5 things to know for November 11: ACA, transition, Covid-19, Vatican, Hong Kong

President Trump’s refusal to concede the 2020 election continues, with the backing of senior Republicans and other members of his administration. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo did not recognize Joe Biden’s victory yesterday, even as America’s closest allies congratulated the president-elect. The Trump administration is also making sweeping changes to the Department of Defense. Four senior civilian officials have been sacked or resigned since Monday, and they have been replaced by people considered loyal to Trump. These actions have sounded alarm bells inside the Pentagon, with one defense official calling them “dictatorial moves.” Despite these efforts, Biden is moving forward, announcing his transition teams.

Covid-19 infections and hospitalizations in the United States are higher than ever, and state leaders are urging residents to stay at home. The nation is experiencing a dangerous outbreak: Texas has achieved the grim distinction of becoming the first state to hit a million cases, with California almost there too. Yesterday marked eight consecutive days in which the country reported more than 100,000 new cases per day, and the total number of cases nationwide is over 10 million. News that Pfizer’s vaccine has been shown to be over 90% effective has given some hope, but states now fear the distribution process will not go smoothly. Countries around the world are also setting new records. More than 50 million cases of Covid-19 have been recorded worldwide.

The late Pope John Paul II was warned of allegations of sexual impropriety by Theodore McCarrick but promoted him to Archbishop of Washington despite his own denials and an “inaccurate” investigation by US bishops, an internal investigation of the Vatican. The report follows two years of investigation and years of scrutiny into how McCarrick was allowed to rise in the hierarchy. Last year, McCarrick became the church’s top figure to be defrocked for sexual abuse after a church trial found him guilty of sexually abusing minors. His lawyer declined to comment. The report appears to largely absolve the current Pope, Francis, of all blame.

Hong Kong’s last 15 pro-democracy lawmakers resigned in protest today after Beijing allowed the expulsion of four of their colleagues. The bold move comes after China’s highest legislative body passed a resolution giving local authorities sweeping new powers to quash dissent. The move would allow the Hong Kong executive to expel elected lawmakers without having to go to court, further strengthening Beijing’s control over the semi-autonomous city and possibly signaling the end of political opposition. The government’s actions follow months of pro-democracy protests, which drew more than a million people at its peak and plunged the city into political crisis.

Grab a lawn chair and gaze at the stars – the northern Taurid meteor shower peaks today and tomorrow.

The Basketball Hall of Famer has played a role in each of the team’s 17 championships. He was 86 years old.

Fortunately, the integrity of this year’s Bird of the Year race is still intact.

Considering all that healthcare workers have been through this year, this is absolutely fitting.

She will represent the United States in the Miss Universe pageant.

“Big Brother”, “Survivor” and “Love Island” could be very different next year.

And they found it without digging the earth.

That’s roughly the number of Critically Endangered Popa langurs, a species of primate newly discovered in Myanmar.

Karl Shaw, an African-American policeman who received a settlement of $ 475,000 from Columbus, Ohio. Shaw says he faced retaliation for reporting racism and other misconduct from a superior.

Eta is strengthening over the Gulf of Mexico and could revert to a hurricane, bringing heavy downpours that could lead to flooding and landslides.

Revisit the supersonic space jump of Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner – a terrifying and thrilling spectacle to behold. (Click here to view.)