrump's election was stolen. Don't worry, traitors @ProjectLincoln will donate to you," she added.
Newsweek reached out to Kinzinger for additional comment but did not hear back in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-12-26--Pro-Trump Lawyer Calls for Georgia Runoffs Boycott, Hints at Arresting Loeffler, Perdue

Lin Wood , a pro-Trump lawyer who has been aggressively promoting unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud , tweeted a plan to boycott Georgia 's critical Senate runoff race Friday and hinted at arresting GOP Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue .
Without evidence , Wood has alleged that voting machines provided by Dominion Voting Systems in the general election switched votes from President Donald Trump to President-elect Joe Biden , and has since demanded that Republicans boycott the upcoming Georgia election .
Wood has also accused Loeffler , Perdue , and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp of participating in election fraud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much criticism for demanding that GA fix the 11/3 fraud before we vote in 1/5 runoff .
In full disclosure , I am not a fan of any of the 4 candidates in Senate runoff .
Communists or China compromised in my opinion , '' Wood tweeted Friday .
`` I just want an HONEST election .
Do n't you ? ''
he added , before tweeting a diagram outlining a boycott plan .
The diagram claims , `` the Georgia election fraud committed by anti-Trump RINOs Brian Kemp , Kelly Loeffler and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Collins was accomplished using the Dominion Voting Systems Algorithm . ''
It alleges that the voting system `` steals legitimately cast GOP votes , '' and `` adds a small number of fake votes to the Democratic total . ''
`` The algorithm was never designed for unheard of levels of GOP non-participation .
The algorithm will steal votes from the GOP , but there will be so few in heavily Democratic precincts that GOP vote totals will go negative , '' the diagram states .
`` The fraud will be so obvious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
Real conservative senators can then be appointed , after Kemp , Perdue and Loeffler 's arrest . ''
Wood has received serious backlash from a number of top Republicans who view his and lawyer Sidney Powell 's attempts to boycott the election as dangerous , ahead of a critical runoff race that will determine control of the U.S. Senate .
`` Lin Wood and Sidney Powell are totally destructive .
Every Georgia conservative who cares about America MUST vote in the runoff .
Their do n't vote strategy will cripple America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gingrich tweeted earlier this month .
Wood and Powell have been unable to support their claims or bring forth lawsuits in Georgia to analyze Dominion voting machines .
On December 22 , Eric Coomer , director of product strategy and security for Dominion Voting Systems , filed a defamation lawsuit against Powell , Trump 's re-election campaign , Trump 's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and others .
`` The widespread dissemination of false conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election has had devastating consequences both for me personally and for many of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , both Republican and Democratic , who put aside their political beliefs to run free , fair , and transparent elections , '' Coomer said in a statement .
Georgia 's January 5 runoff races will determine if Republicans maintain control of the Senate majority .
If both Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock win their respective seats held by incumbents Perdue and Loeffler , the Democrats with gain control of an evenly divided Senate because Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will cast any tie-breaking votes .
According to a poll conducted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perdue and Loeffler were falling behind their Democratic challengers , partly due to Republican infighting over election fraud .
Newsweek reached out to Wood , Loeffler and Perdue for additional comments .

Lin Wood, a pro-Trump lawyer who has been aggressively promoting unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, tweeted a plan to boycott Georgia's critical Senate runoff race Friday and hinted at arresting GOP Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue.
Without evidence, Wood has alleged that voting machines provided by Dominion Voting Systems in the general election switched votes from President Donald Trump to President-elect Joe Biden, and has since demanded that Republicans boycott the upcoming Georgia election.
Wood has also accused Loeffler, Perdue, and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp of participating in election fraud against Trump.
"I have received much criticism for demanding that GA fix the 11/3 fraud before we vote in 1/5 runoff. In full disclosure, I am not a fan of any of the 4 candidates in Senate runoff. Communists or China compromised in my opinion," Wood tweeted Friday.
"I just want an HONEST election. Don't you?" he added, before tweeting a diagram outlining a boycott plan.
I have received much criticism for demanding that GA fix the 11/3 fraud before we vote in 1/5 runoff.
In full disclosure, I am not a fan of any of the 4 candidates in Senate runoff. Communists or China compromised in my opinion.
I just want an HONEST election. Don’t you? pic.twitter.com/AjEuuWRFGJ — Lin Wood (@LLinWood) December 26, 2020
The diagram claims, "the Georgia election fraud committed by anti-Trump RINOs Brian Kemp, Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue against President Trump and Doug Collins was accomplished using the Dominion Voting Systems Algorithm."
It alleges that the voting system "steals legitimately cast GOP votes," and "adds a small number of fake votes to the Democratic total."
"The algorithm was never designed for unheard of levels of GOP non-participation. The algorithm will steal votes from the GOP, but there will be so few in heavily Democratic precincts that GOP vote totals will go negative," the diagram states. "The fraud will be so obvious, SCOTUS can then invalidate the presidential election. Real conservative senators can then be appointed, after Kemp, Perdue and Loeffler's arrest."
Pro-Trump lawyer Lin Wood tweeted a plan to boycott the upcoming Georgia runoff race and hinted at arresting Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue. In this photo, Ivanka Trump, Loeffler and Perdue wave to the crowd at a campaign event on December 21, 2020 in Milton, Georgia. Elijah Nouvelage/Getty
Wood has received serious backlash from a number of top Republicans who view his and lawyer Sidney Powell's attempts to boycott the election as dangerous, ahead of a critical runoff race that will determine control of the U.S. Senate.
"Lin Wood and Sidney Powell are totally destructive. Every Georgia conservative who cares about America MUST vote in the runoff. Their don't vote strategy will cripple America," former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich tweeted earlier this month.
Wood and Powell have been unable to support their claims or bring forth lawsuits in Georgia to analyze Dominion voting machines.
On December 22, Eric Coomer, director of product strategy and security for Dominion Voting Systems, filed a defamation lawsuit against Powell, Trump's re-election campaign, Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and others.
"The widespread dissemination of false conspiracy theories about the 2020 presidential election has had devastating consequences both for me personally and for many of the thousands of American election workers and officials, both Republican and Democratic, who put aside their political beliefs to run free, fair, and transparent elections," Coomer said in a statement.
Georgia's January 5 runoff races will determine if Republicans maintain control of the Senate majority.
If both Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock win their respective seats held by incumbents Perdue and Loeffler, the Democrats with gain control of an evenly divided Senate because Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will cast any tie-breaking votes.
According to a poll conducted by SurveyUSA two weeks before the election, Perdue and Loeffler were falling behind their Democratic challengers, partly due to Republican infighting over election fraud.
Newsweek reached out to Wood, Loeffler and Perdue for additional comments.


newsweek--2020-12-26--China, Japan Increase 'Stay Put' Orders, South Korea Sees Largest Daily COVID Case Spike

Amid the coronavirus pandemic , government officials in Beijing urged residents not to leave the city , Japan has banned all new entries of foreign nationals through January , and South Korea recorded its largest case increase on Christmas Day .
Despite none of them ranking among the world 's top for either COVID-19 cases or deaths , China , Japan and South Korea are promoting strict lockdown measures ahead of 2021 .
Beijing public health officials told residents not to leave during the Lunar New Year holiday through February and implemented new restrictions following a handful of new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States saw its smallest daily increase on December 25 , South Korea recorded 1,241 new infections , its largest daily spike yet .
South Korea has seen more than 15,000 new cases being added in just the last 15 days , which is happening alongside its deadliest two-week period since the start of the pandemic .
Meanwhile , Chinese officials canceled all large gatherings including sporting events through the February 12 New Year , while all theaters , museums and libraries are operating at 75 percent capacity .
The public health responses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been widely touted across the globe in the early months of the pandemic , but now many scientists worry that such trust is cracking heading into the new year .
Officials in those two countries said tighter lockdown measures are necessary because transmissions are outpacing hospital expansion efforts .
`` Our hospital system is n't going to collapse , but the crush in COVID-19 patients has significantly hampered our response , '' said Choi Won Suk , an infectious disease professor at the Korea University Ansan Hospital , told the Associated Press in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have patients with all kinds of serious illnesses at our ICUs and they ca n't share any space with COVID-19 patients , so it 's hard , '' Choi said .
`` It 's the same medical staff that has been fighting the virus for all these months .
There 's an accumulation of fatigue . ''
In Japan , final arrangements are being made to ban the entry of all non-Japanese nationals through January 31 .
Currently , only Japanese citizens and foreign nationals with resident status are allowed to enter the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days after arriving .
As Reuters reported Saturday , Japan confirmed a record 3,823 new infections on Friday , its highest daily increase for a third straight day .
Japan has so far avoided a coronavirus outbreak on a level at all comparable to Europe or the U.S. , recording only 215,000 known infections and about 3,200 deaths .
The U.S. by comparison , has about 330,000 deaths tied to the virus and more than 18 million confirmed cases , according to Johns Hopkins University .
Despite the new restrictions and public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , India , Brazil and Russia remain the countries with the most infections worldwide .
But officials in Japan and the United Kingdom have both recorded their first cases of a new COVID-19 variant , prompting concerns that vaccinations and other treatments may soon be rendered ineffective .
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on December 14 that his country 's spike in COVID-19 cases may be linked to a strain of the virus , of which 1,000 cases of the variant had been identified .

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, government officials in Beijing urged residents not to leave the city, Japan has banned all new entries of foreign nationals through January, and South Korea recorded its largest case increase on Christmas Day.
Despite none of them ranking among the world's top for either COVID-19 cases or deaths, China, Japan and South Korea are promoting strict lockdown measures ahead of 2021. Beijing public health officials told residents not to leave during the Lunar New Year holiday through February and implemented new restrictions following a handful of new coronavirus infections last week. And while the United States saw its smallest daily increase on December 25, South Korea recorded 1,241 new infections, its largest daily spike yet.
South Korea has seen more than 15,000 new cases being added in just the last 15 days, which is happening alongside its deadliest two-week period since the start of the pandemic. Meanwhile, Chinese officials canceled all large gatherings including sporting events through the February 12 New Year, while all theaters, museums and libraries are operating at 75 percent capacity.
The public health responses in both South Korea and Japan had been widely touted across the globe in the early months of the pandemic, but now many scientists worry that such trust is cracking heading into the new year. Officials in those two countries said tighter lockdown measures are necessary because transmissions are outpacing hospital expansion efforts.
"Our hospital system isn't going to collapse, but the crush in COVID-19 patients has significantly hampered our response," said Choi Won Suk, an infectious disease professor at the Korea University Ansan Hospital, told the Associated Press in an interview published Saturday.
"We have patients with all kinds of serious illnesses at our ICUs and they can't share any space with COVID-19 patients, so it's hard," Choi said. "It's the same medical staff that has been fighting the virus for all these months. There's an accumulation of fatigue."
In Japan, final arrangements are being made to ban the entry of all non-Japanese nationals through January 31. Currently, only Japanese citizens and foreign nationals with resident status are allowed to enter the country—all of whom must quarantine for 14 days after arriving. As Reuters reported Saturday, Japan confirmed a record 3,823 new infections on Friday, its highest daily increase for a third straight day.
Japan has so far avoided a coronavirus outbreak on a level at all comparable to Europe or the U.S., recording only 215,000 known infections and about 3,200 deaths. The U.S. by comparison, has about 330,000 deaths tied to the virus and more than 18 million confirmed cases, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Despite the new restrictions and public health concerns in the region, the U.S., India, Brazil and Russia remain the countries with the most infections worldwide. But officials in Japan and the United Kingdom have both recorded their first cases of a new COVID-19 variant, prompting concerns that vaccinations and other treatments may soon be rendered ineffective.
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on December 14 that his country's spike in COVID-19 cases may be linked to a strain of the virus, of which 1,000 cases of the variant had been identified.


newsweek--2020-12-26--Tennessee Governor Asks Trump for Emergency Declaration Following Nashville Explosion

