upi--2020-12-19--FAA shirked safety protocols, retaliates against whistleblowers, report says

Dec. 19 ( UPI ) -- The Federal Aviation Administration repeatedly allowed Southwest Airlines to continue operating dozens of aircraft in an unknown airworthiness condition , allowed Boeing to coach test pilots in ways counter to safety protocols and continues to retaliate against whistleblowers , according to a federal report released this week .
Sen. Roger Wicker , R-Miss.
, called his committee 's new findings in Federal Aviation Administration probe after two fatal Boeing 737 Max crashes in April 2019 , `` troubling . ''
Wicker , chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce , Science , and Transportation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released the findings Friday .
`` Twenty months ago , the Commerce Committee launched an investigation into FAA safety oversight , '' Wicker said in the statement .
`` We have received disclosures from more than 50 whistleblowers , conducted numerous FAA staff interviews , and reviewed over 15,000 pages of relevant documents . ''
`` Our findings are troubling , '' Wicker continued .
`` The report details a number of significant lapses in aviation safety oversight and failed leadership in the FAA .
It is clear that the agency requires consistent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the flying public is executed fully and correctly . ''
The 737 Max fleet has been grounded worldwide since March 2019 after crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people within five months in 2018 and 2019 .
The aircraft 's automated Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System pushed both planes into a nose-dive after a faulty sensor , according to earlier reports .
`` FAA and Boeing officials involved in this conduct of this test had established a pre-determined outcome to re-affirm a long-held human factor assumption related to pilot reaction time to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concluded .
`` It appears , in this instance , FAA and Boeing were attempting to cover up important information that may have contributed to the 737 Max tragedies . ''
According to the report , FAA senior leaders may have obstructed a Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General review and the agency failed to produce relevant documents Wicker requested .
`` We take seriously the committee 's findings and will continue to review the report in full , '' Boeing said in a statement .
`` We have learned many hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Ethiopian Flight 302 accidents , and we will never forget the lives lost on board .
The events and lessons have reshaped our company and further focused our attention on our core values of safety , quality , and integrity . ''
Despite repeated findings of deficiencies over several decades , FAA senior managers have not been held accountable for failure to provide adequate training in flight standards , the report also found .
The FAA told NPR in an emailed statement Saturday the report contained `` unsubstantiated allegations . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FAA conducted a thorough and deliberate review of the 737 Max , '' the FAA told NPR .
`` We are confident that the safety issues that played a role in the tragic accidents involving Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 have been addressed through the design changes required and independently approved by the FAA and its partners . ''
The Senate committee also found the FAA repeatedly permitted Southwest Airlines to operate dozens of aircraft in an unknown worthiness condition for several years , putting millions of passengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the committee report and have utilized many of these past references to improve our practices and oversight , '' a spokeswoman said in a statement to The Verge .
`` All applicable aircraft underwent visual inspections , and Southwest completed physical inspections , from nose to tail , on each of the pre-owned aircraft by January 2020 -- fully satisfying FAA requests . ''
`` Our actions did not stem from any suspected safety concerns with the aircraft , but were an effort to reconcile and validate records and previous repairs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 (ET-AVM), the same aircraft that crashed in Ethiopia in March 2019, is seen at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, when it was first delivered to Ethiopia in July 2018. File Photo by Stringer/EPA
Dec. 19 (UPI) -- The Federal Aviation Administration repeatedly allowed Southwest Airlines to continue operating dozens of aircraft in an unknown airworthiness condition, allowed Boeing to coach test pilots in ways counter to safety protocols and continues to retaliate against whistleblowers, according to a federal report released this week. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., called his committee's new findings in Federal Aviation Administration probe after two fatal Boeing 737 Max crashes in April 2019, "troubling." Advertisement
Wicker, chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which conducted a 20-month probe, released the findings Friday.
"Twenty months ago, the Commerce Committee launched an investigation into FAA safety oversight," Wicker said in the statement. "We have received disclosures from more than 50 whistleblowers, conducted numerous FAA staff interviews, and reviewed over 15,000 pages of relevant documents."
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"Our findings are troubling," Wicker continued. "The report details a number of significant lapses in aviation safety oversight and failed leadership in the FAA. It is clear that the agency requires consistent oversight to ensure their work to protect the flying public is executed fully and correctly."
The 737 Max fleet has been grounded worldwide since March 2019 after crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people within five months in 2018 and 2019. The aircraft's automated Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System pushed both planes into a nose-dive after a faulty sensor, according to earlier reports.
"FAA and Boeing officials involved in this conduct of this test had established a pre-determined outcome to re-affirm a long-held human factor assumption related to pilot reaction time to a runaway stabilizer," the Senate committee concluded. "It appears, in this instance, FAA and Boeing were attempting to cover up important information that may have contributed to the 737 Max tragedies."
According to the report, FAA senior leaders may have obstructed a Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General review and the agency failed to produce relevant documents Wicker requested.
"We take seriously the committee's findings and will continue to review the report in full," Boeing said in a statement. "We have learned many hard lessons from the Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Flight 302 accidents, and we will never forget the lives lost on board. The events and lessons have reshaped our company and further focused our attention on our core values of safety, quality, and integrity."
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Despite repeated findings of deficiencies over several decades, FAA senior managers have not been held accountable for failure to provide adequate training in flight standards, the report also found.
The FAA told NPR in an emailed statement Saturday the report contained "unsubstantiated allegations."
"Working closely with other international regulators, the FAA conducted a thorough and deliberate review of the 737 Max," the FAA told NPR. "We are confident that the safety issues that played a role in the tragic accidents involving Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 have been addressed through the design changes required and independently approved by the FAA and its partners."
The Senate committee also found the FAA repeatedly permitted Southwest Airlines to operate dozens of aircraft in an unknown worthiness condition for several years, putting millions of passengers at rises.
"We are aware of the committee report and have utilized many of these past references to improve our practices and oversight," a spokeswoman said in a statement to The Verge. "All applicable aircraft underwent visual inspections, and Southwest completed physical inspections, from nose to tail, on each of the pre-owned aircraft by January 2020 -- fully satisfying FAA requests."
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"Our actions did not stem from any suspected safety concerns with the aircraft, but were an effort to reconcile and validate records and previous repairs," Southwest added in the statement.


upi--2020-12-19--Biden announces key members of climate team

Dec. 19 ( UPI ) -- President-elect Joe Biden announced members of his incoming administration 's climate and energy team Saturday .
They include former E.P.A .
chief Gina McCarthy , Biden has tapped to serve as the first-ever national climate advisor .
McCarthy will head the newly created White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy .
Biden also confirmed reports from earlier this week that he has asked Rep. Deb Haaland , D-N.M. , to serve as secretary of the interior and Michael Regan , secretary of North Carolina 's Department of Environmental Quality to lead the Environmental Protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team , per a video posted to his Twitter account Saturday : Ali Zaidi , deputy secretary for energy and environment in New York state , who will serve as McCarthy 's deputy ; former Michigan Gov .
Jennifer Granholm , tapped to serve as secretary of energy ; and Southern Environmental Law Center Regulatory Policy Director Brenda Mallory , nominated to serve as chair of the Council on Environmental Quality .
`` They are compassionate leaders who understand that , ultimately , addressing climate change is about building safer communities and healthier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said vice-president-elect Kamala Harris at a Saturday event in Wilmington , Del.
, where Biden announced the team nominations .

Dec. 19 (UPI) -- President-elect Joe Biden announced members of his incoming administration's climate and energy team Saturday.
They include former E.P.A. chief Gina McCarthy, Biden has tapped to serve as the first-ever national climate advisor.
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McCarthy will head the newly created White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy.
Biden also confirmed reports from earlier this week that he has asked Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., to serve as secretary of the interior and Michael Regan, secretary of North Carolina's Department of Environmental Quality to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.
Also on Biden's climate team, per a video posted to his Twitter account Saturday: Ali Zaidi, deputy secretary for energy and environment in New York state, who will serve as McCarthy's deputy; former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, tapped to serve as secretary of energy; and Southern Environmental Law Center Regulatory Policy Director Brenda Mallory, nominated to serve as chair of the Council on Environmental Quality.
"They are compassionate leaders who understand that, ultimately, addressing climate change is about building safer communities and healthier communities and thriving communities for all Americans," said vice-president-elect Kamala Harris at a Saturday event in Wilmington, Del., where Biden announced the team nominations.


upi--2020-12-19--Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine delays executions again

Dec. 19 ( UPI ) -- Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine has delayed the executions of three death row inmates as the state struggles to obtain the drugs needed as part of its lethal injection protocol .
He issued reprieves for Elwood Jones , Gregory Lott and Archie Dixon on Friday .
The delays now mean Ohio does n't have a scheduled execution until Aug. 11 -- that of Timothy Hoffner .
Jones ' April 21 execution date has been pushed back to Dec. 6 , 2023 ; Lott 's May 27 date has been pushed to Feb. 15 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date has been moved to April 17 , 2024 .
DeWine has delayed executions several times since he assumed office in January 2019 .
The state 's last execution was held in 2018 .
Ohio has had difficulty securing supplies of the three drugs it uses in its lethal injection protocol -- midazolam , potassium chloride , and either vecuronium bromide , pancuronium bromide or rocuronium bromide .
Companies have refused to sell any drugs -- even those not used in executions -- to Ohio if they find out the state has used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a three-year moratorium on executions in 2014 after the family of Dennis McGuire sued over his lengthy execution during which he could be heard gasping for breath .
The state used an untested two-drug lethal injection protocol to kill McGuire .
Jones was sentenced to death in 1997 for the 1994 slaying of Rhoda Nathan .
Prosecutors said he beat her to death in a hotel where he worked .
He has maintained his innocence .
Lott was sentenced to death for the 1986 death of John McGrath , whom prosecutors said Lott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
The Ohio parole board has recommended that DeWine commute Lott 's sentence to life in prison after McGrath 's family said they oppose the death penalty .
Dixon was sentenced to death for killing his roommate , Christopher Hammer , in 1993 .

Gov. Mike DeWine rescheduled the state's next three executions due to difficulties obtaining lethal injection drugs. File Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has delayed the executions of three death row inmates as the state struggles to obtain the drugs needed as part of its lethal injection protocol. He issued reprieves for Elwood Jones, Gregory Lott and Archie Dixon on Friday. The delays now mean Ohio doesn't have a scheduled execution until Aug. 11 -- that of Timothy Hoffner. Advertisement
Jones' April 21 execution date has been pushed back to Dec. 6, 2023; Lott's May 27 date has been pushed to Feb. 15, 2024; and Dixon's June 23 date has been moved to April 17, 2024.
DeWine has delayed executions several times since he assumed office in January 2019. The state's last execution was held in 2018.
Ohio has had difficulty securing supplies of the three drugs it uses in its lethal injection protocol -- midazolam, potassium chloride, and either vecuronium bromide, pancuronium bromide or rocuronium bromide. Companies have refused to sell any drugs -- even those not used in executions -- to Ohio if they find out the state has used them in executions.
Ohio previously instituted a three-year moratorium on executions in 2014 after the family of Dennis McGuire sued over his lengthy execution during which he could be heard gasping for breath. The state used an untested two-drug lethal injection protocol to kill McGuire.
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Jones was sentenced to death in 1997 for the 1994 slaying of Rhoda Nathan. Prosecutors said he beat her to death in a hotel where he worked. He has maintained his innocence.
Lott was sentenced to death for the 1986 death of John McGrath, whom prosecutors said Lott set on fire after breaking into his home. The Ohio parole board has recommended that DeWine commute Lott's sentence to life in prison after McGrath's family said they oppose the death penalty.
Dixon was sentenced to death for killing his roommate, Christopher Hammer, in 1993.


upi--2020-12-19--10 patients die after explosion in Turkish hospital's COVID-19 wing

Dec. 19 ( UPI ) -- Ten people were killed after an oxygen ventilator exploded at a hospital treating COVID-19 patients in Turkey on Saturday .
The intensive care unit of Sanko University Hospital in Gaziantep , Turkey , caught fire , killing nine patients between the age of 56 and 85 .
Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted later Saturday that another individual had died after being transferred to another hospital , bringing the number of deaths to 10 .
More than 50 people were affected by the fire , including doctors , medical personnel and security guards , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members were in oxygen therapy at another hospital , and 11 patients have been transferred to other hospitals .
Investigators were working to determine the cause of the explosion , which took place at 4:45 a.m. Saturday .
Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin tweeted about the incident , wishing `` mercy from Allah to our brothers who lost their lives '' in the explosion and `` urgent healing to the wounded . ''
In November , a fire broke out at a hospital in Romania , killing 10 patients who were also being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical appliance caught fire and ignited an oxygen cylinder .
In October , two patients died and 150 were evacuated after a field hospital in Russia caught fire due to an explosion in a booth were oxygen cylinders were being stored .

Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Ten people were killed after an oxygen ventilator exploded at a hospital treating COVID-19 patients in Turkey on Saturday.
The intensive care unit of Sanko University Hospital in Gaziantep, Turkey, caught fire, killing nine patients between the age of 56 and 85.
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Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted later Saturday that another individual had died after being transferred to another hospital, bringing the number of deaths to 10.
More than 50 people were affected by the fire, including doctors, medical personnel and security guards, according to the hospital.
Ten staff members were in oxygen therapy at another hospital, and 11 patients have been transferred to other hospitals.
Investigators were working to determine the cause of the explosion, which took place at 4:45 a.m. Saturday.
Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin tweeted about the incident, wishing "mercy from Allah to our brothers who lost their lives" in the explosion and "urgent healing to the wounded."
In November, a fire broke out at a hospital in Romania, killing 10 patients who were also being treated for COVID-19.
Investigators said a medical appliance caught fire and ignited an oxygen cylinder.
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In October, two patients died and 150 were evacuated after a field hospital in Russia caught fire due to an explosion in a booth were oxygen cylinders were being stored.


upi--2020-12-19--Fauci: Santa got vaccine, 'good to go' for Christmas

Dec. 19 ( UPI ) -- Dr. Anthony Fauci said Saturday he gave Santa a COVID-19 vaccination , so he 's ready for his annual Christmas Eve trip across the globe .
Fauci , who heads the United States ' National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , addressed Santa Claus ' health during a CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall for Families .
`` How does Santa get the vaccine , and is it safe for him to go in the house ?
, '' asked Lucy , age 8 , of San Rafael , Calif. Another child , Paxton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked if Santa would still be able to visit him this season .
`` What if he ca n't go to anyone 's house or near his reindeer ? ''
Paxton asked .
Fauci told Elmo and his friends he anticipated their concerns , and he took care of it .
`` I took a trip up there to the North Pole , '' Fauci said .
`` I went there , and I vaccinated Santa Claus myself .
I measured his level of immunity , and he is good to go .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ He can leave the presents , he can leave , and you have nothing to worry about . ''
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice movement , CNN and Sesame Street have collaborated on five Town Halls for children this year .
Fauci has served six presidents since 1984 , and President-Elect Joe Biden recently nominated him as his chief medical advisor on COVID-19 .
The North American Aerospace Defense Command , NORAD , has also planned to continue its annual tracking of Santa 's journey around the world on Christmas Eve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1955 .

Dr. Anthony Fauci gave children assurance Saturday that Santa Claus will safely make the trip this year despite COVID-19. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Dr. Anthony Fauci said Saturday he gave Santa a COVID-19 vaccination, so he's ready for his annual Christmas Eve trip across the globe. Fauci, who heads the United States' National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, addressed Santa Claus' health during a CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall for Families. Advertisement
"How does Santa get the vaccine, and is it safe for him to go in the house?," asked Lucy, age 8, of San Rafael, Calif.
Another child, Paxton, 6, of Geneva, Ill., asked if Santa would still be able to visit him this season.
"What if he can't go to anyone's house or near his reindeer?" Paxton asked.
Fauci told Elmo and his friends he anticipated their concerns, and he took care of it.
"I took a trip up there to the North Pole," Fauci said. "I went there, and I vaccinated Santa Claus myself. I measured his level of immunity, and he is good to go. He can come down the chimney. He can leave the presents, he can leave, and you have nothing to worry about."
Advertisement Santa Claus will be coming to town this year, Dr. Anthony Fauci says. "I took care of that for you," he says. "...I took a trip up there to the North Pole; I went there and I vaccinated Santa Claus myself. I measured his level of immunity, and he is good to go." #CNNSesameStreet pic.twitter.com/CNJ520XTew— CNN (@CNN) December 19, 2020
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice movement, CNN and Sesame Street have collaborated on five Town Halls for children this year.
Fauci has served six presidents since 1984, and President-Elect Joe Biden recently nominated him as his chief medical advisor on COVID-19.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, has also planned to continue its annual tracking of Santa's journey around the world on Christmas Eve as it has done every year since 1955.


upi--2020-12-19--Pop star Pink fractures ankle

Pop star Pink fractures ankle

Dec. 19 ( UPI ) -- Pop star Pink announced Saturday that she fractured her ankle .
`` As if surviving covid was n't enough for this poop sandwich of a year ! ''
the 41-year-old singer captioned an Instagram photo of her wearing a face mask and sitting up in a hospital bed .
`` Well , I got my stitches out from drying that wine glass , that went well , '' she added .
`` Then I recovered from my very first staph infection for no reason ( cry for help ? )
( right knee was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd fracture my ankle !
Later tonight I 'm gon na climb inside a raw chicken and see if I ca n't check out what salmonella 's like !
2020 is the gift that keeps on giving .
I was actually running down the stairs trying to see the Christmas star !
Ha !
Turns out it 's not until the 21st .
Happy holidays everyone !
Who wants a Negroni ! ''
Pink said in April that she and her 3-year-old son Jameson had recovered from the coronavirus .
She donated $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected by the pandemic .

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Pink said Saturday she has fractured her ankle. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Pop star Pink announced Saturday that she fractured her ankle. "As if surviving covid wasn't enough for this poop sandwich of a year!" the 41-year-old singer captioned an Instagram photo of her wearing a face mask and sitting up in a hospital bed. Advertisement
"Well, I got my stitches out from drying that wine glass, that went well," she added. "Then I recovered from my very first staph infection for no reason (cry for help?) (right knee was lonely?) so I thought I'd fracture my ankle! Later tonight I'm gonna climb inside a raw chicken and see if I can't check out what salmonella's like! 2020 is the gift that keeps on giving. I was actually running down the stairs trying to see the Christmas star! Ha! Turns out it's not until the 21st. Happy holidays everyone! Who wants a Negroni!"
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Pink said in April that she and her 3-year-old son Jameson had recovered from the coronavirus. She donated $1 million to organizations helping other people affected by the pandemic.


upi--2020-12-19--Ringo Starr releases music video 'Here's to the Nights'

Dec. 19 ( UPI ) -- Ringo Starr has released a music video for `` Here 's to the Nights , '' his new song about peace , love and friendship .
Written by Diane Warren , the song features vocals by Starr , his fellow former Beatle Paul McCartney , and guests Joe Walsh , Corinne Bailey Rae , Eric Burton , Sheryl Crow , FINNEAS , Dave Grohl , Ben Harper , Lenny Kravitz , Jenny Lewis , Steve Lukather , Chris Stapleton and Yola .
`` When Diane presented this song to me I loved the sentiment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a news release on Friday .
`` This is the kind of song we all want to sing along to , and it was so great how many wonderful musicians joined in .
I wanted it out in time for New Years because it feels like a good song to end a tough year on .
So here 's to the nights we wo n't remember and the friends we wo n't forget -- and I am wishing everyone peace and love for 2021 . ''
The song will appear on Starr 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he recorded at his home studio between April and October .
Starr is a nine-time Grammy winner who has released 20 solo studio albums and authored seven books .

