WWE RAW Results (3/20): Two Weeks Out From WrestleMania

December 4, 2020 KANKENNEWS

The March 20th, 2017 edition of WWE RAW was the second-last episode before WrestleMania on 4/2, and aired live on the USA Network from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

– Mick Foley comes out to the ring to kick off RAW and read a pre-written statement apologizing for his actions last week. Foley apologizes for shoving Mr. Socko in Triple H’s mouth, and says effective immediately he’s taking a leave of absence. Foley rips up the index cards and starts freaking out. Foley cuts a promo on Triple H and Stephanie, but his microphone keeps getting cut off. Stephanie McMahon is out to the ring next. Stephanie calls out Foley for attacking Triple H, and says Foley screws up everything and that’s why they gave him index cards. Stephanie tells Foley “you’re fired” in her best Vince voice, then Foley starts to step out of the ring. Sami Zayn’s music hits and he comes out to interrupt. He tells Stephanie what she’s doing is wrong, and that Foley has more class and integrity than she ever had. Samoa Joe comes out to ringside, but before he can say anything, Stephanie McMahon sets up a match between Joe and Zayn right now. Zayn immediately hits a suicide dive out of the ring onto Joe on the floor, and we go to commercial.

– Samoa Joe def. Sami Zayn: After the bell, Joe takes charge and tries to keep Zayn grounded. Joe throws Zayn outside and hits a suicide dive of his own before taking Zayn back in the ring. Zayn fights back with some kicks and follows up with a cross body off the top for a two count. The action goes out to ringside again where Zayn hits his leaping DDT through the corner ropes on Joe. Back in the ring, Zayn goes for the Heluva Kick but Joe blocks it and slams down Zayn. Joe quickly follows up with a Coquina Clutch on Zayn, and Zayn is fading. The referee rings the bell, and Joe is the winner via submission.

– Later tonight: A special look at Goldberg vs. Lesnar, and an update on Rollins’ injury.

– We go backstage where Mick Foley thanks Sami Zayn for standing up for him. Zayn asks Foley to stay, then Foley hugs him and walks away. Foley runs into Cesaro and Sheamus next and also hugs them and wishes them well. Other members of the roster thank Foley, then he walks int Triple H. Triple H tells Foley to “have a nice day,” and Foley exits the arena.

– Michael Cole interviews Kevin Wilk — Seth Rollins’ trainer – from Birmingham, AL via satellite. Wilk talks about Rollins’ rehab, and says he’s doing miraculously well. Wilk says there’s no doctor in America who would clear Rollins to wrestle at WrestleMania. He says Rollins should take several more months off, and he’ll be scared for Rollins’ health if he competes at ‘Mania.

– Charlotte def. Dana Brooke: We open up with a replay of Dana turning on Charlotte last week. They lock up to start things off, and Dana takes control early on. Dana backs Charlotte into the corner and hits her with shoulder blocks. Dana gets in lots of offense in the opening minutes of the match, but Charlotte turns things around and works on Dana with strikes in the corner. Charlotte whips Dana off the ropes and drops her with a big boot for the win after a short match.

– We go backstage where Bayley is looking sad. Stephanie McMahon approaches her and asks if she needs a hug. Bayley complains about Stephanie’s actions on RAW, and Stephanie books Bayley in a No DQ match against Nia Jax tonight. If Nia wins, she joins the RAW Women’s Title match at WrestleMania to make it a four-way.

– United Stations Champion Chris Jericho is out to the ring next for The Highlight Reel. Jericho shows some embarrassing photos from Kevin Owens’ childhood where Owens is in a Y2J shirt with a Jericho poster on his wall. Jericho says Owens looks like a “fan of Jericho,” and says he was “marking out, man.” Jericho also shows a private message Owens sent to Jericho in 2014 asking for advice. Jericho continues making fun of Owens, and says he’s going to transport Owens back to when he was a nerd in his basement in a Y2J shirt. Jericho says he’s Owens’ idol, and that Owens is a stupid idiot. Jericho goes to write Kevin Owens down on The List again, but Samoa Joe comes out to the stage and distracts him. Kevin Owens then attacks the distracted Jericho from behind, and hits a Pop Up Powerbomb on him. Owens rips apart The List and eats a piece of it before leaving.

– Later tonight: Triple H will respond to Kevin Wilk’s injury update on Seth Rollins.

– Brian Kendrick def. TJ Perkins: Perkins dominates the opening moments of the match and hits a cross-body off the top rope for a two count on Kendrick. Perkins attempts a Detonation Kick, but Kendrick blocks it and causes Perkins to bump into the referee. Kendrick takes advantage of the distraction to grab Perkins by the hair from behind and hit the Sliced Bread #2 on him for the win. After the match, Kendrick cuts a promo on Akira Tozawa. Kendrick says Tozawa is traveling right now, but won’t get very far without his passport, which Kendrick says he stole last week.

– We go backstage where Roman Reigns cuts a promo on Braun Strowman, saying Strowman needs to stay out of his business.

– We see a video package highlighting the history of Goldberg’s career, and his rivalry with Brock Lesnar.

– Nia Jax is backstage walking towards the entrance ramp for her No DQ match against Bayley.

– Stephanie McMahon approaches Cesaro and Sheamus backstage and informs them they’ll have to earn their spot at WrestleMania all over again. She books him in a two-on-four handicap match against Gallows, Anderson, Enzo, and Big Cass. Steph says if they lose, they also lose their spot at WrestleMania.

– Nia Jax def. Bayley: This one is a no-disqualification match. Nia dominates this one from the opening bell and takes the fight out to the floor at ringside early on. We see Charlotte and Sasha Banks (separately) backstage watching on monitors. Bayley attempts a hurricanrana on Nia at ringside, but Nia blocks it. Nia continues beating down Bayley around ringside before taking her back in the ring. Bayley attempts to mount several comebacks, but Nia keeps shutting her down. Nia hits a running body block before locking Bayley in a cross-face chicken wing. Bayley fights out and slaps Nia across the face, so Nia throws her outside to the floor. Nia grabs Bayley by the hair and repeatedly slams her into the fan barricade. Back in the ring, Bayley hits a stunner and a running knee for a one count. Bayley hits an elbow and a running clothesline for a two count. Bayley hits a cross-body off the top for another two. Bayley goes to the second rope, but Nia knocks her off and hits a Samoan Drop for the win. Nia will now enter the Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania.

– WWE airs a video highlighting the career of Mae Young.

– Michael Cole is in the ring to introduce Triple H. Triple H comes out to the ring and says he’s having a nice day. He tells us that he’s disappointed Rollins won’t be cleared for WrestleMania. Lots of CM Punk chants from the Brooklyn crowd. Triple H says Rollins made the biggest mistake of his life when he stopped listening to him and started listening to the crowd. Triple H says Foley listened to the fans too much too, and it ruined his life and health. Triple H says the fans’ cheering didn’t work out well for Rollins last week when Triple H beat him down. Triple H says from this moment on, he’s officially done with Seth Rollins. Triple H gives Cole some WrestleMania tickets to pass along to Rollins when he sees him. Triple H is about to leave, but changes his mind, and takes the tickets back from Cole. Triple H asks Cole, what if he could find a way to face Rollins at ‘Mania? The Game says he’ll propose a contract that would allow Rollins to compete while injured and still legally protect WWE. Triple H challenges Rollins to accept his new proposal, and heads backstage.

– Cesaro & Sheamus def. Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Enzo, and Cass: This one is a two on four handicap match. Before the match, Anderson and Gallows attack their own partners Enzo and Cass. The opening bell rings and Cesaro goes for a swing on Anderson. Anderson comes back with a flying kick. Cass attacks Gallows at ringside, while in the ring Sheamus tags in and hits the Brogue Kick on Anderson for the win after a short match. After the match, Cass hits a big boot on Gallows, and Enzo hits a splash off the top on Anderson.

– The New Day members are backstage to cut a promo about what they’re most looking forward to at WrestleMania on April 2nd.

– Austin Aries def. Tony Nese: Nese jump starts things and remains in control for the opening moments. Aries manages to dump Nese outside to the floor and he follows up with a suicide dive through the ropes. Back in the ring, Nese gets Aries in a Torture Rack to slow things down. Aries gets out and Nese drops him with a running elbow to the face. Nese misses a springboard moonsault, and Aries capitalizes with a reverse neckbreaker over the top rope. Aries comes back with clotheslines and chops. Aries hits his facebuster and STO combo, then follows up with the pendulum elbow drop. Aries goes to the top rope and hits a missile dropkick that sends Nese flying back into the corner. Aries hits a running elbow shot in the corner, then a running discus forearm off the ropes for the win.

– After the match, Neville comes out with a mic and confronts Aries. Neville tells Aries he could go to the ring right now and obliterate him, but Aries is beneath him and is no threat. Aries tells Neville that was the worst interview segment he’s ever heard on Monday Night RAW. He says he’s above Neville’s level, and he’ll end Neville’s “King of the Cruiserweights” facade at WrestleMania.

– We get a WrestleMania flashback to Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar, and then another video package highlighting Lesnar’s rivalry with Goldberg.

– Braun Strowman does a brief interview backstage where he says he’s going to destroy Roman Reigns tonight. He tells Undertaker that if he wants Reigns at WrestleMania, he’ll have to scrape Reigns off the mat first.

– Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman: Just moments after the opening bell, the action goes out to ringside where Reigns attempts his drive-by dropkick on the apron, but Strowman blocks it. Strowman takes over from here, beating down Reigns around ringside then back in the ring. Strowman whips Reigns into the corner with authority then locks him in a headlock. Reigns comes back with a series of clotheslines and elbows. He goes for a Samoan drop on Strowman, but Strowman gets out and clotheslines Reigns down to the mat. Strowman follows up with a running splash on Reigns in the corner, then whips him across the ring for another one but Reigns dodges it. Reigns comes back with a kick to the face and a series of clotheslines. Strowman goes for a chokeslam on Reigns, but Reigns gets out and hits a Samoan drop on him. Strowman rolls outside and Reigns hits the drive-by dropkick. Strowman shrugs it off and throws Reigns into the ring steps. Strowman then throws the ring steps into the ring, then throws Reigns in the ring. Strowman picks up the steps, but Reigns hits him with a Superman punch and the steps falls out to ringside. Reigns goes for another Superman punch, but Strowman blocks it. Reigns hits a big boot then another Superman punch. Reigns gears up for a spear, but then The Undertaker’s gong hits and the lights go out. The lights go back on, and The Undertaker is in the ring. Strowman approaches Undertaker and Undertaker hits a chokeslam on him. The Undertaker turns around into a spear from Roman Reigns. Reigns’ music hits and he heads to the back, but before he gets to the curtain, The Undertaker sits up in the ring. Undertaker’s music hits as he gets up and stares down Reigns as RAW goes off the air.

The #Undertaker makes his presence felt in Brooklyn…
BUT SO DOES @WWERomanReigns! #RAW pic.twitter.com/dbGX4OVdt8

— WWE (@WWE) March 21, 2017

– Updated Plans For AJ vs. Shane At WrestleMania, Spoiler For RAW Star Returning, & More

WWE Releases More Footage From Dubai Tryouts (Video), Sleight Trailer

December 4, 2020 KANKENNEWS

– As noted, WWE is holding their latest tryouts in Dubai this week. Featured above is additional footage that WWE released via their official YouTube channel on Friday afternoon. The description WWE attached with the above video, featuring Dinesh Kumar, reads: “Surviving a WWE tryout takes grit and perseverance, as Dinesh Kumar – a protégé of former World Champion The Great Khali – showed in Dubai.”

– Also new on WWE’s YouTube channel today is a trailer for the new WWE Studios and Blumhouse Entertainment co-production, “Sleight.” The description for that one reads: “‘Sleight,’ the new sci-fi thriller from WWE Studios and Blumhouse Entertainment, is in theaters now.”

Supreme Court sees new requests for religious COVID-19 carve-outs

December 3, 2020 KANKENNEWS

The Supreme Court faces new requests from religious groups seeking exemptions from pandemic-related limits that they say amount to faith-based discrimination, even as the country is undergoing another surge in coronavirus cases.

The latest requests came after the justices agreed on Thanksgiving eve to bar New York authorities from enforcing attendance restrictions at churches and synagogues in the state’s efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Since then, the court has seen new filings in cases involving a Christian school in Kentucky, a reverend and rabbi co-litigant team from New Jersey and a church in California that has openly defied its Democratic governor’s health order.

On Thursday, the justices sent the California church dispute back to a federal district court to be decided in light of the court’s ruling favoring the New York houses of worship.

More than a week after the 5-4 decision in the New York case was handed down, Republican leaders continue to tout the ruling, a sign of growing optimism among conservatives that pandemic restrictions will take a backseat in religious liberty cases before the court.

“The United States Constitution matters, even during a pandemic,” White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Wednesday. “While Democrat politicians seek to impose draconian restrictions against their citizens, this past week the Supreme Court of the United States had their say on New York state’s capacity restrictions.”

The Nov. 25 ruling handed a win to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and two Orthodox Jewish synagogues, effectively blocking enforcement of New York Gov. Andrew CuomoAndrew CuomoHundreds removed by police from gathering in rented NY mansion New York will receive COVID-19 vaccine for 170K people: Cuomo Dreaming of space exploration? You’re better off riding bikes MORE’s (D) executive order from October that limited attendance at houses of worship.

To critics, the decision was a worrisome instance of the court substituting its own judgment for that of public health experts and yet another example of a growing trend of conservative justices elevating religious rights over competing interests.

With the addition of recently confirmed Justice Amy Coney BarrettAmy Coney BarrettPompeo to host indoor holiday parties at State Department despite warning to employees to hold some missions virtually McEnany hits Democratic leaders for not following their own COVID-19 restrictions Cuomo likens COVID-19 to the Grinch: ‘The season of viral transmission’ MORE — who sided with four other conservative justices in the New York case — the rightward-tilting court may be poised to provide additional exemptions from pandemic-related restrictions. Or it could dissuade state and local health officials from trying to impose restrictions on religious institutions in the first place.

Barrett, who is seen as a staunch conservative, joined the court in late October, just over a month after the death of 87-year-old liberal stalwart Justice Ruth Bader GinsburgRuth Bader GinsburgCuomo likens COVID-19 to the Grinch: ‘The season of viral transmission’ For Thanksgiving, the Supreme Court upholds religious liberty Cardinal Dolan hails Supreme Court decision on churches, COVID-19 MORE.

“Ultimately, I expect the new majority’s ruling will cause many state and local governments to take a hands-off approach to religious institutions in their next wave of public health orders,” said Lindsay Wiley, a public health expert and law professor at American University.

“This new case is likely to be one more reason that governors and mayors this fall are backing off of regulating even high-risk institutions and commercial establishments, even as they impose ever-stricter limits on small social gatherings,” she added.

Last week’s decision in the New York dispute marked a significant departure from the “workable approach” laid out in May by Chief Justice John Roberts in response to a separate health order challenge, Wiley said. Under Roberts’s formula, she said, “states [could] impose restrictions on houses of worship so long as they weren’t any more strict than limits on secular settings that posed similar risks, such as theaters or concerts.”

But the new majority’s approach is less concerned with assessing health risks than with ensuring that limits placed on gatherings at churches, synagogues or mosques are no more restrictive than those imposed on businesses that governments have recognized as essential.

“If churches are limited to no more than 10 people, then grocery stores have to be subjected to the same limits,” Wiley said, describing the Supreme Court’s new legal test.

Roberts found himself in a four-member minority last week, along with the court’s three more liberal justices: Stephen BreyerStephen BreyerSupreme Court sees new requests for religious COVID-19 carve-outs Will the Supreme Court take ObamaCare off life-support? Barrett to use Supreme Court chambers previously used by Ruth Bader Ginsburg MORE, Sonia SotomayorSonia SotomayorSotomayor says she worried Obama just had her on Supreme Court short list ‘for show’ Conservative justices seem prepared to let Trump proceed with immigrant census plan for now Will the Supreme Court take ObamaCare off life-support? MORE and Elena KaganElena KaganSupreme Court sees new requests for religious COVID-19 carve-outs COVID-19: Justice Alito overstepped judicial boundaries Will the Supreme Court take ObamaCare off life-support? MORE, all of whom dissented from the court’s opinion.

Two of President TrumpDonald John TrumpFederal watchdog accuses VOA parent company of wrongdoing under Trump appointee Lawsuit alleges 200K Georgia voters were wrongly purged from registration list Ivanka Trump gives deposition in lawsuit alleging misuse of inauguration funds MORE’s three appointees — Justices Neil GorsuchNeil GorsuchCalifornia megachurch says it has a ‘biblical mandate’ to meet after Supreme Court decision For Thanksgiving, the Supreme Court upholds religious liberty Supreme Court blocks New York coronavirus restrictions on houses of worship MORE and Brett KavanaughBrett Michael KavanaughFor Thanksgiving, the Supreme Court upholds religious liberty COVID-19: Justice Alito overstepped judicial boundaries Defusing the judicial confirmation process MORE — wrote separate concurring opinions.

“It is time — past time — to make plain that, while the pandemic poses many grave challenges, there is no world in which the Constitution tolerates color-coded executive edicts that reopen liquor stores and bike shops but shutter churches, synagogues, and mosques,” Gorsuch wrote.

Trump took to Twitter the next day to cheer the decision.

“HAPPY THANKSGIVING!” he tweeted, linking to the court’s opinion.

The potential for an even closer embrace of religious liberty by the court comes as public health officials warn that another deadly surge of infections may be fast approaching.

The U.S. has suffered more than 272,000 deaths from the coronavirus and more than 13.7 million cases nationwide. On Sunday, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, Anthony FauciAnthony FauciPompeo to host indoor holiday parties at State Department despite warning to employees to hold some missions virtually Obama says he may take coronavirus vaccine on TV to build trust in it McEnany hits Democratic leaders for not following their own COVID-19 restrictions MORE, warned of a likely rise in post-Thanksgiving coronavirus cases.

“There almost certainly is going to be an uptick because of what has happened with the travel,” Fauci told ABC’s “This Week.”

“We understand the importance of families getting together,” he continued. “And it’s just something that we have to deal with that we likely will have an increase in cases, as we get into the colder weeks of the winter, and as we approach the Christmas season.”

Litigants in the Kentucky and New Jersey disputes face filing deadlines this week, and the court may soon act on those cases.

Against the dire public health backdrop, some viewed the court’s decision last week with disappointment.

“This case is about the right to go to church, synagogue, or mosque during a pandemic but it’s about so much more,” said Katherine Franke, a law professor at Columbia University where she heads the Law, Rights, and Religion Project. “It represents a potent example of COVID opportunism, the exploitation of the health crisis to gain advances in other political agendas.”

Updated at 10:55 a.m.

ACLU sues DHS for records on purchased cell phone data to track immigrants

December 3, 2020 KANKENNEWS

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is ramping up efforts to obtain records of the Trump administration’s reported purchase of cellphone data to track locations of immigrants.

The ACLU on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demanding the agencies release the records. The group says it has waited for more than nine months for DHS, CBP and ICE to produce the records through the Freedom of Information Act.

The nonprofit alleges the government agencies bought access to databases containing “precise location information for millions of people,” gathered by apps running on smartphones.

The Wall Street Journal first reported in February that the Trump administration was buying access to such data through a company named Venntel that was selling access to a database to DHS, ICE and CBP.

“The agencies’ purchase raise serious concerns that they are avoiding Fourth Amendment protection for cell phone location information by paying for access instead of obtaining a warrant,” the ACLU wrote in the lawsuit.

In 2018, the Supreme Court held in Carpenter vs. United States that collecting significant quantities of historical data location from cellphones is a search under the Fourth Amendment and requires a warrant.

A spokesperson for CBP said the agency does not comment on pending litigation. Spokespeople for DHS and ICE were not immediately available for comment.

The ACLU said in the suit the records “would contribute significantly to the public’s understanding” of how the agencies use “invasive surveillance technology both at the border and within American communities, and whether they are complying with constitutional and legal limitations on unreasonable searches.”

CBP officials confirmed to Senate staff in September that it was tracking phones using Venntel’s product, according to a group of Democratic senators who urged a DHS watchdog investigation into the tracking.

The DHS’s internal watchdog on Wednesday said in a letter to five senators that it would probe the department’s tracking of Americans’ phone data without a warrant.

The investigation was opened in response to an inquiry from Democratic Sens. Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Lee WydenDespite veto threat, Congress presses ahead on defense bill ACLU sues DHS for records on purchased cell phone data to track immigrants DHS watchdog to probe agency’s tracking of Americans’ phone data without a warrant MORE (Ore.), Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenDespite veto threat, Congress presses ahead on defense bill Overnight Defense: Defense bill moving forward despite Trump veto threat over tech fight | Government funding bill hits snag | Top general talks Afghanistan, Pentagon budget Katie Porter in heated exchange with Mnuchin: ‘You’re play-acting to be a lawyer’ MORE (Mass.), Ed MarkeyEd MarkeyACLU sues DHS for records on purchased cell phone data to track immigrants DHS watchdog to probe agency’s tracking of Americans’ phone data without a warrant Manchin: Ocasio-Cortez ‘more active on Twitter than anything else’ MORE (Mass.), Sherrod BrownSherrod Campbell BrownACLU sues DHS for records on purchased cell phone data to track immigrants DHS watchdog to probe agency’s tracking of Americans’ phone data without a warrant Rare Mnuchin-Powell spat takes center stage at COVID-19 hearing MORE (Ohio) and Brian SchatzBrian Emanuel SchatzACLU sues DHS for records on purchased cell phone data to track immigrants DHS watchdog to probe agency’s tracking of Americans’ phone data without a warrant Tech CEOs clash with lawmakers in contentious hearing MORE (Hawaii) in October.

“If federal agencies are tracking American citizens without warrants, the public deserves answers and accountability,” Wyden said in a statement Wednesday. “I won’t accept anything less than a thorough and swift inspector general investigation that sheds light on CBP’s phone location data surveillance program.”

Trump admin to sell oil leases at Arctic wildlife refuge before Biden takes office

December 3, 2020 KANKENNEWS

The Trump administration is planning to lease land to oil and gas developers at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska before President-elect Joe BidenJoe BidenLawsuit alleges 200K Georgia voters were wrongly purged from registration list GOP lawmaker blasts incoming freshman over allegations of presidential voter fraud Haaland has competition to be first Native American to lead Interior MORE, who opposes drilling there, takes office in January.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) said in a statement on Thursday that it expects to conduct the sale on Jan. 6 via video.

A notice announcing the sale is expected to be published in the Federal Register next week.

“Oil and gas from the Coastal Plain is an important resource for meeting our Nation’s long-term energy demands and will help create jobs and economic opportunities,” BLM Alaska State Director Chad Padgett said in a statement.

Drilling at the refuge is controversial, as opponents have raised concerns that it could harm animal species that are found there, negatively affect the landscape and negatively impact the Gwich’in people who hunt caribou there.

ANWR is home to grizzly bears, polar bears, gray wolves and more than 200 species of birds.

On the campaign trail, Biden pledged to “permanently” protect the refuge even though he’s likely to be bound by a 2017 law requiring one lease sale there by the end of December 2021 and another by the end of 2024.

Although it would be difficult for Biden to avoid holding the lease sale entirely, by holding the sale before he takes office, the Trump administration may be undercutting some of the legal tools the president-elect has to limit drilling there.

Specifically, it prevents the incoming administration from deciding what land is sold and from setting terms on the leases.

However, avenues still remain for Biden to set some restrictions because lessees will still need to apply for drilling permits, triggering more environmental studies which could justify limitations.

And the administration’s August decision to open up the entirety of ANWR’s Coastal Plain, a nearly 1.6 million-acre area, to drilling is being challenged in court. If it’s overturned, the sales could be voided.

Thursday’s announcement was met with backlash from environmentalists, who argue that the process has been done hastily.

“The Trump administration’s rushed and sloppy push to sell off the Arctic Refuge for drilling has been a disaster from day one, and has ignored the serious and permanent damage drilling would do to this unique ecosystem and the communities that depend on it,” Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune said in a statement.

His group and others noted that the administration still hasn’t completed the prior step: seeking input on what tracts of land will be sold off.

The public can weigh in on that until Dec. 17, 10 days after the sale’s federal register notice is expected to be published.

The move also comes as several major banks have sworn off financing for drilling in the refuge, which could make it difficult for companies seeking to do so.

However, the Trump administration has also proposed a new rule seeking to prevent banks from making such categorical financing exclusions for moral and political reasons.

Updated at 12:19 p.m.

Families allege California is failing to educate poor, minority students during pandemic

December 3, 2020 KANKENNEWS

The parents of 15 California public school students allege in a new lawsuit that the state has not given their children equal access to education during the coronavirus pandemic.

The children, ranging from kindergarteners to high schoolers, attend school in Los Angeles and Oakland, according to Reuters. The lawsuit filed Monday alleges the students were not provided with the devices and internet connections they needed when their schools switched to online instruction and that school systems fell short on language barriers and resources for homeless students.

Plaintiffs asked Alameda County Superior Court to declare state education officials violated the guaranteed equality of education found in the state constitution, according to the news service.

“The change in the delivery of education left many already-underserved students functionally unable to attend school. The State continues to refuse to step up and meet its constitutional obligation to ensure basic educational equality or indeed any education at all,” the lawsuit states.

“The State’s abdication of responsibility and insufficient response to the challenges of remote learning have denied Plaintiffs the basic educational equality guaranteed to them by the California Constitution,” it said. “Because the State’s pandemic response compels families to use their homes as classrooms, the State’s constitutional obligations expand into the home.”

The lawsuit reportedly names the state, the Department of Education, the state Board of Education and Superintendent of Instruction Tony Thurmond as defendants.

Jesse Melgar, a spokesman for Gov. Gavin NewsomGavin NewsomNewsom considers new California stay-at-home orders, warns hospitals could be overwhelmed by Christmas Who will replace Harris in Senate? ‘Rising’ discusses Hospitals brace for COVID-19 surge MORE’s (D) office, defended the state’s handling of education during the pandemic, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Throughout the pandemic this administration has taken important actions to protect student learning while also taking necessary steps to protect public health,” Melgar said in a statement to the newspaper. “We will defend our position in court.”

The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest in the nation, was the defendant in a similar lawsuit filed in September. That suit alleged the district did not provide a basic, equal education during the pandemic to its Latino and Black students.

Weekly jobless claims dip to 712,000 in last week of November

December 3, 2020 KANKENNEWS

Initial weekly jobless claims fell to 712,000 for the week ending on Nov. 28, declining slightly but lingering well above historic highs eight months into the coronavirus pandemic.

The number of new claims for unemployment benefits in the final full week of November fell from a revised total of 787,000 in the previous week. Economists expected last week’s initial claims to total near 775,000.

Another 288,701 people applied for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, a program created to extend jobless benefits to contractors, gig workers and others who don’t typically qualify for traditional unemployment insurance. The number of PUA applicants in the last week of November fell 30,154 from the previous week.

As of Nov. 14, roughly 20.2 million Americans were on some form of jobless aid, a decline of roughly 400,000 from the week ending Nov. 7.

The new batch of jobless claims data gives a fresh look into damage sustained by the labor market due to the coronavirus pandemic. But the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an internal federal government watchdog, warned this week that backlogs and inconsistent reporting timelines among state unemployment offices have distorted the actual number of jobless claims.

The Labor Department will also release the November jobs report Friday, which is compiled from national surveys instead of state-furnished data. Economists expect the U.S. to have added roughly 400,000 jobs in November, but warn that the slowing recovery and skyrocketing coronavirus cases may cause job losses over the winter.

“Tomorrow’s jobs report could expose deeper cracks in the recovery resulting from the recent surge in pandemic cases,” said Daniel Zhao, senior economist at job review and application website Glassdoor.

“Promising vaccine news offers a light at the end of the tunnel, which makes it all the more important that Congress helps the economy hold on to gains made to-date. We don’t want to trip over our own feet with the finish line in sight,” he added.

S&P opens flat, stalling after surge

December 3, 2020 KANKENNEWS

Stock markets opened relatively flat Thursday, stalling after setting new records earlier in the week.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened up 90 points, or 0.3 percent, and the S&P 500 opened up 6 points, or 0.2 percent.

The tepid market opening comes despite a drop in initial jobless claims to 712,000, well below the expected 775,000 figure.

Stocks have been on an upward trajectory since President-elect Biden’s election win last month, as Washington appeared headed for divided government and COVID-19 vaccine candidates advanced toward emergency use authorizations.

But they have at times been tempered by increasing daily COVID case counts, hospitalizations and deaths. The surge is threatening the recovery, potentially driving the economy toward a double-dip recession.

All eyes are on Washington, where minor hopes have emerged for a COVID-19 relief deal before year’s end.

Congressional Democrats on Wednesday made a significant concession in their position, saying a $900 billion compromise bill should be the basis for talks. Their previous ask was over $2 trillion.

Battle for Pentagon post in Biden Cabinet heats up

December 3, 2020 KANKENNEWS

President-elect Joe BidenJoe BidenLawsuit alleges 200K Georgia voters were wrongly purged from registration list GOP lawmaker blasts incoming freshman over allegations of presidential voter fraud Haaland has competition to be first Native American to lead Interior MORE’s search for his Pentagon chief is stretching into December as battling Congressional groups and defense organizations push for their preferred candidate.

Michèle Flournoy, seen by many as the lead contender for the role, is facing stiff competition from former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson as well as retired four-star Army Gen. Lloyd Austin.

Johnson, who is Black, is backed by members of the Congressional Black Caucus and progressive groups who are urging President-elect Joe Biden to pick a more diverse Cabinet.

But Flournoy, who co-founded the consulting firm WestExec Advisors — is not out of the running yet and earlier this week reportedly sat down with Biden for a formal interview that “went well.”

The deciding factor now, experts say, is how Biden’s team will weigh the pros and cons of each candidate.

One issue for Flournoy is the number of people who have already joined the administration who previously had ties to WestExec.

“People start adding up how many people are coming from West Execs into this administration at the most senior level,” said Mackenzie Eaglen, a resident fellow at American Enterprise Institute.

Biden has already chosen WestExec’s other founder, Antony Blinken as secretary of State.

Avril Haines, Biden’s pick to serve as director of national intelligence; Christina Killingsworth, who will work in the White House budget office; Ely Ratner, who is on the Biden Pentagon transition team; and Jennifer Psaki, the incoming White House press secretary, also have WestExec ties.

Defense, along with State, Justice and Treasury, is seen as one of the top four Cabinet positions.

Biden has named Janet YellenJanet Louise YellenBattle for Pentagon post in Biden Cabinet heats up Black leaders express concerns about representation in Biden administration On The Money: Funding bill hits snag as shutdown deadline looms | Pelosi, Schumer endorse 8 billion plan as basis for stimulus talks | Poll: Most Americans support raising taxes on those making at least 0K MORE as his Treasury nominee and Blinken as his State nominee, which could raise pressure on him to pick a Black secretary of Defense. Black leaders have voiced some criticism that there have not been more Black Cabinet picks so far.

Johnson, who served under former President Obama, would be the first Black secretary of Defense, as would Austin, a former commander of U.S. Central Command.

Progressives, meanwhile, are pressing hard for Biden to pick someone other than Flournoy.

On Monday, five progressive organizations — CodePink, Our Revolution, Progressive Democrats of America, RootsAction.org and World Beyond War — released a statement calling Flournoy “ill-suited” to serve as Pentagon chief and calling on Biden to choose someone “free of financial ties to the weapons industry.”

“The people of the United States need a Secretary of Defense who is untethered to the weapons industry and committed to ending the arms race,” the groups said. “Michèle Flournoy should not be put in charge of the Pentagon, and neither should anyone else failing to meet those qualifications.”

Flournoy has also faced opposition from congressional progressive voices such as Reps. Mark PocanMark William PocanCapitol’s COVID-19 spike could be bad Thanksgiving preview Katherine Clark secures No. 4 leadership spot for House Democrats Democrats to determine leaders after disappointing election MORE (D-Wis.) and Barbara LeeBarbara Jean LeeLouisville mayor declares racism a public health crisis Countering China’s influence in the Caribbean with a second Caribbean Basin Initiative The Memo: Tension builds around key Biden nominees MORE (D-Calif.), who have urged Biden not to nominate a Pentagon chief who has previously worked for a defense contractor. Flournoy sits on the board of Pentagon contractor Booz Allen Hamilton.

Flournoy is not alone in her connections to the defense industry, however.

Johnson sits on the board of the largest U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin and Austin sits on the board of Raytheon Technologies.

Johnson has also come under criticism from the left.

Johnson faces scrutiny over his record of expanding family detentions and accelerating deportations while at DHS, as well as his approval of hundreds of drone strikes that hit civilians, according to an opposition book that has made the rounds on Capitol Hill.

Austin, meanwhile, would need a congressional waiver to serve as Pentagon chief because he only recently retired from the military.

Trump granted a waiver to former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in 2016, who was then confirmed by the Senate in a 98-1 vote, with Sen. Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) the sole “no” vote.

Nonetheless, some do not think Congress will be eager to grant another waiver.

“I don’t see Capitol Hill granting another waiver like they did with Sec. Mattis right now,” Eaglen said.

“I do think Congress has increasing concern about the state of civil military relations and right now the Biden team would have to spend a lot of political capital to make the case that another waiver was required,” Eaglen added. “Why would they pass the law in the first place if we’re going to waive it twice in half a decade?”

Another pro for Flournoy and Johnson is that they have previously been confirmed by the Senate. The confirmation process is arduous, and that fact that both have gone through the intense vetting process and the requirements of financial disclosure could give the Biden team more security about a nomination.

And while Flournoy is not without her critics, she also has vocal supporters, including many women in the national security world and several progressive-leaning lawmakers.

“We are keenly aware of the critical need for a leader with Flournoy’s expertise on complex national security issues,” House Armed Services Committee members Jim LangevinJames (Jim) R. LangevinBattle for Pentagon post in Biden Cabinet heats up States plot next moves on redistricting Cyberattack forces shutdown of Baltimore County schools for the day MORE (D-R.I.) and Jackie SpeierKaren (Jackie) Lorraine Jacqueline SpeierDemocratic Women’s Caucus members split endorsements for House campaign chief Pentagon puts on show of force as questions circle on COVID-19 outbreak Candymakers meet virtually with lawmakers for annual fly-in, discuss Halloween safety MORE (D-Calif.), said in a joint statement endorsing her.

They added that her policy experience “will be vital to ensuring strong civilian oversight of the military, professionalism and ethics in our special operations forces, workforce diversity, and activities to strengthen our technological edge through science and innovation.”

Progressive member Rep. Seth MoultonSeth MoultonBattle for Pentagon post in Biden Cabinet heats up US national security policy in the 117th Congress and a new administration Overnight Defense: Trump fires Defense chief Mark Esper | Worries grow about rudderless post-election Pentagon | Esper firing hints at broader post-election shake-up | Pelosi says Esper firing shows Trump intent on sowing ‘chaos’ MORE (D-Mass.), meanwhile, tweeted that she “has a deep understanding of the existing DOD bureaucracy and the future of our defense. … I would love to see her nominated for Secretary of Defense.”

Government announces weapons sales with six nations worth combined $1.55B

December 3, 2020 KANKENNEWS

The State Department on Tuesday announced a six new weapons sales potentially worth a combined $1.55 billion, pushing the deals forward ahead of the transition to the Biden administration next month.

The foreign military sales include torpedoes for Brazil, vehicles for Croatia and Lebanon, upgrades for Canadian aircraft, training for the Saudi military and weapons systems for South Korean ships, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

Congress, which was notified of the sales on Monday, now has a 30-day window to block any of the deals if it wants to.

The largest of the deals would go to NATO ally Croatia, which wants to refurbish 76 M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles for a potential $757 million. The country currently uses models from as far back as Operation Desert Storm in the early 1990s and wants to upgrade machine guns, missiles, radios and armor, among other parts of the vehicles.

The Saudi Arabia deal is worth $350 million in technical assistance and advisory support for the kingdom’s Ministry of Defense over five years. The U.S. Military Training Mission to Saudi Arabia (USMTM), which is based in Riyadh and includes service members and U.S. contractors who help train the Saudi military, would provide the services.

The package would include “Pay and allowances for U.S. Military, U.S. Government, and Foreign National staff members; USMTM communications support costs; local contracting costs; construction and renovation costs of housing area; transportation costs; U.S. Mail services support costs; dependent education (grades K through 12); administrative costs; temporary duty costs for USMTM personnel,” and any future transition costs to move USMTM to a proposed new housing location in Saudi Arabia, the announcement said.

Canada, meanwhile, wants to upgrade five C-17 transport aircraft for an estimated $275 million, and Brazil seeks to buy $70 million worth of conversion kits to alter existing MK 46 Mod 5 A(S) torpedoes to MK 54 Mod 0 lightweight torpedoes. The weapons would be used on the country’s Seahawk helicopters and its surface ships, according to the DSCA.

And a possible $55.5 million deal would give Lebanon 300 M1152 High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV). The country currently has more than 1,000 HMMWVs of various designs to “move troops and supplies around the country to counter violent extremist organizations and to secure its border,” the DSCA said in a statement.

Rounding out the proposed sales is a deal for South Korea to buy two anti-missile defense weapon systems for its ships for $39 million.

The Trump administration since October has approved more than 20 foreign weapons sales worth tens of billions of dollars, the most high-profile being a $23 billion package for the United Arab Emirates in November. Lawmakers have already moved to block that plan to sell fighter jets, armed drones, missiles and bombs to the kingdom.

dovdiv

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