newsweek--2020-12-20--Mike Lindell, MyPillow CEO, Tweets, Then Deletes Call for Trump to 'Impose Martial Law'

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell , one of President Donald Trump 's most ardent supporters both vocally and financially , escalated his `` four more years '' chants Saturday to include a new demand .
Lindell , whose MyPillow commercials have for years been advertised on Fox News , tweeted and later deleted a call for `` martial law '' in seven states .
His now-deleted Saturday tweet echoed the president 's own ridicule of Republican governors Doug Ducey in Arizona and Brian Kemp in Georgia , making unfounded claims that they sold out Trump by refusing to overturn their state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a series of rants over the past month , even calling for some Georgia voters to `` go to prison '' because Trump lost the election to President-elect Joe Biden .
Lindell claimed that if Trump declares martial law in the seven states , his campaign allies could take control of the state 's ballots and , apparently , overturn the results of the U.S. presidential election in Trump 's favor .
`` Look @ dougducey you made the list and your crooked buddy @ BrianKempGA !
@ realDonaldTrump please impose martial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the machines/ballots ! ''
Lindell tweeted Saturday morning , before removing the post an hour or so later .
Although it 's unclear exactly which seven states Lindell is referring to in his `` martial law '' tweet , it appears his post was in response to attorney Lin Wood 's calls for a military and government-led crackdown in Arizona , Georgia , Michigan , Wisconsin , Nevada , Minnesota and Pennsylvania .
Biden won all seven of these states , pushing him far beyond the necessary 270 electoral votes to win the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of Trump prompted him to say he 's the `` greatest president '' in U.S. history at a rally earlier this year , as well as demanding Trump `` put people in prison '' over his election loss .
Lindell has joined Trump in badgering Republican lawmakers in several states where the two baselessly said there was voter fraud .
`` We have to get this governor ... Brian Kemp has to give an order to have a Congress meeting , whatever they do , their legislators , and pull Georgia down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Lindell said at the Trump rally last month .
`` It does n't matter who they give it to ; do n't give it to Biden and find out all your corruption . ''
`` If you pull down Georgia , Pennsylvania and crooked Nevada , now nobody has 270 [ electoral ] votes , and on December 14 it goes to the [ Electoral College ] vote and Donald Trump wins the election ! ''
Lindell continued .
Newsweek reached out to MyPillow as well as the Trump campaign for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now-deleted Saturday tweet .
Early Sunday morning , the president tweeted `` Martial law = Fake News .
Just more knowingly bad reporting ! ''
— appearing to refute media reports claiming he suggested to his advisers on instituting martial law .

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, one of President Donald Trump's most ardent supporters both vocally and financially, escalated his "four more years" chants Saturday to include a new demand.
Lindell, whose MyPillow commercials have for years been advertised on Fox News, tweeted and later deleted a call for "martial law" in seven states. His now-deleted Saturday tweet echoed the president's own ridicule of Republican governors Doug Ducey in Arizona and Brian Kemp in Georgia, making unfounded claims that they sold out Trump by refusing to overturn their state election results. The CEO has launched into a series of rants over the past month, even calling for some Georgia voters to "go to prison" because Trump lost the election to President-elect Joe Biden.
Lindell claimed that if Trump declares martial law in the seven states, his campaign allies could take control of the state's ballots and, apparently, overturn the results of the U.S. presidential election in Trump's favor.
"Look @dougducey you made the list and your crooked buddy @BrianKempGA! @realDonaldTrump please impose martial law in these 7 states and get the machines/ballots!" Lindell tweeted Saturday morning, before removing the post an hour or so later.
Although it's unclear exactly which seven states Lindell is referring to in his "martial law" tweet, it appears his post was in response to attorney Lin Wood's calls for a military and government-led crackdown in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. Biden won all seven of these states, pushing him far beyond the necessary 270 electoral votes to win the November election.
Lindell's increasingly fanatical support of Trump prompted him to say he's the "greatest president" in U.S. history at a rally earlier this year, as well as demanding Trump "put people in prison" over his election loss. Lindell has joined Trump in badgering Republican lawmakers in several states where the two baselessly said there was voter fraud.
"We have to get this governor ... Brian Kemp has to give an order to have a Congress meeting, whatever they do, their legislators, and pull Georgia down and don't give it to Biden," Lindell said at the Trump rally last month. "It doesn't matter who they give it to; don't give it to Biden and find out all your corruption."
Martial law = Fake News. Just more knowingly bad reporting! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2020
"If you pull down Georgia, Pennsylvania and crooked Nevada, now nobody has 270 [electoral] votes, and on December 14 it goes to the [Electoral College] vote and Donald Trump wins the election!" Lindell continued.
Newsweek reached out to MyPillow as well as the Trump campaign for additional remarks or any reaction to the now-deleted Saturday tweet.
Early Sunday morning, the president tweeted "Martial law = Fake News. Just more knowingly bad reporting!" — appearing to refute media reports claiming he suggested to his advisers on instituting martial law.


newsweek--2020-12-20--Biden Team Weighing Cyberattacks on Russian Infrastructure in Response to SolarWinds Hack: Report

President-elect Joe Biden 's team has begun discussing potential responses to the alleged Russian hack of key government agencies and top private American companies , including a possible cyberattack against the rival nation 's own infrastructure .
News of the massive hack broke last Sunday , after hackers gained access to SolarWinds ' software as far back as March .
The hackers managed to install malware in an update of the company 's Orion software which was then downloaded by thousands of clients—compromising top federal agencies as well as hundreds of private companies .
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Homeland Security warned on Thursday that the cyberattack poses a `` grave risk '' to the U.S. government .
Reuters reported on Sunday , citing anonymous sources , that the Biden team is weighing its options to respond to the Russian hack .
These options reportedly include a cyberattack against Russian infrastructure and new financial sanctions against the rival nation .
One of the sources told Reuters that the primary goal would be to deter future Russian attacks while simultaneously curbing future cyberattacks from the country .
Biden said in a Thursday statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the hack : I want to be clear : my administration will make cybersecurity a top priority at every level of government—and we will make dealing with this breach a top priority from the moment we take office .
We will elevate cybersecurity as an imperative across the government , further strengthen partnerships with the private sector , and expand our investment in the infrastructure and people we need to defend against malicious cyber attacks .
But a good defense is n't enough ; we need to disrupt and deter our adversaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first place .
We will do that by , among other things , imposing substantial costs on those responsible for such malicious attacks , including in coordination with our allies and partners .
SolarWinds has said that about 18,000 clients downloaded the Orion update with the malware .
Government agencies—including the Department of Homeland Security , the Treasury Department , the Commerce Department , and several others—have reportedly been compromised .
CISA warned that there is `` evidence '' of other hacks unrelated to the SolarWinds software as well .
U.S. lawmakers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the primary culprit for the attack , pointing to the level of sophistication and techniques employed .
Russia has denied responsibility , which is the typical response from a nation state that has carried out a cyberattack or other espionage activity .
Christopher Krebs , who led CISA until he was fired by Trump last month after his agency dismissed the president 's baseless claims of widespread voter fraud , warned that the U.S. should be `` cautious '' in its response to Russia .
`` I 'd be very careful with escalating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , suggesting the U.S. should have `` a conversation among like-minded countries '' regarding what kind of espionage is acceptable .
Although Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Russia directly , as have many leading Republicans , President Donald Trump attempted to cast doubt on these accusations in a Saturday tweet .
The president also downplayed the seriousness of the threat .
`` The Cyber Hack is far greater in the Fake News Media than in actuality .
I have been fully briefed and everything is well under control , '' Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , Russia is the priority chant when anything happens , '' the president added , suggesting that China could have been behind the hack .
Although the investigation into the cyberattack remains ongoing , the president appears to be isolated in his viewpoint .
`` Increasingly clear that Russian intelligence conducted the gravest cyber intrusion in our history , '' Senator Marco Rubio , a Florida Republican , tweeted on Saturday .
`` The process of determining its extent & assessing the damage is underway .
Remediation will take time & significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but significant , '' he wrote .
Speaking to NBC News ' Meet the Press on Sunday , Senator Mitt Romney , a Utah Republican , accused Trump of having a `` blind spot '' when it comes to Russia .
`` The reality here is that the experts , the people who really understand how our systems work and how computers work and software and so forth , the thousands upon thousands at the CIA and the NSA and the Department of Defense , have determined that this came from Russia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Biden transition team for further comment but did not immediately receive a response .
Updated December 20 , 2020 at 11:26 a.m .
ET : A comment from former CISA director Christopher Krebs has been added .