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Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band perform at the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock Music Festival 2019 in Bethel, N.Y. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Ringo Starr has released a music video for "Here's to the Nights," his new song about peace, love and friendship. Written by Diane Warren, the song features vocals by Starr, his fellow former Beatle Paul McCartney, and guests Joe Walsh, Corinne Bailey Rae, Eric Burton, Sheryl Crow, FINNEAS, Dave Grohl, Ben Harper, Lenny Kravitz, Jenny Lewis, Steve Lukather, Chris Stapleton and Yola. Advertisement
"When Diane presented this song to me I loved the sentiment of it," Starr said in a news release on Friday.
"This is the kind of song we all want to sing along to, and it was so great how many wonderful musicians joined in. I wanted it out in time for New Years because it feels like a good song to end a tough year on. So here's to the nights we won't remember and the friends we won't forget -- and I am wishing everyone peace and love for 2021."
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The song will appear on Starr's forthcoming EP, Zoom In, which he recorded at his home studio between April and October.
Starr is a nine-time Grammy winner who has released 20 solo studio albums and authored seven books.


upi--2020-12-19--Britain announces new COVID-19 restrictions; India plans to vaccinate 300M

Dec. 19 ( UPI ) -- Britain plans to put tighter coronavirus restrictions in place this weekend after scientists advised Prime Minister Boris Johnson that a new variant of the virus is spreading more quickly .
Johnson said he `` bitterly regretted '' instituting the restrictions , under which non-essential shops , gyms , movie theaters , salons and bowling alleys will close for two weeks .
Also under the new restrictions , people will be restricted to meeting individuals from other households if they do so in an outdoor public space -- except on Christmas Day , when up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet for the holidays .
`` The message is that this is the year to lift a glass to those who are n't there , in the knowledge that it 's precisely because they 're not there to celebrate Christmas with you this year that we all have a better chance that they 'll be there next year , '' Johnson said .
Chris Whitty , Britain 's chief medical officer , said Saturday that British health officials have informed the World Health Organization about the new strain of the virus , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` As announced on Monday , the U.K. has identified a new variant of COVID-19 through Public Health England 's genomic surveillance , '' Whitty said .
Meanwhile , as India 's COVID-19 cases surpassed 10 million people Saturday , the country announced plans to vaccinate 300 million people starting in January .
The Indian government identified 300 million people to receive the first vaccine doses , CNN reported .
The group includes 270 million vulnerable people , mostly above age 50 , and others with serious comorbidities , and 30 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteers .
Three producers of coronavirus vaccines have applied for emergency use authorization , and each of them requires vaccinations to be administered in two doses , which means 600 million shots .
The Indian government plans to complete the process by August for the initial group being vaccinated , which is nearly the size of the U.S. population .
India already has an established network under its Universal Immunization Program , which inoculates about 55 million a year .
The country 's public health system is already under pressure from having the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trailing only the United States , and having the third-highest number of deaths , trailing the United States and Brazil .
The rollout of the vaccinations is expected to begin in January , federal health officials told the BBC .
Two of the vaccine candidates pending approval from Indian regulators are being locally manufactured .
One is Serum Institute of India 's Covishield , which Oxford University and AstraZeneca developed .
The other is India 's homegrown vaccine Covaxin , which Bharat Biotech and the government-run Indian Council of Medical Research jointly developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BioNTech-developed vaccine out of the United States .
Dr. VK Paul , head of the national expert group on COVID-19 vaccination , confirmed to CNN that Pfizer India has applied for emergency use authorization .
India surpassed the 10 million-case mark Saturday , adding nearly a million cases in one month , according to the Union Health Ministry data .
The health ministry added that there were 347 new COVID-19 deaths in a 24-hour span , bringing the total death toll to 145,136 .
In Switzerland , health regulator Swissmedic has approved the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age 16 and older , subject to compliance with the government 's official recommendations .
The Pfizer vaccine has also been approved in Britain , Canada , the United States and other countries .
Switzerland also has signed agreements with vaccine manufacturers Moderna and AstraZeneca .
Since the pandemic began , Switzerland has had 403,989 cases and 6,561 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University global tracker .
In Australia , New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has locked down Sydney 's Northern Beaches until midnight Wednesday after COVID-19 cases were linked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 cases reported Friday were linked directly to an outbreak at Avalon Beach near Sydney , Berejiklian said , adding that the two others are under investigation .
The Northern Beaches lockdown means that people were asked to stay home and not enter the beaches except for `` essential reasons , '' such as work , compassionate grounds , exercise and shopping .
The premier warned that the restrictions could be extended across Greater Sydney if warranted .
Since the pandemic began , Australia has reported 28,128 cases of COVID-19 and 908 related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most cases and the most deaths at over 17 million cases and 313,764 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University data .
Brazil has the third-highest number of cases at over 7 million and the second-highest number of deaths at 185,650 .
Worldwide , COVID-19 has infected over 75 million people and killed over 1.6 million people .

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Customers shop Saturday at Burlington Arcade in London after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivered a televised statement announcing more restrictions. Photo by Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA-EFE
Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Britain plans to put tighter coronavirus restrictions in place this weekend after scientists advised Prime Minister Boris Johnson that a new variant of the virus is spreading more quickly. Johnson said he "bitterly regretted" instituting the restrictions, under which non-essential shops, gyms, movie theaters, salons and bowling alleys will close for two weeks. Advertisement
Also under the new restrictions, people will be restricted to meeting individuals from other households if they do so in an outdoor public space -- except on Christmas Day, when up to three households will be able to meet for the holidays.
"The message is that this is the year to lift a glass to those who aren't there, in the knowledge that it's precisely because they're not there to celebrate Christmas with you this year that we all have a better chance that they'll be there next year," Johnson said.
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Chris Whitty, Britain's chief medical officer, said Saturday that British health officials have informed the World Health Organization about the new strain of the virus, which health officials announced publicly earlier this week.
"As announced on Monday, the U.K. has identified a new variant of COVID-19 through Public Health England's genomic surveillance," Whitty said.
Meanwhile, as India's COVID-19 cases surpassed 10 million people Saturday, the country announced plans to vaccinate 300 million people starting in January.
The Indian government identified 300 million people to receive the first vaccine doses, CNN reported.
The group includes 270 million vulnerable people, mostly above age 50, and others with serious comorbidities, and 30 million healthcare workers, policemen, soldiers and volunteers.
Three producers of coronavirus vaccines have applied for emergency use authorization, and each of them requires vaccinations to be administered in two doses, which means 600 million shots.
The Indian government plans to complete the process by August for the initial group being vaccinated, which is nearly the size of the U.S. population. India already has an established network under its Universal Immunization Program, which inoculates about 55 million a year.
The country's public health system is already under pressure from having the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases worldwide, trailing only the United States, and having the third-highest number of deaths, trailing the United States and Brazil.
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The rollout of the vaccinations is expected to begin in January, federal health officials told the BBC.
Two of the vaccine candidates pending approval from Indian regulators are being locally manufactured. One is Serum Institute of India's Covishield, which Oxford University and AstraZeneca developed. The other is India's homegrown vaccine Covaxin, which Bharat Biotech and the government-run Indian Council of Medical Research jointly developed.
The third is the Pfizer and BioNTech-developed vaccine out of the United States. Dr. VK Paul, head of the national expert group on COVID-19 vaccination, confirmed to CNN that Pfizer India has applied for emergency use authorization.
India surpassed the 10 million-case mark Saturday, adding nearly a million cases in one month, according to the Union Health Ministry data.
The health ministry added that there were 347 new COVID-19 deaths in a 24-hour span, bringing the total death toll to 145,136.
In Switzerland, health regulator Swissmedic has approved the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for use in anyone age 16 and older, subject to compliance with the government's official recommendations.
The Pfizer vaccine has also been approved in Britain, Canada, the United States and other countries.
Switzerland also has signed agreements with vaccine manufacturers Moderna and AstraZeneca.
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Since the pandemic began, Switzerland has had 403,989 cases and 6,561 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University global tracker.
In Australia, New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has locked down Sydney's Northern Beaches until midnight Wednesday after COVID-19 cases were linked to the area.
Twenty-one of 23 new COVID-19 cases reported Friday were linked directly to an outbreak at Avalon Beach near Sydney, Berejiklian said, adding that the two others are under investigation.
The Northern Beaches lockdown means that people were asked to stay home and not enter the beaches except for "essential reasons," such as work, compassionate grounds, exercise and shopping.
The premier warned that the restrictions could be extended across Greater Sydney if warranted.
Since the pandemic began, Australia has reported 28,128 cases of COVID-19 and 908 related deaths.
The United States has the most cases and the most deaths at over 17 million cases and 313,764 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. Brazil has the third-highest number of cases at over 7 million and the second-highest number of deaths at 185,650.
Worldwide, COVID-19 has infected over 75 million people and killed over 1.6 million people.


upi--2020-12-19--Operation Warp Speed chief : 'Miscommunication' in Pfizer vaccine rollout

