upi--2020-11-27--Germany urges Europe to close ski resorts ahead of holiday season

Nov. 26 ( UPI ) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she is seeking a ban on ski resorts throughout Europe ahead of the holiday season to stem the surging spread of the coronavirus , but not all countries are on board .
`` The ski season is approaching .
We are trying to come to an agreement in Europe on whether we manage to close down all ski resorts , '' Merkel said before the German Parliament on Thursday , calling for an EU-wide ban on ski resorts to prevent unnecessary contact among tourists .
`` When we hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can succeed easily , but we will try , '' she said .
During the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak in Europe , clusters were connected to ski resorts .
Italy and France have both shown support for the ban .
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has asked Italians to stay home during the holiday season and placed restrictions on ski resort operations but said if neighboring countries do n't do similarly their measures wo n't have much effect .
`` It will not be possible to allow holidays on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afford it , '' he said .
`` If Italy closes its lifts without support from France , Austria and others , Italians could go abroad and bring the disease back . ''
Emmanuel Macron , the president of France where ski resorts are currently closed , said `` it will not be possible '' for them to re-open this holiday season , stating it might be possible in January to do so if conditions are safe .
Ski resorts in Austria are also currently closed due to a lockdown but are set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Dec. 7 .
Austria 's Finance Minister Gernot Blumel said that if an EU-ban was enforced , `` they will have to pay for it . ''
Salzburg Gov .
Wilfried Haslauer told local news that he would be opening his city 's ski resorts around Dec. 19 , The Local reported .
The Austrian governor acknowledge that the ski season would n't be the same as usual but promised visitors `` safe '' skiing and that the companies `` are well prepared . ''
Germany 's call to ban skiing came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to extend coronavirus safety restrictions that have been in place since late October until Dec. 20 .
`` This winter will be hard but it will come to an end , '' Merkel said Thursday .
`` And now , when we are thinking so much about Christmas and New Year , I wish for myself and I wish for all that we pull together and that we are there for one another more than ever before .
If we can embrace that , we will get through this crisis . ''
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the European Region Dr. Henri P. Kluge said they are seeing indicators of overwhelmed health systems as more than 4 million cases were added so far this month while deaths linked to the virus have climbed by 18 % in the past two weeks .
`` That 's one person dying every 17 seconds in the European region from COVID-19 , '' he said .
He said front-line workers are under `` immense pressure '' as they and their families make sacrifices , urging the public to do what they can to stymie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Your country , community , family and friends need you like they have never needed you before , '' he said .
`` They need you like never before to act responsibility and to support them through the tough season ahead . ''
Europea as of Thursday accounts for more than 17 million cases , the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control said .
Globally , the pandemic has affected nearly 61 million people , according to a map of data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .

German Chancellor Angela Merkel calls on the European Union to ban skiing during the holiday season to stop the spread of the coronavirus. File Photo by Filip Singer/EPA-EFE
Nov. 26 (UPI) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she is seeking a ban on ski resorts throughout Europe ahead of the holiday season to stem the surging spread of the coronavirus, but not all countries are on board. "The ski season is approaching. We are trying to come to an agreement in Europe on whether we manage to close down all ski resorts," Merkel said before the German Parliament on Thursday, calling for an EU-wide ban on ski resorts to prevent unnecessary contact among tourists. Advertisement
"When we hear from Austria, it does not seem we can succeed easily, but we will try," she said.
During the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak in Europe, clusters were connected to ski resorts.
Italy and France have both shown support for the ban.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has asked Italians to stay home during the holiday season and placed restrictions on ski resort operations but said if neighboring countries don't do similarly their measures won't have much effect.
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"It will not be possible to allow holidays on the snow this year, we cannot afford it," he said. "If Italy closes its lifts without support from France, Austria and others, Italians could go abroad and bring the disease back."
Emmanuel Macron, the president of France where ski resorts are currently closed, said "it will not be possible" for them to re-open this holiday season, stating it might be possible in January to do so if conditions are safe.
Ski resorts in Austria are also currently closed due to a lockdown but are set to reopen following the measure's expiration on Dec. 7.
Austria's Finance Minister Gernot Blumel said that if an EU-ban was enforced, "they will have to pay for it."
Salzburg Gov. Wilfried Haslauer told local news that he would be opening his city's ski resorts around Dec. 19, The Local reported.
The Austrian governor acknowledge that the ski season wouldn't be the same as usual but promised visitors "safe" skiing and that the companies "are well prepared."
Germany's call to ban skiing came a day after it agreed on Wednesday to extend coronavirus safety restrictions that have been in place since late October until Dec. 20.
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"This winter will be hard but it will come to an end," Merkel said Thursday. "And now, when we are thinking so much about Christmas and New Year, I wish for myself and I wish for all that we pull together and that we are there for one another more than ever before. If we can embrace that, we will get through this crisis."
Last week, World Health Organization Director for the European Region Dr. Henri P. Kluge said they are seeing indicators of overwhelmed health systems as more than 4 million cases were added so far this month while deaths linked to the virus have climbed by 18% in the past two weeks.
"That's one person dying every 17 seconds in the European region from COVID-19," he said.
He said front-line workers are under "immense pressure" as they and their families make sacrifices, urging the public to do what they can to stymie the spread of the virus.
"Your country, community, family and friends need you like they have never needed you before," he said. "They need you like never before to act responsibility and to support them through the tough season ahead."
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Europea as of Thursday accounts for more than 17 million cases, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control said. Globally, the pandemic has affected nearly 61 million people, according to a map of data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.


upi--2020-11-27--Belarusian president says he'll step down after new constitution is adopted

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- Belarusian state media reported Friday that President Alexander Lukashenko has said he will step down after the country adopts a new constitution .
`` I am not going to shape the Constitution to suit my needs .
I am not going to be the president once the new Constitution is in place .
This is why calm down and weather it calmly , '' Lukashenko is quoted as saying in a story on the state-owned BelTA news agency 's website .
Lukashenko , who is sometimes described as `` Europe 's last dictator , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election opponents say was rigged .
This is his sixth term as president of the country , which he has led for 26 years .
While Friday 's story marks the first time he has talked about stepping aside , Lukashenko , speaking on the same day he met with employees of a hospital in Minsk , was also critical of the protest movement opposing his regime .
`` Thank god , we have a power vertical .
You may have noticed that our infamous protesters primarily strike at the president and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they want to elect everyone ... We saw that in Gorbachev 's time , '' he said .
`` Back then we could elect everyone , including heads of enterprises .
What did we elect in the end ?
We lost the country and the USSR collapsed .
Now they want us to fall for the same dirty trick . ''
Lukashenko also did not offer a time frame for the completion of a new constitution .
Last month the European Parliament announced that it plans to award the Sakharov Prize for human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democratic opposition , which has organized massive protests throughout the country since August .

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, shown here at a wreath laying ceremony in 2007, said Friday he will step aside when the country adopts a new constitution. Photo by Anatoli Zhdanov/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Belarusian state media reported Friday that President Alexander Lukashenko has said he will step down after the country adopts a new constitution. "I am not going to shape the Constitution to suit my needs. I am not going to be the president once the new Constitution is in place. This is why calm down and weather it calmly," Lukashenko is quoted as saying in a story on the state-owned BelTA news agency's website. Advertisement
Lukashenko, who is sometimes described as "Europe's last dictator," claimed victory in an Aug. 9 election opponents say was rigged. This is his sixth term as president of the country, which he has led for 26 years.
While Friday's story marks the first time he has talked about stepping aside, Lukashenko, speaking on the same day he met with employees of a hospital in Minsk, was also critical of the protest movement opposing his regime.
"Thank god, we have a power vertical. You may have noticed that our infamous protesters primarily strike at the president and the power vertical. They want democracy, they want to elect everyone... We saw that in Gorbachev's time," he said. "Back then we could elect everyone, including heads of enterprises. What did we elect in the end? We lost the country and the USSR collapsed. Now they want us to fall for the same dirty trick."
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Lukashenko also did not offer a time frame for the completion of a new constitution.
Last month the European Parliament announced that it plans to award the Sakharov Prize for human rights and freedom of thought to the democratic opposition, which has organized massive protests throughout the country since August.


upi--2020-11-27--Scientists find ancient whale skeleton in Thailand

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- Researchers in Thailand have found an almost perfectly preserved whale skeleton believed to be between 3,000 and 5,000 years old .
The 39-foot-long skeleton was found 7.5 miles off the coast near Bangkok , and is thought to be a Bryde 's whale .
Bryde 's whales are still found in Thailand 's waters .
A protected species that feeds on schooling fish like anchovies , the whales face threats from fishing equipment and tourism .
Scientists hope the remains , which will be carbon dated in December , will offer insight into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biodiversity .
`` There are few whale subfossils in Asia , '' and fewer in such good condition , mammal researcher Marcus Chua of the National University of Singapore said .
Chua said the discovery is evidence of `` relatively large sea level changes around 6,000 years to 3,000 years ago in the Gulf of Thailand , where the shoreline was up to tens of kilometres inland of the present coast . ''
He also said the discovery of the whale could offer insight into rising sea levels caused by climate change and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whale .
`` Scientists could also study the deposits found at the same level as the whale to reconstruct the biological communities present during that time , and compare them to present day systems . ''

The remains of a whale thought to be 3,000 to 5,000 years old have been found in Thailand. Photo via TOP Varawut/ Facebook
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Researchers in Thailand have found an almost perfectly preserved whale skeleton believed to be between 3,000 and 5,000 years old. The 39-foot-long skeleton was found 7.5 miles off the coast near Bangkok, and is thought to be a Bryde's whale. Advertisement
Bryde's whales are still found in Thailand's waters. A protected species that feeds on schooling fish like anchovies, the whales face threats from fishing equipment and tourism.
Scientists hope the remains, which will be carbon dated in December, will offer insight into the past, particularly on sea levels and biodiversity.
"There are few whale subfossils in Asia," and fewer in such good condition, mammal researcher Marcus Chua of the National University of Singapore said.
Chua said the discovery is evidence of "relatively large sea level changes around 6,000 years to 3,000 years ago in the Gulf of Thailand, where the shoreline was up to tens of kilometres inland of the present coast."
He also said the discovery of the whale could offer insight into rising sea levels caused by climate change and into scientific understanding of the Bryde's whale.
"Scientists could also study the deposits found at the same level as the whale to reconstruct the biological communities present during that time, and compare them to present day systems."


upi--2020-11-27--Civil rights attorney Bruce Boynton dead at 83

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- Bruce Boynton , a civil rights activist and attorney who helped inspire the historic Freedom Rides of 1961 , has died .
He was 83 .
Former Alabama Sen. Hank Sanders announced the death of Boynton , a longtime friend , on Facebook earlier this week .
Boynton was arrested in 1958 after refusing to leave the `` Whites-only '' section of a bus station restaurant in Richmond , Va. , while traveling on a bus bound for Alabama .
`` Even though I did n't expect to be served , I expected something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's the law , ' `` he later told a historian .
`` But the White waitress called the manager who put his finger in my face '' and told him `` Move , '' using a racial slur .
`` That crystallized what I was going to do , '' he added .
`` I did not move . ''
Boynton , a student at Howard University Law School in Washington , D.C. , was convicted of misdemeanor trespassing , but challenged his sentence with the aid of Thurgood Marshall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Supreme Court .
The appeal led to the historic ruling Boynton v. Virginia in 1962 , which made bus station segregation illegal .
The ruling led to the 1961 Freedom Rides movement , when Black and White civil rights activists boarded buses to the Deep South to protest segregated buses and bus stations .
The Freedom Rides led to a bloody chain of events that finally forced the Kennedy administration to take action on civil rights legislation .
Bruce Carver Boynton was born in Selma , Ala. , in 1937 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , agricultural scientist George Washington Carver , who taught both of Boynton 's parents at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama .
Boynton 's parents worked for the U.S. Agriculture Department and also opened insurance and real estate offices .
Boynton graduated from Nashville 's Fisk University in 1956 and opened a law office in Chattanooga five years later , after graduating from law school school .
He initially planned to work in Selma , but was forced to wait six years as the Alabama state bar finished investigating his arrest and permitted him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His first marriage ended in divorce .
In 1973 Boynton married Alice Cutler , who died in 2001 .
In 2008 he married Betty Strong .
Boynton is survived by Strong , as well as two daughters , three stepchildren , two sisters , four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren .

Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Bruce Boynton, a civil rights activist and attorney who helped inspire the historic Freedom Rides of 1961, has died. He was 83.
Former Alabama Sen. Hank Sanders announced the death of Boynton, a longtime friend, on Facebook earlier this week.
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Boynton was arrested in 1958 after refusing to leave the "Whites-only" section of a bus station restaurant in Richmond, Va., while traveling on a bus bound for Alabama.
"Even though I didn't expect to be served, I expected something like, 'It's not me. It's the law,' " he later told a historian. "But the White waitress called the manager who put his finger in my face" and told him "Move," using a racial slur. "That crystallized what I was going to do," he added. "I did not move."
Boynton, a student at Howard University Law School in Washington, D.C., was convicted of misdemeanor trespassing, but challenged his sentence with the aid of Thurgood Marshall, who later became the first Black justice on the Supreme Court.
The appeal led to the historic ruling Boynton v. Virginia in 1962, which made bus station segregation illegal.
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The ruling led to the 1961 Freedom Rides movement, when Black and White civil rights activists boarded buses to the Deep South to protest segregated buses and bus stations.
The Freedom Rides led to a bloody chain of events that finally forced the Kennedy administration to take action on civil rights legislation.
Bruce Carver Boynton was born in Selma, Ala., in 1937 and was named in part for his godfather, agricultural scientist George Washington Carver, who taught both of Boynton's parents at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.
Boynton's parents worked for the U.S. Agriculture Department and also opened insurance and real estate offices.
Boynton graduated from Nashville's Fisk University in 1956 and opened a law office in Chattanooga five years later, after graduating from law school school. He initially planned to work in Selma, but was forced to wait six years as the Alabama state bar finished investigating his arrest and permitted him to practice law in the state.
His first marriage ended in divorce. In 1973 Boynton married Alice Cutler, who died in 2001. In 2008 he married Betty Strong.
Boynton is survived by Strong, as well as two daughters, three stepchildren, two sisters, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
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Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-11-27--Opioid deaths in young Americans often involve other drugs

Opioid overdose deaths involving more than one substance are more common among American teens and young adults than deaths caused by opioids alone , researchers report .
They also found that stimulants such as cocaine and crystal methamphetamine are the non-opioid substances most commonly involved in opioid overdose deaths in young people .
Moreover , opioid overdose deaths involving stimulants increased 351 % between 2010 and 2018 .
The researchers said their findings show that in order to tackle the national overdose crisis , special attention must be paid to teens and young adults , and can not focus only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant insight into what is driving opioid-related overdoses among adolescents and young adults , which can help improve treatment and outcomes in this population , '' study co-author Dr. Scott Hadland said in a Boston Medical Center news release .
Hadland is a pediatrician and addiction specialist at the hospital .
During that time , the rates of overdose deaths involving opioids alone increased by 384 % and deaths involving opioids and other substances ( polysubstances ) increased by 760 % .
In 2018 , more than 4,600 opioid overdose deaths occurred in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved synthetic opioids .
Of those deaths , more than half involved multiple substances , meaning that overdose deaths involving more than just opioids were more common than those involving opioids alone .
Stimulants , mainly cocaine , contributed to more than 33 % of total overdose deaths and 66 % of the polysubstance overdose deaths in 2018 , according to the study .
The results were published Nov. 23 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics .
`` These results emphasize that we need to be focusing on more than just opioids when treating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said study co-author Dr. Jamie Lim , a pediatrics resident at Boston Medical Center and Boston Children 's Hospital .
`` As providers , we need to recognize that co-occurring substance use disorders are common , and they must be addressed simultaneously when treating opioid addiction , '' he said in the release .
The U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse has more on the national opioid overdose crisis .

Opioid overdose deaths involving more than one substance are more common among American teens and young adults than deaths caused by opioids alone, researchers report.
They also found that stimulants such as cocaine and crystal methamphetamine are the non-opioid substances most commonly involved in opioid overdose deaths in young people. Moreover, opioid overdose deaths involving stimulants increased 351% between 2010 and 2018.
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The researchers said their findings show that in order to tackle the national overdose crisis, special attention must be paid to teens and young adults, and cannot focus only on opioids.
"Our study provides significant insight into what is driving opioid-related overdoses among adolescents and young adults, which can help improve treatment and outcomes in this population," study co-author Dr. Scott Hadland said in a Boston Medical Center news release. Hadland is a pediatrician and addiction specialist at the hospital.
During that time, the rates of overdose deaths involving opioids alone increased by 384% and deaths involving opioids and other substances (polysubstances) increased by 760%.
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In 2018, more than 4,600 opioid overdose deaths occurred in this age group, and nearly three-quarters involved synthetic opioids.
Of those deaths, more than half involved multiple substances, meaning that overdose deaths involving more than just opioids were more common than those involving opioids alone.
Stimulants, mainly cocaine, contributed to more than 33% of total overdose deaths and 66% of the polysubstance overdose deaths in 2018, according to the study. The results were published Nov. 23 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.
"These results emphasize that we need to be focusing on more than just opioids when treating young people with opioid use disorder," said study co-author Dr. Jamie Lim, a pediatrics resident at Boston Medical Center and Boston Children's Hospital.
"As providers, we need to recognize that co-occurring substance use disorders are common, and they must be addressed simultaneously when treating opioid addiction," he said in the release.
The U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse has more on the national opioid overdose crisis.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-11-27--German Entomological Institute names Danish mayfly Insect of the Year

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- The Danish mayfly has been named 2021 's Insect of the Year .
A board of trustees established by the German Entomological Institute has named an Insect of the Year every year since 1999 , with the aim of honoring an insect species that deserves greater fame for its rarity , its ecological value , aesthetic value -- or even its `` ordinariness . ''
`` The Insect of the Year is intended to bring an exemplary species ( and insects in general ) closer to people , '' said an announcement from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Danish mayfly is distinguished by its life cycle : while mayflies famously live just a few days once they reach maturity , their larvae take one to three years to fully develop .
During that time , they repeatedly shed their skin and develop visible gills , molting 20 to 30 times before becoming capable of flying and mating -- a number far higher than other insect orders .
The fully developed mayfly does n't have a mouth or an intestine , so the insects have just a few days to reproduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no acute danger for our 'insect of the year 2021 . '
However , due to its special development cycle , the Danish mayfly is dependent on ecologically intact waters with sufficient oxygen content , '' said Axel Vogel , minister of agriculture , environment and climate protection in Germany 's upper house of parliament , the Bundesrat .
Vogel added that comprehensive water protection and preservation are key to protecting the Danish mayfly `` and many other organisms . ''

The Danish mayfly has been named Insect of the Year for 2021. Photo by Wolfgang Kleinsteuber courtesy of German Entomological Institute
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The Danish mayfly has been named 2021's Insect of the Year. A board of trustees established by the German Entomological Institute has named an Insect of the Year every year since 1999, with the aim of honoring an insect species that deserves greater fame for its rarity, its ecological value, aesthetic value -- or even its "ordinariness." Advertisement
"The Insect of the Year is intended to bring an exemplary species (and insects in general) closer to people," said an announcement from the institute.
According to the institute, the Danish mayfly is distinguished by its life cycle: while mayflies famously live just a few days once they reach maturity, their larvae take one to three years to fully develop.
During that time, they repeatedly shed their skin and develop visible gills, molting 20 to 30 times before becoming capable of flying and mating -- a number far higher than other insect orders.
The fully developed mayfly doesn't have a mouth or an intestine, so the insects have just a few days to reproduce before they die.
"Fortunately, there is no acute danger for our 'insect of the year 2021.' However, due to its special development cycle, the Danish mayfly is dependent on ecologically intact waters with sufficient oxygen content," said Axel Vogel, minister of agriculture, environment and climate protection in Germany's upper house of parliament, the Bundesrat.
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Vogel added that comprehensive water protection and preservation are key to protecting the Danish mayfly "and many other organisms."


upi--2020-11-27--Pope Francis to appoint Wilton Gregory as first Black cardinal

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- Archbishop Wilton Gregory will be the first Black American to hold the rank of cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church on Saturday , when he officially becomes a member of the College of Cardinals .
Gregory is currently self-quarantining in Rome as he waits for the induction .
The archbishop , known for his outspokenness on many issues challenging the church , Gregory said he was surprised about the promotion .
He made welcoming diversity to the church , including members of the LGBTQ community , one of his keystone missions .
Gregory , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that while he does n't share President-elect Joe Biden 's view on abortion , he hopes to build a good relationship with him .
Biden is the second Catholic elected as president .
`` I want to begin whatever conversations ensue in a positive vein , rather than in an adversarial mode , '' Gregory said .
Gregory made headlines this summer when federal agents forced demonstrators to disperse outside the White House before President Donald Trump 's photo opportunity at St. John 's Episcopal Church .
The Knights of Columbus hosted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Paul II Shrine in northern D.C. Gregory said Trump 's action against protesters was an effort to `` to silence , scatter or intimidate '' the crowd .
His words for the Catholic Knights of Columbus was even sharper .
`` I find it baffling and reprehensible that any Catholic facility would allow itself to be so egregiously misused and manipulated in a fashion that violates our religious principles , '' Gregory said of the organization .
Saturday 's induction , called a consistory , will be unique for several reasons .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Brunei and Jose Fuerte Advincula of the Philippines , will not be able to attend because of COVID-19 travel restrictions .
They will participate via a special live stream .
A total of 13 men will become cardinals on Saturday .

Archbishop Wilton Gregory, shown speaking as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on June 19, 2003, will be formally named as a cardinal on Saturday. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Archbishop Wilton Gregory will be the first Black American to hold the rank of cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, when he officially becomes a member of the College of Cardinals. Gregory is currently self-quarantining in Rome as he waits for the induction. The archbishop, known for his outspokenness on many issues challenging the church, Gregory said he was surprised about the promotion. Advertisement
He made welcoming diversity to the church, including members of the LGBTQ community, one of his keystone missions.
Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, D.C., said that while he doesn't share President-elect Joe Biden's view on abortion, he hopes to build a good relationship with him. Biden is the second Catholic elected as president.
"I want to begin whatever conversations ensue in a positive vein, rather than in an adversarial mode," Gregory said.
Gregory made headlines this summer when federal agents forced demonstrators to disperse outside the White House before President Donald Trump's photo opportunity at St. John's Episcopal Church. The Knights of Columbus hosted Trump the next day at the St. John Paul II Shrine in northern D.C.
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Gregory said Trump's action against protesters was an effort to "to silence, scatter or intimidate" the crowd. His words for the Catholic Knights of Columbus was even sharper.
"I find it baffling and reprehensible that any Catholic facility would allow itself to be so egregiously misused and manipulated in a fashion that violates our religious principles," Gregory said of the organization.
Saturday's induction, called a consistory, will be unique for several reasons. Two of the appointees, Cornelius Sim of Brunei and Jose Fuerte Advincula of the Philippines, will not be able to attend because of COVID-19 travel restrictions. They will participate via a special live stream.
A total of 13 men will become cardinals on Saturday.


upi--2020-11-27--S&P 500, Nasdaq close with record highs as investors bet on online shopping

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- The S & P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite both closed with record highs Friday , wrapping a strong week for markets at the start of the holiday shopping season .
The S & P 500 gained 0.3 % to close at 3,638.35 , and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.9 % to 12,205.85 .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1 % Friday to 29,910.37 , an increase of 37.90 points from Thursday .
The Dow closed above 30,000 for the first time earlier this week , and all three markets saw gains for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % and the S & P 500 gained 2.3 % for the week , while the Nasdaq climbed 3 % .
`` What we 're witnessing today , this week and this month , is a continuation in the rise of optimism , '' Mike Zigmont , head of trading and research at Harvest Volatility Management , said .
Analysts said investors were encouraged by continued positive news about COVID-19 vaccines , the White House transition and the beginning of the holiday shopping season .
Retailers led Friday 's surge , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.9 % , following a record-setting day for online sales on Thanksgiving Day due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
According to Adobe Analytics , online retailers posted $ 5.1 billion in sales Thursday .
On Friday , Etsy shares climbed 10.7 % , Gamestop rose 9 % , Amazon gained 0.3 % , and Shopify climbed 1.5 % .

Pedestrians walk past the New York Stock Exchange before the closing Bell at the NYSE on Wall Street in New York City on Tuesday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite both closed with record highs Friday, wrapping a strong week for markets at the start of the holiday shopping season. The S&P 500 gained 0.3% to close at 3,638.35, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.9% to 12,205.85. Advertisement
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1% Friday to 29,910.37, an increase of 37.90 points from Thursday.
The Dow closed above 30,000 for the first time earlier this week, and all three markets saw gains for the week.
The Dow rose 2.2% and the S&P 500 gained 2.3% for the week, while the Nasdaq climbed 3%.
"What we're witnessing today, this week and this month, is a continuation in the rise of optimism," Mike Zigmont, head of trading and research at Harvest Volatility Management, said.
Analysts said investors were encouraged by continued positive news about COVID-19 vaccines, the White House transition and the beginning of the holiday shopping season.
Retailers led Friday's surge, with the SPDR S&P Retail ETF rising 0.9%, following a record-setting day for online sales on Thanksgiving Day due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Adobe Analytics, online retailers posted $5.1 billion in sales Thursday. On Friday, Etsy shares climbed 10.7%, Gamestop rose 9%, Amazon gained 0.3%, and Shopify climbed 1.5%.
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upi--2020-11-27--Appeals court denies attempt to block certification of votes in Pennsylvania

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- A federal appeals court denied an effort by the Trump campaign to amend its lawsuit challenging the election results in Pennsylvania .
The 3rd U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a previous ruling to dismiss the case , which sought to block the state from certifying election results that determined Joe Biden as the winner .
Judge Stephanos Bibas said the lawsuit , led by Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani , has `` no merit . ''
`` The campaign never alleges that any ballot was fraudulent or cast by an illegal voter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It never alleges that any defendant treated the Trump campaign or its votes worse than it treated the Biden campaign or its votes .
Calling something discrimination does not make it so .
The Second Amended Complaint still suffers from these core defects , so granting leave to amend would have been futile . ''
Bibas , who was appointed by Trump , and two other Republicans-appointed judges ruled 3-0 against the request for an emergency injunction .
`` Charges of unfairness are serious , '' Bibas wrote .
`` But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it so .
Charges require specific allegations and then proof .
We have neither here . ''
Trump adviser Jenna Ellis tweeted that the campaign would appeal the decision to the Supreme Court .
`` The activist judicial machinery in Pennsylvania continues to cover up the allegations of massive fraud , '' she said .
`` We are very thankful to have had the opportunity to present proof and the facts to the PA state legislature .
On to SCOTUS ! ''
Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar certified the state 's election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that some Democratic-leaning areas allowed voters to fix administrative errors on their mail-in ballots , putting Trump and Republican voters at a disadvantage .
Giuliani sought to add allegations that Republican observers were not allowed to watch the vote counting process .
Trump , who said Thursday that he would leave the White House if the Electoral College votes for Biden , continued to dispute the election results on Twitter on Friday .
`` Biden can only enter the White House as President if he can prove that his ridiculous '80,000,000 votes ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump said in a tweet labeled by Twitter with `` This claim about election fraud is disputed . ''

President Donald Trump speaks in the Diplomatic Room of the White House on Thanksgiving in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. A federal appeals court on Friday rejected an emergency injunction to overturn Pennsylvania's certification of its election results. Pool photo by Erin Schaff/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- A federal appeals court denied an effort by the Trump campaign to amend its lawsuit challenging the election results in Pennsylvania. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a previous ruling to dismiss the case, which sought to block the state from certifying election results that determined Joe Biden as the winner. Advertisement
Judge Stephanos Bibas said the lawsuit, led by Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, has "no merit."
"The campaign never alleges that any ballot was fraudulent or cast by an illegal voter," Bibas wrote in the 21-page opinion. "It never alleges that any defendant treated the Trump campaign or its votes worse than it treated the Biden campaign or its votes. Calling something discrimination does not make it so. The Second Amended Complaint still suffers from these core defects, so granting leave to amend would have been futile."
Bibas, who was appointed by Trump, and two other Republicans-appointed judges ruled 3-0 against the request for an emergency injunction.
"Charges of unfairness are serious," Bibas wrote. "But calling an election unfair does not make it so. Charges require specific allegations and then proof. We have neither here."
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Trump adviser Jenna Ellis tweeted that the campaign would appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
"The activist judicial machinery in Pennsylvania continues to cover up the allegations of massive fraud," she said. "We are very thankful to have had the opportunity to present proof and the facts to the PA state legislature. On to SCOTUS!"
Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar certified the state's election results Tuesday. The Trump campaign argued that some Democratic-leaning areas allowed voters to fix administrative errors on their mail-in ballots, putting Trump and Republican voters at a disadvantage. Giuliani sought to add allegations that Republican observers were not allowed to watch the vote counting process.
Trump, who said Thursday that he would leave the White House if the Electoral College votes for Biden, continued to dispute the election results on Twitter on Friday.
"Biden can only enter the White House as President if he can prove that his ridiculous '80,000,000 votes' were not fraudulently or illegally obtained," Trump said in a tweet labeled by Twitter with "This claim about election fraud is disputed."


upi--2020-11-27--Danish leaders consider digging up dead minks, burning them

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- Government officials in Denmark are considering digging up hundreds of thousands of minks that were killed and buried hastily because of the coronavirus .
Some of the culled minks , which were suspected of carrying a strain of the coronavirus , have been rising up from their graves because the gas in their bodies allowed them up emerge from the topsoil they were covered with .
The embarrassing incidents have created serious concerns of contamination from the rotting animals and poisoning of underground water supply .
The new coronavirus mutation found in minks has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 people in August and September .
The Danish government said that , in its haste , some of the minks were killed improperly and buried incorrectly .
Two mink gravesites in Jutland , in the northern region of Denmark , have become the main areas of concern .
Both sites are near mink farms .
Danish Agriculture Minister Rasmus Prehn said one solution is digging up all the minks buried and incinerating them at the location .
`` If there is one thing we have learned from the last few weeks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be made on the best possible basis , '' Prehn said .
`` One makes mistakes when being too hasty . ''
The cull has devastated Denmark 's lucrative mink industry and led to political fallout .
Agriculture Minister Mogens Jensen resigned from office , saying he did not have `` sufficient support among a majority of the parliamentary parties . ''
Health experts fear a mutated coronavirus could hinder the development of antibodies against the virus and , in turn , reduce the chance of developing an effective vaccine .
Danish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact the cull has had while visiting mink farms Thursday .
`` Their life 's work [ has been ] shattered , '' Frederiksen said .
`` It has been emotional for them , and ... sorry .
It has for me too . ''

Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, shown at a news conference in Copenhagen on October 10, 2019, said Thursday a mink cull has devastated the country's fur industry. Photo courtesy of United Nations/EPA-EFE
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Government officials in Denmark are considering digging up hundreds of thousands of minks that were killed and buried hastily because of the coronavirus. Some of the culled minks, which were suspected of carrying a strain of the coronavirus, have been rising up from their graves because the gas in their bodies allowed them up emerge from the topsoil they were covered with. Advertisement
The embarrassing incidents have created serious concerns of contamination from the rotting animals and poisoning of underground water supply.
The new coronavirus mutation found in minks has spread to humans in Denmark, killing 12 people in August and September.
The Danish government said that, in its haste, some of the minks were killed improperly and buried incorrectly. Two mink gravesites in Jutland, in the northern region of Denmark, have become the main areas of concern. Both sites are near mink farms.
Danish Agriculture Minister Rasmus Prehn said one solution is digging up all the minks buried and incinerating them at the location.
"If there is one thing we have learned from the last few weeks, it is that the decisions we make must be made on the best possible basis," Prehn said. "One makes mistakes when being too hasty."
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The cull has devastated Denmark's lucrative mink industry and led to political fallout. Agriculture Minister Mogens Jensen resigned from office, saying he did not have "sufficient support among a majority of the parliamentary parties."
Health experts fear a mutated coronavirus could hinder the development of antibodies against the virus and, in turn, reduce the chance of developing an effective vaccine.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen acknowledge the devastating impact the cull has had while visiting mink farms Thursday.
"Their life's work [has been] shattered," Frederiksen said. "It has been emotional for them, and ... sorry. It has for me too."


upi--2020-11-27--Neanderthals' thumbs were well-suited to 'squeeze,' study says

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- Neanderthals ' thumbs stuck out from their hands at a much wider angle than humans , making it easier to grip certain tools , according to a study published this week .
The paper , published Thursday in Scientific Reports , said Neanderthals were well-adapted to grip tools the way we grab hammers -- but would have struggled to hold a pencil or shake hands with someone else .
Ameline Bardo , a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Kent 's School of Anthropology and Conservation in the United Kingdom , used a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five Neanderthal individuals and compared them to five early modern humans and 50 recent modern adults .
Bardo analyzed the set of joints responsible for the thumb -- called the trapeziometacarpal complex -- and found Neanderthals would have struggled with precision grips , where objects are held between the tip of the finger and the thumb .
But the Stone Age people , who went extinct about 40,000 years ago , were well-suited to the `` squeeze grip '' modern humans use when grabbing a hammer .
`` The joint at the base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is flatter with a smaller contact surface between the bones , which is better suited to an extended thumb positioned alongside the side of the hand , '' Bardo told CNN .
`` This thumb posture suggests the regular use of power 'squeeze ' grips . ''
While other researchers have studied how thumb bones vary in Neanderthals , most research has looked at the bones in isolation and has n't analyzed how the different bones , joints and ligaments relate to one another .

A new study says Neanderthals' thumbs stuck out from their hands at a much wider angle than modern humans, making them better-adapted to grip tools in the way shown here. Photo courtesy of Germany's Neanderthal Museum/ Wikimedia Commons
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Neanderthals' thumbs stuck out from their hands at a much wider angle than humans, making it easier to grip certain tools, according to a study published this week. The paper, published Thursday in Scientific Reports, said Neanderthals were well-adapted to grip tools the way we grab hammers -- but would have struggled to hold a pencil or shake hands with someone else. Advertisement
Ameline Bardo, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Kent's School of Anthropology and Conservation in the United Kingdom, used a 3D analysis to map the hands of five Neanderthal individuals and compared them to five early modern humans and 50 recent modern adults.
Bardo analyzed the set of joints responsible for the thumb -- called the trapeziometacarpal complex -- and found Neanderthals would have struggled with precision grips, where objects are held between the tip of the finger and the thumb.
But the Stone Age people, who went extinct about 40,000 years ago, were well-suited to the "squeeze grip" modern humans use when grabbing a hammer.
"The joint at the base of the thumb of the Neanderthal fossils is flatter with a smaller contact surface between the bones, which is better suited to an extended thumb positioned alongside the side of the hand," Bardo told CNN. "This thumb posture suggests the regular use of power 'squeeze' grips."
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While other researchers have studied how thumb bones vary in Neanderthals, most research has looked at the bones in isolation and hasn't analyzed how the different bones, joints and ligaments relate to one another.


upi--2020-11-27--UFC Fight Night main event off after Curtis Blaydes' positive COVID-19 test

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- The main event bout between Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis at UFC Fight Night -- planned for Saturday -- has been called off after Blaydes tested positive for COVID-19 , the UFC said Friday .
The UFC also said a featherweight bout between Renato Moicano and Rafael Fiziev has been moved to Dec. 12 .
A flyweight bout between Amir Albazi and Zhalgas Zhumagulov also had to be rescheduled due to travel restrictions .
A featherweight bout between Jonathan Pearce and Kai Kamaka has been added to Saturday 's card .
Blaydes , 29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his last four fights .
He beat Alexander Volkov in his last bout on June 20 at UFC Fight Night .
His last loss came after a first-round knockout from Francis Ngannou on Nov. 24 , 2018 .
Lewis , 35 , has won his last three fights .
He beat Aleksei Oleinik in two rounds on Aug. 8 at UFC Fight Night .
Lewis lost a heavyweight title bout to Daniel Cormier on Nov. 3 , 2018 .
The main card for UFC Fight Night starts at 10 p.m. EST and airs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Bill Algeo in the first bout on the main card .
Miguel Baeza then battles Takashi Sato in a welterweight bout .
Heavyweight Josh Parisian takes on Parker Porter in the third bout .
The light heavyweight bout between Anthony Smith and Devin Clark , which was the co-main event , now moves into the feature fight slot .
The preliminary fight card features six bouts and starts at 7 p.m. EST on Friday in Las Vegas .
That card airs on ESPN2 and ESPN+ .

Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The main event bout between Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis at UFC Fight Night -- planned for Saturday -- has been called off after Blaydes tested positive for COVID-19, the UFC said Friday.
The UFC also said a featherweight bout between Renato Moicano and Rafael Fiziev has been moved to Dec. 12. A flyweight bout between Amir Albazi and Zhalgas Zhumagulov also had to be rescheduled due to travel restrictions.
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A featherweight bout between Jonathan Pearce and Kai Kamaka has been added to Saturday's card.
Blaydes, 29, is 14-2-0. He has won his last four fights. He beat Alexander Volkov in his last bout on June 20 at UFC Fight Night. His last loss came after a first-round knockout from Francis Ngannou on Nov. 24, 2018.
Lewis, 35, has won his last three fights. He beat Aleksei Oleinik in two rounds on Aug. 8 at UFC Fight Night. Lewis lost a heavyweight title bout to Daniel Cormier on Nov. 3, 2018.
The main card for UFC Fight Night starts at 10 p.m. EST and airs on ESPN+. Featherweight Spike Carlyle takes on Bill Algeo in the first bout on the main card. Miguel Baeza then battles Takashi Sato in a welterweight bout.
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Heavyweight Josh Parisian takes on Parker Porter in the third bout. The light heavyweight bout between Anthony Smith and Devin Clark, which was the co-main event, now moves into the feature fight slot.
The preliminary fight card features six bouts and starts at 7 p.m. EST on Friday in Las Vegas. That card airs on ESPN2 and ESPN+.


upi--2020-11-27--Taiwanese lawmakers throw pig guts in protest against U.S. pork imports

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- A dispute over pork imports in Taiwan turned messy Friday when members of the @ @ @ @ @ guts in parliament in protest against a decision to allow U.S. imports of pork containing @ @ @ @ @ the feed additive ractopamine to promote lean muscle growth , but the drug is banned @ @ @ @ @ President Tsai Ing-wen lifted the ractopaime ban to aid trade relations with the Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ groups and political opponents .
Friday 's disturbance happened when Premier Su Tseng-chang of the @ @ @ @ @ an address to parliament .
The melee was captured on video posted online by UDN @ @ @ @ @ 5-minute speech while the disruption continued and then returned to his seat .
Lev Nachman @ @ @ @ @ studies Tawianese politics told The Washington Post that the incident was `` an embarrassment for @ @ @ @ @ absolutely care about this issue , and if there 's on issue to go all-in @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Lawmakers from Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) party hold placards during a protest inside the parliament in Taipei, Taiwan on Friday. Tension escalated as opposition lawmakers protested against the current pork importation from the United States and asked for Premier Su Tseng-chang to step down. Photo by Ritchie B. Tongo/EPA-EFE
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- A dispute over pork imports in Taiwan turned messy Friday when members of the opposition Kuomintang party threw pig guts in parliament in protest against a decision to allow U.S. imports of pork containing ractopamine. U.S. farmers use the feed additive ractopamine to promote lean muscle growth, but the drug is banned in 100 countries. Advertisement
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen lifted the ractopaime ban to aid trade relations with the Trump administration, sparking outcry from agricultural groups and political opponents.
Friday's disturbance happened when Premier Su Tseng-chang of the ruling party attempted to deliver an address to parliament. The melee was captured on video posted online by UDN TV.
Su completed his 5-minute speech while the disruption continued and then returned to his seat.
Lev Nachman, a Fulbright scholar who studies Tawianese politics told The Washington Post that the incident was "an embarrassment for Taiwan. But Taiwanese people absolutely care about this issue, and if there's on issue to go all-in on, this is it."


upi--2020-11-27--Trump administration to relax rules on killing birds

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration Friday published an analysis of the 102-year-old Migratory Bird Treaty Act that would shield companies from responsibility for `` incidentally '' killing birds .
The weakening of the law through the new interpretation by the U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service would likely lead to more bird deaths because energy companies , construction firms and land developers would have less incentive to take precautionary measures to protect birds , the analysis said .
`` This proposed rule clarifies that the scope of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act applies only to intentional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement from U.S .
Fish and Wildlife said .
`` Conduct that results in the unintentional ( incidental ) injury or death of migratory birds is not prohibited under the act . ''
The administration had been gunning for a new interpretation of the law since 2017 .
In August , U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni rejected efforts to change the rule .
`` There is nothing in the text of the MBTA that suggests that in order to fall within its prohibition , the activity must be directed specifically at birds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Nor does the statute prohibit only intentionally killing migratory birds .
And it certainly does not say that only 'some ' kills are prohibited . ''
The new analysis suggested , though , that scaling back the rule was a `` preferred alternative '' to how the law is currently applied .
Attorneys general in New York , Maryland , New Jersey , Illinois , Massachusetts , Oregon , California and New Mexico , have all fought the administration in modifying the rules .

Birds fly on and off of a lamp post on 5th Avenue in New York City on November 30, 2018. The Trump administration is changing its interpretation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to shield companies from regulations to protect migratory birds. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The Trump administration Friday published an analysis of the 102-year-old Migratory Bird Treaty Act that would shield companies from responsibility for "incidentally" killing birds. The weakening of the law through the new interpretation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would likely lead to more bird deaths because energy companies, construction firms and land developers would have less incentive to take precautionary measures to protect birds, the analysis said. Advertisement
"This proposed rule clarifies that the scope of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act applies only to intentional injuring or killing of birds," a statement from U.S. Fish and Wildlife said. "Conduct that results in the unintentional (incidental) injury or death of migratory birds is not prohibited under the act."
The administration had been gunning for a new interpretation of the law since 2017. In August, U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni rejected efforts to change the rule.
"There is nothing in the text of the MBTA that suggests that in order to fall within its prohibition, the activity must be directed specifically at birds," Caproni said in her ruling. "Nor does the statute prohibit only intentionally killing migratory birds. And it certainly does not say that only 'some' kills are prohibited."
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The new analysis suggested, though, that scaling back the rule was a "preferred alternative" to how the law is currently applied.
Attorneys general in New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon, California and New Mexico, have all fought the administration in modifying the rules.


upi--2020-11-27--Courteney Cox recreates iconic turkey-head gag from 'Friends'

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- Courteney Cox shared a video on Instagram showing her with a turkey on her head , a nod to a memorable moment from her beloved sitcom , Friends .
`` Happy Thanksgiving xoxo # friends , '' Cox captioned a short video showing her shimmying in her kitchen with the bird carcass on her head .
The post got more than 3 million views since it was posted Thursday .
Her former Friends co-star Lisa Kudrow commented , `` You DID THAT !
! ''
Cox was n't the only Friends alum to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed to People.com that he is engaged to his girlfriend Molly Hurwitz .
`` I decided to get engaged , '' he told the magazine .
`` Luckily , I happened to be dating the greatest woman on the face of the planet at this time . ''
Jennifer Aniston , another erstwhile cast-mate , posted on Instagram several photos of her with her dog .
`` We 're grateful , '' Aniston wrote alongside the gallery of puppy pics , which has gotten more than 5 million views and attracted heart emojis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orlando Bloom .

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Former "Friends" co-stars Courteney Cox (L) and Jennifer Aniston were active on social media over the Thanksgiving holiday. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Courteney Cox shared a video on Instagram showing her with a turkey on her head, a nod to a memorable moment from her beloved sitcom, Friends. "Happy Thanksgiving xoxo #friends," Cox captioned a short video showing her shimmying in her kitchen with the bird carcass on her head. Advertisement
The post got more than 3 million views since it was posted Thursday.
Her former Friends co-star Lisa Kudrow commented, "You DID THAT!!"
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Cox wasn't the only Friends alum to make headlines over the holiday.
Matthew Perry confirmed to People.com that he is engaged to his girlfriend Molly Hurwitz.
"I decided to get engaged," he told the magazine. "Luckily, I happened to be dating the greatest woman on the face of the planet at this time."
Jennifer Aniston, another erstwhile cast-mate, posted on Instagram several photos of her with her dog.
"We're grateful," Aniston wrote alongside the gallery of puppy pics, which has gotten more than 5 million views and attracted heart emojis from her ex-husband Justin Theroux and actor Orlando Bloom.
"This dog has star quality," commented comedian David Spade.


upi--2020-11-27--Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller travels to Somalia

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller made a surprise visit to Somalia Friday in the last of a four-country tour as President Donald Trump contemplates a draw down of counterterrorism troops there .
Miller , who replaced fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Nov. 9 , was making his first trip abroad in the position .
The U.S. military has about 700 troops in the country .
Miller was visiting neighboring Djibouti as part of his scheduled trip when he took a flight to Somalia without traveling press .
Officials said he is believed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country .
Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Anton Semelroth said Miller took the trip to extend his holiday message of appreciation and support to the U.S. service members in Mogadishu .
Somalia-based U.S. troops mainly train and advise local Somali forces in their fight against al Qaeda 's largest affiliate al-Shabaab and affiliates of the Islamic State .
U.S. servicemen carried out an airstrike that killed a top al-Shabaab leader in September .
Earlier this month , the Trump administration sanctioned two leaders of al-Shabab -- Abdullahi Osman Mohamed and Maalim Ayman -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and U.S. citizens from conducting business with them as well as freezing any assets or property they might have in the United States .
A Pentagon Inspector General report this week said , though , a reduction in U.S. forces could damage gains the Somalian government has made against al-Shabaab .
`` Despite many years of sustained Somali , United States , and international counterterrorism pressure , the terrorist threat in East Africa is not degraded , '' the report said .
`` Al-Shabaab retains freedom of movement in many parts of southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intent to attack outside of the country , including targeting U.S .
interests . ''

Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller is shown at a Senate hearing while serving as director of the National Counterterrorism Center on September 24. He made an unscheduled trip to Somalia Friday to meet with U.S. troops there. Photo by Tom Williams/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller made a surprise visit to Somalia Friday in the last of a four-country tour as President Donald Trump contemplates a drawdown of counterterrorism troops there. Miller, who replaced fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Nov. 9, was making his first trip abroad in the position. The U.S. military has about 700 troops in the country. Advertisement
Miller was visiting neighboring Djibouti as part of his scheduled trip when he took a flight to Somalia without traveling press. Officials said he is believed to be the first defense secretary to visit the country.
Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Anton Semelroth said Miller took the trip to extend his holiday message of appreciation and support to the U.S. service members in Mogadishu.
Somalia-based U.S. troops mainly train and advise local Somali forces in their fight against al-Qaida's largest affiliate, al-Shabab, and affiliates of the Islamic State. U.S. service members carried out an airstrike that killed a top al-Shabab leader in September.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration sanctioned two leaders of al-Shabab -- Abdullahi Osman Mohamed and Maalim Ayman -- barring them from the U.S. financial system and U.S. citizens from conducting business with them as well as freezing any assets or property they might have in the United States.
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A Pentagon Inspector General report this week said, though, a reduction in U.S. forces could damage gains the Somali government has made against al-Shabab.
"Despite many years of sustained Somali, United States, and international counterterrorism pressure, the terrorist threat in East Africa is not degraded," the report said. "Al-Shabab retains freedom of movement in many parts of southern Somalia and has demonstrated an ability and intent to attack outside of the country, including targeting U.S. interests."


upi--2020-11-27--Pregnant Bindi Irwin posts sonogram video on social media

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- Television personality and wildlife conservationist Bindi Irwin posted video on social media from her @ @ @ @ @ Our beautiful daughter is the light of our lives .
Beyond thankful that she chose @ @ @ @ @ .
I ca n't wait for her to be here next year , '' Irwin @ @ @ @ @ which included footage of her lying clothed on a bed in a medical office and @ @ @ @ @ with that showed her baby .
She and Chandler Powell got married in March .

Bindi Irwin gave an update on her pregnancy over Thanksgiving. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Television personality and wildlife conservationist Bindi Irwin posted video on social media from her recent sonogram appointment. "Our beautiful daughter is the light of our lives. Beyond thankful that she chose us to be her parents. I can't wait for her to be here next year," Irwin captioned Thursday's post, which included footage of her lying clothed on a bed in a medical office and looking up at a screen with that showed her baby. Advertisement
Irwin, 22, announced her pregnancy in August.
She and Chandler Powell got married in March.
Our beautiful daughter is the light of our lives. Beyond thankful that she chose us to be her parents. I can't wait for her to be here next year. pic.twitter.com/IpHIR55sfz— Bindi Irwin (@BindiIrwin) November 26, 2020


upi--2020-11-27--Fantasy football: Allen, Wilson top Week 12 quarterback rankings

Russell Wilson , Patrick Mahomes , Justin Herbert and Kyler Murray round out my Top 5 options for Week 12 .
Tom Brady , Derek Carr , Matt Ryan , Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers also land in my Top 10 .
I also would consider starting Cam Newton , Carson Wentz or Tua Tagovailoa this week if you are desperate at the position .
Monitor the status for each of your players ' games this week as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the NFL schedule and player availability .
No teams have Week 12 byes , so you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to finding good defensive matchups for quarterbacks .
Check out my weekly waiver wire article for candidates to add to your roster before your Week 12 matchup .
Here are some of my favorite players in this week 's rankings : Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills is my top quarterback this week as he heads into a matchup against a Los Angeles Chargers defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to the position .
Allen has thrown at least two touchdown passes in two consecutive games as he heads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect the Bills quarterback to throw for at least 300 yards and three scores on Sunday in Orchard Park , N.Y .
He also has a good chance to score a rushing touchdown .
Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks is my No .
2 quarterback .
Wilson has thrown at least two touchdown passes in nine of his 10 games this season .
He also has five starts with at least 300 passing yards .
I expect him to have a great performance in Week 12 , when the Seahawks face the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this game behind the MVP candidate .
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is a great Week 12 streamer .
Carr just posted 275 yards and three scores in Week 11 against the Kansas City Chiefs .
I expect him to have an even better day on Sunday , when the Raiders face an Atlanta Falcons defense that has allowed the most passing touchdowns and most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks .
Carr is a near lock for at least 300 yards and two scores in this matchup .
He is my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the New England Patriots is another great option for your Week 12 lineup if you are streaming the quarterback position .
Newton has yet to throw more than one touchdown pass in a game this season , but has been airing it out a bit more as of late .
The Patriots quarterback passed for 365 yards in Week 11 and should throw a lot again in Week 12 when his faces an Arizona Cardinals defense that is tied for allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks .
He is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth a matchup-based start if your normal starter faces a good defense .
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz lands at No .
14 in my rankings and is a borderline QB1 in leagues with at least 14 teams .
Wentz threw for 235 yards and two scores in Week 11 and should have a more productive outing in Week 12 when the Eagles face a Seattle Seahawks defense that has allowed the most passing yards and second-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks .
I expect another two touchdown passes from Wentz in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance to score on the ground .
Miami Dolphins rookie Tua Tagovailoa took a step back and was benched in Week 11 , but he should have a rebound performance in Week 12 when he faces the struggling New York Jets .
The Jets have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks .
Tagovailoa is an only-start-if-you're-desperate option , but should have success against this defense .
I expect at least 250 passing yards and two scores from the Dolphins quarterback .
He lands at No .
16 in my weekly @ @

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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen should give your fantasy football team a big advantage in Week 12 when he faces a struggling Los Angeles Chargers defense. File Photo by Corey Sipkin/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Josh Allen tops my Week 12 fantasy football quarterback rankings for 2020. Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Kyler Murray round out my Top 5 options for Week 12. Tom Brady, Derek Carr, Matt Ryan, Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers also land in my Top 10. Advertisement
I also would consider starting Cam Newton, Carson Wentz or Tua Tagovailoa this week if you are desperate at the position.
Monitor the status for each of your players' games this week as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the NFL schedule and player availability. No teams have Week 12 byes, so you should have more options when it comes to finding good defensive matchups for quarterbacks.
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Check out my weekly waiver wire article for candidates to add to your roster before your Week 12 matchup.
Here are some of my favorite players in this week's rankings:
TOP SHELF
Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills is my top quarterback this week as he heads into a matchup against a Los Angeles Chargers defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to the position.
Allen has thrown at least two touchdown passes in two consecutive games as he heads into his Week 12 matchup. I expect the Bills quarterback to throw for at least 300 yards and three scores on Sunday in Orchard Park, N.Y. He also has a good chance to score a rushing touchdown.
Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks is my No. 2 quarterback. Wilson has thrown at least two touchdown passes in nine of his 10 games this season. He also has five starts with at least 300 passing yards.
I expect him to have a great performance in Week 12, when the Seahawks face the Philadelphia Eagles. The Seahawks should dominate this game behind the MVP candidate.
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SNEAKY PLAYS
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is a great Week 12 streamer. Carr just posted 275 yards and three scores in Week 11 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
I expect him to have an even better day on Sunday, when the Raiders face an Atlanta Falcons defense that has allowed the most passing touchdowns and most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
Carr is a near lock for at least 300 yards and two scores in this matchup. He is my No. 7 option.
Cam Newton of the New England Patriots is another great option for your Week 12 lineup if you are streaming the quarterback position.
Newton has yet to throw more than one touchdown pass in a game this season, but has been airing it out a bit more as of late.
The Patriots quarterback passed for 365 yards in Week 11 and should throw a lot again in Week 12 when his faces an Arizona Cardinals defense that is tied for allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
He is my No. 11 option and is worth a matchup-based start if your normal starter faces a good defense.
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LONGSHOTS
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz lands at No. 14 in my rankings and is a borderline QB1 in leagues with at least 14 teams.
Wentz threw for 235 yards and two scores in Week 11 and should have a more productive outing in Week 12 when the Eagles face a Seattle Seahawks defense that has allowed the most passing yards and second-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
I expect another two touchdown passes from Wentz in this matchup. He also has a chance to score on the ground.
Miami Dolphins rookie Tua Tagovailoa took a step back and was benched in Week 11, but he should have a rebound performance in Week 12 when he faces the struggling New York Jets.
The Jets have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Tagovailoa is an only-start-if-you're-desperate option, but should have success against this defense.
I expect at least 250 passing yards and two scores from the Dolphins quarterback. He lands at No. 16 in my weekly rankings.
Week 12 fantasy football quarterback rankings
1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills vs. LAC
2. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks at PHI
3. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs at TB
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4. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers at BUF
5. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals at NE
6. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. KC
7. Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders at ATL
8. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons vs. LV
9. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. BAL
10. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers vs. CHI
11. Cam Newton, New England Patriots vs. ARI
12. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings vs. CAR
13. Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints at DEN
14. Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles vs. SEA
15. Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams vs. SF
16. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins at NYJ
17. Daniel Jones, New York Giants at CIN
18. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans at IND
19. Robert Griffin III, Baltimore Ravens at PIT
20. Bakery Mayfield, Cleveland Browns at JAX
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-27--Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh assassinated

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- Prominent Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated near Tehran on Friday , according to reports .
The Tasmin News Agency said Fakhrizadeh died after armed attackers clashed with his bodyguards in Absard County near Damavand , 37 miles east of Tehran .
A suicide attacker confronted Fakhrizadeh and his bodyguard at the entrance of Absard and later died from his injuries .
His bodyguard remains severely wounded .
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard-related Fars News Agency appeared to confirm the incident and Fakhrizadeh 's death .
`` News sources say a scientist has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an armed attack by unknown people on his team of bodyguards , '' Iranian state television said .
`` Unfortunately , the medical team did not succeed in reviving him , and a few minutes ago , this manager and scientist achieved the high status of martyrdom after years of effort and struggle . ''
State-sponsored PressTV said Fakhrizadeh was being treated Friday at a hospital with several others where he died .
Fakhrizadeh was named in files obtained by Israel that described a secret nuclear bomb project that operated from 1999 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2015 at the time it signed an anti-nuclear agreement with the United States and five other countries .
`` Terrorists murdered an eminent Iranian scientist today , '' Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted .
`` This cowardice -- with serious indication of Israeli role -- shows desperate warmongering of perpetrators .
Iran calls on int ' l community -- and especially EU -- to end their shameful double standards & condemn this act of state terror . ''

Image from the scene of a terror attack on top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in Damavand, Iran on Friday. Photo by IRIB/EPA-EFE
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Prominent Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated near Tehran on Friday, according to reports. The Tasmin News Agency said Fakhrizadeh died after armed attackers clashed with his bodyguards in Absard County near Damavand, 37 miles east of Tehran. Advertisement
A suicide attacker confronted Fakhrizadeh and his bodyguard at the entrance of Absard and later died from his injuries. His bodyguard remains severely wounded.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard-related Fars News Agency appeared to confirm the incident and Fakhrizadeh's death.
"News sources say a scientist has been the victim of an assassination attempt in an armed attack by unknown people on his team of bodyguards," Iranian state television said. "Unfortunately, the medical team did not succeed in reviving him, and a few minutes ago, this manager and scientist achieved the high status of martyrdom after years of effort and struggle."
State-sponsored PressTV said Fakhrizadeh was being treated Friday at a hospital with several others where he died.
Fakhrizadeh was named in files obtained by Israel that described a secret nuclear bomb project that operated from 1999 to 2003. Iran denied the operation existed in 2015 at the time it signed an anti-nuclear agreement with the United States and five other countries.
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"Terrorists murdered an eminent Iranian scientist today," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted. "This cowardice -- with serious indication of Israeli role -- shows desperate warmongering of perpetrators. Iran calls on int'l community -- and especially EU -- to end their shameful double standards & condemn this act of state terror."


upi--2020-11-27--Fantasy football: Nick Chubb, Dalvin Cook lead Week 12 running back rankings

Nov. 25 ( UPI ) -- Nick Chubb , Dalvin Cook , Alvin Kamara , Mike Davis and Derrick Henry top my Week 12 fantasy football running back rankings for 2020 .
Chris Carson , Aaron Jones , Josh Jacobs , Kareem Hunt and Miles Sanders round out my Top 10 options for Week 12 .
Jonathan Taylor and Giovani Bernard also are among my favorite starts this week at the running back position .
Monitor the status for each of your players ' games this week as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the NFL schedule and player availability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so you should have more options when it comes to finding good defensive matchups for your running backs .
Check out my weekly waiver wire article for candidates to add to your roster before your Week 12 matchup .
Here are some of my favorite players in this week 's rankings : Nick Chubb has returned to fantasy football lineups as an elite running back option after his injury absence .
The Cleveland Browns playmaker has posted at least 100 rushing yards in four of his last five appearances .
He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yards since he return to the Browns lineup .
Chubb is my top option for Week 12 as he heads into a matchup against a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to running backs .
Dalvin Cook has been the MVP of fantasy football so far this season .
Cook leads all non-quarterbacks in fantasy points .
He is my No .
2 running back for Week 12 due to a great matchup .
The Minnesota Vikings face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday .
The Panthers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fantasy points per game to running backs .
Never take Cook out of your lineup .
Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley is my No .
14 option .
Gurley can be plugged into your RB1 or RB2 slot this week as he faces a Las Vegas Raiders defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running backs .
I expect Gurley to run for at least 80 yards and score a touchdown in this Week 12 matchup .
Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts is my No .
17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been very inconsistent so far in 2020 , but had 114 yards from scrimmage on 26 touches last week .
I expect the Colts to keep feeding the rookie .
He should have another productive performance on Sunday when he faces a Tennessee Titans defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to running backs .
Start Taylor at the RB2 or flex spot .
Giovani Bernard lands at No .
19 in my rankings and can be plugged into your RB2 or flex spot for Week 12 .
Bernard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but should bounce back this week when he faces a New York Giants defense that is tied for allowing the ninth-most fantasy points per game to running backs .
The Giants have also struggled to defend pass-catching running backs and have allowed the second-most receiving yards to the position .
I expect Bernard to gain at least 100 yards from scrimmage in Week 12 .

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Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) is my top fantasy football option for Week 12. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Nick Chubb, Dalvin Cook, Alvin Kamara, Mike Davis and Derrick Henry top my Week 12 fantasy football running back rankings for 2020. Chris Carson, Aaron Jones, Josh Jacobs, Kareem Hunt and Miles Sanders round out my Top 10 options for Week 12. Jonathan Taylor and Giovani Bernard also are among my favorite starts this week at the running back position. Advertisement
Monitor the status for each of your players' games this week as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the NFL schedule and player availability. No teams have Week 12 byes, so you should have more options when it comes to finding good defensive matchups for your running backs.
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Check out my weekly waiver wire article for candidates to add to your roster before your Week 12 matchup.
Here are some of my favorite players in this week's rankings:
TOP SHELF
Nick Chubb has returned to fantasy football lineups as an elite running back option after his injury absence. The Cleveland Browns playmaker has posted at least 100 rushing yards in four of his last five appearances. He has back-to-back games with at least 100 rushing yards since he return to the Browns lineup.
Chubb is my top option for Week 12 as he heads into a matchup against a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
Dalvin Cook has been the MVP of fantasy football so far this season. Cook leads all non-quarterbacks in fantasy points. He is my No. 2 running back for Week 12 due to a great matchup.
The Minnesota Vikings face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The Panthers have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards and seventh-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Never take Cook out of your lineup.
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SNEAKY PLAYS
Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley is my No. 14 option. Gurley can be plugged into your RB1 or RB2 slot this week as he faces a Las Vegas Raiders defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
I expect Gurley to run for at least 80 yards and score a touchdown in this Week 12 matchup.
LONGSHOTS
Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts is my No. 17 running back for Week 12. Taylor has been very inconsistent so far in 2020, but had 114 yards from scrimmage on 26 touches last week.
I expect the Colts to keep feeding the rookie. He should have another productive performance on Sunday when he faces a Tennessee Titans defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
Start Taylor at the RB2 or flex spot.
Giovani Bernard lands at No. 19 in my rankings and can be plugged into your RB2 or flex spot for Week 12. Bernard struggled to get going in Week 11, but should bounce back this week when he faces a New York Giants defense that is tied for allowing the ninth-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
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The Giants have also struggled to defend pass-catching running backs and have allowed the second-most receiving yards to the position. I expect Bernard to gain at least 100 yards from scrimmage in Week 12.
Week 12 fantasy football running back rankings
1. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns at JAX
2. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings vs. CAR
3. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints at DEN
4. Mike Davis, Carolina Panthers at MIN
5. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans at IND
6. Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks at PHI
7. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers vs. CHI
8. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders at ATL
9. Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns at JAX
10. Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles vs. SEA
11. James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. CLE
12. James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. BAL
13. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs at TB
14. Todd Gurley, Atlanta Falcons vs. LV
15. Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers at LAR
16. Salvon Ahmed, Miami Dolphins at NYJ
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17. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts vs. TEN
18. Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals at NE
19. Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals vs. NYG
20. Damien Harris, New England Patriots vs. ARI
21. Ronald Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. KC
22. David Montgomery, Chicago Bears at GB
23. Wayne Gallman, New York Giants at CIN
24. Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens at PIT
25. Kalen Ballage, Los Angeles Chargers at BUF
26. Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos vs. NO
27. Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills vs. LAC
28. Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals at NE
29. Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts vs. TEN
30. Latavius Murray, New Orleans Saints at DEN
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-27--Fantasy football: Hill, Ridley top Week 12 wide receiver rankings

Nov. 25 ( UPI ) -- Tyreek Hill , Calvin Ridley , DeAndre Hopkins , D.K .
Metcalf and Davante Adams top my Week 12 fantasy football wide receiver rankings for 2020 .
Michael Thomas , A.J .
Brown , D.J .
Moore , Keenan Allen and Mike Evans round out my Top 10 options .
DeVante Parker , Nelson Agholor is also among my favorite starts this week .
You should target players who have a good chance to score a touchdown and get a lot of looks from their respective quarterbacks when considering who to start at wide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of your players ' games this week as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the NFL schedule and player availability .
No teams have Week 12 byes , so you should have more options when it comes to finding good defensive matchups for your wide receivers .
Check out my weekly waiver wire article for candidates to add to your roster before your Week 12 matchup .
Here are some of my favorite players in this week 's rankings : Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill lands at No .
1 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heating up at the right time .
The Chiefs playmaker had a season-high 11 catches for 102 yards and a score in Week 11 .
He has scored touchdowns in four consecutive games heading into a Week 12 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers .
The Buccaneers have had stellar defensive performances in most of their games this season , but I expect this game to be a shootout .
Hill should score and produce another 100-plus yard performance .
Calvin Ridley returned from a foot injury and had five catches for 90 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Atlanta Falcons wide receiver to show up big down the stretch .
He is my No .
2 play for Week 12 .
Ridley and the Falcons face a Las Vegas Raiders defense that has allowed the 13th-most fantasy points per game this season .
I expect Ridley to see a ton of targets in this matchup as Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones deals with an injury and is a game-time decision .
Ridley should be a lock for at least five catches and 75 yards , with a potential touchdown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't play , I expect Ridley to see at least 10 targets and produce 100-plus receiving yards .
Carolina Panthers wide receiver D.J .
Moore is my No .
8 option for Week 12 .
The Panthers face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday .
The Vikings have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers .
Moore went off for a season-high 127 yards in Week 11 .
I expect the Panthers wide receiver to haul in at least eight catches for 100 yards and a score in this great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dolphins is my No .
12 wide receiver .
Parker has had an inconsistent season , but saw nine targets in Week 11 .
I expect Dolphins rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to have a much better performance in Week 12 , and Parker should benefit .
The Dolphins face the New York Jets on Sunday .
The Jets have allowed the third-most receiving yards and fourth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers .
Parker should be a lock for a score and at least 80 receiving yards .
Start the Dolphins playmaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Agholor has scored in five of his last seven games and has a great shot to reach the end zone again this week when he faces an Atlanta Falcons defense that has allowed the second-most receiving yards and fourth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers .
I expect the Raiders pass catcher to secure at least six catches for 50 yards and a score in Week 12 .
He is my No .
21 option .

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (R) has scored six touchdowns over his last four games and should have another great performance in Week 12. File Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Tyreek Hill, Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, D.K. Metcalf and Davante Adams top my Week 12 fantasy football wide receiver rankings for 2020. Michael Thomas, A.J. Brown, D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and Mike Evans round out my Top 10 options. DeVante Parker, Nelson Agholor is also among my favorite starts this week. Advertisement
You should target players who have a good chance to score a touchdown and get a lot of looks from their respective quarterbacks when considering who to start at wide receiver.
Monitor the status for each of your players' games this week as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the NFL schedule and player availability. No teams have Week 12 byes, so you should have more options when it comes to finding good defensive matchups for your wide receivers.
Advertisement
Check out my weekly waiver wire article for candidates to add to your roster before your Week 12 matchup.
Here are some of my favorite players in this week's rankings:
TOP SHELF
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill lands at No. 1 in my rankings. Hill appears to be heating up at the right time. The Chiefs playmaker had a season-high 11 catches for 102 yards and a score in Week 11. He has scored touchdowns in four consecutive games heading into a Week 12 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers have had stellar defensive performances in most of their games this season, but I expect this game to be a shootout.
Hill should score and produce another 100-plus yard performance.
Calvin Ridley returned from a foot injury and had five catches for 90 yards in Week 11. I expect the Atlanta Falcons wide receiver to show up big down the stretch. He is my No. 2 play for Week 12.
Ridley and the Falcons face a Las Vegas Raiders defense that has allowed the 13th-most fantasy points per game this season. I expect Ridley to see a ton of targets in this matchup as Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones deals with an injury and is a game-time decision.
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Ridley should be a lock for at least five catches and 75 yards, with a potential touchdown, even if Jones plays. If Jones doesn't play, I expect Ridley to see at least 10 targets and produce 100-plus receiving yards.
SNEAKY PLAYS
Carolina Panthers wide receiver D.J. Moore is my No. 8 option for Week 12. The Panthers face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. The Vikings have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
Moore went off for a season-high 127 yards in Week 11. I expect the Panthers wide receiver to haul in at least eight catches for 100 yards and a score in this great matchup.
DeVante Parker of the Miami Dolphins is my No. 12 wide receiver. Parker has had an inconsistent season, but saw nine targets in Week 11.
I expect Dolphins rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to have a much better performance in Week 12, and Parker should benefit.
The Dolphins face the New York Jets on Sunday. The Jets have allowed the third-most receiving yards and fourth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Parker should be a lock for a score and at least 80 receiving yards. Start the Dolphins playmaker as a low-end WR2 or high-end WR3.
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LONGSHOTS
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor isn't a bad streamer for Week 12.
Agholor has scored in five of his last seven games and has a great shot to reach the end zone again this week when he faces an Atlanta Falcons defense that has allowed the second-most receiving yards and fourth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
I expect the Raiders pass catcher to secure at least six catches for 50 yards and a score in Week 12. He is my No. 21 option.
Week 12 fantasy football wide receiver rankings
1. Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs at TB
2. Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons vs. LV
3. DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals at NE
4. D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks at PHI
5. Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers vs. CHI
6. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints at DEN
7. A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans at IND
8. D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers at MIN
9. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers at BUF
10. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. KC
11. Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks at PHI
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12. DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins at NYJ
13. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams vs. SF
14. Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. BAL
15. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings vs. CAR
16. Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals vs. NYG
17. Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams vs. SF
18. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills vs. LAC
19. Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals at NE
20. Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears at GB
21. Nelson Agholor, Las Vegas Raiders at ATL
22. Robby Anderson, Carolina Panthers at MIN
23. Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans at IND
24. Darius Slayton, New York Giants at CIN
25. D.J. Chark, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. CLE
26. Antonio Brown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. KC
27. Michael Pittman, Indianapolis Colts vs. TEN
28. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers at LAR
29. Jamison Crowder, New York Jets vs. MIA
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30. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers vs. CHI
31. Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers at BUF
32. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals vs. NYG
33. Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos vs. NO
34. Sterling Shepard, New York Giants at CIN
35. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. BAL
36. Curtis Samuel, Carolina Panthers at MIN
37. Travis Fulgham, Philadelphia Eagles vs. SEA
38. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. KC
39. Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots vs. ARI
40. Marquise Brown, Baltimore Ravens at PIT
41. Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. BAL
42. Cole Beasley, Buffalo Bills vs. LAC
43. Rashard Higgins, Cleveland Browns at JAX
44. Josh Reynolds, Los Angeles Rams vs. SF
45. Damiere Byrd, New England Patriots vs. ARI
46. Breshad Perriman, New York Jets vs. MIA
47. Emmanuel Sanders, New Orleans Saints at DEN
48. Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns at JAX
49. Sammy Watkins, Kansas City Chiefs at TB
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50. Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles vs. SEA
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-27--Gwyneth Paltrow shares photo with her two kids on Instagram

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow shared on Instagram a rare photo of her outdoors with @ @ @ @ @ Apple and son Moses .
`` On this November 26th , I was able to @ @ @ @ @ ( on his birthday ) with these two loves of my life .
Happy thanksgiving @ @ @ @ @ and lows .
Perhaps feeling it all at the same time is the art , @ @ @ @ @ family portrait .
Paltrow , 48 , is the daughter of actress Blythe Danner and @ @ @ @ @ , who died in 2002 from cancer complications at age 58 .
Gwyneth 's Paltrow @ @ @ @ @ marriage to Coldplay rocker Chris Martin .
Apple is 16 and Moses is 14 .

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Gwyneth Paltrow shared a rare family portrait on Thanksgiving. File Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow shared on Instagram a rare photo of her outdoors with her two children -- daughter Apple and son Moses. "On this November 26th, I was able to visit my fathers resting place (on his birthday) with these two loves of my life. Happy thanksgiving. Life has incredible highs and lows. Perhaps feeling it all at the same time is the art," Paltrow captioned Thursday's family portrait. Advertisement
Paltrow, 48, is the daughter of actress Blythe Danner and the late actor/filmmaker Bruce Paltrow, who died in 2002 from cancer complications at age 58.
Gwyneth's Paltrow's kids are from her marriage to Coldplay rocker Chris Martin. Apple is 16 and Moses is 14.


upi--2020-11-27--Official trailer released for 'Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special'

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- Apple TV+ has released the official trailer for Mariah Carey 's Magical Christmas Special @ @ @ @ @ a stellar lineup of superstars including Tiffany Haddish , Billy Eichner , Ariana Grande , @ @ @ @ @ , Jermaine Dupri , Misty Copeland and Mykal-Michelle Harris , along with a special appearance @ @ @ @ @ , son Moroccan and daughter Monroe , the special finds the world faced with a @ @ @ @ @ the North Pole knows only one person can solve : Santa 's great friend , @ @ @ @ @ press release said .
The program -- which blends live-action , musical performances and animation @ @ @ @ @ on the streaming service on Dec. 4 .
Carey is a pop music star whose @ @ @ @ @ for Christmas '' is a holiday classic .

Mariah Carey's holiday special is set to premiere on Apple TV+ on Dec. 4. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Apple TV+ has released the official trailer for Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special. "Featuring Carey and a stellar lineup of superstars including Tiffany Haddish, Billy Eichner, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Snoop Dogg, Jermaine Dupri, Misty Copeland and Mykal-Michelle Harris, along with a special appearance by Carey's 9-year-old twins, son Moroccan and daughter Monroe, the special finds the world faced with a holiday cheer crisis, which the North Pole knows only one person can solve: Santa's great friend, Mariah Carey," a press release said. Advertisement
The program -- which blends live-action, musical performances and animation -- is scheduled to premiere on the streaming service on Dec. 4.
Carey is a pop music star whose song "All I Want for Christmas" is a holiday classic.


upi--2020-11-27--Steve Carell plays Santa Claus in new Xfinity commercial

Nov. 27 ( UPI ) -- The Office alum Steve Carell plays an anxious and demanding , but lovable , version of Santa Claus in a new commercial for Xfinity .
`` As the clock ticks down to the holidays , Santa , played by Steve Carell , realizes that the usual gifts are just not going to cut it -- not after the year we 've all had , '' said a message accompanying Thursday 's 3-minute video , which can now be seen on YouTube .
`` With just days to spare , the elves have to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt to pull off the biggest holiday miracle in North Pole history . ''
The mini-movie shows Santa consulting with his elves via video conference .
At the end of the film , the workers have found a way to package up the most memorable parts of the holidays , such as family snowball fights , the smell of Grandma 's cooking , Auntie 's cheek squeezes , adopting a furry friend and Grandpa 's same old stories .
As he sets out to deliver the presents on Christmas Eve , Santa video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This years had been harder than ever and yet you all found a way to pull it off .
You reminded us , it 's not about the toys and the ornaments .
It 's about the little things . ''
`` Santa !
You 're on 'mute ! '
'' one of his elves tells him .
Santa laughs and says : `` Just wanted to say 'thanks ! '
Thanks for believing . '
'' Xfinity is a cable , Internet and phone company .
Last year , its holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space alien and his human friend Elliott ( Henry Thomas ) from the 1982 movie , E.T .
: The Extra Terrestrial .

Steve Carell plays Santa Claus in a new holiday-themed commercial for Xfinity. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The Office alum Steve Carell plays an anxious and demanding, but lovable, version of Santa Claus in a new commercial for Xfinity. "As the clock ticks down to the holidays, Santa, played by Steve Carell, realizes that the usual gifts are just not going to cut it -- not after the year we've all had," said a message accompanying Thursday's 3-minute video, which can now be seen on YouTube. Advertisement
"With just days to spare, the elves have to come together, rethink their whole operation and attempt to pull off the biggest holiday miracle in North Pole history."
The mini-movie shows Santa consulting with his elves via video conference.
At the end of the film, the workers have found a way to package up the most memorable parts of the holidays, such as family snowball fights, the smell of Grandma's cooking, Auntie's cheek squeezes, adopting a furry friend and Grandpa's same old stories.
As he sets out to deliver the presents on Christmas Eve, Santa video calls his elves and tells them: "This years had been harder than ever and yet you all found a way to pull it off. You reminded us, it's not about the toys and the ornaments. It's about the little things."
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"Santa! You're on 'mute!'" one of his elves tells him.
Santa laughs and says: "Just wanted to say 'thanks!' Thanks for believing.'"
Xfinity is a cable, Internet and phone company. Last year, its holiday commercial featured a reunion between an iconic space alien and his human friend Elliott (Henry Thomas) from the 1982 movie, E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial.