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Capitol secured after pro-Trump rioters storm building in protest, leaving 4 dead

As of Wednesday night, the U.S. Capitol building was finally secured, hours after Trump supporters forced their way inside. Thousands had gathered on and around the National Mall earlier to hear remarks by Trump, who falsely claimed he won November’s presidential election “in a landslide.” After his speech, some protesters clashed with police, breaking through a police line, forcing their way to the Capitol, where members of Congress debated certification of the Electoral College win by President-elect Joe Biden.

Chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said the Washington, D.C. National Guard had been deployed and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam also approved the state’s National Guard and state police to be deployed to the Capitol. Authorities deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd surrounding the Capitol ahead of a 6 p.m. curfew ordered by Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, which is set to last through 6 a.m. Thursday. She said no one other than essential workers and working media may be in public places or use transportation during the curfew hours. Gov. Northam also instituted a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew for Alexandria and Arlington and declared a state of emergency.

A pipe bomb was found at the headquarters of the Republican National Committee, a block away from the Capitol building, and the headquarters of the Democratic National Convention was evacuated after an unidentified package was found. 13 people were arrested and about five weapons were recovered, and at least one person who was shot on the Capitol grounds was later pronounced dead.

Trump released a video on Twitter in which he continued to repeat claims that the election was “stolen from us” but called on people to leave the Capitol and go home. Later in the evening, however, Trump tweeted that the breach of the Capitol building was a result of when “a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously and viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly and unfairly treated for so long.” That post was also removed and Trump’s twitter account was suspended for 12 hours.

Congress was forced to go into recess and Vice President Mike Pence and members of Congress were evacuated due to the violence outside. The session resumed Wednesday night.

Live Updates: Capitol secured after assault from Trump supporters

Via www.cbsnews.com
 

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Orlando Magic’s Markelle Fultz Expected to Undergo MRI on Knee Injury

The Orlando Magic expect point guard Markelle Fultz to undergo an MRI after he left Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a left knee injury. At the time the team ruled him out for the remainder of the game, saying he would be further evaluated.

The 22-year-old Fultz played only 14 games as a rookie and averaged 7.1 points, 3.8 assists and 3.1 rebounds while attempting just one three-pointer. A shoulder injury kept him off the court and seemed to impact his shooting form when he played. After 19 games in his second season, his agent told the 76ers at the time that Fultz wouldn’t play or practice until seeing a specialist.

The point guard bounced back last season and averaged 12.1 points, 5.1 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals while helping lead Orlando into the playoffs. Through seven games this season with 14.3 points, 6.1 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals per night.

Magic’s Markelle Fultz Injures Left Knee, Will Not Return Against Cavaliers

Via www.si.com
 

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Democrat Jon Ossoff moves ahead, Raphael Warnock makes history with win over Sen. Kelly Loeffler in Georgia Senate runoff

Georgia’s two Senate runoff elections were held on Tuesday, and Democrats are a step closer to take control of the U.S. Senate as Raphael Warnock became the projected winner over Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler.  Democrat Jon Ossoff is also currently in the lead against Republican Sen. David Perdue, though the race is still too close to call.  

As of 2 a.m. ET Wednesday, the Associated Press projected Warnock the winner over Atlanta pastor Loeffler. Warnock made history with his election win, becoming the first Black Democrat elected as a U.S. senator from a state in the South and only the 11th Black senator in the history of the nation. He becomes the first Democrat to win a U.S. Senate race in Georgia in 20 years.

Ossoff surged ahead of Perdue by more than 8,500 votes after trailing much of the night due to votes counted from Democrat-heavy DeKalb County.  “When all the votes are counted we fully expect that Jon Ossoff will have won this election to represent Georgia in the United States Senate,” Ossoff campaign manager Ellen Foster said in a statement. The Perdue campaign said the race is “an exceptionally close election that will require time and transparency to be certain the results are fair and accurate and the voices of Georgians are heard…We believe in the end, Senator Perdue will be victorious.”

Warnock’s victory gives Democrats 49 seats in the Senate, one shy of creating a 50-50 tie with Republicans, which would effectively give Democrats control because Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would be the tie-breaking vote. A win for Ossoff would give Democrats their coveted 50th seat. A possible Senate sweep in Georgia would give Democrats control of the Senate for the first time since 2004.

Warnock defeats Loeffler in Georgia, keeping alive Democrats’ hopes of taking Senate, NBC News projects

Via www.nbcnews.com
 

Editorial credit: Matt Bannister / Shutterstock.com

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President Trump signs executive order to ban transactions with eight Chinese apps

On Tuesday, President Trump signed an executive order banning transactions with the companies behind eight Chinese apps. The order prohibits certain future transactions with the companies associated with the apps Alipay, CamScanner, QQ Wallet, SHAREit, Tencent QQ, VMate, WeChat Pay and WPS Office.

The order stated: “The United States has assessed that a number of Chinese connected software applications automatically capture vast swaths of information from millions of users in the United States, including sensitive personally identifiable information and private information, which would allow the [Peoples Republic of China] and [Chinese Communist Party] access to Americans’ personal and proprietary information.”  As a result of the order, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said the department will “begin implementing the E.O.’s directives, including identifying prohibited transactions related to certain Chinese connected software applications.”

National security adviser Robert O’Brien said the order was issued in response to Chinese government policies requiring all companies to “support the Chinese Communist Party’s political objectives” in an attempt to “co-opt or coerce civilian enterprises into assisting the People’s Liberation Army.”

Trump signs order banning transactions with eight Chinese apps including Alipay

Via www.reuters.com
 

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Detroit Tigers sign veteran outfielder Robbie Grossman to 2-year deal

The Detroit Tigers have signed veteran free agent outfielder Robbie Grossman to a two-year deal. The 31-year-old Grossman signed a 2-year, $10 million deal.

Grossman spent the last two seasons with the Oakland Athletics after three years each with the Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins. During the shortened 2020 season, Grossman posted an .826 OPS with 12 doubles, eight home runs, 21 walks and 38 strikeouts in 192 plate appearances.

Grossman has a career .730 OPS across 2,362 at-bats. Defensively, he’s about average and plays primarily left field. Over the last four seasons, Grossman posted WARs of 0.9, 1.7, 1.0 and 1.2.

Source: Tigers land OF Grossman on 2-year deal

Via www.espn.com

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Cleveland Browns head coach and four others on team test positive for COVID-19

Cleveland Browns announced that head coach Kevin Stefanski, two other coaches and two players tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. The Browns are scheduled to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round of the playoffs on Sunday in Pittsburgh. 

Stefansk must miss the game due to the NFL’s COVID-19 protocol, and will work virtually from his home to prepare for the game. The team said special teams coordinator Mike Priefer will serve as acting head coach until further notice. 

The Browns said in a statement: “Our facility is currently closed while contact tracing is taking place. The team will continue to consult with the league and medical experts to determine the appropriate next steps as the health and safety of our players, coaches, staff and the entire community remains our highest priority.”

The Browns have a COVID-19 outbreak days before playoffs, but it might not be bad enough for the game to be postponed

Via www.msn.com
 

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Iran says it plans to boost uranium enrichment

Iran announced on Monday it would boost uranium enrichment, moving it to a target goal of 20%, well above the 3.67% cap placed under the multinational agreement during the Obama administration. President Donald Trump walked away from the agreement in 2018.

According to Iranian media outlet IRNA, Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei said that Iran has started the pre-processing stage of gas injection at its Fordow nuclear site, adding that the first UF6 enriched uranium would be produced later in the day.

Iran agreed to the uranium enrichment limits in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with the United States, Russia, China, France, Russia, Britain, and Germany. While the other countries have remained part of the deal, Iran has chipped away at its restrictions since the Trump administration’s departure. Before the announcement, Iran was enriching its uranium stockpile up to about 4.5%, just above the agreement’s 3.67% cap. Even at 20%, it is well below 90% for it to be considered weapons-grade. Iran has long denied its nuclear program was meant to make weapons.

Iran starts 20% uranium enrichment, seizes tanker in strait

Via abcnews.go.com
 

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Biden, Trump visit Georgia on last day before Senate runoff vote

On the final day of campaigning for two U.S. Senate runoffs in Georgia. President-elect Joe Biden appeared in Atlanta to support Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate, Jon Ossoff and David Warnock. Biden said electing Democrats would guarantee that the Senate under a new Democratic majority would revisit the $2,000 stimulus payments opposed by Senate Republicans.

President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence also visited the state during the day as control of the Senate hung in the balance. The two arrived after controversy caused by release of a recording of a phone call made by Trump to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Republican, asking him to “find” the votes necessary to overturn Joe Biden’s victory in the state. 

Earlier Monday, a Georgia election official said Trump was spreading “misinformation and disinformation” saying the president’s claims were, “all easily, provably false.” President-elect Biden was certified as the winner of the election in Georgia after a recount and audit. Biden won the state’s 16 electoral votes, with 306 votes overall, surpassing the 270 needed to win. Trump garnered 232.

Pence, Biden warn of high stakes in Georgia runoff

Via www.dailynews.com
 

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LA Chargers fire coach Anthony Lynn; Broncos promote John Elway to new postion

The Los Angeles Chargers announced they have fired coach Anthony Lynn, posting the news Monday on social media. The team said they will begin their search for a replacement immediately.

Chargers owner Dean Spanos said Monday in a statement, “This morning I informed Anthony Lynn that we have made the decision to part ways with him as our head coach. I’m not sure there is another person in this league more respected as a human being than Anthony, and I want to sincerely express my deepest gratitude for his leadership during a time of great change for our organization.” Lynn had signed a one-year contract extension this offseason, but ends his four-year run with the franchise with a 33-31 record after only one playoff appearance.

Meanwhile the Denver Broncos announced Monday that John Elway will take on a new role with the franchise, but will continue to serve as the president of football operations. The team will be signing a general manager who “will have final say on the draft, free agency and our roster.” The new general manager and head coach Vic Fangio will report to Elway in the revised structure. Elway said Fangio will be involved in the hiring of the new general manager.

Broncos to hire GM as Elway takes elevated role

Via www.espn.com

 

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Indianapolis to host NCAA men’s basketball tournament

The NCAA announced Monday that Indianapolis will host the majority of the 2021 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament’s 67 games from mid-March through early April. NCAA president Mark Emmert said in a news release, “This is a historic moment for NCAA members and the state of Indiana. We have worked tirelessly to reimagine a tournament structure that maintains our unique championship opportunity for college athletes. The reality of today’s announcement was possible thanks to the tremendous leadership of our membership, local authorities and staff.”

The NCAA said it will continue to work with local officials to determine if fans can attend games at any of the venues. Some family members of players and coaches will be allowed to attend. Ball State, Butler, the Horizon League, Indiana, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and Purdue will lend their facilities and staffs to assist the city in hosting the tournament. Several basketball courts also will be set up inside the Indiana Convention Center, which will be used as a practice facility.

NCAA tournament to be held entirely in Indiana

Via www.espn.com
 

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