President-elect Joe Biden's team has begun discussing potential responses to the alleged Russian hack of key government agencies and top private American companies, including a possible cyberattack against the rival nation's own infrastructure.
News of the massive hack broke last Sunday, after hackers gained access to SolarWinds' software as far back as March. The hackers managed to install malware in an update of the company's Orion software which was then downloaded by thousands of clients—compromising top federal agencies as well as hundreds of private companies. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) under the Department of Homeland Security warned on Thursday that the cyberattack poses a "grave risk" to the U.S. government.
Reuters reported on Sunday, citing anonymous sources, that the Biden team is weighing its options to respond to the Russian hack. These options reportedly include a cyberattack against Russian infrastructure and new financial sanctions against the rival nation. One of the sources told Reuters that the primary goal would be to deter future Russian attacks while simultaneously curbing future cyberattacks from the country.
President-elect Joe Biden's team is reportedly weighing cyberattacks on Russian infrastructure in response to the SolarWinds hack. In this photo illustration, a hacker's hands can be seen typing on a laptop. Getty
Biden said in a Thursday statement without calling out Russia as the perpetrator of the hack:
I want to be clear: my administration will make cybersecurity a top priority at every level of government—and we will make dealing with this breach a top priority from the moment we take office. We will elevate cybersecurity as an imperative across the government, further strengthen partnerships with the private sector, and expand our investment in the infrastructure and people we need to defend against malicious cyber attacks. But a good defense isn't enough; we need to disrupt and deter our adversaries from undertaking significant cyber attacks in the first place. We will do that by, among other things, imposing substantial costs on those responsible for such malicious attacks, including in coordination with our allies and partners.
SolarWinds has said that about 18,000 clients downloaded the Orion update with the malware. Government agencies—including the Department of Homeland Security, the Treasury Department, the Commerce Department, and several others—have reportedly been compromised. CISA warned that there is "evidence" of other hacks unrelated to the SolarWinds software as well.
U.S. lawmakers and cybersecurity experts have pointed to Russia as the primary culprit for the attack, pointing to the level of sophistication and techniques employed. Russia has denied responsibility, which is the typical response from a nation state that has carried out a cyberattack or other espionage activity.
Christopher Krebs, who led CISA until he was fired by Trump last month after his agency dismissed the president's baseless claims of widespread voter fraud, warned that the U.S. should be "cautious" in its response to Russia. "I'd be very careful with escalating this," Krebs told CNN on Sunday, suggesting the U.S. should have "a conversation among like-minded countries" regarding what kind of espionage is acceptable.
Although Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Russia directly, as have many leading Republicans, President Donald Trump attempted to cast doubt on these accusations in a Saturday tweet. The president also downplayed the seriousness of the threat.
"The Cyber Hack is far greater in the Fake News Media than in actuality. I have been fully briefed and everything is well under control," Trump tweeted on Saturday. "Russia, Russia, Russia is the priority chant when anything happens," the president added, suggesting that China could have been behind the hack. Although the investigation into the cyberattack remains ongoing, the president appears to be isolated in his viewpoint.
"Increasingly clear that Russian intelligence conducted the gravest cyber intrusion in our history," Senator Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, tweeted on Saturday. "The process of determining its extent & assessing the damage is underway. Remediation will take time & significant resources. Our response must be proportional but significant," he wrote.
Speaking to NBC News' Meet the Press on Sunday, Senator Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican, accused Trump of having a "blind spot" when it comes to Russia.
"The reality here is that the experts, the people who really understand how our systems work and how computers work and software and so forth, the thousands upon thousands at the CIA and the NSA and the Department of Defense, have determined that this came from Russia," Romney said.
Newsweek reached out to the Biden transition team for further comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Updated December 20, 2020 at 11:26 a.m. ET: A comment from former CISA director Christopher Krebs has been added.


newsweek--2020-12-21--Man Dressed as Santa Rescued From Power Lines in California

A man dressed as Santa Claus has been rescued from power lines after becoming entangled in the live wires when his aircraft crashed in a California suburb .
The unidentified man was delivering candy canes to neighborhood children in the Sacramento area when he flew his hyper-light aircraft into the power lines on Sunday morning .
After dangling upside down for an hour , the exhausted Santa was finally rescued by the Sacramento Fire Department and managed to escape unscathed .
Using a crane , two fire trucks and the manpower of about a dozen fire firefighting crew , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We are happy to report Santa is uninjured and will be ready for Christmas next week , but perhaps with a new sleigh ! ''
Metro Fire of Sacramento tweeted alongside footage of the rescue effort .
The Sacramento Fire Department also joined in with a tongue-in-cheek post , describing the incident as `` the moment when your training pays off . ''
Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Capt .
Chris Vestal said firefighters were called to the scene near the intersection of 7th Avenue and M Street in Rio Linda shortly after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they found the man dressed in a Santa suit hanging upside down in his aircraft with his parachute tangled in the lines .
In order to rescue the adventurous Santa , the power lines needed to be shut down by Sacramento Municipal Utility District workers , causing about 200 homes in the area to lose power .
The California Highway Patrol 's North Sacramento Office was also called to the scene .
`` Turns out Santa was trying to get some last minute fun in before the holiday and got into a hot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was n't hurt ! ''
the agency said .
Residents said the man is known for delivering candy from his aircraft every year .
`` He flies just around so people can see and flies over people 's houses , '' local woman Colleen Bousliman told KCRA .
`` This was the first time he was in his Santa suit .
We did n't know this was going to happen . ''
`` Unfortunately , he was unable to meet that goal on this day , '' Vestal said .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can appreciate the timing to try and bring the spirit , especially this year . ''
Earlier this month , another Christmas stunt went awry when an estimated 50 children were exposed to COVID-19 following a parade in Ludowici , Georgia , on December 10 .
The event , held by the Long County Chamber of Commerce , included a tree lighting and an opportunity for children to visit and take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus .
Just two days after the parade , both Santa and Mrs. Claus tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , did n't display any symptoms at the time of the event , according to a statement by Robert D. Parker , chairman of the Long County Board of Commissioners .
Long County schools asked parents to keep any child exposed to Santa and Mrs. Claus home until after the holiday break if they 're showing symptoms of COVID-19 .

A man dressed as Santa Claus has been rescued from power lines after becoming entangled in the live wires when his aircraft crashed in a California suburb.
The unidentified man was delivering candy canes to neighborhood children in the Sacramento area when he flew his hyper-light aircraft into the power lines on Sunday morning.
After dangling upside down for an hour, the exhausted Santa was finally rescued by the Sacramento Fire Department and managed to escape unscathed.
Using a crane, two fire trucks and the manpower of about a dozen fire firefighting crew, the man was returned safely to land.
A man dressed as Santa Claus crashed his aircraft into power lines and had to be rescued from the live wires in a Sacramento suburb on Sunday morning. Sacramento Fire Department
"We are happy to report Santa is uninjured and will be ready for Christmas next week, but perhaps with a new sleigh!" Metro Fire of Sacramento tweeted alongside footage of the rescue effort.
The Sacramento Fire Department also joined in with a tongue-in-cheek post, describing the incident as "the moment when your training pays off."
Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Capt. Chris Vestal said firefighters were called to the scene near the intersection of 7th Avenue and M Street in Rio Linda shortly after 11 a.m. on Sunday.
There, they found the man dressed in a Santa suit hanging upside down in his aircraft with his parachute tangled in the lines.
"We don't know where he was coming from or where exactly he was going," Vestal told the San Francisco Chronicle. "We didn't confirm if he came from the North Pole, but that would be pretty far."
In order to rescue the adventurous Santa, the power lines needed to be shut down by Sacramento Municipal Utility District workers, causing about 200 homes in the area to lose power.
The California Highway Patrol's North Sacramento Office was also called to the scene.
"Turns out Santa was trying to get some last minute fun in before the holiday and got into a hot wire situation. Don't worry... he wasn't hurt!" the agency said.
Residents said the man is known for delivering candy from his aircraft every year.
"He flies just around so people can see and flies over people's houses," local woman Colleen Bousliman told KCRA. "This was the first time he was in his Santa suit. We didn't know this was going to happen."
"Unfortunately, he was unable to meet that goal on this day," Vestal said. "We do commend him for doing that and can appreciate the timing to try and bring the spirit, especially this year."
The man flew his aircraft into residential power lines, dangling upside down for an hour before firefighters could rescue him. Sacramento Fire Department
Earlier this month, another Christmas stunt went awry when an estimated 50 children were exposed to COVID-19 following a parade in Ludowici, Georgia, on December 10.
The event, held by the Long County Chamber of Commerce, included a tree lighting and an opportunity for children to visit and take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Just two days after the parade, both Santa and Mrs. Claus tested positive for the virus.
The Clauses, however, didn't display any symptoms at the time of the event, according to a statement by Robert D. Parker, chairman of the Long County Board of Commissioners.
Long County schools asked parents to keep any child exposed to Santa and Mrs. Claus home until after the holiday break if they're showing symptoms of COVID-19.


