upi--2020-12-04--Amid record COVID-19 surge, Seoul orders businesses to close early

SEOUL , Dec. 4 ( UPI ) -- As the Seoul metropolitan area saw a record number of COVID-19 cases on Friday , acting Mayor Seo Jeong-hyup declared a `` desperate crisis '' and announced measures that include forcing most businesses to close early each night .
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported about 300 cases in the capital city on Friday amid a nationwide outbreak that reached a nine-month high .
Metro Seoul has been under Level 2 physical distancing guidelines , the third-highest level on South Korea 's 5-tier system , since Nov. 24 .
Seo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't doing enough to stem the spread .
`` The number of confirmed cases is snowballing , '' the mayor said at an online press briefing .
`` It is impossible to respond to the crisis with the measures taken so far . ''
Under the new restrictions , which take effect Saturday and will last for at least two weeks , restaurants , cafes and most stores must suspend operations at 9 p.m. each night .
Other businesses , such as movie theaters , beauty salons and study halls , will also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Larger venues like concert halls , museums , libraries and sports facilities will be shuttered around the clock .
Only small markets and convenience stores under 300 square meters in size and restaurants offering takeout and delivery will be allowed to stay open .
Public transportation will be reduced by 30 % after 9 p.m. Seo said the city has hoped to minimize the economic impact of quarantine measures , especially for the self-employed and small business owners , but warned that the alarming situation calls for drastic measures .
`` For now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citizens is our top priority , '' he said .
`` I made a decision [ to shut businesses down ] before a bigger crisis hits . ''
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education also announced Friday that middle schools and high schools in the city will conduct all classes online for two weeks starting on Monday .
On Thursday , more than 400,000 high school seniors nationwide took an all-day college entrance exam and many will continue with a second round of tests at various colleges in the coming days and weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing period may help spread the virus and urged people to avoid travel and large gatherings for the upcoming holiday season .
Senior health ministry official Yoon Tae-ho said Friday the `` current [ COVID-19 ] situation is at a critical juncture '' and added that authorities are designating the next few weeks until Jan. 3 a `` special prevention period . ''
`` We ask you to cancel any in-person Christmas and New Year 's Eve events and religious gatherings during the period and please switch to non-face-to-face means , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea have so far had little impact on slowing the coronavirus spread and Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said Friday the government is considering further restrictions .
`` We will monitor the situation until the weekend and decide whether to take additional quarantine measures , '' he tweeted .
The more than 600 new cases represent South Korea 's third-highest one-day total to date and raised the total caseload to 36,300 , according to the KDCA .
More than 500 patients have died .

Seoul officials tightened coronavirus restrictions on Friday by ordering restaurants and stores to close by 9 p.m. every night for at least two weeks. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI
SEOUL, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- As the Seoul metropolitan area saw a record number of COVID-19 cases on Friday, acting Mayor Seo Jeong-hyup declared a "desperate crisis" and announced measures that include forcing most businesses to close early each night. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported about 300 cases in the capital city on Friday amid a nationwide outbreak that reached a nine-month high. Advertisement
Metro Seoul has been under Level 2 physical distancing guidelines, the third-highest level on South Korea's 5-tier system, since Nov. 24. Seo said, however, current measures aren't doing enough to stem the spread.
"The number of confirmed cases is snowballing," the mayor said at an online press briefing. "It is impossible to respond to the crisis with the measures taken so far."
Under the new restrictions, which take effect Saturday and will last for at least two weeks, restaurants, cafes and most stores must suspend operations at 9 p.m. each night. Other businesses, such as movie theaters, beauty salons and study halls, will also have to close at that time. Larger venues like concert halls, museums, libraries and sports facilities will be shuttered around the clock.
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Only small markets and convenience stores under 300 square meters in size and restaurants offering takeout and delivery will be allowed to stay open. Public transportation will be reduced by 30% after 9 p.m.
Seo said the city has hoped to minimize the economic impact of quarantine measures, especially for the self-employed and small business owners, but warned that the alarming situation calls for drastic measures.
"For now, protecting the safety and life of citizens is our top priority," he said. "I made a decision [to shut businesses down] before a bigger crisis hits."
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education also announced Friday that middle schools and high schools in the city will conduct all classes online for two weeks starting on Monday.
On Thursday, more than 400,000 high school seniors nationwide took an all-day college entrance exam and many will continue with a second round of tests at various colleges in the coming days and weeks.
Health officials have cautioned that the testing period may help spread the virus and urged people to avoid travel and large gatherings for the upcoming holiday season.
Senior health ministry official Yoon Tae-ho said Friday the "current [COVID-19] situation is at a critical juncture" and added that authorities are designating the next few weeks until Jan. 3 a "special prevention period."
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"We ask you to cancel any in-person Christmas and New Year's Eve events and religious gatherings during the period and please switch to non-face-to-face means," he said.
Increased distancing levels in South Korea have so far had little impact on slowing the coronavirus spread and Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said Friday the government is considering further restrictions.
"We will monitor the situation until the weekend and decide whether to take additional quarantine measures," he tweeted.
The more than 600 new cases represent South Korea's third-highest one-day total to date and raised the total caseload to 36,300, according to the KDCA. More than 500 patients have died.


upi--2020-12-04--Police rescue 30 from human smuggling in Houston

Dec. 4 ( UPI ) -- Police in Texas have rescued 30 people who were being held hostage as part of a smuggling operation in a Houston home , authorities said .
The Houston Police Department said officers forced their way into the Houston home after receiving a report of a man running down the street yelling that he had been kidnapped .
`` The male advised that 30 more people were being held hostage in the house , '' the police department said on Twitter .
`` Officers found this was a human smuggling operation . ''
Police Commander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their way into the residence and found 29 men and one female being held inside , NBC News reported .
`` Most of the people said they were picked up in Brownsville between two days and a week ago , '' he said .
Police said most of the victims were from Mexico , El Salvador , Honduras and Cuba .
The Department of Homeland Security said it was cooperating with the investigation .
The Fort Bend Independent School District Police Department has also opened a nearby school to keep the victims out @ @ @ @

Police officers rescued 29 men and one female from a Houston residence Thursday night. Photo courtesy of the Houston Police Department/Twitter.
Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Police in Texas have rescued 30 people who were being held hostage as part of a smuggling operation in a Houston home, authorities said. The Houston Police Department said officers forced their way into the Houston home after receiving a report of a man running down the street yelling that he had been kidnapped. Advertisement
"The male advised that 30 more people were being held hostage in the house," the police department said on Twitter. "Officers found this was a human smuggling operation."
Police Commander Jonathon Halliday told reporters that officers forced their way into the residence and found 29 men and one female being held inside, NBC News reported.
"Most of the people said they were picked up in Brownsville between two days and a week ago," he said.
Police said most of the victims were from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras and Cuba.
The Department of Homeland Security said it was cooperating with the investigation. The Fort Bend Independent School District Police Department has also opened a nearby school to keep the victims out of the cold.


upi--2020-12-04--U.N. chief says COVID-19 impact growing; EU proposes pandemics treaty

Dec. 4 ( UPI ) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the social and economic impact of the pandemic `` is enormous and growing '' and that a vaccine will not undo the decades of damage the coronavirus has caused .
In his remarks to the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday during a special session on COVID-19 , the international governmental agency 's chief told world leaders that as the one-year anniversary of the pandemic approaches the world faces human tragedy and a public health , humanitarian and development emergency .
He defended the U.N. 's health agency , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disseminated factual information and guidance on how to confront the virus , which should have been the foundation for a global response but some countries chose not to heed its advice .
`` Many of these recommendations were not followed .
And in some situations , there was a rejection of facts and an ignoring of the guidance .
And when countries go in their own direction , the virus goes in every direction , '' he said .
The virus has hit the world 's poorest and most vulnerable hardest and though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vaccine is on the horizon , it will not undo the damage caused by the coronavirus exposing deep-seated inequalities and injustices , he said .
`` Extreme poverty is rising ; the threat of famine looms .
We face the biggest global recession in eight decades ...
It 's time to reset , '' he said .
Guterres also called on world leaders to donate to the WHO 's ACT Accelerator program , which was launched in the spring to ramp up development , production and equitable distribution of COVID-19 tests , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has repeatedly called on nations to give to this program that aims to help the world 's poorest nations fight the virus .
But on Thursday , he said the program still lacks $ 28 billion , including $ 4.3 billion urgently needed to fund the program over the next two months .
Charles Michel , the president of the European Council , on Thursday before the world leaders also proposed an international treaty to enable the world to better react to future pandemics , stating they must learn from the lessons being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The number of epidemics has multiplied in recent decades .
We knew that the world was not immune to a major pandemic .
Yet , we were caught off guard , '' he said via a recorded video .
`` This is a form of failure , and we will have to learn the lessons and draw the conclusions from it . ''
While there have been failures , the international community 's development of a vaccine in less than a year is an achievement that generally requires a decade , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what global cooperation , solidarity and mobilization is capable of .
The treaty would be within the framework of the WHO to address risk monitoring , financing for coordinated research and improving access to healthcare while strengthening healthcare systems and securing supply chains .
`` The objective is to do better , '' he said .
`` To do better in all the areas where we recognize it is in our interest to strengthen cooperation . ''
The leaders spoke during the first day of the two-day special session at the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grows .
According to a map of the virus by Johns Hopkins University , total cases early Friday reached 65.2 million nearly a year after the virus was first diagnosed in China late last December .
The death toll also surpassed the grim 1.5-million mark Thursday .

