upi--2020-11-14--Kim Delaney to star in Lifetime's 'Long Island Serial Killer'

Nov. 14 ( UPI ) -- Emmy-winning actress Kim Delaney is set to star in the Lifetime movie The Long @ @ @ @ @ Mother 's Hunt for Justice .
The NYPD Blue and Army Wives alum will play @ @ @ @ @ who relentlessly tries to find her missing daughter , a journey that leads to the @ @ @ @ @ the cable network said in a news release .
Emmy-winning journalist Deborah Norville , who @ @ @ @ @ the news anchor for Inside Edition , is executive producing the TV movie , which @ @ @ @ @ 2021 .
`` Mari Gilbert singlehandedly brought closure to families who never knew what happened @ @ @ @ @ daughters , '' Norville said in a statement .
`` To law enforcement she was @ @ @ @ @ but her tenacity led to the discovery of a serial killer who may still be @ @ @ @ @ Kim Delaney makes the anguish and anger of Mari Gilbert palpable for the viewer .
@ @ @ @ @ of the entire cast is simply thrilling . ''

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Kim Delaney is set to star in the Lifetime movie, "Long Island Serial Killer." Photo by Randy Holmes, courtesy of Lifetime
Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Emmy-winning actress Kim Delaney is set to star in the Lifetime movie The Long Island Serial Killer: A Mother's Hunt for Justice. The NYPD Blue and Army Wives alum will play Mari Gilbert, a mother who relentlessly tries to find her missing daughter, a journey that leads to the discovery of 19 bodies, the cable network said in a news release. Advertisement
Emmy-winning journalist Deborah Norville, who covered Gilbert's story as the news anchor for Inside Edition, is executive producing the TV movie, which is expected to debut in 2021.
"Mari Gilbert singlehandedly brought closure to families who never knew what happened to their missing sisters and daughters," Norville said in a statement.
"To law enforcement she was 'just a mom,' but her tenacity led to the discovery of a serial killer who may still be roaming free. The incomparable Kim Delaney makes the anguish and anger of Mari Gilbert palpable for the viewer. Watching her performance and that of the entire cast is simply thrilling."


upi--2020-11-14--NASA, SpaceX delay launch of four astronauts into space to Sunday

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER , Fla. , Nov. 13 ( UPI ) -- Citing a forecast for windy conditions in the Atlantic Ocean , NASA and SpaceX have pushed back the Crew-1 launch of four astronauts to the International Space Station to Sunday evening from Saturday .
Liftoff on SpaceX 's Falcon 9 rocket now is planned for 7:27 p.m. EST from Kennedy Space Center , with NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins , Victor Glover and Shannon Walker , and Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi on board .
Winds at sea hampered recovery operations , NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said via Twitter on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first-stage booster for the Falcon 9 rocket on a barge , while any abort of the mission would necessitate having the capsule land at sea .
A Space Force forecast for the Sunday attempt shows a 50 % chance of poor weather conditions -- chiefly clouds and rain -- that could cause another delay .
NASA officials said Wednesday would be the next potential date .
The launch delay from Saturday means the crew 's flight time to the space station will tripled 27 hours from 8 1/2 hours .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dragon and wake up and then jump into the rendezvous profile to dock for the [ space ] station , '' said Norm Knight , NASA 's deputy manager for flight operations .
The launch represents a major step forward in the advent of human commercial spaceflight , Bridenstine and other government officials said .
`` This [ launch ] is what happens when you add a drop or two of rocket fuel to ingenuity , '' Stephen Dickson , administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration , said in a press conference at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , SpaceX Crew-1 , represents the first time the FAA has issued a launch license for a crewed orbital launch .
The government is preparing for more space activity by companies such as Elon Musk 's SpaceX and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos ' Blue Origin .
The agency also has streamlined FAA licensing for space launches , which allows one launch company , such as SpaceX , to obtain permission to launch more than one time from more than one location .
The FAA expects to license launches at a pace of one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space tourism gets started , we could be doing 100 a year , '' Dickson said .
Space travelers scheduled for future missions are eager to see the liftoff since it will be the first operational launch of SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule , astronaut Sunita Williams said .
`` This is an exciting time for all of us , watching them pave the way , so we can do low-Earth orbit with a commercial crew , '' said Williams , who expects to travel aboard a Boeing Starliner capsule at the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excited about is watching four of my friends launching on that rocket tomorrow , '' astronaut Jonny Kim told those assembled at the space center .
The mission will bring more than 520 pounds of pressurized cargo , including material for science experiments , NASA officials said .
While onboard the space station , Glover will collect biological samples from himself to provide data to the scientists on how certain dietary changes affect his body .
The astronauts also will participate in a study of their neural function aboard the space station to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and enabling scientists to keep astronauts healthy .
The astronauts even plan to tend radishes growing in different types of light and soil , and study how microbes that interact with rocks could help to break down minerals for possible future use on the moon or Mars .
SpaceX 's Musk became a subject of the COVID-19 discussion Friday after he posted on Twitter that he had tested positive for the disease , but also has received negative tests .
He said he had `` symptoms of a typical cold -- nothing unusual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be allowed at the space center for the launch , NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said that when anyone at NASA tests positive , `` it is our policy for that person to quarantine and self-isolate , so we anticipate that that will be taking place . ''
He said he also expects SpaceX to do contact tracing and identify anyone who may have been exposed to Musk .
The astronauts scheduled for Sunday 's mission have been in quarantine , however .
Bridenstine said the planned launch is considered part of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SpaceX to transport people to the space station .
Be he added that the agency will be vigilant .
`` When you think about spaceflight , every flight is a test flight , '' Bridenstine said , noting that the Dragon capsule , Resilience , has n't flown before .
The mission that starts Sunday also will mark the first time any space capsule carries four people and the first time a Crew Dragon capsule will spend six months in space -- the duration of that mission .

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A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is shown Friday as it is prepared to launch four astronauts Sunday evening to the International Space Station from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Citing a forecast for windy conditions in the Atlantic Ocean, NASA and SpaceX have pushed back the Crew-1 launch of four astronauts to the International Space Station to Sunday evening from Saturday. Liftoff on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket now is planned for 7:27 p.m. EST from Kennedy Space Center, with NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins, Victor Glover and Shannon Walker, and Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi on board. Advertisement
Winds at sea hampered recovery operations, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said via Twitter on Friday afternoon. SpaceX intends to recover the first-stage booster for the Falcon 9 rocket on a barge, while any abort of the mission would necessitate having the capsule land at sea.
Update: Due to onshore winds and recovery operations, @NASA and @SpaceX are targeting launch of the Crew-1 mission with astronauts to the @Space_Station at 7:27 p.m. EST Sunday, Nov. 15. The first stage booster is planned to be reused to fly astronauts on Crew-2. #LaunchAmerica— Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) November 13, 2020 Advertisement
A Space Force forecast for the Sunday attempt shows a 50% chance of poor weather conditions -- chiefly clouds and rain -- that could cause another delay. NASA officials said Wednesday would be the next potential date.
The launch delay from Saturday means the crew's flight time to the space station will tripled 27 hours from 8 1/2 hours.
"The crew will actually go to sleep in Dragon and wake up and then jump into the rendezvous profile to dock for the [space] station," said Norm Knight, NASA's deputy manager for flight operations.
The launch represents a major step forward in the advent of human commercial spaceflight, Bridenstine and other government officials said.
"This [launch] is what happens when you add a drop or two of rocket fuel to ingenuity," Stephen Dickson, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, said in a press conference at the space center Friday.
The mission, SpaceX Crew-1, represents the first time the FAA has issued a launch license for a crewed orbital launch. The government is preparing for more space activity by companies such as Elon Musk's SpaceX and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.
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The agency also has streamlined FAA licensing for space launches, which allows one launch company, such as SpaceX, to obtain permission to launch more than one time from more than one location. The FAA expects to license launches at a pace of one per week in 2021.
"Once space tourism gets started, we could be doing 100 a year," Dickson said.
Space travelers scheduled for future missions are eager to see the liftoff since it will be the first operational launch of SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, astronaut Sunita Williams said.
"This is an exciting time for all of us, watching them pave the way, so we can do low-Earth orbit with a commercial crew," said Williams, who expects to travel aboard a Boeing Starliner capsule at the end of 2021.
"What I'm most excited about is watching four of my friends launching on that rocket tomorrow," astronaut Jonny Kim told those assembled at the space center.
The mission will bring more than 520 pounds of pressurized cargo, including material for science experiments, NASA officials said.
While onboard the space station, Glover will collect biological samples from himself to provide data to the scientists on how certain dietary changes affect his body.
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The astronauts also will participate in a study of their neural function aboard the space station to better understand how spaceflight affects brain function and enabling scientists to keep astronauts healthy.
The astronauts even plan to tend radishes growing in different types of light and soil, and study how microbes that interact with rocks could help to break down minerals for possible future use on the moon or Mars.
SpaceX's Musk became a subject of the COVID-19 discussion Friday after he posted on Twitter that he had tested positive for the disease, but also has received negative tests. He said he had "symptoms of a typical cold -- nothing unusual so far."
Asked if Musk would be allowed at the space center for the launch, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said that when anyone at NASA tests positive, "it is our policy for that person to quarantine and self-isolate, so we anticipate that that will be taking place."
He said he also expects SpaceX to do contact tracing and identify anyone who may have been exposed to Musk. The astronauts scheduled for Sunday's mission have been in quarantine, however.
Bridenstine said the planned launch is considered part of a routine operation now that NASA has certified SpaceX to transport people to the space station. Be he added that the agency will be vigilant.
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"When you think about spaceflight, every flight is a test flight," Bridenstine said, noting that the Dragon capsule, Resilience, hasn't flown before.
The mission that starts Sunday also will mark the first time any space capsule carries four people and the first time a Crew Dragon capsule will spend six months in space -- the duration of that mission.
20 years aboard the International Space Station
The International Space Station is photographed by Expedition 56 crew members from a Soyuz spacecraft after undocking on October 4, 2018. NASA astronauts Andrew Feustel and Ricky Arnold and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev executed a fly-around of the orbiting laboratory to take pictures of the space station before returning home after spending 197 days in space. Photo courtesy of NASA/Roscosmos


upi--2020-11-14--Peter Sarsgaard, Riley Keough to star in Netflix's 'Guilty' movie

Nov. 14 ( UPI ) -- The Lie actor Peter Sarsgaard , The Devil All the Time actress Riley Keough @ @ @ @ @ Ethan Hawke have signed on for roles in the Netflix movie , The Guilty .
@ @ @ @ @ is writing the dramatic thriller , which is based on the Danish film , Den @ @ @ @ @ whose credits include The Magnificent Seven and Training Day -- is onboard to direct the @ @ @ @ @ takes place over the course of a single morning in a 911 dispatch call center @ @ @ @ @ tries to save a caller in grave danger -- but he soon discovers that nothing @ @ @ @ @ and facing the truth is the only way out , '' a news release from @ @ @ @ @ The cast will also include Byron Bowers , Da'Vine Joy Randolph , David Castañeda , @ @ @ @ @ , Adrian Martinez , Bill Burr , Beau Knapp and Edi Patterson .
The stars @ @ @ @ @ Gyllenhaal , who is also producing .

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Peter Sarsgaard has landed a role in the Netflix film, "The Guilty." File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 14 (UPI) -- The Lie actor Peter Sarsgaard, The Devil All the Time actress Riley Keough and Good Lord Bird star Ethan Hawke have signed on for roles in the Netflix movie, The Guilty. True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto is writing the dramatic thriller, which is based on the Danish film, Den Skyldige. Advertisement
Antoine Fuqua -- whose credits include The Magnificent Seven and Training Day -- is onboard to direct the movie.
"The film takes place over the course of a single morning in a 911 dispatch call center. Call operator Joe Bayler tries to save a caller in grave danger -- but he soon discovers that nothing is as it seems, and facing the truth is the only way out," a news release from the streaming service said.
The cast will also include Byron Bowers, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, David Castañeda, Christina Vidal, Paul Dano, Adrian Martinez, Bill Burr, Beau Knapp and Edi Patterson.
The stars join the previously announced Jake Gyllenhaal, who is also producing.


upi--2020-11-14--Dozens injured in Peru protests after Vizcarra's removal

Nov. 14 ( UPI ) -- Dozens of people have been injured in clashes between protesters and police over several nights of unrest in response to the ouster of President Martin Vizcarra , human rights groups and lawmakers say .
Vizcarra 's supporters have taken to the streets each night since the Congress voted to impeach him Monday .
The impeachment resolution accused him of corruption during his time as governor of Moquegua , a department in southern Peru .
Though he has denied the accusations of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from companies that won contracts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Under Peruvian law , his vice president , Mercedes Aráoz , should have been installed as the new vice president , but she resigned the position in 2019 -- a move that was finalized in May .
Instead , House Speaker Manuel Merino , a relatively unknown opposition leader , was named president .
Merino , a member of the center-right , reformist Popular Action Party , installed a new Cabinet on Thursday and called for calm .
Vizcarra belongs to the center-right Peruvians for Change Party .
But some demonstrations have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at police and damaging businesses .
Witnesses said police used tear gas and rubber bullets on protesters , injuring at least 27 people , including officers and journalists , according to CNN .
Congressman Alberto de Belaúnde said a website he created for civilians to report police abuses registered more than 200 complaints in its first hour .
`` The level of violation of rights against people who exercised their right to protest and freedom of expression is alarming , '' told Peruvian newspaper El Comercio .
`` I am outraged by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national or international human rights standards .
Outraged by the government 's reaction of not knowing what people say in the streets and making invisible or doubting the evidence that citizens have shown , because that puts them in a position of greater vulnerability . ''
Interior Minister Gastón Rodríguez denied reports that police used any lethal weapons against the protesters and justified the government 's reaction to the demonstrations .
`` The reaction of the police occurs when there is an attack on public property or when there is a direct attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Human Rights Watch said Thursday that Vizcarra 's removal from office poses a threat to the rule of law in Peru .
`` The allegations against Vizcarra should be investigated , but the legality of his ousting is highly dubious and seems driven by legislators ' own interests in evading accountability , '' said José Miguel Vivanco , Americas director at HRW .
`` Leaders in the Americas should closely monitor decisions by Merino and Congress .
There is every reason to suspect that they will use Vizcarra 's ousting to further @ @ @ @ @ @ @

A riot policeman throws an object during a protest against President Manuel Merino's transition government at San Martin Square, in Lima, Peru, on Friday. Photo by Aldair Mejia/EPA-EFE
Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Dozens of people have been injured in clashes between protesters and police over several nights of unrest in response to the ouster of President Martin Vizcarra, human rights groups and lawmakers say. Vizcarra's supporters have taken to the streets each night since the Congress voted to impeach him Monday. Advertisement
The impeachment resolution accused him of corruption during his time as governor of Moquegua, a department in southern Peru. Though he has denied the accusations of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from companies that won contracts, Vizcarra resigned after the impeachment vote.
Under Peruvian law, his vice president, Mercedes Aráoz, should have been installed as the new vice president, but she resigned the position in 2019 -- a move that was finalized in May. Instead, House Speaker Manuel Merino, a relatively unknown opposition leader, was named president.
Merino, a member of the center-right, reformist Popular Action Party, installed a new Cabinet on Thursday and called for calm. Vizcarra belongs to the center-right Peruvians for Change Party.
But some demonstrations have turned violent, with protesters throwing rocks at police and damaging businesses. Witnesses said police used tear gas and rubber bullets on protesters, injuring at least 27 people, including officers and journalists, according to CNN.
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Congressman Alberto de Belaúnde said a website he created for civilians to report police abuses registered more than 200 complaints in its first hour.
"The level of violation of rights against people who exercised their right to protest and freedom of expression is alarming," told Peruvian newspaper El Comercio.
"I am outraged by a police force that has not complied with national or international human rights standards. Outraged by the government's reaction of not knowing what people say in the streets and making invisible or doubting the evidence that citizens have shown, because that puts them in a position of greater vulnerability."
Interior Minister Gastón Rodríguez denied reports that police used any lethal weapons against the protesters and justified the government's reaction to the demonstrations.
"The reaction of the police occurs when there is an attack on public property or when there is a direct attack as happened yesterday," he said.
Human Rights Watch said Thursday that Vizcarra's removal from office poses a threat to the rule of law in Peru.
"The allegations against Vizcarra should be investigated, but the legality of his ousting is highly dubious and seems driven by legislators' own interests in evading accountability," said José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at HRW. "Leaders in the Americas should closely monitor decisions by Merino and Congress. There is every reason to suspect that they will use Vizcarra's ousting to further undermine the rule of law."


upi--2020-11-15--Israeli military strikes Hamas targets in response to rocket fire

Nov. 15 ( UPI ) -- Israel 's military , in response to two rockets launched toward the center of the nation , struck Hamas military structure Monday morning .
Israeli Air Force jets , attack helicopters and Israel Defense Forces tanks targeted `` underground infrastructure and military posts of the terror group Hamas in the Gaza Strip , '' the IDF Spokespersons Unit said in a statement .
`` The IDF is conducting an ongoing situational assessment and will act firmly and resolutely against any attempt to carry out terror activity against the citizens of the State of Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the statement added .
Earlier at 2 a.m. , two rockets were fired , activating incoming rocket sirens in the southern city of Ashdod and in communities in the Shfela region of central Israel , including Kibbutz Palmachim about 37 miles from the Gaza Strip .
Thousands went to shelters .
No damage or injuries were reported .
Shrapnel from an Iron Dome interception missile fell in Bat Yam south of Tel Aviv , Mayor Zvika Brot said .
One of the rockets did not trigger sirens and the other caused them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region in south-central Israel .
No one has claimed responsibility for the rocket fire .
`` This morning , the IDF attacked Hamas infrastructure and targets in the Gaza Strip , '' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during the opening of the cabinet meeting .
`` We will not accept any attacks against the State of Israel and the citizens of Israel .
`` I warn the terror organizations in Gaza , even during the Corona crisis -- do not test us .
I never list our operational plans , but I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aggression will be heavy , very heavy . ''
`` It was a restless night in the south of the country , and there is one person responsible for it - Hamas , '' Gantz said during a ceremony marking Operation Kadesh .
`` If Hamas does not stand the test of peace-the results will be dire first of all for its leadership and for the residents of the Gaza Strip .
`` I would like to tell the residents of the south that we are working in several directions , both operational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring about long-term peace , . ''
He added that `` we will continue our response to the violation of our sovereignty , beyond what we have done , in a time , place and manner that will serve our long-term needs , of the citizens of Israel and the State of Israel , in the south of the country . ''
It was the one-year anniversary of the killing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Baha Abu al-Ata .
Because of concerns the terror group might fire rockets toward Israel , IDF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout the south .
A Hamas officials went to Cairo , Egypt , on Sunday for talks with Egyptian intelligence officials , according to reports in Gaza .

This is a view on Nov. 12, 2019, of an Iron dome missile system intercepting rockets reportedly fired from Gaza into Israel, near the city of Ashdod, Israel. On Sunday, Hamas reportedly fired two rockets, activating incoming rocket sirens in Ashdod and other Israeli cities. Israeli Air Force jets, attack helicopters and Israel Defense Forces tanks targeted "underground infrastructure and military posts of the terror group Hamas in the Gaza Strip," the military said in a statement. File Photo by Atef Safadi/EPA-EFE
Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Israel's military, in response to two rockets launched toward the center of the nation, struck Hamas military structure Sunday morning. Israeli Air Force jets, attack helicopters and Israel Defense Forces tanks targeted "underground infrastructure and military posts of the terror group Hamas in the Gaza Strip," the IDF Spokespersons Unit said in a statement. Advertisement
"The IDF is conducting an ongoing situational assessment and will act firmly and resolutely against any attempt to carry out terror activity against the citizens of the State of Israel and the violation of its sovereignty," the statement added.
Earlier at 2 a.m., two rockets were fired, activating incoming rocket sirens in the southern city of Ashdod and in communities in the Shfela region of central Israel, including Kibbutz Palmachim about 37 miles from the Gaza Strip. Thousands went to shelters.
No damage or injuries were reported. Shrapnel from an Iron Dome interception missile fell in Bat Yam south of Tel Aviv, Mayor Zvika Brot said.
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One of the rockets did not trigger sirens and the other caused them to sound in Ashdod and the coastal region in south-central Israel.
No one has claimed responsibility for the rocket fire.
"This morning, the IDF attacked Hamas infrastructure and targets in the Gaza Strip," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during the opening of the cabinet meeting. "We will not accept any attacks against the State of Israel and the citizens of Israel.
"I warn the terror organizations in Gaza, even during the Corona crisis -- do not test us. I never list our operational plans, but I'm warning them -- the price of continued aggression will be heavy, very heavy."
Defense Minister Benny Gantz also warned Hamas.
"It was a restless night in the south of the country, and there is one person responsible for it - Hamas," Gantz said during a ceremony marking Operation Kadesh. "If Hamas does not stand the test of peace-the results will be dire first of all for its leadership and for the residents of the Gaza Strip.
"I would like to tell the residents of the south that we are working in several directions, both operational and in other ways, in order to bring about long-term peace,." He added that "we will continue our response to the violation of our sovereignty, beyond what we have done, in a time, place and manner that will serve our long-term needs, of the citizens of Israel and the State of Israel, in the south of the country."
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It was the one-year anniversary of the killing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Baha Abu al-Ata.
Because of concerns the terror group might fire rockets toward Israel, IDF had deployed Iron Dome missile defense batteries throughout the south.
Hamas officials went to Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday for talks with Egyptian intelligence officials, according to reports in Gaza.


upi--2020-11-15--SpaceX, NASA prepare to make history with launch to space station

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER , Fla. , Nov. 15 ( UPI ) -- SpaceX and NASA hope to make history again Sunday as four astronauts -- the first foursome ever to lift off atop a rocket -- head to the International Space Station from Florida .
Barring a weather delay , liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule Resilience is scheduled for 7:27 p.m. EST from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center .
`` As a crew , we are ready .
We are ready for this launch , '' astronaut Mike Hopkins , spacecraft commander , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We are ready for the six months of work that is waiting for us on board the International Space Station , and we are ready for the return . ''
The flight will mark the first SpaceX crewed mission considered to be operational after NASA certified the rocket and capsule for regular missions last week .
Two astronauts , Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley , flew with SpaceX in a two-month demonstration mission to the space station this summer .
The mission also would be the first routine flight to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Program , in which the space agency contracts to use spacecraft developed and owned by private companies , namely SpaceX and Boeing .
President George W. Bush 's administration proposed the program and President Barack Obama 's administration began it .
On Sunday , Vice President Mike Pence and his wife , Karen , will watch that plan advance during a visit to Kennedy Space Center for the launch .
The vice president , who been pushing for the United States to return to the moon -- with a goal of 2024 -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday night to Washington , D.C. Sunday 's launch will be the second from U.S. soil since the space shuttle program ended in 2011 .
Since then and until this summer , astronauts only could reach the space station via Russian Soyuz capsules launched from Kazakhstan .
Astronaut Hopkins , 51 , will fly with pilot Victor Glover , 44 , and mission specialists Shannon Walker and Soichi Noguchi of Japan , both 55 .
Glover will be making his first trip into space ; the other three astronauts have done so .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ May , when NASA discouraged visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic , SpaceX said it welcomes onlookers Saturday .
The space agency still will limit the number of people allowed on its property , however .
`` We hope lots of people come out to watch the launch safely , with lots of masks , '' said Benji Reed , senior director of human spaceflight for SpaceX , during a press conference Wednesday .
If weather forces a delay , the next launch opportunity would be Wednesday , according to NASA .
U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad weather would be reduced .
NASA and SpaceX also will monitor weather conditions for thousands of miles along the flight path of the capsule over the Atlantic Ocean .
If waves or wind would cause a hazardous landing in case of an abort , that also could delay the launch , officials said .
Overcoming restrictions due to the pandemic was the primary reason the astronauts named the capsule Resilience .
`` This would all be hard on just in normal circumstances .
But , you know , Resilience absolutely resonates with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because that 's what it takes , '' said Norm Knight , NASA 's deputy director of flight operations .

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A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the first operational Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station from Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center on Sunday. On board are astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker and Soichi Noguchi. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 15 (UPI) -- SpaceX and NASA made history again Sunday evening as four astronauts -- the first foursome ever to lift off atop a rocket -- launched successfully to the International Space Station from Florida. The Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule Resilience lifted off into a partly cloudy, dark sky at 7:27 p.m. EST from Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. Advertisement
The launch began a 27 ½-hour journey through space to the orbiting platform, which passed over the launch site just before liftoff. The astronauts planned to sleep aboard the spacecraft, which is about 27 feet tall including an attached storage trunk.
Unlike this year's previous Crew Dragon mission, the astronauts who headed to space on Sunday did not plan to perform any navigation of the self-guided capsule unless necessary, according to NASA.
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The rocket's first-stage booster landed successfully on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean a little over 9 minutes after liftoff. SpaceX intends to use that booster to launch the next astronaut crew to the space station in spring 2021.
Live video from inside the capsule showed the four astronauts safely ensconced in their SpaceX spacesuits and chairs. After about 12 minutes, the capsule separated from the rocket's second stage and flew independently.
SpaceX engineers after launch eventually ran into some trouble with heaters that keep thruster propellant lines at optimal temperature. Three of four heaters appeared to be inoperative, and flight rules require that at least two must be operational.
NASA later tweeted that the heaters were fixed and operating normally.
The astronauts are scheduled to dock at the International Space Station on Monday night.
Astronauts had said earlier in the week they were eager to fly.
"As a crew, we are ready. We are ready for this launch," astronaut Mike Hopkins, spacecraft commander, said in a press conference last week. "We are ready for the six months of work that is waiting for us on board the International Space Station, and we are ready for the return."
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The flight marks the first SpaceX crewed mission considered to be operational after NASA certified the rocket and capsule for regular missions last week. Two astronauts, Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, flew with SpaceX in a two-month demonstration mission to the space station this summer.
The mission also is the first routine flight to the space station under NASA's Commercial Crew Program, in which the space agency contracts to use spacecraft developed and owned by private companies, namely SpaceX and Boeing.
President George W. Bush's administration proposed the program and President Barack Obama's administration began it. On Sunday, Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, traveled to Florida to watch that plan advance during a visit to Kennedy Space Center for the launch.
The vice president, who has pushed for the United States to return to the moon -- with a goal of 2024 -- returned Sunday night to Washington, D.C.
Sunday's launch is only the second crewed liftoff from U.S. soil since the space shuttle program ended in 2011. Since then and until this summer, astronauts could reach the space station only via Russian Soyuz capsules launched from Kazakhstan.
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Hopkins, 51, is flying with pilot Victor Glover, 44, and mission specialists Shannon Walker and Soichi Noguchi of Japan, both 55. Glover is on his first trip into space; the other three astronauts have already been to space.
The astronauts made final phone calls to families and signed their names on a wall in the white room, the antechamber before entering the capsule.
The countdown to liftoff saw only one hitch when the hatch door didn't seal completely at first. Technicians found debris and removed it, and then repressurized the capsule completely within minutes, according to NASA and SpaceX announcers.
Unlike the previous Crew Dragon launch in May, when NASA discouraged visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SpaceX said it welcomed onlookers. The space agency limited the number of people allowed on its property, however.
"We hope lots of people come out to watch the launch safely, with lots of masks," said Benji Reed, senior director of human spaceflight for SpaceX, during a press conference Wednesday.
Overcoming restrictions due to the pandemic was the primary reason the astronauts named the capsule Resilience.
"This would all be hard just in normal circumstances. But, you know, Resilience absolutely resonates with me and the rest of the team, because that's what it takes," said Norm Knight, NASA's deputy director of flight operations.


upi--2020-11-15--On This Day, Nov. 15: League of Nations assembles for first time

Nov. 15 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1791 , Georgetown University , in what is now Washington , D.C. , opened as the first Roman Catholic college in the United States .
In 1864 , Union General William Tecumseh Sherman 's March to the Sea begins with the burning of Atlanta .
In 1920 , the first assembly of the League of Nations was called to order in Geneva , Switzerland .
The league dissolved after 1946 and was replaced by the United Nations .
In 1926 , the NBC radio network made its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Westwood one in 1987 .
In 1943 , Heinrich Himmler ordered that Romany be placed in Nazi concentration camps .
Up to 500,000 Romany died during the Holocaust .
In 1969 , more than 500,000 people demonstrated in Washington against the Vietnam War .
In 1984 , 5-week-old Baby Fae died after her body rejected the baboon heart she had lived with for 20 days at California 's Loma Linda University Medical Center .
In 1987 , 27 people were killed in the crash of Continental Airlines Flight 1713 , a DC-9 jet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2004 , U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell submitted his resignation .
In 2007 , Cyclone Sidr , with winds of more than 150 mph , slammed into the southwestern Bangladesh coast , killing more than 3,400 people .
Tens of thousands were injured and 1 million people were homeless .
In 2010 , a five-story building , in New Delhi that housed migrant workers collapsed killing at least 58 people , with 65 others hurt and many more feared buried in debris .
In 2017 , Leonardo 's da Vinci @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 450 million in a Christie 's New York auction .
In 2018 , LeBron James passed Wilt Chamberlain 's scoring mark to become fifth on the NBA 's career scoring list .

1/5
The official opening of the League of Nations takes place on November 15, 1920, in Geneva, Switzerland. File Photo courtesy United Nations
Nov. 15 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1791, Georgetown University, in what is now Washington, D.C., opened as the first Roman Catholic college in the United States. Advertisement
In 1864, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman's March to the Sea begins with the burning of Atlanta.
File Photo by Library of Congress
In 1920, the first assembly of the League of Nations was called to order in Geneva, Switzerland. The league dissolved after 1946 and was replaced by the United Nations.
In 1926, the NBC radio network made its debut. NBC sold the network to Westwood one in 1987.
In 1943, Heinrich Himmler ordered that Romany be placed in Nazi concentration camps. Up to 500,000 Romany died during the Holocaust.
In 1969, more than 500,000 people demonstrated in Washington against the Vietnam War.
In 1984, 5-week-old Baby Fae died after her body rejected the baboon heart she had lived with for 20 days at California's Loma Linda University Medical Center.
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In 1987, 27 people were killed in the crash of Continental Airlines Flight 1713, a DC-9 jet taking off from Denver in a snowstorm.
In 2004, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell submitted his resignation.
File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI
In 2007, Cyclone Sidr, with winds of more than 150 mph, slammed into the southwestern Bangladesh coast, killing more than 3,400 people. Tens of thousands were injured and 1 million people were homeless.
In 2010, a five-story building, in New Delhi that housed migrant workers collapsed killing at least 58 people, with 65 others hurt and many more feared buried in debris.
In 2017, Leonardo's da Vinci's Salvator Mundi sold for a world-record $450 million in a Christie's New York auction.
In 2018, LeBron James passed Wilt Chamberlain's scoring mark to become fifth on the NBA's career scoring list.
File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI


upi--2020-11-15--Famous birthdays for Nov. 15: Sam Waterston, Shailene Woodley

Nov. 15 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Scorpio .
-- British @ @ @ @ @ of the planet Uranus , in 1738

Sam Waterston attends the premiere of "Where to Invade Next" as part of AFI Fest at the Egyptian Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on November 7, 2015. The actor turns 80 on November 15. File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Scorpio. They include: Advertisement
-- Pope Nicholas V in 1397
-- British astronomer William Herschel, discoverer of the planet Uranus, in 1738
-- Artist Georgia O'Keeffe in 1887
-- World War II German Gen. Erwin Rommel in 1891
-- TV personality/retired Judge Joseph Wapner in 1919
-- Actor Ed Asner in 1929 (age 91)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Author J.G. Ballard in 1930
-- Pop singer Petula Clark in 1932 (age 88)
-- Actor Yaphet Kotto in 1939 (age 81)
-- Actor Sam Waterston in 1940 (age 80)
-- Conductor Daniel Barenboim in 1942 (age 78)
-- Fashion designer Jimmy Choo in 1948 (age 72)
-- Actor Beverly D'Angelo in 1951 (age 69)
-- Wrestler Randy Savage in 1952
-- Musician Kevin Eubanks in 1957 (age 63)
File Photo by Phil McCarten/UPI
-- Actor Jonny Lee Miller in 1972 (age 48)
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-- Rock musician Chad Kroeger in 1974 (age 46)
-- Actor Sean Murray in 1977 (age 43)
-- Golf champion Lorena Ochoa in 1981 (age 39)
-- Actor Winston Duke in 1986 (age 34)
-- Actor Shailene Woodley in 1991 (age 29)


upi--2020-11-16--Johnny Weir, Skai Jackson eliminated in 'Dancing with the Stars' semi-finals

Nov. 16 ( UPI ) -- Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir and actress Skai Jackson were eliminated during the Dancing @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles Monday night .
Weir had been partnered with pro dancer Britt Stewart for @ @ @ @ @ series .
Jackson danced with Alan Bersten .
Going into next week 's finals are @ @ @ @ @ TV stars Nev Schulman and Kaitlyn Bristowe , and rapper Nelly .
A.J .
McLean @ @ @ @ @ Oakley , Carole Baskin , Anne Heche , Jesse Metcalfe , Vernon Davis and Chrishell @ @ @ @ @ this season .
Carrie Ann Inaba , Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough are the judges @ @ @ @ @ 's Hannah Brown and her pro partner Alan Bersten won Season 28 in November .

Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir and actress Skai Jackson were eliminated during the Dancing with the Stars semi-finals in Los Angeles Monday night.
Weir had been partnered with pro dancer Britt Stewart for Season 29 of the competition series. Jackson danced with Alan Bersten.


upi--2020-11-16--Hurricane Iota expected to make landfall in Nicaragua as Category 4 storm

Nov. 16 ( UPI ) -- Hurricane Iota grew into a Category 5 storm on Monday as it nears the Central American coast , a region that has already been damaged by a hurricane this month .
The National Hurricane Center said in its 10 p.m. EST update that Iota was located about 30 miles south of Puerto Cabezas , Nicaragua and 100 miles south of Cabo Gracias a Dios on the Nicaragua/Honduras border .
It had maximum sustained winds of 155 mph , weakening to a Category 4 storm and was moving west at 9 mph .
A hurricane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coastline in Nicaragua and Honduras .
`` On the forecast track , the core of Iota will make landfall within the hurricane warning area in northeastern Nicaragua tonight , and will dissipate over central America by Wednesday , '' the NHC said in its advisory .
Besides Iota , the most recent major hurricane in the Atlantic was Hurricane Eta , which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane on Nov. 3 in Nicaragua and was among the top five strongest storms to ever hit the nation .
Central America is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadly blow .
Millions are enduring dangerous conditions in Eta 's wake -- with concerns over waterborne diseases and COVID-19 complicating recovery .
And the situation could become even more dire as Iota creeps toward the coast .
Iota is forecast to pick up some forward speed and continue to move west toward the border of Honduras and Nicaragua .
Along the way , heavy rainfall will inundate northern Colombia and northwestern Venezuela , as well as southern Jamaica .
Should Iota make landfall in Nicaragua as a hurricane , it would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country would be hit by two hurricanes in one season .
The last time it occurred was in 1971 , with Hurricane Irene and Hurricane Edith .
In fact , this is the first time the NHC has ever gotten this far into the Greek alphabet during a tropical season .
Iota is the sixth major hurricane of the season .
Five other major hurricanes churned in the Atlantic this season : Laura , Teddy , Delta , Epsilon and Eta .
This year set the record for the most tropical storms to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Theta became the 29th tropical storm of the season earlier this week .

Iota weakened to a tropical storm by Tuesday afternoon. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Government officials in Central America blamed at least eight deaths on Iota on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after it made landfall in Nicaragua as a Category 4 storm. Just as the coastal region began making strides in its recovery from Eta, which hit the country two weeks ago, Iota brewed up even stronger impacts and slammed the same communities with 155-mph winds at Monday night's landfall, the strongest tropical cyclone of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. Making landfall at 10:40 p.m. EST Monday, Iota's maximum sustained winds were just 2 mph shy of Category 5 status. Advertisement
By Tuesday night, as the center of Iota barged inland across Nicaragua and into Honduras, it had weakened to a tropical storm with sustained winds of 40 mph and was spreading heavy rainfall across Honduras, El Salvador and parts of Guatemala.
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In its 12 a.m. Wednesday advisory, the National Hurricane Center located Iota about 25 miles northeast of El Papalon, El Salvador, as it moved westward at 12 mph.
"On the forecast track, the center of Iota will move across southern Honduras and El Salvador before the system dissipates later today," it said. "Rapid weakening is forecast, and Iota should weaken to a tropical depression later this morning and degenerate into a remnant low pressure area by this afternoon."
The government of Honduras has discontinued the Tropical Storm Watch from Punta Castilla eastward to the Honduras/Nicaragua border, though one is still in effect for the country's coast was of Punta Castilla to the border with Guatemala and for the Bay Islands.
Nicaraguan Vice President Rosario Murillo announced Tuesday that the storm had killed four adults and two minors and Colombian President Ivan Duque also said two people were killed and a third was still missing, CNN reported.
The pair of November hurricanes marked the first time on record that two major hurricanes made landfall in Nicaragua in the same season, further devastating the saturated nation that was still flooded from Eta, a storm that claimed at least 130 lives.
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Philip Klotzbach, a scientist at Colorado State University, tweeted that Iota was the strongest November hurricane on record to make landfall in Nicaragua, surpassing Eta.
#Iota has made landfall in Nicaragua as a Category 4 #hurricane with max winds of 155 mph. Iota is now the strongest November hurricane on record to make landfall in Nicaragua, surpassing the previous record set by Eta (140 mph) just 13 days ago. pic.twitter.com/Qyek5o5Nm6— Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) November 17, 2020
The humanitarian crisis that was set into motion after Eta's feet of rainfall will be severely compounded by Iota's torrential rainfall. AccuWeather Founder and CEO Dr. Joel N. Myers warned before Iota crashed onshore that the back-to-back hurricane landfalls may cause "one of the worst floods in some of these areas in a thousand years or more," since the ground was still saturated from Eta when Iota lashed the region. The mountainous terrain will further play into the disaster unfolding, adding to the dangers of significant flooding and mudslides.
Conditions deteriorated along the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua and Honduras during the day Monday as Iota approached as a Category 5 storm with lashing winds and rising storm surge.
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AccuWeather forecasters are projecting catastrophic damage across northern Nicaragua and throughout much of Honduras from Iota with an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 30 inches of rain.
Sustained winds were whipping at 160 mph Monday evening with higher gusts, according to the hurricane hunters who flew a mission through the eye of the storm. Hours before landfall, the center of Iota was situated about 30 miles east-southeast of Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, the same area where Hurricane Eta blasted onshore less than two weeks ago.
Shortly before landfall on Monday night, Iota lost a slight bit of wind intensity and became a strong Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 155 mph.
Iota's landfall marks only the second time in history that two hurricanes have made landfall in Nicaragua in one season. The only other time that this occurred was in 1971 when Hurricane Irene and Hurricane Edith crashed ashore.
AccuWeather has rated Iota as a 5 on the AccuWeather RealImpact Scale for Hurricanes, which takes into account factors including wind speed, flooding rain, storm surge and economic damage and loss.
"This is a catastrophic situation unfolding for northeastern Nicaragua," the National Hurricane Center said. "Hurricane Iota's landfall location is approximately 15 miles south of where Category 4 hurricane Eta made landfall earlier this month." Eta made landfall near Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph on Nov. 3.
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The back-to-back strikes could cause the humanitarian crisis in Nicaragua and Honduras to worsen, Myers said. "Some of these countries may not completely recover for five to 10 years."
Before Iota neared Central America, heavy tropical downpours associated with the storm caused significant disruptions in Colombia. Homes were submerged in some communities in northern Colombia, stranding residents on their roofs while waiting for help to arrive. At least three fatalities were reported in Colombia due to flooding and mudslides.
The substantial damage caused in Nicaragua and Honduras could lead to an uptick in the wholesale price of coffee as the two countries lead Central America in coffee production, accounting for around 8 percent of the world's coffee output.
With Iota reaching Category 5 force on Monday, it makes 2020 the fifth consecutive year in which there has been a Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic basin. Matthew began the pattern in 2016, and Irma and Maria continued the trend in 2017, followed by Michael in 2018, and Dorian and Lorenzo in 2019. This is the longest streak of consecutive years with a Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic basin since records began.
Iota rapidly intensified over a 24-hour period to reach Category 5 status. In this 24-hour window, maximum winds spiked from 90 mph to 160 mph and the lowest barometric pressure in the eye of the storm plummeted a staggering 1.8 inches of mercury (61 millibars). The drop in pressure alone is more than twice what is required for a winter storm to be called a "bomb cyclone," which is usually a drop of 0.71 of an inch of mercury (24 millibars) in 24 hours. This is the fourth time that a hurricane this season rapidly intensified and one of the most extreme intensifications on record, according to meteorologist Sam Lillo.
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Even after reaching Category 5 status, the highest and most extreme classification for a hurricane, NOAA's GOES-East weather satellite continued to detect lightning in the eye of the storm an indication that the hurricane was still strengthening at the time.
Iota became the sixth major hurricane of the season, or a hurricane that has reached Category 3 status or greater on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale, and it follows Laura, Teddy, Delta, Epsilon and Eta. However, it is not out of the question that another storm could make this exclusive list before the end of 2020.
"Another tropical wave will enter the southern and western Caribbean later this week and could become another named tropical system by the weekend before heading, once again, for Central America," AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski explained.
The next name on the Atlantic hurricane list, now well into the Greek alphabet, is Kappa.


upi--2020-11-16--Dallas Mavericks star Kristaps Porzingis to miss start of 2020-21 season

Nov. 16 ( UPI ) -- Dallas Mavericks star big man Kristaps Porzingis will be out for the start of the 2020-21 NBA season as he continues to recover from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee .
Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said in a radio interview Monday the team is being cautious with Porzingis , who missed more than a season due to a separate knee injury earlier in his career .
Nelson told ESPN that the Mavericks have targeted Jan. 1 as the date that Porzingis could resume on-court activities .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's 100 % before we put him out there , so that 's going to be into the season before we are able to have him join us , '' Nelson said Monday on 105.3 FM The Fan in Dallas .
The 25-year-old Porzingis , who is entering the second season of a five-year , $ 158 million maximum contract , underwent surgery on his right knee in early October to repair the meniscus injury that forced him to miss the final two games of the Mavericks ' first-round playoff series to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second half of the 2017-18 season and all of the 2018-19 campaign after tearing his left ACL in February 2018 in what ended up being his final game with the New York Knicks .
The Knicks traded Porzingis to the Mavericks a year later .
Porzingis averaged 20.4 points , 9.5 rebounds and two blocks per game in his first season with the Mavericks .
The 2018 All-Star Selection has averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in his NBA career .

The Dallas Mavericks are targeting Jan. 1 as a date for star big man Kristaps Porzingis (L), who underwent right knee surgery earlier this year, to resume on-court activities. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Dallas Mavericks star big man Kristaps Porzingis will be out for the start of the 2020-21 NBA season as he continues to recover from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said in a radio interview Monday the team is being cautious with Porzingis, who missed more than a season due to a separate knee injury earlier in his career. Advertisement
Nelson told ESPN that the Mavericks have targeted Jan. 1 as the date that Porzingis could resume on-court activities.
"We're going to make sure that that's 100% before we put him out there, so that's going to be into the season before we are able to have him join us," Nelson said Monday on 105.3 FM The Fan in Dallas.
The 25-year-old Porzingis, who is entering the second season of a five-year, $158 million maximum contract, underwent surgery on his right knee in early October to repair the meniscus injury that forced him to miss the final two games of the Mavericks' first-round playoff series to the Los Angeles Clippers.
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Porzingis missed the second half of the 2017-18 season and all of the 2018-19 campaign after tearing his left ACL in February 2018 in what ended up being his final game with the New York Knicks. The Knicks traded Porzingis to the Mavericks a year later.
Porzingis averaged 20.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and two blocks per game in his first season with the Mavericks. The 2018 All-Star Selection has averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in his NBA career.


upi--2020-11-16--Ethiopia launches airstrike against breakaway Tigray region

Nov. 16 ( UPI ) -- At least two people were dead after Ethiopia launched an airstrike against the breakaway Tigray region .
The Ethiopian air force dropped bombs in and around Mekelle , the capital of the northern province , the Tigray People 's Liberation Front , or TPLF , said on its Facebook page .
`` Highly sophisticated weaponry which included drones and other technologies that can not be found on the African continent were extensively used when attacking the people of Tigray , '' a statement from TPLF said .
About 25,000 refugees have escaped into neighboring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nov. 4 when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered air raids and attacks by the Ethiopian Defense Forces Northern Command .
Regional watchers say Eritrea is now being drawn into the conflict .
`` We do n't know the target and who was targeted , '' Ann Encontre , representative of the United Nations refugee agency in Ethiopia , told Al Jazeera abut the airstrikes .
`` We have intermittent communication with colleagues when we do get access to the internet , but still we know that everybody was deadly afraid and civilians started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Tigray President Debretsion Gebremichael said that the region launched an attack on Eritrea and conducted a missile strike at an airport in the Eritrean capital of Asmara , describing it as a `` legitimate target . ''
The Tigray region has been in conflict with the rest of Ethiopia for weeks .
Ahmed and parliament voted last week to dissolve the government of the region and disband the TPLF , calling the group `` criminal elements . ''
The United Nations warned that `` heavy casualties and destruction '' were in store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tigray national ( and ) regional forces and Ethiopian Government forces continue down the path they are on , there is a risk this situation will spiral totally out of control , '' Michelle Bachelet , the UN 's High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement .
The UN said in a report on Thursday that cut telephone lines and dangerous conditions make it impossible to bring food , health and other emergency supplies into the Tigray region .

Ethiopian refugees are fleeing clashes in the country's northern Tigray region cross the border into Hamdayet, Sudan. File Photo by Ariane Maxiandeau/UNHCR
Nov. 16 (UPI) -- At least two people were dead after Ethiopia launched an airstrike against the breakaway Tigray region. The Ethiopian air force dropped bombs in and around Mekelle, the capital of the northern province, the Tigray People's Liberation Front, or TPLF, said on its Facebook page. Advertisement
"Highly sophisticated weaponry which included drones and other technologies that cannot be found on the African continent were extensively used when attacking the people of Tigray," a statement from TPLF said.
About 25,000 refugees have escaped into neighboring Sudan and hundreds have been killed since Nov. 4 when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered air raids and attacks by the Ethiopian Defense Forces Northern Command. Regional watchers say Eritrea is now being drawn into the conflict.
"We don't know the target and who was targeted," Ann Encontre, representative of the United Nations refugee agency in Ethiopia, told Al Jazeera abut the airstrikes. "We have intermittent communication with colleagues when we do get access to the internet, but still we know that everybody was deadly afraid and civilians started moving right away."
On Sunday, Tigray President Debretsion Gebremichael said that the region launched an attack on Eritrea and conducted a missile strike at an airport in the Eritrean capital of Asmara, describing it as a "legitimate target."
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The Tigray region has been in conflict with the rest of Ethiopia for weeks.
Ahmed and parliament voted last week to dissolve the government of the region and disband the TPLF, calling the group "criminal elements."
The United Nations warned that "heavy casualties and destruction" were in store for the region.
"if the Tigray national (and) regional forces and Ethiopian Government forces continue down the path they are on, there is a risk this situation will spiral totally out of control," Michelle Bachelet, the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement.
The UN said in a report on Thursday that cut telephone lines and dangerous conditions make it impossible to bring food, health and other emergency supplies into the Tigray region.


upi--2020-11-16--Nearly 90,000 file sex abuse charges against Boy Scouts

Nov. 16 ( UPI ) -- Nearly 90,000 people filed sex abuse claims against Boy Scouts of America as a deadline in the group 's federal bankruptcy case arrived Monday .
The case is the largest-ever child sex abuse case involving a single national organization and far exceeds the number of plaintiffs the Irving , Tex.-based Boy Scouts expected .
The organization filed for bankruptcy while facing 275 lawsuits in state and federal courts and another 1,400 potential claims .
`` We are devastated by the number of lives impacted by past abuse in Scouting and moved by the bravery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Boy Scouts said in a statement .
`` The response we have seen from survivors has been gut-wrenching .
We are deeply sorry . ''
Claims have accelerated in recent weeks as those who failed to file before the deadline would be barred from filing a suit against the Boy Scouts of America in the future .
`` Even for me , who probably has been doing this since the beginning , I could n't see it coming .
Not these numbers , '' said Paul Mones , who tried a landmark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in damages and forced the Boy Scouts to release more than 20,000 confidential documents that became known as the `` perversion files . ''
The files showed that the Boy Scouts tracked suspected and known abusers but consistently failed to report them to authorities or notify the public of their findings .
In February , the Boy Scouts filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware to restructure its finances to compensate victims harmed while under the organization 's care .
The organization has since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which have argued they should n't be required to pay claims related to abuse that could have been prevented .
Other cases have sought to determine what assets are included in the Boy Scouts ' estate and available for victim settlements .

Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Nearly 90,000 people filed sex abuse claims against Boy Scouts of America as a deadline in the group's federal bankruptcy case arrived Monday.
The case is the largest-ever child sex abuse case involving a single national organization and far exceeds the number of plaintiffs the Irving, Tex.-based Boy Scouts expected. The organization filed for bankruptcy while facing 275 lawsuits in state and federal courts and another 1,400 potential claims.
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"We are devastated by the number of lives impacted by past abuse in Scouting and moved by the bravery of those who came forward," the Boy Scouts said in a statement. "The response we have seen from survivors has been gut-wrenching. We are deeply sorry."
Claims have accelerated in recent weeks as those who failed to file before the deadline would be barred from filing a suit against the Boy Scouts of America in the future.
"Even for me, who probably has been doing this since the beginning, I couldn't see it coming. Not these numbers," said Paul Mones, who tried a landmark 2010 case that resulted in $19.9 million in damages and forced the Boy Scouts to release more than 20,000 confidential documents that became known as the "perversion files."
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The files showed that the Boy Scouts tracked suspected and known abusers but consistently failed to report them to authorities or notify the public of their findings.
In February, the Boy Scouts filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware to restructure its finances to compensate victims harmed while under the organization's care.
The organization has since engaged in court battles with insurers, which have argued they shouldn't be required to pay claims related to abuse that could have been prevented.
Other cases have sought to determine what assets are included in the Boy Scouts' estate and available for victim settlements.


upi--2020-11-16--Phoenix Suns acquiring All-Star G Chris Paul from Oklahoma City Thunder

Nov. 16 ( UPI ) -- The Oklahoma City Thunder agreed to trade veteran point guard Chris Paul to the Phoenix Suns for a package of players and draft compensation .
League sources told ESPN and The Athletic on Monday that Phoenix will send Kelly Oubre Jr. , Ricky Rubio , Ty Jerome , Jalen Lecque and a future first-round draft pick to the Thunder in exchange for Paul and Abdel Nader .
The Suns ' future first-rounder to Oklahoma City is protected 1-12 in 2022 , 1-10 in 2023 , 1-8 in 2024 and unprotected in 2025 .
Once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paul will reunite with Suns head coach Monty Williams , who coached the future Hall of Fame guard for one season ( 2010-11 ) in New Orleans .
The team posted a 46-36 record that season and lost in the opening round of the playoffs .
The addition of Paul will give the Suns a proven leader and running mate alongside superstar guard Devin Booker .
Behind Booker , the Suns finished last season by going 8-0 in the NBA bubble but failed to qualify for the postseason .
The Thunder initially acquired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in exchange for Russell Westbrook , two future first-round selections and two pick swaps .
By adding another future first-rounder , general manager Sam Presti and the Thunder will increase their haul for Westbrook to three firsts , in addition to the pick swaps .
Paul , a 10-time All-Star selection , had a resurgent season during his one-year stint in Oklahoma City , guiding the Thunder 's young roster to a playoff berth .
He was selected to the All-Star Game for the first time since 2016 and was named to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four years .
Paul , who has been plagued by injuries at various times in his NBA career , only missed one game this past season as he mourned the death of his close friend and basketball legend Kobe Bryant .
In 70 games , Paul averaged 17.6 points , 6.7 assists and five rebounds per game .
He also led the league in clutch-time scoring , which played a large part in the Thunder grabbing the No .
5 seed in the Western Conference .
After the deal is completed , Presti @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 17 future first-round picks between the 2020 and 2026 drafts .

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul (3) averaged 17.6 points, 6.7 assists and five rebounds per game this past season. File Photo by John G. Mabanglo/EPA-EFE
Nov. 16 (UPI) -- The Oklahoma City Thunder agreed to trade veteran point guard Chris Paul to the Phoenix Suns for a package of players and draft compensation. League sources told ESPN and The Athletic on Monday that Phoenix will send Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque and a future first-round draft pick to the Thunder in exchange for Paul and Abdel Nader. The Suns' future first-rounder to Oklahoma City is protected 1-12 in 2022, 1-10 in 2023, 1-8 in 2024 and unprotected in 2025. Advertisement
Once the trade is finalized, the 35-year-old Paul will reunite with Suns head coach Monty Williams, who coached the future Hall of Fame guard for one season (2010-11) in New Orleans. The team posted a 46-36 record that season and lost in the opening round of the playoffs.
The addition of Paul will give the Suns a proven leader and running mate alongside superstar guard Devin Booker. Behind Booker, the Suns finished last season by going 8-0 in the NBA bubble but failed to qualify for the postseason.
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The Thunder initially acquired Paul last summer from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Russell Westbrook, two future first-round selections and two pick swaps. By adding another future first-rounder, general manager Sam Presti and the Thunder will increase their haul for Westbrook to three firsts, in addition to the pick swaps.
Paul, a 10-time All-Star selection, had a resurgent season during his one-year stint in Oklahoma City, guiding the Thunder's young roster to a playoff berth. He was selected to the All-Star Game for the first time since 2016 and was named to an All-NBA team for the first time in four years.
Paul, who has been plagued by injuries at various times in his NBA career, only missed one game this past season as he mourned the death of his close friend and basketball legend Kobe Bryant.
In 70 games, Paul averaged 17.6 points, 6.7 assists and five rebounds per game. He also led the league in clutch-time scoring, which played a large part in the Thunder grabbing the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference.
After the deal is completed, Presti and the Thunder will have as many as 17 future first-round picks between the 2020 and 2026 drafts.


upi--2020-11-16--Nestlé changes names of Australian candies with ‘out of step’ overtones

Nov. 16 ( UPI ) -- Food giant Nestlé announced that it plans to change the names of two Australian candies in response to complaints that the sweets were `` out of step with the company 's values . ''
Nestlé subsidiary Allen 's Lollies now will market Red Skins raspberry candies as `` Red Rippers '' and the chocolate jelly baby gummies formerly known as Chicos now will be called `` Cheekies , '' the companies said .
`` Nestlé has an unwavering commitment to upholding respect for our friends , neighbors and colleagues , '' Nestlé general manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We hope Australians will support the evolution of these two much loved lollies -- while the names are new , the lollies themselves remain unchanged , '' O'Donnell added .
The name `` redskins '' has been used as an ethnic slur for Native Americans .
In July , the U.S. National Football League team retired the team name Washington Redskins after years of complaints .
The name `` chicos '' is a Spanish word meaning boys or guys .
Nestlé has also announced the company would retire the name `` Beso de @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a Black woman '' from marshmallow-based chocolate candies in the company 's South American portfolio .
In June , Allen 's said the firm was looking at new names for the candies .
`` This decision [ to change the names ] acknowledges the need to keep creating smiles , ensuring that nothing we do marginalizes our friends , neighbors and colleagues , or is out of step with our values , '' the company said on its Facebook page .
New packaging for Red Rippers and Cheekies will appear on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the companies said .

1/2
Nestlé announced name changes for two Australian candies due to "overtones which are out of step with the company’s values," the company said.File Photo by Laurent Gillieron/EPA
Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Food giant Nestlé announced that it plans to change the names of two Australian candies in response to complaints that the sweets were "out of step with the company's values." Nestlé subsidiary Allen's Lollies now will market Red Skins raspberry candies as "Red Rippers" and the chocolate jelly baby gummies formerly known as Chicos now will be called "Cheekies," the companies said. Advertisement
"Nestlé has an unwavering commitment to upholding respect for our friends, neighbors and colleagues," Nestlé general manager for confectionery Chris O'Donnell said.
"We hope Australians will support the evolution of these two much loved lollies -- while the names are new, the lollies themselves remain unchanged," O'Donnell added.
The name "redskins" has been used as an ethnic slur for Native Americans. In July, the U.S. National Football League team retired the team name Washington Redskins after years of complaints.
The name "chicos" is a Spanish word meaning boys or guys.
Nestlé has also announced the company would retire the name "Beso de Negra" which translates to "kiss from a Black woman" from marshmallow-based chocolate candies in the company's South American portfolio.
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In June, Allen's said the firm was looking at new names for the candies.
"This decision [to change the names] acknowledges the need to keep creating smiles, ensuring that nothing we do marginalizes our friends, neighbors and colleagues, or is out of step with our values," the company said on its Facebook page.
New packaging for Red Rippers and Cheekies will appear on the shelves in Australian candy shops next year, the companies said.


upi--2020-11-16--Dolphins waive former Bears, Eagles RB Jordan Howard

Nov. 16 ( UPI ) -- The Dolphins waived veteran running back Jordan Howard midway through his first season in Miami , the team announced Monday .
Dolphins head coach Brian Flores told reporters it was a `` mutual parting '' that was `` best for both parties . ''
Howard will now go on waivers .
`` A lot of respect for him and respect for the way he worked , '' Flores said .
`` No ill will , just thought it was best for both parties . ''
The Dolphins expected Howard to have a significant role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they signed him to a two-year , $ 9.75 million contract in March .
Instead , he was a disappointment for the Dolphins , recording 33 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries in five games .
Howard , who was a healthy scratch in four games this year , wanted a larger role in the offense .
But with Sunday 's strong performance from rookie Salvon Ahmed and Matt Breida and Myles Gaskin close to returning from injuries , the Dolphins could n't carve out a role for Howard .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's definitely been productive , '' Flores said of Howard .
`` We had some other guys who stepped in and played well .
For that reason , his reps were limited .
When he did go in there , it felt like we had maybe a little bit better production from some other guys .
`` I do n't think that speaks to his talent level .
I think he 's a talented young man .
He 's been productive in this league and I wish him all the best . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Indiana .
In 62 career games between the Bears , Eagles and Dolphins , he has notched 3,928 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns on 925 carries .
The 2016 Pro Bowl selection also has tallied 83 receptions for 634 receiving yards and two scores .

Former Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard signed a two-year contract with the Miami Dolphins this past off-season. File Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 16 (UPI) -- The Dolphins waived veteran running back Jordan Howard midway through his first season in Miami, the team announced Monday. Dolphins head coach Brian Flores told reporters it was a "mutual parting" that was "best for both parties." Howard will now go on waivers. Advertisement
"A lot of respect for him and respect for the way he worked," Flores said. "No ill will, just thought it was best for both parties."
The Dolphins expected Howard to have a significant role in their rushing attack this season when they signed him to a two-year, $9.75 million contract in March. Instead, he was a disappointment for the Dolphins, recording 33 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries in five games.
Howard, who was a healthy scratch in four games this year, wanted a larger role in the offense. But with Sunday's strong performance from rookie Salvon Ahmed and Matt Breida and Myles Gaskin close to returning from injuries, the Dolphins couldn't carve out a role for Howard.
"He's a good back. He's definitely been productive," Flores said of Howard. "We had some other guys who stepped in and played well. For that reason, his reps were limited. When he did go in there, it felt like we had maybe a little bit better production from some other guys.
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"I don't think that speaks to his talent level. I think he's a talented young man. He's been productive in this league and I wish him all the best."
The Chicago Bears selected Howard in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Indiana. In 62 career games between the Bears, Eagles and Dolphins, he has notched 3,928 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns on 925 carries. The 2016 Pro Bowl selection also has tallied 83 receptions for 634 receiving yards and two scores.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-16--U.S. adds 133K COVID-19 cases; more than 1 million in past week alone

Nov. 16 ( UPI ) -- For the 13th straight day , the United States has added more than 100,000 new COVID-19 cases -- including more than 1 million over the past week alone , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
Updated data from the university shows a little more than 133,000 new cases and more than 600 coronavirus deaths nationwide Sunday .
There have n't been fewer than 100,000 cases on any day since Nov. 2 .
The two-week average is 126,500 , nearly 70 % higher the previous two weeks .
Since the start of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases and about 246,300 deaths in the United States , according to Johns Hopkins .
Hospitalizations rose by 2,000 on Sunday , putting the national total just below 70,000 , according to the COVID Tracking Project .
Biotech firm Moderna provided some optimism Monday by reporting its vaccine has so far proven to be almost 95 % effective , based on interim data of its late-stage trial .
Moderna 's report came a week after Pfizer said its vaccine has shown to be about 90 % effective .
Also on Monday , California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the state 's 58 counties will be placed under its most restrictive tier of measures to prevent the spread of the virus , closing churches , indoor dining and gyms .
`` We 're sounding the alarm , '' Newsom said , as the state reported a daily average of 8,198 new cases .
`` California is experiencing the fastest increase in cases we have seen yet -- faster than what we experienced at the outset of the pandemic or even this summer .
The spread of COVID-19 , if left unchecked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system and lead to catastrophic outcomes .
Philadelphia officials also announced new restrictions prohibiting youth and community sports , as well as closing gyms , museums , libraries and indoor dining .
Outdoor dining will remain limited to four members of a household , and retail stores , barbershops , salons , hotels and religious facilities will remain open with restrictions .
`` We do not take any of this lightly and believe me , more than anything in the world , I wish none of this was necessary , but there 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Mayor Jim Kenney said .
Neighboring New Jersey tightened restrictions on gatherings , as Gov .
Phil Murphy announced that the limit on indoor gatherings will be reduced from 25 to 10 at 6 a.m. Tuesday , while outdoor gatherings will be limited to 150 people -- down from 500 -- beginning Nov. 23 .
The changes will not affect 25 % capacity limits on indoor dining or limits on weddings , funerals , movie theaters , performances , religious services and political activities requiring no more than 25 % of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murphy 's decision comes after the state reported back-to-back record cases with 4,395 on Saturday and 4,540 on Sunday .
`` It 's gotten worse and it 's gon na get worse , '' Murphy said .
`` So we 've got to be honest with folks .
Particularly with cold weather ... with the holidays , this is going to get worse . ''
In Iowa , serious cases reached another record high , officials said .
Smaller hospitals have run out of space for COVID-19 patients and are transporting them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zach Wahls told reporters .
`` When we get to a point where [ University Hospital ] is full , then we 're going to be in a really dark place and so we should be taking this seriously right now . ''
he said .
In California , the number of people hospitalized in Los Angeles County surpassed 1,000 over the weekend for the first time since late August .
More than a quarter are intensive care .
The surge in new cases has prompted county officials to consider new restrictions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Public Health is expected to propose a set of recommendations for the Board of Supervisors this week , '' County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas told the Los Angeles Times .
`` Potential options could be instituting a curfew so businesses do not have to completely close down again , but are more limited to essential activities . ''
In Minnesota , state Senate Republican leader Paul Gazelka said he has tested positive , days after it became known that an outbreak among GOP lawmakers was not disclosed to Democratic colleagues or to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been in quarantine since experiencing symptoms last Monday and will remain in quarantine as long as my doctor advises me to , '' Gazelka tweeted .
State Senate Democratic leader Susan Kent demanded that Gazelka resign his leadership post , citing a memo that showed that the positive tests were not shared with Democrats or staffers before a special session Thursday .

People wait on line to be tested for coronavirus in New York City on Monday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 16 (UPI) -- For the 13th straight day, the United States has added more than 100,000 new COVID-19 cases -- including more than 1 million over the past week alone, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Updated data from the university shows a little more than 133,000 new cases and more than 600 coronavirus deaths nationwide Sunday. Advertisement
There haven't been fewer than 100,000 cases on any day since Nov. 2. The two-week average is 126,500, nearly 70% higher the previous two weeks.
Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 11.04 million cases and about 246,300 deaths in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins.
Hospitalizations rose by 2,000 on Sunday, putting the national total just below 70,000, according to the COVID Tracking Project.
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Biotech firm Moderna provided some optimism Monday by reporting its vaccine has so far proven to be almost 95% effective, based on interim data of its late-stage trial. Moderna's report came a week after Pfizer said its vaccine has shown to be about 90% effective.
Also on Monday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that 41 of the state's 58 counties will be placed under its most restrictive tier of measures to prevent the spread of the virus, closing churches, indoor dining and gyms.
"We're sounding the alarm," Newsom said, as the state reported a daily average of 8,198 new cases.
"California is experiencing the fastest increase in cases we have seen yet -- faster than what we experienced at the outset of the pandemic or even this summer. The spread of COVID-19, if left unchecked, could quickly overwhelm our health care system and lead to catastrophic outcomes.
Philadelphia officials also announced new restrictions prohibiting youth and community sports, as well as closing gyms, museums, libraries and indoor dining.
Outdoor dining will remain limited to four members of a household, and retail stores, barbershops, salons, hotels and religious facilities will remain open with restrictions.
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"We do not take any of this lightly and believe me, more than anything in the world, I wish none of this was necessary, but there's no doubt these changes are necessary," Mayor Jim Kenney said.
Neighboring New Jersey tightened restrictions on gatherings, as Gov. Phil Murphy announced that the limit on indoor gatherings will be reduced from 25 to 10 at 6 a.m. Tuesday, while outdoor gatherings will be limited to 150 people -- down from 500 -- beginning Nov. 23.
The changes will not affect 25% capacity limits on indoor dining or limits on weddings, funerals, movie theaters, performances, religious services and political activities requiring no more than 25% of the venue's capacity or 150 people.
Murphy's decision comes after the state reported back-to-back record cases with 4,395 on Saturday and 4,540 on Sunday.
"It's gotten worse and it's gonna get worse," Murphy said. "So we've got to be honest with folks. Particularly with cold weather ... with the holidays, this is going to get worse."
In Iowa, serious cases reached another record high, officials said.
Smaller hospitals have run out of space for COVID-19 patients and are transporting them to facilities in Iowa City, state Sen. Zach Wahls told reporters.
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"When we get to a point where [University Hospital] is full, then we're going to be in a really dark place and so we should be taking this seriously right now." he said.
In California, the number of people hospitalized in Los Angeles County surpassed 1,000 over the weekend for the first time since late August. More than a quarter are intensive care.
The surge in new cases has prompted county officials to consider new restrictions.
"Amid the increase, the county Department of Public Health is expected to propose a set of recommendations for the Board of Supervisors this week," County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas told the Los Angeles Times.
"Potential options could be instituting a curfew so businesses do not have to completely close down again, but are more limited to essential activities."
In Minnesota, state Senate Republican leader Paul Gazelka said he has tested positive, days after it became known that an outbreak among GOP lawmakers was not disclosed to Democratic colleagues or to workers at the statehouse.
"I have been in quarantine since experiencing symptoms last Monday and will remain in quarantine as long as my doctor advises me to," Gazelka tweeted.
State Senate Democratic leader Susan Kent demanded that Gazelka resign his leadership post, citing a memo that showed that the positive tests were not shared with Democrats or staffers before a special session Thursday.


upi--2020-11-16--President-elect Joe Biden, VP-elect Kamala Harris lay out vision for U.S. economic recovery

Nov. 16 ( UPI ) -- President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris said Monday that leaders from both industry and U.S. unions were eager to work together to get the economy back on track and beat the coronavirus .
`` We need our workers to get back on the job by getting the virus under control , '' Biden said in remarks in Wilmington , Del .
`` I was very encouraged by our conversation . ''
Biden also said his team was moving forward with naming cabinet members and pulling together plans for the economy and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has refused to concede and allow for the present-elect 's team to begin coordinating with the federal government .
`` It would make it a lot easier if the president would cooperate , '' Biden noted .
`` I 'm hopeful that the president will be mildly more enlightened before we get to Jan .
20 . ''
Biden said he had spoken with corporate leaders from Microsoft , General Motors and Target , as well as union leaders from the United Auto Workers , AFL-CIO and AFSCME and others , saying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beginning .
We are ready to come together , '' to find common ground and a way forward , Biden said .
Biden said corporate leaders agreed that it was vital for Congress and President Trump to move forward with a third stimulus bill , noting that the U.S. House had already passed the $ 3 trillion HEROES Act in May .
`` Once we shut down the virus , we have the opportunity to come out stronger and more resilient , '' Biden said .
House Democrats have been negotiating , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump White House on a new round of relief aid , which purportedly will include more stimulus payments to Americans .
Republicans have refused to pass the House proposal , saying it is too large and costs too much .
Similarly , the House has resisted Senate plans , which have been called `` skinny '' proposals .
Democrats have said they do n't go nearly far enough to help struggling Americans .
Biden laid out some of his vision for an economic recovery including making the United States a dominant force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimum wage to $ 15 per hour ; restoring corporate taxes on the largest corporations and making sure that the federal government buys U.S. products .
`` No government contract will be given to companies that do n't make their products here in America , '' Biden said .
Biden also had a message for Americans celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas , noting that health experts advised not meeting with more than five other people indoors for holiday gatherings , and asking Americans to wear masks and practice social distancing .
Family members should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before meeting for family holidays he said .
`` I want us to be together next Thanksgiving and next Christmas .
We 're at war with the virus , it is a war for real . ''
Biden praised some conservative Republican governors in Utah , North Dakota and Ohio for asking residents to wear masks to stop the spread of the virus .
`` We can save 100,000 lives between now and January 1 just by wearing these masks , '' Biden said .
Coronavirus cases in the United States have surged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 100,000 new cases every day for almost two weeks .
In the past week alone , there have been more than 1 million new cases .
Ron Klain , Biden 's White House chief of staff , said Sunday that bipartisan compromise is needed to get a relief deal done between now and when the 117th Congress begins on Jan. 3 .
`` There 's a lot of things that are going to have to wait until Joe Biden is president , but this is not one of them , '' Klain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , calling for direct aid to individuals and for local governments .
`` This is a national crisis , it needs bipartisan action now . ''

President-elect Joe Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and their families watch fireworks and drones spelling out "Biden" during their victory celebration after defeating Republican President Donald Trump, in Wilmington, Del.,on Saturday. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 16 (UPI) -- President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris said Monday that leaders from both industry and U.S. unions were eager to work together to get the economy back on track and beat the coronavirus. "We need our workers to get back on the job by getting the virus under control," Biden said in remarks in Wilmington, Del. "I was very encouraged by our conversation." Advertisement
Biden also said his team was moving forward with naming cabinet members and pulling together plans for the economy and the pandemic, even though President Donald Trump has refused to concede and allow for the present-elect's team to begin coordinating with the federal government.
"It would make it a lot easier if the president would cooperate," Biden noted. "I'm hopeful that the president will be mildly more enlightened before we get to Jan. 20."
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Biden said he had spoken with corporate leaders from Microsoft, General Motors and Target, as well as union leaders from the United Auto Workers, AFL-CIO and AFSCME and others, saying the conversation "reinforced what I thought from the beginning. We are ready to come together," to find common ground and a way forward, Biden said.
Biden said corporate leaders agreed that it was vital for Congress and President Trump to move forward with a third stimulus bill, noting that the U.S. House had already passed the $3 trillion HEROES Act in May.
"Once we shut down the virus, we have the opportunity to come out stronger and more resilient," Biden said.
House Democrats have been negotiating, unsuccessfully, for months with members of the Trump White House on a new round of relief aid, which purportedly will include more stimulus payments to Americans.
Republicans have refused to pass the House proposal, saying it is too large and costs too much. Similarly, the House has resisted Senate plans, which have been called "skinny" proposals. Democrats have said they don't go nearly far enough to help struggling Americans.
Biden laid out some of his vision for an economic recovery including making the United States a dominant force in electric vehicles; raising the national minimum wage to $15 per hour; restoring corporate taxes on the largest corporations and making sure that the federal government buys U.S. products.
Advertisement
"No government contract will be given to companies that don't make their products here in America," Biden said.
Biden also had a message for Americans celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas, noting that health experts advised not meeting with more than five other people indoors for holiday gatherings, and asking Americans to wear masks and practice social distancing. Family members should make sure to be tested and quarantine before meeting for family holidays he said.
"I want us to be together next Thanksgiving and next Christmas. We're at war with the virus, it is a war for real."
Biden praised some conservative Republican governors in Utah, North Dakota and Ohio for asking residents to wear masks to stop the spread of the virus.
"We can save 100,000 lives between now and January 1 just by wearing these masks," Biden said.
Coronavirus cases in the United States have surged this month. There have been at least 100,000 new cases every day for almost two weeks. In the past week alone, there have been more than 1 million new cases.
Ron Klain, Biden's White House chief of staff, said Sunday that bipartisan compromise is needed to get a relief deal done between now and when the 117th Congress begins on Jan. 3.
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"There's a lot of things that are going to have to wait until Joe Biden is president, but this is not one of them," Klain told NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday, calling for direct aid to individuals and for local governments.
"This is a national crisis, it needs bipartisan action now."


upi--2020-11-16--Man wins $75,000 thanks to gas station's lack of preferred lottery ticket

Nov. 16 ( UPI ) -- A Tennessee man who won a $ 75,000 lottery prize in Kansas said he would n't have bought the winning ticket if the store had n't been sold out of his preferred game .
Brien Fox told Kansas Lottery officials he was on his annual hunting trip to Kansas when he stopped at the Short Stop gas station in Garnett to buy a pair of scratch-off lottery tickets .
Fox said he had intended to purchase the $ 5 and $ 10 versions of the Holiday Lucky Times tickets , but he ended up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after finding out the store was sold out of the $ 10 Holiday Lucky Times .
`` I was pumping gas and started the scratching the ticket , '' Fox said .
`` It eventually showed three diamonds to win the $ 75,000 ! ''
The winner said the first thing he did was text his wife about his good luck .
`` She was just shocked !
She really did n't believe it was real until I scanned it in the gas station where it told me I had to take it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox said the first thing he plans to do with his winnings is pay off the remaining balance on his student loans .
`` I wo n't even know what it 's like to not have a payment on those anymore .
Anyone else could have won , so I 'm just very grateful , '' he said .

Brien Fox, of Tennessee, said he ended up buying a ticket for a game other than the one he wanted and won $75,000. Photo courtesy of the Kansas Lottery
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Nov. 16 (UPI) -- A Tennessee man who won a $75,000 lottery prize in Kansas said he wouldn't have bought the winning ticket if the store hadn't been sold out of his preferred game. Brien Fox told Kansas Lottery officials he was on his annual hunting trip to Kansas when he stopped at the Short Stop gas station in Garnett to buy a pair of scratch-off lottery tickets. Advertisement
Fox said he had intended to purchase the $5 and $10 versions of the Holiday Lucky Times tickets, but he ended up buying a $10 Jewel Jackpot ticket after finding out the store was sold out of the $10 Holiday Lucky Times.
"I was pumping gas and started the scratching the ticket," Fox said. "It eventually showed three diamonds to win the $75,000!"
The winner said the first thing he did was text his wife about his good luck.
"She was just shocked! She really didn't believe it was real until I scanned it in the gas station where it told me I had to take it to Topeka," he said.
Fox said the first thing he plans to do with his winnings is pay off the remaining balance on his student loans.
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"I won't even know what it's like to not have a payment on those anymore. Anyone else could have won, so I'm just very grateful," he said.


upi--2020-11-16--Look: Massachusetts man finds mortar round buried in back yard

Nov. 16 ( UPI ) -- Authorities in Massachusetts were summoned to the home of a man who made an @ @ @ @ @ work -- an apparent mortar round .
The Westborough Police Department said officers responded alongside @ @ @ @ @ Department on Sunday when a resident doing work in his back yard called 911 .
@ @ @ @ @ was working in his back yard when he dug up an object that resembled a @ @ @ @ @ Police Bomb Squad was summoned to the man 's home and transported the device to @ @ @ @ @ it was detonated .
The origins of the device and how it came to be @ @ @ @ @ yard were unknown .

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Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Authorities in Massachusetts were summoned to the home of a man who made an unusual discovery while doing yard work -- an apparent mortar round.
The Westborough Police Department said officers responded alongside personnel from the Westborough Fire Department on Sunday when a resident doing work in his back yard called 911.
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The resident told authorities he was working in his back yard when he dug up an object that resembled a bomb.
The Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad was summoned to the man's home and transported the device to a safe location, where it was detonated.
The origins of the device and how it came to be buried in the man's yard were unknown.