Dec. 19 ( UPI ) -- The head of Operation Warp Speed on Saturday said a `` miscommunication '' about COVID-19 vaccine doses means some states will receive fewer doses than they expected .
Army Gen. Gustave Perna said he took full responsibility for the issue during a news briefing .
`` I want to assure everybody , and I want to take personal responsibility for the miscommunication , '' Perna said during the briefing .
`` Here is the bottom line , I want to make sure that we are 100 % committed to fair and equitable distribution to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Perna is the chief operating officer of Operation Warp Speed , the U.S. government 's public-private partnership to accelerate work on COVID-19 vaccines .
The acknowledgement came after more than 10 states said that the number of Pfizer COVID-19 doses they had been expecting to receive had been cut without explanation .
Perna said he had to revise down the number of vaccine doses allocated to certain states after he got more information from Pfizer about the amount of vaccine available .
Perna added that the `` miscommunication '' happened because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` with exactness '' that needed to happen before releasing all the vaccine available .
`` There is no problem with the process , '' Perna said .
`` There is no problem with the Pfizer vaccine .
There is no problem with the Moderna vaccine .
It was a planning error , and I am responsible . ''
Perna referred to the Food and Drug Administration as `` the gold standard not just in America but around the world , '' and said he has to wait until the vaccine doses are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He apologized to the state governors who may have started planning based on the initial doses forecast .
`` Please accept my personal apology if this was disruptive to your decision-making , '' Perna said , adding that he would personally brief governors Monday .
Perna added that Operation Warp Speed would not `` cut corners '' in vaccine distribution .
Pfizer released a statement Thursday saying they were not having any production or distribution issues and more doses were available .
`` This week , we successfully shipped all 2.9 million doses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. government to the locations specified by them , '' the statement said .
`` We have millions more doses sitting in our warehouse but , as of now , we have not received any shipment instructions for additional doses .
`` We remain confident in our ability to deliver up to 50 million doses globally this year and up to 1.3 billion next year , and we look forward to continuing to work with the U.S. government to deliver our vaccine to the American people , '' Pfizer added .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fully approved by the FDA , it has been authorized for emergency use to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 16 years of age and older .
The FDA issued an emergency use authorization for a second COVID-19 vaccine -- one made by Moderna .

Army Gen. Gustave F. Perna takes responsibility for "miscommunication" about allocation of COVID-19 vaccine doses to states Saturday. File Photo by Chris Kleponis/Pool | License Photo
Dec. 19 (UPI) -- The head of Operation Warp Speed on Saturday said a "miscommunication" about COVID-19 vaccine doses means some states will receive fewer doses than they expected. Army Gen. Gustave Perna said he took full responsibility for the issue during a news briefing. Advertisement
"I want to assure everybody, and I want to take personal responsibility for the miscommunication," Perna said during the briefing. "Here is the bottom line, I want to make sure that we are 100% committed to fair and equitable distribution to everybody in the United States of America."
Perna is the chief operating officer of Operation Warp Speed, the U.S. government's public-private partnership to accelerate work on COVID-19 vaccines.
The acknowledgement came after more than 10 states said that the number of Pfizer COVID-19 doses they had been expecting to receive had been cut without explanation.
Perna said he had to revise down the number of vaccine doses allocated to certain states after he got more information from Pfizer about the amount of vaccine available.
Perna added that the "miscommunication" happened because he did not understand all the steps "with exactness" that needed to happen before releasing all the vaccine available.
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"There is no problem with the process," Perna said. "There is no problem with the Pfizer vaccine. There is no problem with the Moderna vaccine. It was a planning error, and I am responsible."
Perna referred to the Food and Drug Administration as "the gold standard not just in America but around the world," and said he has to wait until the vaccine doses are releasable in accordance with the agency.
He apologized to the state governors who may have started planning based on the initial doses forecast.
"Please accept my personal apology if this was disruptive to your decision-making," Perna said, adding that he would personally brief governors Monday.
Perna added that Operation Warp Speed would not "cut corners" in vaccine distribution.
Pfizer released a statement Thursday saying they were not having any production or distribution issues and more doses were available.
"This week, we successfully shipped all 2.9 million doses that we were asked to ship by the U.S. government to the locations specified by them," the statement said. "We have millions more doses sitting in our warehouse but, as of now, we have not received any shipment instructions for additional doses.
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"We remain confident in our ability to deliver up to 50 million doses globally this year and up to 1.3 billion next year, and we look forward to continuing to work with the U.S. government to deliver our vaccine to the American people," Pfizer added.
While the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has not been fully approved by the FDA, it has been authorized for emergency use to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 16 years of age and older.
The FDA issued an emergency use authorization for a second COVID-19 vaccine -- one made by Moderna.


upi--2020-12-19--Jim Carrey won't play Joe Biden on 'SNL' anymore

Dec. 19 ( UPI ) -- Comedian Jim Carrey has announced he will no longer play President-elect Joe Biden on @ @ @ @ @ played Biden in several episodes this season when the former U.S. senator and vice president @ @ @ @ @ .
Now that Biden is president-elect and expected to be inaugurated next month , Carrey @ @ @ @ @ impressions of him .
`` Though my term was only meant to be 6 weeks @ @ @ @ @ be elected as your SNL President ... comedy 's highest call of duty .
I @ @ @ @ @ knowing that Biden was the victor because I nailed that ( expletive . )
But @ @ @ @ @ a long line of proud , fighting SNL Bidens ! ''
Carrey tweeted Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ , Jason Sudeikis and Kevin Nealon have also played Biden on SNL .
No replacement @ @ @ @ @ .
A new episode of the sketch-comedy show airs this weekend .

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Jim Carrey has quit playing Joe Biden on "Saturday Night Live." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Comedian Jim Carrey has announced he will no longer play President-elect Joe Biden on Saturday Night Live. Carrey played Biden in several episodes this season when the former U.S. senator and vice president was campaigning for the presidency. Advertisement
Now that Biden is president-elect and expected to be inaugurated next month, Carrey has bowed out of future impressions of him.
"Though my term was only meant to be 6 weeks, I was thrilled to be elected as your SNL President ... comedy's highest call of duty. I would love to go forward knowing that Biden was the victor because I nailed that (expletive.) But I am just one in a long line of proud, fighting SNL Bidens!" Carrey tweeted Saturday.
Woody Harrelson, John Mulaney, Jason Sudeikis and Kevin Nealon have also played Biden on SNL.
No replacement for Carrey has been announced. A new episode of the sketch-comedy show airs this weekend.


upi--2020-12-19--Trump appoints members to 1776 Commission

Dec. 19 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump has appointed 18 members to his new 1776 Commission to promote `` patriotic education , '' the White House announced .
The members were appointed to two-year terms , the White House said Friday , but it 's unclear if they will ever meet since Trump is in the closing days of his administration .
Among those appointed were : -- Carol Swain , former Vanderbilt University law professor and conservative television analyst , as vice chair -- Charlie Kirk , founder of Turning Point USA , a national student movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited government '' Today , the president was delighted to welcome the great Americans he intends to appoint to the 1776 Commission , '' a statement from the White House press secretary 's office said .
`` As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary of glorious independence , many of America 's school children are tragically being taught to hate our founding , hate our history , and hate our country .
This must stop . ''
The 1776 Commission follows Trump 's move in September to direct federal agencies to stop all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ privilege '' and `` critical race theory . ''
The commission is apparently part of a push back against The New York Times ' 1619 Project , an ongoing initiative by the newspaper launched last year to focus on the history of slavery and contributions of Black Americans named after the year when the first enslaved people arrived in Virginia .
It also comes as the Trump administration blocks attempts by members of Congress to take down Confederate monuments and rename military installations with Confederate figures ' names .
`` Despite the virtues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students are now taught in school to hate their own country , and to believe that the men and women who built it were not heroes , but rather villains , '' Trump said in his executive order establishing the commission .
Chris Dier , Louisiana 's 2020 teacher of the year , responded to Trump 's criticism of U.S. education .
`` I 'm not teaching my students to hate America , '' Dier told The Washington Post .
`` We are teaching our students to embrace our country , even the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choosing not to ignore the ghosts of our country 's past . ''

President Donald Trump formed the 1776 Commission because, he said, schools are teaching children to hate the United States. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 19 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump has appointed 18 members to his new 1776 Commission to promote "patriotic education," the White House announced. The members were appointed to two-year terms, the White House said Friday, but it's unclear if they will ever meet since Trump is in the closing days of his administration. Advertisement
Among those appointed were:
-- Larry Arnn, Hillside College president, as chairman
-- Carol Swain, former Vanderbilt University law professor and conservative television analyst, as vice chair
-- Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, a national student movement dedicated to principles of free markets and limited government
-- Former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant
-- Silicon Valley CEO and Trump fundraiser Scott McNealy
-- Brooke Rollins, Trump's domestic policy adviser
"Today, the president was delighted to welcome the great Americans he intends to appoint to the 1776 Commission," a statement from the White House press secretary's office said. "As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary of glorious independence, many of America's school children are tragically being taught to hate our founding, hate our history, and hate our country. This must stop."
The 1776 Commission follows Trump's move in September to direct federal agencies to stop all contracts and anti-racism training on "White privilege" and "critical race theory."
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The commission is apparently part of a push back against The New York Times' 1619 Project, an ongoing initiative by the newspaper launched last year to focus on the history of slavery and contributions of Black Americans named after the year when the first enslaved people arrived in Virginia.
It also comes as the Trump administration blocks attempts by members of Congress to take down Confederate monuments and rename military installations with Confederate figures' names.
"Despite the virtues and accomplishments of this nation, many students are now taught in school to hate their own country, and to believe that the men and women who built it were not heroes, but rather villains," Trump said in his executive order establishing the commission.
Chris Dier, Louisiana's 2020 teacher of the year, responded to Trump's criticism of U.S. education.
"I'm not teaching my students to hate America," Dier told The Washington Post. "We are teaching our students to embrace our country, even the things that are negative. We're choosing not to ignore the ghosts of our country's past."