newsweek--2020-12-21--Adorable Moment Florida Taco Bell Worker Is Given $6,000 Christmas Tip

A Taco Bell employee who has been working at the drive-thru lane of a South Daytona branch in Florida for 20 years received a $ 6,000 Christmas tip from a local community of food lovers .
Joe DeCicco , nicknamed Taco Bell Joe , has become a well-known character in the Daytona area during the two decades that he has worked for the fast-food chain .
On Friday , the 70-year-old was presented with a check for $ 6,000 by Tricia Phillippi , who created a Facebook group for Daytona foodie reviews that aimed to support local restaurants and staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favorite employee by the group 's members , who then decided to raise $ 50 as an award but this soon spiralled into thousands .
Phillippi posted a video to Facebook on Saturday , in which an emotional DeCicco was handed the check in outside the Taco Bell restaurant .
She told Newsweek : `` He deserves the recognition .
He truly is the kindest , most gentle , most wonderful man .
He makes driving through Taco Bell an actual experience .
His spirit is just magical . ''
In the clip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeCicco responds by saying : `` I just want to say I 'm speechless . ''
Phillippi said : `` I 'm a little speechless too .
The original prize was $ 50 cash prize .
But after I saw all the comments that were coming through about the kindness that you have been giving people for more than 20 years , making all of us your friends and giving us exceptional service , on the behalf of the foodie review page and all of your friends within your community , I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash prize of $ 6,075 .
`` Thank you for your amazing customer service and for being a friend to all of us . ''
DeCicco replied : `` This job has been an enormous blessing to me .
It has brought out the best in me with the wonderful customers that we have .
`` They gave me strength .
They give me wisdom .
They give me vitality .
And these wonderful people have been true to me for Christmas .
They have put grace into my Christmas . ''
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break down in tears and says : `` I 'm overwhelmed .
I 'm truly overwhelmed . ''
He later adds : `` I 'm going to do my best to live up to it and light a little candle in every heart of every person that I meet .
`` It 's my customers that I owe this to , they bring out the best in me .
It 's them .
I could n't do it without their help , '' he added .
Sydney Cichon , who nominated DeCicco in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News : `` He just brings a smile to everybody 's face , just interacting with him in the drive-thru just brings so much joy . ''
Another contributer to the tip was , Raj Gohill , who told media outlets : `` You could have the worst day and by the time you get through that drive-thru , you 're just smiling . ''

A Taco Bell employee who has been working at the drive-thru lane of a South Daytona branch in Florida for 20 years received a $6,000 Christmas tip from a local community of food lovers.
Joe DeCicco, nicknamed Taco Bell Joe, has become a well-known character in the Daytona area during the two decades that he has worked for the fast-food chain.
On Friday, the 70-year-old was presented with a check for $6,000 by Tricia Phillippi, who created a Facebook group for Daytona foodie reviews that aimed to support local restaurants and staff during the pandemic.
DeCicco was voted favorite employee by the group's members, who then decided to raise $50 as an award but this soon spiralled into thousands.
Joe DeCicco, nicknamed Taco Bell Joe, is presented with a $6,000 tip from Tricia Phillippi Tricia Phillippi
Phillippi posted a video to Facebook on Saturday, in which an emotional DeCicco was handed the check in outside the Taco Bell restaurant.
She told Newsweek: "He deserves the recognition. He truly is the kindest, most gentle, most wonderful man. He makes driving through Taco Bell an actual experience. His spirit is just magical."
In the clip, Phillippi holds the giant check and DeCicco responds by saying: "I just want to say I'm speechless."
Phillippi said: "I'm a little speechless too. The original prize was $50 cash prize. But after I saw all the comments that were coming through about the kindness that you have been giving people for more than 20 years, making all of us your friends and giving us exceptional service, on the behalf of the foodie review page and all of your friends within your community, I'm so proud to present you with a cash prize of $6,075.
"Thank you for your amazing customer service and for being a friend to all of us."
DeCicco replied: "This job has been an enormous blessing to me. It has brought out the best in me with the wonderful customers that we have.
"They gave me strength. They give me wisdom. They give me vitality. And these wonderful people have been true to me for Christmas. They have put grace into my Christmas."
Taco Bell Joe with his $6,000 Christmas check Tricia Phillippi
In the video, he then begins to break down in tears and says: "I'm overwhelmed. I'm truly overwhelmed."
He later adds: "I'm going to do my best to live up to it and light a little candle in every heart of every person that I meet.
"It's my customers that I owe this to, they bring out the best in me. It's them. I couldn't do it without their help," he added.
Sydney Cichon, who nominated DeCicco in the Facebook group, told WESH 2 News: "He just brings a smile to everybody's face, just interacting with him in the drive-thru just brings so much joy."
Another contributer to the tip was, Raj Gohill, who told media outlets: "You could have the worst day and by the time you get through that drive-thru, you're just smiling."


newsweek--2020-12-21--Tennessee to Host 13,000 Fans at Bowl Game Despite Biggest COVID Surge in U.S.

Coronavirus cases in Tennessee may be increasing at one of the fastest rates in the U.S. but the state will nevertheless host a bowl game later this month .
Bowl season officially got underway on Sunday with the announcement of the four College Football Playoff teams , followed by the release of the final CFP rankings , the slate for the New Year 's Six games and the matchups for the remaining bowl games .
The latter include the 62nd AutoZone Liberty Bowl , which is scheduled for 4 p.m .
ET on December 31 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Virginia meet for the first time since 2018 and only the second time in history .
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak , organizers are planning for attendance at the Liberty Bowl to be capped at around 13,000 fans , approximately 20 percent of the venue 's total capacity .
`` We 've been in touch with all the governmental authorities and we 've been cleared to be , it 's going to be approximately 12,000-13,000 fans in attendance , '' Steve Ehrhart , executive director of the Liberty Bowl , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commercial Appeal .
`` We have tickets available .
We 're selling tickets now .
There 'll still be masking required and social distancing .
We have pods of two , four and six people set around the stadium . ''
Games behind closed doors or in front of a very limited audience have been commonplace in college football and across America 's sporting landscape since the coronavirus pandemic first hit the U.S. back in March .
The decision to allow fans at the Liberty Bowl , however , is nevertheless striking given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tennessee .
As of Monday morning , almost 520,000 cases of coronavirus and 6,071 deaths have been reported in the state , according to Johns Hopkins University , which has been tracking the outbreak using combined data sources .
California , Texas , Florida , Illinois , New York , Ohio , Georgia and Pennsylvania are the only U.S. states to have recorded more cases than Tennessee .
According to figures from the Tennessee Department of Health , on December 20 there were 11,383 new positive cases and 47 deaths , respectively a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14-day period .
The number of hospitalized patients , meanwhile , stood at 2,978 , a 14 percent increase over the same window .
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed Tennessee identified cases at the highest per capita rate in the U.S.—when adjusted for population—over the past week .
On Sunday , Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee announced public gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 10 people and urged Tennesseans to spend Christmas only with people from their households to minimize the spread of the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cruel phase of this pandemic , '' he said in a video address .
`` It will get worse before it gets better .
I know you are tired .
But we have got to double down . ''
Significantly , however , Lee , who described Tennessee as `` ground zero '' in the battle against coronavirus , stopped short of announcing a state-wide mask mandate .
Tennessee is among the dozen states not to have enforced a mask mandate , with the option to implement mask restrictions left to each individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same day the Memphis Grizzlies announced no fans will be allowed at the FedEx Forum for the foreseeable future .
The arena hosted hundreds of fans for the Grizzlies ' final two preseason games against the Atlanta Hawks and the team was one of seven NBA franchises planning to welcome a limited number of fans during the regular season .
The plans , however , have now been shelved , with the Grizzlies and the Memphis Tigers ' men basketball team confirming they will play behind closed doors for the foreseeable future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Memphis Grizzlies and the Shelby County Health Department , University of Memphis athletics feels that it is in the best interest of our fans and our community to play our upcoming basketball games without fans , '' Tigers athletic director Laird Veatch said in a statement .
`` We look forward to our loyal fans returning when conditions allow . ''
As of Monday morning , over 17.4 million cases of coronavirus had been reported in the U.S and almost 317,700 deaths of the over 1.69 fatalities recorded worldwide so far .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases globally since the outbreak of coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan , a city located in China 's central Hubei province , late last year .

Coronavirus cases in Tennessee may be increasing at one of the fastest rates in the U.S. but the state will nevertheless host a bowl game later this month.
Bowl season officially got underway on Sunday with the announcement of the four College Football Playoff teams, followed by the release of the final CFP rankings, the slate for the New Year's Six games and the matchups for the remaining bowl games.
The latter include the 62nd AutoZone Liberty Bowl, which is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET on December 31 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis and will see Tennessee and West Virginia meet for the first time since 2018 and only the second time in history.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, organizers are planning for attendance at the Liberty Bowl to be capped at around 13,000 fans, approximately 20 percent of the venue's total capacity.
"We've been in touch with all the governmental authorities and we've been cleared to be, it's going to be approximately 12,000-13,000 fans in attendance," Steve Ehrhart, executive director of the Liberty Bowl, was quoted as saying by Memphis-based newspaper The Commercial Appeal.
"We have tickets available. We're selling tickets now. There'll still be masking required and social distancing. We have pods of two, four and six people set around the stadium."
Games behind closed doors or in front of a very limited audience have been commonplace in college football and across America's sporting landscape since the coronavirus pandemic first hit the U.S. back in March. The decision to allow fans at the Liberty Bowl, however, is nevertheless striking given the mounting tally of COVID-19 cases in Tennessee.
A Tennessee Volunteers helmet seen on the sidelines during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 7 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Volunteers 24-13. Wesley Hitt/Getty
As of Monday morning, almost 520,000 cases of coronavirus and 6,071 deaths have been reported in the state, according to Johns Hopkins University, which has been tracking the outbreak using combined data sources.
California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Georgia and Pennsylvania are the only U.S. states to have recorded more cases than Tennessee.
According to figures from the Tennessee Department of Health, on December 20 there were 11,383 new positive cases and 47 deaths, respectively a 94-percent increase and 55-percent increase over a 14-day period.
The number of hospitalized patients, meanwhile, stood at 2,978, a 14 percent increase over the same window.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed Tennessee identified cases at the highest per capita rate in the U.S.—when adjusted for population—over the past week.
On Sunday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced public gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 10 people and urged Tennesseans to spend Christmas only with people from their households to minimize the spread of the virus.
"We are in a cold, cruel phase of this pandemic," he said in a video address. "It will get worse before it gets better. I know you are tired. But we have got to double down."
Significantly, however, Lee, who described Tennessee as "ground zero" in the battle against coronavirus, stopped short of announcing a state-wide mask mandate.
Tennessee is among the dozen states not to have enforced a mask mandate, with the option to implement mask restrictions left to each individual county.
Lee's announcement came on the same day the Memphis Grizzlies announced no fans will be allowed at the FedEx Forum for the foreseeable future.
The arena hosted hundreds of fans for the Grizzlies' final two preseason games against the Atlanta Hawks and the team was one of seven NBA franchises planning to welcome a limited number of fans during the regular season.
The plans, however, have now been shelved, with the Grizzlies and the Memphis Tigers' men basketball team confirming they will play behind closed doors for the foreseeable future.
"In consultation with FedExForum, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Shelby County Health Department, University of Memphis athletics feels that it is in the best interest of our fans and our community to play our upcoming basketball games without fans," Tigers athletic director Laird Veatch said in a statement.
"We look forward to our loyal fans returning when conditions allow."
As of Monday morning, over 17.4 million cases of coronavirus had been reported in the U.S and almost 317,700 deaths of the over 1.69 fatalities recorded worldwide so far.
There have been almost 76.9 million confirmed cases globally since the outbreak of coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan, a city located in China's central Hubei province, late last year.


newsweek--2020-12-21--Get COVID Vaccine Even If You Caught Coronavirus, Says Warp Speed Chief Moncef Slaoui

The chief adviser of the U.S. government 's Operation Warp Speed vaccine program has said people who have already been infected with the novel coronavirus should still get the shot .
Dr. Moncef Slaoui made the comments during a live interview with CNN 's Jake Tapper on Sunday .
The adviser said the question of whether or not people who have been infected already should get the vaccine is `` really important . ''
`` What we know is that it is safe to be immunized after having been exposed to the virus .
That has happened in clinical trials—people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or actually had a viral infection at the time they started being vaccinated .
So it 's safe , '' Slaoui told CNN .
`` On the other hand we know that infection does n't induce a very strong immune response and it wanes over time .
So I think as a clear precaution it is appropriate to be vaccinated because it 's safe , it will induce a much higher immune response and will ensure , in case natural infection does n't induce long-lasting protection , it will allow it to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be vaccinated , indeed . ''
Operation Warp Speed is a public-private partnership created by the U.S. government aimed at facilitating the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines .
Warp Speed was responsible for delivering the first 2.9 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine across the country .
And chief operating officer of the program , Army Gen. Gustave Perna expects 20 million doses of the vaccine to be shipped by the end of the month .
On Friday , the Food and Drug Administration authorized a second shot—the Moderna vaccine—for emergency use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distributed across the country .
`` Boxes are being packed and loaded today , '' the general said in a statement on Saturday .
`` Trucks will begin rolling out tomorrow from FedEx and UPS delivering vaccines and kits to the American people across the United States . ''
Both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are 95 percent effective against COVID-19 , although the latter can be shipped and stored at standard freezer temperatures , which could help the distribution effort .
`` This allows jurisdictions the flexibility to support hard to reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perna said .
`` This week in total , between Pfizer and Moderna , we have allocated 7.9 million doses of vaccine and we are ready for that distribution , '' the general said on Saturday .
`` We will ship simultaneously to all 64 jurisdictions and five federal entities .
Jurisdictions have already ordered the vaccine and we know it is going to 3,700-plus locations .
With more requests coming in every day based on allocations . ''
While The New York Times reported that more than 128,000 people received the Pfizer/BioNTech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the largest mass vaccination campaign in American history has not been without its setbacks .
On Saturday , Perna issued a public apology after governors in at least 14 states complained that they had received far fewer doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for the coming week than had been promised .

The chief adviser of the U.S. government's Operation Warp Speed vaccine program has said people who have already been infected with the novel coronavirus should still get the shot.
Dr. Moncef Slaoui made the comments during a live interview with CNN's Jake Tapper on Sunday. The adviser said the question of whether or not people who have been infected already should get the vaccine is "really important."
"What we know is that it is safe to be immunized after having been exposed to the virus. That has happened in clinical trials—people that participated in the trials had experienced or actually had a viral infection at the time they started being vaccinated. So it's safe," Slaoui told CNN.
"On the other hand we know that infection doesn't induce a very strong immune response and it wanes over time. So I think as a clear precaution it is appropriate to be vaccinated because it's safe, it will induce a much higher immune response and will ensure, in case natural infection doesn't induce long-lasting protection, it will allow it to have better protection. I think people should be vaccinated, indeed."
Operation Warp Speed is a public-private partnership created by the U.S. government aimed at facilitating the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
Warp Speed was responsible for delivering the first 2.9 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine across the country. And chief operating officer of the program, Army Gen. Gustave Perna expects 20 million doses of the vaccine to be shipped by the end of the month.
On Friday, the Food and Drug Administration authorized a second shot—the Moderna vaccine—for emergency use, which is now set to be distributed across the country.
"Boxes are being packed and loaded today," the general said in a statement on Saturday. "Trucks will begin rolling out tomorrow from FedEx and UPS delivering vaccines and kits to the American people across the United States."
Both the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are 95 percent effective against COVID-19, although the latter can be shipped and stored at standard freezer temperatures, which could help the distribution effort.
"This allows jurisdictions the flexibility to support hard to reach small and more rural areas," Perna said.
"This week in total, between Pfizer and Moderna, we have allocated 7.9 million doses of vaccine and we are ready for that distribution," the general said on Saturday. "We will ship simultaneously to all 64 jurisdictions and five federal entities. Jurisdictions have already ordered the vaccine and we know it is going to 3,700-plus locations. With more requests coming in every day based on allocations."
While The New York Times reported that more than 128,000 people received the Pfizer/BioNTech shot last week, the beginning of the largest mass vaccination campaign in American history has not been without its setbacks.
On Saturday, Perna issued a public apology after governors in at least 14 states complained that they had received far fewer doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for the coming week than had been promised.


newsweek--2020-12-21--Winter Solstice Time and Meaning As It Falls on Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn

2020 's winter solstice is a special one as it coincides with what is known as the great conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter , where the bright planets will form what has been dubbed a `` Christmas Star '' in the sky .
Below is everything you need to know about the two events happening on the same day .
What is winter solstice , and what time is it ?
Winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere , with the fewest hours of daylight and the longest night .
This happens because the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year .
For the same reason , the December solstice is the first day of summer in the southern hemisphere .
This year 's winter solstice is on December 21 , and occurred at 5:02 a.m. Eastern Time .
How do people celebrate the Winter Solstice ?
There are many celebrations spanning a variety of cultures around this time of year to mark the longest day .
At the prehistoric Stonehenge monument in the U.K. , for instance , people have gathered for thousands of years to watch the sun rise between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solstice .
The spectacle , usually observed by thousands of people at the site in Wiltshire , England , was streamed online this year due to COVID-19 .
Nichola Tasker , Stonehenge Director , said in a statement : `` The solstices and equinoxes are incredibly important moments in Stonehenge 's calendar , but this year has not been kind to such gatherings . ''
In Iran people will be celebrating the Yaldā Night , a winter festival where people gather with loved ones to eat snacks like pomegranates , watermelons and nuts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And in some parts of China , `` Dongzhi '' will be marked by families gathering to eat special meals ; balls of rice called tangyuan in the south , and dumplings in the north .
What is the great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn , and what does it have to do with this year 's winter solstice ?
By chance , 2020 's winter solstice falls on the same day as what is known as the great conjunction of the two planets in our solar system .
Jupiter and Saturn align @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vantage point ) around once every two decades .
But this time they will be passing closer than they have in nearly four centuries .
What 's more , this is the first time Saturn and Jupiter have aligned at night in 800 years .
That means it will be visible almost anywhere on Earth according to NASA .
Due to its proximity to Christmas Day on December 25 , the event has been dubbed the `` Christmas star . ''
NASA astronomer Henry Throop said in a statement : `` Conjunctions like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year , depending on where the planets are in their orbits .
`` The date of the conjunction is determined by the positions of Jupiter , Saturn , and the Earth in their paths around the Sun , while the date of the solstice is determined by the tilt of Earth 's axis .
The solstice is the longest night of the year , so this rare coincidence will give people a great chance to go outside and see the solar system . ''

2020's winter solstice is a special one as it coincides with what is known as the great conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, where the bright planets will form what has been dubbed a "Christmas Star" in the sky.
Below is everything you need to know about the two events happening on the same day.
What is winter solstice, and what time is it?
Winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, with the fewest hours of daylight and the longest night. This happens because the sun is at its southernmost point of the year. For the same reason, the December solstice is the first day of summer in the southern hemisphere.
This year's winter solstice is on December 21, and occurred at 5:02 a.m. Eastern Time.
How do people celebrate the Winter Solstice?
There are many celebrations spanning a variety of cultures around this time of year to mark the longest day. At the prehistoric Stonehenge monument in the U.K., for instance, people have gathered for thousands of years to watch the sun rise between its stones on both winter and summer solstice. The spectacle, usually observed by thousands of people at the site in Wiltshire, England, was streamed online this year due to COVID-19.
Nichola Tasker, Stonehenge Director, said in a statement: "The solstices and equinoxes are incredibly important moments in Stonehenge's calendar, but this year has not been kind to such gatherings."
In Iran people will be celebrating the Yaldā Night, a winter festival where people gather with loved ones to eat snacks like pomegranates, watermelons and nuts and read the poetry of Hafez. And in some parts of China, "Dongzhi" will be marked by families gathering to eat special meals; balls of rice called tangyuan in the south, and dumplings in the north.
A stock image shows the sun shining between the pillars of Stonehenge in the U.K. Winter solstice is celebrated at the prehistoric monument.
What is the great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, and what does it have to do with this year's winter solstice?
By chance, 2020's winter solstice falls on the same day as what is known as the great conjunction of the two planets in our solar system. Jupiter and Saturn align with one another (from our earthly vantage point) around once every two decades. But this time they will be passing closer than they have in nearly four centuries. What's more, this is the first time Saturn and Jupiter have aligned at night in 800 years. That means it will be visible almost anywhere on Earth according to NASA.
Due to its proximity to Christmas Day on December 25, the event has been dubbed the "Christmas star."
NASA astronomer Henry Throop said in a statement: "Conjunctions like this could happen on any day of the year, depending on where the planets are in their orbits.
"The date of the conjunction is determined by the positions of Jupiter, Saturn, and the Earth in their paths around the Sun, while the date of the solstice is determined by the tilt of Earth's axis. The solstice is the longest night of the year, so this rare coincidence will give people a great chance to go outside and see the solar system."


newsweek--2020-12-21--$600 Stimulus Check Barely Covers One-Tenth of Predicted Rent, Utility Arrears

The $ 600 stimulus checks included in the second coronavirus relief will bill barely cover a tenth of the rent and utility debts faced by millions of Americans , who could be staring down almost $ 6,000 worth of arrears by 2021 .
A Moody 's Analytics forecast released earlier this month said that almost 12 million renters faced average rent and utility debts of $ 5,850 in the new year .
The estimate is almost ten times the size of the $ 600 checks offered in Congress ' second COVID-19 stimulus package .
The much-anticipated relief bill is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and $ 25 billion in rent relief—a little over a third of the overall debt tenants could face in January .
Moody 's Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi told the Post that rent and utility debt could be as high as $ 70 billion in the new year .
He also told the paper it would be better for lawmakers to offer `` too much than too little '' as the debt crisis loomed .
Newsweek has contacted Moody 's Analytics for further comment and details on its forecast .
Census Bureau data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extent of the American housing crisis following the coronavirus crash .
The bureau said more than 12.8 million Americans faced housing insecurity .
Those facing housing insecurity are either not current on their rent or mortgage payments , or have little to no confidence that they will be able to pay rent and utility bills next month when looking at the state of their personal finances .
The National Multifamily Housing Council revealed that roughly three-quarters of apartment households had made a full or partial rent payment by December 6 , a 7.8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` While the initial rent collection figures for the first week of December are concerning , only a full month 's results will paint a complete picture , '' NMHC President Doug Bibby said in a statement released with the results .
`` However , it should not come as a surprise that a rising number of households are struggling to make ends meet . ''
Writing a letter to Democratic lawmakers on Sunday night , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) confirmed that $ 25 billion of rental assistance would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill , along with an extension of the eviction moratorium .
It is not clear how long the moratorium will last in the new year .
`` With the millions of people on the verge of eviction , we have rental assistance and a moratorium , '' the speaker told reporters .
`` Food , rental assistance , Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit for America 's working poor families . ''
The federal funds for rent relief are expected to be delivered by state and local governments , with priority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing eviction .

The $600 stimulus checks included in the second coronavirus relief will bill barely cover a tenth of the rent and utility debts faced by millions of Americans, who could be staring down almost $6,000 worth of arrears by 2021.
A Moody's Analytics forecast released earlier this month said that almost 12 million renters faced average rent and utility debts of $5,850 in the new year. The estimate is almost ten times the size of the $600 checks offered in Congress' second COVID-19 stimulus package.
The much-anticipated relief bill is also expected to include an extended eviction moratorium and $25 billion in rent relief—a little over a third of the overall debt tenants could face in January.
Moody's Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi told the Post that rent and utility debt could be as high as $70 billion in the new year. He also told the paper it would be better for lawmakers to offer "too much than too little" as the debt crisis loomed.
Hundreds of homeless people gather by a city comfort station on December 10, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images
Newsweek has contacted Moody's Analytics for further comment and details on its forecast.
Census Bureau data from the end of October revealed the extent of the American housing crisis following the coronavirus crash. The bureau said more than 12.8 million Americans faced housing insecurity.
Those facing housing insecurity are either not current on their rent or mortgage payments, or have little to no confidence that they will be able to pay rent and utility bills next month when looking at the state of their personal finances.
The National Multifamily Housing Council revealed that roughly three-quarters of apartment households had made a full or partial rent payment by December 6, a 7.8 percentage point fall on the previous year.
"While the initial rent collection figures for the first week of December are concerning, only a full month's results will paint a complete picture," NMHC President Doug Bibby said in a statement released with the results. "However, it should not come as a surprise that a rising number of households are struggling to make ends meet."
Writing a letter to Democratic lawmakers on Sunday night, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) confirmed that $25 billion of rental assistance would be offered under the latest coronavirus relief bill, along with an extension of the eviction moratorium. It is not clear how long the moratorium will last in the new year.
"With the millions of people on the verge of eviction, we have rental assistance and a moratorium," the speaker told reporters. "Food, rental assistance, Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit for America's working poor families."
The federal funds for rent relief are expected to be delivered by state and local governments, with priority given to those behind on payments and facing eviction.


newsweek--2020-12-21--Democrats React to 'Stopgap' Stimulus Package

After Congressional figureheads breached an impasse to agree on a COVID-19 relief package , Democratic lawmakers insisted the support is a step forward but not an end result .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) both voiced their desire for more action to be taken under the Biden administration , as they commented on the latest agreement .
A joint statement from the pair said : `` The emergency relief in this agreement , the second largest in history only to the CARES Act , is an important first step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the new Biden-Harris Administration to meet the remaining needs of the American people during this historic health and economic crisis . ''
Schumer reiterated this stance with a message sent out on social media .
`` After weeks of intense negotiation , we 've reached an agreement on an emergency # COVIDrelief package .
It will deliver emergency relief to a nation in the throes of a genuine emergency .
We must make law as soon as possible .
And then we need to do even more under President Biden , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion package will include measures such as direct payments of up to $ 600 , an extension to boosted unemployment support and small business aid through the Payment Protection Program .
It comes nearly nine months after the last relief package , the CARES Act , was signed back in March .
Other Democrats echoed Pelosi and Schumer , welcoming the bill but calling for more support to be enacted .
`` This bill is not perfect .
It 's not the bill I would have written .
But it 's a bridge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counting on us .
They need help now , '' Rep. Jim McGovern ( D-MA ) tweeted .
`` For these reasons , I will be voting yes . ''
Sen. Jeff Merkley ( D-OR ) described it as a `` stopgap measure . ''
He tweeted : `` This deal is certainly better than nothing , given the great need across our nation .
But it is a stopgap measure .
The key is to rebuild the economy from families and Main Street up , not Wall Street down .
We 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once President Biden is in the White House . ''
Rep. Lloyd Doggett ( D-TX ) called the package `` too little , too late , '' and said he expects more support under the next administration .
`` From the discussions I 've had , this relief deal is too little , too late , '' Doggett tweeted .
`` Modest help for many who are struggling , important funding for vaccine distribution , but some sorry provisions , and many omissions .
Hopefully , it will at least help those most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new Administration . ''
The call for more next year was also reiterated by Rep. Nydia Velazquez ( D-NY ) .
`` This bill is n't perfect & we need more under President Biden , '' Velazquez tweeted .
Rep. Cheri Bustos ( D-IL ) said the package outlined is insufficient but could bridge the time until further steps are taken .
`` Simply put , it 's not enough , '' Bustos tweeted .
`` Many of the cities and towns I serve will need additional help to avoid city layoffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency and snow removal .
But this will help us start to get control of this pandemic while we work toward our next step . ''
Republican Senator John Cornyn ( R-TX ) retweeted a journalist 's message that they were `` getting the sense Democrats want to do another stimulus bill in January , '' and wrote alongside this : `` Ya think ? ''
Newsweek has contacted the lawmakers mentioned for further comment .

After Congressional figureheads breached an impasse to agree on a COVID-19 relief package, Democratic lawmakers insisted the support is a step forward but not an end result.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) both voiced their desire for more action to be taken under the Biden administration, as they commented on the latest agreement.
A joint statement from the pair said: "The emergency relief in this agreement, the second largest in history only to the CARES Act, is an important first step that Democrats look forward to building on under the new Biden-Harris Administration to meet the remaining needs of the American people during this historic health and economic crisis."
Schumer reiterated this stance with a message sent out on social media.
"After weeks of intense negotiation, we've reached an agreement on an emergency #COVIDrelief package. It will deliver emergency relief to a nation in the throes of a genuine emergency. We must make law as soon as possible. And then we need to do even more under President Biden," Schumer tweeted.
The roughly $900 billion package will include measures such as direct payments of up to $600, an extension to boosted unemployment support and small business aid through the Payment Protection Program. It comes nearly nine months after the last relief package, the CARES Act, was signed back in March.
After weeks of intense negotiation, we've reached an agreement on an emergency #COVIDrelief package.
It will deliver emergency relief to a nation in the throes of a genuine emergency. We must make law as soon as possible.
And then we need to do even more under President Biden. — Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) December 20, 2020
Other Democrats echoed Pelosi and Schumer, welcoming the bill but calling for more support to be enacted.
"This bill is not perfect. It's not the bill I would have written. But it's a bridge. And people who are struggling are counting on us. They need help now," Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) tweeted. "For these reasons, I will be voting yes."
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speak after a press conference on Capitol Hill on December 20, 2020. They have expressed a desire for further future relief action after a deal was agreed on another stimulus package. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) described it as a "stopgap measure." He tweeted: "This deal is certainly better than nothing, given the great need across our nation. But it is a stopgap measure. The key is to rebuild the economy from families and Main Street up, not Wall Street down. We'll have a lot more work to do once President Biden is in the White House."
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) called the package "too little, too late," and said he expects more support under the next administration.
"From the discussions I've had, this relief deal is too little, too late," Doggett tweeted. "Modest help for many who are struggling, important funding for vaccine distribution, but some sorry provisions, and many omissions. Hopefully, it will at least help those most in need make it until we have a new Administration."
Asked for further comment by Newsweek, Doggett said that health care was a shortcoming in the proposals and pushed for local government support.
"One major shortcoming is health care. Virus spread is only intensified when 30 million Americans were uninsured prior to the pandemic and millions more lost coverage during the pandemic. Beginning early during the pandemic, local officials provided the leadership and advanced creative responses while national and state governments failed," Doggett said.
"Now they face the prospect of layoffs of first responders and other essential workers because Republicans have blocked aid to local governments and in states controlled by Trump acolytes like Texas, Governors have done the same."
On what action he would like to see next, Doggett said: "With many of the same Republican obstacles next month as this month, I favor whatever approach can secure the quickest and broadest success. One possibility is the long-delayed House infrastructure bill, which could provide both a boost to the economy and much-needed improvements."
Read more Stimulus Bill Vote Extended With Senate's One-Day, Stop-Gap Funding Stimulus Bill Vote Extended With Senate's One-Day, Stop-Gap Funding
The call for more next year was also reiterated by Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY). "This bill isn't perfect & we need more under President Biden," Velazquez tweeted.
Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL) said the package outlined is insufficient but could bridge the time until further steps are taken.
"Simply put, it's not enough," Bustos tweeted. "Many of the cities and towns I serve will need additional help to avoid city layoffs and keep critical services going, like emergency and snow removal. But this will help us start to get control of this pandemic while we work toward our next step."
Republican Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) retweeted a journalist's message that they were "getting the sense Democrats want to do another stimulus bill in January," and wrote alongside this: "Ya think?"
Newsweek has contacted the lawmakers mentioned for further comment.
Update 12/22/2020: This page was updated to include further comment from Lloyd Doggett.


newsweek--2020-12-21--The Israel-Morocco Deal Is a Triumph for Trump—and Biden, Too | Opinion

For all of its import , the December 10 announcement by the Kingdom of Morocco that it was normalizing ties with Israel can hardly be said to have been a surprise .
Contacts between the two countries span decades , and Rabat and Jerusalem have long boasted a vibrant ( if informal ) partnership built around cultural bonds , trade ties and political alignment .
A public affirmation of this extant reality was n't really a matter of if , but of when .
Even so , the start of official contacts between the two countries is a major development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emerged as the signal foreign policy achievement of the outgoing Trump administration .
Over the past four years , the White House has worked diligently to advance its vision of a more integrated and economically prosperous Middle East .
This plan has borne fruit in what has turned out to be its last year in office .
Since this summer , the `` normalization '' wave nurtured by the current Trump administration has yielded no fewer than four separate agreements between Israel and the Islamic world ( with the United Arab Emirates , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as other ententes and diplomatic breakthroughs with Serbia , Kosovo and Bhutan .
( Additional such arrangements may still be in the offing in the final weeks of the Trump presidency . )
As a result , President Trump will leave office next month having done more to advance regional stability and Israeli-Islamic world relations than all of his predecessors combined .
But the Israel-Morocco deal should also be seen as a boon for the incoming Biden administration , for at least two reasons .
First , it is a timely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ profoundly shifted over the past half-decade .
The historically fractious Middle East is now more economically integrated and politically moderate than at any time in recent memory .
The Biden administration will inherit this benevolent trend , and—with the proper diplomacy—can build on it to further promote regional prosperity and stability in the years ahead .
Second , it positions longtime U.S. ally Morocco to take on a more sizable role in North African security .
Morocco 's strategic location on the continent , situated near geopolitical hotspots like Mali and Nigeria , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a function .
Yet , for years , the uncertain legal status of the former Spanish territory of the Western Sahara , which the Kingdom has administered since the 1970s , has prevented Morocco from playing a larger role in the security of its neighborhood .
Now , however , the U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara that accompanied `` normalization '' with Israel has paved the way for the Kingdom to take on a more meaningful role in regional policing .
It 's a job for which Morocco is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inclusive interpretation of Islam has long stood in contrast to more extreme strains of the religion found elsewhere in the region .
And over the past decade , Morocco has become more outspoken and assertive in promoting this worldview , establishing clerical institutions and international partnerships designed to promote the Moroccan `` model '' throughout Africa—and beyond .
That message is much needed .
As a new study from the National Defense University recently noted , violent Islamist activity has surged throughout Africa over the past two years , spiking in particular in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lake Chad Basin and the lawless Sahel region situated beneath North Africa .
Left unaddressed , this trend threatens to engulf the continent and imperil American interests there .
Through both policy statements and personnel picks , the incoming Biden administration has already signaled that it plans to pursue a more robust Africa policy than did its predecessor .
Making Morocco a more prominent part of such an approach simply makes good strategic sense .
Since its announcement earlier this month , the Moroccan-Israeli agreement has garnered its fair share of criticism from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the political status quo in the Western Sahara , a sidelining of the Palestinians and assorted other alleged shortcomings .
These critics , however , miss a crucial point .
At the end of the day , the new normalization deal better aligns Rabat with emerging regional trends in the Middle East , and makes it far more useful to Washington .
Ilan Berman is senior vice president of the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington , D.C .
The views expressed in this article are the writer 's own .

For all of its import, the December 10 announcement by the Kingdom of Morocco that it was normalizing ties with Israel can hardly be said to have been a surprise. Contacts between the two countries span decades, and Rabat and Jerusalem have long boasted a vibrant (if informal) partnership built around cultural bonds, trade ties and political alignment. A public affirmation of this extant reality wasn't really a matter of if, but of when.
Even so, the start of official contacts between the two countries is a major development, and one that strengthens what has emerged as the signal foreign policy achievement of the outgoing Trump administration.
Over the past four years, the White House has worked diligently to advance its vision of a more integrated and economically prosperous Middle East. This plan has borne fruit in what has turned out to be its last year in office. Since this summer, the "normalization" wave nurtured by the current Trump administration has yielded no fewer than four separate agreements between Israel and the Islamic world (with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco), as well as other ententes and diplomatic breakthroughs with Serbia, Kosovo and Bhutan. (Additional such arrangements may still be in the offing in the final weeks of the Trump presidency.) As a result, President Trump will leave office next month having done more to advance regional stability and Israeli-Islamic world relations than all of his predecessors combined.
But the Israel-Morocco deal should also be seen as a boon for the incoming Biden administration, for at least two reasons.
First, it is a timely reminder of a regional context that has profoundly shifted over the past half-decade. The historically fractious Middle East is now more economically integrated and politically moderate than at any time in recent memory. The Biden administration will inherit this benevolent trend, and—with the proper diplomacy—can build on it to further promote regional prosperity and stability in the years ahead.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco Carlos R. Alvarez/WireImage
Second, it positions longtime U.S. ally Morocco to take on a more sizable role in North African security. Morocco's strategic location on the continent, situated near geopolitical hotspots like Mali and Nigeria, makes it a natural candidate for such a function. Yet, for years, the uncertain legal status of the former Spanish territory of the Western Sahara, which the Kingdom has administered since the 1970s, has prevented Morocco from playing a larger role in the security of its neighborhood. Now, however, the U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara that accompanied "normalization" with Israel has paved the way for the Kingdom to take on a more meaningful role in regional policing.
It's a job for which Morocco is well-suited. The country's tolerant, inclusive interpretation of Islam has long stood in contrast to more extreme strains of the religion found elsewhere in the region. And over the past decade, Morocco has become more outspoken and assertive in promoting this worldview, establishing clerical institutions and international partnerships designed to promote the Moroccan "model" throughout Africa—and beyond.
That message is much needed. As a new study from the National Defense University recently noted, violent Islamist activity has surged throughout Africa over the past two years, spiking in particular in places like Somalia, Mozambique, the Lake Chad Basin and the lawless Sahel region situated beneath North Africa. Left unaddressed, this trend threatens to engulf the continent and imperil American interests there.
Through both policy statements and personnel picks, the incoming Biden administration has already signaled that it plans to pursue a more robust Africa policy than did its predecessor. Making Morocco a more prominent part of such an approach simply makes good strategic sense.
Since its announcement earlier this month, the Moroccan-Israeli agreement has garnered its fair share of criticism from detractors who have lamented a shift in the political status quo in the Western Sahara, a sidelining of the Palestinians and assorted other alleged shortcomings. These critics, however, miss a crucial point. At the end of the day, the new normalization deal better aligns Rabat with emerging regional trends in the Middle East, and makes it far more useful to Washington.
Ilan Berman is senior vice president of the American Foreign Policy Council in Washington, D.C.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.


newsweek--2020-12-21--What Date Will the Second Stimulus Checks Arrive?

Congress has passed an emergency coronavirus relief package including a second round of stimulus checks worth $ 600 , additional unemployment insurance and small business aid—but when will we get the second stimulus check ?
Qualifying Americans , including children , are set to receive $ 600 each when the checks are paid out .
Eligible Americans who earned less than $ 75,000 in 2019 will qualify , and those who earned more will have their benefits cut .
There are other factors surrounding who will qualify for the stimulus checks , though many Americans may just be wondering when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account .
What date can I expect to get the $ 600 stimulus check ?
There is no specific date for the release of the stimulus checks and they will not all be released at once .
However , based on the first round of checks as well as expert opinions , we may be able to estimate when they will be paid out .
It is expected that it will take the Treasury around two weeks to start paying out the stimulus checks after the legislation is signed .
Howard Gleckman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Policy Center , told CNN that the IRS could begin paying out the money in January .
Nevertheless , it is unlikely that everyone will receive their money next month .
In March , when the legislation for the first round of stimulus checks was passed , it took the IRS around two weeks to begin sending checks .
More than half of eligible people received their money in the first three weeks of April and most people had received their money within two months .
Other factors that may affect who will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the IRS has an individual 's bank information on file , as these people can have the money deposited straight into their account .
As this is the second round of checks , the IRS may be able to reuse the banking information that they collected earlier this year , so Americans could receive their money quite quickly .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin previously said that he can pay 50 million payments quickly and directly into people 's accounts .
Otherwise , people will have to wait to receive a paper check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Treasury has the capacity to mail out around five to seven million paper checks per week .
Additionally , during the first round of checks , the Treasury started mailing out paper checks in mid-April , beginning with low-income families earning less than $ 20,000 annually .
The debit cards were mailed out starting from mid-May , so anyone expecting this form of payment may have to wait a couple of months more than those receiving the payment directly or via a paper check .

Congress has passed an emergency coronavirus relief package including a second round of stimulus checks worth $600, additional unemployment insurance and small business aid—but when will we get the second stimulus check?
Qualifying Americans, including children, are set to receive $600 each when the checks are paid out. Eligible Americans who earned less than $75,000 in 2019 will qualify, and those who earned more will have their benefits cut.
There are other factors surrounding who will qualify for the stimulus checks, though many Americans may just be wondering when they will see the money in their account.
What date can I expect to get the $600 stimulus check?
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has said that the stimulus checks will be sent out from the beginning of next week.
There is no specific date for the release of the stimulus checks, though we know that some people will receive their money next week.
However, the checks won't all be released at once, so based on the first round of checks as well as expert opinions, we may be able to estimate when they will be paid out.
It was expected that it will take the Treasury around two weeks to start paying out the stimulus checks after the legislation is signed. Howard Gleckman, a senior fellow at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, told CNN that the IRS could begin paying out the money in January.
But according to Mnuchin, some Americans will be paid by the end of the month.
In March, when the legislation for the first round of stimulus checks was passed, it took the IRS around two weeks to begin sending checks. More than half of eligible people received their money in the first three weeks of April and most people had received their money within two months.
Other factors that may affect who will receive their checks sooner include whether or not the IRS has an individual's bank information on file, as these people can have the money deposited straight into their account.
As this is the second round of checks, the IRS may be able to reuse the banking information that they collected earlier this year, so Americans could receive their money quite quickly.
Mnuchin previously said that he can pay 50 million payments quickly and directly into people's accounts.
Otherwise, people will have to wait to receive a paper check or prepaid debit card in the mail.
The Treasury has the capacity to mail out around five to seven million paper checks per week. Additionally, during the first round of checks, the Treasury started mailing out paper checks in mid-April, beginning with low-income families earning less than $20,000 annually.
The debit cards were mailed out starting from mid-May, so anyone expecting this form of payment may have to wait a couple of months more than those receiving the payment directly or via a paper check.


newsweek--2020-12-21--Bette Midler, Alyssa Milano and Other Celebrities React to 'Joke' $600 Stimulus Check

The belated and much-negotiated $ 900 billion pandemic relief deal has been announced by Congress with $ 600 stimulus checks to be given to struggling Americans .
The second round of stimulus checks come along with steps to improve unemployment benefits as well as an extension on eviction moratoriums for renters .
`` We can finally report what our nation has needed to hear for a very long time : More help is on the way , '' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) said on the floor .
`` I hope we can do this as promptly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checks will only go out to those making less than $ 75,000 a year or couples making less than $ 150,000 .
However , the $ 600 has been deemed an `` insult '' and a `` joke '' by some .
A number of celebrities have been reacting to the move with several having harsh words for Congress ' decision .
Vocal anti-Donald Trump actress Bette Midler predicted on December 19 that the stimulus bill would pass ahead of Congress taking their holiday break .
`` Does anyone doubt that # Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill this weekend so they get to go on their vacations ? ''
the Hocus Pocus star tweeted , followed by : `` Told ya so . ''
Comedian Eva Victor added : `` six hundred dollars wowee what will i do with ok yeah it 's gone . ''
Political commentator Robert Reich described the check as an `` insult , '' tweeting : `` $ 600 is an insult to millions of Americans . ''
Author Don Winslow added : `` Members of Congress were paid $ 130k to spend 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 600 . ''
Activist Bernice King wrote : `` A Space Force .
But $ 600 to aid people during a pandemic . ''
She then quoted her father , the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. : `` A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom . ''
Charmed star Alyssa Milano was very blunt in her opinion of the check , tweeting : `` SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS IS A F****** JOKE . ''
`` $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get for the hell and death this year has caused .
Shame on Mitch .
Shame on the Republican Party , '' actress Amber Tamblyn tweeted .
Meanwhile , controversial comedian Kathy Griffin took aim at McConnell , tweeting : `` This f***** right here .
Reminder , the stimulus checks will only be $ 600 , because we Democrats LOST the majority in the Senate .
The Republicans have more votes than we do .
That 's how this shit works . ''
`` BREAKING : Members of Congress who spend hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year are confused why the American people ca n't live off of $ 600 .
Story developing , '' Chelsea Handler added .

The belated and much-negotiated $900 billion pandemic relief deal has been announced by Congress with $600 stimulus checks to be given to struggling Americans.
The second round of stimulus checks come along with steps to improve unemployment benefits as well as an extension on eviction moratoriums for renters.
"We can finally report what our nation has needed to hear for a very long time: More help is on the way," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said on the floor. "I hope we can do this as promptly as possible."
The $600 checks will only go out to those making less than $75,000 a year or couples making less than $150,000.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks during a news conference following a weekly meeting with the Senate Republican caucus at the U.S. Capitol on December 8, 2020, in Washington, D.C. Congress has passed an emergency coronavirus relief package including $600 stimulus checks. Pool/Getty
However, the $600 has been deemed an "insult" and a "joke" by some.
A number of celebrities have been reacting to the move with several having harsh words for Congress' decision.
Vocal anti-Donald Trump actress Bette Midler predicted on December 19 that the stimulus bill would pass ahead of Congress taking their holiday break.
"Does anyone doubt that #Congress will suddenly pass a #Covid relief bill this weekend so they get to go on their vacations?" the Hocus Pocus star tweeted, followed by: "Told ya so."
Comedian Eva Victor added: "six hundred dollars wowee what will i do with ok yeah it's gone."
six hundred dollars wowee what will i do with ok yeah it’s gone — Eva Victor (@evavictor) December 20, 2020
Political commentator Robert Reich described the check as an "insult," tweeting: "$600 is an insult to millions of Americans."
$600 is an insult to millions of Americans. — Robert Reich (@RBReich) December 21, 2020
Author Don Winslow added: "Members of Congress were paid $130k to spend 9 months arguing about whether you deserve $600."
Activist Bernice King wrote: "A Space Force. But $600 to aid people during a pandemic."
She then quoted her father, the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: "A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom."
Charmed star Alyssa Milano was very blunt in her opinion of the check, tweeting: "SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS IS A F****** JOKE."
SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS IS A FUCKING JOKE. — Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) December 21, 2020
"$600. $600 is what families get for the hell and death this year has caused. Shame on Mitch. Shame on the Republican Party," actress Amber Tamblyn tweeted.
$600.
$600 is what families get for the hell and death this year has caused.
Shame on Mitch. Shame on the Republican Party. — Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) December 20, 2020
Meanwhile, controversial comedian Kathy Griffin took aim at McConnell, tweeting: "This f***** right here. Reminder, the stimulus checks will only be $600, because we Democrats LOST the majority in the Senate. The Republicans have more votes than we do. That's how this shit works."
This fucker right here. Reminder, the stimulus checks will only be $600, because we Democrats LOST the majority in the Senate. The Republicans have more votes than we do. That’s how this shit works. https://t.co/4i6aJKfBm7 — Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) December 20, 2020
"BREAKING: Members of Congress who spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on living expenses a year are confused why the American people can't live off of $600. Story developing," Chelsea Handler added.


newsweek--2020-12-21--Oregon Man Arrested for Shouting Racial Slurs at Black FedEx Driver—Police

A man has been arrested in Oregon on suspicion of a hate crime after allegedly threatening a Black FedEx driver with a gun while yelling racial slurs .
The Washington County Sheriff 's Office said they were called to reports of a man making threats in Aloha just before 1 p.m. on Sunday , December 20 .
Deputies said a FedEx driver was delivering packages near SW Cascadia Ct. and SW 188th Avenue when a man came out of his house and stood in the middle of the street to block the driver .
The suspect , later identified as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly started making racial slurs towards the FedEx driver .
The FedEx driver was able to drive off , but Bryant got in his car and chased after him .
The suspect is accused of pulling up alongside the truck with his car door open .
The FedEx driver said he could see that Bryant had a gun in his car and allegedly told him that he was `` not afraid to use it '' while continuing to yell racial slurs .
After the driver got away and called 911 , Bryant was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the suspect which had no orange tip and was `` indistinguishable from a real gun , '' the Washington County Sheriff 's Office said .
Bryant has been charged with bias crime in the first degree , unlawful use of a weapon , and menacing .
He was booked into the Washington County Jail , with bail set at $ 10,000 .
It is unclear what prompted the suspect to begin harassing the FedEx driver .
The Washington County Sheriff 's Office has been contacted for further comment .
Oregon law states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felony , if a person intentionally , because of the person 's perception of another person 's race , color , religion , gender identity , sexual orientation , disability or national origin , places another person in fear of imminent serious physical injury .
On the same day , the Washington County Sheriff 's Office also responded to a stabbing in the 20600 block of SW 65th Avenue near Tualatin .
An investigation was launched after a man turned up at a local hospital just after midnight on Sunday reporting that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deputies then surrounded the house while the suspect , 48-year-old Astella Smith of Tualatin , was still inside .
Just before 7 a.m. , Smith was detained and taken into custody .
She was booked into the Washington County Jail on charges of assault in the second degree and unlawful use of a weapon .

A man has been arrested in Oregon on suspicion of a hate crime after allegedly threatening a Black FedEx driver with a gun while yelling racial slurs.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office said they were called to reports of a man making threats in Aloha just before 1 p.m. on Sunday, December 20.
Deputies said a FedEx driver was delivering packages near SW Cascadia Ct. and SW 188th Avenue when a man came out of his house and stood in the middle of the street to block the driver.
The suspect, later identified as 68-year-old Rodney Bryant of Aloha, then allegedly started making racial slurs towards the FedEx driver.
The FedEx driver was able to drive off, but Bryant got in his car and chased after him. The suspect is accused of pulling up alongside the truck with his car door open.
The FedEx driver said he could see that Bryant had a gun in his car and allegedly told him that he was "not afraid to use it" while continuing to yell racial slurs.
After the driver got away and called 911, Bryant was arrested. Deputies recovered a pellet gun from the suspect which had no orange tip and was "indistinguishable from a real gun," the Washington County Sheriff's Office said.
Bryant has been charged with bias crime in the first degree, unlawful use of a weapon, and menacing. He was booked into the Washington County Jail, with bail set at $10,000.
It is unclear what prompted the suspect to begin harassing the FedEx driver. The Washington County Sheriff's Office has been contacted for further comment.
Oregon law states a person commits Bias Crime, a felony, if a person intentionally, because of the person's perception of another person's race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or national origin, places another person in fear of imminent serious physical injury.
On the same day, the Washington County Sheriff's Office also responded to a stabbing in the 20600 block of SW 65th Avenue near Tualatin.
An investigation was launched after a man turned up at a local hospital just after midnight on Sunday reporting that he had been stabbed at a house.
Deputies then surrounded the house while the suspect, 48-year-old Astella Smith of Tualatin, was still inside.
Just before 7 a.m., Smith was detained and taken into custody. She was booked into the Washington County Jail on charges of assault in the second degree and unlawful use of a weapon.