upi--2020-11-30--Watch: BoA dances in 'Better' video teaser

Nov. 30 ( UPI ) -- South Korean singer BoA is giving a glimpse of her new music video .
@ @ @ @ @ a clip Monday of her video for the song `` Better . ''
The teaser @ @ @ @ @ with several backup dancers .
The singer is also seen wearing a red outfit in @ @ @ @ @ '' is the title track from BoA 's forthcoming album of the same name .
@ @ @ @ @ and the full `` Better '' music video Tuesday .
BoA released teaser photos for @ @ @ @ @ One of the photos shows the singer wearing a sparkling headpiece .
Better will mark @ @ @ @ @ since the EP Starry Night , released in December 2019 .
The singer released the @ @ @ @ @ '' for the Tales of the Rays : Last Cradle soundtrack this month .
BoA @ @ @ @ @ Queen of K-pop , '' released her debut studio album in 2000 .
She is @ @ @ @ @ Everlasting , '' `` Hurricane Venus '' and `` Only One . ''

Nov. 30 (UPI) -- South Korean singer BoA is giving a glimpse of her new music video.
The 34-year-old recording artist shared a clip Monday of her video for the song "Better."
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The teaser shows BoA dancing in water with several backup dancers. The singer is also seen wearing a red outfit in a field.
"Better" is the title track from BoA's forthcoming album of the same name. BoA will release the album and the full "Better" music video Tuesday.
BoA released teaser photos for Better Monday on Twitter. One of the photos shows the singer wearing a sparkling headpiece.
Better will mark BoA's first Korean release since the EP Starry Night, released in December 2019. The singer released the Japanese song "I Believe" for the Tales of the Rays: Last Cradle soundtrack this month.
BoA, known as the "Queen of K-pop," released her debut studio album in 2000. She is known for the singles "Everlasting," "Hurricane Venus" and "Only One."


upi--2020-11-30--Watch: Dog reunited with family after 11 months on the loose in Chicago

Nov. 30 ( UPI ) -- A dog that ran away from her owner 's home was reunited with the family after spending nearly a year on the streets of Chicago .
Kelly Shade said Gracie , her family 's black and white pit bull , went missing in December 2019 , when a visitor to their Jackson Park Highlands home left a door open .
Shade said the family put up posters , contacted shelters and put photos of Gracie on website Lost Dogs Illinois , but there was no word of their missing pet .
Polly Ellison , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's home , said she noticed a black pit bull wandering loose in the neighborhood over the summer , but the canine was skittish and would flee from humans who attempted to approach it .
Ellison , with the help of dog rescuer Katie Campbell , spent months leaving food for Gracie and slowly gaining her trust .
The pair were eventually able to capture the dog and scan her for a microchip , which brought up Shade 's contact information .
Shade and Gracie were reunited 11 months after the canine first @ @ @

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Nov. 30 (UPI) -- A dog that ran away from her owner's home was reunited with the family after spending nearly a year on the streets of Chicago.
Kelly Shade said Gracie, her family's black and white pit bull, went missing in December 2019, when a visitor to their Jackson Park Highlands home left a door open.
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Shade said the family put up posters, contacted shelters and put photos of Gracie on website Lost Dogs Illinois, but there was no word of their missing pet.
Polly Ellison, who lives about 2 miles from Shade's home, said she noticed a black pit bull wandering loose in the neighborhood over the summer, but the canine was skittish and would flee from humans who attempted to approach it.
Ellison, with the help of dog rescuer Katie Campbell, spent months leaving food for Gracie and slowly gaining her trust.
The pair were eventually able to capture the dog and scan her for a microchip, which brought up Shade's contact information.
Shade and Gracie were reunited 11 months after the canine first went missing.


upi--2020-11-30--U.S., British, Saudi navies train in mine countermeasures

Nov. 30 ( UPI ) -- United States , British and Saudi forces concluded a four-day mine countermeasures training exercise in the Arabian Gulf , the U.S. Navy announced .
The exercise was conducted earlier in November and involved the Royal Saudi Naval Forces , Britain 's Royal Navy and the U.S. Navy .
It focused on enhancing the search for maritime mines and communications operability between the three participating countries .
`` This second round of training allowed us to refine our MCM procedures as a combined team , '' said Royal Navy Capt .
Don Crosbie , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continuously increase our defensive capabilities as a coalition . ''
Crosbie is deputy commander of Task Force 52 , a united element of the U.S. Navy 's 5th Fleet , composed of U.S. , Australian and British forces .
The mine countermeasures exercises included the Saudi ship RSNF Al-Shaqra , the Royal Navy 's HMS Brockelsby and the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Dextrous .
An MH-53E Sea Dragon attached to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 provided aerial support , and the Saudi Navy 's Mine Warfare Center conducted command and control from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saudi Arabia .

Navy ships of the United States, Britain and Saudi Arabia participated in mine countermeasures exercises in the Arabian Gulf in November, the U.S. Navy said on Sunday. Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy
Nov. 30 (UPI) -- United States, British and Saudi forces concluded a four-day mine countermeasures training exercise in the Arabian Gulf, the U.S. Navy announced. The exercise was conducted earlier in November and involved the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Britain's Royal Navy and the U.S. Navy. It focused on enhancing the search for maritime mines and communications operability between the three participating countries. Advertisement
"This second round of training allowed us to refine our MCM procedures as a combined team," said Royal Navy Capt. Don Crosbie, "Building cohesion is the best way to continuously increase our defensive capabilities as a coalition."
Crosbie is deputy commander of Task Force 52, a united element of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, composed of U.S., Australian and British forces.
The mine countermeasures exercises included the Saudi ship RSNF Al-Shaqra, the Royal Navy's HMS Brockelsby and the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Dextrous.
An MH-53E Sea Dragon attached to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 provided aerial support, and the Saudi Navy's Mine Warfare Center conducted command and control from King Abdulaziz Naval Base in Jubail, Saudi Arabia.


upi--2020-11-30--Bitcoin surges past $19,800, approaching record territory

Nov. 30 ( UPI ) -- The price of digital currency Bitcoin hit a 2020 high Monday , peaking at over $ 19,800 per digital coin , after dropping below $ 17,000 on Friday .
The price of the crypto token has been rallying for several weeks , increasing by more than 170 % in value in this year .
`` Our thesis is that Bitcoin is gold 2.0 , that it will disrupt gold , '' Tyler Winklevoss , co-founder of crypto exchange Gemini , told CNBC Monday .
Winklevoss said he believes that Bitcoin could rise to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 18,000 Bitcoin , it 's a hold or at least if you do n't have any it 's a buy opportunity , because we think there 's a 25x from here , '' Winklevoss added .
The digital currency hit an all-time peak of $ 19,864.15 , breaking its prior record set in December , 2017 .
Three years ago , the cryptocurrency shot up in value approaching $ 20,000 per digital coin before dropping to less than $ 4,000 over the next year .
Since the U.S. presidential election , enthusiasm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as PayPal , Square and Facebook to venture into cyber currencies have given Bitcoin a new lift , analysts said .
But billionaire hedge fund investor Ray Dalio said earlier this month that he still saw problems with Bitcoin , including the fact that the cyber coin is `` too volatile for most merchants to use , '' and that the coins were `` not very good as a store-hold of wealth ... so owning it does n't protect my buying power . ''
Nevertheless , Dalio said he `` might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The digital currency has risen and crashed multiple times since its introduction in 2008 , when `` coins , '' a virtual token with records maintained in a permanent blockchain ledger , cost about $ 10 each .

The digital currency Bitcoin, shown here represented by a souvenir coin, surged this week past $19,800, soaring past its three-year high in 2017. File Photo by Maxim Shipenkov/ EPA-EFE
Nov. 30 (UPI) -- The price of digital currency Bitcoin hit a 2020 high Monday, peaking at over $19,800 per digital coin, after dropping below $17,000 on Friday. The price of the crypto token has been rallying for several weeks, increasing by more than 170% in value in this year. Advertisement
"Our thesis is that Bitcoin is gold 2.0, that it will disrupt gold," Tyler Winklevoss, co-founder of crypto exchange Gemini, told CNBC Monday. Winklevoss said he believes that Bitcoin could rise to $500,00 per digital coin.
"At $18,000 Bitcoin, it's a hold or at least if you don't have any it's a buy opportunity, because we think there's a 25x from here," Winklevoss added.
The digital currency hit an all-time peak of $19,864.15, breaking its prior record set in December, 2017.
Three years ago, the cryptocurrency shot up in value approaching $20,000 per digital coin before dropping to less than $4,000 over the next year.
Since the U.S. presidential election, enthusiasm and the willingness of online payment systems such as PayPal, Square and Facebook to venture into cyber currencies have given Bitcoin a new lift, analysts said.
But billionaire hedge fund investor Ray Dalio said earlier this month that he still saw problems with Bitcoin, including the fact that the cyber coin is "too volatile for most merchants to use," and that the coins were "not very good as a store-hold of wealth ... so owning it doesn't protect my buying power." Nevertheless, Dalio said he "might be missing something" about the cryptocurrency.
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The digital currency has risen and crashed multiple times since its introduction in 2008, when "coins," a virtual token with records maintained in a permanent blockchain ledger, cost about $10 each.


upi--2020-12-01--Look: Nick Jonas, Priyanka Chopra voice love on 2nd wedding anniversary

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra are voicing their love for each other on their second wedding anniversary .
The 28-year-old singer and 38-year-old actress marked the occasion Tuesday by dedicating sweet posts to each other on Instagram .
Jonas shared two photos from his wedding ceremony to Chopra at Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur , India , and praised the actress in the caption .
`` Two years married to the most wonderful , inspiring and beautiful woman .
Happy anniversary @ priyankachopra I love you , '' he wrote .
Chopra posted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a walk in London .
`` Happy 2 year anniversary to the love of my life .
Always by my side .
My strength .
My weakness .
My all .
I love you @ nickjonas , '' she captioned the post .
Jonas and Chopra had two wedding ceremonies , one Christian and one Hindu , in December 2018 .
Chopra said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in January 2019 that the celebrations took place over three days .
`` One Indian ceremony and one Western Christian ceremony .
And one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Hindu wedding , '' she said .
Chopra later said on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon that getting married in India was Jonas ' idea .
`` Actually , I wanted to get married in some private island away from everything , '' the actress said before stating that planning the private island wedding was stressful .
`` Nick just said , 'Why are n't we doing this in India ?
Should't I be taking my bride from her home ? '
'' she added .
Jonas and Chopra celebrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May .
Chopra marked the occasion by sharing a photo from their first date to a Los Angeles Dodgers game .
`` 2 years ago today we took our very first picture together .
Every day since then you have brought me endless joy and happiness .
I love you @ nickjonas Thank you for making our life together so incredible .
Here 's to many more date nights , '' she wrote .
Chopra will star in the upcoming Netflix films We Can Be Heroes and The White Tiger .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for We Can Be Heroes , directed by Robert Rodriguez and co-starring Boyd Holbrook , Christian Slater and YaYa Gosselin .

Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra are voicing their love for each other on their second wedding anniversary.
The 28-year-old singer and 38-year-old actress marked the occasion Tuesday by dedicating sweet posts to each other on Instagram.
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Jonas shared two photos from his wedding ceremony to Chopra at Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, India, and praised the actress in the caption.
"Two years married to the most wonderful, inspiring and beautiful woman. Happy anniversary @priyankachopra I love you," he wrote.
Chopra posted a photo of herself and Jonas holding hands during a walk in London.
"Happy 2 year anniversary to the love of my life. Always by my side. My strength. My weakness. My all. I love you @nickjonas," she captioned the post.
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Jonas and Chopra had two wedding ceremonies, one Christian and one Hindu, in December 2018. Chopra said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in January 2019 that the celebrations took place over three days.
"One Indian ceremony and one Western Christian ceremony. And one day of pre-rituals, which we have in the Hindu wedding," she said.
Chopra later said on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon that getting married in India was Jonas' idea.
"Actually, I wanted to get married in some private island away from everything," the actress said before stating that planning the private island wedding was stressful.
"Nick just said, 'Why aren't we doing this in India? Should't I be taking my bride from her home?'" she added.
Jonas and Chopra celebrated the second anniversary of their first date in May. Chopra marked the occasion by sharing a photo from their first date to a Los Angeles Dodgers game.
"2 years ago today we took our very first picture together. Every day since then you have brought me endless joy and happiness. I love you @nickjonas Thank you for making our life together so incredible. Here's to many more date nights," she wrote.
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Chopra will star in the upcoming Netflix films We Can Be Heroes and The White Tiger. In November, she appeared in a trailer for We Can Be Heroes, directed by Robert Rodriguez and co-starring Boyd Holbrook, Christian Slater and YaYa Gosselin.


upi--2020-12-01--WHO: North Korea malaria cases trending downward

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Malaria is steadily declining in North Korea but more than 1 million North Koreans remain susceptible to the infectious disease , the World Health Organization said in a new report .
The WHO 's 2020 edition of the World Malaria Report released Monday shows North Korea 's malaria cases continue to decline , with 1,869 cases recorded in 2019 , Radio Free Asia 's Korean service reported .
The number indicates progress on malaria in North Korea .
In 2018 , the country confirmed 3,698 cases of the mosquito-borne infectious disease and 7,409 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not mean the disease has been eradicated from the country , where the crumbling healthcare system is not prepared to deal with pandemics like COVID-19 , according to defectors in the South .
There are still about 1.67 million North Koreans who are at risk of malaria , according to the WHO .
Pedro Alonso , director of the WHO 's global malaria program , said the international response to malaria has been limited amid COVID-19 , according to RFA .
`` Progress can also be accelerated by stepping up political leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in access to quality health services , and embracing innovation , '' Alonso said during a recent videoconference .
North Korea has often been evaluated as a country in dire need of outside aid , but international sanctions adopted in 2017 require humanitarian aid groups apply for sanctions exemption each time they deliver supplies to the isolated country .
The United Nations Security Council could be relaxing the restrictions .
On Monday the U.N. North Korea sanctions committee said it has approved a revision to its `` Implementation Assistance Notice No .
7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extended from six to nine months , according to South Korean news agency Yonhap .
Seoul 's unification ministry welcomed the changes on Tuesday , calling the revision a move that `` guarantees the autonomy and flexibility of organizations supporting North Korea , '' News 1 reported .

More than 1 million North Koreans remain susceptible to malaria, the World Health Organization said in a new report. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Malaria is steadily declining in North Korea but more than 1 million North Koreans remain susceptible to the infectious disease, the World Health Organization said in a new report. The WHO's 2020 edition of the World Malaria Report released Monday shows North Korea's malaria cases continue to decline, with 1,869 cases recorded in 2019, Radio Free Asia's Korean service reported. Advertisement
The number indicates progress on malaria in North Korea. In 2018, the country confirmed 3,698 cases of the mosquito-borne infectious disease and 7,409 cases in 2015.
The decline in cases does not mean the disease has been eradicated from the country, where the crumbling healthcare system is not prepared to deal with pandemics like COVID-19, according to defectors in the South. There are still about 1.67 million North Koreans who are at risk of malaria, according to the WHO.
Pedro Alonso, director of the WHO's global malaria program, said the international response to malaria has been limited amid COVID-19, according to RFA.
"Progress can also be accelerated by stepping up political leadership, strengthening malaria surveillance, ensuring equity in access to quality health services, and embracing innovation," Alonso said during a recent videoconference.
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North Korea has often been evaluated as a country in dire need of outside aid, but international sanctions adopted in 2017 require humanitarian aid groups apply for sanctions exemption each time they deliver supplies to the isolated country.
The United Nations Security Council could be relaxing the restrictions.
On Monday the U.N. North Korea sanctions committee said it has approved a revision to its "Implementation Assistance Notice No. 7." The exemption period will be extended from six to nine months, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.
Seoul's unification ministry welcomed the changes on Tuesday, calling the revision a move that "guarantees the autonomy and flexibility of organizations supporting North Korea," News 1 reported.


upi--2020-12-01--Pandemic could be golden time for narcissists, study suggests

The coronavirus pandemic is giving some narcissists a chance to bask in the admiration of others , a new study suggests .
It found that narcissists who are essential workers -- including those in restaurants and retail stores -- love their `` hero '' status .
`` The word 'hero ' is a trigger for narcissists , '' explained study co-author Amy Brunell , an associate professor of psychology at Ohio State University .
`` Having their work elevated to hero status provides them with an opportunity to shine in front of others and feel even better about themselves , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release .
Essential workers who scored higher on measures of narcissism shared more about their work on social media , in-person and elsewhere , and this sharing increased their narcissistic feelings in the moment , according to the study .
The results were published this week in the journal Personality and Individual Differences .
People with high scores on two specific types of narcissism -- communal and agentic -- were more likely than others to share about their work .
Communal narcissists think they are better than others at being helpful -- they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statements like `` I will be known for the good deeds I will have done . ''
Agentic narcissists are those typically envisioned by people when they think of narcissism .
They strongly agreed with statements like `` I will usually show off if I get the chance . ''
`` It is easy to see why people who score higher on communal narcissism would enjoy being known as an essential worker and want to share their experiences on Facebook and Instagram , '' Brunell said .
`` They think they are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
The pandemic gave them a chance to stand out , '' she explained .
Agentic narcissists do n't usually like to share the limelight , but likely enjoy the attention and the status boost they get from being called a hero .
`` That 's why they likely shared about their work .
Their 'hero ' status gave them a way to feel admired and distinct from others , '' Brunell said .
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more on narcissism .

The coronavirus pandemic is giving some narcissists a chance to bask in the admiration of others, a new study suggests.
It found that narcissists who are essential workers -- including those in restaurants and retail stores -- love their "hero" status.
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"The word 'hero' is a trigger for narcissists," explained study co-author Amy Brunell, an associate professor of psychology at Ohio State University.
"Having their work elevated to hero status provides them with an opportunity to shine in front of others and feel even better about themselves," she said in a university news release.
Essential workers who scored higher on measures of narcissism shared more about their work on social media, in-person and elsewhere, and this sharing increased their narcissistic feelings in the moment, according to the study.
The results were published this week in the journal Personality and Individual Differences.
People with high scores on two specific types of narcissism -- communal and agentic -- were more likely than others to share about their work.
Advertisement
Communal narcissists think they are better than others at being helpful -- they were more likely to strongly agree with statements like "I will be known for the good deeds I will have done."
Agentic narcissists are those typically envisioned by people when they think of narcissism. They strongly agreed with statements like "I will usually show off if I get the chance."
"It is easy to see why people who score higher on communal narcissism would enjoy being known as an essential worker and want to share their experiences on Facebook and Instagram," Brunell said.
"They think they are the best at being helpful and caring for others. The pandemic gave them a chance to stand out," she explained.
Agentic narcissists don't usually like to share the limelight, but likely enjoy the attention and the status boost they get from being called a hero.
"That's why they likely shared about their work. Their 'hero' status gave them a way to feel admired and distinct from others," Brunell said.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more on narcissism.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-12-01--Watch: Lily Collins shares engagement story on 'Tonight Show'

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Lily Collins is sharing more details about her engagement to Charlie McDowell .
The 31-year-old actress recalled on Monday 's episode of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon how McDowell proposed during an outing in Santa Fe , N.M. , in September .
Collins showed off her engagement ring before telling her engagement story .
`` Charlie , my fiancé , organized the whole thing .
It was a total surprise , '' the star said .
`` He literally set up his phone and his professional camera next to each other and put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's actually funny ... because we thought we were going to be doing a family portrait with our dog Redford .
I was like , 'Babe .
It 's on video .
We need it on photo . '
He 's like , 'Oh , yeah .
Oops , you 're right , ' '' she added .
Collins said McDowell managed to propose , despite her unintentional meddling .
`` He switched it to photo , we took a photo .
I 'm was like , 'Let 's do another one , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video without me knowing it , because I totally messed it up and called him out the first time , '' the actress said .
`` There I am trying to control the situation .
I 'm like , just let him be the director , '' she added .
`` I 'm very , very happy . ''
Collins announced her engagement Sept. 25 on Instagram alongside a photo of herself showing her ring .
`` The purest joy I 've ever felt , '' she captioned the post .
Collins recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paris , which was renewed for a second season in November .
She will next appear in David Fincher 's film Mank , starring Gary Oldman as Citizen Kane writer Herman J. Mankiewicz .
On The Tonight Show , Collins said playing the role of Rita Alexander , Mankiewicz 's secretary and confidante , was a `` dream come true .
`` It 's all in black and white , and moody , and beautiful .
It 's the genius of David Fincher , '' she said .
`` So it was kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So fun . ''

Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Lily Collins is sharing more details about her engagement to Charlie McDowell.
The 31-year-old actress recalled on Monday's episode of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon how McDowell proposed during an outing in Santa Fe, N.M., in September.
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Collins showed off her engagement ring before telling her engagement story.
"Charlie, my fiancé, organized the whole thing. It was a total surprise," the star said. "He literally set up his phone and his professional camera next to each other and put a self-timer on."
"It's actually funny ... because we thought we were going to be doing a family portrait with our dog Redford. I was like, 'Babe. It's on video. We need it on photo.' He's like, 'Oh, yeah. Oops, you're right,'" she added.
Collins said McDowell managed to propose, despite her unintentional meddling.
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"He switched it to photo, we took a photo. I'm was like, 'Let's do another one,' and then he switched it to video without me knowing it, because I totally messed it up and called him out the first time," the actress said.
"There I am trying to control the situation. I'm like, just let him be the director," she added. "I'm very, very happy."
Collins announced her engagement Sept. 25 on Instagram alongside a photo of herself showing her ring.
"The purest joy I've ever felt," she captioned the post.
Collins recently starred in the Netflix series Emily in Paris, which was renewed for a second season in November. She will next appear in David Fincher's film Mank, starring Gary Oldman as Citizen Kane writer Herman J. Mankiewicz.
On The Tonight Show, Collins said playing the role of Rita Alexander, Mankiewicz's secretary and confidante, was a "dream come true.
"It's all in black and white, and moody, and beautiful. It's the genius of David Fincher," she said. "So it was kind of an utter dream come true. So fun."
Mank premieres Friday on Netflix.


upi--2020-12-01--Watch: Natalie Portman says Chris Hemsworth's muscles are 'otherworldly' on 'Kimmel'

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Natalie Portman appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and discussed getting ready to film Marvel 's Thor : Love and Thunder and the impressive shape her co-star Chris Hemsworth is in .
Kimmel showed Portman on Monday a recent shirtless photo of Hemsworth working out by lifting a giant tire .
Portman is currently in Australia and is also training for the superhero epic .
`` It 's otherworldly , '' Portman said about Hemsworth 's muscles before she poked fun at the actor 's lack of a tan .
`` I 'm so unversed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get like that .
I was like does the blood drain out of you when you use your muscles because it looks so white does n't it ?
But I feel like it 's a t-shirt tan , '' the actress continued about Hemsworth 's pale skin .
Portman suggested that Hemsworth get a spray tan to help with the muscle pictures .
`` He 's looking good , it 's a lot of pressure .
I 'm going to look like his little grandma next to him , '' she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ director Taika Waititi , is set to hit theaters on Feb. 11 , 2022 .
Portman 's character Jane Foster will gain superpowers in the sequel and become The Mighty Thor .

Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Natalie Portman appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and discussed getting ready to film Marvel's Thor: Love and Thunder and the impressive shape her co-star Chris Hemsworth is in.
Kimmel showed Portman on Monday a recent shirtless photo of Hemsworth working out by lifting a giant tire. Portman is currently in Australia and is also training for the superhero epic.
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"It's otherworldly," Portman said about Hemsworth's muscles before she poked fun at the actor's lack of a tan.
"I'm so unversed in what muscles do and how they get like that. I was like does the blood drain out of you when you use your muscles because it looks so white doesn't it? But I feel like it's a t-shirt tan," the actress continued about Hemsworth's pale skin.
Portman suggested that Hemsworth get a spray tan to help with the muscle pictures.
"He's looking good, it's a lot of pressure. I'm going to look like his little grandma next to him," she said.
Thor: Love and Thunder, from director Taika Waititi, is set to hit theaters on Feb. 11, 2022. Portman's character Jane Foster will gain superpowers in the sequel and become The Mighty Thor.


upi--2020-12-01--Celtics to start season without Kemba Walker due to knee injection

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- The Boston Celtics announced Tuesday that they will be without Kemba Walker until at least the first week of January after the All-Star guard received a stem cell injection in his left knee .
`` Following consultation with multiple specialists in early October , [ Walker ] received a stem cell injection in his left knee , and was put on a 12-week strengthening program to prepare for the upcoming season , '' the Celtics said in a news release .
`` He is expected to return to on-court activities in early December , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ availability will be provided during the first week of January . ''
Walker , 30 , joined the Celtics in July of 2019 as part of a sign-and-trade with the Charlotte Hornets .
The four-time All-Star and 2018-2019 All-NBA selection averaged 20.4 points , 4.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game in 56 appearances in 2019-2020 .
He averaged a career-high 25.6 points per game in 2018-2019 , his final year with the Hornets .
Walker has two years remaining on his contract with the Celtics before he can decide if he wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option ahead of the 2022-2023 season .
The Celtics also announced Tuesday that forward Tristan Thompson sustained a minor hamstring strain during an off-season workout before he arrived in Boston .
Thompson is expected to be limited in his first week of training camp .
NBA training camps open on Tuesday and the regular season starts on Dec. 22 .
NBA preseason games start on Dec. 11 .
The Celtics face the Philadelphia 76ers on Dec. 15 in their first game of the preseason .

Boston Celtics guard Kemba Walker (8) will not appear in any preseason games and will miss the start of the 2020-2021 season due to a left knee injury. Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- The Boston Celtics announced Tuesday that they will be without Kemba Walker until at least the first week of January after the All-Star guard received a stem cell injection in his left knee. "Following consultation with multiple specialists in early October, [Walker] received a stem cell injection in his left knee, and was put on a 12-week strengthening program to prepare for the upcoming season," the Celtics said in a news release. Advertisement
"He is expected to return to on-court activities in early December, and a further update regarding his game availability will be provided during the first week of January."
Walker, 30, joined the Celtics in July of 2019 as part of a sign-and-trade with the Charlotte Hornets. The four-time All-Star and 2018-2019 All-NBA selection averaged 20.4 points, 4.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game in 56 appearances in 2019-2020. He averaged a career-high 25.6 points per game in 2018-2019, his final year with the Hornets.
Walker has two years remaining on his contract with the Celtics before he can decide if he wants to sign a $37.6 million player option ahead of the 2022-2023 season.
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The Celtics also announced Tuesday that forward Tristan Thompson sustained a minor hamstring strain during an off-season workout before he arrived in Boston. Thompson is expected to be limited in his first week of training camp.
NBA training camps open on Tuesday and the regular season starts on Dec. 22. NBA preseason games start on Dec. 11. The Celtics face the Philadelphia 76ers on Dec. 15 in their first game of the preseason.


upi--2020-12-01--Iconic dome at Arecibo Observatory collapses

ORLANDO , Fla. , Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- The iconic Arecibo Observatory radio telescope in Puero Rico , the most powerful in the world , was destroyed Tuesday morning in an uncontrolled collapse .
The 57-year-old facility had hosted Nobel Prize-winning scientists and blockbuster Hollywood movies alike over the years .
But the dome containing instruments that weighed over 1 million pounds crashed into the dish below at 6:55 a.m. EST , said Ray Lugo , director of the Florida Space Institute .
One of three skyscraper-tall towers that supported the dome broke about halfway up .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Science Foundation announced it would decommission the facility due to damage incurred by cable breaks in August and early November .
`` The tops of the towers sheared off and the azimuth and dome sheared off the platform , '' said Lugo , who led a coalition managing the facility for the University of Central Florida in Orlando .
`` No one was injured .
[ We are ] performing our assessment now . ''
A statement from the foundation on Twitter said , `` NSF is saddened by this development .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be looking for ways to assist the scientific community and maintain our strong relationship with the people of Puerto Rico . ''
The collapse first was reported by journalist Deborah Martorell with El Nuevo Dia , Puerto Rico 's largest newspaper .
She posted photos on social media showing the valley in the rural interior of the island where dome had hung for decades , absent the iconic structure .
`` Friends , it is with deep regret to inform you that the Arecibo Observatory platform has just collapsed , '' Martorell posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from cable breaks had left the radar dish and surrounding structures unsafe and subject to further collapse at any time , foundation officials had warned .
Ancillary facilities at Arecibo that also conduct astronomical observations may be salvaged .
Two scientists using data from the dish have won Nobel Prizes .
It was also the scene of popular movies like 1995 's GoldenEye and Species , and 1997 's Contact .
The university had submitted a request to the foundation for $ 10.5 million to begin repairs on the August damage .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cables , which range in thickness from 3 inches to 6 inches .
But that work had n't begun when a second larger cable broke .

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Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, the most powerful single-dish radio telescope in the world, was damaged August 10 when an auxiliary cable that supports the suspended platform broke. On Tuesday, the entire dome collapsed. File Photo courtesy of University of Central Florida
ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 1 (UPI) -- The iconic Arecibo Observatory radio telescope in Puerto Rico, the most powerful in the world, was destroyed Tuesday morning in an uncontrolled collapse. The 57-year-old facility had hosted Nobel Prize-winning scientists and blockbuster Hollywood movies alike over the years. But the dome containing instruments that weighed over 1 million pounds crashed into the dish below at 6:55 a.m. EST, said Ray Lugo, director of the Florida Space Institute. Advertisement
One of three skyscraper-tall towers that supported the dome broke about halfway up. The collapse came just two weeks after the National Science Foundation announced it would decommission the facility due to damage incurred by cable breaks in August and early November.
"The tops of the towers sheared off and the azimuth and dome sheared off the platform," said Lugo, who led a coalition managing the facility for the University of Central Florida in Orlando. "No one was injured. [We are] performing our assessment now."
A statement from the foundation on Twitter said, "NSF is saddened by this development. As we move forward, we will be looking for ways to assist the scientific community and maintain our strong relationship with the people of Puerto Rico."
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The collapse first was reported by journalist Deborah Martorell with El Nuevo Dia, Puerto Rico's largest newspaper. She posted photos on social media showing the valley in the rural interior of the island where the dome had hung for decades, absent the iconic structure.
"Friends, it is with deep regret to inform you that the Arecibo Observatory platform has just collapsed," Martorell posted in Spanish on Twitter.
The damage from cable breaks had left the radar dish and surrounding structures unsafe and subject to further collapse at any time, foundation officials had warned.
Ancillary facilities at Arecibo that also conduct astronomical observations may be salvaged.
The visitors and learning center, however, "sustained significant damage from falling cables," the foundation reported about 7 hours after the collapse.
"Engineers arrived on-site today. Working with the University of Central Florida, which manages the observatory, NSF expects to have environmental assessment workers on-site as early as tomorrow," a statement from the foundation said.
The foundation would continue to pay staff members at the facility and seek to restart smaller related facilities nearby, according to the statement. But safety assessments for the remaining structures were the first priority.
Two scientists using data from the dish have won Nobel Prizes. It was also the scene of popular movies such as 1995's GoldenEye and Species, and 1997's Contact.
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The university had submitted a request to the foundation for $10.5 million to begin repairs on the August damage. That work would include at least six massive cables, which range in thickness from 3 inches to 6 inches.
But that work hadn't begun when a second larger cable broke.


upi--2020-12-01--Texans' Bradley Roby receives 6-game PED suspension

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Houston Texans cornerback Bradley Roby has been suspended for six games for violating the NFL 's policy on performance-enhancing substances .
Roby announced his suspension in a statement Monday on Twitter .
`` I apologize to my family , my teammates , the Houston Texans organization and the fans , '' Roby wrote .
`` A few months ago I unknowingly used a product that was contaminated with a banned substance by the NFL .
`` I recognize that it is my job to know , and be responsible for , everything I put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended for six games , ending my season .
I will take the necessary steps in the future to prevent this from ever happening again .
I look forward to re-joining my teammates next season in our goal to bring a championship to Houston . ''
Fellow Texans player Will Fuller announced earlier Monday that he also received a six-game ban for a violation of the same policy .
Fuller and Roby will miss the Texans ' remaining five games and the first game of their 2021 campaign .
Roby , 28 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 31 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft .
The Ohio State product played his first five seasons with the Denver Broncos before he signed with the Texans in 2019 .
Roby had 37 total tackles , seven passes defensed , two tackles for a loss , an interception and a fumble recovery in 10 starts this season .
He signed a three-year contract extension with the Texans in March and has a base salary of $ 9.5 million in 2021 .

Houston Texans cornerback Bradley Roby (R) will miss the rest of the 2020 season and the first game of next season after he received a six-game suspension from the NFL. File Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Houston Texans cornerback Bradley Roby has been suspended for six games for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Roby announced his suspension in a statement Monday on Twitter. Advertisement
"I apologize to my family, my teammates, the Houston Texans organization and the fans," Roby wrote. "A few months ago I unknowingly used a product that was contaminated with a banned substance by the NFL.
"I recognize that it is my job to know, and be responsible for, everything I put in my body. I will be suspended for six games, ending my season. I will take the necessary steps in the future to prevent this from ever happening again. I look forward to re-joining my teammates next season in our goal to bring a championship to Houston."
Fellow Texans player Will Fuller announced earlier Monday that he also received a six-game ban for a violation of the same policy. Fuller and Roby will miss the Texans' remaining five games and the first game of their 2021 campaign.
Roby, 28, entered the league as the No. 31 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Ohio State product played his first five seasons with the Denver Broncos before he signed with the Texans in 2019.
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Roby had 37 total tackles, seven passes defensed, two tackles for a loss, an interception and a fumble recovery in 10 starts this season.
He signed a three-year contract extension with the Texans in March and has a base salary of $9.5 million in 2021.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-01--In photos: Moments from the National Football League for the week of Nov. 29, 2020

Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Monday , @ @ @ @ @ Eagles 23-17 .
Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Monday, where the Seahawks defeated the Eagles 23-17. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI


upi--2020-12-01--In photos: White House Christmas decor celebrates 'America the Beautiful'

The Green Room is decorated in the theme of `` America the Beautiful '' for the holidays at the White @ @ @ @ @ Dietsch/UPI

The Green Room is decorated in the theme of "America the Beautiful" for the holidays at the White House. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI


upi--2020-12-01--U.N. says $35B needed for humanitarian crisis made worse by COVID-19

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- The United Nations on Tuesday said it needs $ 35 billion to meet global humanitarian needs , which includes more people who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic .
Mark Lowcock , emergency relief coordinator for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs , said `` multiple '' famines are looming around the world as a result of the health crisis .
UNOCHA said a record 235 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection in 2021 , an almost 40 % increase over 2020 .
That number is driven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lowcock said in a statement .
`` The picture we are presenting is the bleakest and darkest perspective on humanitarian needs in the period ahead that we have ever set out , '' he said .
`` That is a reflection of the fact that the COVID pandemic has wreaked carnage across the whole of the most fragile and vulnerable countries on the planet . ''
Lowcock said a plan by the Global Humanitarian Overview could reach 160 million of the `` most vulnerable people in 56 countries '' if they are fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the overview , the countries with the greatest number of people in need are Yemen ( 24.3 million ) , Ethiopia ( 21.3 million ) , Congo ( 19.6 million ) , Afghanistan ( 18.4 million ) , Sudan ( 13.4 million ) , Syria ( 13 million ) and Pakistan ( 10.5 million ) .
Many of those countries face ongoing violence because of war and other violence .
`` In fact , things are just as bad now in the biggest humanitarian settings driven by conflict as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ago , '' Lowcock added .
`` We 're overwhelmed with problems , as you know , but just the scale of the need and the scale of the crisis is such that these efforts to anticipate things make things a little bit better than they would otherwise have been , but they still leave us with a terrible , desperate situation . ''

A worker stacks grain inside a warehouse in Sana'a, Yemen, on July 19. Tuesday's report says Yemen has the world's largest needy population. File Photo by Yahya Arhab/EPA-EFE
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- The United Nations on Tuesday said it needs $35 billion to meet global humanitarian needs, which includes more people who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Mark Lowcock, emergency relief coordinator for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs, said "multiple" famines are looming around the world as a result of the health crisis. Advertisement
UNOCHA said a record 235 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection in 2021, an almost 40% increase over 2020. That number is driven "almost entirely from COVID-19," Lowcock said in a statement.
"The picture we are presenting is the bleakest and darkest perspective on humanitarian needs in the period ahead that we have ever set out," he said. "That is a reflection of the fact that the COVID pandemic has wreaked carnage across the whole of the most fragile and vulnerable countries on the planet."
Lowcock said a plan by the Global Humanitarian Overview could reach 160 million of the "most vulnerable people in 56 countries" if they are fully financed by the needed $35 billion.
According to the overview, the countries with the greatest number of people in need are Yemen (24.3 million), Ethiopia (21.3 million), Congo (19.6 million), Afghanistan (18.4 million), Sudan (13.4 million), Syria (13 million) and Pakistan (10.5 million).
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Many of those countries face ongoing violence because of war and other violence.
"In fact, things are just as bad now in the biggest humanitarian settings driven by conflict as they were when we spoke to you a year ago," Lowcock added.
"We're overwhelmed with problems, as you know, but just the scale of the need and the scale of the crisis is such that these efforts to anticipate things make things a little bit better than they would otherwise have been, but they still leave us with a terrible, desperate situation."


upi--2020-12-01--Urban development, pandemic will further diversify suburbs

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Historically , suburbs have been considered less diverse than cities , particularly with regard to their racial and social class composition .
This is a result of many social and economic drivers influencing the development of city regions .
But suburban districts and towns surrounding metropolitan cities , from which people often commute into the central city for work , are changing .
More people have been moving to the suburbs due to the increasing unaffordability of city centers .
This makes suburbs more diverse in terms of class and race than they used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of urban development and the impact of COVID-19 look set to transform suburbs further .
There are a range of historical factors behind the limited diversity in suburbs .
The high price of suburban homes acted as a filter to facilitate class segregation .
In the United States , redlining policies established in the 1930s -- which meant mortgages were unlikely to be approved in African-American neighborhoods -- facilitated racial segregation in urban areas .
These policies resulted in the clustering of white middle-class people in the suburbs .
While suburbs remain relatively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past two decades across the Global North , central cities and outer suburbs have been going through significant change in terms of which groups live where .
People who now can not afford to live in city centers due to rent hikes , as well as new immigrants , have been moving to the suburbs .
The idea that the traditional identity of suburbs is shifting as a result of social and economic change was raised by Donald Trump in the lead-up to the U.S. presidential elections .
Trump characterized affordable housing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against what he called the `` suburban lifestyle dream , '' suggesting there is no place for lower-income households or the working classes in the suburbs .
In fact , the suburbs did play a major role in the U.S. election .
Some analyses even claim that it was the suburbs that swung the result in favor of the Democratic candidate , Joe Biden -- pointing to demographic shifts as a key factor .
The change in the suburbs has been driven by corresponding change in city centers .
In the past 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patterns have transformed cities around the world .
This includes high-density housing developments springing up in central areas .
For example , in London many of the city 's central high-rise developments are now either entirely residential , or they include residential units in addition to commercial ones .
However , although the ratio of housing among the total units of development in city centers has been increasing , housing affordability has been decreasing .
This phenomenon is not limited to just a few countries or cities .
Urban unaffordability has been documented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem .
According to the European Commission , more than three-quarters of the urban dwellers living in metropolitan cities in Europe -- including London , Paris , Stockholm , Sweden and Dublin , Ireland -- think it is difficult to find quality housing at a reasonable price in their cities .
As a result of these changes to cities , people from lower income groups have been pushed out of city centers in increasing numbers .
They are moving to the more affordable suburbs , particularly those nearer to city centers .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live in there are being increasingly documented , particularly in North America , where demographic change is racial as well as socio-economic .
A case study of the San Francisco Bay area conducted around 10 years ago showed that some people with rent assistance vouchers chose to move to the suburbs rather than staying in the city centers .
In Vancouver , low-income recent immigrants have been moving to the suburbs .
However , suburban living is not always better for poorer groups .
It does n't guarantee access to amenities , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services such as schools or public transport .
Some lower-income groups who have relocated to the suburbs are finding that just as they have begun to establish themselves , they are being displaced yet again .
This can be the result of new developments in the suburbs , but also of regeneration activity designed specifically to renew those parts of the suburbs accessible to low-income groups .
We began to see this wave of secondary displacement prior to the pandemic , for example in U.S. cities such as Atlanta .
Now , changing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as the increase in freelancing and home working , may change the suburbs further .
A debate is emerging about whether the pandemic will lead the middle classes to leave city center living behind .
Just as suburbs were becoming more diverse -- and perhaps more interesting -- they may yet revert and become just as homogenous , just as socially , culturally and ethnically uniform as before .
Of course , the real victims of this transformation will be people earning low-incomes displaced yet again , and perhaps not for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research associate in urban studies and Annette Hastings is a professor of urban studies at the University of Glasgow .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

Moving trucks, workers and boxes dominate a street on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in the days of the coronavirus pandemic in New York City on May 27. More people are moving out of city centers. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Historically, suburbs have been considered less diverse than cities, particularly with regard to their racial and social class composition. This is a result of many social and economic drivers influencing the development of city regions. But suburban districts and towns surrounding metropolitan cities, from which people often commute into the central city for work, are changing. More people have been moving to the suburbs due to the increasing unaffordability of city centers. This makes suburbs more diverse in terms of class and race than they used to be. Now, changing patterns of urban development and the impact of COVID-19 look set to transform suburbs further. Advertisement
Changing profiles
There are a range of historical factors behind the limited diversity in suburbs. The high price of suburban homes acted as a filter to facilitate class segregation. In the United States, redlining policies established in the 1930s -- which meant mortgages were unlikely to be approved in African-American neighborhoods -- facilitated racial segregation in urban areas. These policies resulted in the clustering of white middle-class people in the suburbs.
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While suburbs remain relatively less diverse than city centers, in the past two decades across the Global North, central cities and outer suburbs have been going through significant change in terms of which groups live where. People who now cannot afford to live in city centers due to rent hikes, as well as new immigrants, have been moving to the suburbs.
The idea that the traditional identity of suburbs is shifting as a result of social and economic change was raised by Donald Trump in the lead-up to the U.S. presidential elections.
Trump characterized affordable housing built in the suburbs as a threat against what he called the "suburban lifestyle dream," suggesting there is no place for lower-income households or the working classes in the suburbs.
In fact, the suburbs did play a major role in the U.S. election. Some analyses even claim that it was the suburbs that swung the result in favor of the Democratic candidate, Joe Biden --pointing to demographic shifts as a key factor.
The change in the suburbs has been driven by corresponding change in city centers. In the past 20 or so years, socio-economic and urbanization patterns have transformed cities around the world. This includes high-density housing developments springing up in central areas. For example, in London many of the city's central high-rise developments are now either entirely residential, or they include residential units in addition to commercial ones.
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Higher costs
However, although the ratio of housing among the total units of development in city centers has been increasing, housing affordability has been decreasing.
This phenomenon is not limited to just a few countries or cities. Urban unaffordability has been documented by the United Nations as a global problem. According to the European Commission, more than three-quarters of the urban dwellers living in metropolitan cities in Europe -- including London, Paris, Stockholm, Sweden and Dublin, Ireland -- think it is difficult to find quality housing at a reasonable price in their cities.
As a result of these changes to cities, people from lower income groups have been pushed out of city centers in increasing numbers. They are moving to the more affordable suburbs, particularly those nearer to city centers. The consequences for the suburbs and those who live in there are being increasingly documented, particularly in North America, where demographic change is racial as well as socio-economic.
A case study of the San Francisco Bay area conducted around 10 years ago showed that some people with rent assistance vouchers chose to move to the suburbs rather than staying in the city centers. In Vancouver, low-income recent immigrants have been moving to the suburbs.
Advertisement
However, suburban living is not always better for poorer groups. It doesn't guarantee access to amenities, such as neighborhood parks, or to better services such as schools or public transport.
Some lower-income groups who have relocated to the suburbs are finding that just as they have begun to establish themselves, they are being displaced yet again. This can be the result of new developments in the suburbs, but also of regeneration activity designed specifically to renew those parts of the suburbs accessible to low-income groups.
We began to see this wave of secondary displacement prior to the pandemic, for example in U.S. cities such as Atlanta.
Now, changing working patterns fueled by the pandemic, such as the increase in freelancing and home working, may change the suburbs further. A debate is emerging about whether the pandemic will lead the middle classes to leave city center living behind.
Just as suburbs were becoming more diverse -- and perhaps more interesting -- they may yet revert and become just as homogenous, just as socially, culturally and ethnically uniform as before. Of course, the real victims of this transformation will be people earning low-incomes displaced yet again, and perhaps not for the final time.
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Bilge Serin is a research associate in urban studies and Annette Hastings is a professor of urban studies at the University of Glasgow.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


upi--2020-12-01--Barack Obama says mother-in-law was 'huge blessing' during presidency

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Former President Barack Obama sat down with Stephen Colbert on The Late Show to discuss his mother-in-law Marian Shields Robinson and how she helped his family during his presidency .
Obama , on Monday , said Robinson is the least pretentious person he knows which helped the family stay grounded while staying at the White House .
`` She 's down-to-earth and she does n't understand all the fuss .
She was great to have around , also with the girls , '' Obama said before praising Robinson for helping to take care of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Probably maybe one of my greatest successes and Michelle 's greatest success in those eight years was raising these great girls who do n't have an attitude and do n't feel entitled .
But part of it is because of my mother-in-law , '' he continued .
Obama then gave an example of what Robinson would say to his daughters if they were acting up .
`` 'You guys have n't done anything , why you acting special ?
You 're just here for the ride , you know . '
And they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' so she was a huge blessing , '' Obama said .
Obama recently appeared on The Late Show in November where he discussed how former first lady Michelle Obama first said no to him running for president .

Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Former President Barack Obama sat down with Stephen Colbert on The Late Show to discuss his mother-in-law Marian Shields Robinson and how she helped his family during his presidency.
Obama, on Monday, said Robinson is the least pretentious person he knows which helped the family stay grounded while staying at the White House.
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"She's down-to-earth and she doesn't understand all the fuss. She was great to have around, also with the girls," Obama said before praising Robinson for helping to take care of his daughters Malia and Sasha.
"Probably maybe one of my greatest successes and Michelle's greatest success in those eight years was raising these great girls who don't have an attitude and don't feel entitled. But part of it is because of my mother-in-law," he continued.
Obama then gave an example of what Robinson would say to his daughters if they were acting up.
"'You guys haven't done anything, why you acting special? You're just here for the ride, you know.' And they suddenly go, 'You're right grandma' so she was a huge blessing," Obama said.
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Obama recently appeared on The Late Show in November where he discussed how former first lady Michelle Obama first said no to him running for president.


upi--2020-12-01--Formula 1's Lewis Hamilton 'devastated' after positive COVID-19 test, GP withdrawal

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton will miss this weekend 's Sakhir Grand Prix after he tested positive for COVID-19 , his racing team announced Tuesday .
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team said Hamilton tested negative three times last week ahead of Sunday 's Bahrain Grand Prix .
He went on to win that race before he woke up on Monday with mild symptoms , the team said .
Hamilton also was informed on Monday that he had been in contact with someone who had tested positive for COVID-19 .
He was then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The result has since been confirmed .
`` I 'm devastated that I wo n't be racing this weekend , '' Hamilton wrote Tuesday on social media .
`` Since we started the season in June , my team and I have been taking all the precautions we possibly can and following the regulations everywhere we 've been in order to stay safe . ''
Hamilton said he has gone into self-isolation for 10 days .
`` I 'm gutted not to be able to race this weekend , but my priority is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect others , '' Hamilton wrote .
`` I 'm really lucky that I feel only mild symptoms and will do my best to stay fit and healthy .
Please look after yourselves out there .
You can never be too careful . ''
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team has yet to announce a replacement driver for the Sakhir Grand Prix , which starts at 12:10 p.m. EST on Sunday in Bahrain .
`` Lewis is now isolating in accordance with COVID-19 protocols and public health authority guidelines in Bahrain , '' Hamilton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mild symptoms , he is otherwise fit and well , and the entire team sends him its very best wishes for a swift recovery . ''

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Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton said he was "devastated" to learn of his recent positive COVID-19 test, which resulted in his withdraw from Sunday's Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton will miss this weekend's Sakhir Grand Prix after he tested positive for COVID-19, his racing team announced Tuesday. The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team said Hamilton tested negative three times last week ahead of Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix. He went on to win that race before he woke up on Monday with mild symptoms, the team said. Advertisement
Hamilton also was informed on Monday that he had been in contact with someone who had tested positive for COVID-19. He was then tested and returned a positive result. The result has since been confirmed.
"I'm devastated that I won't be racing this weekend," Hamilton wrote Tuesday on social media. "Since we started the season in June, my team and I have been taking all the precautions we possibly can and following the regulations everywhere we've been in order to stay safe."
Hamilton said he has gone into self-isolation for 10 days.
"I'm gutted not to be able to race this weekend, but my priority is to follow the protocols and advice to protect others," Hamilton wrote.
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"I'm really lucky that I feel only mild symptoms and will do my best to stay fit and healthy. Please look after yourselves out there. You can never be too careful."
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team has yet to announce a replacement driver for the Sakhir Grand Prix, which starts at 12:10 p.m. EST on Sunday in Bahrain.
"Lewis is now isolating in accordance with COVID-19 protocols and public health authority guidelines in Bahrain," Hamilton's team said. "Apart from mild symptoms, he is otherwise fit and well, and the entire team sends him its very best wishes for a swift recovery."


upi--2020-12-01--Watch live: Steven Mnuchin and Jerome Powell, divided on COVID-19 funds, testify in Senate

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell will testify in the Senate on Tuesday about the ongoing federal economic response to the coronavirus pandemic , a subject that has divided the two in recent months .
The two leaders will answer questions from members of the Senate banking committee during its quarterly assessment of the implementation of the $ 2 trillion CARES Act , which was passed in March as the government 's first major economic answer to the health crisis .
Tuesday 's hearing is scheduled to begin at 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Powell called for the continuation of several Federal Reserve lending programs established by the CARES Act that are set to expire at the end of the year .
Under the law , the Fed must return any unused CARES funds to the Treasury on Dec. 31 .
Slightly more than $ 100 billion has been given through lending programs that now face a phase-out -- including the Main Street lending facility , which provides financing to small and medium-sized businesses .
`` These programs serve as a backstop to key credit markets and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from private lenders through normal channels , '' Powell said .
`` We have deployed these lending powers to an unprecedented extent . ''
Mnuchin , however , says those funds would be better spent elsewhere .
`` Based on recent economic data , I continue to believe that a targeted fiscal package is the most appropriate federal response , '' the treasury secretary says in his prepared remarks .
`` I strongly encourage Congress to use the $ 455 billion in unused funds from the CARES Act to pass an additional bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economic outlook to controlling a resurgence of coronavirus cases .
`` The rise in new COVID-19 cases , both here and abroad , is concerning and could prove challenging for the next few months , '' he said .
`` A full economic recovery is unlikely until people are confident that it is safe to re-engage in a broad range of activities . ''

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Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (L) testifies Tuesday as Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell listens at a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill. Pool Photo by Susan Walsh/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell expressed very different opinions on the U.S. economy's prospects Tuesday during a Senate hearing. The two were close allies when the coronavirus pandemic first struck in March but have since diverged, with Powell advocating continued strong levels of economic aid to businesses, governments and individuals amid continuing uncertainty. Advertisement
Mnuchin, meanwhile, is now calling for limited aid and is blaming public health shutdowns for the country's economic woes.
Each agenda was on display at a Senate banking committee hearing called to discuss implementation of the $2 trillion CARES Act, which was passed in March as the government's first major economic answer to the health crisis.
Powell called the U.S. economic outlook amid a surge of new COVID-19 infections "extraordinarily uncertain," especially heading into winter, and warned of "tough" months ahead, which could see many small businesses fold before the widespread availability of a vaccine.
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"For now, significant challenges and uncertainties remain, including timing, production and distribution, and efficacy across different groups," he said.
He added that there was a "great risk" that the effects of the pandemic could worsen existing economic inequality in the nation.
"There's a real concern that if we don't act as quickly as possible to support those people, get them back to work, get the economy up and running as much as possible, that we'll leave behind a more unequal situation," he said.
In prepared remarks, he called for the continuation of several Federal Reserve lending programs established by the CARES Act that are set to expire at the end of the year.
Under the law, the Fed must return any unused CARES funds to the Treasury on Dec. 31. Slightly more than $100 billion has been given through lending programs that now face a phase-out -- including the Main Street lending facility, which provides financing to small- and medium-sized businesses.
"These programs serve as a backstop to key credit markets and have helped restore the flow of credit from private lenders through normal channels," Powell said. "We have deployed these lending powers to an unprecedented extent."
Mnuchin, however, says those funds would be better spent elsewhere and announced last month that he would end several of those emergency loan programs -- a move Powell has opposed.
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In his appearance Tuesday, Mnuchin praised what he called a rebounding economy, noting that the unemployment rate had dropped faster than expected, and said future aid should be narrowly targeted.
"Based on recent economic data, I continue to believe that a targeted fiscal package is the most appropriate federal response," the treasury secretary said in his prepared remarks.
He placed blame on economic shutdowns in parts of the country with soaring COVID-19 rates for causing "great harm" to businesses and workers.
Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said Mnuchin appeared to be "trying to sabotage our economy on the way out the door" with his move to end the Fed lending programs in the Trump administration's final days.
"Either you're purposely trying to stop President-elect [Joe] Biden and Treasury Secretary-designee [Janet] Yellen from getting to work for the people we all serve, or you're delusional," he said.
Mnuchin responded, saying extending the facilities "was not an economic decision" before reading from the legislation, stating he did not believe it was Congress' intention for those facilities to remain in place indefinitely.
Sen. Patrick Toomey, R-Pa., agreed with Mnuchin's assessment, saying it was the responsibility of Congress to determine how to aid "probably insolvent companies and that the Fed's emergency lending power should not act as a replacement for fiscal policy.


upi--2020-12-01--WWE Raw: AJ Styles becomes No. 1 contender, will face Drew McIntyre

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- AJ Styles became the No .
1 contender for the WWE Championship on Raw and will face Drew McIntyre for the title at the TLC : Tables , Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view event on Dec. 20 .
Styles , who was joined by his towering bodyguard Omos , earned the championship opportunity on Monday after competing in a Triple Threat match against his former Survivor Series teammates Keith Lee and Riddle .
Lee used his superior strength to dominate parts of the match and even used Riddle 's body as a weapon to attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening he needed when The Original Bro took Lee out with a series of knee strikes .
Styles then leaped into the air and took out Riddle with the Phenomenal Forearm to earn the victory and a WWE Championship match .
McIntyre competed in the main event with his friend Sheamus against Mr. Money in the Bank The Miz and John Morrison .
Styles joined the announcer 's desk as a guest commentator .
The Phenomenal One had met with The Miz earlier and devised a plan to help The A-lister cash in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McIntyre to become the new WWE Champion .
Styles was open to the idea as he saw The Miz as an easier opponent to face at TLC .
Morrison was able to toss Sheamus over the guard rail during the bout , which led to Styles entering the fray to take McIntyre out with a Phenomenal Forearm .
The act gave McIntyre and Sheamus the victory as The Miz debated with Styles about using his Money in the Bank briefcase .
The Miz , after multiple attacks on McIntyre , then decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his feet .
McIntyre threw Morrison out of the ring and nailed The Miz with a Claymore , stopping the cash-in in its tracks .
Styles escaped unscathed as Omos picked his client up and took him to safety .
Alexa Bliss kicked off Raw by hosting her talkshow A Moment of Bliss .
Randy Orton was the special guest to discuss his rivalry with Bliss ' new partner , The Fiend Bray Wyatt .
The Viper mentioned how he is similar to The Fiend and said he burned down the remains of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it was Wyatt 's biggest vulnerability .
Orton said that Bliss is Wyatt 's newest weak point as the lights in the arena went out and The Fiend made his appearance .
Orton was holding Bliss when the lights returned , causing The Fiend to ask for her back .
Orton placed Bliss into The Fiend 's arms and was able to quickly leave the ring .
Other moments from Raw included Jeff Hardy defeating Elias in a violent Symphony of Destruction match ; Slapjack of Retribution defeating Ricochet ; Cedric Alexander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Team Champion Xavier Woods of The New Day ; Dana Brooke defeating Reckoning of Retribution in Reckoning 's first match ; and Raw Women 's Champion Asuka teaming up with Lana to defeat Women 's Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler .
Lana pinned Baszler to win the match after Asuka knocked her out with a sliding kick .
Asuka had attacked Baszler while she was applying the Kirifuda Clutch to Lana .

Dec. 1 (UPI) -- AJ Styles became the No. 1 contender for the WWE Championship on Raw and will face Drew McIntyre for the title at the TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view event on Dec. 20.
Styles, who was joined by his towering bodyguard Omos, earned the championship opportunity on Monday after competing in a Triple Threat match against his former Survivor Series teammates Keith Lee and Riddle.
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Lee used his superior strength to dominate parts of the match and even used Riddle's body as a weapon to attack Styles with.
Riddle gave Styles the opening he needed when The Original Bro took Lee out with a series of knee strikes. Styles then leaped into the air and took out Riddle with the Phenomenal Forearm to earn the victory and a WWE Championship match.
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McIntyre competed in the main event with his friend Sheamus against Mr. Money in the Bank The Miz and John Morrison. Styles joined the announcer's desk as a guest commentator.
The Phenomenal One had met with The Miz earlier and devised a plan to help The A-lister cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase on McIntyre to become the new WWE Champion. Styles was open to the idea as he saw The Miz as an easier opponent to face at TLC.
Morrison was able to toss Sheamus over the guard rail during the bout, which led to Styles entering the fray to take McIntyre out with a Phenomenal Forearm. The act gave McIntyre and Sheamus the victory as The Miz debated with Styles about using his Money in the Bank briefcase.
The Miz, after multiple attacks on McIntyre, then decided to cash in but the champ rose to his feet. McIntyre threw Morrison out of the ring and nailed The Miz with a Claymore, stopping the cash-in in its tracks. Styles escaped unscathed as Omos picked his client up and took him to safety.
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Alexa Bliss kicked off Raw by hosting her talkshow A Moment of Bliss. Randy Orton was the special guest to discuss his rivalry with Bliss' new partner, The Fiend Bray Wyatt.
The Viper mentioned how he is similar to The Fiend and said he burned down the remains of Wyatt's mentor Sister Abigail years ago as it was Wyatt's biggest vulnerability.
Orton said that Bliss is Wyatt's newest weak point as the lights in the arena went out and The Fiend made his appearance. Orton was holding Bliss when the lights returned, causing The Fiend to ask for her back. Orton placed Bliss into The Fiend's arms and was able to quickly leave the ring.
Other moments from Raw included Jeff Hardy defeating Elias in a violent Symphony of Destruction match; Slapjack of Retribution defeating Ricochet; Cedric Alexander of The Hurt Business defeating Raw Tag Team Champion Xavier Woods of The New Day; Dana Brooke defeating Reckoning of Retribution in Reckoning's first match; and Raw Women's Champion Asuka teaming up with Lana to defeat Women's Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler.
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Lana pinned Baszler to win the match after Asuka knocked her out with a sliding kick. Asuka had attacked Baszler while she was applying the Kirifuda Clutch to Lana.


upi--2020-12-01--Seahawks defense sacks Eagles' Wentz six times in 'MNF' victory

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- The Seattle Seahawks defense sacked Carson Wentz six times and wide receiver D.K .
Metcalf erupted for 177 yards on 10 catches in a Monday Night Football triumph over the Philadelphia Eagles .
Seattle also had an interception and held the Eagles to 250 total yards in the 23-17 victory on Monday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia .
The Seahawks pulled away from the Eagles in the second half before Wentz connected with Richard Rodgers on a late Hail Mary toss to make the final score respectable .
The Seahawks ( 8-3 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eagles ( 3-7-1 ) fell to third place in the NFC East standings .
`` I do n't know the numbers other than the six sacks , but we were in control , '' Seahawks coach Pete Carroll told reporters .
`` It was great to see our guys play like that and play consistently .
`` Again , like last week , [ we made ] a lot of corrections , a lot of things fixed during the game , a lot of great communication .
We 've taken a real nice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can just keep building on it . ''
Neither team scored in the first quarter before Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson threw a one-yard touchdown toss to David Moore four minutes into the second quarter .
Seahawks running back Chris Carson added a 16-yard rushing score on Seattle 's next drive to increase the lead to 14-0 .
The Eagles then put together a 15-play , 70-yard drive , which ended with a three-yard touchdown pass from Wentz to tight end Dallas Goedert and made the score 14-6 at halftime .
Eagles kicker Jake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made third-quarter field goals to make the score 17-9 as the game entered the fourth frame .
Myers added two more field goals in the fourth quarter before Wentz connected with Rodgers on his final touchdown heave with 21 seconds remaining .
The Eagles then added a two-point conversion to cut the Seahawks lead to six points , but could not recover an onside kick , which ended the game .
Wentz completed 25 of 45 passes for 215 yards , two scores and an interception .
Wilson completed 22 of 31 passses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We 're frustrated , '' Wentz said .
`` I know I 'm frustrated .
I hate losing and it 's very frustrating to have this result these last couple weeks and be where we 're at this season .
`` But the crazy thing about this league and this division , especially , is it 's still wide open and guys know that .
Guys know that and we 're looking ahead to next week and getting this thing turned around getting it going in the right direction and , hopefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adams , K.J .
Wright , Benson Mayowa , Poona Ford and Rasheem Green each had sacks for the Seahawks .
Jarran Reed and Carlos Dunlap each registered half-sacks in the victory .
The Seahawks host the New York Giants at 4:05 p.m. EST on Sunday at Lumen Field in Seattle .
The Eagles face the Green Bay Packers at 4:25 p.m. EST at Lambeau Field in Green Bay , Wis .

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Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) picks up a half-sack in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday in Philadelphia. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- The Seattle Seahawks defense sacked Carson Wentz six times and wide receiver D.K. Metcalf erupted for 177 yards on 10 catches in a Monday Night Football triumph over the Philadelphia Eagles. Seattle also had an interception and held the Eagles to 250 total yards in the 23-17 victory on Monday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Advertisement
The Seahawks pulled away from the Eagles in the second half before Wentz connected with Richard Rodgers on a late Hail Mary toss to make the final score respectable.
The Seahawks (8-3) still lead the NFC West while the Eagles (3-7-1) fell to third place in the NFC East standings.
"I don't know the numbers other than the six sacks, but we were in control," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll told reporters. "It was great to see our guys play like that and play consistently.
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"Again, like last week, [we made] a lot of corrections, a lot of things fixed during the game, a lot of great communication. We've taken a real nice step forward and I'm hoping we can just keep building on it."
Neither team scored in the first quarter before Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson threw a one-yard touchdown toss to David Moore four minutes into the second quarter. Seahawks running back Chris Carson added a 16-yard rushing score on Seattle's next drive to increase the lead to 14-0.
The Eagles then put together a 15-play, 70-yard drive, which ended with a three-yard touchdown pass from Wentz to tight end Dallas Goedert and made the score 14-6 at halftime.
Eagles kicker Jake Elliott and Seahawks kicker Jason Myers each made third-quarter field goals to make the score 17-9 as the game entered the fourth frame.
Myers added two more field goals in the fourth quarter before Wentz connected with Rodgers on his final touchdown heave with 21 seconds remaining. The Eagles then added a two-point conversion to cut the Seahawks lead to six points, but could not recover an onside kick, which ended the game.
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Wentz completed 25 of 45 passes for 215 yards, two scores and an interception. Wilson completed 22 of 31 passses for 230 yards and a score.
"We're frustrated," Wentz said. "I know I'm frustrated. I hate losing and it's very frustrating to have this result these last couple weeks and be where we're at this season.
"But the crazy thing about this league and this division, especially, is it's still wide open and guys know that. Guys know that and we're looking ahead to next week and getting this thing turned around getting it going in the right direction and, hopefully, surprise some people."
Jamal Adams, K.J. Wright, Benson Mayowa, Poona Ford and Rasheem Green each had sacks for the Seahawks. Jarran Reed and Carlos Dunlap each registered half-sacks in the victory.
The Seahawks host the New York Giants at 4:05 p.m. EST on Sunday at Lumen Field in Seattle. The Eagles face the Green Bay Packers at 4:25 p.m. EST at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-01--OECD raises global economic outlook on promise of COVID-19 vaccine

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Global economic growth is expected to return to pre-coronavirus pandemic levels by the end of 2021 , boosted in part by the promise of a vaccine , according to a report Tuesday by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development .
The OECD said in its 267-page report that the updated outlook anticipates the global economy to contract 4.2 % at the end of 2020 , slightly better than the 4.5 % experts predicted earlier this fall .
In its updated projection , the OECD said the worldwide gross domestic product could increase to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time since the pandemic began , there is now hope for a brighter future , '' the OECD said in a statement .
`` The worst has been avoided , most of the economic fabric has been preserved and could revive quickly , but the situation remains precarious for many vulnerable people , firms and countries . ''
The organization said China is expected to account for over a third of the growth next year .
`` The recovery will be uneven across countries and sectors and could lead to lasting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the OECD added .
`` Countries with effective testing , tracking and isolation programs and where effective vaccinations can be distributed rapidly should perform relatively well , but a high degree of uncertainty persists . ''
The OECD said global GDP has continued to contract in the fourth quarter , about 3 % lower than the final quarter of 2019 .
The U.S. economy , it says , is projected to decline 3.2 % in the final three-month period and Europe 's is projected to tumble 7.3 % .
`` There is hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned into reality , '' Laurence Boone , OECD chief economist , said in a statement .
`` The pandemic is a global problem .
International cooperation is needed now more than ever . ''
Boone added that the immediate future will hinge on global leadership , promises of an effective COVID-19 vaccine and restarting multilateral negotiations on trade , climate and digital standards .
He said those things should `` pave the way for a more sustainable growth and a society where opportunities are available for all . ''

The New York Stock Exchange is seen on November 24 on Wall Street in New York City on Tuesday, November 24, 2020. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Global economic growth is expected to return to pre-coronavirus pandemic levels by the end of 2021, boosted in part by the promise of a vaccine, according to a report Tuesday by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The OECD said in its 267-page report that the updated outlook anticipates the global economy to contract 4.2% at the end of 2020, slightly better than the 4.5% experts predicted earlier this fall. Advertisement
In its updated projection, the OECD said the worldwide gross domestic product could increase to 4.2% in 2021.
"For the first time since the pandemic began, there is now hope for a brighter future," the OECD said in a statement.
"The worst has been avoided, most of the economic fabric has been preserved and could revive quickly, but the situation remains precarious for many vulnerable people, firms and countries."
The organization said China is expected to account for over a third of the growth next year.
"The recovery will be uneven across countries and sectors and could lead to lasting changes in the world economy," the OECD added. "Countries with effective testing, tracking and isolation programs and where effective vaccinations can be distributed rapidly should perform relatively well, but a high degree of uncertainty persists."
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The OECD said global GDP has continued to contract in the fourth quarter, about 3% lower than the final quarter of 2019. The U.S. economy, it says, is projected to decline 3.2% in the final three-month period and Europe's is projected to tumble 7.3%.
"There is hope, but that hope needs to be turned into reality," Laurence Boone, OECD chief economist, said in a statement. "The pandemic is a global problem. International cooperation is needed now more than ever."
Boone added that the immediate future will hinge on global leadership, promises of an effective COVID-19 vaccine and restarting multilateral negotiations on trade, climate and digital standards.
He said those things should "pave the way for a more sustainable growth and a society where opportunities are available for all."


upi--2020-12-01--Advisory panel meets to weigh who should get COVID-19 vaccine first

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- An advisory committee to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention will meet in an emergency session Tuesday to discuss who should be the first to get a COVID-19 vaccine .
The independent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will meet in Atlanta to discuss the allocation of initial supplies of a vaccine , according to the panel 's agenda .
The committee is expected to approve a recommendation that healthcare providers be among the first recipients when a new vaccine becomes available , as soon as this month .
Who else will also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in `` Phase 1a '' of vaccine distribution , however , remains a matter of debate .
Those expected to be included in later phases include people at high risk due to underlying conditions , those over the age of 65 , essential workers and healthy adults and children .
State governors will ultimately make the decisions about who will receive the 6.4 million vaccine doses from Pfizer and partner BioNTech , which could start distribution as soon as next week .
Some committee members have voiced a preference for the Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities in the first phase of the vaccination priority schedule , who are at greater risk of COVID-19 death .
Members of the administration 's Operation Warp Speed vaccine program , including Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar , have said the most vulnerable Americans should be vaccinated early .
Some experts have objected to that idea , concerned about a lack of data showing how well the first vaccines work in frail , elderly populations .
`` I recognize that they have suffered some of the greatest burden .
But ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population because it has n't been studied , '' Baylor College of Medicine professor Robert Atmar told health news website Stat .
`` We know from flu vaccine studies that this population tends to have less efficacy of flu vaccine compared to other persons , '' he said .
The advisory committee 's non-binding recommendations will be made to CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield .

The vaccine recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which meets Tuesday, will ultimately be made to the head of the CDC, Dr. Robert Redfield. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- An advisory committee to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention said Tuesday that healthcare workers, and workers and residents at nursing homes should be the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted 13-1 in favor of prioritizing the groups, which also includes staffers and residents at other long-term care facilities. Advertisement
This first group of recipients will be known as Phase 1a and will include some 23 million Americans.
The committee held an emergency meeting in Atlanta to discuss the allocation of initial supplies of a vaccine, which could become available as soon as this month.
Those expected to be included in later phases include people at high risk due to underlying conditions, those over the age of 65, essential workers and healthy adults and children. The committee will meet at a future date to determine subsequent phases of the vaccination program.
State governors will ultimately make the decisions about who will receive the 6.4 million vaccine doses from Pfizer and partner BioNTech, which could start distribution as soon as next week.
Some committee members voiced a preference to include elderly residents of long-term care facilities in the first phase of the vaccination priority schedule, who are at greater risk of COVID-19 death.
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Members of the administration's Operation Warp Speed vaccine program, including Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, have said the most vulnerable Americans should be vaccinated early.
Some experts have objected to that idea, concerned about a lack of data showing how well the first vaccines work in frail, elderly populations.
"I recognize that they have suffered some of the greatest burden. But ... we have no efficacy data in this population because it hasn't been studied," Baylor College of Medicine professor Robert Atmar told health news website Stat.
"We know from flu vaccine studies that this population tends to have less efficacy of flu vaccine compared to other persons," he said.
The advisory committee's non-binding recommendations will be made to CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield.


upi--2020-12-01--Google welcomes December with new holiday-themed Doodle

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Google has released a new festive Doodle for the holidays on the first day @ @ @ @ @ homepage features an animated sequence of a yellow bird wrapping Christmas lights around the company @ @ @ @ @ also looks around while perched on the letter `` G '' and chirps to turn @ @ @ @ @ has labeled the Doodle as December Holidays Day 1 , hinting at more similar Doodles @ @ @ @ @ , in November , celebrated the musical genre of mariachi with a video-based Doodle .
@ @ @ @ @ of mariachi musicians playing the classic song `` Cielito Lindo . ''

Google has released a holiday-themed Doodle on the first day of December. Image courtesy of Google
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Google has released a new festive Doodle for the holidays on the first day of December. Google's homepage features an animated sequence of a yellow bird wrapping Christmas lights around the company's logo. Advertisement
The bird also looks around while perched on the letter "G" and chirps to turn the lights on.
Google has labeled the Doodle as December Holidays Day 1, hinting at more similar Doodles to come.
The company, in November, celebrated the musical genre of mariachi with a video-based Doodle. The clip featured a group of mariachi musicians playing the classic song "Cielito Lindo."


upi--2020-12-01--Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic tests COVID-19 positive

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Andrej Plenkovic , the prime minister of Croatia , has tested positive for the coronavirus , becoming the most recent head of state to fall ill to the pandemic .
The government of Croatia said Monday in a statement that Plenkovic was re-tested for the virus on Monday at the recommendation of epidemiologists , and the results came back positive .
`` He is currently feeling well , and the prime minister continues to perform his activities and responsibilities from home and will follow all the instructions of doctors and epidemiologists , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-isolation at the orders of his doctors as his wife had tested positive for the disease days earlier .
Government spokesman Marko Milic had tweeted on Saturday that Plenkovic was self-isolating for 10 days following his wife 's test results .
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , the director-general of the World Health Organization , tweeted the prime minister his best wishes .
`` Sorry to hear that you tested positive for COVID-19 , my friend Andrej Plenkovic , prime minister of Croatia , '' he said in an early Tuesday statement .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good care . ''
Croatia has registered 128,442 infections amid the pandemic , but daily cases have been skyrocketing since October , according to a live tracker of the virus by Johns Hopkins University .
Plenkovic is the latest head of state to contract the virus , which has already sickened Britain Prime Minister Boris Johnson in March , Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in July and U.S. President Donald Trump in October , among others .

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic was already in self-isolation when his coronavirus test results came back positive on Monday. Photo courtesy of Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic/ Twitter
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Andrej Plenkovic, the prime minister of Croatia, has tested positive for the coronavirus, becoming the most recent head of state to fall ill to the pandemic. The government of Croatia said Monday in a statement that Plenkovic was re-tested for the virus on Monday at the recommendation of epidemiologists, and the results came back positive. Advertisement
"He is currently feeling well, and the prime minister continues to perform his activities and responsibilities from home and will follow all the instructions of doctors and epidemiologists," the statement said.
Plenkovic was already in self-isolation at the orders of his doctors as his wife had tested positive for the disease days earlier.
Government spokesman Marko Milic had tweeted on Saturday that Plenkovic was self-isolating for 10 days following his wife's test results.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, tweeted the prime minister his best wishes.
"Sorry to hear that you tested positive for COVID-19, my friend Andrej Plenkovic, prime minister of Croatia," he said in an early Tuesday statement. "I wish you a swift recovery. Take good care."
Croatia has registered 128,442 infections amid the pandemic, but daily cases have been skyrocketing since October, according to a live tracker of the virus by Johns Hopkins University.
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Plenkovic is the latest head of state to contract the virus, which has already sickened Britain Prime Minister Boris Johnson in March, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in July and U.S. President Donald Trump in October, among others.