upi--2020-12-19--Bitter cold following monster snowstorm may lead to dangerous conditions

Dec. 19 ( UPI ) -- Meteorologists expect the cold air to linger in the wake of the storm that brought up to a few feet of snow to the northeastern United States , but as episodes of melting and freezing will gradually reduce the snowpack , there is the potential for injury and accidents as well .
It may take crews a couple of days or more to clear off secondary roads and city streets following the storm that dumped from about an inch of snow along Interstate 95 in northern Virginia to 44 inches of powder on Newark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York state .
Even though the snow will rapidly disappear in northern Virginia , it may be many days for the snow cover to melt where a few feet fell .
The mountains of snow from cleanup operations could be around for many weeks .
Forecasters are warning motorists and pedestrians to exercise caution at intersections and in parking lots where massive piles of snow may block the view around the corner .
Property owners should take some time after clearing their driveways and sidewalks to shovel out fire hydrants .
Cold air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those working to clear the snow .
`` The atmosphere is not likely to be in a hurry to warm up in the days following the storm .
In fact , we expect temperatures to average below normal in most areas through at least the first part of next week , '' AccuWeather senior meteorologist Brett Anderson said .
Highs typically range from the middle 20s F over northern New England to the upper 40s in southeastern Virginia .
`` Through Saturday , high temperatures are likely to range from near 20 over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in northern Virginia , or about 5-10 degrees below average , '' Anderson said .
`` The reflective nature of deep fresh snow cover tends to reflect the sun 's rays back up into the atmosphere and prevents the air near the ground from warming up , but even the overall weather pattern still looks chilly for several days , '' Anderson added .
When conditions are clear and calm at night , the temperatures can plummet , and cold air can collect near the ground , especially over the valleys where there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities , especially the major metro areas along the I-95 corridor , the large urban heat island effect will allow some natural melting to take place during the daytime hours each day into next week .
However , sometimes the most dangerous part of a winter storm is a result of the natural melting that follows .
This melting will create runoff onto parking lots , sidewalks , city streets and secondary roads over the countryside .
As the temperature plummets during the evening hours , the runoff is expected to freeze and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commute the following day .
This condition creates a thin sheen of clear ice that is sometimes called `` black ice '' and may appear to be wet rather than icy .
Slip and falls and vehicle accidents could be a risk during this setup .
Icy patches can form on milder nights even when the air temperature is above freezing .
This is due to the `` freezer effect '' of the large piles of snow that can help to chill the ground nearby .
Areas that are shaded from the sun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but this phenomenon can occur anywhere under the right conditions at night .
The temperature right near the ground can be several degrees lower than at waist or eye level .
`` The thaw and freeze cycles are likely to continue through next week in areas where there is a deep snow cover and/or massive piles of snow , even though temperatures may trend to and above average for a couple of days , '' Anderson said .

The U.S. Capitol is seen as snow falls in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Meteorologists expect the cold air to linger in the wake of the storm that brought up to a few feet of snow to the northeastern United States, but as episodes of melting and freezing will gradually reduce the snowpack, there is the potential for injury and accidents as well. It may take crews a couple of days or more to clear off secondary roads and city streets following the storm that dumped from about an inch of snow along Interstate 95 in northern Virginia to 44 inches of powder on Newark Valley in the southern tier of New York state. Even though the snow will rapidly disappear in northern Virginia, it may be many days for the snow cover to melt where a few feet fell. The mountains of snow from cleanup operations could be around for many weeks. Advertisement Advertisement
Forecasters are warning motorists and pedestrians to exercise caution at intersections and in parking lots where massive piles of snow may block the view around the corner. Property owners should take some time after clearing their driveways and sidewalks to shovel out fire hydrants.
Cold air following the storm won't likely help those working to clear the snow.
"The atmosphere is not likely to be in a hurry to warm up in the days following the storm. In fact, we expect temperatures to average below normal in most areas through at least the first part of next week," AccuWeather senior meteorologist Brett Anderson said.
Highs typically range from the middle 20s F over northern New England to the upper 40s in southeastern Virginia.
"Through Saturday, high temperatures are likely to range from near 20 over northern New England to the lower 40s in northern Virginia, or about 5-10 degrees below average," Anderson said.
"The reflective nature of deep fresh snow cover tends to reflect the sun's rays back up into the atmosphere and prevents the air near the ground from warming up, but even the overall weather pattern still looks chilly for several days," Anderson added.
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When conditions are clear and calm at night, the temperatures can plummet, and cold air can collect near the ground, especially over the valleys where there is deep snow cover.
In the cities, especially the major metro areas along the I-95 corridor, the large urban heat island effect will allow some natural melting to take place during the daytime hours each day into next week.
However, sometimes the most dangerous part of a winter storm is a result of the natural melting that follows.
This melting will create runoff onto parking lots, sidewalks, city streets and secondary roads over the countryside. As the temperature plummets during the evening hours, the runoff is expected to freeze and that ice will linger into the morning commute the following day. This condition creates a thin sheen of clear ice that is sometimes called "black ice" and may appear to be wet rather than icy. Slip and falls and vehicle accidents could be a risk during this setup.
Icy patches can form on milder nights even when the air temperature is above freezing. This is due to the "freezer effect" of the large piles of snow that can help to chill the ground nearby. Areas that are shaded from the sun during the day are most prone, but this phenomenon can occur anywhere under the right conditions at night. The temperature right near the ground can be several degrees lower than at waist or eye level.
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"The thaw and freeze cycles are likely to continue through next week in areas where there is a deep snow cover and/or massive piles of snow, even though temperatures may trend to and above average for a couple of days," Anderson said.
Storm blankets NYC, Washington, D.C., in snow


upi--2020-12-19--Longmire Days fan event set for July

Longmire Days fan event set for July

Dec. 19 ( UPI ) -- The 2021 edition of the Longmire Days fan event in Wyoming is scheduled for July 22-25 .
The announcement was posted on the event 's website on Friday .
`` During the 2020 event , we learned there is a demand for Longmire Days worldwide , so we are pleased to announce that in addition to any in-person events for 2021 , Longmire Days will be retaining many of the virtual elements introduced in 2020 .
More details regarding this event will become available as they are finalized , '' the message said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ country and the world are still in a pandemic situation that is ever changing .
We will be working closely with our county health department and local government entities toward the implementation of the safest event possible . ''
The convention celebrates the iconic television series , Longmire , and Craig Johnson 's best-selling mystery novels which inspired the show .
This year 's convention was a virtual affair due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The show ran 2012-17 and starred Robert Taylor , Lou Diamond Phillips , Adam Bartley , Louanne Stephens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Martinez , Bailey Chase , John Bishop , Jeffrey De Serrano , and Zahn McClarnon .
Johnson 's latest Walt Longmire adventure , Next to Last Stand , was published in September .

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Longmire Days 2021 is scheduled for July 22-25. Robert Taylor played Sheriff Walt Longmire on the TV version of the best-selling books from 2012 to 2017. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 19 (UPI) -- The 2021 edition of the Longmire Days fan event in Wyoming is scheduled for July 22-25. The announcement was posted on the event's website on Friday. Advertisement
"During the 2020 event, we learned there is a demand for Longmire Days worldwide, so we are pleased to announce that in addition to any in-person events for 2021, Longmire Days will be retaining many of the virtual elements introduced in 2020. More details regarding this event will become available as they are finalized," the message said.
"The Longmire Foundation is aware our country and the world are still in a pandemic situation that is ever changing. We will be working closely with our county health department and local government entities toward the implementation of the safest event possible."
The convention celebrates the iconic television series, Longmire, and Craig Johnson's best-selling mystery novels which inspired the show.
This year's convention was a virtual affair due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The show ran 2012-17 and starred Robert Taylor, Lou Diamond Phillips, Adam Bartley, Louanne Stephens, Katee Sackhoff, Cassidy Freeman, A Martinez, Bailey Chase, John Bishop, Jeffrey De Serrano, and Zahn McClarnon.
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Johnson's latest Walt Longmire adventure, Next to Last Stand, was published in September.


upi--2020-12-19--Mike Pompeo: Russia 'pretty clearly' behind cyberattack

Dec. 19 ( UPI ) -- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has tied a widespread cyberattack on U.S. agencies to Russia .
Cybersecurity company FireEye first revealed the hack earlier this month , saying hundreds of U.S. companies and government agencies were among the targets .
While there 's no evidence classified networks were compromised , it 's unclear how deeply networks were penetrated .
During a radio interview on the conservative Mark Levin Show on Friday night , Pompeo said attack was `` pretty clearly '' linked to Russia .
`` We 're still unpacking precisely what it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will remain classified , '' he said .
`` But suffice it to say there was a significant effort to use a piece of third-party software to essentially embed code inside of U.S. government systems and it now appears systems of private companies and companies and governments across the world .
This was a very significant effort , and I think it 's the case that now we can say pretty clearly that it was the Russians that engaged in this activity . ''
On Thursday , U.S. cybersecurity officials warned of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal government '' from the hack linked to security software weaknesses .
The scope of the cyberattack beginning in at least March was broader than initially thought , according to a Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency alert Saturday , citing evidence of initial access vectors other than the SolarWinds Orion platform .
Earlier this month , CISA released an emergency directive ordering federal civilian executive branch departments and agencies to disconnect infected devices .
The Homeland Security , Commerce and Treasury departments have been among those targeted in the cyberattacks .
Microsoft , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breach , has identified more than 40 government agencies , think tanks , non-governmental organizations and IT companies worldwide impacted , with four in five attacks in the United States .
Other countries impacted by hackers included Canada , Mexico , Belgium , Spain , Britain , Israel and United Arab Emirates , according to Microsoft .
`` This is not espionage as usual , even in the digital age , '' Microsoft said in a blog post .
`` Instead , it represents an act of recklessness that created a serious technological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world . ''
Lawmakers said they are still trying to understand the full impact of the breach .
`` This hack was so big in scope that even our cybersecurity experts do n't have a real sense yet in terms of the breadth of the intrusion itself , '' said Rep. Stephen Lynch , R-Mass.
, chairman of a subcommittee on national security .
President Donald Trump has remained silent on the issue , leading to Republican Sen. Mitt Romney , R-Utah , calling on him to speak out , Levin pointed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There are many things that you 'd very much love to say , 'Boy , I 'm going to call that out , ' but a wiser course of action to protect the American people is to calmly go about your business and defend freedom , '' Pompeo said in response .

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Russia was behind hacking of U.S. government agencies. File Photo by Maya Alleruzzo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has tied a widespread cyberattack on U.S. agencies to Russia. Cybersecurity company FireEye first revealed the hack earlier this month, saying hundreds of U.S. companies and government agencies were among the targets. While there's no evidence classified networks were compromised, it's unclear how deeply networks were penetrated. Advertisement
During a radio interview on the conservative Mark Levin Show on Friday night, Pompeo said attack was "pretty clearly" linked to Russia.
"We're still unpacking precisely what it is, and I'm sure some of it will remain classified," he said. "But suffice it to say there was a significant effort to use a piece of third-party software to essentially embed code inside of U.S. government systems and it now appears systems of private companies and companies and governments across the world. This was a very significant effort, and I think it's the case that now we can say pretty clearly that it was the Russians that engaged in this activity."
On Thursday, U.S. cybersecurity officials warned of a "a grave risk to the federal government" from the hack linked to security software weaknesses.
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The scope of the cyberattack beginning in at least March was broader than initially thought, according to a Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency alert Saturday, citing evidence of initial access vectors other than the SolarWinds Orion platform.
Earlier this month, CISA released an emergency directive ordering federal civilian executive branch departments and agencies to disconnect infected devices. The Homeland Security, Commerce and Treasury departments have been among those targeted in the cyberattacks.
Microsoft, which has assisted in responding to the breach, has identified more than 40 government agencies, think tanks, non-governmental organizations and IT companies worldwide impacted, with four in five attacks in the United States.
Other countries impacted by hackers included Canada, Mexico, Belgium, Spain, Britain, Israel and United Arab Emirates, according to Microsoft.
"This is not espionage as usual, even in the digital age," Microsoft said in a blog post. "Instead, it represents an act of recklessness that created a serious technological vulnerability for the United States and the world."
Lawmakers said they are still trying to understand the full impact of the breach.
"This hack was so big in scope that even our cybersecurity experts don't have a real sense yet in terms of the breadth of the intrusion itself," said Rep. Stephen Lynch, R-Mass., chairman of a subcommittee on national security.
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President Donald Trump has remained silent on the issue, leading to Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, calling on him to speak out, Levin pointed out during his interview with Pompeo Friday.
"There are many things that you'd very much love to say, 'Boy, I'm going to call that out,' but a wiser course of action to protect the American people is to calmly go about your business and defend freedom," Pompeo said in response.


upi--2020-12-19--Minnesota state Sen. Jerry Relph dies after COVID-19 diagnosis

Dec. 19 ( UPI ) -- Minnesota state Sen. Jerry Relph has died weeks after testing positive for COVID-19 , his wife announced .
He was 76 .
Though a family statement did n't include Jerry Relph 's cause of death , it came after he was admitted to an emergency room for symptoms related to the novel coronavirus .
`` I 'm heartbroken to share that my husband , Jerry Relph , has passed away and entered his heavenly home , '' his wife , Pegi Broker-Relph , said in a statement Saturday .
`` I 'd like to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationships and sense of family you provided for us over the last four years .
I am profoundly grateful for all the love and support our family has received . ''
Jerry Relph entered quarantine in November after learning he was exposed to the novel coronavirus at the State Capitol .
He later tested positive for the virus and twice went to the emergency room for treatment .
Minnesota Public Radio said multiple state senators tested positive for COVID-19 after attending a party at a restaurant .
Jerry Relph served a single term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vacant seat in 2016 .
He lost his re-election bid in November by 315 votes .
`` Senator Jerry Relph was a true friend and colleague loved by so many .
For four years , he rolled up his sleeves and tackled tough issues for our state .
Senator Relph will always be remembered as a dedicated public servant , '' said state Senate Republican leader Paul Gazelka .
`` He was already thinking of ways to have an impact on his community after narrowly losing his re-election .
We are deeply saddened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and support to the Relph family . ''

Minnesota state Sen. Jerry Relph visited an emergency room twice after contracting COVID-19. File Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Senate
Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Minnesota state Sen. Jerry Relph has died weeks after testing positive for COVID-19, his wife announced. He was 76. Though a family statement didn't include Jerry Relph's cause of death, it came after he was admitted to an emergency room for symptoms related to the novel coronavirus. Advertisement
"I'm heartbroken to share that my husband, Jerry Relph, has passed away and entered his heavenly home," his wife, Pegi Broker-Relph, said in a statement Saturday.
"I'd like to thank everyone at the legislature for the relationships and sense of family you provided for us over the last four years. I am profoundly grateful for all the love and support our family has received."
Jerry Relph entered quarantine in November after learning he was exposed to the novel coronavirus at the State Capitol. He later tested positive for the virus and twice went to the emergency room for treatment.
Minnesota Public Radio said multiple state senators tested positive for COVID-19 after attending a party at a restaurant.
Jerry Relph served a single term in the state Senate, filling a vacant seat in 2016. He lost his re-election bid in November by 315 votes.
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"Senator Jerry Relph was a true friend and colleague loved by so many. For four years, he rolled up his sleeves and tackled tough issues for our state. Senator Relph will always be remembered as a dedicated public servant," said state Senate Republican leader Paul Gazelka.
"He was already thinking of ways to have an impact on his community after narrowly losing his re-election. We are deeply saddened by his passing and offer our prayers and support to the Relph family."
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-12-19--SpaceX launches U.S. spy satellite; Falcon 9 first stage returns

ORLANDO , Fla. , Dec. 19 ( UPI ) -- SpaceX launched the company 's second spy satellite mission for the U.S. government Saturday morning .
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 9 a.m. EST from Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida .
The payload fairing separated about 2 1/2 minutes after liftoff .
The reusable Falcon 9 rocket landed at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station about 8 1/2 minutes after liftoff -- the fifth time for this particular booster and the 70th time for a Falcon 9 to date .
SpaceX aborted a previous launch attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reading in an upper stage liquid oxygen tank on the rocket .
The countdown stopped at 1 minute , 53 seconds before launch .
Andy Tran , a SpaceX avionics production supervisor , said during a live broadcast Thursday that the rocket and the payload were in good condition despite the abort .
The company 's first launch of a U.S. spy satellite , NROL-76 , was in May 2017 for the National Reconnaissance Office , which is part of the Department of Defense .
Most such missions have been conducted in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government says very little about classified missions such as the launch on Sunday , except that the rocket is carrying a `` national security payload designed , built and operated by the agency ... to provide intelligence data to the United States ' senior policymakers , intelligence agencies and the defense department . ''
SpaceX 's live stream of Sunday 's launch did n't include footage of the satellite 's deployment due to its classified nature .
The National Reconnaissance Office 's mission is to provide information for intelligence requirements , research and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and disaster relief .

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A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office from Complex 39 at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on Saturday. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 19 (UPI) -- SpaceX launched the company's second spy satellite mission for the U.S. government Saturday morning. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 9 a.m. EST from Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The payload fairing separated about 2 1/2 minutes after liftoff. Advertisement
The reusable Falcon 9 rocket landed at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station about 8 1/2 minutes after liftoff -- the fifth time for this particular booster and the 70th time for a Falcon 9 to date.
SpaceX aborted a previous launch attempt Thursday due to a slightly high pressure reading in an upper stage liquid oxygen tank on the rocket. The countdown stopped at 1 minute, 53 seconds before launch.
Andy Tran, a SpaceX avionics production supervisor, said during a live broadcast Thursday that the rocket and the payload were in good condition despite the abort.
The company's first launch of a U.S. spy satellite, NROL-76, was in May 2017 for the National Reconnaissance Office, which is part of the Department of Defense. Most such missions have been conducted in recent years by United Launch Alliance.
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The government says very little about classified missions such as the launch on Sunday, except that the rocket is carrying a "national security payload designed, built and operated by the agency ... to provide intelligence data to the United States' senior policymakers, intelligence agencies and the defense department."
SpaceX's live stream of Sunday's launch didn't include footage of the satellite's deployment due to its classified nature.
The National Reconnaissance Office's mission is to provide information for intelligence requirements, research and development, and to assist in emergency and disaster relief.


upi--2020-12-20--Congress nears deal on $900B coronavirus relief after resolving key difference

Dec. 20 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Senate is close to approving a $ 900 billion relief package from the economic effects of coronavirus , possibly by Sunday , after a key difference between Democrats and Republicans was resolved regarding the role of the Federal Reserve to intervene in lending authority .
A vote could be delayed until Monday because several senators would need to return to town , CNN reported .
The bill would include also would include a $ 1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill .
On Friday , Congress had adopted a two-day short-term funding extension to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contains direct stimulus checks between $ 600 and $ 700 , according to a commitment GOP leaders made to Sen. Josh Hawley , R-Mo.
, on Friday .
Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , negotiated with Hawley to include the stimulus checks .
The package also includes $ 300 per week in jobless benefits , $ 330 billion for small business loans , more than $ 80 billion for schools , and several billion dollars for vaccine distribution .
President Donald Trump weighed in Saturday night on the relief bill , posting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving our people a Stimulus Bill ?
It was n't their fault , it was the fault of China .
GET IT DONE , and give them more money in direct payments . ''
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , will need consent from all 99 of his colleagues to waive procedural hurdles .
`` If things continue on this path and nothing gets in the way , we 'll be able to vote tomorrow , '' Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer , D-NY.
, { link : said Saturday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ target= '' _blank '' } `` This can not go on , '' Sen. Chris Coons , a Delaware Democrat , said .
Sen. Bill Cassidy , a Louisiana Republican , said `` I think they 're going to resolve '' any differences with a `` more narrow focus . ''
`` Now that Democrats have agreed to a version of Senator Toomey 's important language , we can begin closing out the rest of the package to deliver much-needed relief to families , workers , and businesses , '' said Doug Andres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell of Kentucky At around 9 p.m. , Republicans , including Sen. Pat Toomey , R-Pa. , told Schumer that they would accept language in the bill on Federal Reserve 's lending , according to the GOP aides .
In the agreement , $ 429 billion in unspent CARES Act funding would be removed for the Federal Reserve 's credit lending facilities and use as part of a new $ 900 billion coronavirus relief bill , The Hill reported .
Four facilities would be closed .
Both sides agreed to specific language instead @ @ @ @ @ @

U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.,walks from his office to the Senate floor on Capitol Hill on Thursday. Democrats and Republicans agreed on a Covid-19 relief package Sunday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate reached a deal on a $900 billion relief package from the economic effects of coronavirus, possibly by Sunday, after a key difference between Democrats and Republicans was resolved regarding the role of the Federal Reserve to intervene in lending authority. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced Sunday evening that lawmakers had come to an agreement on a COVID-19 aid package and a $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill but did not provide details. Advertisement
A vote could be delayed until Monday because several senators would need to return to town, CNN reported.
On Friday, Congress had adopted a two-day short-term funding extension to prevent a government shutdown.
The relief contains direct stimulus checks between $600 and $700, according to a commitment GOP leaders made to Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., on Friday. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., negotiated with Hawley to include the stimulus checks.
The package also includes $300 per week in jobless benefits, $330 billion for small business loans, more than $80 billion for schools, and several billion dollars for vaccine distribution.
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President Donald Trump weighed in Saturday night on the relief bill, posting in Twitter: "Why isn't Congress giving our people a Stimulus Bill? It wasn't their fault, it was the fault of China. GET IT DONE, and give them more money in direct payments."
McConnell, R-Ky., required consent from all 99 of his colleagues to waive procedural hurdles.
"If things continue on this path and nothing gets in the way, we'll be able to vote tomorrow," Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-NY.," said Saturday night. "This cannot go on," Sen. Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, said.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, said "I think they're going to resolve" any differences with a "more narrow focus."
"Now that Democrats have agreed to a version of Senator Toomey's important language, we can begin closing out the rest of the package to deliver much-needed relief to families, workers, and businesses," said Doug Andres, a spokesman for McConnell.
At around 9 p.m., Republicans, including Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., told Schumer that they would accept language in the bill on Federal Reserve's lending, according to the GOP aides.
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In the agreement, $429 billion in unspent CARES Act funding would be removed for the Federal Reserve's credit lending facilities and use as part of a new $900 billion coronavirus relief bill, The Hill reported. Four facilities would be closed.
Both sides agreed to specific language instead of an agreement in principle.


upi--2020-12-20--Large winter storm to bring 'Christmas mischief'

Dec. 20 ( UPI ) -- The next major winter weathermaker will take shape just in time for Christmas this coming week , threatening to snarl travel and bring bitterly cold air .
However , for some dreaming of a White Christmas , it will come just in time .
`` A large dip in the jet stream in the East this coming week will lead to mayhem and mischief just in time for the holiday , '' AccuWeather Broadcaster and Senior Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said .
The storm will take shape Tuesday as it slides eastward across the Rockies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has relentlessly slammed the Pacific Northwest .
As it emerges in the Plains during the middle of the week , an Arctic blast of cold will surge south and then east through the end of the week .
The blast of cold air will also contribute to snow right before Christmas for some .
Wind and rain will also pick up , leading to a full bag of weather hazards that will accompany this storm .
`` Where snow begins to form in the Plains for the middle of the week will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the storm takes shape , '' explained AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys .
`` The leading edge of this Arctic blast will be the boundary along which the main center of low pressure forms , but confidence is still low on just where that center will form . ''
Forecasters say anywhere in the Plains from Oklahoma to the Dakotas should at least be prepared for the possibility of some snow during the middle of the week .
As the storm system shifts east through the end of the week , just in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself , it will intensify , with snow , rain or a mix of both in store for most of the eastern U.S. leading up to the holiday .
`` Milder air will surge north into the eastern U.S. ahead of this storm for the last half of the Christmas week , '' Roys said .
`` With this set up , most will start as rain when the storm arrives from the lower and middle Mississippi Valley into the lower Great Lakes eastward . ''
This includes parts of the Northeast buried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week .
Forecasters say the rain could be heavy enough to cause some flooding concerns , especially when combined with melting snow and especially in areas that have a foot or more of snow sitting on the ground .
However , cold air quickly sweeping in behind the storm will also cause a large area to see a change to snow again before the storm ends .
In the Great Lakes , the cold air will crank up the lake-effect snow machine in the wake of the storm .
Depending on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change from rain to snow could even occur well into the Southeast .
The snow could persist long enough to bring a fresh , white blanket just in time for the holiday , but also slippery , snow-coated roads as well .
Even for locales that do n't see a change to snow , or do n't see any accumulating snow before the storm ends , another threat will lurk in the wake of the storm .
`` Behind this storm a blast of truly bitter cold and strong winds is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coast , '' Roys said .
Temperatures will plummet in the wake of rain and snow and can lead to a rapid freeze-up across a vast stretch of the eastern U.S .
Places like St. Louis or Little Rock , Ark.
, could see rain with temperatures in the 50s Wednesday afternoon , then quickly see temperatures crash into the 20s Wednesday night .
Untreated surfaces still wet from afternoon rain would quickly turn into a sheet of ice .
Areas farther east would suffer the same fate on Christmas Eve .
Buffalo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 40s with rain Christmas Eve day , before temperatures crash into the teens with rain changing to snow for Christmas Eve itself .
Even the Gulf Coast coast will not escape the Christmas chill as even cities along the coast such as New Orleans ; Mobile , Ala. and Pensacola , Fla. , could wake up to temperatures in the 30s Christmas morning .
Widespread frosts and freezes are likely all across the Deep South .
Yet rain , snow and cold are still not the only facets this storm will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the system .
`` Strong winds will develop both ahead of and behind the storm , '' Roys said .
`` The greatest chance for winds to be locally damaging will be Wednesday in the Central Plains , and then potentially Christmas Eve or Christmas Day along and near portions of the mid-Atlantic and New England coast . ''
Even where winds on the backside of the storm are n't strong enough to cause much damage , they will still combine with the Arctic air to produce dangerous cold .
When combined with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RealFeel® Temperatures could plummet well below zero Christmas Eve and Christmas Day all the way from the Northern Plains through the Great Lakes , Ohio Valley and central and southern Appalachians .
At these temperatures , frostbite can set in on exposed skin in just a few minutes .
`` There 's going to be a lot going on with this storm system and a lot of hazards for many residents to be aware of leading up to Christmas , '' Roys warned .
Be sure to keep checking back as AccuWeather Meteorologists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Bulldozers remove snow from the streets near Sixth Avenue in the morning hours in New York City on Thursday. The area and other parts of the United States is forecast to be hit with another major winter storm. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 20 (UPI) -- The next major winter weathermaker will take shape just in time for Christmas this coming week, threatening to snarl travel and bring bitterly cold air. However, for some dreaming of a White Christmas, it will come just in time. "A large dip in the jet stream in the East this coming week will lead to mayhem and mischief just in time for the holiday," AccuWeather Broadcaster and Senior Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. Advertisement
A potent storm system will take shape Tuesday as it slides eastward across the Rockies, the last storm in a train that has relentlessly slammed the Pacific Northwest.
As it emerges in the Plains during the middle of the week, an Arctic blast of cold will surge south and then east through the end of the week. The blast of cold air will also contribute to snow right before Christmas for some. Wind and rain will also pick up, leading to a full bag of weather hazards that will accompany this storm.
Advertisement
"Where snow begins to form in the Plains for the middle of the week will depend on exactly where the center of the storm takes shape," explained AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys.
"The leading edge of this Arctic blast will be the boundary along which the main center of low pressure forms, but confidence is still low on just where that center will form."
Forecasters say the rain could be heavy enough to cause some flooding concerns, especially when combined with melting snow in the Northeast. Strong winds and severe thunderstorms could also become a threat with this storm.
However, cold air quickly sweeping in behind the storm will also cause a large area to see a change to snow again before the storm ends. In the Great Lakes, the cold air will crank up the lake-effect snow machine in the wake of the storm. Depending on the exact evolution of this storm, a change from rain to snow could even occur well into the Southeast.
The snow could persist long enough to bring a fresh, white blanket just in time for the holiday, but also slippery, snow-coated roads as well.
Even for locales that don't see a change to snow, or don't see any accumulating snow before the storm ends, another threat will lurk in the wake of the storm.
Advertisement
"Behind this storm a blast of truly bitter cold and strong winds is going to surge all the way to the Gulf Coast," Roys said.
Temperatures will plummet in the wake of rain and snow and can lead to a rapid freeze-up across a vast stretch of the eastern U.S.
Places like St. Louis or Little Rock, Ark., could see rain with temperatures in the 50s Wednesday afternoon, then quickly see temperatures crash into the 20s Wednesday night. Untreated surfaces still wet from afternoon rain would quickly turn into a sheet of ice.
Areas farther east would suffer the same fate on Christmas Eve. Buffalo, N.Y., and Pittsburgh could be in the 40s with rain Christmas Eve day, before temperatures crash into the teens with rain changing to snow for Christmas Eve itself.
Even the Gulf Coast coast will not escape the Christmas chill as even cities along the coast such as New Orleans; Mobile, Ala. and Pensacola, Fla., could wake up to temperatures in the 30s Christmas morning. Widespread frosts and freezes are likely all across the Deep South.
Yet rain, snow and cold are still not the only facets this storm will offer. Driving winds will also accompany the system.
Advertisement
"Strong winds will develop both ahead of and behind the storm," Roys said. "The greatest chance for winds to be locally damaging will be Wednesday in the Central Plains, and then potentially Christmas Eve or Christmas Day along and near portions of the mid-Atlantic and New England coast."
Even where winds on the backside of the storm aren't strong enough to cause much damage, they will still combine with the Arctic air to produce dangerous cold.
When combined with the already well below-normal temperatures, AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures could plummet well below zero Christmas Eve and Christmas Day all the way from the Northern Plains through the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and central and southern Appalachians. At these temperatures, frostbite can set in on exposed skin in just a few minutes.
While the core of the cold will ease towards the end of the holiday weekend into the following week, forecasters say that colder weather will persist into the new year.


upi--2020-12-20--On This Day, Dec. 20: U.S. invades Panama

Dec. 20 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1803 , the United States formally took over territory acquired from France in the Louisiana Purchase .
In 1812 , Sacagawea , the Indian woman who helped guide the Lewis and Clark Expedition , died .
In 1860 , South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the United States .
In 1956 , a Montgomery , Ala. , public bus boycott officially ended but not until it had given a major boost to the civil rights struggle in the South .
The boycott had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 1955 , arrest of Rosa Parks , an African-American woman , for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man .
In 1968 , the so-called Zodiac Killer killed his first two confirmed victims -- David Faraday , 17 , and Betty Lou Jensen -- in Vallejo , Calif .
He would go on to kill at least five people , though he took credit for three dozen deaths .
In 1987 , a passenger ferry struck by an oil tanker sank in the Philippines and nearly 1,600 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's worst peacetime maritime disaster .
In 1989 , the United States invaded Panama to oust Manuel Noriega and install the duly elected civilian government .
In 1990 , Eduard Shevardnadze abruptly resigned as Soviet foreign minister , warning that a `` dictatorship is coming . ''
The Soviet Union formally broke up a year later and Shevardnadze became leader of his native Georgia .
In 1995 , 160 people were killed when an American Airlines 757 crashed into a mountain shortly before it was scheduled to land in Cali , Colombia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Bosnia-Herzegovina at the close of the Bosnian War .
In 1998 , a Houston woman , Nkem Chukwu , gave birth to seven babies after delivering the first of her octuplets 12 days earlier .
The six girls and two boys were the only known set of octuplets to be born alive in the United States .
The smallest baby , a girl , died a week later .
In 2007 , Queen Elizabeth II became the oldest monarch in British history , outliving her great-great grandmother , Queen Victoria , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four weeks and one day .
In 2007 , two paintings , including one by Pablo Picasso called Portrait of Suzanne Bloch , were stolen from the Sao Paulo Museum of Art in Brazil .
The paintings were recovered in January 2008 .
In 2011 , the Kepler , NASA 's orbiting space observatory , discovered two Earth-size planets outside the solar system but scientists said both orbit too close to a sun-like star to have water on the surface .
In 2014 , two New York police officers were killed execution-style while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooter had posted threatening messages on social media against police and in support of Eric Garner and Michael Brown , both killed by police .
In 2015 , a landslide at an industrial park in Shenzhen , China , toppled dozens of buildings and killed 73 people .
The disaster was caused by construction waste .
In 2017 , the U.S. Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act , the first major overhaul of the U.S. tax code in 30 years .
The legislation slashed corporate taxes permanently from 35 percent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income tax bracket from 39.6 percent to 37 percent .
In 2018 , Defense Secretary James Mattis announced his resignation , telling President Donald Trump he deserves a military chief `` whose views are better aligned with yours . ''

1/5
Marines of Company D, 2nd Light Armored Infantry Battalion, stand guard with their LAV-25 light armored vehicles outside a destroyed Panamanian Defense Force building during the first day of Operation Just Cause on December 20, 1989. File Photo courtesy the U.S. Marine Corps
Dec. 20 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1803, the United States formally took over territory acquired from France in the Louisiana Purchase. Advertisement
In 1812, Sacagawea, the Indian woman who helped guide the Lewis and Clark Expedition, died.
In 1860, South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the United States.
In 1956, a Montgomery, Ala., public bus boycott officially ended but not until it had given a major boost to the civil rights struggle in the South. The boycott had been called in reaction to the Dec. 1, 1955, arrest of Rosa Parks, an African-American woman, for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man.
Visitors to the St. Paul AME church in Montgomery, Ala., on October 29, 2005, line up to make a brief tour of a replica of the bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white male passenger in December of 1955. File Photo by John Dickerson/UPI
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In 1968, the so-called Zodiac Killer killed his first two confirmed victims -- David Faraday, 17, and Betty Lou Jensen -- in Vallejo, Calif. He would go on to kill at least five people, though he took credit for three dozen deaths.
In 1987, a passenger ferry struck by an oil tanker sank in the Philippines and nearly 1,600 people died in what was called the century's worst peacetime maritime disaster.
In 1989, the United States invaded Panama to oust Manuel Noriega and install the duly elected civilian government.
In 1990, Eduard Shevardnadze abruptly resigned as Soviet foreign minister, warning that a "dictatorship is coming." The Soviet Union formally broke up a year later and Shevardnadze became leader of his native Georgia.
In 1995, 160 people were killed when an American Airlines 757 crashed into a mountain shortly before it was scheduled to land in Cali, Colombia.
In 1995, NATO assumed peacekeeping duties in Bosnia-Herzegovina at the close of the Bosnian War.
In 1998, a Houston woman, Nkem Chukwu, gave birth to seven babies after delivering the first of her octuplets 12 days earlier. The six girls and two boys were the only known set of octuplets to be born alive in the United States. The smallest baby, a girl, died a week later.
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In 2001, Argentine President Fernando de la Rua resigned amid mass protests.
File Photo by Joel Rennich/UPI
In 2007, Queen Elizabeth II became the oldest monarch in British history, outliving her great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria, who lived 81 years, seven months, four weeks and one day.
In 2007, two paintings, including one by Pablo Picasso called Portrait of Suzanne Bloch, were stolen from the Sao Paulo Museum of Art in Brazil. The paintings were recovered in January 2008.
In 2011, the Kepler, NASA's orbiting space observatory, discovered two Earth-size planets outside the solar system but scientists said both orbit too close to a sun-like star to have water on the surface.
In 2014, two New York police officers were killed execution-style while sitting in their patrol vehicle. The shooter had posted threatening messages on social media against police and in support of Eric Garner and Michael Brown, both killed by police.
In 2015, a landslide at an industrial park in Shenzhen, China, toppled dozens of buildings and killed 73 people. The disaster was caused by construction waste.
Advertisement
In 2017, the U.S. Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the first major overhaul of the U.S. tax code in 30 years. The legislation slashed corporate taxes permanently from 35 percent to 21 percent and temporarily cut the top income tax bracket from 39.6 percent to 37 percent.
In 2018, Defense Secretary James Mattis announced his resignation, telling President Donald Trump he deserves a military chief "whose views are better aligned with yours."


upi--2020-12-20--Famous birthdays for Dec. 20: Jonah Hill, Dick Wolf

Dec. 20 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius .

Jonah Hill arrives on the red carpet at the WSJ Magazine 2018 Innovator Awards at the Museum of Modern Art on November 7, 2018, in New York City. The actor turns 37 on December 20. File Photo by Monika Graff/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius. They include: Advertisement
-- Baseball Hall of Fame member Branch Rickey in 1881
-- Philosopher Susanne K. Langer in 1895
-- Actor Irene Dunne in 1898
-- Nuclear physicist Robert Van de Graaff in 1901
-- Movie director George Roy Hill in 1921
-- Actor John Hillerman in 1932
-- Drummer Peter Criss in 1945 (age 75)
-- Psychic Uri Geller in 1946 (age 74)
-- TV series creator Dick Wolf in 1946 (age 74)
File Photo by David Silpa/UPI
-- Musician Alan Parsons in 1948 (age 72)
-- Actor Jenny Agutter in 1952 (age 68)
-- American Idol winner David Cook in 1982 (age 38)
-- Actor Jonah Hill in 1983 (age 37)
-- Singer JoJo, born Joanna Noelle Levesque, in 1990 (age 30)
-- Actor Jillian Rose Reed in 1991 (age 29)
File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI