Category: News


Covid: Trump signs relief and spending package into law


Mr Trump had initially refused to sign the bill, saying he wanted to give people bigger one-off payments.

Nashville explosion: Camper van blows up in ‘intentional act’ on Christmas morning


A parked camper van exploded in the US city of Nashville, Tennessee, early on Christmas morning, injuring three people and knocking out communications systems across the state.

West Point faces worst cheating scandal in decades


More than 70 students were accused of breaking West Point’s Cadet Honor Code in a maths test while studying remotely because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Covid: US reaches long-awaited deal for coronavirus aid


After months of wrangling, US lawmakers have agreed to a roughly $900bn (£660bn) package of pandemic aid, including money for businesses and unemployment programmes.

Covid: US approves Moderna as second vaccine


The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised the US-made jab about a week after approving a Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine which is now being distributed.

Covid: Moderna vaccine moves closer to US approval


The head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said his agency would move quickly to authorise the Moderna vaccine, allowing the company to begin shipping millions of doses.

US under cyber attack believed to be tied to Russia: Private sector, infrastructure, all levels of government at risk


A cyber attack believed to be tied to Russia continues to pose a “grave risk” to government networks and the private sector, according to an ominous warning issued Thursday by the Department of Homeland Security.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/12/17/ongoing-cyberattack-poses-grave-risk-government-private-sector/3946658001/

Democratic senators introduce ‘College Athletes Bill of Rights’ that could reshape NCAA


Sens. Cory Booker and Richard Blumenthal on Thursday are introducing legislation that would dramatically alter the compensation and treatment of athletes in major-college sports programs.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/2020/12/17/ncaa-overhaul-come-democrats-college-athletes-bill-rights/3935483001/

France’s President Emmanuel Macron tests positive for COVID-19


France’s President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for COVID-19, the country’s presidential palace, known as the Élysée, said in a statement Thursday.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2020/12/17/frances-president-emmanuel-macron-tests-positive-covid-19/3937050001/