Donald Trump is on a pardon spree. Allies, loyalists and family members close to Donald Trump are being pardoned. This includes the father of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Is the US President misusing the #PresidentialPardon? Palki Sharma Upadhyay has a report.

Gravitas: Donald Trump is on a pardon spree

The United States will open a "virtual" diplomatic post in Western Sahara ahead of a consulate, the State Department said Thursday, after recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory earlier this month.

Announcement of the virtual presence follows US President Donald Trump's surprise declaration in early December supporting Morocco's control of the desert territory, which is claimed by the Algerian-backed pro-independence Polisario Front rebels.

The move was part of a larger agreement revealed by Trump, under which Morocco became the latest Arab state to recognize Israel.

Jared Kushner, son-in-law and advisor to the US president, took his seat Tuesday alongside an Israeli delegation on the first Israel-Morocco direct commercial flight, before signing a declaration which provides for the opening of a US consulate in the Western Sahara port city of Dakhla.

"Pleased to announce the beginning of the process to establish a US consulate in Western Sahara," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted Thursday.

"Effective immediately, we are inaugurating a virtual presence post for Western Sahara," he added in a statement, specifying that the post would be "followed soon by a fully functioning consulate."

"This virtual presence post will be managed by the US Embassy in Rabat" with a focus on promoting economic and social development, Pompeo said, without providing a timetable for the consulate.

He added that the United States "will continue to support political negotiations to resolve the issues between Morocco and the Polisario."

The United States will open a "virtual" diplomatic post in Western Sahara ahead of a consulate, the State Department said Thursday, after recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory earlier this month.

The United States will open a "virtual" diplomatic post in Western Sahara ahead of a consulate, the State Department said Thursday, after recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory earlier this month. Announcement of the virtual presence follows US President Donald Trump's surprise declaration in early December supporting Morocco's control of the desert territory, which is claimed by the Algerian-backed pro-independence Polisario Front rebels. The move was part of a larger agreement revealed by Trump, under which Morocco became the latest Arab state to recognize Israel. Jared Kushner, son-in-law and advisor to the US president, took his seat Tuesday alongside an Israeli delegation on the first Israel-Morocco direct commercial flight, before signing a declaration which provides for the opening of a US consulate in the Western Sahara port city of Dakhla. "Pleased to announce the beginning of the process to establish a US consulate in Western Sahara," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted Thursday. "Effective immediately, we are inaugurating a virtual presence post for Western Sahara," he added in a statement, specifying that the post would be "followed soon by a fully functioning consulate." "This virtual presence post will be managed by the US Embassy in Rabat" with a focus on promoting economic and social development, Pompeo said, without providing a timetable for the consulate. He added that the United States "will continue to support political negotiations to resolve the issues between Morocco and the Polisario."

US opens ‘virtual’ presence in Western Sahara ahead of the consulate

US weapons manufacturer Raytheon Technologies Corp will be able to sell the weapons directly to the Saudis when it receives the licence

Trump administration pushing $498m arms sale to Saudi Arabia: Reports

The mayor said he was "greatly" disturbed that the officer did not turn on the body camera until after the shooting.

Ohio police officer kills Black man while body camera switched off prior shooting

American airlines furloughed nearly 19,000 employees after a first federal payroll support package for airlines expired in October.

American Airlines begins recalling 19,000 furloughed workers

Donald Trump issues a wave of pardons, including former Blackwater security guards convicted for killing Iraqi civilians in 2007. This has cast a shadow over the most powerful & controversial tool in American constitution. Molly Gambhir explains the U.S. Presidential Power.

Most notable pardons in U.S. history

They were convicted in 2014 after a months-long trial in Washington’s federal court, and each man defiantly asserted his innocence at a sentencing hearing the following year.

Donald Trump pardons 4 Blackwater guards convicted of 2007 Iraq massacre

As U.S. industries push for their workers to receive early access to COVID-19 vaccines, local health departments and pharmacies face the challenge of verifying the identity of essential workers to ensure no one cuts the line.

US vaccine rollout's next challenge: How to verify an 'essential' worker?

The United States economy expanded at a record 33.4 percent annual pace from July through September.

US Q3 GDP estimate gets a slight upgrade to 33.4% growth

The U.S. Congress on Monday passed a bill that is expected to upgrade U.S. support for Tibetans in key areas, including sanctioning Chinese officials if they try to appoint the next Dalai Lama.

U.S. congress passes landmark bill in support of Tibet

Biden has pledged to rejoin the Paris agreement “on day one of my presidency”. He has similarly indicated he would revive the Iran nuclear deal as a top foreign policy objective.

Trump loyalists aim to block Biden's goal to rejoin Iran and Paris agreements

The United States has suffered from its deadliest week from COVID-19, 18,481 lives have been lost in just one week, that is one death in every 33 second.

Your Story: United States suffers deadly week from COVID-19, loses 1 life every 33 seconds

The Trump administration on Monday published a list of Chinese and Russian companies with alleged military ties that restrict them from buying a wide range of US&nbsp;goods and technology. 
 
Reuters first reported last month that the US&nbsp;Department of Commerce drafted a list of companies that it linked to the Chinese or Russian military, news that brought a rebuke from Beijing. 
 
The final list does not include Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), or the Hong Kong subsidiaries of Colorado`s Arrow Electronics and Texas-based TTI Inc, a Berkshire Hathaway electronics distributor. Those companies were on the draft list seen by Reuters. 
 
The final list names 103 entities, 14 fewer than on the draft list seen by Reuters in November. Fifty-eight are designated under China, down from 89, and 45 entities are tied to Russia, up from 28. 
 
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on Monday the action establishes&nbsp;a new process "to&nbsp;assist exporters&nbsp;in&nbsp;screening&nbsp;their customers for military end users." 
 
The final list was published on the Commerce Department website&nbsp;on Monday and is scheduled to be posted for public inspection in the Federal Register on Tuesday. 
 
Publishing the list in the waning days of the Trump administration follows the addition of dozens of Chinese companies to another U.S. trade blacklist, including the country`s top chipmaker, SMIC, and Chinese drone manufacturer SZ DJI Technology Co Ltd, on Friday. 
 
Tensions between Washington and Beijing have escalated over the past year, as Trump blamed China for the coronavirus pandemic, a national security law was imposed in Hong Kong and a dispute involving the South China Sea has intensified. 
 
The U.S. government also has grown increasingly concerned about China’s “military-civil fusion,” a policy that aims to build up its military might and technological development in tandem. 
 
Last spring, the Commerce Department expanded the definition of "military end users," as the department defines the companies with military ties. 
 
The category includes not only armed service and national police, but any person or entity that supports or contributes to the maintenance or production of military items - even if their business is primarily non-military. 
 
The "military end user" designation requires U.S. companies to obtain licenses to sell to the firms, which are more likely to be denied than granted. 
 
The list is not definitive and Commerce said U.S. companies must continue to do their own due diligence to help decide whether their buyers are considered military end users. 
 
Publication of the list is likely to inflame Beijing. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian in November called news of the draft list "unprovoked suppression of Chinese companies by the United States." 
 
While COMAC was removed, seven Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) subordinate entities remain on the list. 
 
General Electric Co and Honeywell International both have joint ventures with AVIC and supply COMAC, which is spearheading Chinese efforts to compete with Boeing Co and Airbus. 
 
Earlier this month, Arrow and TTI both denied their subsidiaries have ties to the Chinese military and said they were working to be removed from any final list.

The Trump administration on Monday published a list of Chinese and Russian companies with alleged military ties that restrict them from buying a wide range of US goods and technology.

The Trump administration on Monday published a list of Chinese and Russian companies with alleged military ties that restrict them from buying a wide range of US goods and technology. Reuters first reported last month that the US Department of Commerce drafted a list of companies that it linked to the Chinese or Russian military, news that brought a rebuke from Beijing. The final list does not include Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), or the Hong Kong subsidiaries of Colorado`s Arrow Electronics and Texas-based TTI Inc, a Berkshire Hathaway electronics distributor. Those companies were on the draft list seen by Reuters. The final list names 103 entities, 14 fewer than on the draft list seen by Reuters in November. Fifty-eight are designated under China, down from 89, and 45 entities are tied to Russia, up from 28. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on Monday the action establishes a new process "to assist exporters in screening their customers for military end users." The final list was published on the Commerce Department website on Monday and is scheduled to be posted for public inspection in the Federal Register on Tuesday. Publishing the list in the waning days of the Trump administration follows the addition of dozens of Chinese companies to another U.S. trade blacklist, including the country`s top chipmaker, SMIC, and Chinese drone manufacturer SZ DJI Technology Co Ltd, on Friday. Tensions between Washington and Beijing have escalated over the past year, as Trump blamed China for the coronavirus pandemic, a national security law was imposed in Hong Kong and a dispute involving the South China Sea has intensified. The U.S. government also has grown increasingly concerned about China’s “military-civil fusion,” a policy that aims to build up its military might and technological development in tandem. Last spring, the Commerce Department expanded the definition of "military end users," as the department defines the companies with military ties. The category includes not only armed service and national police, but any person or entity that supports or contributes to the maintenance or production of military items - even if their business is primarily non-military. The "military end user" designation requires U.S. companies to obtain licenses to sell to the firms, which are more likely to be denied than granted. The list is not definitive and Commerce said U.S. companies must continue to do their own due diligence to help decide whether their buyers are considered military end users. Publication of the list is likely to inflame Beijing. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian in November called news of the draft list "unprovoked suppression of Chinese companies by the United States." While COMAC was removed, seven Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) subordinate entities remain on the list. General Electric Co and Honeywell International both have joint ventures with AVIC and supply COMAC, which is spearheading Chinese efforts to compete with Boeing Co and Airbus. Earlier this month, Arrow and TTI both denied their subsidiaries have ties to the Chinese military and said they were working to be removed from any final list.

US publishes list of Chinese, Russian firms with military ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the ‘Legion of Merit’ by U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday for his role in advancing the India-U.S. relationship

Indian PM Narendra Modi awarded ‘Legion of Merit’ by Donald Trump

U.S. congressional leaders said on Sunday they had reached agreement on a $900 billion package to provide the first new aid in months to an economy hammered by the coronavirus pandemic

What's in the $900 billion U.S. COVID-19 aid package?

The analysis comes as the list of US agencies, private companies and other entities affected by the hacking campaign continues to increase.

What led to the worst cyber attack in the U.S.

On Sunday the advisory committee recommended states should put adults over 75 and “essential workers” next in line, as bus drivers, grocery store clerks and others are infected most often.

Moderna starts shipping its COVID-19 vaccine in U.S.

Lawmakers in the US are expected to back $1.9 billion in a bid to kick start a programme which would remove a lot of telecom network equipment from the country.&nbsp;

On Sunday, Reuters reported that the government will replace infrastructure which it feels poses risks to American national sovereignty. This will be provisioned along with the year-end spending bill, and a COVID-19 bill.

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In addition, Americans will back $3.2 billion for benefit in terms of broadband especially for low-income Americans.

In June, the Federal Communications Commissions claimed that it had formally designated Huawei Technologies Co, and ZTE Corp - both from China - as threats.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/uighur-alarm-huawei-worked-with-companies-to-build-tools-that-track-people-by-ethnicity-349670" hreflang="en">Uighur alarm: Huawei worked with companies to build tools that track people by ethnicity</a> 
 
Since then, US firms have been disallowed from purchasing Chinese equipment.

Earlier in December, the FCC has finalised rules that require carriers with Huawei and/or ZTE equipment to “rip and replace” all paraphernalia in place, but no funding from US Congress has been green lit so far.

Huawei has responded to the decision, saying it was disappointed in the decision “to force removal of our products from telecommunications networks. This overreach puts US citizens at risk in the largely underserved rural areas – during a pandemic - when reliable communication is essential."

A source told Reuters that the bill "establishes a temporary, emergency broadband benefit program at the FCC to help low-income Americans, including those economically challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic, get connected or remain connected to broadband”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/technology/britain-bans-installation-of-new-huawei-5g-equipment-from-september-2021-346456" hreflang="en">Britain bans installation of new Huawei 5G equipment from September 2021</a> 
 
To ensure connectivity is not affected, the programme will also provide $50 per month to households to ensure that they are able to afford broadband service and an device with internet capability.

The bill, which is currently in drafting phases, will include $285 million set aside for minority connectivity development, and to establish an Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

Lawmakers in the US are expected to back $1.9 billion in a bid to kick start a programme which would remove a lot of telecom network equipment from the country. On Sunday, Reuters reported that the government will replace infrastructure which it feels poses risks to American national sovereignty.

Lawmakers in the US are expected to back $1.9 billion in a bid to kick start a programme which would remove a lot of telecom network equipment from the country. On Sunday, Reuters reported that the government will replace infrastructure which it feels poses risks to American national sovereignty. This will be provisioned along with the year-end spending bill, and a COVID-19 bill. In addition, Americans will back $3.2 billion for benefit in terms of broadband especially for low-income Americans. In June, the Federal Communications Commissions claimed that it had formally designated Huawei Technologies Co, and ZTE Corp - both from China - as threats. Also read: Uighur alarm: Huawei worked with companies to build tools that track people by ethnicity Since then, US firms have been disallowed from purchasing Chinese equipment. Earlier in December, the FCC has finalised rules that require carriers with Huawei and/or ZTE equipment to “rip and replace” all paraphernalia in place, but no funding from US Congress has been green lit so far. Huawei has responded to the decision, saying it was disappointed in the decision “to force removal of our products from telecommunications networks. This overreach puts US citizens at risk in the largely underserved rural areas – during a pandemic - when reliable communication is essential." A source told Reuters that the bill "establishes a temporary, emergency broadband benefit program at the FCC to help low-income Americans, including those economically challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic, get connected or remain connected to broadband”. Also read: Britain bans installation of new Huawei 5G equipment from September 2021 To ensure connectivity is not affected, the programme will also provide $50 per month to households to ensure that they are able to afford broadband service and an device with internet capability. The bill, which is currently in drafting phases, will include $285 million set aside for minority connectivity development, and to establish an Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

Lawmakers in US to back almost $2 billion to replace Chinese telecom equipment from companies like Huawei

Washington is "prepared to react" if Tehran launches an attack to mark the first anniversary of the killing of powerful Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, the head of US forces in the Middle East warned Sunday.

"We are prepared to defend ourselves, our friends and partners in the region, and we're prepared to react if necessary," General Kenneth McKenzie, who heads the US Central Command (Centcom), told journalists.

He was touring the region weeks before the anniversary of the January 3, 2020 killing of Soleimani by a US drone strike near the Baghdad airport.

"My assessment is we are in a very good position and we'll be prepared for anything the Iranians or their proxies acting for them might choose to do," McKenzie, a four-star marine general, told a small group of journalists in a telephone interview from an undisclosed location in the region.

The Centcom commander said he had recently visited Baghdad, where he met with the head of the anti-jihadist coalition, American General Paul Calvert, as well as the Iraqi army chief of staff, General Abdul Amir Yarallah.

McKenzie said he had also gone to Syria to meet with American forces deployed in the small southern base at Al-Tanf, near the border with Jordan and Iraq.

In an apparent sign of US military leaders' concerns about Iranian intentions after Soleimani's killing, McKenzie's current tour was not announced in advance.

Similarly, last week's visits by General Mark Milley, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Afghanistan were kept secret until he had left the region.

"I talk to my commanders about it every day and I think we will be ready," McKenzie said.

Even as the US Army continues troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan ordered by President Donald Trump -- with a goal of drawing down to 2,500 in each country by January 15 -- the Pentagon has substantially reinforced its posture around Iraq to dissuade Iran from launching any attack.

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz has been patrolling Gulf waters since late November, and two American B-52 bombers recently overflew the region in a demonstration of strength clearly aimed at Iran and its allies.

Still, a volley of rockets exploded Sunday near the US embassy in Baghdad, causing material damage but no casualties, according to Iraqi security forces.

It was the third attack on American military and diplomatic installations there since an indefinite truce was agreed with pro-Iranian groups in October.

Washington is "prepared to react" if Tehran launches an attack to mark the first anniversary of the killing of powerful Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, the head of US forces in the Middle East warned Sunday.

Washington is "prepared to react" if Tehran launches an attack to mark the first anniversary of the killing of powerful Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, the head of US forces in the Middle East warned Sunday. "We are prepared to defend ourselves, our friends and partners in the region, and we're prepared to react if necessary," General Kenneth McKenzie, who heads the US Central Command (Centcom), told journalists. He was touring the region weeks before the anniversary of the January 3, 2020 killing of Soleimani by a US drone strike near the Baghdad airport. "My assessment is we are in a very good position and we'll be prepared for anything the Iranians or their proxies acting for them might choose to do," McKenzie, a four-star marine general, told a small group of journalists in a telephone interview from an undisclosed location in the region. The Centcom commander said he had recently visited Baghdad, where he met with the head of the anti-jihadist coalition, American General Paul Calvert, as well as the Iraqi army chief of staff, General Abdul Amir Yarallah. McKenzie said he had also gone to Syria to meet with American forces deployed in the small southern base at Al-Tanf, near the border with Jordan and Iraq. In an apparent sign of US military leaders' concerns about Iranian intentions after Soleimani's killing, McKenzie's current tour was not announced in advance. Similarly, last week's visits by General Mark Milley, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Afghanistan were kept secret until he had left the region. "I talk to my commanders about it every day and I think we will be ready," McKenzie said. Even as the US Army continues troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan ordered by President Donald Trump -- with a goal of drawing down to 2,500 in each country by January 15 -- the Pentagon has substantially reinforced its posture around Iraq to dissuade Iran from launching any attack. The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz has been patrolling Gulf waters since late November, and two American B-52 bombers recently overflew the region in a demonstration of strength clearly aimed at Iran and its allies. Still, a volley of rockets exploded Sunday near the US embassy in Baghdad, causing material damage but no casualties, according to Iraqi security forces. It was the third attack on American military and diplomatic installations there since an indefinite truce was agreed with pro-Iranian groups in October.

US says ‘prepared to react’ if Iran seeks to avenge its top general's killing 

United States Congress reached an agreement to roll out a relief package worth $900 billion, in what is being seen as the first set of reliefs in months for people in an economy which has been hammered by COVID-19, which has killed the most number of people in the US. Even then, it’s unclear when Congress would vote to cement the deal.

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"At long last, we have the bipartisan breakthrough the country has needed," Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said.

Earlier, a $2.3 trillion aid bill was passed in March, which was the largest economic stimulus in the country’s history.

As of now, COVID-19 is infecting over 214,000 people everyday, with 317,000 Americans dead so far.

Another Senate leader - Chuck Schumer claimed that the package should be approved in both the chambers of the Congress.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/americans-scraping-by-say-they-fear-a-second-stimulus-wont-be-enough-351244" hreflang="en">Americans scraping by say they fear a second stimulus won’t be enough</a>

"Finally we have some good news to deliver to the American people," he said on the Senate floor.

The package would provide $600 worth of boost to individuals. In addition, it would provide $300 unemployment payments, with additional aid worth billions of dollars.

The package also provides $25 billion in rental assistance, Reuters reported.

Lawmakers were able to resolve disputes over the Federal Reserve’s pandemic lending authority, funding of education and lending for small businesses.&nbsp;

"I think it's for the most part wrapped up," Republican Senator John Thune said to reporters.

The Congress is attempting to imbibe the aid package in a $1.4 trillion spending bill, which will fund government aid programmes upto September 2021.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lawmakers-resolve-fed-dispute-as-they-race-to-close-stimulus-deal-351240" hreflang="en">Lawmakers resolve fed dispute as they race to close stimulus deal</a>

However, analysts believe that it may not be done soon enough before the expiration of government funding, implying a temporary extension must be passed to keep the government operable.

Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of House of Representatives said on Sunday that she wishes to review the package before calling a vote.

United States Congress reached an agreement to roll out a relief package worth $900 billion, in what is being seen as the first set of reliefs in months for people in an economy which has been hammered by COVID-19, which has killed the most number of people in the US.

United States Congress reached an agreement to roll out a relief package worth $900 billion, in what is being seen as the first set of reliefs in months for people in an economy which has been hammered by COVID-19, which has killed the most number of people in the US. Even then, it’s unclear when Congress would vote to cement the deal. "At long last, we have the bipartisan breakthrough the country has needed," Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. Earlier, a $2.3 trillion aid bill was passed in March, which was the largest economic stimulus in the country’s history. As of now, COVID-19 is infecting over 214,000 people everyday, with 317,000 Americans dead so far. Another Senate leader - Chuck Schumer claimed that the package should be approved in both the chambers of the Congress. Also read: Americans scraping by say they fear a second stimulus won’t be enough "Finally we have some good news to deliver to the American people," he said on the Senate floor. The package would provide $600 worth of boost to individuals. In addition, it would provide $300 unemployment payments, with additional aid worth billions of dollars. The package also provides $25 billion in rental assistance, Reuters reported. Lawmakers were able to resolve disputes over the Federal Reserve’s pandemic lending authority, funding of education and lending for small businesses. "I think it's for the most part wrapped up," Republican Senator John Thune said to reporters. The Congress is attempting to imbibe the aid package in a $1.4 trillion spending bill, which will fund government aid programmes upto September 2021. Also read: Lawmakers resolve fed dispute as they race to close stimulus deal However, analysts believe that it may not be done soon enough before the expiration of government funding, implying a temporary extension must be passed to keep the government operable. Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of House of Representatives said on Sunday that she wishes to review the package before calling a vote.

US Congress reaches deal on aid package worth $900 billion

U.S. Embassy in Iraq condemned a rocket attack on its compound in Baghdad’s Green Zone on Sunday, saying it resulted in minor damage but no casualties or injuries.

U.S. Embassy in Baghdad condemns rocket attack on its compound

With millions of Americans out of work and at risk of losing their homes, Congress’ failure to quickly reach a deal that would send more money to struggling families is increasingly frustrating those hit by the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Lawmakers on Saturday were stymied over a proposed stimulus package, and the clock was ticking. Millions of people are at risk of being kicked out of their homes after Dec. 31, when a federal moratorium on evictions ends, and as many as 12 million people could lose unemployment benefits Dec. 26, when two emergency programs expire.

For Renée DeCarlo, 49, an artist in San Francisco, the near-daily calls about her credit card payments make it impossible to forget about a mountain of debt that keeps piling higher. She has had to keep her studio closed to the public, and she sold her car to try to stay on top of expenses. Now, as the holidays approach, she is selling as much of her art as she can and using the money — coupled with unemployment benefits — to support her two teenage children.

“I need that money to live on,” she said. “I’ve been trading art for rent.”

DeCarlo is hoping that Congress makes an effort to forgive some of the debt that has piled up for her and others as the pandemic drags on.

“Getting those calls just makes you feel worse and sort of inadequate, as a person and as a society,” DeCarlo said. “I don’t want to be pulling the economy down. I’m trying to bring things up in what I do every day.”

Lawmakers were working Saturday to strike an agreement on a $900 billion stimulus package before Sunday night. The plan under discussion would extend unemployment benefits and issue stimulus checks of $600, half of what the government sent to many Americans in April and an amount that many say would be gone — spent on necessities — as soon as it arrived.

“It’s a joke,” said Chant’e Catt, an off-campus housing coordinator at Humboldt State University in Northern California. “It’s a slap in the face, and it’s really disrespectful for somebody who lost their job.”

Aid organizations that have been flooded with people seeking help amid the pandemic are also anxiously waiting for Congress to act.

The Gleaners Community Food Bank in Detroit ramped up its distribution this year as the virus spread and families lost jobs, delivering food to 150,000 households in the Detroit area each month, 50,000 more than normal. Now those who work to distribute 6.7 million pounds of food each month say they could lose half of it if a federal farm-to-family program enacted during the pandemic expires.

“Michigan winters aren’t the greatest, which means that heating bills are going up, and on top of that, there are people working or learning from home, so their heating bills are increasing as well,” said Stacy Averill, vice president of community giving at Gleaners. “All of those things are coming together now and bringing additional anxiety to households as they try to navigate trying to put food on the table.”

In Cleveland, people were lining up Saturday outside of a house in the city’s trendy Ohio City neighborhood to get donated toys for their young relatives. The house serves as a food pantry for most of the year but doubles as a toy center during the Christmas season.

Among those putting her name on the list for toys was a retiree who said she was looking out for her grandchildren. “I’ve never had to get Christmas toys for free like this,” she said. “Sometimes you have to swallow your pride.”

The woman said a $600 check could help her family stay afloat. “Right now we are trying to live month to month, and a little bit more money might help us get to the next month,” she said.

David Caron, 22, recently got a job at a J. Crew store in Boston after working part time for DoorDash, the delivery service, and receiving some unemployment payments. He said a stimulus check of $600 would not be nearly enough to help him recover from the pandemic’s toll.

“We bail out companies and corporations all the time,” a frustrated Caron said Saturday. “When it comes to helping the individual, we are left to hang dry.”

With millions of Americans out of work and at risk of losing their homes, Congress’ failure to quickly reach a deal that would send more money to struggling families is increasingly frustrating those hit by the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

With millions of Americans out of work and at risk of losing their homes, Congress’ failure to quickly reach a deal that would send more money to struggling families is increasingly frustrating those hit by the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Lawmakers on Saturday were stymied over a proposed stimulus package, and the clock was ticking. Millions of people are at risk of being kicked out of their homes after Dec. 31, when a federal moratorium on evictions ends, and as many as 12 million people could lose unemployment benefits Dec. 26, when two emergency programs expire. For Renée DeCarlo, 49, an artist in San Francisco, the near-daily calls about her credit card payments make it impossible to forget about a mountain of debt that keeps piling higher. She has had to keep her studio closed to the public, and she sold her car to try to stay on top of expenses. Now, as the holidays approach, she is selling as much of her art as she can and using the money — coupled with unemployment benefits — to support her two teenage children. “I need that money to live on,” she said. “I’ve been trading art for rent.” DeCarlo is hoping that Congress makes an effort to forgive some of the debt that has piled up for her and others as the pandemic drags on. “Getting those calls just makes you feel worse and sort of inadequate, as a person and as a society,” DeCarlo said. “I don’t want to be pulling the economy down. I’m trying to bring things up in what I do every day.” Lawmakers were working Saturday to strike an agreement on a $900 billion stimulus package before Sunday night. The plan under discussion would extend unemployment benefits and issue stimulus checks of $600, half of what the government sent to many Americans in April and an amount that many say would be gone — spent on necessities — as soon as it arrived. “It’s a joke,” said Chant’e Catt, an off-campus housing coordinator at Humboldt State University in Northern California. “It’s a slap in the face, and it’s really disrespectful for somebody who lost their job.” Aid organizations that have been flooded with people seeking help amid the pandemic are also anxiously waiting for Congress to act. The Gleaners Community Food Bank in Detroit ramped up its distribution this year as the virus spread and families lost jobs, delivering food to 150,000 households in the Detroit area each month, 50,000 more than normal. Now those who work to distribute 6.7 million pounds of food each month say they could lose half of it if a federal farm-to-family program enacted during the pandemic expires. “Michigan winters aren’t the greatest, which means that heating bills are going up, and on top of that, there are people working or learning from home, so their heating bills are increasing as well,” said Stacy Averill, vice president of community giving at Gleaners. “All of those things are coming together now and bringing additional anxiety to households as they try to navigate trying to put food on the table.” In Cleveland, people were lining up Saturday outside of a house in the city’s trendy Ohio City neighborhood to get donated toys for their young relatives. The house serves as a food pantry for most of the year but doubles as a toy center during the Christmas season. Among those putting her name on the list for toys was a retiree who said she was looking out for her grandchildren. “I’ve never had to get Christmas toys for free like this,” she said. “Sometimes you have to swallow your pride.” The woman said a $600 check could help her family stay afloat. “Right now we are trying to live month to month, and a little bit more money might help us get to the next month,” she said. David Caron, 22, recently got a job at a J. Crew store in Boston after working part time for DoorDash, the delivery service, and receiving some unemployment payments. He said a stimulus check of $600 would not be nearly enough to help him recover from the pandemic’s toll. “We bail out companies and corporations all the time,” a frustrated Caron said Saturday. “When it comes to helping the individual, we are left to hang dry.”

Americans scraping by say they fear a second stimulus won’t be enough

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What led to the worst cyber attack in US?

Senators broke through an impasse late Saturday night over a Republican effort to curtail the powers of the Federal Reserve, clearing away what had been seen as the final hurdle to a deal on a $900 billion stimulus package as lawmakers raced against a Sunday night deadline to avoid a government shutdown.

With time running out for a compromise, Sen. Patrick J. Toomey, R-Pa., agreed to narrow his effort to rein in the central bank, according to three aides familiar with the discussion. All three aides, speaking on the condition of anonymity, noted that the precise language was still being finalized.

Toomey had sought to bar the Fed and Treasury Department from setting up any loan program similar to those established this year that have helped to keep credit flowing to corporate, municipal and medium-size business borrowers during the recession brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The agreed-upon alternative, which was still being drafted near midnight on Saturday, aides familiar with the process said, would bar only programs that were more or less exact copycats of the ones newly employed in 2020.

The agreement was a critical breakthrough for lawmakers who have been racing to complete the emergency plan to rush direct payments, unemployment benefits and food and rental assistance to millions of Americans, as well as provide relief to businesses and funds for vaccine distribution. While negotiators were still wrangling over a number of smaller issues, the Federal Reserve language had emerged as the thorniest sticking point to a final agreement.

“If things continue on this path, and nothing gets in the way, we’ll be able to vote tomorrow,” Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the minority leader, told reporters as he left the Capitol shortly before midnight. “House and Senate.”

In an indication that a final deal was close, House leaders notified lawmakers to expect votes as soon as early Sunday afternoon.

President Donald Trump, who has been absent from the frenzied negotiations on the measure, weighed in on Twitter, exhorting Congress to “GET IT DONE” and provide “more money in direct payments.”

The emerging deal would send direct payments of $600 to many Americans and provide enhanced federal jobless payments of $300 per week until early spring. It would also provide hundreds of billions of dollars to prop up small businesses, schools and other institutions struggling amid the pandemic.

With government funding set to lapse Sunday and both chambers hoping to merge the stimulus package with a catchall measure to cover all federal spending for the remainder of the fiscal year, time was dwindling to finalize the recovery plan and rush it to Trump’s desk.

Without action by Congress, two programs designed to expand and enhance unemployment benefits are set to expire in the coming days, leaving about 12 million Americans without federal support. A number of other benefits are set to expire at the end of the year.

Democrats had said that Toomey’s proposal, which had been embraced by Republicans, amounted to an attempt to undercut President-elect Joe Biden and his administration’s ability to continue supporting the country’s economic recovery.

The Fed rolled out a wide-ranging suite of emergency loan programs in response to market disruptions in March and April, and Congress allotted $454 billion to back up those efforts in the first pandemic stimulus law, enacted in March. But Toomey remained concerned for months that the programs might last past the end of the year. Though Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary, moved to claw back the money in mid-November, Toomey insisted that the new stimulus measure close off the programs for fear that a new Treasury secretary might try to restart the effort next year, once Biden takes office.

As initially drafted, Toomey’s proposal would have prevented the Fed and the Treasury Department from reestablishing emergency lending programs that had been backed by the congressional appropriation, and would have barred the creation of “similar” programs going forward.

While it was not clear exactly what the new language would say, two aides familiar with the agreement said it would prevent the new Treasury secretary from revamping carbon copies of the pandemic lending programs. But under the compromise struck late Saturday, proposed by Schumer, it would not prevent Fed emergency programs from lending to states or medium-size businesses in the future, so long as the design of the programs was somewhat different, the people said.

Toomey had been particularly concerned that Democrats might harness the Fed’s powers to funnel cheap money to state and local borrowers. Democrats have been seeking additional avenues to provide relief to those governments.

“This agreement will preserve Fed independence and prevent Democrats from hijacking these programs for political and social policy purposes,” Steve Kelly, a spokesman for Toomey, said in a statement.

Senators broke through an impasse late Saturday night over a Republican effort to curtail the powers of the Federal Reserve, clearing away what had been seen as the final hurdle to a deal on a $900 billion stimulus package as lawmakers raced against a Sunday night deadline to avoid a government shutdown.

Senators broke through an impasse late Saturday night over a Republican effort to curtail the powers of the Federal Reserve, clearing away what had been seen as the final hurdle to a deal on a $900 billion stimulus package as lawmakers raced against a Sunday night deadline to avoid a government shutdown. With time running out for a compromise, Sen. Patrick J. Toomey, R-Pa., agreed to narrow his effort to rein in the central bank, according to three aides familiar with the discussion. All three aides, speaking on the condition of anonymity, noted that the precise language was still being finalized. Toomey had sought to bar the Fed and Treasury Department from setting up any loan program similar to those established this year that have helped to keep credit flowing to corporate, municipal and medium-size business borrowers during the recession brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The agreed-upon alternative, which was still being drafted near midnight on Saturday, aides familiar with the process said, would bar only programs that were more or less exact copycats of the ones newly employed in 2020. The agreement was a critical breakthrough for lawmakers who have been racing to complete the emergency plan to rush direct payments, unemployment benefits and food and rental assistance to millions of Americans, as well as provide relief to businesses and funds for vaccine distribution. While negotiators were still wrangling over a number of smaller issues, the Federal Reserve language had emerged as the thorniest sticking point to a final agreement. “If things continue on this path, and nothing gets in the way, we’ll be able to vote tomorrow,” Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the minority leader, told reporters as he left the Capitol shortly before midnight. “House and Senate.” In an indication that a final deal was close, House leaders notified lawmakers to expect votes as soon as early Sunday afternoon. President Donald Trump, who has been absent from the frenzied negotiations on the measure, weighed in on Twitter, exhorting Congress to “GET IT DONE” and provide “more money in direct payments.” The emerging deal would send direct payments of $600 to many Americans and provide enhanced federal jobless payments of $300 per week until early spring. It would also provide hundreds of billions of dollars to prop up small businesses, schools and other institutions struggling amid the pandemic. With government funding set to lapse Sunday and both chambers hoping to merge the stimulus package with a catchall measure to cover all federal spending for the remainder of the fiscal year, time was dwindling to finalize the recovery plan and rush it to Trump’s desk. Without action by Congress, two programs designed to expand and enhance unemployment benefits are set to expire in the coming days, leaving about 12 million Americans without federal support. A number of other benefits are set to expire at the end of the year. Democrats had said that Toomey’s proposal, which had been embraced by Republicans, amounted to an attempt to undercut President-elect Joe Biden and his administration’s ability to continue supporting the country’s economic recovery. The Fed rolled out a wide-ranging suite of emergency loan programs in response to market disruptions in March and April, and Congress allotted $454 billion to back up those efforts in the first pandemic stimulus law, enacted in March. But Toomey remained concerned for months that the programs might last past the end of the year. Though Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary, moved to claw back the money in mid-November, Toomey insisted that the new stimulus measure close off the programs for fear that a new Treasury secretary might try to restart the effort next year, once Biden takes office. As initially drafted, Toomey’s proposal would have prevented the Fed and the Treasury Department from reestablishing emergency lending programs that had been backed by the congressional appropriation, and would have barred the creation of “similar” programs going forward. While it was not clear exactly what the new language would say, two aides familiar with the agreement said it would prevent the new Treasury secretary from revamping carbon copies of the pandemic lending programs. But under the compromise struck late Saturday, proposed by Schumer, it would not prevent Fed emergency programs from lending to states or medium-size businesses in the future, so long as the design of the programs was somewhat different, the people said. Toomey had been particularly concerned that Democrats might harness the Fed’s powers to funnel cheap money to state and local borrowers. Democrats have been seeking additional avenues to provide relief to those governments. “This agreement will preserve Fed independence and prevent Democrats from hijacking these programs for political and social policy purposes,” Steve Kelly, a spokesman for Toomey, said in a statement.

Lawmakers resolve fed dispute as they race to close stimulus deal

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