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U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the coronavirus pandemic has exposed inequalities and injustices in society. Photo by Eskinder Debebe/U,N. Photo
Dec. 4 (UPI) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the social and economic impact of the pandemic "is enormous and growing" and that a vaccine will not undo the decades of damage the coronavirus has caused. In his remarks to the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday during a special session on COVID-19, the international governmental agency's chief told world leaders that as the one-year anniversary of the pandemic approaches the world faces human tragedy and a public health, humanitarian and development emergency. Advertisement
He defended the U.N.'s health agency, the World Health Organization, saying it disseminated factual information and guidance on how to confront the virus, which should have been the foundation for a global response but some countries chose not to heed its advice.
"Many of these recommendations were not followed. And in some situations, there was a rejection of facts and an ignoring of the guidance. And when countries go in their own direction, the virus goes in every direction," he said.
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The virus has hit the world's poorest and most vulnerable hardest and though hopes have been buoyed by news that a vaccine is on the horizon, it will not undo the damage caused by the coronavirus exposing deep-seated inequalities and injustices, he said.
"Extreme poverty is rising; the threat of famine looms. We face the biggest global recession in eight decades ... It's time to reset," he said.
Guterres also called on world leaders to donate to the WHO's ACT Accelerator program, which was launched in the spring to ramp up development, production and equitable distribution of COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines.
The U.N. chief has repeatedly called on nations to give to this program that aims to help the world's poorest nations fight the virus.
But on Thursday, he said the program still lacks $28 billion, including $4.3 billion urgently needed to fund the program over the next two months.
Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, on Thursday before the world leaders also proposed an international treaty to enable the world to better react to future pandemics, stating they must learn from the lessons being taught by the current global emergency.
"The number of epidemics has multiplied in recent decades. We knew that the world was not immune to a major pandemic. Yet, we were caught off guard," he said via a recorded video. "This is a form of failure, and we will have to learn the lessons and draw the conclusions from it."
Advertisement
While there have been failures, the international community's development of a vaccine in less than a year is an achievement that generally requires a decade, he said, stating it is an example of what global cooperation, solidarity and mobilization is capable of.
The treaty would be within the framework of the WHO to address risk monitoring, financing for coordinated research and improving access to healthcare while strengthening healthcare systems and securing supply chains.
"The objective is to do better," he said. "To do better in all the areas where we recognize it is in our interest to strengthen cooperation."
The leaders spoke during the first day of the two-day special session at the United Nations that were held as the pandemic grows.
According to a map of the virus by Johns Hopkins University, total cases early Friday reached 65.2 million nearly a year after the virus was first diagnosed in China late last December.
The death toll also surpassed the grim 1.5-million mark Thursday.


upi--2020-12-04--People with Alzheimer's lose financial acumen years before diagnosis

Even before signs of Alzheimer 's disease or dementia appear , people are prone to make poor financial decisions , a new study finds .
Older people diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer 's were more likely to miss credit card payments as early as six years before their diagnosis , compared with similar people without dementia -- about 8 % versus 7 % -- the researchers found .
Patients with dementia were also likely to have lower credit scores in the three years before diagnosis than those without dementia -- about 9 % versus 8 % .
These financial problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education , the findings showed .
`` Missed bill payments can have catastrophic consequences , like losing a home , car or business .
By the time dementia is detected , it may be too late , '' said lead researcher Lauren Hersch Nicholas , an associate professor and health economist at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore .
Faltering financial acumen can also leave older people vulnerable to scammers .
`` We do n't have access to data on phone scams , but worry a lot about those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the patterns that we 're seeing , along with other research suggesting that people who are more susceptible to fraud in hypothetical survey questions are more likely to develop dementia in the future , I would definitely view falling for a phone scam as a potential early sign/symptom that I would monitor . ''
For the study , Nicholas and her colleagues collected data on more than 81,000 Americans receiving Medicare , a federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older , or disabled .
`` Although we currently lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our work points to an important role for strategies like emergency financial contacts that can help to protect financial security of people with dementia , '' she said .
Nicholas also believes that community financial institutions have a part to play in protecting their older clients .
`` Businesses like banks and credit card companies may be on the front lines on dementia detection and prevention , '' she said .
Heather Snyder , vice president for medical and scientific operations at the Alzheimer 's Association , said these findings are not surprising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this area aiming to identify what may be the first noticeable changes a person may experience . ''
Past work highlights that changes in judgment , financial ability or decision-making may be the first memory and thinking changes that people and family members notice , Snyder said .
This new research suggests an association between early Alzheimer's-related brain changes and poor financial decision making , she said .
`` It does not , however , prove cause , and it does not mean that older individuals who miss a payment have dementia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal , social and economic reasons can account for why someone may make poor financial decisions , such as making late payments or overspending .
`` If you are concerned about an individual 's changes in memory or judgment , schedule an appointment with the doctor to discuss the symptoms and get an evaluation , '' Snyder said .
And if a decline in mental acuity is spotted , there are ways to help shield individuals against fraud and scammers .
According to the Alzheimer 's Association , `` because of their vulnerability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a higher risk of being victims of scams , fraud , and crime . ''
The association recommends : • Putting up a `` no solicitation '' sign on the outside entrance to the home .
• Calling the national `` Do Not Call '' Registry ( 1-888-382-1222 ) to cut down on phone solicitations .
• Removing a person 's name from the credit bureau 's mailing list .
To do so , call the Consumer Credit Reporting Industry at ( 1-888-567-8688 ) .
• Registering with the DMA ( Direct Marketing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solicitations by mail .
The new study was published online this week in JAMA Internal Medicine .
For more on helping a loved one avoid scams , including the common `` grandparent scam , '' head to the Alzheimer 's Association .

Even before signs of Alzheimer's disease or dementia appear, people are prone to make poor financial decisions, a new study finds.
Older people diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's were more likely to miss credit card payments as early as six years before their diagnosis, compared with similar people without dementia -- about 8% versus 7% -- the researchers found.
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Patients with dementia were also likely to have lower credit scores in the three years before diagnosis than those without dementia -- about 9% versus 8%. These financial problems were more common among patients with less education, the findings showed.
"Missed bill payments can have catastrophic consequences, like losing a home, car or business. By the time dementia is detected, it may be too late," said lead researcher Lauren Hersch Nicholas, an associate professor and health economist at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.
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Faltering financial acumen can also leave older people vulnerable to scammers.
"We don't have access to data on phone scams, but worry a lot about those," Nicholas said. "Given the patterns that we're seeing, along with other research suggesting that people who are more susceptible to fraud in hypothetical survey questions are more likely to develop dementia in the future, I would definitely view falling for a phone scam as a potential early sign/symptom that I would monitor."
For the study, Nicholas and her colleagues collected data on more than 81,000 Americans receiving Medicare, a federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, or disabled.
"Although we currently lack treatments to delay or reverse dementia, our work points to an important role for strategies like emergency financial contacts that can help to protect financial security of people with dementia," she said.
Nicholas also believes that community financial institutions have a part to play in protecting their older clients.
"Businesses like banks and credit card companies may be on the front lines on dementia detection and prevention," she said.
Advertisement
Heather Snyder, vice president for medical and scientific operations at the Alzheimer's Association, said these findings are not surprising, and "add to other work in this area aiming to identify what may be the first noticeable changes a person may experience."
Past work highlights that changes in judgment, financial ability or decision-making may be the first memory and thinking changes that people and family members notice, Snyder said.
This new research suggests an association between early Alzheimer's-related brain changes and poor financial decision making, she said. "It does not, however, prove cause, and it does not mean that older individuals who miss a payment have dementia," Snyder stressed.
Many other personal, social and economic reasons can account for why someone may make poor financial decisions, such as making late payments or overspending.
"If you are concerned about an individual's changes in memory or judgment, schedule an appointment with the doctor to discuss the symptoms and get an evaluation," Snyder said.
And if a decline in mental acuity is spotted, there are ways to help shield individuals against fraud and scammers.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, "because of their vulnerability, people with Alzheimer's disease hold a higher risk of being victims of scams, fraud, and crime." The association recommends:
Putting up a "no solicitation" sign on the outside entrance to the home.
Calling the national "Do Not Call" Registry (1-888-382-1222) to cut down on phone solicitations.
Removing a person's name from the credit bureau's mailing list. To do so, call the Consumer Credit Reporting Industry at (1-888-567-8688).
Registering with the DMA (Direct Marketing Association), www.dmachoice.org to help reduce solicitations by mail.
Advertisement
The new study was published online this week in JAMA Internal Medicine.
For more on helping a loved one avoid scams, including the common "grandparent scam," head to the Alzheimer's Association.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-12-04--On This Day, Dec. 4: Italian jury convicts Amanda Knox of murder

Dec. 4 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1881 , the Los Angeles Times published its first edition .
In 1918 , President Woodrow Wilson became the first sitting U.S. president to travel to Europe .
He lead the U.S. delegation to a peace conference ending World War I .
In 1942 , U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered liquidation of the Works Projects Administration , created during the Great Depression to provide work for the unemployed .
The WPA was originally called the Works Progress Administration .
In 1954 , the first Burger King @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 1969 , Chicago police killed two members of the Black Panthers -- Mark Clark and Fred Hampton -- in what officials described as a gun fight .
An investigation later determined police falsified their report and fired about 100 bullets compared to one from the two men .
All charges against the police were dismissed .
In 1971 , India joined East Pakistan in its war for independence from West Pakistan .
East Pakistan became the republic of Bangladesh .
In 1991 , American Terry Anderson was freed by his pro-Iranian captors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President George H.W .
Bush ordered U.S. troops into Somalia .
In 1997 , health officials in Europe voted to ban most forms of advertising of tobacco beginning in four to five years .
In 2006 , John Bolton resigned as U.S. envoy to the United Nations .
He had been a harsh critic of U.N. bureaucracy .
In 2009 , an Italian jury found U.S. exchange student Amanda Knox and her Italian boyfriend , Raffaele Sollecito , guilty of murdering her roommate , Meredith Kercher .
Knox and Sollecito were acquitted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ N.J. , Mayor Cory Booker , responding to a challenge to survive on food stamps , began a week of spending less than $ 5 a day on food -- posting his grocery receipts on Facebook and Twitter .
`` This is hard , '' said Booker , who became a U.S. senator in 2013 .
In 2019 , a Gambian-based boat carrying about 150 migrants heading for the Canary Islands sank as it approached Mauritania , killing at least 58 people .

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Amanda Knox appears during a news conference held at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on October 4, 2011. On December 4, 2009, an Italian jury found Knox and her Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, guilty of murdering her roommate. File Photo by Jim Bryant/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 4 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1881, the Los Angeles Times published its first edition. Advertisement
In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson became the first sitting U.S. president to travel to Europe. He lead the U.S. delegation to a peace conference ending World War I.
In 1942, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered liquidation of the Works Projects Administration, created during the Great Depression to provide work for the unemployed. The WPA was originally called the Works Progress Administration.
In 1954, the first Burger King fast-food restaurant opened -- in Miami.
File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI
In 1969, Chicago police killed two members of the Black Panthers -- Mark Clark and Fred Hampton -- in what officials described as a gun fight. An investigation later determined police falsified their report and fired about 100 bullets compared to one from the two men. All charges against the police were dismissed.
In 1971, India joined East Pakistan in its war for independence from West Pakistan. East Pakistan became the republic of Bangladesh.
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In 1991, American Terry Anderson was freed by his pro-Iranian captors after six years.
In 1992, President George H.W. Bush ordered U.S. troops into Somalia.
In 1997, health officials in Europe voted to ban most forms of advertising of tobacco beginning in four to five years.
File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI
In 2006, John Bolton resigned as U.S. envoy to the United Nations. He had been a harsh critic of U.N. bureaucracy.
In 2009, an Italian jury found U.S. exchange student Amanda Knox and her Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, guilty of murdering her roommate, Meredith Kercher. Knox and Sollecito were acquitted in 2011.
In 2012, Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker, responding to a challenge to survive on food stamps, began a week of spending less than $5 a day on food -- posting his grocery receipts on Facebook and Twitter. "This is hard," said Booker, who became a U.S. senator in 2013.
In 2019, a Gambian-based boat carrying about 150 migrants heading for the Canary Islands sank as it approached Mauritania, killing at least 58 people.


upi--2020-12-04--UPI News Quiz: 'Elf,' outer space, COVID-19, Word of the Year

U.S. News // 8 hours ago
Search for victims of Maui wildfire ongoing as death toll climbs to 101
Aug. 15 (UPI) -- The death toll from the Maui wildfires has risen to 101, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said Tuesday night, as he announced plans to reopen the Lahaina Bypass for several hours a day to "reunite the pieces of Maui."


upi--2020-12-04--Isla Fisher: 'Godmothered' redefines 'happily ever after'

LOS ANGELES , Dec. 4 ( UPI ) -- Isla Fisher , star of the new Disney+ original movie , Godmothered , hopes her film changes some of the outdated traditions of fairy tales .
`` A lot of the fairy tale stories are a little bit offensive , '' Fisher said in a Zoom press conference .
As the mother of two daughters , 10-year-old Elula and 13-year-old Olive , Fisher objects to stories in which men rescue lonely women or women escape evil stepmothers .
She also objects to descriptions of heroines that emphasize their beauty .
Fisher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to `` smart '' when she read stories to her daughters .
In Godmothered , Fisher portrays Mackenzie , a single mother who meets her fairy godmother , Eleanor ( Jillian Bell ) .
Fisher said the comedy empowers real world women who do n't have magical assistance , nor do they need it .
`` We 're just trying to subvert the stereotypes that are there , because they 're so old , '' Fisher said .
Eleanor is a fairy godmother-in-training at a fairy godmother school that is about to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ magic .
So Eleanor finds a letter Mackenzie wrote when she was a child , asking her fairy godmother to make a boy in her class notice her .
Eleanor sets out to grant Mackenzie 's wish , but finds she 's a tad late .
`` Mackenzie does n't really believe that she needs a fairy godmother , but maybe she does , '' Bell said .
Now that Mackenzie has grown up , she 's no longer worried about making boys notice her .
She has two daughters , but her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years earlier .
Eleanor believes she can still help Mackenzie find a new true love , but the solution to Mackenzie 's problem is n't quite as simple as finding a new love interest .
Fisher said she appreciated how the film dispelled the notion that a woman needs to find a man to be happy .
`` Happily ever after does n't necessarily include a castle , a prince , and a dress , '' Fisher said .
`` It can be blessings you have in your life , with your family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eleanor meets Mackenzie , Mackenzie has been sacrificing her own needs to take care of her daughters .
Fisher said it was important for Mackenzie to learn that it 's OK to take care of herself , too .
`` I really loved playing this role and getting to experience my character fulfilling her inner need to find happiness , '' Fisher said .
With Godmothered , Disney is turning the fairy godmother herself on her head , too .
Since Eleanor still is a novice fairy godmother , her magic does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excited to play a more bumbling fairy godmother .
`` I 'd always been looking for some kind of a magical being to play , '' Bell said .
`` My goal in life was to play a witch and this is the closest I 've ever gotten to it . ''
Eleanor 's spells often make a mess , and attempts to turn animals into helpers creates chaos in Mackenzie 's home .
The animals caused chaos on the set , as well .
`` The pig loved to interrupt takes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also loved to leave takes when it was supposed to be there . ''
Bell said Cinderella 's fairy godmother was her personal favorite fairy godmother .
That character sang `` Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo '' and conjured a gown , carriage and glass slippers for the ball .
However , Bell wanted Eleanor to be a new fairy godmother .
So , she avoided taking too much inspiration from Cinderella .
`` I was definitely trying not to channel her too much , '' Bell said .
`` I had to create something slightly different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to beat . ''
Gomothered also allowed Fisher to play a sort of role she 's never played before .
In films like Wedding Crashers and Confessions of a Shopaholic , Fisher plays the outrageous comic character .
In Godmothered , Fisher said she bore the responsibility of reacting to Bell 's comic shenanigans .
`` I 'm kind of the straight man in the story , which is something I have n't really had the opportunity to get to play , '' Fisher said .

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Isla Fisher plays a grown woman who meets her fairy godmother in Disney+'s "Godmothered." File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Isla Fisher, star of the new Disney+ original movie, Godmothered, hopes her film changes some of the outdated traditions of fairy tales. "A lot of the fairy tale stories are a little bit offensive," Fisher said in a Zoom press conference. Advertisement
As the mother of two daughters, 10-year-old Elula and 13-year-old Olive, Fisher objects to stories in which men rescue lonely women or women escape evil stepmothers. She also objects to descriptions of heroines that emphasize their beauty. Fisher said she changed adjectives like "beautiful" to "smart" when she read stories to her daughters.
In Godmothered, Fisher portrays Mackenzie, a single mother who meets her fairy godmother, Eleanor (Jillian Bell). Fisher said the comedy empowers real world women who don't have magical assistance, nor do they need it.
"We're just trying to subvert the stereotypes that are there, because they're so old," Fisher said.
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Eleanor is a fairy godmother-in-training at a fairy godmother school that is about to shut because the world stopped believing in magic. So Eleanor finds a letter Mackenzie wrote when she was a child, asking her fairy godmother to make a boy in her class notice her. Eleanor sets out to grant Mackenzie's wish, but finds she's a tad late.
"Mackenzie doesn't really believe that she needs a fairy godmother, but maybe she does," Bell said.
Now that Mackenzie has grown up, she's no longer worried about making boys notice her. She has two daughters, but her husband died in an automobile accident four years earlier.
Eleanor believes she can still help Mackenzie find a new true love, but the solution to Mackenzie's problem isn't quite as simple as finding a new love interest. Fisher said she appreciated how the film dispelled the notion that a woman needs to find a man to be happy.
"Happily ever after doesn't necessarily include a castle, a prince, and a dress," Fisher said. "It can be blessings you have in your life, with your family or work."
By the time Eleanor meets Mackenzie, Mackenzie has been sacrificing her own needs to take care of her daughters. Fisher said it was important for Mackenzie to learn that it's OK to take care of herself, too.
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"I really loved playing this role and getting to experience my character fulfilling her inner need to find happiness," Fisher said.
With Godmothered, Disney is turning the fairy godmother herself on her head, too. Since Eleanor still is a novice fairy godmother, her magic doesn't always work as intended. Bell was excited to play a more bumbling fairy godmother.
"I'd always been looking for some kind of a magical being to play," Bell said. "My goal in life was to play a witch and this is the closest I've ever gotten to it."
Eleanor's spells often make a mess, and attempts to turn animals into helpers creates chaos in Mackenzie's home. The animals caused chaos on the set, as well.
"The pig loved to interrupt takes," Bell said. "The pig also loved to leave takes when it was supposed to be there."
Bell said Cinderella's fairy godmother was her personal favorite fairy godmother. That character sang "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" and conjured a gown, carriage and glass slippers for the ball.
However, Bell wanted Eleanor to be a new fairy godmother. So, she avoided taking too much inspiration from Cinderella.
"I was definitely trying not to channel her too much," Bell said. "I had to create something slightly different, but that's the one to try to beat."
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Gomothered also allowed Fisher to play a sort of role she's never played before.
In films like Wedding Crashers and Confessions of a Shopaholic, Fisher plays the outrageous comic character. In Godmothered, Fisher said she bore the responsibility of reacting to Bell's comic shenanigans.
"I'm kind of the straight man in the story, which is something I haven't really had the opportunity to get to play," Fisher said.
Godmothered premieres Friday on Disney+.


upi--2020-12-04--No. 1 Gonzaga vs. No. 2 Baylor hoops, MLS playoffs headline sports weekend