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee formally requested an emergency declaration from President Donald Trump on Saturday `` to support ongoing efforts and relief , '' following Friday morning 's devastating vehicle explosion in downtown Nashville .
In a letter posted to his Twitter page , Lee cited the direct impact of the explosion on Nashville 's AT & T building , which directly affected communications systems across the state and in areas of Kentucky and Alabama .
The outage disrupted AT & T internet and phone services as well as 911 access in over 20 Public Safety Answering Points .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` telecommunications issues '' due to the outage , with both inbound and outbound flights grounded .
Lee noted that , between February 2019 and December 2020 , the state spent more than $ 175 million in managing responses and recovery to major events , including the coronavirus pandemic .
Past expenses and the lack of requests for Stafford Act assistance has `` reduced our capacity to recover from this current event , '' the governor wrote .
`` Given these factors , the severity and magnitude of the current situation is such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the State and affected local governments , '' Lee said .
`` As a result , federal assistance under the Stafford Act is necessary to supplement the efforts and available resources of the State , local governments , disaster relief organizations , and compensation by insurance for disaster-related losses , '' he continued .
`` In order to recover sufficiently , I specifically request an Emergency Declaration for Public Assistance categories A & B for Davidson County . ''
Nashville Mayor John Cooper had issued a civil state of emergency Friday after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nashville 's 2nd Avenue , injuring three people and destroying more than 40 buildings in the city 's historic downtown area .
A curfew was also set from 4:30 p.m. on Friday until Sunday , December 27 at 4:30 p.m. Lee activated the State Emergency Operations Center for the incident Friday morning to provide adequate support for the emergency .
Tennessee remains at a Level 3 - State of Emergency .
The governor said that he toured the site of the explosion on Friday , calling the damage `` shocking '' and stating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents were killed . ''
He also celebrated the Metro Nashville Police Department and local law enforcement for their response and courage at the site .
`` [ First Lady ] @ MariaLeeTN and I continue to pray for those who sustained injuries from the blast , '' Lee tweeted Saturday .
`` We are thankful to the @ FBI and the @ ATFHQ for leading the investigation and remain in close communication with them . ''
Nashville authorities say they 're confident that the explosion was intentional but have not yet found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reports of an eerie computerized voice from the parked motor home warned people to evacuate due to a bomb just moments before the explosion .
The city 's mayor said in an update Friday evening that the act was `` intended to create chaos and fear '' and that Nashville authorities are determined to find those responsible .
`` This was a terrible day , but Nashville has faced other challenges , particularly this year .
We can rebuild and get back to normal , '' Cooper said .
`` This morning 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create chaos and fear in this season of peace and hope , but the spirit of our city can not be broken . ''
On Tuesday , Lee extended a state of emergency in Tennessee through the end of February due to the ongoing coronavirus , allowing county mayor 's to set restrictions and mask mandates .
Tennessee is currently the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. alongside California as the state reported the highest rate of infections of any state in the last week , according to data from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CDC ) .
Newsweek reached out to the governor 's office for additional comment .
Updated 11:48 AM ET , with additional information .

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee formally requested an emergency declaration from President Donald Trump on Saturday "to support ongoing efforts and relief," following Friday morning's devastating vehicle explosion in downtown Nashville.
In a letter posted to his Twitter page, Lee cited the direct impact of the explosion on Nashville's AT&T building, which directly affected communications systems across the state and in areas of Kentucky and Alabama. The outage disrupted AT&T internet and phone services as well as 911 access in over 20 Public Safety Answering Points.
The Nashville International Airport was also impacted by "telecommunications issues" due to the outage, with both inbound and outbound flights grounded.
I have requested an emergency declaration from @POTUS to support ongoing efforts and relief. pic.twitter.com/7vwrvN1FBw — Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) December 26, 2020
Lee noted that, between February 2019 and December 2020, the state spent more than $175 million in managing responses and recovery to major events, including the coronavirus pandemic. Past expenses and the lack of requests for Stafford Act assistance has "reduced our capacity to recover from this current event," the governor wrote.
"Given these factors, the severity and magnitude of the current situation is such that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments," Lee said.
"As a result, federal assistance under the Stafford Act is necessary to supplement the efforts and available resources of the State, local governments, disaster relief organizations, and compensation by insurance for disaster-related losses," he continued. "In order to recover sufficiently, I specifically request an Emergency Declaration for Public Assistance categories A & B for Davidson County."
Nashville Mayor John Cooper had issued a civil state of emergency Friday after a "suspicious" RV detonated near Nashville's 2nd Avenue, injuring three people and destroying more than 40 buildings in the city's historic downtown area. A curfew was also set from 4:30 p.m. on Friday until Sunday, December 27 at 4:30 p.m.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee extended the state of emergency in his state until August with an executive order on Monday. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty
Lee activated the State Emergency Operations Center for the incident Friday morning to provide adequate support for the emergency. Tennessee remains at a Level 3 - State of Emergency.
The governor said that he toured the site of the explosion on Friday, calling the damage "shocking" and stating it was "a miracle that no residents were killed." He also celebrated the Metro Nashville Police Department and local law enforcement for their response and courage at the site.
This morning I toured the site of the bombing. The damage is shocking and it is a miracle that no residents were killed. @MariaLeeTN and I continue to pray for those who sustained injuries from the blast. — Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) December 26, 2020
"[First Lady] @MariaLeeTN and I continue to pray for those who sustained injuries from the blast," Lee tweeted Saturday. "We are thankful to the @FBI and the @ATFHQ for leading the investigation and remain in close communication with them."
Nashville authorities say they're confident that the explosion was intentional but have not yet found suspects or motive for the attack. Reports of an eerie computerized voice from the parked motor home warned people to evacuate due to a bomb just moments before the explosion.
The city's mayor said in an update Friday evening that the act was "intended to create chaos and fear" and that Nashville authorities are determined to find those responsible.
"This was a terrible day, but Nashville has faced other challenges, particularly this year. We can rebuild and get back to normal," Cooper said. "This morning's attack on our community was intended to create chaos and fear in this season of peace and hope, but the spirit of our city cannot be broken."
On Tuesday, Lee extended a state of emergency in Tennessee through the end of February due to the ongoing coronavirus, allowing county mayor's to set restrictions and mask mandates. Tennessee is currently the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. alongside California as the state reported the highest rate of infections of any state in the last week, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Newsweek reached out to the governor's office for additional comment.
Updated 11:48 AM ET, with additional information.


newsweek--2020-12-26--Trump Attacks FBI, DOJ, Supreme Court and GOP Senators in Twitter Tirade

President Donald Trump went on a Twitter rant the day after Christmas , in which he attacked the FBI , Justice Department , Supreme Court , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , and other Senate Republicans for various claims related to voter fraud—claiming that it cost him the election to President-elect Joe Biden .
In a Saturday morning tweet directed at the Supreme Court , the president called it `` incompetent and weak '' for its handlings of his claims that there was fraud in the November election .
Trump 's campaign has filed numerous lawsuits , alleging that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key swing states .
As previously reported , almost all of the Trump campaign 's lawsuits have been dismissed .
The president claimed to have `` absolute PROOF '' that widespread voter fraud occurred during the November election , but he said that the Supreme Court does n't `` want to see it . ''
`` The U.S. Supreme Court has been totally incompetent and weak on the massive Election Fraud that took place in the 2020 Presidential Election .
We have absolute PROOF , but they do n't want to see it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If we have corrupt elections , we have no country , '' he wrote .
He also condemned the Department of Justice and FBI in a tweet : `` The 'Justice ' Department and the FBI have done nothing about the 2020 Presidential Election Voter Fraud , the biggest SCAM in our nation 's history , despite overwhelming evidence .
They should be ashamed .
History will remember . ''
In another Twitter message , the president blamed Republicans for not working hard enough to overturn the election results .
Trump said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider a `` rigged & stolen '' election `` an act of war and [ would ] fight to the death '' —before claiming that McConnell and the other Republican senators have done `` nothing , '' and taunted them by saying they have `` NO FIGHT ! ''
Trump also called for the release of `` the Durham Report , '' which was supposedly written by special counsel John Durham and his investigations into connections between the Trump campaign and Russia .
In his tweet , the president asked where the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my campaign , colluded with Russia ( and others ) and got caught . ''
He also pointed to the Horowitz report—which is Inspector General Michael Horowitz 's report on the Trump campaign and Russia—saying that The New York Times ( a favorite target of Trump 's media attacks ) called it `` bad . ''
`` They tried it all , and failed , so now they are trying to steal the election , '' he tweeted .
Before changing the topics of his tweets to the COVID stimulus bill , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military man '' told him that elections in Afghanistan are securer and run better than the U.S. election this year .
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for comment .

President Donald Trump went on a Twitter rant the day after Christmas, in which he attacked the FBI, Justice Department, Supreme Court, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and other Senate Republicans for various claims related to voter fraud—claiming that it cost him the election to President-elect Joe Biden.
In a Saturday morning tweet directed at the Supreme Court, the president called it "incompetent and weak" for its handlings of his claims that there was fraud in the November election. Trump's campaign has filed numerous lawsuits, alleging that it had evidence of widespread voter fraud in key swing states. As previously reported, almost all of the Trump campaign's lawsuits have been dismissed.
The president claimed to have "absolute PROOF" that widespread voter fraud occurred during the November election, but he said that the Supreme Court doesn't "want to see it."
The U.S. Supreme Court has been totally incompetent and weak on the massive Election Fraud that took place in the 2020 Presidential Election. We have absolute PROOF, but they don’t want to see it - No “standing”, they say. If we have corrupt elections, we have no country! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2020
"The U.S. Supreme Court has been totally incompetent and weak on the massive Election Fraud that took place in the 2020 Presidential Election. We have absolute PROOF, but they don't want to see it - No 'standing', they say. If we have corrupt elections, we have no country," he wrote.
He also condemned the Department of Justice and FBI in a tweet: "The 'Justice' Department and the FBI have done nothing about the 2020 Presidential Election Voter Fraud, the biggest SCAM in our nation's history, despite overwhelming evidence. They should be ashamed. History will remember."
The “Justice” Department and the FBI have done nothing about the 2020 Presidential Election Voter Fraud, the biggest SCAM in our nation’s history, despite overwhelming evidence. They should be ashamed. History will remember. Never give up. See everyone in D.C. on January 6th. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2020
In another Twitter message, the president blamed Republicans for not working hard enough to overturn the election results. Trump said that Republican senators' Democratic counterparts would consider a "rigged & stolen" election "an act of war and [would] fight to the death"—before claiming that McConnell and the other Republican senators have done "nothing," and taunted them by saying they have "NO FIGHT!"
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. Mitch & the Republicans do NOTHING, just want to let it pass. NO FIGHT! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2020
Trump also called for the release of "the Durham Report," which was supposedly written by special counsel John Durham and his investigations into connections between the Trump campaign and Russia. In his tweet, the president asked where the report was and said "They spied on my campaign, colluded with Russia (and others) and got caught."
He also pointed to the Horowitz report—which is Inspector General Michael Horowitz's report on the Trump campaign and Russia—saying that The New York Times (a favorite target of Trump's media attacks) called it "bad."
"They tried it all, and failed, so now they are trying to steal the election," he tweeted.
Where the hell is the Durham Report? They spied on my campaign, colluded with Russia (and others), and got caught. Read the Horowitz Reports about Comey & McCabe. Even the Fake News @nytimes said “bad”. They tried it all, and failed, so now they are trying to steal the election! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2020
Before changing the topics of his tweets to the COVID stimulus bill, Trump shared an anecdote that a "young military man" told him that elections in Afghanistan are securer and run better than the U.S. election this year.
A young military man working in Afghanistan told me that elections in Afghanistan are far more secure and much better run than the USA’s 2020 Election. Ours, with its millions and millions of corrupt Mail-In Ballots, was the election of a third world country. Fake President! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2020
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-26--QAnon Rep. Vows to Disrupt Electoral College Vote Count as Trump Tweets 'See Everyone in D.C.'

Incoming Georgia representative Marjorie Taylor Greene , has once again stated that she intends to formally object when Congress gathers will gather next month to receive the election results as President Donald Trump appeared to urge his supporters to also protest in the capitol the same day .
Greene , a supporter of the QAnon conspiracy theory who was elected to Congress in November after running in Georgia 's 14th Congressional District unopposed , is backing Trump 's baseless claims that he lost the election as a result of mass voter fraud .
Despite all legal arguments being thrown out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Electoral College formally declaring President-elect Joe Biden the winner , both Greene and Trump are hoping to further spread doubt about the election on January 6 when the House and Senate lawmakers gathers to approve the results .
The event , usually an unremarkable routine formality , could be exploited to further spread misinformation about the election results if one representative and one senator jointly object to the results given by slates of electors as they 're read aloud .
Under the Electoral Count Act of 1877 , if this happens the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Senate debate the objection before voting whether to sustain it .
Greene has once again said she will object to the reading of the results on January 6 in a December 26 tweet , with Alabama GOP Rep. Mo Brooks and Senator-elect Tommy Tuberville also saying they are considering challenging the election results using the law dating back more than 130 years on January 6 .
`` In ten days , I 'll join with my colleagues on the House floor in objecting to the Electoral College certification so the American people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud that occurred across this country on November 3 , '' Greene tweeted .
Green previously tweeted that she intends of disrupting the process along with Brooks in a tweet on December 19 .
`` As soon as I met with Mo on December 2nd , I knew that I was in 100 % , '' she wrote .
Greene is one of the most high-profile political figures to have backed the radical conspiracy theory QAnon , which believes waging a secret war against the `` deep state '' and high-profile Satan-worshipping pedophiles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also turned their attention to believing the election was rigged , with attorneys Lin Wood and Sidney Powell attempting to overturn several results based on a number of disputed claims and misinformation .
Trump appeared to again suggest his supporters descended upon Washington on January 6 to protest against what he has continually referred to as `` rigged election . ''
`` The 'Justice ' Department and the FBI have done nothing about the 2020 Presidential Election Voter Fraud , the biggest SCAM in our nation 's history , despite overwhelming evidence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be ashamed .
History will remember .
Never give up .
See everyone in D.C. on January 6th . ''
Trump previously suggested there will be `` wild '' protests taking place in the capital as Congress takes another step in the democratic process of approving Biden 's path to the White House .
`` Peter Navarro releases 36-page report alleging election fraud 'more than sufficient ' to swing victory to Trump , '' the president tweeted on December 19 .
`` A great report by Peter .
Statistically impossible to have lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D.C. on January 6th .
Be there , will be wild ! ''
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment .

Incoming Georgia representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, has once again stated that she intends to formally object when Congress gathers will gather next month to receive the election results as President Donald Trump appeared to urge his supporters to also protest in the capitol the same day.
Greene, a supporter of the QAnon conspiracy theory who was elected to Congress in November after running in Georgia's 14th Congressional District unopposed, is backing Trump's baseless claims that he lost the election as a result of mass voter fraud.
Despite all legal arguments being thrown out or rejected by the Supreme Court and the Electoral College formally declaring President-elect Joe Biden the winner, both Greene and Trump are hoping to further spread doubt about the election on January 6 when the House and Senate lawmakers gathers to approve the results.
The event, usually an unremarkable routine formality, could be exploited to further spread misinformation about the election results if one representative and one senator jointly object to the results given by slates of electors as they're read aloud.
Under the Electoral Count Act of 1877, if this happens the process is paused while both the House and Senate debate the objection before voting whether to sustain it.
Greene has once again said she will object to the reading of the results on January 6 in a December 26 tweet, with Alabama GOP Rep. Mo Brooks and Senator-elect Tommy Tuberville also saying they are considering challenging the election results using the law dating back more than 130 years on January 6.
"In ten days, I'll join with my colleagues on the House floor in objecting to the Electoral College certification so the American people can see the clear evidence of voter fraud that occurred across this country on November 3," Greene tweeted.
Green previously tweeted that she intends of disrupting the process along with Brooks in a tweet on December 19.
"As soon as I met with Mo on December 2nd, I knew that I was in 100%," she wrote.
Greene is one of the most high-profile political figures to have backed the radical conspiracy theory QAnon, which believes waging a secret war against the "deep state" and high-profile Satan-worshipping pedophiles.
Since November, its supporters have also turned their attention to believing the election was rigged, with attorneys Lin Wood and Sidney Powell attempting to overturn several results based on a number of disputed claims and misinformation.
Trump appeared to again suggest his supporters descended upon Washington on January 6 to protest against what he has continually referred to as "rigged election."
"The 'Justice' Department and the FBI have done nothing about the 2020 Presidential Election Voter Fraud, the biggest SCAM in our nation's history, despite overwhelming evidence," Trump tweeted.
"They should be ashamed. History will remember. Never give up. See everyone in D.C. on January 6th."
Trump previously suggested there will be "wild" protests taking place in the capital as Congress takes another step in the democratic process of approving Biden's path to the White House.
"Peter Navarro releases 36-page report alleging election fraud 'more than sufficient' to swing victory to Trump," the president tweeted on December 19.
"A great report by Peter. Statistically impossible to have lost the 2020 Election. Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!"
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment.


newsweek--2020-12-26--With Tornado, COVID and Now Explosion, Nashville Mayor Calls 2020 City's Hardest Year

Nashville Mayor John Cooper said Friday that the devastating Christmas morning vehicle explosion in downtown Nashville was `` one more event in Nashville 's 2020 '' —which he described as the city 's `` hardest year '' following a series of disasters , including a deadly tornado and the coronavirus pandemic .
`` We 've had our hardest year and we 're all excited about 2021 , '' Cooper said in a Friday morning news conference .
`` That 's going to be a great changing of the calendar . ''
Nashville and other areas of Central Tennessee were hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing 24 people in four counties .
Two of those killed , Michael Dolfini , 36 , and Albree Sexton , 33 , were reported in Nashville 's Davidson County .
The Nashville Fire Department announced that more than 40 buildings collapsed and others were damaged around the city as a result of the storm .
About 150 people were taken to hospitals and about 47,000 people were left without power .
A state of emergency was declared as Tennessee Governor Bill Lee called the disaster `` heartbreaking '' and `` a tragic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks after tornadoes slammed Nashville , the coronavirus pandemic promptly caused the Music City 's tourist-filled bars , restaurants and venues to close , hitting Nashville 's successful tourism industry hard as a result .
Once major establishments opened back up in the summer , tourists began to pile into Metro Nashville 's most popular spots despite thousands of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Davidson County .
Nashville 's Metro Public Health Department reported more than 589 new COVID-19 cases and 7,239 active cases in Davidson County on Friday .
Over 400 people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 500 active hospitalizations throughout the county .
Meanwhile , Tennessee is the new epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic alongside California with the highest infection rate of any state , averaging almost 128 new infections per 100,000 people over the last week , according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) .
`` Our state is ground zero for a surge in COVID-19 and we need Tennesseans to [ do ] their part , '' Lee tweeted Wednesday .
He urged residents to wear face masks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ household during the holidays .
Strong winds—called a derecho—with speeds as high as 71 mph passed through Central Tennessee in May , causing damage to homes , trees and powerlines as more than 130,000 Tennesseans were left without power , according to The Washington Post .
One off-duty fireman died and two others were injured in Nashville .
Friday morning 's explosion around Nashville 's 2nd Avenue—which occurred at around 6:30 a.m. , following a call to Metro Nashville Police Department 's hazardous devices unit about a `` suspicious '' RV—was an additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chaos and fear in this season of hope , '' Cooper said in a news conference .
The mayor announced that three people were hospitalized with injuries and more than 40 buildings were damaged due to the explosion .
None of the people hospitalized are in critical condition , the mayor reported .
Police have not yet identified a suspect or a motive for the attack , according to Nashville Police Chief John Drake .
`` This is not how anybody wanted to spend Christmas morning , '' Cooper told reporters .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not more injuries . ''

Nashville Mayor John Cooper said Friday that the devastating Christmas morning vehicle explosion in downtown Nashville was "one more event in Nashville's 2020"—which he described as the city's "hardest year" following a series of disasters, including a deadly tornado and the coronavirus pandemic.
"We've had our hardest year and we're all excited about 2021," Cooper said in a Friday morning news conference. "That's going to be a great changing of the calendar."
Nashville and other areas of Central Tennessee were hit by three tornadoes in early March, killing 24 people in four counties. Two of those killed, Michael Dolfini, 36, and Albree Sexton, 33, were reported in Nashville's Davidson County. The Nashville Fire Department announced that more than 40 buildings collapsed and others were damaged around the city as a result of the storm. About 150 people were taken to hospitals and about 47,000 people were left without power.
A state of emergency was declared as Tennessee Governor Bill Lee called the disaster "heartbreaking" and "a tragic day in our state."
Two weeks after tornadoes slammed Nashville, the coronavirus pandemic promptly caused the Music City's tourist-filled bars, restaurants and venues to close, hitting Nashville's successful tourism industry hard as a result. Once major establishments opened back up in the summer, tourists began to pile into Metro Nashville's most popular spots despite thousands of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Davidson County.
Nashville's Metro Public Health Department reported more than 589 new COVID-19 cases and 7,239 active cases in Davidson County on Friday. Over 400 people have died of the virus and there are nearly 500 active hospitalizations throughout the county.
Police close off an area damaged by an explosion on Christmas morning on December 25, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. Terry Wyatt/Getty Images/Getty
Meanwhile, Tennessee is the new epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic alongside California with the highest infection rate of any state, averaging almost 128 new infections per 100,000 people over the last week, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
"Our state is ground zero for a surge in COVID-19 and we need Tennesseans to [do] their part," Lee tweeted Wednesday. He urged residents to wear face masks and only gather with members of their immediate household during the holidays.
Strong winds—called a derecho—with speeds as high as 71 mph passed through Central Tennessee in May, causing damage to homes, trees and powerlines as more than 130,000 Tennesseans were left without power, according to The Washington Post. One off-duty fireman died and two others were injured in Nashville.
Friday morning's explosion around Nashville's 2nd Avenue—which occurred at around 6:30 a.m., following a call to Metro Nashville Police Department's hazardous devices unit about a "suspicious" RV—was an additional tragedy that was "intended to create chaos and fear in this season of hope," Cooper said in a news conference.
The mayor announced that three people were hospitalized with injuries and more than 40 buildings were damaged due to the explosion. None of the people hospitalized are in critical condition, the mayor reported.
Police have not yet identified a suspect or a motive for the attack, according to Nashville Police Chief John Drake.
"This is not how anybody wanted to spend Christmas morning," Cooper told reporters. "We are very lucky that there were not more injuries."


newsweek--2020-12-26--FL Governor Spokesman's Tweet About COVID Deaths Sparks Backlash, Twitter Account Deactivated

Fred Piccolo , a spokesman for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis , reportedly received backlash and deactivated his Twitter account after he wrote that photos of deceased COVID victims should be juxtaposed with 99 images of people who survived the disease .
Piccolo was responding to a Reuters photo gallery on COVID-19 that was meant to highlight the trials of fighting the pandemic in hospitals and funeral homes across the U.S .
Commenting on the tweet , Piccolo wrote : `` I 'm wondering since 99 % [ of ] Covid patients survive should n't you have 99 photos of survivors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're just trying to create a narrative that is not reality . ''
Screenshots captured by Miami Herald reporter Ben Conarck and WLRN reporter Danny Rivero , showed that Piccolo was responding in the middle of the night to a twitter thread by Corinne Perkins , the North America editor for Reuters Pictures .
Perkins wrote : `` This thread is dedicated to those saying we are n't seeing images of the reality of COVID-19 in hospitals across the U.S .
This is not an exhaustive list but I wanted to highlight the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The tweets included photos of victims , grieving families , and overwhelmed hospitals and funeral homes over the course of the pandemic .
Piccolo 's statement quickly received criticism from Twitter users who viewed them as insensitive to more than the 330,000 in the U.S. who have died from the disease , along with those who continue to suffer with side effects after contracting the virus .
Daniel Uhlfelder , an attorney who filed a lawsuit against DeSantis in March and dressed as the Grim Reaper to spread awareness of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's comments `` disgusting . ''
`` He 's responsible for the communication message of the governor , '' Uhlfelder said .
`` And he 's mocking or downplaying the deaths .
It 's just inexcusable .
I do n't know how you justify that .
...
This is not a game .
These are people that are suffering and dying , '' the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported .
Shortly after he wrote the tweets , the Florida spokesman deactivated his account .
But in an interview Wednesday , Piccolo told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave the social media site anyways .
`` I 've made people far angrier with other things in the past , this is just an observation that I think was worthy of consternation , '' Piccolo said of his last tweet .
`` But I said this was going to be my Christmas gift to myself to get off of the medium , so I said let 's do it . ''
Piccolo 's comments follow months of intense scrutiny directed at the Florida governor and his administration for seemingly failing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has consistently downplayed the coronavirus by questioning the efficacy of mask-wearing and mask mandates at least 16 times and claiming that COVID-19 is less deadly than the flu at least three times , a Sun Sentinel report found .
Earlier this month , Florida police raided the home of Rebekah Jones , a former state data scientist who accused the government of fudging coronavirus data to make it look like less people had died or contracted the disease throughout the state .
`` My concern is that in Florida we have n't been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the information about COVID , and it 's clear the governor does n't want to institute any kind of COVID policy of any kind , '' Ron Filipkowski , a Florida lawyer and former appointee to the 12th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission by Governor Ron DeSantis , previously told Newsweek .
`` The truth has been kept from us during the pandemic . ''
Newsweek reached out to DeSantis for additional comment , but did not hear back in time for publication .

Fred Piccolo, a spokesman for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, reportedly received backlash and deactivated his Twitter account after he wrote that photos of deceased COVID victims should be juxtaposed with 99 images of people who survived the disease.
Piccolo was responding to a Reuters photo gallery on COVID-19 that was meant to highlight the trials of fighting the pandemic in hospitals and funeral homes across the U.S.
Commenting on the tweet, Piccolo wrote: "I'm wondering since 99% [of] Covid patients survive shouldn't you have 99 photos of survivors for every one fatality? Otherwise you're just trying to create a narrative that is not reality."
Screenshots captured by Miami Herald reporter Ben Conarck and WLRN reporter Danny Rivero, showed that Piccolo was responding in the middle of the night to a twitter thread by Corinne Perkins, the North America editor for Reuters Pictures.
This thread is dedicated to those saying we aren't seeing images of the reality of COVID-19 in hospitals across the U.S.
This is not an exhaustive list but I wanted to highlight the stories @reuterspictures photographers bring to light.
Photo by Callaghan O'Hare in Houston pic.twitter.com/94yD7b2Jq8 — corinne_perkins (@corinne_perkins) December 22, 2020
Perkins wrote: "This thread is dedicated to those saying we aren't seeing images of the reality of COVID-19 in hospitals across the U.S. This is not an exhaustive list but I wanted to highlight the stories @reuterspictures photographers bring to light."
The tweets included photos of victims, grieving families, and overwhelmed hospitals and funeral homes over the course of the pandemic.
And it appears that Fred Piccolo Jr. just deleted his account entirely. Here's a screenshot. https://t.co/tVdmTSh34p pic.twitter.com/FZJvQpA7iU — Danny Rivero (@TooMuchMe) December 24, 2020
Piccolo's statement quickly received criticism from Twitter users who viewed them as insensitive to more than the 330,000 in the U.S. who have died from the disease, along with those who continue to suffer with side effects after contracting the virus.
Daniel Uhlfelder, an attorney who filed a lawsuit against DeSantis in March and dressed as the Grim Reaper to spread awareness of the disease on Florida beaches, called Piccolo's comments "disgusting."
"He's responsible for the communication message of the governor," Uhlfelder said. "And he's mocking or downplaying the deaths. It's just inexcusable. I don't know how you justify that. ... This is not a game. These are people that are suffering and dying," the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.
Shortly after he wrote the tweets, the Florida spokesman deactivated his account. But in an interview Wednesday, Piccolo told the Sun Sentinel that he was already planning to leave the social media site anyways.
"I've made people far angrier with other things in the past, this is just an observation that I think was worthy of consternation," Piccolo said of his last tweet. "But I said this was going to be my Christmas gift to myself to get off of the medium, so I said let's do it."
Piccolo's comments follow months of intense scrutiny directed at the Florida governor and his administration for seemingly failing to provide accurate COVID-19 data.
Piccolo himself has consistently downplayed the coronavirus by questioning the efficacy of mask-wearing and mask mandates at least 16 times and claiming that COVID-19 is less deadly than the flu at least three times, a Sun Sentinel report found.
Earlier this month, Florida police raided the home of Rebekah Jones, a former state data scientist who accused the government of fudging coronavirus data to make it look like less people had died or contracted the disease throughout the state.
"My concern is that in Florida we haven't been getting all of the facts and all the information about COVID, and it's clear the governor doesn't want to institute any kind of COVID policy of any kind," Ron Filipkowski, a Florida lawyer and former appointee to the 12th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission by Governor Ron DeSantis, previously told Newsweek.
"The truth has been kept from us during the pandemic."
Newsweek reached out to DeSantis for additional comment, but did not hear back in time for publication.


newsweek--2020-12-26--Chinese Media Attacks American 'Selfishness' As Trump Blames Beijing for Coronavirus Crisis

Chinese state media has hit out at President Donald Trump 's administration for its politicization of the coronavirus pandemic , as the commander in chief again blames Beijing for the precarious financial position of many Americans .
Trump has continued to shift blame for the coronavirus pandemic to China , where the virus originated at the end of last year .
Draconian restrictions quickly shut down China 's internal outbreak but did nothing to stop its international spread .
Trump has been widely criticized for his slow and confused response to the crisis .
The president also repeatedly downplayed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even after contracting the disease and being hospitalized .
Trump has tried to shift blame and focus to China as lawmakers wrangle over a second federal stimulus package .
The Senate this month approved a $ 600 per person payment , but Trump quickly demanded the number be increased to $ 2,000 .
On Saturday , the president again blamed China for the chaos .
`` Made many calls and had meetings at Trump International in Palm Beach , Florida , '' the president wrote .
`` Why would politicians not want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only $ 600 ?
It was n't their fault , it was China .
Give our people the money ! ''
Chinese officials and state media have consistently rejected Trump 's criticism , framing the allegations as racist efforts to distract from the administration 's own failings .
Chen Weihua , the Europe bureau chief of the state-run China Daily newspaper , responded to Trump 's tweet saying : `` Totally incompetent LOSER . ''
Editorials from other state-run newspapers , meanwhile , celebrated China 's success in suppressing its domestic outbreak while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationalistic Global Times newspaper said the pandemic represents `` the most significant global problem this winter , '' noting `` surging confirmed cases in the U.S. and Europe '' plus the emergence of new mutations of the virus .
The editorial stressed the need for China to develop and distribute its own vaccine , suggesting developing countries can not trust the U.S. to supply theirs .
`` The incumbent U.S. administration once publicly said it gives Americans 'first priority ' for U.S.-made COVID-19 vaccines .
It 's easy to say different US allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will the developing countries be put then ? ''
`` Only when vaccine competition can shake off the order of use established according to U.S. selfishness , can it become a fortress to protect the national interests and security of developing countries , '' the newspaper claimed .
`` Human beings are adopting vaccines as a tool , '' the article said .
`` The role of a vaccine is like a bomber or tank in battles fought by infantry .
Whoever controls the vaccines and how such vaccines will be used will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cause some results that can not be expected today . ''
People 's Daily , meanwhile , railed against what it called foreign `` smear and slander , '' referring to the charge of `` Warrior Wolf '' diplomacy ; a term inspired by a Chinese action movie of the same name that has become a shorthand to describe Beijing 's combative foreign policy .
`` The 'Wolf Warrior diplomacy ' , another version of 'China threat ' theory , can be said is a new way to 'demonize ' China and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Daily wrote .
`` Its purpose is not only to incite foreigners who do not know the truth to hate China , attaching a negative label on Chinese diplomacy , but also to give support to those 'public intellectuals ' who praise the U.S. without distinguishing between right and wrong , disrupting China 's position and taking the edge off of China 's spirit , '' it added .
`` In China , there is a common saying , when a jackal or leopard invades your doorstep , you must pick up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slander , China 's diplomacy must speak up for itself . ''
China is waiting to see what tack President-elect Joe Biden will take .
The incoming president is expected to be less confrontational than Trump , but to work more closely with American allies to contain China and push back on its malign trade and human rights practices , as well as in territorial disputes with Beijing .
Trump is leaving office , but the China challenge will dominate American foreign policy for years , perhaps even generations , to come .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Washington , D.C. needs to push back on Chinese authoritarianism , made more pressing by China 's continued strong economic growth and technological advancement .
Earlier this month , Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Biden to cooperate with China and avoid conflict , which he said would be a `` disaster '' for both nations and the entire world .
`` China stays committed to developing a relationship based on coordination , cooperation and stability with the United States , '' Wang said , `` under the principle of no conflict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win-win cooperation . ''

Chinese state media has hit out at President Donald Trump's administration for its politicization of the coronavirus pandemic, as the commander in chief again blames Beijing for the precarious financial position of many Americans.
Trump has continued to shift blame for the coronavirus pandemic to China, where the virus originated at the end of last year. Draconian restrictions quickly shut down China's internal outbreak but did nothing to stop its international spread.
Trump has been widely criticized for his slow and confused response to the crisis. The president also repeatedly downplayed the scale and severity of the pandemic, even after contracting the disease and being hospitalized.
Trump has tried to shift blame and focus to China as lawmakers wrangle over a second federal stimulus package. The Senate this month approved a $600 per person payment, but Trump quickly demanded the number be increased to $2,000.
On Saturday, the president again blamed China for the chaos. "Made many calls and had meetings at Trump International in Palm Beach, Florida," the president wrote. "Why would politicians not want to give people $2000, rather than only $600? It wasn't their fault, it was China. Give our people the money!"
Chinese officials and state media have consistently rejected Trump's criticism, framing the allegations as racist efforts to distract from the administration's own failings. Chen Weihua, the Europe bureau chief of the state-run China Daily newspaper, responded to Trump's tweet saying: "Totally incompetent LOSER."
Editorials from other state-run newspapers, meanwhile, celebrated China's success in suppressing its domestic outbreak while criticizing Trump and his allies.
The nationalistic Global Times newspaper said the pandemic represents "the most significant global problem this winter," noting "surging confirmed cases in the U.S. and Europe" plus the emergence of new mutations of the virus.
The editorial stressed the need for China to develop and distribute its own vaccine, suggesting developing countries cannot trust the U.S. to supply theirs. "The incumbent U.S. administration once publicly said it gives Americans 'first priority' for U.S.-made COVID-19 vaccines. It's easy to say different US allies will be given different orders. Where will the developing countries be put then?"
"Only when vaccine competition can shake off the order of use established according to U.S. selfishness, can it become a fortress to protect the national interests and security of developing countries," the newspaper claimed.
"Human beings are adopting vaccines as a tool," the article said. "The role of a vaccine is like a bomber or tank in battles fought by infantry. Whoever controls the vaccines and how such vaccines will be used will greatly affect the future anti-epidemic pattern and cause some results that cannot be expected today."
People's Daily, meanwhile, railed against what it called foreign "smear and slander," referring to the charge of "Warrior Wolf" diplomacy; a term inspired by a Chinese action movie of the same name that has become a shorthand to describe Beijing's combative foreign policy.
"The 'Wolf Warrior diplomacy', another version of 'China threat' theory, can be said is a new way to 'demonize' China and to distort Chinese diplomacy efforts," People's Daily wrote.
"Its purpose is not only to incite foreigners who do not know the truth to hate China, attaching a negative label on Chinese diplomacy, but also to give support to those 'public intellectuals' who praise the U.S. without distinguishing between right and wrong, disrupting China's position and taking the edge off of China's spirit," it added.
"In China, there is a common saying, when a jackal or leopard invades your doorstep, you must pick up a shotgun. Facing the smear and slander, China's diplomacy must speak up for itself."
China is waiting to see what tack President-elect Joe Biden will take. The incoming president is expected to be less confrontational than Trump, but to work more closely with American allies to contain China and push back on its malign trade and human rights practices, as well as in territorial disputes with Beijing.
Trump is leaving office, but the China challenge will dominate American foreign policy for years, perhaps even generations, to come. There is bipartisan agreement in the U.S. that Washington, D.C. needs to push back on Chinese authoritarianism, made more pressing by China's continued strong economic growth and technological advancement.
Earlier this month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Biden to cooperate with China and avoid conflict, which he said would be a "disaster" for both nations and the entire world.
"China stays committed to developing a relationship based on coordination, cooperation and stability with the United States," Wang said, "under the principle of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation."