upi--2020-11-18--On This Day, Nov. 18: Joseph P. Kennedy dies at 81

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1883 , the United States adopted Standard Time and set up four zones -- Eastern , Central , Mountain and Pacific .
In 1928 , Mickey Mouse appeared for the first time , with Walt Disney doing the voice of his soon-to-be-famous creation , in Steamboat Willie , the first fully synchronized sound cartoon produced .
The beloved character 's birthday is regularly celebrated at Disneyland and Disney World .
In 1936 , the fascist governments of Germany and Italy recognized rebel Gen. Francisco Franco as leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Franco ruled the country until he died in 1975 .
In 1961 , weary of ordering a full-scale deployment of troops , President John F. Kennedy sends 18,000 military advisers to South Vietnam .
In 1969 , Kennedy clan patriarch , Joseph P. Kennedy , died at his Hyannis Port home at the age of 81 .
In 1978 , more than 900 people died in a mass suicide-murder led by the Rev .
Jim Jones at the People 's Temple commune in Guyana following the slaying of U.S. Rep. Leo Ryan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tragedy of its kind in modern history .
In 1987 , a fire under a wooden escalator in London 's King 's Cross subway station killed 30 people and injured dozens others .
Debris under the escalator caused the blaze .
In 1991 , the Lebanese Shiite Muslim faction Islamic Jihad freed Church of England envoy Terry Waite and U.S. professor Thomas Sutherland .
Waite had been held for nearly five years , Sutherland for more than six .
In 1999 , 12 people died in the collapse of the Aggie Bonfire at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a tradition at the school to construct the bonfire before A & M played Texas in football .
In 2004 , Britain outlawed fox hunting in England and Wales .
In 2013 , the Dow Jones industrial average topped 16,000 for the first time .
In 2019 , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States will no longer consider Israeli settlements in the West Bank a violation of international law .

1/4
Sen. Edward Kennedy (L) attends the opening baseball game of the world series at Fenway Park in Boston on October 4, 1967, with his father, Joseph P. Kennedy (C), and his brother Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. The elder Kennedy died November 18, 1969. UPI File Photo | License Photo
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1883, the United States adopted Standard Time and set up four zones -- Eastern, Central, Mountain and Pacific. Advertisement
In 1928, Mickey Mouse appeared for the first time, with Walt Disney doing the voice of his soon-to-be-famous creation, in Steamboat Willie, the first fully synchronized sound cartoon produced. The beloved character's birthday is regularly celebrated at Disneyland and Disney World.
In 1936, the fascist governments of Germany and Italy recognized rebel Gen. Francisco Franco as leader of Spain amid the Spanish Civil War. Franco ruled the country until he died in 1975.
In 1961, weary of ordering a full-scale deployment of troops, President John F. Kennedy sends 18,000 military advisers to South Vietnam.
In 1963, push-button telephones made their debut.
File Photo by Pete Marovich/UPI
In 1969, Kennedy clan patriarch, Joseph P. Kennedy, died at his Hyannis Port home at the age of 81.
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In 1978, more than 900 people died in a mass suicide-murder led by the Rev. Jim Jones at the People's Temple commune in Guyana following the slaying of U.S. Rep. Leo Ryan, D-Calif. It was the worst tragedy of its kind in modern history.
In 1987, a fire under a wooden escalator in London's King's Cross subway station killed 30 people and injured dozens others. Debris under the escalator caused the blaze.
In 1991, the Lebanese Shiite Muslim faction Islamic Jihad freed Church of England envoy Terry Waite and U.S. professor Thomas Sutherland. Waite had been held for nearly five years, Sutherland for more than six.
In 1999, 12 people died in the collapse of the Aggie Bonfire at Texas A&M University. It was a tradition at the school to construct the bonfire before A&M played Texas in football.
In 2004, Britain outlawed fox hunting in England and Wales.
In 2013, the Dow Jones industrial average topped 16,000 for the first time.
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In 2019, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States will no longer consider Israeli settlements in the West Bank a violation of international law.


upi--2020-11-18--FDA issues emergency authorization for first at-home COVID-19 test

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an emergency authorization for the first rapid coronavirus test that can be administered at home .
The agency announced the authorization for the all-in-one test kit late Tuesday in response to a request by Kelly Lewis Brezoczky of Lucira Health , the California-based company that developed the test .
In a letter to Brezoczky , the FDA said the test meets the criteria for an emergency use authorization as there are no available alternatives and the product 's benefits outweigh its known and potential risks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with samples collected from the nasal cavity of those age 14 years and older whose doctors suspect they have been infected with the coronavirus .
Use in doctor 's offices , hospitals , urgent care centers and emergency rooms has been approved for all ages .
While there have been other products approved for collecting samples at home , the Lucira product is the first to be fully self-administered and to provide results without a physician 's assistance .
The company 's website said the test is intended to cost under $ 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 minutes .
`` Today 's authorization for a complete at-home test is a significant step toward FDA 's nationwide response to COVID-19 , '' Jeff Shuren , director of the FDA 's Center for Devices and Radiological Health , said in a statement .
FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn said the development of a COVID-19 test that can be administered outside a healthcare setting has been a major priority for the FDA , and now that there is one more people who suspect that they may have been infected with the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their community .
`` We look forward to proactively working with test developers to support the availability of more at-home test options , '' he said .
The FDA approval was issued as the nation deals with a growing widespread outbreak .
According to data collected by Johns Hopkins University , the United States has recorded more than 150,000 case a day in five of the last six days .
The United States has reported more than 11.3 million infections and nearly 250,000 deaths , making it by far the sickest country @ @ @ @

A health professional administers a coronavirus nasal swab test on a patient. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an emergency authorization for the first rapid coronavirus test that can be administered at home. The agency announced the authorization for the all-in-one test kit late Tuesday in response to a request by Kelly Lewis Brezoczky of Lucira Health, the California-based company that developed the test. Advertisement
In a letter to Brezoczky, the FDA said the test meets the criteria for an emergency use authorization as there are no available alternatives and the product's benefits outweigh its known and potential risks.
The test has been authorized for use with samples collected from the nasal cavity of those age 14 years and older whose doctors suspect they have been infected with the coronavirus. Use in doctor's offices, hospitals, urgent care centers and emergency rooms has been approved for all ages.
While there have been other products approved for collecting samples at home, the Lucira product is the first to be fully self-administered and to provide results without a physician's assistance.
The company's website said the test is intended to cost under $50 and is designed to provide results within 30 minutes.
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"Today's authorization for a complete at-home test is a significant step toward FDA's nationwide response to COVID-19," Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said in a statement.
FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn said the development of a COVID-19 test that can be administered outside a healthcare setting has been a major priority for the FDA, and now that there is one more people who suspect that they may have been infected with the virus can take immediate action to protect themselves and their community.
"We look forward to proactively working with test developers to support the availability of more at-home test options," he said.
The FDA approval was issued as the nation deals with a growing widespread outbreak. According to data collected by Johns Hopkins University, the United States has recorded more than 150,000 case a day in five of the last six days.
The United States has reported more than 11.3 million infections and nearly 250,000 deaths, making it by far the sickest country to the pandemic.


upi--2020-11-18--Study: People in U.S. exercising more, but less intensely, during pandemic

In the face of pandemic-mandated gym closings and significant limits on movement outside the home , a new survey suggests that Americans are spending more time exercising while dialing back the intensity of their workouts .
The survey of nearly 900 Americans across the country , conducted between May and June , used as its benchmark World Health Organization recommendations that all adults between 18 and 64 get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week .
`` The COVID-19 restrictions imposed early in the pandemic created a unique , unprecedented environment , including restricted access to resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unstructured time , '' said study author Mary Stenson .
`` We were curious how these changes might impact physical activity patterns in the U.S. during the shutdowns , but also if these shifts would remain in the long term , '' said Stenson , an associate professor of exercise science and sport studies at College of Saint Benedict/Saint John 's University in St. Joseph , Minn .
In Stenson 's study , more than 85 % of those polled were women and nearly 90 % were white , with an average age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By June , just over 60 % of those surveyed said they were meeting the WHO threshold , representing a nearly 8 % jump from pre-pandemic routines .
Investigators also found a more than 11 % jump in the number of people who were actually exceeding that threshold .
The number of days per week spent exercising also went up notably , from 3.75 days to more than 4.25 days .
Time spent per exercise session , however , stayed more or less stable , at just under an hour .
And exercise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers found , with respondents attributing the drop to an inability to access gym equipment and classes and a shift to more outdoor walking .
`` The increased activity and lower intensity were in line with what we expected , '' said Stenson , who said the findings likely reflect the loss of performance `` accountability '' that comes with the cancellation of group exercise , organized sports and trainer sessions .
But Stenson said she was surprised by an additional observation that nearly three-quarters of those surveyed said they were likely or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercise habits post-pandemic .
And nearly 94 % of those who had increased their activity levels since March said they planned to continue with their new routines over the coming year .
`` We hope to find this is true next spring when we follow up , '' said Stenson .
The plan is to re-survey the same people next June .
In the meantime , she said her team is `` hopeful that some individuals realized how much they can be active with limited resources , and that they will maintain their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' That thought was seconded by Dr. Beatrice Alexandra Golomb , a professor of medicine with the University of California San Diego 's School of Medicine .
`` Fitness is tied to better health outcomes , and fewer COVID high-risk factors like hypertension [ high blood pressure ] , obesity and diabetes , '' said Golomb , who was n't part of the study .
`` Thus , exercise in the time of COVID remains important . ''
`` [ And ] it is a time of opportunity to discover new ways to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are a plethora of online exercise video options , possible parks or trails to investigate , and creative ways to repurpose your home or apartment .
Chair , beds , the floor or vacuum cleaners can be conscripted for use .
Remember : any movement is better than no movement . ''
That becomes all the more important during a time of increased eating and sedentary behavior , said Lona Sandon , program director of the Department of Clinical Nutrition in the School of Health Professions at UT Southwestern Medical Center in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own experience , '' said Sandon , who had no part in the study .
`` I sit more during the day when working at home .
When I am in the office , I move around a lot more , get up out of my desk to talk to people at the other end of the hall , [ and ] run up the stairs to do something in the lab . ''
And because what you eat is as important as exercise , Sandon has some advice : `` Think realistically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underestimate the calories we eat and overestimate the calories we use .
If over the past five or six months your clothes have been tightening , take a look at where you might be getting a few extra calories .
Are you eating more desserts than you used too ?
Are you having a few more beers or glasses of wine ?
Or simply eating out of boredom or stress and depression ? ''
Stenson and her colleagues presented their findings last week at the virtual annual meeting of the American Physiological Society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal .
There 's more information on the WHO exercise recommendations at World Health Organization .

In the face of pandemic-mandated gym closings and significant limits on movement outside the home, a new survey suggests that Americans are spending more time exercising while dialing back the intensity of their workouts.
The survey of nearly 900 Americans across the country, conducted between May and June, used as its benchmark World Health Organization recommendations that all adults between 18 and 64 get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week.
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"The COVID-19 restrictions imposed early in the pandemic created a unique, unprecedented environment, including restricted access to resources and, in some cases, increased unstructured time," said study author Mary Stenson.
"We were curious how these changes might impact physical activity patterns in the U.S. during the shutdowns, but also if these shifts would remain in the long term," said Stenson, an associate professor of exercise science and sport studies at College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University in St. Joseph, Minn.
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In Stenson's study, more than 85% of those polled were women and nearly 90% were white, with an average age of almost 39.
The findings: By June, just over 60% of those surveyed said they were meeting the WHO threshold, representing a nearly 8% jump from pre-pandemic routines.
Investigators also found a more than 11% jump in the number of people who were actually exceeding that threshold.
The number of days per week spent exercising also went up notably, from 3.75 days to more than 4.25 days.
Time spent per exercise session, however, stayed more or less stable, at just under an hour. And exercise intensity decreased "significantly," the researchers found, with respondents attributing the drop to an inability to access gym equipment and classes and a shift to more outdoor walking.
"The increased activity and lower intensity were in line with what we expected," said Stenson, who said the findings likely reflect the loss of performance "accountability" that comes with the cancellation of group exercise, organized sports and trainer sessions.
But Stenson said she was surprised by an additional observation that nearly three-quarters of those surveyed said they were likely or very likely to stick with their pandemic exercise habits post-pandemic.
Advertisement
And nearly 94% of those who had increased their activity levels since March said they planned to continue with their new routines over the coming year.
"We hope to find this is true next spring when we follow up," said Stenson.
The plan is to re-survey the same people next June. In the meantime, she said her team is "hopeful that some individuals realized how much they can be active with limited resources, and that they will maintain their increased activity in the coming months."
That thought was seconded by Dr. Beatrice Alexandra Golomb, a professor of medicine with the University of California San Diego's School of Medicine.
"Fitness is tied to better health outcomes, and fewer COVID high-risk factors like hypertension [high blood pressure], obesity and diabetes," said Golomb, who wasn't part of the study. "Thus, exercise in the time of COVID remains important."
"[And] it is a time of opportunity to discover new ways to exercise," Golomb added. "There are a plethora of online exercise video options, possible parks or trails to investigate, and creative ways to repurpose your home or apartment. Chair, beds, the floor or vacuum cleaners can be conscripted for use. Remember: any movement is better than no movement."
Advertisement
That becomes all the more important during a time of increased eating and sedentary behavior, said Lona Sandon, program director of the Department of Clinical Nutrition in the School of Health Professions at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
"I know from my own experience," said Sandon, who had no part in the study. "I sit more during the day when working at home. When I am in the office, I move around a lot more, get up out of my desk to talk to people at the other end of the hall, [and] run up the stairs to do something in the lab."
And because what you eat is as important as exercise, Sandon has some advice: "Think realistically about calorie balance. We tend to underestimate the calories we eat and overestimate the calories we use. If over the past five or six months your clothes have been tightening, take a look at where you might be getting a few extra calories. Are you eating more desserts than you used too? Are you having a few more beers or glasses of wine? Or simply eating out of boredom or stress and depression?"
Stenson and her colleagues presented their findings last week at the virtual annual meeting of the American Physiological Society. Research presented at meetings are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Advertisement
There's more information on the WHO exercise recommendations at World Health Organization.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-11-18--U.S. targets al-Shabab leaders with terrorist designations

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration has sanctioned two leaders of the Somalia-based al-Shabab as part of its efforts to dismantle the al-Qaida-affiliated terrorist organization .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Tuesday that Abdullahi Osman Mohamed and Maalim Ayman , senior leaders of al-Shabab , have been blacklisted as Specially Designated Global Terrorists .
The designations bar 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 .
`` The U.S. is committed to degrading and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pompeo said via Twitter .
The State Department said Mohamed , who is also known as Engineer Ismail , is an explosives expert who manages al-Shabab 's manufacturing of explosives and its explosives operations .
He is also a special advisor to al-Shabab 's `` emir '' and is the leader of its media wing , al-Kataib .
Ayman is the leader of the Jaysh Ayman unit that conducts attacks and operations in Kenya and Somalia , the State Department said , accusing him of being behind the January attack on Camp Simba @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American contractors .
`` The U.S. government is committed to disrupting the illicit financing methods of al-Shabab , limiting its ability to conduct further attacks against civilians and supporting the federal government of Somalia in disrupting terrorism finance , '' Pompeo said .
`` Addressing the al-Shabab threat will require working closely with our partners to degrade the terrorist group 's capacity and operations , combatting its control and influence in East Africa . ''
The United States designated al-Shabab as a terrorist organization in 2008 .
Nathan A .
Sales , coordinator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told reporters Tuesday during a briefing on the designations that al-Shabab is one of the most dangerous affiliates of al-Qaida in the world , and that since 2008 the group has killed hundreds of people throughout East Africa , including more than 500 people with a truck bomb attack in Mogadishu in 2017 .
`` We took the action we took today because we see a threat to U.S. national security interests that is posed by al-Shabab , and we 're going to continue to use the tools entrusted to us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` And that will remain our commitment for as long as we have the privileged of serving the American people . ''
Asked what affect the sanctions will have on the terrorist group despite the possibility it may not have any U.S. assets , Sales defended the action by saying the United States will will use every weapon in their arsenal to hinder al-Shabab 's ability to generate funds .
`` Whether or not they have assets in the United States , sanctions have very powerful secondary consequences because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals or organizations to try and move money through the international financial system , '' he said .

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the terrorist designations of two al-Shabab leaders on Tuesday. Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- The Trump administration has sanctioned two leaders of the Somalia-based al-Shabab as part of its efforts to dismantle the al-Qaida-affiliated terrorist organization. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Tuesday that Abdullahi Osman Mohamed and Maalim Ayman, senior leaders of al-Shabab, have been blacklisted as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. The designations bar 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. Advertisement
"The U.S. is committed to degrading and defeating this dangerous al-Qaida affiliate," Pompeo said via Twitter.
The State Department said Mohamed, who is also known as Engineer Ismail, is an explosives expert who manages al-Shabab's manufacturing of explosives and its explosives operations. He is also a special advisor to al-Shabab's "emir" and is the leader of its media wing, al-Kataib.
Ayman is the leader of the Jaysh Ayman unit that conducts attacks and operations in Kenya and Somalia, the State Department said, accusing him of being behind the January attack on Camp Simba that killed one U.S. soldier and two American contractors.
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"The U.S. government is committed to disrupting the illicit financing methods of al-Shabab, limiting its ability to conduct further attacks against civilians and supporting the federal government of Somalia in disrupting terrorism finance," Pompeo said. "Addressing the al-Shabab threat will require working closely with our partners to degrade the terrorist group's capacity and operations, combatting its control and influence in East Africa."
The United States designated al-Shabab as a terrorist organization in 2008.
Nathan A. Sales, coordinator for Counterterrorism at the U.S. State Department, told reporters Tuesday during a briefing on the designations that al-Shabab is one of the most dangerous affiliates of al-Qaida in the world, and that since 2008 the group has killed hundreds of people throughout East Africa, including more than 500 people with a truck bomb attack in Mogadishu in 2017.
"We took the action we took today because we see a threat to U.S. national security interests that is posed by al-Shabab, and we're going to continue to use the tools entrusted to us to advance American values and interests," he said. "And that will remain our commitment for as long as we have the privileged of serving the American people."
Asked what affect the sanctions will have on the terrorist group despite the possibility it may not have any U.S. assets, Sales defended the action by saying the United States will will use every weapon in their arsenal to hinder al-Shabab's ability to generate funds.
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"Whether or not they have assets in the United States, sanctions have very powerful secondary consequences because it makes it that much harder for designated individuals or organizations to try and move money through the international financial system," he said.


upi--2020-11-18--Israel strikes multiple targets in Syria, killing three

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- Israel 's military carried out strikes against several targets in Syria on Wednesday , in what it said was retaliation for improvised explosive devices found planted in the Golan Heights .
`` What Iran and Syria did : placed improvised explosive devices by the Alpha Line to hit Israeli troops .
What we did : just struck Iranian Quds Force and Syrian Armed Forces targets in Syria , '' Israel Defense Forces wrote on Twitter .
`` We stand prepared to operate against Iranian entrenchment in Syria . ''
IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Syria belonging to the Quds Force and Syrian Armed Forces , situated between the Israeli frontier and the periphery of Damascus , according to CNN .
Three people were killed and one was injured in the strikes , according to the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency .
Hidai Zillberman , another IDF spokesman said , the attacks were intended both to send a message to Iran that `` we wo n't allow Iranian entrenchment at all and next to the border specifically '' as well as warn Syria that it will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a presence in the country .
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz threatened that Israel would take further action against Iran if it carried out more attacks against Israeli forces or sought to maintain its military presence in Syria .
`` I say again to our enemies : Israel will not accept violations of our sovereignty anywhere and we will not allow a dangerous force build-up on any border , '' he said .

OPERATIONAL FOOTAGE: The moment our fighter jets struck military targets belonging to the Iranian Quds Force & Syrian Armed Forces in Syria last night hours after we exposed an Iranian-led Syrian attack. Let this be a warning: If you attack Israel, we will defend ourselves. pic.twitter.com/nLIwfyMZlG— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 18, 2020
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Israel's military carried out strikes against several targets in Syria on Wednesday, in what it said was retaliation for improvised explosive devices found planted in the Golan Heights.
"What Iran and Syria did: placed improvised explosive devices by the Alpha Line to hit Israeli troops. What we did: just struck Iranian Quds Force and Syrian Armed Forces targets in Syria," Israel Defense Forces wrote on Twitter. "We stand prepared to operate against Iranian entrenchment in Syria."
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IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said the military struck eight targets in Syria belonging to the Quds Force and Syrian Armed Forces, situated between the Israeli frontier and the periphery of Damascus, according to CNN.
Three people were killed and one was injured in the strikes, according to the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency.
Hidai Zillberman, another IDF spokesman said, the attacks were intended both to send a message to Iran that "we won't allow Iranian entrenchment at all and next to the border specifically" as well as warn Syria that it will be held responsible for allowing Tehran to keep a presence in the country.
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Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz threatened that Israel would take further action against Iran if it carried out more attacks against Israeli forces or sought to maintain its military presence in Syria.
"I say again to our enemies: Israel will not accept violations of our sovereignty anywhere and we will not allow a dangerous force build-up on any border," he said.


upi--2020-11-18--Death toll climbs in Central America following Hurricane Iota

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- The death toll continued to climb in Central America on Wednesday amid landslides , flash flooding and rising concerns over the spread of COVID-19 after Hurricane Iota tore through the region earlier this week .
Though the storm has since dissipated , Iota made landfall in northeastern Nicaragua Monday night as the strongest November storm on record to hit the country , devastating communities that were already reeling from Hurricane Eta , which hit miles from the same spot less than two weeks earlier .
The death toll from the storm has climbed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it could rise much higher .
Nicaragua 's Vice President Rosario Murillo said 16 were dead , up from the six she announced on Tuesday , including children , CNN reported .
At least two people were dead in Colombia .
In Honduras , the armed forces confirmed late Wednesday that the body of a 77-year-old was found in a house buried due to a landslide .
Murillo said more than 400,000 Nicaraguans have been affected by Iota with more than 50,700 resided in government shelters .
According to local authorities , regions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 10 inches of rain over the last two days , causing flash floods and landslides .
And though the storm has dissipated , it will continue to generate rain over at least Wednesday , they said .
`` The fact that Iota has left Nicaragua and the region does not mean that the dangers have disappeared , '' said Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez of SINAPRED , the nation 's emergency management agency .
`` The soils are saturated , in some places the winds will continue from light to moderate , which can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rivers , landslides in the mountainous areas . ''
At least 15 people are missing in Nicaragua 's north-central municipality of Tuma la Dalia due to a landslide that was more than a half-mile long and 650 feet wide .
An emergency response brigade of the Army , National Police , fire department and other first responder groups were able to recuse four people but also retrieved the bodies of four others , including three children ages 9 years , 2 years and 7 months , SINAPRED said in a statement .
Rescuers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it said .
`` These families in previous years received the proposal to relocate because they were in a risk zone , but they did not accept , '' the release said .
`` They were also visited to leave the place before the arrival of the hurricane , but decided to say . ''
The National Hurricane Center warned Wednesday that `` life-threatening flash flooding and river flooding '' is expected throughout Central America .
In Honduras , the armed forces continue to tweet pictures of rescue operations , destruction and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents on Wednesday to stay away from several bridges , roads and highways due to flooding .
The United Nations said impacts of the damages wrought by Eta in Central America were still being estimated when Iota hit .
`` So , for example , Honduras , authorities now report that 3 million people are affected , '' Clare Nullis , the spokeswoman for the World Meteorological Organization , told the U.N. at a press conference on Tuesday .
`` That 's 1 million more than the figures that they reported last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about more than 900,000 people directly affected by Eta .
That 's nearly triple the figure from the previous week .
So this is very much still developing emergency on top of which now slams another emergency with potentially catastrophic consequences . ''
Americares , a global non-profit health and development organization , which has been working with partner organizations in El Salvador , Guatemala , Honduras and Nicaragua to prevent the spread of COVID-19 , said it is worried about increased infections .
`` With thousands of families still in shelters from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeking refuge from Iota , there is increased concern about the potential spread of COVID-19 , '' the organization said in a statement .
`` Personal protective equipment and hand sanitizer for evacuees are among the greatest needs , particularly as larger shelters open across the region to meet the expanded need . ''
Project Hope said late last week the number of COVID-19 infections following Eta in Honduras jumped by more than 2,100 cases and 68 deaths .
`` Cases are likely to rise even more as testing has increased in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potentially spread among displace populations , '' the global health and humanitarian organization said in a statement .

At least 16 people died in Nicaragua due to Hurricane Iota. Photo courtesy of CD-SINAPRED/ Twitter
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- The death toll continued to climb in Central America on Wednesday amid landslides, flash flooding and rising concerns over the spread of COVID-19 after Hurricane Iota tore through the region earlier this week. Though the storm has since dissipated, Iota made landfall in northeastern Nicaragua Monday night as the strongest November storm on record to hit the country, devastating communities that were already reeling from Hurricane Eta, which hit miles from the same spot less than two weeks earlier. Advertisement
The death toll from the storm has climbed to at least 19 though there are fears it could rise much higher.
Nicaragua's Vice President Rosario Murillo said 16 were dead, up from the six she announced on Tuesday, including children, CNN reported. At least two people were dead in Colombia. In Honduras, the armed forces confirmed late Wednesday that the body of a 77-year-old was found in a house buried due to a landslide.
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Murillo said more than 400,000 Nicaraguans have been affected by Iota with more than 50,700 resided in government shelters.
According to local authorities, regions throughout Nicaragua have been inundated with up to 10 inches of rain over the last two days, causing flash floods and landslides. And though the storm has dissipated, it will continue to generate rain over at least Wednesday, they said.
"The fact that Iota has left Nicaragua and the region does not mean that the dangers have disappeared," said Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez of SINAPRED, the nation's emergency management agency. "The soils are saturated, in some places the winds will continue from light to moderate, which can mean that we have growth of the rivers, landslides in the mountainous areas."
At least 15 people are missing in Nicaragua's north-central municipality of Tuma la Dalia due to a landslide that was more than a half-mile long and 650 feet wide. An emergency response brigade of the Army, National Police, fire department and other first responder groups were able to recuse four people but also retrieved the bodies of four others, including three children ages 9 years, 2 years and 7 months, SINAPRED said in a statement.
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Rescuers will continue to search for the missing, it said.
"These families in previous years received the proposal to relocate because they were in a risk zone, but they did not accept," the release said. "They were also visited to leave the place before the arrival of the hurricane, but decided to say."
The National Hurricane Center warned Wednesday that "life-threatening flash flooding and river flooding" is expected throughout Central America.
In Honduras, the armed forces continue to tweet pictures of rescue operations, destruction and swamped villages while the national police warned residents on Wednesday to stay away from several bridges, roads and highways due to flooding.
The United Nations said impacts of the damages wrought by Eta in Central America were still being estimated when Iota hit.
"So, for example, Honduras, authorities now report that 3 million people are affected," Clare Nullis, the spokeswoman for the World Meteorological Organization, told the U.N. at a press conference on Tuesday. "That's 1 million more than the figures that they reported last week. In Guatemala, we are talking about more than 900,000 people directly affected by Eta. That's nearly triple the figure from the previous week. So this is very much still developing emergency on top of which now slams another emergency with potentially catastrophic consequences."
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Americares, a global non-profit health and development organization, which has been working with partner organizations in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua to prevent the spread of COVID-19, said it is worried about increased infections.
"With thousands of families still in shelters from Hurricane Eta, and thousands more now seeking refuge from Iota, there is increased concern about the potential spread of COVID-19," the organization said in a statement. "Personal protective equipment and hand sanitizer for evacuees are among the greatest needs, particularly as larger shelters open across the region to meet the expanded need."
Project Hope said late last week the number of COVID-19 infections following Eta in Honduras jumped by more than 2,100 cases and 68 deaths.
"Cases are likely to rise even more as testing has increased in the aftermath of Hurricane Eta and as COVID-19 potentially spread among displace populations," the global health and humanitarian organization said in a statement.


upi--2020-11-18--Raiders place seven players on COVID-19 list ahead of Chiefs game

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- The Las Vegas Raiders put seven more players on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday , bringing the number of players on their list to 11 ahead of Sunday night 's showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs .
The Raiders placed safety Johnathan Abram , defensive tackles Maliek Collins , Johnathan Hankins and Kendal Vickers , defensive end Arden Key , cornerback Isaiah Johnson and practice squad defensive lineman David Irving on the COVID-19 list , according to the league 's transaction wire .
Those players were added to the list as high-risk close contacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and defensive back Lamarcus Joyner went on the COVID-19 list .
The Raiders put Ferrell on the list after a positive test .
Linebacker Cory Littleton and offensive lineman Trent Brown went on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this month .
`` We practiced today and we 'll be ready for the game on Sunday , '' Raiders head coach Jon Gruden told reporters Wednesday .
`` ...
It 's what you have to do .
Everybody has to adapt to a lot of things in every phase of life .
We had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 'll be there on Sunday and we 'll be prepared .
We 're excited to compete . ''
As close contacts , the seven players could be eligible to return and play the Chiefs , who are coming off their bye week , as long as they continue to test negative for the coronavirus this week .
The Raiders -- as a team and individual players -- have already been fined about $ 1.2 million and docked a sixth-round draft pick for repeated violations of the NFL 's COVID-19 protocols .

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden could be without 11 players for Sunday night's game against the Kansas City Chiefs because of the coronavirus. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- The Las Vegas Raiders put seven more players on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday, bringing the number of players on their list to 11 ahead of Sunday night's showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Raiders placed safety Johnathan Abram, defensive tackles Maliek Collins, Johnathan Hankins and Kendal Vickers, defensive end Arden Key, cornerback Isaiah Johnson and practice squad defensive lineman David Irving on the COVID-19 list, according to the league's transaction wire. Advertisement
Those players were added to the list as high-risk close contacts a day after defensive end Clelin Ferrell and defensive back Lamarcus Joyner went on the COVID-19 list. The Raiders put Ferrell on the list after a positive test.
Linebacker Cory Littleton and offensive lineman Trent Brown went on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this month.
"We practiced today and we'll be ready for the game on Sunday," Raiders head coach Jon Gruden told reporters Wednesday. "... It's what you have to do. Everybody has to adapt to a lot of things in every phase of life. We had to go through some things before.
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"We'll be there on Sunday and we'll be prepared. We're excited to compete."
As close contacts, the seven players could be eligible to return and play the Chiefs, who are coming off their bye week, as long as they continue to test negative for the coronavirus this week.
The Raiders -- as a team and individual players -- have already been fined about $1.2 million and docked a sixth-round draft pick for repeated violations of the NFL's COVID-19 protocols.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-18--2020 NBA Draft: Timberwolves select Anthony Edwards with No. 1 pick

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Georgia star Anthony Edwards with the No .
1 overall pick in the virtual 2020 NBA Draft on Wednesday night .
Edwards , a 6-foot-5 , 220-pound guard from Atlanta , joins a young Timberwolves squad led by star center Karl-Anthony Towns and point guard D'Angelo Russell .
Edwards averaged 19.1 points per game and was the Southeastern Conference freshman of the year in his lone season at Georgia .
`` It 's an indescribable feeling , '' Edwards said .
`` I 'm just blessed beyond measure to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James Wiseman , guard LaMelo Ball and Edwards were all , at different times , projected to be the top pick in this year 's draft , which took place five months later than it was initially scheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Edwards , however , was the best positional fit for the T-Wolves and separated himself as the top pick in the days leading up to the draft .
The Golden State Warriors took Wiseman with the second-overall pick .
Ball , who is the younger brother of New Orleans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No .
3 and went to the Charlotte Hornets .
The Chicago Bulls selected Florida State 's Patrick Williams with the No .
4 overall pick .
The ACC Sixth Man of the Year last season became the highest-drafted Seminole since Dave Cowens was taken fourth by the Boston Celtics in the 1970 draft .
After the Bulls picked Williams , the Cleveland Cavaliers took Auburn wing Isaac Okoro at No .
5 .
The second-team All-SEC selection averaged 12.9 points , 4.4 rebounds and two assists per game in his lone season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draft was originally scheduled to happen in June , as it usually does , but was delayed until after the NBA finished its 2019-20 season in the bubble at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando , Fla .
The pandemic also forced a venue change for the draft .
Instead of taking place in New York , it was held virtually at ESPN 's campus in Bristol , Conn. As usual , NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced the first-round selections , while deputy commissioner Mark Tatum did the second round .
Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA Draft : 21 .
Philadelphia 76ers ( from Oklahoma City via Orlando and Philadelphia ) : 27 .
Utah Jazz ( from New York , from Los Angeles Clippers ) :

Former Georgia guard Anthony Edwards (5) averaged 19.1 points per game and was the Southeastern Conference freshman of the year in his lone season at Georgia. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Georgia star Anthony Edwards with the No. 1 overall pick in the virtual 2020 NBA Draft on Wednesday night. Edwards, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound guard from Atlanta, joins a young Timberwolves squad led by star center Karl-Anthony Towns and point guard D'Angelo Russell. Edwards averaged 19.1 points per game and was the Southeastern Conference freshman of the year in his lone season at Georgia. Advertisement
"It's an indescribable feeling," Edwards said. "I'm just blessed beyond measure to be in this situation."
Memphis center James Wiseman, guard LaMelo Ball and Edwards were all, at different times, projected to be the top pick in this year's draft, which took place five months later than it was initially scheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Edwards, however, was the best positional fit for the T-Wolves and separated himself as the top pick in the days leading up to the draft.
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The Golden State Warriors took Wiseman with the second-overall pick. Ball, who is the younger brother of New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball, fell to No. 3 and went to the Charlotte Hornets.
The Chicago Bulls selected Florida State's Patrick Williams with the No. 4 overall pick. Williams, the ACC Sixth Man of the Year last season, became the highest-drafted Seminole since Dave Cowens was taken fourth by the Boston Celtics in the 1970 draft.
After the Bulls picked Williams, the Cleveland Cavaliers took Auburn wing Isaac Okoro at No. 5. The second-team All-SEC selection averaged 12.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and two assists per game in his lone season at Auburn.
Wednesday night's virtual draft was originally scheduled to happen in June, as it usually does, but was delayed until after the NBA finished its 2019-20 season in the bubble at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.
The pandemic also forced a venue change for the draft. Instead of taking place in New York, it was held virtually at ESPN's campus in Bristol, Conn. As usual, NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced the first-round selections, while deputy commissioner Mark Tatum did the second round.
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Here is the pick-by-pick results from the 2020 NBA Draft:
Round 1:
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia
2. Golden State Warriors: James Wiseman, C, Memphis
3. Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball, PG, USA
4. Chicago Bulls: Patrick Williams, SF, Florida State
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Isaac Okoro, SF, Auburn
6. Atlanta Hawks: Onyeka Okongwu, C, USC
7. Detroit Pistons: Killian Hayes, PG, France
8. New York Knicks: Obi Toppin, PF, Dayton
9. Washington Wizards: Deni Avdija, SF, Israel
10. Phoenix Suns: Jalen Smith, PF, Maryland
11. San Antonio Spurs: Devin Vassell, SG, Florida State
12. Sacramento Kings: Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State
13. New Orleans Pelicans: Kira Lewis Jr., PG, Alabama
14. Boston Celtics (from Memphis): Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt
15. Orlando Magic: Cole Anthony, PG, North Carolina
16. Detroit Pistons (from Portland via Houston): Isaiah Stewart, C, Washington
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Minnesota via Brooklyn and Atlanta): Aleksej Pokusevski, PF, Serbia
18. Dallas Mavericks: Josh Green, SG, Arizona
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19. Detroit Pistons (from Brooklyn via Philadelphia and Los Angeles Clippers): Saddiq Bey, PF, Villanova
20. Miami Heat: Precious Achiuwa, PF, Memphis
21. Philadelphia 76ers (from Oklahoma City via Orlando and Philadelphia): Tyrese Maxey, SG, Kentucky
22. Denver Nuggets (from Houston): Zeke Nnaji, PF, Arizona
23. Minnesota Timberwolves (from New York via Utah): Leandro Bolmaro, SG, Argentina
24. Denver Nuggets (from Milwaukee via New Orleans and Indiana): R.J. Hampton, PG, USA
25. New York Knicks (from Oklahoma City via Minnesota and Denver): Immanuel Quickley, PG, Kentucky
26. Boston Celtics: Payton Pritchard, PG, Oregon
27. Utah Jazz (from New York via Los Angeles Clippers): Udoka Azubuike, C, Kansas
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Oklahoma City via Los Angeles Lakers): Jaden McDaniels, PF, Washington
29. Toronto Raptors: Malachi Flynn, PG, San Diego State
30. Memphis Grizzlies (from Boston via Milwaukee and Phoenix): Desmond Bane, SG, TCU
Round 2:
31. Dallas Mavericks (via Golden State): Tyrell Terry, PG, Stanford
32. Charlotte Hornets (via Cleveland): Vernon Carey Jr., C, Duke
33. New York Knicks (via Minnesota): Daniel Oturu, C, Minnesota
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34. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Philadelphia): Theo Maledon, PG, France
35. Memphis Grizzlies (from Sacramento via Detroit): Xavier Tillman, C, Michigan State
36. Dallas Mavericks (from Philadelphia via New York): Tyler Bey, PF, Colorado
37. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Washington via Chicago): Vit Krejci, PG, Czech Republic
38. Utah Jazz (via Charlotte): Saben Lee, PG, Vanderbilt
39. New Orleans Pelicans (via Washington): Elijah Hughes, SG, Syracuse
40. Memphis Grizzlies (via Phoenix): Robert Woodard II, SF, Mississippi State
41. San Antonio Spurs: Tre Jones, PG, Duke
42. New Orleans Pelicans: Nick Richards, C, Kentucky
43. Sacramento Kings: Jahmi'us Ramsey, PG, Texas Tech
44. Chicago Bulls (via Memphis): Marko Simonovic, C, Montenegro
45. Milwaukee Bucks (via Orlando): Jordan Nwora, PF, Louisville
46. Portland Trail Blazers: C.J. Elleby, SG, Washington State
47. Boston Celtics (via Brooklyn): Yam Madar, PG, Israel
48. Golden State Warriors (via Dallas): Nico Mannion, PG, Arizona
49. Philadelphia 76ers: Isaiah Joe, SG, Arkansas
50. Atlanta Hawks (via Miami): Skylar Mays, SG, LSU
51. Golden State Warriors (via Utah): Justinian Jessup, SG, Boise State
52. Sacramento Kings (via Houston): Kenyon Martin Jr., SF, USA
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53. Washington Wizards (via Oklahoma City): Cassius Winston, PG, Michigan State
54. Indiana Pacers: Cassius Stanley, SG, Duke
55. Brooklyn Nets (via Denver): Jay Scrubb, SG, USA
56. Charlotte Hornets (via Boston): Grant Riller, PG, Charleston
57. Los Angeles Clippers: Reggie Perry, C, Mississippi State
58. Philadelphia 76ers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Paul Reed, PF, DePaul
59. Toronto Raptors: Jalen Harris, SG, Nevada
60. New Orleans Pelicans (via Milwaukee): Sam Merrill, SG, Utah State


upi--2020-11-18--Two more House members test positive for COVID-19

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- Two more members of the House of Representatives announced Wednesday that they had tested positive for COVID-19 .
Reps. Dan Newhouse , R-Wash. , and Doug Lamborn , R-Colo. , each announced that they had tested positive for the coronavirus , adding to a growing tally of lawmakers who have been infected .
`` I began to feel a little run down yesterday , so I took a COVID-19 test .
Last night the results came back positive for the virus , '' Newhouse wrote on Twitter .
`` My symptoms remain mild and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am quarantining and will continue to serve the people of Central Washington from home . ''
Lamborn 's office issued a statement saying he has been experiencing `` mild symptoms '' and has been in contact with the U.S. House Attending Physician in addition to following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines by isolating at his home .
`` The Congressman will continue to work for the district from home and his staff will continue to provide the best of constituent services .
He looks forward to resuming his normal schedule soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 20 members of the House have tested positive for COVID-19 along with six senators .
The latest cases come after Sen. Chuck Grassley , R-Iowa , announced Tuesday that he had contracted the virus .
On Wednesday , he tweeted that he remains `` symptom-free and in isolation . ''

Reps. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., and Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., each announced Wednesday that they had tested positive for COVID-19. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Two more members of the House of Representatives announced Wednesday that they had tested positive for COVID-19. Reps. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., and Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., each announced that they had tested positive for the coronavirus, adding to a growing tally of lawmakers who have been infected. Advertisement
"I began to feel a little run down yesterday, so I took a COVID-19 test. Last night the results came back positive for the virus," Newhouse wrote on Twitter. "My symptoms remain mild and I am following CDC guidelines. I am quarantining and will continue to serve the people of Central Washington from home."
Lamborn's office issued a statement saying he has been experiencing "mild symptoms" and has been in contact with the U.S. House Attending Physician in addition to following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines by isolating at his home.
"The Congressman will continue to work for the district from home and his staff will continue to provide the best of constituent services. He looks forward to resuming his normal schedule soon," the statement read.
More than 20 members of the House have tested positive for COVID-19 along with six senators.
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The latest cases come after Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, announced Tuesday that he had contracted the virus.
On Wednesday, he tweeted that he remains "symptom-free and in isolation."


upi--2020-11-18--Lonzo Ball, Dr. Elvis Francois eliminated from 'Masked Singer'

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- NBA player Lonzo Ball , dressed as Whatchamacallit , and orthopedic surgeon/viral sensation Dr. @ @ @ @ @ Serpent , were eliminated from Season 4 of FOX 's The Masked Singer Wednesday night @ @ @ @ @ McCarthy , Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke are the program 's judges , and Nick @ @ @ @ @ Rapper Busta Rhymes was the first costumed celebrity to get the boot this season .
@ @ @ @ @ himself out of the competition , and TV icon Brian Austin Green , retired pro @ @ @ @ @ , talk-show host Wendy Williams , comedian Bob Saget , and married singers Clint Black @ @ @ @ @ subsequently cut from the show .

NBA player Lonzo Ball got the boot on Wednesday's edition of "The Masked Singer." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- NBA player Lonzo Ball, dressed as Whatchamacallit, and orthopedic surgeon/viral sensation Dr. Elvis Francois, disguised as Serpent, were eliminated from Season 4 of FOX's The Masked Singer Wednesday night. SPOILER ALERT #WhatchamacallitMask is...#TheMaskedSinger pic.twitter.com/AeBFi1Ydo9— The Masked Singer (@MaskedSingerFOX) November 19, 2020 Advertisement
Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke are the program's judges, and Nick Cannon is the host.
Rapper Busta Rhymes was the first costumed celebrity to get the boot this season.
Actor Mickey Rourke later took himself out of the competition, and TV icon Brian Austin Green, retired pro football player/sports commentator Mark Sanchez, talk-show host Wendy Williams, comedian Bob Saget, and married singers Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black were subsequently cut from the show.


upi--2020-11-18--Appeals court declines to stop 2 executions, has concerns about protocol

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- A federal appeals court on Wednesday ruled that though it has concerns with the federal government 's lethal injection protocol , it wo n't intervene in the next two executions , including one Thursday .
The District of Columbia U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals said U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan was wrong to deny a challenge brought by 13 death row prisoners earlier this year .
The inmates ' lawyers argued that the lethal injection drug the federal government uses , pentobarbital , causes an inmate to feel as though they 're drowning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , violates the Eighth Amendment , which protects inmates against cruel and unusual punishment .
Defense lawyers said pentobarbital should be paired with a pain-relieving drug such as fentanyl .
The Justice Department argued the condition -- known as flash pulmonary edema -- does n't set in until after the inmate is already unconscious .
The appeals court on Wednesday said the government should have obtained a prescription for pentobarbital as required under the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act .
`` It is the government 's prerogative to execute the plaintiffs by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judge Cornelia Pillard , a member of the appellate court , wrote .
`` Bit if it elects a method subject to statutory requirements , the government must then abide by those requirements .
She compared lethal injection to execution by firing square .
`` If a federal statute required that members of a firing squad first be certified marksmen , the government could not execute a death row inmate until it ensured that the members of its firing squad were so certified , '' Pillard wrote .
The federal government has scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden .
Some critics , including Democrats in Congress , have called for the Trump administration to halt those executions and leave them for the next administration to handle .
The Death Penalty Information Center said a federal execution has n't been carried out during a lame-duck presidency since 1880 under the administration of President Grover Cleveland -- that of Richard Smith .
The Justice Department has executed seven death row inmates since July , when it resumed federal executions after a 17-year hiatus .
Orlando Hall is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while Lisa Montgomery is set to die Dec. 8 and Brandon Bernard on Dec. 10 .
Both Hall and Bernard were listed as plaintiffs in the case ruled on by the D.C. appeals court Wednesday .

Nov. 18 (UPI) -- A federal appeals court on Wednesday ruled that though it has concerns with the federal government's lethal injection protocol, it won't intervene in the next two executions, including one Thursday.
The District of Columbia U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan was wrong to deny a challenge brought by 13 death row prisoners earlier this year.
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The inmates' lawyers argued that the lethal injection drug the federal government uses, pentobarbital, causes an inmate to feel as though they're drowning while still conscious. This, they said, violates the Eighth Amendment, which protects inmates against cruel and unusual punishment.
Defense lawyers said pentobarbital should be paired with a pain-relieving drug such as fentanyl.
The Justice Department argued the condition -- known as flash pulmonary edema -- doesn't set in until after the inmate is already unconscious.
The appeals court on Wednesday said the government should have obtained a prescription for pentobarbital as required under the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act.
"It is the government's prerogative to execute the plaintiffs by a method of its choosing," Judge Cornelia Pillard, a member of the appellate court, wrote. "Bit if it elects a method subject to statutory requirements, the government must then abide by those requirements.
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She compared lethal injection to execution by firing square.
"If a federal statute required that members of a firing squad first be certified marksmen, the government could not execute a death row inmate until it ensured that the members of its firing squad were so certified," Pillard wrote.
The federal government has scheduled three executions to be carried out before the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. Some critics, including Democrats in Congress, have called for the Trump administration to halt those executions and leave them for the next administration to handle.
The Death Penalty Information Center said a federal execution hasn't been carried out during a lame-duck presidency since 1880 under the administration of President Grover Cleveland -- that of Richard Smith.
The Justice Department has executed seven death row inmates since July, when it resumed federal executions after a 17-year hiatus. Orlando Hall is scheduled to be put to death Thursday, while Lisa Montgomery is set to die Dec. 8 and Brandon Bernard on Dec. 10.
Both Hall and Bernard were listed as plaintiffs in the case ruled on by the D.C. appeals court Wednesday.


upi--2020-11-18--'Wonder Woman 1984' to open in theaters, stream on HBO Max Dec. 25

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- Warner Bros. Pictures announced Wednesday that it will release its repeatedly delayed comic-book adaptation , Wonder Woman 1984 , in U.S. theaters and on HBO Max on Dec. 25 .
The movie will open in international theaters on Dec. 16 .
The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc with film schedules this past year , with many movies bumped to 2021 or even 2022 as theaters around the world remain closed .
Wonder Woman 1984 was slated to debut in June , but was pushed back several times .
`` As we navigate these unprecedented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ innovative in keeping our businesses moving forward while continuing to super-serve our fans , '' Ann Sarnoff , chair and chief executive officer of WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group , said in a statement .
`` This is an amazing film that really comes to life on the big screen and , working with our partners in the exhibition community , we will provide that option to consumers in the U.S. where theaters are open .
We realize that a lot of consumers ca n't go back to the movies due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give them the option to see Wonder Woman 1984 via our HBO Max platform . ''
The film was directed by Patty Jenkins and stars Gal Gadot as the titular superheroine .
`` It 's time , '' Gadot tweeted Wednesday , confirming the new release strategy .
`` We 've put our hearts and souls into it . ''
The ensemble also includes Chris Pine as Steve Trevor , Kristen Wiig as The Cheetah , Pedro Pascal as Max Lord , Robin Wright as Antiope , and Connie Nielsen as Hippolyta .

Gal Gadot's "Wonder Woman 1984" will debut in theaters and on HBO Max on Dec. 25. File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Warner Bros. Pictures announced Wednesday that it will release its repeatedly delayed comic-book adaptation, Wonder Woman 1984, in U.S. theaters and on HBO Max on Dec. 25. The movie will open in international theaters on Dec. 16. Advertisement
The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc with film schedules this past year, with many movies bumped to 2021 or even 2022 as theaters around the world remain closed.
Wonder Woman 1984 was slated to debut in June, but was pushed back several times.
"As we navigate these unprecedented times, we've had to be innovative in keeping our businesses moving forward while continuing to super-serve our fans," Ann Sarnoff, chair and chief executive officer of WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, said in a statement.
"This is an amazing film that really comes to life on the big screen and, working with our partners in the exhibition community, we will provide that option to consumers in the U.S. where theaters are open. We realize that a lot of consumers can't go back to the movies due to the pandemic, so we also want to give them the option to see Wonder Woman 1984 via our HBO Max platform."
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The film was directed by Patty Jenkins and stars Gal Gadot as the titular superheroine.
"It's time," Gadot tweeted Wednesday, confirming the new release strategy. "We've put our hearts and souls into it."
The ensemble also includes Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, Kristen Wiig as The Cheetah, Pedro Pascal as Max Lord, Robin Wright as Antiope, and Connie Nielsen as Hippolyta.


upi--2020-11-18--200 arrested as German police break up protests against coronavirus measures

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- Police in Germany broke up a protest against the government 's efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on Wednesday .
As many as 10,000 people gathered in the government district of Berlin as lawmakers in the German Parliament voted to amend the country 's Infection Protection Act to clarify what kind of protective measures can be ordered by state governments .
Up to 2,200 police officers were deployed to the area and the Federal Ministry of the Interior ordered extensive barricades around the parliamentary building to prevent the session from being disrupted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of the protesters refused to follow social distancing guidelines or abide by mask requirements .
Berlin police said officers were attacked with bottles , firecrackers , stones and pepper spray and responded by firing water cannons to break up the protests .
Police ultimately made at least 200 arrests .
During the vote , lawmakers from the Alternative for Germany Party protested the proceedings by refusing to wear masks and ignoring social distancing rules .
Germany has reported 854,533 cases of COVID-19 and 13,236 deaths related to the virus since the start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathered by Johns Hopkins University .
Chancellor Angela Merkel and her government have not imposed a nationwide lockdown in response to the virus but state and local governments have implemented restrictions on travel , closed non-essential businesses and required masks in all public places .

Police in Germany said 200 people were arrested during protest against government restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Photo by Filip Singer/EPA-EFE
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Police in Germany broke up a protest against the government's efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on Wednesday. As many as 10,000 people gathered in the government district of Berlin as lawmakers in the German Parliament voted to amend the country's Infection Protection Act to clarify what kind of protective measures can be ordered by state governments. Advertisement
Up to 2,200 police officers were deployed to the area and the Federal Ministry of the Interior ordered extensive barricades around the parliamentary building to prevent the session from being disrupted.
Officers asked organizers to end demonstrations as most of the protesters refused to follow social distancing guidelines or abide by mask requirements.
Berlin police said officers were attacked with bottles, firecrackers, stones and pepper spray and responded by firing water cannons to break up the protests. Police ultimately made at least 200 arrests.
During the vote, lawmakers from the Alternative for Germany Party protested the proceedings by refusing to wear masks and ignoring social distancing rules.
Germany has reported 854,533 cases of COVID-19 and 13,236 deaths related to the virus since the start of the pandemic, according to data gathered by Johns Hopkins University.
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Chancellor Angela Merkel and her government have not imposed a nationwide lockdown in response to the virus but state and local governments have implemented restrictions on travel, closed non-essential businesses and required masks in all public places.


upi--2020-11-18--Norwegian Air files for bankruptcy amid COVID-19 economic fallout

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- Low-cost airline Norwegian Air filed for bankruptcy Wednesday in Ireland citing financial instability due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The carrier said it 's filed for examinership in an attempt to restructure its business , reduce debt and secure new capital .
It 's a similar process to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States .
Norwegian Air said it plans to continue to operate its routes , which have been downsized due to reduced travel -- particularly international travel -- since the start of the pandemic .
The company 's shares also will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stock Exchange .
`` Seeking protection to reorganize under Irish law is a decision that we have taken to secure the future of Norwegian for the benefit of our employees , customers and investors , '' Norwegian CEO Jacob Schram said .
`` Our aim is to find solutions with our stakeholders that will allow us to emerge as a financially stronger and secure airline .
`` Our intent is clear .
We will emerge from this process as a more financially secure and competitive airline , with a new financial structure , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The company said it chose to file for bankruptcy in Ireland because that 's where its fleet is held .
Airlines worldwide have had to slash routes , jobs and assets over the past several months in reaction to the pandemic , which has led to some countries closing their borders to non-essential travel .

Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Low-cost airline Norwegian Air filed for bankruptcy Wednesday in Ireland citing financial instability due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The carrier said it's filed for examinership in an attempt to restructure its business, reduce debt and secure new capital. It's a similar process to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States.
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Norwegian Air said it plans to continue to operate its routes, which have been downsized due to reduced travel -- particularly international travel -- since the start of the pandemic. The company's shares also will continue to be traded on the Oslo Stock Exchange.
"Seeking protection to reorganize under Irish law is a decision that we have taken to secure the future of Norwegian for the benefit of our employees, customers and investors," Norwegian CEO Jacob Schram said. "Our aim is to find solutions with our stakeholders that will allow us to emerge as a financially stronger and secure airline.
"Our intent is clear. We will emerge from this process as a more financially secure and competitive airline, with a new financial structure, a rightsized fleet and improved customer offering."
The company said it chose to file for bankruptcy in Ireland because that's where its fleet is held.
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Airlines worldwide have had to slash routes, jobs and assets over the past several months in reaction to the pandemic, which has led to some countries closing their borders to non-essential travel.


upi--2020-11-18--76ers to trade Al Horford, two draft picks to Thunder for Danny Green

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- The Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday agreed to trade veteran big man Al Horford and a package of draft picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder .
League sources told ESPN and USA Today Sports that Philadelphia is sending Horford , the No .
34 overall pick in Wednesday night 's NBA Draft , a lightly protected 2025 first-round selection and the draft rights to Serbian guard Vasilije Micic to the Thunder in exchange for guards Danny Green and Terrance Ferguson .
The agreement also provides significant financial savings for the Sixers .
According to ESPN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 25 million in combined payroll and luxury taxes once the deal is finalized .
The 34-year-old Horford signed a four-year , $ 109 million contract with the 76ers as a free agent last summer .
In his lone season in Philadelphia , he averaged 11.9 points -- his fewest since the 2008-09 campaign -- and 6.8 rebounds per game .
Green , 33 , has now been involved in two trade agreements this week .
On Monday , the Thunder agreed to trade guard Dennis Schroder to the Los Angeles Lakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overall pick in Wednesday 's draft .
Ferguson , 22 , was selected in the first round of the 2017 draft by the Thunder .
He will give the Sixers another athletic defender on the wing .
The 26-year-old Micic was a second-round pick by the 76ers in 2014 .
He currently plays for Anadolu Efes in the Turkish Super League .
He was a second-team All-EuroLeague selection in 2019 .

Los Angeles Lakers guard Danny Green (14) has now been involved in two trade agreements this week. The Thunder initially acquired him in the Dennis Schroder deal on Monday. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- The Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday agreed to trade veteran big man Al Horford and a package of draft picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder. League sources told ESPN and USA Today Sports that Philadelphia is sending Horford, the No. 34 overall pick in Wednesday night's NBA Draft, a lightly protected 2025 first-round selection and the draft rights to Serbian guard Vasilije Micic to the Thunder in exchange for guards Danny Green and Terrance Ferguson. Advertisement
The agreement also provides significant financial savings for the Sixers. According to ESPN, the franchise will free up more than $25 million in combined payroll and luxury taxes once the deal is finalized.
The 34-year-old Horford signed a four-year, $109 million contract with the 76ers as a free agent last summer. In his lone season in Philadelphia, he averaged 11.9 points -- his fewest since the 2008-09 campaign -- and 6.8 rebounds per game.
Green, 33, has now been involved in two trade agreements this week. On Monday, the Thunder agreed to trade guard Dennis Schroder to the Los Angeles Lakers for Green and the No. 28 overall pick in Wednesday's draft.
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Ferguson, 22, was selected in the first round of the 2017 draft by the Thunder. He will give the Sixers another athletic defender on the wing.
The 26-year-old Micic was a second-round pick by the 76ers in 2014. He currently plays for Anadolu Efes in the Turkish Super League. He was a second-team All-EuroLeague selection in 2019.


upi--2020-11-18--Georgia close to completing election audit; Trump files for Wisconsin recount

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- Officials in Georgia said an audit of the presidential election was on track to be completed by Wednesday , as President Donald Trump sought new challenges in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania .
Gabriel Sterling , Georgia 's voting systems implementation manager , said the state had about 300,000 ballots left to count by hand as of Tuesday , saying the state was on a `` good schedule right now '' to complete the audit and certify the election results by Friday .
Sterling added that most of the counties in the state had reported results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their initial counts , reporting only minor discrepancies .
President-elect Joe Biden holds a lead of about 13,000 votes in the state , which launched a recount as the margin between the two candidates was smaller than 0.5 % .
Floyd County 's election board will rescan all early votes and provisional votes after 2,600 ballots that were not scanned when the county tallied its early vote were found in the recount .
Sterling said the updated results will grant Trump a net pickup of 778 votes .
Trump lost one vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Effingham County and there was a one-vote discrepancy in Oglethorpe County but officials did not provide details .
Biden gained a write-in vote for `` Biden Harris '' in Coweta County , while a Biden vote in Catoosa County was reclassified a Trump vote .
In Wisconsin , Trump paid the state $ 3 million and filed a petition for a recount of ballots in Dane and Milwaukee counties , both of which voted overwhelmingly for Biden .
`` We will not stop fighting for transparency and integrity in our electoral process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the results of a free and fair election in Wisconsin and across the country , '' said Jim Troupis , a former Dane County circuit judge who is representing the campaign in the recount effort .
Biden won the state by 20,608 votes but Trump 's campaign says its observers at Milwaukee 's central counting facility were required to stand 30 feet to 35 feet away from the area where ballots were being counted , asserting that observers will find mistakes and fraud if allowed to observe from a closer distance .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to void absentee ballots where clerks filled in the addresses of witnesses as well as ballots from voters who declared themselves indefinitely confined -- allowing them to receive an absentee ballot without providing a copy of an ID -- even if they did not meet that definition .
Additionally , the request seeks to throw out votes of those the campaign said did not submit a written application for an absentee ballot , including voters who participated in early in-person voting , although election officials said those who vote early place their ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified as an `` absentee ballot application/certificate . ''
`` The official canvass results reaffirmed Joe Biden 's clear and resounding win in Wisconsin after Wisconsin voters turned out to cast their ballots in record numbers .
A cherry-picked and selective recounting of Milwaukee and Dane County will not change these results , '' Biden spokesman Nate Evans said .
Trump 's campaign also filed an amended complaint in Pennsylvania seeking to block the state 's efforts to verify its election results .
The campaign said the state violated its federal due process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's filing comes a day after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled officials in Philadelphia did not prevent observers from overseeing the counting of ballots .

Georgia election officials said they were on pace to complete an audit of the presidential election Wednesday as President Donald Trump's campaign filed for a recount in Michigan and amended a complaint in Pennsylvania. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Officials in Georgia said an audit of the presidential election was on track to be completed by Wednesday, as President Donald Trump sought new challenges in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Gabriel Sterling, Georgia's voting systems implementation manager, said the state had about 300,000 ballots left to count by hand as of Tuesday, saying the state was on a "good schedule right now" to complete the audit and certify the election results by Friday. Advertisement
Sterling added that most of the counties in the state had reported results that were "spot dead on" to their initial counts, reporting only minor discrepancies.
President-elect Joe Biden holds a lead of about 13,000 votes in the state, which launched a recount as the margin between the two candidates was smaller than 0.5%.
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Floyd County's election board will rescan all early votes and provisional votes after 2,600 ballots that were not scanned when the county tallied its early vote were found in the recount.
Sterling said the updated results will grant Trump a net pickup of 778 votes.
Trump lost one vote and Biden lost seven after the audit in Effingham County and there was a one-vote discrepancy in Oglethorpe County but officials did not provide details.
Biden gained a write-in vote for "Biden Harris" in Coweta County, while a Biden vote in Catoosa County was reclassified a Trump vote.
In Wisconsin, Trump paid the state $3 million and filed a petition for a recount of ballots in Dane and Milwaukee counties, both of which voted overwhelmingly for Biden.
"We will not stop fighting for transparency and integrity in our electoral process to ensure that all Americans can trust the results of a free and fair election in Wisconsin and across the country," said Jim Troupis, a former Dane County circuit judge who is representing the campaign in the recount effort.
Biden won the state by 20,608 votes but Trump's campaign says its observers at Milwaukee's central counting facility were required to stand 30 feet to 35 feet away from the area where ballots were being counted, asserting that observers will find mistakes and fraud if allowed to observe from a closer distance.
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In its request, the Trump campaign sought to void absentee ballots where clerks filled in the addresses of witnesses as well as ballots from voters who declared themselves indefinitely confined -- allowing them to receive an absentee ballot without providing a copy of an ID -- even if they did not meet that definition.
Additionally, the request seeks to throw out votes of those the campaign said did not submit a written application for an absentee ballot, including voters who participated in early in-person voting, although election officials said those who vote early place their ballot in an envelope and sign a statement identified as an "absentee ballot application/certificate."
"The official canvass results reaffirmed Joe Biden's clear and resounding win in Wisconsin after Wisconsin voters turned out to cast their ballots in record numbers. A cherry-picked and selective recounting of Milwaukee and Dane County will not change these results," Biden spokesman Nate Evans said.
Trump's campaign also filed an amended complaint in Pennsylvania seeking to block the state's efforts to verify its election results. The campaign said the state violated its federal due process rights and undermined legal protections.
Wednesday's filing comes a day after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled officials in Philadelphia did not prevent observers from overseeing the counting of ballots.


upi--2020-11-18--Mets' Robinson Cano banned for 2021 season after second positive PED test

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- New York Mets second baseman Robinson Cano has been suspended for the entire 2021 MLB season after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug stanozolol , the league announced Wednesday .
It marks the second PED ban for the 38-year-old Cano , who missed 80 games in the 2018 campaign after testing positive for a diuretic while playing for the Seattle Mariners .
`` We were extremely disappointed to be informed about Robinson 's suspension for violating Major League Baseball 's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program , '' Mets president Sandy Alderson said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very unfortunate for him , the organization , our fans , and the sport .
`` The Mets fully support MLB 's efforts toward eliminating performance-enhancing substances from the game . ''
Under the joint drug agreement between the league and the players ' union , a second positive test results in an automatic 162-game suspension .
As a result , Cano will forfeit his $ 24 million salary in the 2021 season .
`` I understand that everything that goes into my body , I 'm responsible for that , '' Cano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traded Cano to the Mets in December 2018 .
After struggling during his first season with the club , he rebounded with a .316 batting average and 10 home runs in 49 games in 2020 .
He was expected to have a significant role in the Mets ' first season under new owner Steve Cohen .
Cano , who previously signed a 10-year , $ 240 million contract with the Mariners , has two years and $ 48 million left on the deal .

New York Mets second baseman Robinson Cano will forfeit his $24 million salary following the 162-game suspension. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- New York Mets second baseman Robinson Cano has been suspended for the entire 2021 MLB season after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug stanozolol, the league announced Wednesday. It marks the second PED ban for the 38-year-old Cano, who missed 80 games in the 2018 campaign after testing positive for a diuretic while playing for the Seattle Mariners. Advertisement
"We were extremely disappointed to be informed about Robinson's suspension for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program," Mets president Sandy Alderson said in a statement. "The violation is very unfortunate for him, the organization, our fans, and the sport.
"The Mets fully support MLB's efforts toward eliminating performance-enhancing substances from the game."
Under the joint drug agreement between the league and the players' union, a second positive test results in an automatic 162-game suspension. As a result, Cano will forfeit his $24 million salary in the 2021 season.
"I understand that everything that goes into my body, I'm responsible for that," Cano said in a statement.
The Mariners traded Cano to the Mets in December 2018. After struggling during his first season with the club, he rebounded with a .316 batting average and 10 home runs in 49 games in 2020. He was expected to have a significant role in the Mets' first season under new owner Steve Cohen.
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Cano, who previously signed a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Mariners, has two years and $48 million left on the deal.


upi--2020-11-18--Apple agrees to settle iPhone throttling lawsuit for $113M

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- Apple on Wednesday agreed to pay $ 113 million to settle a lawsuit brought by 33 states and Washington , D.C. , accusing the company of intentionally slowing down speeds on older iPhones in order to increase sales of newer models .
A judge must still approve the agreement , which is separate from a class-action lawsuit in which Apple agreed to pay $ 500 million to iPhone owners in March .
As part of Wednesday 's proposed settlement , Apple admits no wrongdoing .
The attorneys general took Apple to court after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 7 and SE devices in 2016 to throttle their speeds to prevent their aging batteries from causing them to unexpectedly shut down .
States said Apple should have been transparent about the problem and offered to replace the batteries .
Instead , the states said Apple benefited from customers -- tired of slower , aging phones -- purchasing new model iPhones .
`` This settlement should remind companies that they have a legal responsibility to provide clear and truthful information to their customers and to treat them fairly , '' Washington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` When businesses do not live up to their obligations and violate consumer protection laws , state attorneys general will hold them accountable . ''
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich said his state stands to receive $ 5 million in the settlement if approved .
`` Big Tech companies must stop manipulating consumers and tell them the whole truth about their practices and products , '' he said .
`` I 'm committed to holding these goliath technology companies accountable when they conceal important information from users . ''

A woman explores an iPhone 6 at Apple's flagship store in Beijing on January 4, 2015. Apple was accused of throttling iPhone 6 devices after the battery began causing the devices to unexpectedly shut down. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Apple on Wednesday agreed to pay $113 million to settle a lawsuit brought by 33 states and Washington, D.C., accusing the company of intentionally slowing down speeds on older iPhones in order to increase sales of newer models. A judge must still approve the agreement, which is separate from a class-action lawsuit in which Apple agreed to pay $500 million to iPhone owners in March. As part of Wednesday's proposed settlement, Apple admits no wrongdoing. Advertisement
The attorneys general took Apple to court after the company pushed an update to iPhone 6, 7 and SE devices in 2016 to throttle their speeds to prevent their aging batteries from causing them to unexpectedly shut down. States said Apple should have been transparent about the problem and offered to replace the batteries.
Instead, the states said Apple benefited from customers -- tired of slower, aging phones -- purchasing new model iPhones.
"This settlement should remind companies that they have a legal responsibility to provide clear and truthful information to their customers and to treat them fairly," Washington, D.C., Attorney General Karl Racine said. "When businesses do not live up to their obligations and violate consumer protection laws, state attorneys general will hold them accountable."
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Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich said his state stands to receive $5 million in the settlement if approved.
"Big Tech companies must stop manipulating consumers and tell them the whole truth about their practices and products," he said. "I'm committed to holding these goliath technology companies accountable when they conceal important information from users."


upi--2020-11-18--'Oxford' COVID-19 vaccine found to be safe in clinical trials

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- A COVID-19 vaccine under development in England safely promotes an immune response against the virus , particularly in elderly recipients , a study published Thursday by The Lancet found .
The study 's 560 healthy adult participants included 240 people over age 70 , according to the researchers .
That the vaccine was found to be safer in older adults than in younger people is significant , given they are at increased risk for severe illness from the new coronavirus , the researchers said .
`` The robust ... responses seen in older people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] the populations at greatest risk of serious COVID-19 disease include people with existing health conditions and older adults , '' study co-author Dr Maheshi Ramasamy said in a press release .
`` We hope that this means our vaccine will help to protect some of the most vulnerable people in society , but further research will be needed before we can be sure , '' said Ramasamy , a professor at the University of Oxford , which is leading the research .
The so-called `` Oxford vaccine , '' formally known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugmaker AstraZeneca , is one of more than 120 being evaluated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
To date , 48 of these vaccines have gotten into in clinical trials to assess their safety and effectiveness .
The study published Thursday is a Phase 2 , which is the second stage of research and development for a drug or vaccine .
Phase 2 trials evaluate the safety of a product , but not necessarily the effectiveness .
Phase 3 trials are ongoing to confirm the new results -- as well as how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection with COVID-19 -- in a broader range of people , including older adults with underlying health conditions , according to Oxford .
For the current study , researchers enrolled 560 participants -- 160 ages 18 to 55 , 160 ages 56 to 69 and 240 ages 70 and older .
Study participants received either the vaccine at a low or standard dose or a placebo , the researchers said .
In addition , participants age 55 and older were given either a single dose of vaccine or two doses 28 days apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus 28 days after a single low or standard dose across all age groups , the researchers said .
After the booster dose of the vaccine , antibody levels increased at day 56 of the trial , irrespective of dose or participant age .
By 14 days after the booster dose , 208 of the 209 participants who received it had neutralizing antibody responses , which means their immune systems were producing cells called antibodies to fight off the virus , according to the researchers .
Side effects to the vaccine were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ younger adults .
Symptoms such as temporary pain , tenderness , redness and swelling at the site of the injection occurred in 88 % of participants ages 18 to 55 and 66 % of those ages 56 and older , the data showed .
Within seven days of injection , 86 % of 18-to-55-year-olds developed systemic symptoms , such as temporary fatigue , headache , malaise , fever and muscle aches , as opposed 70 % in those over age 56 .
Participants will continue to be monitored for any serious adverse events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the researchers said .
Other COVID-19 vaccines have also been shown to generate immune responses in older adults -- including the Moderna mRNA vaccine -- while others have yielded lower responses in older adults , the Oxford researchers said .
This latter group of vaccines includes the CanSino single dose adenovirus-vector vaccine , the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine and the SinoPharm/Beijing Institute of Biological Products inactivated viral vaccine , they said .
`` The World Health Organization has outlined a number of critical factors for COVID-19 vaccines , including that they must be targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older adults .
They must also be safe ... and provide at least six months of protection , '' study co-author Sarah Gilbert said in a statement .
`` Our new study answers some of these questions about protecting older adults , but questions remain about effectiveness and length of protection , '' said Gilbert , a professor at the University of Oxford .

A new study has found the "Oxford" COVID-19 vaccine is safe, particularly in older adults. Photo by marcolohpsoares/ Pixabay
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- A COVID-19 vaccine under development in England safely promotes an immune response against the virus, particularly in elderly recipients, a study published Thursday by The Lancet found. The study's 560 healthy adult participants included 240 people over age 70, according to the researchers. Advertisement
That the vaccine was found to be safer in older adults than in younger people is significant, given they are at increased risk for severe illness from the new coronavirus, the researchers said.
"The robust ... responses seen in older people in our study are encouraging [because] the populations at greatest risk of serious COVID-19 disease include people with existing health conditions and older adults," study co-author Dr Maheshi Ramasamy said in a press release.
"We hope that this means our vaccine will help to protect some of the most vulnerable people in society, but further research will be needed before we can be sure," said Ramasamy, a professor at the University of Oxford, which is leading the research.
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The so-called "Oxford vaccine," formally known as ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and developed in conjunction with drugmaker AstraZeneca, is one of more than 120 being evaluated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To date, 48 of these vaccines have gotten into in clinical trials to assess their safety and effectiveness.
The study published Thursday is a Phase 2, which is the second stage of research and development for a drug or vaccine. Phase 2 trials evaluate the safety of a product, but not necessarily the effectiveness.
Phase 3 trials are ongoing to confirm the new results -- as well as how effective the vaccine is in protecting against infection with COVID-19 -- in a broader range of people, including older adults with underlying health conditions, according to Oxford.
For the current study, researchers enrolled 560 participants -- 160 ages 18 to 55, 160 ages 56 to 69 and 240 ages 70 and older.
Study participants received either the vaccine at a low or standard dose or a placebo, the researchers said.
In addition, participants age 55 and older were given either a single dose of vaccine or two doses 28 days apart.
The vaccine induced antibodies against the new coronavirus 28 days after a single low or standard dose across all age groups, the researchers said.
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After the booster dose of the vaccine, antibody levels increased at day 56 of the trial, irrespective of dose or participant age.
By 14 days after the booster dose, 208 of the 209 participants who received it had neutralizing antibody responses, which means their immune systems were producing cells called antibodies to fight off the virus, according to the researchers.
Side effects to the vaccine were less common in older adults than in younger adults. Symptoms such as temporary pain, tenderness, redness and swelling at the site of the injection occurred in 88% of participants ages 18 to 55 and 66% of those ages 56 and older, the data showed.
Within seven days of injection, 86% of 18-to-55-year-olds developed systemic symptoms, such as temporary fatigue, headache, malaise, fever and muscle aches, as opposed 70% in those over age 56.
Participants will continue to be monitored for any serious adverse events for one year following final vaccination, the researchers said.
Other COVID-19 vaccines have also been shown to generate immune responses in older adults -- including the Moderna mRNA vaccine -- while others have yielded lower responses in older adults, the Oxford researchers said.
This latter group of vaccines includes the CanSino single dose adenovirus-vector vaccine, the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine and the SinoPharm/Beijing Institute of Biological Products inactivated viral vaccine, they said.
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"The World Health Organization has outlined a number of critical factors for COVID-19 vaccines, including that they must be targeted at the most at-risk groups, including older adults. They must also be safe ... and provide at least six months of protection," study co-author Sarah Gilbert said in a statement.
"Our new study answers some of these questions about protecting older adults, but questions remain about effectiveness and length of protection," said Gilbert, a professor at the University of Oxford.