Dec. 4 ( UPI ) -- A men 's college basketball game between the two top-ranked teams in the country , an MLS Cup Playoffs semifinal and a welterweight unified title boxing bout highlight sports action for the first weekend of December .
More than 100 other college basketball games , over 50 college football games , dozens of NFL games and a PGA Tour tournament also fill the schedule .
Gonzaga -- the No .
1 team in the preseason Division I men 's basketball coaches poll -- battles No .
2 Baylor in one of the best matchups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3-0 ) knocked off No .
7 Kansas in their first game of the season before a blowout of Auburn .
Gonzaga then rallied past No .
11 West Virginia on Wednesday to remain undefeated .
The Bears ( 3-0 ) have won their first three games by an average of 25.5 points .
Baylor 's latest win came from an 18-point victory over No .
5 Illinois on Wednesday in Indianapolis .
Gonzaga is a 4.5 point favorite over Baylor .
The game tips off at 1 p.m. EST Saturday on CBS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jr. will put his IBF and WBC belts on the line in a boxing bout against Danny Garcia on Saturday at AT & T Stadium in Arlington , Texas .
The fight will be Spence 's first since he was involved in a near-fatal high-speed car crash in 2019 .
Spence beat Shawn Porter in his last bout on Sep. 28 , 2019 , in Los Angeles .
He owns a 26-0 record with 21 knockouts for his career .
`` You 've seen my reaction time and my sparring .
... Everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Spence said at a news conference Wednesday .
`` I feel great and everybody is going to see the same Errol Spence Jr. , post-car accident . ''
Garcia ( 36-2 ) also has 21 career knockouts .
He has won two consecutive fights since a 2018 loss to Porter .
He beat Ivan Redkach in his last bout on Jan. 25 in Brooklyn , N.Y .
The main card for the 12-round fight starts at 9 p.m. EST Saturday and airs on Fox Sports pay-per-view .
Spence is a heavy favorite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four teams will remain in the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs heading into this weekend .
The New England Revolution and Columbus Crew face off Sunday in the Eastern Conference final to determine which team will appear in the championship .
The Eastern Conference final starts at 3 p.m. EST Sunday and airs on ABC .
The winner of the match will face the Seattle Sounders , Sporting KC or Minnesota United in the championship .
The 2020 MLS Cup final airs at 8 p.m. EST Dec. 12 on Fox .
The Sounders are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the top-seeded Philadelphia Union -- the title favorites -- in the first round of the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs .
Mayakoba Golf Classic : Second round from 2 to 5 p.m. EST on Golf Channel Detroit Mercy at Michigan State at 5 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network Kent State at Virginia at 6 p.m. EST on ACC Network Bellarmine at Duke at 7 p.m. EST on ACC Network Alternate Troy at Texas Tech at 9 p.m. EST on ESPN2 Oregon at Seton Hall at 9 p.m. EST on FS1 Louisiana at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ESPN La Liga : Real Madrid vs. Sevilla at 10:15 a.m. EST on beIN Sports USA Serie A : Juventus vs. Torino at noon EST on ESPN+ Premier League : West Ham United vs. Manchester United at 12:30 p.m. EST on NBC La Liga : Barcelona vs. Cadiz at 3 p.m. EST on beIN Sports USA Ohio State at Michigan State at noon EST on ABC Texas A & M at Auburn at noon EST on ESPN Oklahoma State at TCU at noon EST on ESPN2 Western Carolina at North Carolina at noon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at noon EST on ESPN+ Syracuse at Notre Dame at 2:30 p.m. EST on NBC Florida at Tennessee at 3:30 p.m. EST on CBS West Virginia at Iowa State at 3:30 p.m. EST on ESPN Indiana at Wisconsin at 3:30 p.m. EST on ABC Iowa at Illinois at 3:30 p.m. EST on FS1 Tulsa at Navy at 3:30 p.m. EST on ESPN2 Vanderbilt at Georgia at 4 p.m. EST on SEC Network Stanford at Washington at 4 p.m. EST on Fox BYU at Coastal Carolina at 5:30 p.m. EST on ESPNU Oregon at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clemson at Virginia Tech at 7:30 p.m. EST on ABC Alabama at LSU at 8 p.m. EST on CBS Miami at Duke at 8 p.m. EST on ACCN Network Baylor at Oklahoma at 8 p.m. EST on Fox Gonzaga vs. Baylor at 1 p.m. EST on CBS North Dakota State at Kansas at 4 p.m. EST on Big 12 Network South Carolina at Houston at 6 p.m. EST on ESPN+ Furman at Richmond at 6 p.m. EST on ESPN+ Alabama at Ohio State at 7 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network Mayakoba Golf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 p.m. EST on Golf Channel Premier League : Spurs vs. Arsenal at 11:30 a.m. EST on Peacock Premium Premier League : Liverpool vs. Wolves at 2:15 p.m. EST on Peacock Premium MLS Cup Playoffs : Columbus Crew vs. New England Revolution at 3 p.m. EST on ABC Browns at Titans at 1 p.m. EST on CBS Raiders at Jets at 1 p.m. EST on CBS Jaguars at Vikings at 1 p.m. EST on CBS Bengals at Dolphins at 1 p.m. EST on CBS Colts at Texans at 1 p.m. EST on CBS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Fox Saints at Falcons at 1 p.m. EST on Fox Giants at Seahawks at 4:05 p.m. EST on Fox Rams at Cardinals at 4:05 p.m. EST on Fox Patriots at Chargers at 4:25 p.m. EST on CBS Eagles at Packers at 4:25 p.m. EST on CBS Broncos at Chiefs at 8:20 p.m. EST on NBC Villanova at Teas at 1 p.m. EST on ESPN Grambling at Texas Tech at 2 p.m. EST on ESPNU Missouri at Wichita State at 2 p.m. EST on ESPN2 Stony Brook at St. John 's at 2:30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 3 p.m. EST on ESPN Oklahoma at TCU at 4 p.m. EST on ESPN2 Kentucky at Georgia Tech at 5 p.m. EST on ESPN Western Michigan at Michigan State at 6 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network Mayakoba Golf Classic : Fourth round from 1 to 4 p.m. EST on Golf Channel

1/3
Unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. returns to the boxing ring Saturday for his first fight since he had a near-fatal car accident in October 2019. Photo by Etienne Laurent/EPA-EFE
Dec. 4 (UPI) -- A men's college basketball game between the two top-ranked teams in the country, an MLS Cup Playoffs semifinal and a welterweight unified title boxing bout highlight sports action for the first weekend of December. More than 100 other college basketball games, over 50 college football games, dozens of NFL games and a PGA Tour tournament also fill the schedule. Advertisement
Gonzaga -- the No. 1 team in the preseason Division I men's basketball coaches poll -- battles No. 2 Baylor in one of the best matchups this weekend.
The top-ranked Bulldogs (3-0) knocked off No. 7 Kansas in their first game of the season before a blowout of Auburn. Gonzaga then rallied past No. 11 West Virginia on Wednesday to remain undefeated.
The Bears (3-0) have won their first three games by an average of 25.5 points. Baylor's latest win came from an 18-point victory over No. 5 Illinois on Wednesday in Indianapolis.
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Gonzaga is a 4.5 point favorite over Baylor. The game tips off at 1 p.m. EST Saturday on CBS.
Spence defends boxing titles
Unified welterweight world champion Errol Spence Jr. will put his IBF and WBC belts on the line in a boxing bout against Danny Garcia on Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The fight will be Spence's first since he was involved in a near-fatal high-speed car crash in 2019. Spence beat Shawn Porter in his last bout on Sep. 28, 2019, in Los Angeles. He owns a 26-0 record with 21 knockouts for his career.
"You've seen my reaction time and my sparring. ... Everything is back to where it was," Spence said at a news conference Wednesday. "I feel great and everybody is going to see the same Errol Spence Jr., post-car accident."
Garcia (36-2) also has 21 career knockouts. He has won two consecutive fights since a 2018 loss to Porter. He beat Ivan Redkach in his last bout on Jan. 25 in Brooklyn, N.Y.
The main card for the 12-round fight starts at 9 p.m. EST Saturday and airs on Fox Sports pay-per-view. Spence is a heavy favorite to win the main event.
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MLS playoffs
Just four teams will remain in the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs heading into this weekend. The New England Revolution and Columbus Crew face off Sunday in the Eastern Conference final to determine which team will appear in the championship.
The Eastern Conference final starts at 3 p.m. EST Sunday and airs on ABC. The winner of the match will face the Seattle Sounders, Sporting KC or Minnesota United in the championship. The 2020 MLS Cup final airs at 8 p.m. EST Dec. 12 on Fox.
The Sounders are the defending champions. New England knocked off the top-seeded Philadelphia Union -- the title favorites -- in the first round of the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Friday
Golf -- PGA Tour
Mayakoba Golf Classic: Second round from 2 to 5 p.m. EST on Golf Channel
College basketball
Detroit Mercy at Michigan State at 5 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network
Kent State at Virginia at 6 p.m. EST on ACC Network
Bellarmine at Duke at 7 p.m. EST on ACC Network Alternate
Troy at Texas Tech at 9 p.m. EST on ESPN2
Oregon at Seton Hall at 9 p.m. EST on FS1
College football
Louisiana at Appalachian State at 8:30 p.m. EST on ESPN
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Saturday
Soccer
La Liga: Real Madrid vs. Sevilla at 10:15 a.m. EST on beIN Sports USA
Serie A: Juventus vs. Torino at noon EST on ESPN+
Premier League: West Ham United vs. Manchester United at 12:30 p.m. EST on NBC
La Liga: Barcelona vs. Cadiz at 3 p.m. EST on beIN Sports USA
College football
Ohio State at Michigan State at noon EST on ABC
Texas A&M at Auburn at noon EST on ESPN
Oklahoma State at TCU at noon EST on ESPN2
Western Carolina at North Carolina at noon EST on ACC Network
Rice at Marshall at noon EST on ESPN+
Syracuse at Notre Dame at 2:30 p.m. EST on NBC
Florida at Tennessee at 3:30 p.m. EST on CBS
West Virginia at Iowa State at 3:30 p.m. EST on ESPN
Indiana at Wisconsin at 3:30 p.m. EST on ABC
Iowa at Illinois at 3:30 p.m. EST on FS1
Tulsa at Navy at 3:30 p.m. EST on ESPN2
Vanderbilt at Georgia at 4 p.m. EST on SEC Network
Stanford at Washington at 4 p.m. EST on Fox
BYU at Coastal Carolina at 5:30 p.m. EST on ESPNU
Oregon at California at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN
Clemson at Virginia Tech at 7:30 p.m. EST on ABC
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Alabama at LSU at 8 p.m. EST on CBS
Miami at Duke at 8 p.m. EST on ACCN Network
Baylor at Oklahoma at 8 p.m. EST on Fox
College basketball
Gonzaga vs. Baylor at 1 p.m. EST on CBS
North Dakota State at Kansas at 4 p.m. EST on Big 12 Network
South Carolina at Houston at 6 p.m. EST on ESPN+
Furman at Richmond at 6 p.m. EST on ESPN+
Alabama at Ohio State at 7 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network
Golf -- PGA Tour
Mayakoba Golf Classic: Third round from 2 to 5 p.m. EST on Golf Channel
Boxing -- Main card starts at 9 p.m. EST
Eduardo Ramirez vs. Miguel Flores
Josesito Lopez vs. Francisco Santana
Habib Ahmed vs. Sebastian Fundora
Errol Spence Jr. vs. Danny Garica
Sunday
Soccer
Premier League: Spurs vs. Arsenal at 11:30 a.m. EST on Peacock Premium
Premier League: Liverpool vs. Wolves at 2:15 p.m. EST on Peacock Premium
MLS Cup Playoffs: Columbus Crew vs. New England Revolution at 3 p.m. EST on ABC
NFL
Browns at Titans at 1 p.m. EST on CBS
Raiders at Jets at 1 p.m. EST on CBS
Jaguars at Vikings at 1 p.m. EST on CBS
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Bengals at Dolphins at 1 p.m. EST on CBS
Colts at Texans at 1 p.m. EST on CBS
Lions at Bears at 1 p.m. EST on Fox
Saints at Falcons at 1 p.m. EST on Fox
Giants at Seahawks at 4:05 p.m. EST on Fox
Rams at Cardinals at 4:05 p.m. EST on Fox
Patriots at Chargers at 4:25 p.m. EST on CBS
Eagles at Packers at 4:25 p.m. EST on CBS
Broncos at Chiefs at 8:20 p.m. EST on NBC
College basketball
Villanova at Teas at 1 p.m. EST on ESPN
Grambling at Texas Tech at 2 p.m. EST on ESPNU
Missouri at Wichita State at 2 p.m. EST on ESPN2
Stony Brook at St. John's at 2:30 p.m. EST on FS1
Xavier at Cincinnati at 3 p.m. EST on ESPN
Oklahoma at TCU at 4 p.m. EST on ESPN2
Kentucky at Georgia Tech at 5 p.m. EST on ESPN
Western Michigan at Michigan State at 6 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network
Golf -- PGA Tour
Mayakoba Golf Classic: Fourth round from 1 to 4 p.m. EST on Golf Channel
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-04--Texas high school football player facing assault charge for tackling ref

Dec. 4 ( UPI ) -- A high school football team in Texas was removed from the playoffs Friday after a player charged from the sideline and tackled a referee during a game this week .
During a playoff game Thursday night , Edinburg High School senior defensive lineman Emmanuel Duron blindsided 58-year-old referee Fred Gracia after the official announced Duron had been ejected from the game .
Duron was disqualified after he received back-to-back unsportsmanlike conduct penalties .
According to The Monitor of McAllen , Duron was penalized for shoving an opposing offensive lineman to the ground , attempting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had blown and exchanging words with Gracia .
Shortly after the announcement , Duron ran onto the field and headed directly toward Gracia .
At least one Edinburg player and a staff member attempted to chase Duron , but they were unable to prevent him from knocking down Gracia at full speed .
Four police officers escorted Duron out of the stadium , according to the Monitor .
On Friday , he was charged with Class A assault , a misdemeanor .
Duron , 18 , posted his $ 10,000 bond and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to online records .
The incident occurred during the first half of Edinburg 's 35-21 playoff win .
Despite the victory , the team 's season is now over .
`` The district has decided to remove the Edinburg High School football team from the playoffs after an unexpected incident involving a student that occurred during a football game on December 3 , 2020 , '' the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District said in a statement Friday .
`` We extend a sincere apology to the referee and his family .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trustees and administration , we apologize to the athletes , staff , and our school community .
We will take the appropriate disciplinary action once we understand the facts and circumstances underlining this incident . ''
Duron , the District 31-6A Defensive Player of the Year last season , also is the Bobcats ' kicker and punter , and he wrestles at the school .

Dec. 4 (UPI) -- A high school football team in Texas was removed from the playoffs Friday after a player charged from the sideline and tackled a referee during a game this week.
During a playoff game Thursday night, Edinburg High School senior defensive lineman Emmanuel Duron blindsided 58-year-old referee Fred Gracia after the official announced Duron had been ejected from the game.
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Duron was disqualified after he received back-to-back unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. According to The Monitor of McAllen, Duron was penalized for shoving an opposing offensive lineman to the ground, attempting to tackle the quarterback after the whistle had blown and exchanging words with Gracia.
Shortly after the announcement, Duron ran onto the field and headed directly toward Gracia. At least one Edinburg player and a staff member attempted to chase Duron, but they were unable to prevent him from knocking down Gracia at full speed.
Emmanuel Duron, Edinburg High defensive end and top area wrestler is ejected from tonight's game versus PSJA and subsequently attacks the referee. Video from Edinburg CISD stream #txhsfb #rgvfootball pic.twitter.com/FF1DP3z7SV— KRGV Sports (@KRGVSports) December 4, 2020
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Four police officers escorted Duron out of the stadium, according to the Monitor. On Friday, he was charged with Class A assault, a misdemeanor.
Duron, 18, posted his $10,000 bond and was released from county jail Friday evening, according to online records.
The incident occurred during the first half of Edinburg's 35-21 playoff win. Despite the victory, the team's season is now over.
"The district has decided to remove the Edinburg High School football team from the playoffs after an unexpected incident involving a student that occurred during a football game on December 3, 2020," the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District said in a statement Friday.
"We extend a sincere apology to the referee and his family. On behalf of the Edinburg CISD Board of Trustees and administration, we apologize to the athletes, staff, and our school community. We will take the appropriate disciplinary action once we understand the facts and circumstances underlining this incident."
Duron, the District 31-6A Defensive Player of the Year last season, also is the Bobcats' kicker and punter, and he wrestles at the school.


upi--2020-12-04--Las Vegas Raiders rule out RB Josh Jacobs for game vs. New York Jets

Dec. 4 ( UPI ) -- The Las Vegas Raiders will be without star running back Josh Jacobs for Sunday 's game against the winless New York Jets because of a right ankle injury .
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden ruled out Jacobs on Friday .
Earlier this week , Gruden said that Jacobs told him he would be ready to play against the Jets .
Raiders safety Johnathan Abram , who has been dealing with a knee injury , also will miss Sunday 's game .
`` I was optimistic that they would both play in New York , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong , '' Gruden told reporters Friday .
`` I 've been wrong a lot lately .
...
But we hope to have those guys back next week .
If we do n't , we 'll carry on .
We 've got capable players and we 'll be ready to play . ''
Jacobs , who is the NFL 's fifth-leading rusher with 782 yards , suffered the ankle injury during the Raiders ' 43-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons last week .
He was injured while attempting to stretch for extra yardage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ averaged 3.8 yards per carry with nine touchdowns this season .
In his place , Devontae Booker will start at running back Sunday .
He has rushed for 326 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry in the 2020-21 campaign .
`` He 's a good player , '' Gruden said .
`` He 's proven that he can carry the ball and catch it and pass protect .
And we 'll see Theo Riddick for the first time [ since Week 4 ] ; he 's back off of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who 's been out the last couple games , hopefully is ready to go as well .
We 're excited about Book and Riddick and Jalen returning to the lineup . ''
The Raiders ( 6-5 ) will travel to play the Jets ( 0-11 ) at 1 p.m. EST Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford , N.J .

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) will miss Sunday's game against the New York Jets because of a right ankle injury. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 4 (UPI) -- The Las Vegas Raiders will be without star running back Josh Jacobs for Sunday's game against the winless New York Jets because of a right ankle injury. Raiders head coach Jon Gruden ruled out Jacobs on Friday. Earlier this week, Gruden said that Jacobs told him he would be ready to play against the Jets. Advertisement
Raiders safety Johnathan Abram, who has been dealing with a knee injury, also will miss Sunday's game.
"I was optimistic that they would both play in New York, or New Jersey, but I was wrong," Gruden told reporters Friday. "I've been wrong a lot lately. ... But we hope to have those guys back next week. If we don't, we'll carry on. We've got capable players and we'll be ready to play."
Jacobs, who is the NFL's fifth-leading rusher with 782 yards, suffered the ankle injury during the Raiders' 43-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons last week. He was injured while attempting to stretch for extra yardage late in the contest.
Jacobs has averaged 3.8 yards per carry with nine touchdowns this season.
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In his place, Devontae Booker will start at running back Sunday. He has rushed for 326 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry in the 2020-21 campaign.
"He's a good player," Gruden said. "He's proven that he can carry the ball and catch it and pass protect. And we'll see Theo Riddick for the first time [since Week 4]; he's back off of the virus. And Jalen Richard, who's been out the last couple games, hopefully is ready to go as well. We're excited about Book and Riddick and Jalen returning to the lineup."
The Raiders (6-5) will travel to play the Jets (0-11) at 1 p.m. EST Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-04--Vanderbilt-Georgia football game postponed due to COVID-19, injuries

Dec. 4 ( UPI ) -- The Vanderbilt-Georgia game scheduled for Saturday in Athens , Ga. , has been postponed because of COVID-19 issues , injuries and opt-outs within the Commodores ' football program , the Southeastern Conference announced Friday .
`` Due to the Vanderbilt football squad size and position availability falling below roster minimum requirements , Saturday 's game at Georgia has been postponed to Dec. 19 , consistent with Southeastern Conference COVID-19 protocols , '' Vanderbilt said in a statement .
Earlier this week , Vanderbilt interim head coach Todd Fitch said the Commodores had at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that some players were considering opting out after former head coach Derek Mason was fired Sunday .
`` We had an inkling there might be a problem [ Thursday ] night , '' Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said Friday .
`` When you have kids that opt out and you have injuries , your margin of error is gone with your numbers .
It all mushrooms , and you ca n't make the numbers work .
The opt-out piece is what 's really hurting everyone .
`` All of those three things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they all come together , it 's a recipe for disaster .
In this case , I think that 's what happened . ''
It is the second time in four weeks that Georgia had a postponement because an opponent fell below the SEC 's minimum roster requirement of 53 players .
The Bulldogs ' Nov. 14 game at Missouri was moved back to Dec. 12 .
If Georgia qualifies for the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 19 , the Vanderbilt-Georgia game will be declared a no-contest .
Also Friday , the Buffalo-Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 cases and subsequent contact tracing within the Bobcats ' program .
The cancellation clinched the MAC East for the unbeaten Bulls .

If Georgia head coach Kirby Smart (R) and the Bulldogs qualify for the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 19, the Vanderbilt-Georgia game will be declared a no-contest. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 4 (UPI) -- The Vanderbilt-Georgia game scheduled for Saturday in Athens, Ga., has been postponed because of COVID-19 issues, injuries and opt-outs within the Commodores' football program, the Southeastern Conference announced Friday. "Due to the Vanderbilt football squad size and position availability falling below roster minimum requirements, Saturday's game at Georgia has been postponed to Dec. 19, consistent with Southeastern Conference COVID-19 protocols," Vanderbilt said in a statement. Advertisement
Earlier this week, Vanderbilt interim head coach Todd Fitch said the Commodores had at least 53 players available. He also noted that some players were considering opting out after former head coach Derek Mason was fired Sunday.
"We had an inkling there might be a problem [Thursday] night," Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said Friday. "When you have kids that opt out and you have injuries, your margin of error is gone with your numbers. It all mushrooms, and you can't make the numbers work. The opt-out piece is what's really hurting everyone.
"All of those three things together is a bad mix. When they all come together, it's a recipe for disaster. In this case, I think that's what happened."
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It is the second time in four weeks that Georgia had a postponement because an opponent fell below the SEC's minimum roster requirement of 53 players. The Bulldogs' Nov. 14 game at Missouri was moved back to Dec. 12.
If Georgia qualifies for the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 19, the Vanderbilt-Georgia game will be declared a no-contest.
Also Friday, the Buffalo-Ohio game scheduled for Saturday was canceled because of COVID-19 cases and subsequent contact tracing within the Bobcats' program. The cancellation clinched the MAC East for the unbeaten Bulls.


upi--2020-12-04--Judge orders Trump administration to process DACA applications

Dec. 4 ( UPI ) -- EL PASO , Texas -- Tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants could be eligible for protections offered under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program after a federal judge ordered Friday the program must revert to its 2017 status .
U.S. District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis ordered that the Department of Homeland Security must post a public notice stating the department will again process applications for the program for potential first-time enrollees .
The 2012 program was open to undocumented immigrants who came to the country before they were 16 and who were 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As of March , about 106,000 DACA recipients lived in Texas , and another 86,000 were potentially eligible to apply , according to the Migration Policy Institute .
Friday 's order follows last month 's ruling that acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf was n't appointed to the position according to DHS guidelines , rendering a July memo issued on the DACA program invalid .
In that memo , DACA protections , which also include a renewable two-year work permit , were slashed to one year .
He also excluded new applicants from applying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court ruling in June that the administration did n't properly halt the program when it announced it was phasing it out more than three years ago .
But in his November ruling Garaufis said Wolf 's succession did n't follow proper procedure after former secretary Kevin McAleenan left the post in October .
`` DHS failed to follow the order of succession as it was lawfully designated , '' Garaufis wrote .
`` Therefore , the actions taken by purported Acting Secretaries , who were not properly in their roles according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without legal authority . ''
The issue of Wolf 's actions at the helm of the DHS was the subject of an August report by the Government Accountability Office , a federal watchdog , that concluded Wolf and Ken Cuccinelli , a senior official performing deputy secretary duties , were appointed as a result of `` reference to an invalid order of succession '' .
The order Friday was greeted with cheers from the immigrant rights community .
`` Thousands of young people who should have been eligible for deportation protection and work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years to access this life-changing program and live with peace of mind in the country they call home , '' Todd Schulte , the president of FWD.us said in a statement .
`` It is well past time for DHS to finally follow the repeated judicial orders and begin to accept these applications . ''
The case before Garaufis , which is in New York state , is n't the only DACA litigation still active .
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is still pursuing a case in the Southern District of Texas in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A timeline on when that could be resolved is unclear .
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune .
Read the original here .
The Texas Tribune is a non-profit , non-partisan media organization that informs Texans -- and engages with them -- about public policy , politics , government and statewide issues .

A federal judge in New York said the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals must revert to its 2017 status. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 4 (UPI) -- EL PASO, Texas -- Tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants could be eligible for protections offered under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program after a federal judge ordered Friday the program must revert to its 2017 status. Advertisement
U.S. District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis ordered that the Department of Homeland Security must post a public notice stating the department will again process applications for the program for potential first-time enrollees.
The 2012 program was open to undocumented immigrants who came to the country before they were 16 and who were 30 or younger as of June 2012. As of March, about 106,000 DACA recipients lived in Texas, and another 86,000 were potentially eligible to apply, according to the Migration Policy Institute.
Friday's order follows last month's ruling that acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf wasn't appointed to the position according to DHS guidelines, rendering a July memo issued on the DACA program invalid. In that memo, DACA protections, which also include a renewable two-year work permit, were slashed to one year. He also excluded new applicants from applying. That came despite the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June that the administration didn't properly halt the program when it announced it was phasing it out more than three years ago.
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But in his November ruling Garaufis said Wolf's succession didn't follow proper procedure after former secretary Kevin McAleenan left the post in October.
"DHS failed to follow the order of succession as it was lawfully designated," Garaufis wrote. "Therefore, the actions taken by purported Acting Secretaries, who were not properly in their roles according to the lawful order of succession, were taken without legal authority."
The issue of Wolf's actions at the helm of the DHS was the subject of an August report by the Government Accountability Office, a federal watchdog, that concluded Wolf and Ken Cuccinelli, a senior official performing deputy secretary duties, were appointed as a result of "reference to an invalid order of succession".
The order Friday was greeted with cheers from the immigrant rights community.
"Thousands of young people who should have been eligible for deportation protection and work authorization have been waiting for over three years to access this life-changing program and live with peace of mind in the country they call home," Todd Schulte, the president of FWD.us said in a statement. "It is well past time for DHS to finally follow the repeated judicial orders and begin to accept these applications."
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The case before Garaufis, which is in New York state, isn't the only DACA litigation still active. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is still pursuing a case in the Southern District of Texas in his effort to halt the program. A timeline on when that could be resolved is unclear.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune. Read the original here. The Texas Tribune is a non-profit, non-partisan media organization that informs Texans -- and engages with them -- about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.


upi--2020-12-04--Trump administration extends student loan relief through Jan. 31

Dec. 4 ( UPI ) -- The Education Department on Friday extended federal student loan relief through Jan. 31 , offering an additional month of forbearance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said the extension will suspend all collections activities and interest accrual through the end of January , one month after it was set to expire .
`` The coronavirus pandemic has presented challenges for many students and borrowers , and this temporary pause in payments will help those who have been impacted , '' she said .
`` The added time also allows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what measures it believes are necessary and appropriate .
The Congress , not the executive branch , is in charge of student loan policy . ''
The Department of Education first implemented the forbearance in March as states began shutting down non-essential services and businesses , leading to widespread unemployment and loss of income across the country .
DeVos said that though the measure will automatically stop the collections process , those who owe student loans are still able to make payments .
Since interest is n't currently accruing , all funds will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the loans .

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos first implemented the forbearance in March at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. File Pool photo by Andrew Harnik/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 4 (UPI) -- The Education Department on Friday extended federal student loan relief through Jan. 31, offering an additional month of forbearance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said the extension will suspend all collections activities and interest accrual through the end of January, one month after it was set to expire. Advertisement
"The coronavirus pandemic has presented challenges for many students and borrowers, and this temporary pause in payments will help those who have been impacted," she said. "The added time also allows Congress to do its job and determine what measures it believes are necessary and appropriate. The Congress, not the executive branch, is in charge of student loan policy."
The Department of Education first implemented the forbearance in March as states began shutting down non-essential services and businesses, leading to widespread unemployment and loss of income across the country.
DeVos said that though the measure will automatically stop the collections process, those who owe student loans are still able to make payments. Since interest isn't currently accruing, all funds will go entirely toward the principal balance of the loans.


upi--2020-12-04--NBA releases first half of 2020-21 regular-season schedule

Dec. 4 ( UPI ) -- The NBA unveiled the first half of its 2020-21 regular-season schedule Friday , as the league continues to adjust during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic .
Due to the coronavirus , the NBA announced only half of its 72-game regular-season slate instead of revealing the full schedule .
The league typically releases its full 82-game schedule on one date .
The NBA previously said it will reveal the second half of the schedule shortly before the first half of the season concludes .
The league is doing so to allow for more flexibility during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schedule disruptions as the NBA attempts to conduct a season outside of a bubble .
The NBA 's pandemic-shortened season is scheduled to begin Dec. 22 , when the Golden State Warriors visit the Brooklyn Nets in the first game of the opening-day doubleheader .
In the other matchup , the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers will battle the L.A. Clippers .
The first half of the schedule will run through March 4 .
At that time , the league will have a six-day All-Star break .
The NBA 's first-half schedule contains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Durant and the Nets traveling to Golden State for a Feb. 13 matchup .
It will be Durant 's first time playing at Golden State since leaving as a free agent .
The opening slate also has two matchups between the Washington Wizards and Houston Rockets , who exchanged All-Star point guards Russell Westbrook and John Wall last week in a blockbuster trade .
The Wizards will travel to Houston on Jan. 26 , and the Rockets will make the return trip Feb. 15 .
LeBron James and the Lakers will host the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rematch of last season 's NBA Finals .
The Lakers topped the Heat in six games to win the franchise 's 17th championship .
The NBA has five games scheduled for Christmas Day , beginning with a matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and Heat .
The Warriors will play the Milwaukee Bucks at 2:30 p.m. EST , followed by the Nets taking on the Boston Celtics at 5 p.m .
In the two night games , the Dallas Mavericks will battle the Lakers , while the Clippers will square off against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 2020-21 season , all 30 NBA teams will play either 37 or 38 games , including at least 17 home games .
Out of 1,080 total games to be played this season , 558 have been scheduled to this point .

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers will play the L.A. Clippers in one of the league's two opening-day games on Dec. 22. In the other game, the Brooklyn Nets will take on the Golden State Warriors. File Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE
Dec. 4 (UPI) -- The NBA unveiled the first half of its 2020-21 regular-season schedule Friday, as the league continues to adjust during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the coronavirus, the NBA announced only half of its 72-game regular-season slate instead of revealing the full schedule. The league typically releases its full 82-game schedule on one date. Advertisement
The NBA previously said it will reveal the second half of the schedule shortly before the first half of the season concludes. The league is doing so to allow for more flexibility during the pandemic, which will likely cause multiple schedule disruptions as the NBA attempts to conduct a season outside of a bubble.
The NBA's pandemic-shortened season is scheduled to begin Dec. 22, when the Golden State Warriors visit the Brooklyn Nets in the first game of the opening-day doubleheader. In the other matchup, the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers will battle the L.A. Clippers.
The first half of the schedule will run through March 4. At that time, the league will have a six-day All-Star break.
The NBA's first-half schedule contains plenty of marquee games, including Kevin Durant and the Nets traveling to Golden State for a Feb. 13 matchup. It will be Durant's first time playing at Golden State since leaving as a free agent.
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The opening slate also has two matchups between the Washington Wizards and Houston Rockets, who exchanged All-Star point guards Russell Westbrook and John Wall last week in a blockbuster trade. The Wizards will travel to Houston on Jan. 26, and the Rockets will make the return trip Feb. 15.
LeBron James and the Lakers will host the Miami Heat on Feb. 20 in a rematch of last season's NBA Finals. The Lakers topped the Heat in six games to win the franchise's 17th championship.
Check out some of our top games on NBA TV for the first half of the 2020-21 season! For more: https://t.co/l9388zWvsq pic.twitter.com/IpeboXPUrI— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 4, 2020
The NBA has five games scheduled for Christmas Day, beginning with a matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and Heat. The Warriors will play the Milwaukee Bucks at 2:30 p.m. EST, followed by the Nets taking on the Boston Celtics at 5 p.m.
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In the two night games, the Dallas Mavericks will battle the Lakers, while the Clippers will square off against the Denver Nuggets.
During the opening portion of the 2020-21 season, all 30 NBA teams will play either 37 or 38 games, including at least 17 home games. Out of 1,080 total games to be played this season, 558 have been scheduled to this point.


upi--2020-12-04--U.S. to withdraw most troops from Somalia by 'early 2021'

Dec. 4 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration on Friday ordered most U.S. troops out of Somalia , a move a Defense Department watchdog warned last month could damage gains the country has made against al-Shabab .
The Pentagon said `` the majority of personnel and assets '' in Somalia will be removed from the East African country by `` early 2021 . ''
A news release from the department declined to offer a specific timeline on the moves .
`` As a result of this decision , some forces may be reassigned outside of East Africa , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the remaining forces will be repositioned from Somalia into neighboring countries in order to allow cross-border operations by both U.S. and partner forces to maintain pressure against violent extremist organizations operating in Somalia . ''
The United States maintains about 700 troops in Somalia mainly to train and advise local Somali forces in their fight against al-Qaida 's largest affiliate , al-Shabab , and affiliates of the Islamic State .
U.S. service members carried out an airstrike that killed a top al-Shabab leader in September .
The Pentagon said the decision to remove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The U.S. is not withdrawing or disengaging from Africa .
We remain committed to our African partners and enduring support through a whole-of-government approach , '' the statement said .
`` We will continue to degrade violent extremist organizations that could threaten our homeland while ensuring we maintain our strategic advantage in great power competition . ''
A Pentagon Inspector General report in November said , though , a reduction in U.S. forces could damage gains the Somali government has made against al-Shabab .
`` Despite many years of sustained Somali @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure , the terrorist threat in East Africa is not degraded , '' the report said .
`` Al-Shabab retains freedom of movement in many parts of southern Somalia and has demonstrated an ability and intent to attack outside of the country , including targeting U.S .
interests . ''

U.S. Army soldiers discuss operations during a security patrol stop in Somalia on December 3, 2019. File Photo by Tech. Sgt. Nick Kibbey/U.S. Air Force
Dec. 4 (UPI) -- The Trump administration on Friday ordered most U.S. troops out of Somalia, a move a Defense Department watchdog warned last month could damage gains the country has made against al-Shabab. The Pentagon said "the majority of personnel and assets" in Somalia will be removed from the East African country by "early 2021." A news release from the department declined to offer a specific timeline on the moves. Advertisement
"As a result of this decision, some forces may be reassigned outside of East Africa," the release said. "However, the remaining forces will be repositioned from Somalia into neighboring countries in order to allow cross-border operations by both U.S. and partner forces to maintain pressure against violent extremist organizations operating in Somalia."
The United States maintains about 700 troops in Somalia mainly to train and advise local Somali forces in their fight against al-Qaida's largest affiliate, al-Shabab, and affiliates of the Islamic State. U.S. service members carried out an airstrike that killed a top al-Shabab leader in September.
The Pentagon said the decision to remove most troops doesn't change U.S. policy.
"The U.S. is not withdrawing or disengaging from Africa. We remain committed to our African partners and enduring support through a whole-of-government approach," the statement said.
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"We will continue to degrade violent extremist organizations that could threaten our homeland while ensuring we maintain our strategic advantage in great power competition."
A Pentagon Inspector General report in November said, though, a reduction in U.S. forces could damage gains the Somali government has made against al-Shabab.
"Despite many years of sustained Somali, United States, and international counterterrorism pressure, the terrorist threat in East Africa is not degraded," the report said. "Al-Shabab retains freedom of movement in many parts of southern Somalia and has demonstrated an ability and intent to attack outside of the country, including targeting U.S. interests."
Clyde Hughes contributed to this report.


upi--2020-12-04--President-elect Joe Biden promises 'new era of LGBTQ rights'

Dec. 4 ( UPI ) -- President-elect Joe Biden called for a `` new era of LGBTQ rights '' Friday as he congratulated House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for receiving an award from the LGBTQ Victory Institute .
Biden participated in the institute 's panel on the 10-year anniversary of the repeal of the so-called `` Do n't Ask , Do n't Tell '' policy that for years prevented LGBTQ Americans from serving openly in the U.S. military .
He reiterated his campaign vows to make LGBTQ rights a priority during his presidency and for his administration to be the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's an honor to be an ally , '' Biden said .
`` Vice President-elect [ Kamala ] Harris and I are committed to being the most pro-equality administration in history .
But we ca n't do it without you and we ca n't do it without my dear friend Nancy Pelosi . ''
He said he looks forward to working directly with Pelosi again to `` continue the fight for full equality and usher in a new era in LGBTQ rights . ''
During a town hall event in October , Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protections , saying there should be `` zero discrimination . ''
`` I would flat out just change the law , '' he said at the time , responding to a question about his stance on Trump 's moves that bar transgender Americans from serving in the military , among others .
`` I would eliminate those executive orders . ''
Biden has named a number of openly LGBTQ individuals to his administration , including Karine Jean-Pierre as deputy press secretary , Pili Tobar as deputy White House communications director and Carlos Elizondo @ @ @ @ @ @

President-elect Joe Biden has said he plans to have the most inclusive administration in U.S. history. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 4 (UPI) -- President-elect Joe Biden called for a "new era of LGBTQ rights" Friday as he congratulated House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for receiving an award from the LGBTQ Victory Institute. Biden participated in the institute's panel on the 10-year anniversary of the repeal of the so-called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that for years prevented LGBTQ Americans from serving openly in the U.S. military. Advertisement
He reiterated his campaign vows to make LGBTQ rights a priority during his presidency and for his administration to be the most inclusive in U.S. history.
"It's an honor to be an ally," Biden said. "Vice President-elect [Kamala] Harris and I are committed to being the most pro-equality administration in history. But we can't do it without you and we can't do it without my dear friend Nancy Pelosi."
He said he looks forward to working directly with Pelosi again to "continue the fight for full equality and usher in a new era in LGBTQ rights."
During a town hall event in October, Biden spoke against Trump administration rollbacks on LGBTQ protections, saying there should be "zero discrimination."
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"I would flat out just change the law," he said at the time, responding to a question about his stance on Trump's moves that bar transgender Americans from serving in the military, among others. "I would eliminate those executive orders."
Biden has named a number of openly LGBTQ individuals to his administration, including Karine Jean-Pierre as deputy press secretary, Pili Tobar as deputy White House communications director and Carlos Elizondo as White House social secretary.


upi--2020-12-04--SpaceX to carry heart tissue, fiber optics lab to space station

ORLANDO , Fla. , Dec. 4 ( UPI ) -- SpaceX plans to launch cargo to the International Space Station on Saturday morning , including simulated heart tissue for a medical experiment , a holiday meal and the first privately owned airlock .
A Falcon 9 rocket has been prepared for liftoff at 11:39 a.m. EST from Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida .
Thick clouds could delay the launch attempt by a day , according to a U.S. Space Force forecast .
The heart experiment includes 192 chunks of tissue engineered from blood cells of six people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will be kept healthy in a small laboratory .
Other projects on board the mission , SpaceX CRS-21 , include research on microbes that could be used to break down rocky material on asteroids ; a tool being tested for quick and accurate blood analysis in microgravity ; and another human tissue study regarding the effects of spaceflight on post-traumatic osteoarthritis and bone loss .
For the upcoming holidays , NASA also is sending all the food for a celebratory meal .
Items being carried on the resupply mission include roasted turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , potatoes au gratin , macaroni and cheese , French vanilla cappuccino , shortbread cookies and decorative sparkle gel .
The experiments are part of NASA 's goal to accelerate science on the space station as it hosts seven astronauts , the most in years .
Four astronauts arrived Nov. 16 on SpaceX 's first operational flight of the Crew Dragon capsule .
The flight will be the first for SpaceX 's upgraded cargo Dragon capsule .
When it arrives at the space station , it will join the Crew Dragon , marking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ docked there .
`` It 's a really big vehicle and takes a lot of cargo up .
It has 20 percent more volume than the previous version , '' Sarah Walker , SpaceX director of Dragon mission management , said at a press conference Friday .
The goal of the heart experiment is to determine how heart tissue changes in microgravity .
Scientists at Stanford University in California believe the tissue will show signs of atrophy , or weakening , lead researcher Joseph Wu said .
`` It 's too difficult to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see how microgravity affects them , so these tissues are the next best thing , '' said Wu , a professor of medicine and radiology who directs the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute .
Wu and his staff already sent a smaller sample of such tissue in a previous experiment .
The sample on this trip will help them decide what drugs they can test in space on future experiments .
`` I 'm confident we will see changes in the tissue when it is tested in space and when some samples are returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to similar samples we 've kept here , '' Wu said .
`` I 'm hopeful that will lead us to new drug treatments for heart disease in the future . ''
The new treatments would be not just for astronauts but also for the general population -- for such conditions as ischemia or arrhythmia , he said .
Riding in SpaceX 's capsule with the heart experiment is a small manufacturing laboratory to make fiber optics in space .
Several experiments at the space station over the years have proven fiber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have fewer imperfections than those made on Earth .
The new project , led by researchers at the University of Southern California , will be the first to scale up production of such fiber for medical and high-tech defense applications , said Dmitry Starodubov , lead researcher on the fiber optics project and a research professor at the university .
`` I would call this a quantum leap in space manufacturing , '' Starodubov said .
`` What we are launching is fully automated , so it 's unique in its ability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Under the capsule , in SpaceX 's storage trunk , NASA and Pittsburgh-based space company Nanoracks plan to ferry the company 's Bishop Airlock to the space station .
Astronauts plan to install the airlock on the exterior of the space station , where it will release science experiments and small satellites into space .
Having a private airlock just for science experiments and small satellites will allow more efficient use of the station 's airlocks and allow for more commercial activity , according to NASA .
Nanoracks funded the construction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 million , for the opportunity to have private enterprise utilize it , according to the company .
NASA signed an agreement with the company for the idea .

1/4
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is being prepared Friday to launch the first Dragon 2 spacecraft to the International Space Station on a resupply mission for NASA from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 4 (UPI) -- SpaceX plans to launch cargo to the International Space Station on Sunday morning, including simulated heart tissue for a medical experiment, a holiday meal and the first privately owned airlock. A Falcon 9 rocket has been prepared for liftoff at 11:17 a.m. EST from Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch had been planned for Saturday, but was delayed because of poor weather in the area designated for recovery of the first-stage booster. Advertisement
The heart experiment includes 192 chunks of tissue engineered from blood cells of six people -- three men and three women -- that will be kept healthy in a small laboratory.
Other projects on board the mission, SpaceX CRS-21, include research on microbes that could be used to break down rocky material on asteroids; a tool being tested for quick and accurate blood analysis in microgravity; and another human tissue study regarding the effects of spaceflight on post-traumatic osteoarthritis and bone loss.
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For the upcoming holidays, NASA also is sending all the fixings food for a celebratory meal.
Items being carried on the resupply mission include roasted turkey, cornbread dressing, jellied cranberry sauce, potatoes au gratin, macaroni and cheese, French vanilla cappuccino, shortbread cookies and decorative sparkle gel.
The experiments are part of NASA's goal to accelerate science on the space station as it hosts seven astronauts, the most in years. Four astronauts arrived Nov. 16 on SpaceX's first operational flight of the Crew Dragon capsule.
The flight will be the first for SpaceX's upgraded cargo Dragon capsule. When it arrives at the space station, it will join the Crew Dragon, marking the first time two Dragon capsules are docked there.
"It's a really big vehicle and takes a lot of cargo up. It has 20 percent more volume than the previous version," Sarah Walker, SpaceX director of Dragon mission management, said at a press conference Friday.
The goal of the heart experiment is to determine how heart tissue changes in microgravity. Scientists at Stanford University in California believe the tissue will show signs of atrophy, or weakening, lead researcher Joseph Wu said.
"It's too difficult to do an actual heart biopsy on astronauts to see how microgravity affects them, so these tissues are the next best thing," said Wu, a professor of medicine and radiology who directs the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute.
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Wu and his staff already sent a smaller sample of such tissue in a previous experiment. The sample on this trip will help them decide what drugs they can test in space on future experiments.
"I'm confident we will see changes in the tissue when it is tested in space and when some samples are returned to Earth, where we will compare them to similar samples we've kept here," Wu said. "I'm hopeful that will lead us to new drug treatments for heart disease in the future."
The new treatments would be not just for astronauts but also for the general population -- for such conditions as ischemia or arrhythmia, he said.
Riding in SpaceX's capsule with the heart experiment is a small manufacturing laboratory to make fiber optics in space.
Several experiments at the space station over the years have proven fiber optics made in microgravity are better because they have fewer imperfections than those made on Earth.
The new project, led by researchers at the University of Southern California, will be the first to scale up production of such fiber for medical and high-tech defense applications, said Dmitry Starodubov, lead researcher on the fiber optics project and a research professor at the university.
Advertisement
"I would call this a quantum leap in space manufacturing," Starodubov said. "What we are launching is fully automated, so it's unique in its ability to operate independently from the ground."
Under the capsule, in SpaceX's storage trunk, NASA and Pittsburgh-based space company Nanoracks plan to ferry the company's Bishop Airlock to the space station. Astronauts plan to install the airlock on the exterior of the space station, where it will release science experiments and small satellites into space.
Having a private airlock just for science experiments and small satellites will allow more efficient use of the station's airlocks and allow for more commercial activity, according to NASA.
Nanoracks funded the construction of the airlock, which cost about $15 million, for the opportunity to have private enterprise utilize it, according to the company. NASA signed an agreement with the company for the idea.


upi--2020-12-04--Burned-out Christmas tree lights lead woman to $171,000 lottery jackpot

Dec. 4 ( UPI ) -- A Virginia woman said finding the lights on her Christmas tree were burned out @ @ @ @ @ lucky discovery when it led to her winning a lottery jackpot of more than $ @ @ @ @ @ Yorktown told Virginia Lottery officials she was setting up her Christmas tree when she discovered @ @ @ @ @ year would no longer illuminate .
Houston said she took a trip to Home Depot @ @ @ @ @ and on the way home she stopped at the Wawa store in Yorktown and bought @ @ @ @ @ Lottery 's Cash 5 with EZ Match Nov. 25 drawing .
One of the player @ @ @ @ @ numbers , 10-17-18-34-38 , winning her $ 171,685 .
`` I could n't believe it @ @ @ @ @ `` It just feels wonderful ! ''
Houston said she has not yet decided how @ @ @ @ @ .

Phyllis Houston of Yorktown, Va., said some non-functioning Christmas lights sent her on the path that led to her winning a $171,685 lottery jackpot. Photo courtesy of the Virginia Lottery
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Dec. 4 (UPI) -- A Virginia woman said finding the lights on her Christmas tree were burned out turned out to be a lucky discovery when it led to her winning a lottery jackpot of more than $171,000. Phyllis Houston of Yorktown told Virginia Lottery officials she was setting up her Christmas tree when she discovered the lights she packed last year would no longer illuminate. Advertisement
Houston said she took a trip to Home Depot to buy new lights, and on the way home she stopped at the Wawa store in Yorktown and bought some tickets for the Virginia Lottery's Cash 5 with EZ Match Nov. 25 drawing.
One of the player's tickets matched all five numbers, 10-17-18-34-38, winning her $171,685.
"I couldn't believe it," she said. "It just feels wonderful!"
Houston said she has not yet decided how she will use her winnings.


upi--2020-12-04--Dog missing for three weeks finds owner working at Walmart

Dec. 4 ( UPI ) -- A dog that went missing from her owner 's Alabama back yard turned up three weeks later when the canine wandered into a Walmart store and found her owner working at a checkout lane .
Danielle Robinette , a customer service associate at the Walmart store in Dothan , said she was baffled when a black-and-white dog wandered into the store .
`` I was like , 'What in the world is happening ? '
'' Robinette told The Washington Post .
`` I 'm a huge animal lover , so I just followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ register No .
6 . ''
The cashier at register No .
6 , June Rountree , was able to solve the mystery -- the canine was her missing dog , Abby .
Rountree said Abby had vanished from her back yard three weeks earlier , leaving her collar behind .
She said she and her husband had been searching for the dog , but were unable to find any sign of their missing pet .
`` I called her name and she came to me , '' Rountree said of the reunion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hugged her .
I completely lost it then .
I could n't speak .
I was in complete shock and just could n't believe it . ''
Rountree said the Walmart store is more than a mile from her home .
She said she has worked at the location for 10 years , but never brought 4-year-old Abby inside .
She said the canine might have recognized the store from times when she would bring the dog to the store 's parking lot and the woods behind the business .
`` Never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she would show up at Walmart , '' Roundtee said .
Robinette said she was equally shocked by the outcome .
`` It was beautiful , '' Robinette told the Dothan Eagle .
`` It was so very overwhelming .
I was in disbelief .
I thought she was joking . ''

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
Dec. 4 (UPI) -- A dog that went missing from her owner's Alabama back yard turned up three weeks later when the canine wandered into a Walmart store and found her owner working at a checkout lane.
Danielle Robinette, a customer service associate at the Walmart store in Dothan, said she was baffled when a black-and-white dog wandered into the store.
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"I was like, 'What in the world is happening?'" Robinette told The Washington Post. "I'm a huge animal lover, so I just followed her, and she ran up to register No. 6."
The cashier at register No. 6, June Rountree, was able to solve the mystery -- the canine was her missing dog, Abby.
Rountree said Abby had vanished from her back yard three weeks earlier, leaving her collar behind. She said she and her husband had been searching for the dog, but were unable to find any sign of their missing pet.
"I called her name and she came to me," Rountree said of the reunion at Walmart. "I bent over and hugged her. I completely lost it then. I couldn't speak. I was in complete shock and just couldn't believe it."
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Rountree said the Walmart store is more than a mile from her home. She said she has worked at the location for 10 years, but never brought 4-year-old Abby inside. She said the canine might have recognized the store from times when she would bring the dog to the store's parking lot and the woods behind the business.
"Never in a million years did I think she would show up at Walmart," Roundtee said.
Robinette said she was equally shocked by the outcome.
"It was beautiful," Robinette told the Dothan Eagle. "It was so very overwhelming. I was in disbelief. I thought she was joking."