upi--2020-12-08--Howard Stern extends deal with Sirius for five more years

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- The Howard Stern Show is to continue exclusively on SiriusXM for the next five years , its host and the satellite radio company announced Tuesday .
The archive of audio and video from past episodes will continue to be licensed to SiriusXM for an additional seven years .
The terms of the new deal were not disclosed .
`` Fifteen years ago , I joined SiriusXM , a fledgling group of broadcasters .
I had been in a toxic relationship with terrestrial radio .
And no matter how well I treated the medium , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they abused me .
Going to SiriusXM liberated me .
I felt like Tina Turner freeing myself from Ike , '' said Stern in a statement , referring to the many fines and citations he racked up by using obscene language on the air .
`` And despite the naysayers and the ridicule , we have persevered , and are thriving .
I 've been proven right about satellite radio over and over again .
With this contract renewal , I ca n't wait to see what else I 'll be right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot more to say about Metamucil crackers and stepmom porn .
Plus , now that I can work from home , I simply do n't have an excuse to quit . ''
The 66-year-old comedian and celebrity interviewer has referred to himself as the `` King of All Media '' for decades .
He is also the author of several books , including Private Parts -- which was adapted as a 1997 film he also starred in -- and more recently , Howard Stern Comes Again .
Stern also served as a judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seasons ending in 2015 .

Howard Stern (R) -- seen here with his wife Beth -- signed a new deal to stay at Sirius for five more years. File Photo by Justin Alt/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The Howard Stern Show is to continue exclusively on SiriusXM for the next five years, its host and the satellite radio company announced Tuesday. The archive of audio and video from past episodes will continue to be licensed to SiriusXM for an additional seven years. Advertisement
The terms of the new deal were not disclosed.
"Fifteen years ago, I joined SiriusXM, a fledgling group of broadcasters. I had been in a toxic relationship with terrestrial radio. And no matter how well I treated the medium, no matter how successful I made them, they abused me. Going to SiriusXM liberated me. I felt like Tina Turner freeing myself from Ike," said Stern in a statement, referring to the many fines and citations he racked up by using obscene language on the air.
"And despite the naysayers and the ridicule, we have persevered, and are thriving. I've been proven right about satellite radio over and over again. With this contract renewal, I can't wait to see what else I'll be right about. Certainly, I have a lot more to say about Metamucil crackers and stepmom porn. Plus, now that I can work from home, I simply don't have an excuse to quit."
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The 66-year-old comedian and celebrity interviewer has referred to himself as the "King of All Media" for decades.
He is also the author of several books, including Private Parts -- which was adapted as a 1997 film he also starred in -- and more recently, Howard Stern Comes Again.
Stern also served as a judge on America's Got Talent for four seasons ending in 2015.


upi--2020-12-08--Sounders score in stoppage time to advance to MLS Cup final

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- Gustav Svensson scored in the third minute of stoppage time to lead the defending champion Seattle Sounders to a dramatic comeback in the Western Conference Final and into the 2020 MLS title game .
The Sounders take on the Columbus Crew in MLS Cup final on Saturday in Columbus , Ohio , after the 3-2 victory over Minnesota United on Monday in Seattle .
`` In our Sounders history , this is going to go down as one of the best games ever , '' Sounders manager Brian Schmetzer told reporters .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MLS Cup last year , but this has to rank right up there .
This was a great win . ''
Seattle trailed 2-0 midway through the second half before Will Bruin , Raul Ruidiaz and Svensson scored three unanswered goals in the comeback victory .
Minnesota forward Emanuel Reynoso drew first blood on a free kick in the 29th minute .
Reynoso stepped up to the mark and attempted a shot from about 25 yards out during the sequence .
The kick sailed over a wall of defenders and tucked into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United held the narrow lead through the halftime whistle and for the first 22 minutes of the second half before they doubled their advantage .
Reynoso took another free kick to spark that score .
The United forward sent the kick in from the left side and found the head of fullback Bakaye Dibassy .
Dibassy flicked a shot into the far-post netting to beat Sounders keeper Stefan Frei for a second time .
Then the Sounders started their rally .
Ruidiaz attempted a shot in the 75th minute , but the kick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then collected the rebound before he buried a shot into the left side of the goal to ruin United keeper Dayne St. Clair 's clean sheet .
Ruidiaz then scored an equalizer about 14 minutes later .
The Sounders forward collected a loose ball during a corner kick on that play .
Ruidiaz used his first touch to sneak a shot into the near-post netting for the 89th-minute score .
The Sounders got the game-winning goal off a corner kick in stoppage time .
Sounders forward Nicolas Lodeiro took the kick from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The left-to-right inswinger fell into the box before Svensson jumped up and put his head on the ball .
Svensson 's flick then landed in the left side of the goal for a dramatic game-winner .
`` You could kind of feel the momentum tilting a little bit , '' Bruin said .
`` We knew if we got one , we were going to get two , and Gustav capped it off with a third . ''
The Sounders face the Crew in the 2020 MLS Cup final at 8 p.m. EST @ @ @ @ @

Seattle Sounders forward Raul Ruidiaz scored a second-half equalizer to help his team rally for a comeback win over Minnesota United in the 2020 Western Conference Final on Monday in Seattle. Photo courtesy of MLS/Matthew Stith and Eric Goncalves
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Gustav Svensson scored in the third minute of stoppage time to lead the defending champion Seattle Sounders to a dramatic comeback in the Western Conference Final and into the 2020 MLS title game. The Sounders take on the Columbus Crew in MLS Cup final on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio, after the 3-2 victory over Minnesota United on Monday in Seattle. Advertisement
"In our Sounders history, this is going to go down as one of the best games ever," Sounders manager Brian Schmetzer told reporters. "We won a final, we won an MLS Cup last year, but this has to rank right up there. This was a great win."
Seattle trailed 2-0 midway through the second half before Will Bruin, Raul Ruidiaz and Svensson scored three unanswered goals in the comeback victory.
Minnesota forward Emanuel Reynoso drew first blood on a free kick in the 29th minute. Reynoso stepped up to the mark and attempted a shot from about 25 yards out during the sequence. The kick sailed over a wall of defenders and tucked into the bottom right corner of the net.
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United held the narrow lead through the halftime whistle and for the first 22 minutes of the second half before they doubled their advantage. Reynoso took another free kick to spark that score.
The United forward sent the kick in from the left side and found the head of fullback Bakaye Dibassy. Dibassy flicked a shot into the far-post netting to beat Sounders keeper Stefan Frei for a second time.
Then the Sounders started their rally. Ruidiaz attempted a shot in the 75th minute, but the kick was blocked by the defense.
Bruin then collected the rebound before he buried a shot into the left side of the goal to ruin United keeper Dayne St. Clair's clean sheet.
Ruidiaz then scored an equalizer about 14 minutes later. The Sounders forward collected a loose ball during a corner kick on that play. Ruidiaz used his first touch to sneak a shot into the near-post netting for the 89th-minute score.
The Sounders got the game-winning goal off a corner kick in stoppage time. Sounders forward Nicolas Lodeiro took the kick from the right corner to spark that score.
The left-to-right inswinger fell into the box before Svensson jumped up and put his head on the ball. Svensson's flick then landed in the left side of the goal for a dramatic game-winner.
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"You could kind of feel the momentum tilting a little bit," Bruin said. "We knew if we got one, we were going to get two, and Gustav capped it off with a third."
The Sounders face the Crew in the 2020 MLS Cup final at 8 p.m. EST on Sunday in Columbus.


upi--2020-12-08--President-elect Joe Biden will choose retired Gen. Lloyd Austin as defense secretary, reports say

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday is expected to nominate retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin III , a former U.S. commander in Iraq , to be the next secretary of defense .
The New York Times , Politico and The Washington Post reported that Austin is Biden 's choice for the post .
If confirmed , he would become the first Black American to ever lead the Pentagon .
Austin , 67 , was the first and only Black man to lead U.S. Central Command , which oversees military actions in the region that includes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Michele Flournoy , a Pentagon policy chief under former President Barack Obama , have also been mentioned as possible nominees to head Biden 's Defense Department and many Democrats have called for a woman to lead the department .
Austin retired from the Army in 2016 as a four-star general and chief of Central Command , or CENTCOM .
While in that post , he directed U.S.-led military intervention to counter the rise of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria beginning in 2014 .
To serve as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need Congress to approve a waiver due to a law that requires any defense secretary to be at least seven years removed from active service -- a measure to ensure civilian control of the military .
James Mattis , President Donald Trump 's first defense secretary , received such a waiver in 2017 .
Democrats reluctantly approved the waiver .
`` Waiving the law should happen no more than once in a generation , '' Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island , then the Democrats ' ranking member of the armed services committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Therefore , I will not support a waiver for future nominees , nor will I support any effort to water down or repeal the statute in the future . ''
Biden 's reported choice of Austin has already drawn some criticism .
Retired Army officer Jim Golby said in an op-ed in The New York Times that appointing another retired general would hinder the Pentagon 's efforts to recover from instability during Trump 's presidency .
`` After a tumultuous four years , we need civilian leadership and a return to normalcy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a capable and respected former commander of Central Command , but he retired only in 2016 .
That 's not long enough : A civilian -- not a recently retired general -- should lead the Pentagon .
`` General Austin is a fine public servant , and he may well continue his service to the nation out of uniform .
But the Pentagon would be the wrong place for him to do it . ''
A formal announcement is expected soon , perhaps as soon as Tuesday .

Gen. Lloyd James Austin III, commanding general of United States Forces in Iraq, testifies before a Senate armed services committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on February 3, 2011. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday is expected to nominate retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin III, a former U.S. commander in Iraq, to be the next secretary of defense. The New York Times, Politico and The Washington Post reported that Austin is Biden's choice for the post. If confirmed, he would become the first Black American to ever lead the Pentagon. Advertisement
Austin, 67, was the first and only Black man to lead U.S. Central Command, which oversees military actions in the region that includes Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen and Syria.
Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Michele Flournoy, a Pentagon policy chief under former President Barack Obama, have also been mentioned as possible nominees to head Biden's Defense Department and many Democrats have called for a woman to lead the department.
Austin retired from the Army in 2016 as a four-star general and chief of Central Command, or CENTCOM. While in that post, he directed U.S.-led military intervention to counter the rise of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria beginning in 2014.
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To serve as defense chief, however, Austin would need Congress to approve a waiver due to a law that requires any defense secretary to be at least seven years removed from active service -- a measure to ensure civilian control of the military.
James Mattis, President Donald Trump's first defense secretary, received such a waiver in 2017. Democrats reluctantly approved the waiver.
"Waiving the law should happen no more than once in a generation," Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, then the Democrats' ranking member of the armed services committee, said at the time. "Therefore, I will not support a waiver for future nominees, nor will I support any effort to water down or repeal the statute in the future."
Biden's reported choice of Austin has already drawn some criticism. Retired Army officer Jim Golby said in an op-ed in The New York Times that appointing another retired general would hinder the Pentagon's efforts to recover from instability during Trump's presidency.
"After a tumultuous four years, we need civilian leadership and a return to normalcy," he wrote.
"General Austin is a capable and respected former commander of Central Command, but he retired only in 2016. That's not long enough: A civilian -- not a recently retired general -- should lead the Pentagon.
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"General Austin is a fine public servant, and he may well continue his service to the nation out of uniform. But the Pentagon would be the wrong place for him to do it."
A formal announcement is expected soon, perhaps as soon as Tuesday.
Meet President Joe Biden's top adviser picks


upi--2020-12-08--South Korea mulls membership in CPTPP trade agreement

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- South Korea is not ruling out joining a multilateral trade pact that could be revived under the U.S. administration of President-elect Joe Biden .
President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday at a trade ceremony in Seoul he would `` continue to consider '' joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership , or CPTPP , amid ongoing South Korean efforts to `` diversify the market , '' Donga Ilbo reported .
Moon 's comments come after Seoul last month joined the China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement , or RCEP .
South Korea could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by joining CPTPP , which the United States could rejoin under a Biden administration , according to the Donga .
The CPTPP replaced TPP after President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the deal proposed by his predecessor Barack Obama .
CPTPP was created in 2018 by countries including Japan , Canada and Australia after Trump 's decision .
A South Korean presidential Blue House official told the Donga Tuesday Seoul could pursue both trade pacts because `` RCEP and CPTPP are not conflicting , but complementary . ''
Moon said at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expand on other free trade agreements , the Korea Herald reported .
`` The FTA network will be expanded with the focus on New Southern and New Northern nations that have immense potential , '' Moon said , referring to Seoul 's Asia policy .
Moon 's remarks on trade came the same day the ruling Democratic Party voted in favor of a bill to establish a new corruption investigation agency , JoongAng Daily reported .
Opposition conservatives protested the action and allege the new agency would be politicized .
The bill is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Assembly owing to the ruling 's party 's majority , however .
Kim Chong-in , a senior politician with the People Power Party , the opposition , said the actions threaten democratic rule in South Korea , according to News 1 .
`` I believed democracy had matured after [ the mass campaign for democracy in ] 1987 , but watching the Democratic Party 's anti-democratic moves leaves me speechless , '' Kim said .

South Korean President Moon Jae-in is considering joining CPTPP ahead of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden in January. File Photo by Monika Graff/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- South Korea is not ruling out joining a multilateral trade pact that could be revived under the U.S. administration of President-elect Joe Biden. President Moon Jae-in said Tuesday at a trade ceremony in Seoul he would "continue to consider" joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP, amid ongoing South Korean efforts to "diversify the market," Donga Ilbo reported. Advertisement
Moon's comments come after Seoul last month joined the China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or RCEP. South Korea could be pursuing a balancing act on trade by joining CPTPP, which the United States could rejoin under a Biden administration, according to the Donga.
The CPTPP replaced TPP after President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the deal proposed by his predecessor Barack Obama. CPTPP was created in 2018 by countries including Japan, Canada and Australia after Trump's decision.
A South Korean presidential Blue House official told the Donga Tuesday Seoul could pursue both trade pacts because "RCEP and CPTPP are not conflicting, but complementary."
Moon said at the trade ceremony his administration will also expand on other free trade agreements, the Korea Herald reported.
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"The FTA network will be expanded with the focus on New Southern and New Northern nations that have immense potential," Moon said, referring to Seoul's Asia policy.
Moon's remarks on trade came the same day the ruling Democratic Party voted in favor of a bill to establish a new corruption investigation agency, JoongAng Daily reported.
Opposition conservatives protested the action and allege the new agency would be politicized. The bill is most likely to pass at Seoul's National Assembly owing to the ruling's party's majority, however.
Kim Chong-in, a senior politician with the People Power Party, the opposition, said the actions threaten democratic rule in South Korea, according to News 1.
"I believed democracy had matured after [the mass campaign for democracy in] 1987, but watching the Democratic Party's anti-democratic moves leaves me speechless," Kim said.


upi--2020-12-08--Michael Jordan rookie card sells for record $150K

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- A 1986-87 Michael Jordan rookie card sold for $ 150,000 in an online auction , which set a record for the highest price ever paid for a Jordan rookie card with a perfect Gem Mint 10 rating .
The card sold Monday at Robert Edwards Auctions .
It had a starting bid of $ 25,000 .
The auction had 51 bids .
`` This is an ultra-high-grade example of the premier modern-day basketball card , '' a description for the card on the auction website read .
`` The 1986-87 Fleer basketball issue is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ design .
`` The offered example is pack-fresh with four razor-sharp corners , bright colors , a flawless image , and no chipping to the extreme edges of the condition-sensitive red and blue borders .
It is hard to imagine a finer example of this card . ''
Jordan played his first season in 1984-85 , but Fleer did n't have a general release of basketball cards until 1986-87 .
Jordan averaged 28.2 points , 6.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game during his rookie campaign .
Jordan averaged a career-high 37.1 points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An unopened box of 1986-87 Fleer basketball cards also sold for $ 126,000 as part of the auction .

A 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card sold for a record price for a Jordan rookie card in its graded condition in an auction on Monday. Photo courtesy of Robert Edward Auctions
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- A 1986-87 Michael Jordan rookie card sold for $150,000 in an online auction, which set a record for the highest price ever paid for a Jordan rookie card with a perfect Gem Mint 10 rating. The card sold Monday at Robert Edwards Auctions. It had a starting bid of $25,000. The auction had 51 bids. Advertisement
"This is an ultra-high-grade example of the premier modern-day basketball card," a description for the card on the auction website read. "The 1986-87 Fleer basketball issue is extremely condition-sensitive due to its blue flush-to-the-border design.
"The offered example is pack-fresh with four razor-sharp corners, bright colors, a flawless image, and no chipping to the extreme edges of the condition-sensitive red and blue borders. It is hard to imagine a finer example of this card."
Jordan played his first season in 1984-85, but Fleer didn't have a general release of basketball cards until 1986-87. Jordan averaged 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game during his rookie campaign. Jordan averaged a career-high 37.1 points per game during his 1986-87 season.
An unopened box of 1986-87 Fleer basketball cards also sold for $126,000 as part of the auction.


upi--2020-12-08--ABC orders six more episodes of 'Big Sky'

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- ABC has ordered six more episodes of its freshman mystery drama , Big Sky @ @ @ @ @ include 16 episodes .
`` IS THIS REAL LIFE ?
!
So grateful for @ @ @ @ @ @ me on this wild , wild ride .
Like ... WHAT ?
!
?
!
@ @ @ @ @ member Jesse James Keitel tweeted Monday , along with the link to a media report @ @ @ @ @ David E. Kelley created the Montana-set series , which is based on C.J .
Box @ @ @ @ @ about a private detective and ex-cop who team up to find a pair of missing @ @ @ @ @ women have vanished in the area .

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ABC has ordered six more episodes of Kylie Bunbury's new mystery drama, "Big Sky." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- ABC has ordered six more episodes of its freshman mystery drama, Big Sky. The season will now include 16 episodes. Advertisement
"IS THIS REAL LIFE?! So grateful for@ABCNetwork @BigSkyABC for taking me on this wild, wild ride. Like... WHAT?!?! #bigsky," cast member Jesse James Keitel tweeted Monday, along with the link to a media report about the expanded season.
The show's Twitter feed then retweeted Keitel's post.
David E. Kelley created the Montana-set series, which is based on C.J. Box's novels.
Big Sky stars Kylie Bunbury, Katheryn Winnick, John Carroll Lynch, Brian Geraghty, Dedee Pfeiffer, Natalie Alyn Lind and Jade Pettyjohn.
It is about a private detective and ex-cop who team up to find a pair of missing sisters only to discover more women have vanished in the area.


upi--2020-12-08--Gallup: More in U.S. say they're willing to receive COVID-19 vaccine

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- Many more Americans now say they 're willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine than there were just a few weeks ago , according to a Gallup survey on Tuesday .
The poll found that 63 % of respondents said they 're willing to take a coronavirus vaccine , just three points off the record high ( 66 % ) in July and 13 points higher than results of a survey in September ( 50 % ) .
Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech have developed vaccines they say are 95 % effective .
Britain began distributing Pfizer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to normalcy in the U.S. is largely contingent upon a significant portion of Americans receiving a COVID-19 vaccine , '' Gallup wrote .
`` The public 's willingness to do so , which fell sharply in September , has rebounded in the past two months as an FDA-approved vaccine appears likely before the end of the year . ''
According to the latest survey , willingness to take the vaccine is at least 60 % across multiple groups , including Whites ( 67 % ) , men ( 66 % ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the age of 44 ( 68 % ) and over 65 ( 74 % ) , those who are college-educated ( 68 % ) and those who are n't ( 61 % ) .
Adults between the ages of 45 and 64 ( 52 % ) and non-Whites ( 53 % ) are least likely to say they would receive a vaccine .
Politically , the divide is stark .
The survey found that three in four Democrats , 61 % of independents and 50 % of Republicans said they 're willing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willingness to be vaccinated plunged 25 points in September to 53 % but mostly rebounded in October , '' Gallup noted .
`` Meanwhile , the percentage of Republicans saying they would get the vaccine , currently 50 % , has held steady , although it is up from 37 % in August . ''
Gallup polled about 3,000 U.S. adults nationwide for the survey , which has a margin of error of 3 points .

The coronavirus developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, BNT162b2, proved in final-stage clinical trials to be about 95% effective. File Photo by BioNTech SE/EPA-EFE
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Many more Americans now say they're willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine than there were just a few weeks ago, according to a Gallup survey on Tuesday. The poll found that 63% of respondents said they're willing to take a coronavirus vaccine, just three points off the record high (66%) in July and 13 points higher than results of a survey in September (50%). Advertisement
Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech have developed vaccines they say are 95% effective. Britain began distributing Pfizer's vaccine on Tuesday.
"A return to normalcy in the U.S. is largely contingent upon a significant portion of Americans receiving a COVID-19 vaccine," Gallup wrote.
"The public's willingness to do so, which fell sharply in September, has rebounded in the past two months as an FDA-approved vaccine appears likely before the end of the year."
According to the latest survey, willingness to take the vaccine is at least 60% across multiple groups, including Whites (67%), men (66%), women (60%), persons under the age of 44 (68%) and over 65 (74%), those who are college-educated (68%) and those who aren't (61%).
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Adults between the ages of 45 and 64 (52%) and non-Whites (53%) are least likely to say they would receive a vaccine.
Politically, the divide is stark. The survey found that three in four Democrats, 61% of independents and 50% of Republicans said they're willing to be inoculated.
"Democrats' willingness to be vaccinated plunged 25 points in September to 53% but mostly rebounded in October," Gallup noted. "Meanwhile, the percentage of Republicans saying they would get the vaccine, currently 50%, has held steady, although it is up from 37% in August."
Gallup polled about 3,000 U.S. adults nationwide for the survey, which has a margin of error of 3 points.


upi--2020-12-08--Barack Obama to appear on Sunday's 'Desus & Mero'

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- Former President Barack Obama is scheduled to appear on Sunday 's edition of the @ @ @ @ @ & Mero .
The episode will be available for free on YouTube Monday , the @ @ @ @ @ Each episode of Desus & Mero features the co-hosts Desus Nice and The Kid Mero @ @ @ @ @ day 's hot topics and chatting with guests at the intersection of pop culture , @ @ @ @ @ and more , '' a press release said .
The show has been renewed for @ @ @ @ @ is slated to debut in 2021 .
Obama , 59 , was a two-term , @ @ @ @ @ 2009 to 2017 .
He has most recently been working with Netflix on a programming @ @ @ @ @ former vice president Joe Biden , who is now the 2020 president-elect .
Obama also @ @ @ @ @ trail for his best-selling memoir , A Promised Land .

Former President Barack Obama is scheduled to appear on Sunday's edition of "Desus & Mero." Photo by Alyssa Pointer/EPA-EFE
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Former President Barack Obama is scheduled to appear on Sunday's edition of the Showtime talk show, Desus & Mero. The episode will be available for free on YouTube Monday, the cable network said. Advertisement
"Each episode of Desus & Mero features the co-hosts Desus Nice and The Kid Mero giving their take on the day's hot topics and chatting with guests at the intersection of pop culture, sports, music, politics and more," a press release said.
The show has been renewed for a third season, which is slated to debut in 2021.
Obama, 59, was a two-term, Democrat president, serving from 2009 to 2017.
He has most recently been working with Netflix on a programming slate and campaigning for his former vice president Joe Biden, who is now the 2020 president-elect.
Obama also has been on the promotion trail for his best-selling memoir, A Promised Land.


upi--2020-12-08--Josh Allen throws 4 TDs, leads Bills over 49ers

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- Josh Allen threw for 375 yards and had four touchdown passes to lead the Buffalo Bills to a Week 13 win over the San Francisco 49ers .
Allen completed 32 of 40 passes and did not throw an interception in the 34-24 win on Monday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale , Ariz. , the 49ers ' temporary home due to COVID-19 safety restrictions in Santa Clara , Calif. '' We were clicking , '' Allen told reporters .
`` It just seemed like our guys were just getting open and the ball was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We were protecting well .
`` It was a lot of fun out there , but again , still some mistakes that we can learn to fix .
I 'm not going to say it was our best game or up there , but it definitely felt good to go out there and play the way we did and come away with win No .
9 . ''
The Bills and 49ers each started the game with long drives , but failed to convert on fourth down .
Allen and the Bills then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the game .
49ers quarterback Nick Mullens then threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Aiyuk three plays later to give San Francisco a 7-0 lead .
The Bills responded with a five-play , 72-yard drive .
Allen threw a five-yard touchdown toss to Cole Beasley two minutes into the second quarter to end that possession .
Allen went on to add another touchdown pass to Dawson Knox on the Bills ' next drive .
Bills kicker Tyler Bass made a 37-yard field goal at the end of the quarter to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kicker Robbie Gould made a 45-yard field goal at the start of the third quarter .
Allen then put together an 11-play , 70-yard drive to push their lead to 24-10 .
Allen connected with Isaiah McKenzie for his third touchdown pass of the game with 5:33 remaining in the third quarter .
Micah Hyde intercepted Mullens on the 49ers next drive .
Bass then made a 28-yard field goal to push the lead to 27-10 .
Mullens threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Juszczyk on the 49ers next drive to cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then led a 10-play , 75-yard drive for the Bills .
He threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Gabriel Davis to end that possession .
Mullens later threw his third touchdown toss of the game with 50 seconds remaining .
He found tight end Jordan Reed on a five-yard connection for the final points of the night .
Mullens completed 26 of 39 passes for 316 yards , three scores and two interceptions in the loss .
Aiyuk had five catches for 95 yards and a score for the 49ers .
Beasley had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ score in the victory .
`` We really feel like we can be a better football team , '' Mullens said .
`` So , we 're all frustrated .
But we know that this loss is n't going to break us .
`` There 's a lot of football left to be played .
We get more opportunities and we 're ready to get back to work for those opportunities . ''
The Bills ( 9-3 ) host the Pittsburgh Steelers at 8:20 p.m. EST on Sunday in Orchard Park , N.Y @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Washington Football Team at 4:25 p.m. EST on Sunday at State Farm Stadium .

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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw touchdown passes to four different pass catches in a win over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday in Glendale, Ariz. File Photo by Corey Sipkin/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Josh Allen threw for 375 yards and had four touchdown passes to lead the Buffalo Bills to a Week 13 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Allen completed 32 of 40 passes and did not throw an interception in the 34-24 win on Monday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., the 49ers' temporary home due to COVID-19 safety restrictions in Santa Clara, Calif. Advertisement
"We were clicking," Allen told reporters. "It just seemed like our guys were just getting open and the ball was coming off the hand really well. We were protecting well.
"It was a lot of fun out there, but again, still some mistakes that we can learn to fix. I'm not going to say it was our best game or up there, but it definitely felt good to go out there and play the way we did and come away with win No. 9."
The Bills and 49ers each started the game with long drives, but failed to convert on fourth down. Allen and the Bills then lost a fumble on the third drive of the game. 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens then threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Aiyuk three plays later to give San Francisco a 7-0 lead.
The Bills responded with a five-play, 72-yard drive. Allen threw a five-yard touchdown toss to Cole Beasley two minutes into the second quarter to end that possession.
Allen went on to add another touchdown pass to Dawson Knox on the Bills' next drive. Bills kicker Tyler Bass made a 37-yard field goal at the end of the quarter to make the score 17-7 at halftime.
49ers kicker Robbie Gould made a 45-yard field goal at the start of the third quarter. Allen then put together an 11-play, 70-yard drive to push their lead to 24-10. Allen connected with Isaiah McKenzie for his third touchdown pass of the game with 5:33 remaining in the third quarter.
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Micah Hyde intercepted Mullens on the 49ers next drive. Bass then made a 28-yard field goal to push the lead to 27-10. Mullens threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Juszczyk on the 49ers next drive to cut the deficit to 10 points.
Allen then led a 10-play, 75-yard drive for the Bills. He threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Gabriel Davis to end that possession.
Mullens later threw his third touchdown toss of the game with 50 seconds remaining. He found tight end Jordan Reed on a five-yard connection for the final points of the night.
Mullens completed 26 of 39 passes for 316 yards, three scores and two interceptions in the loss. Aiyuk had five catches for 95 yards and a score for the 49ers. Beasley had nine catches for 130 yards and a score in the victory.
"We really feel like we can be a better football team," Mullens said. "So, we're all frustrated. But we know that this loss isn't going to break us.
"There's a lot of football left to be played. We get more opportunities and we're ready to get back to work for those opportunities."
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The Bills (9-3) host the Pittsburgh Steelers at 8:20 p.m. EST on Sunday in Orchard Park, N.Y. The 49ers (5-7) host the Washington Football Team at 4:25 p.m. EST on Sunday at State Farm Stadium.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-08--Queen Latifah to star in Netflix's 'End of the Road' film

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- Queen Latifah has signed on to star in and executive produce the Netflix film @ @ @ @ @ .
Millicent Shelton -- whose credits include P-Valley , Insecure , Black-ish , Hunters and @ @ @ @ @ onboard to direct the project , which was announced Monday .
`` After losing her @ @ @ @ @ drives her family cross-country to start a new life .
In the New Mexico desert @ @ @ @ @ , they must learn to fight back when they become the targets of a mysterious @ @ @ @ @ said .
Rapper and actress Queen Latifah , 50 , will also soon be seen @ @ @ @ @ the crime drama , The Equalizer .
The show is set to debut on CBS @ @ @ @ @ Feb. 7 .
Queen Latifah is a Grammy- and Emmy-winning performer best known for her @ @ @ @ @ as for starring in the movie musicals Chicago and Hairspray and the TV shows Living @ @ @ @

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Queen Latifah is set to star in the Netflix movie, "End of the Road." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Queen Latifah has signed on to star in and executive produce the Netflix film, End of the Road. Millicent Shelton -- whose credits include P-Valley, Insecure, Black-ish, Hunters and The Walking Dead -- is onboard to direct the project, which was announced Monday. Advertisement
"After losing her job, recently widowed Brenda drives her family cross-country to start a new life. In the New Mexico desert, cut off from help, they must learn to fight back when they become the targets of a mysterious killer," a synopsis said.
Rapper and actress Queen Latifah, 50, will also soon be seen in a new version of the crime drama, The Equalizer.
The show is set to debut on CBS after the Super Bowl on Feb. 7.
Queen Latifah is a Grammy- and Emmy-winning performer best known for her music career, as well as for starring in the movie musicals Chicago and Hairspray and the TV shows Living Single and Star.


upi--2020-12-08--Famed test pilot Chuck Yeager, 1st to break sound barrier, dies at 97

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- Famed U.S. Air Force officer and test pilot Chuck Yeager , who became the first person in history to break the sound barrier , has died at age 97 .
`` It is [ with ] profound sorrow , I must tell you that my life love Gen. Chuck Yeager passed , '' Victoria Yeager tweeted late Monday .
`` An incredible life well lived , America 's greatest Pilot , & a legacy of strength , adventure , & patriotism will be remembered forever . ''
Yeager was dubbed `` the fastest man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1948 that he 'd broken the sound barrier a year earlier while testing the experimental X-1 aircraft .
Born Charles Elwood Yeager in West Virginia in 1923 , he joined the Air Force as a mechanic at age 18 , but quickly earned a commission as a flight officer .
By 1943 , he was in Britain piloting P-51 Mustangs on missions against Nazi Germany during World War II , according to his website .
Yeager was shot down over France in 1944 on his eighth air mission , and with the help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Spain through the Pyrenees .
He soon resumed combat , which included downing five German fighters in one encounter on Oct. 12 , 1944 .
After the war , Yeager was assigned to test aircraft and in 1945 flew accelerated service trials for the new P-80A Shooting Star , America 's first operational jet fighter .
The following year , Yeager was chosen by USAF Col. Albert Boyd to attend a new test pilot school at Wright Field in Ohio .
In 1947 , Boyd selected Yeager to become the first person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sound , in the rocket-powered Bell X-1 aircraft .
Yeager attained a top speed of Mach 1.06 , or 700 mph , on Oct. 14 , 1947 , and immediately achieved celebrity status in 1948 when news of the historic achievement was declassified .
In the years that followed , Yeager continued to set speed records as a top test pilot , including the speed mark for a straight wing aircraft ( Mach 2.44 ) in 1953 .
In 1962 , Yeager became commandant of the Air Force 's Aerospace Research Pilot School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pilots for space flight .
He retired from the Air Force with the rank of brigadier general in 1975 .
Yeager become known to later generations through his depiction in the 1983 film The Right Stuff , which was based on a nonfiction novel by Tom Wolfe .
In the film , which re-enacts his historic flight in the X-1 , he is portrayed by actor Sam Shepard .
Besides his wife , Yeager is survived by children Susan , Don and Sharon .
His first wife , Glennis , died in 1990 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2011 .

Capt. Charles "Chuck" Yeager is pictured standing next to the X-1 supersonic research aircraft in 1947. Yeager, who died Monday, became the first man to fly faster than the speed of sound on October 14, 1947. File Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Famed U.S. Air Force officer and test pilot Chuck Yeager, who became the first person in history to break the sound barrier, has died at age 97. Yeager's wife, Victoria, announced his death late Monday. Advertisement
"It is [with] profound sorrow, I must tell you that my life love Gen. Chuck Yeager passed," Victoria Yeager tweeted late Monday. "An incredible life well lived, America's greatest Pilot, & a legacy of strength, adventure, & patriotism will be remembered forever."
Yeager was dubbed "the fastest man alive" when it was revealed in 1948 that he'd broken the sound barrier a year earlier while testing the experimental X-1 aircraft.
Born Charles Elwood Yeager in West Virginia in 1923, he joined the Air Force as a mechanic at age 18, but quickly earned a commission as a flight officer. By 1943, he was in Britain piloting P-51 Mustangs on missions against Nazi Germany during World War II, according to his website.
Yeager was shot down over France in 1944 on his eighth air mission, and with the help of French resistance fighters, he escaped to Spain through the Pyrenees. He soon resumed combat, which included downing five German fighters in one encounter on Oct. 12, 1944.
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After the war, Yeager was assigned to test aircraft and in 1945 flew accelerated service trials for the new P-80A Shooting Star, America's first operational jet fighter. The following year, Yeager was chosen by USAF Col. Albert Boyd to attend a new test pilot school at Wright Field in Ohio.
In 1947, Boyd selected Yeager to become the first person to attempt to exceed the speed of sound, in the rocket-powered Bell X-1 aircraft. Yeager attained a top speed of Mach 1.06, or 700 mph, on Oct. 14, 1947, and immediately achieved celebrity status in 1948 when news of the historic achievement was declassified.
In the years that followed, Yeager continued to set speed records as a top test pilot, including the speed mark for a straight wing aircraft (Mach 2.44) in 1953.
In 1962, Yeager became commandant of the Air Force's Aerospace Research Pilot School, whose mission included preparing military test pilots for space flight. He retired from the Air Force with the rank of brigadier general in 1975.
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Yeager become known to later generations through his depiction in the 1983 film The Right Stuff, which was based on a nonfiction novel by Tom Wolfe. In the film, which re-enacts his historic flight in the X-1, he is portrayed by actor Sam Shepard.
Besides his wife, Yeager is survived by children Susan, Don and Sharon. His first wife, Glennis, died in 1990, and his son Mickey died in 2011.
Notable deaths of 2020
Richard Thornburgh Richard "Dick" Thornburgh, former attorney general of the United States and former governor of Pennsylvania, takes a seat at the witness hearing after U.S. Chief Justice nominee Judge John Roberts testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on September 15, 2005. Thornburgh Richard "Dick" Thornburgh, former attorney general of the United States and former governor of Pennsylvania, takes a seat at the witness hearing after U.S. Chief Justice nominee Judge John Roberts testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on September 15, 2005. Thornburgh died on December 31 at age 88. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-12-08--Iranian regime uses media to demonize opposition

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- A French daily newspaper , founded by the famous philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre in 1973 , is the latest to join the ignoble list of so-called left-wing media organs to demonize the main Iranian democratic opposition movement .
A Nov. 26 article trotted out the Iranian regime 's greatest hits about the Mojahedin-e Khalq ( MEK ) , like calling them an `` Islamic-Marxist group '' who `` sided with Saddam Hussein '' that has `` been on the lists of terrorist organizations in the United States and in Europe for years . ''
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is fed into the system by Iran 's Ministry of Intelligence and Security , a sinister KGB-style organization that is itself on the U.S. and European Union terrorist lists .
The MOIS maintains a bank of helpful journalists and lobbyists in the West that it unleashes at times of crisis in an attempt to demonize the MEK , whom it loathes with a passionate hatred .
The medieval mullahs see the MEK as the greatest threat to the continuation of their venally corrupt regime .
They blame the MEK for inspiring nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , leading to predictable murderous crackdowns .
The crisis that has inspired their most recent demonization campaign may yet prove to be the closing chapter for the mullahs .
On Nov. 27 , the day after the disparaging article appeared in France , the trial began in Belgium of Assadollah Assadi , a senior diplomat from the Iranian Embassy in Vienna , and three co-conspirators on charges of terrorism .
Assadi is the first ever serving Iranian diplomat to be charged with terrorist offenses .
If he is found guilty , he could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued on Thursday .
The court heard how on July 1 , 2018 , Assadi was arrested and charged with passing 550gms of TATP triacetone triperoxide high explosives and a detonator to an Iranian/Belgian couple from Antwerp , Belgium .
He was filmed by European Union security services giving the bomb to Amir Saadouni , 40 , and his wife , Nasimeh Naami , 36 , at a Pizza Hut restaurant in Luxembourg .
Evidence revealed by the Belgian prosecutor found Assadi had instructed them to detonate the bomb at a major gathering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran , attended by tens of thousands of people at Villepinte near Paris .
A third co-conspirator , Mehrdad Arefani , who had been a `` lookout '' at the Villepinte event , was also arrested .
The rally was addressed by leading international politicians and senior government officials .
The main target of the bomb was the Iranian opposition president , Maryam Rajavi , but Assadi had instructed his co-conspirators to kill and maim as many people as possible .
The Belgian prosecutor explained how the bomb attack had been carefully planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest echelons of the Iranian government .
The attack must have been authorized by the Iranian regime 's supreme leader , Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , and by its so-called `` moderate '' President Hassan Rouhani .
Mohammad Javad Zarif , the Iranian foreign minister , as the minister in charge of all of the clerical regime 's diplomats , would certainly have been a key party to the terrorist plot , along with the minister of intelligence and security Mahmoud Alavi and the leaders of the terrorist Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All of them must be held to account and indicted for acts of terrorism .
Having tried unsuccessfully for two years to insist on Assadi 's release , claiming diplomatic immunity , the mullahs have now instructed Assadi not to appear in court in Antwerp , citing diplomatic privilege .
They have also resorted to their usual threats .
Assadi told the Belgian police that if he were found guilty there were a number of armed groups in Iran , Yemen , Syria and Lebanon that would seek revenge .
But the Belgian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resisted all menaces and ultimatums from Tehran .
Lawyers representing the three co-conspirators told the court on the second day of the trial on Thursday that their clients accepted the damning evidence , but in mitigation stated that `` the bomb was only 550gms and not very strong ! ''
They said their clients insisted : `` Assadi told us that it will not kill anyone and he only wanted to frighten the MEK ! ''
A verdict in the trial is expected early in the new year .
In blind panic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caught red-handed in an attempt to kill and maim hundreds of innocent people on European soil , the mullahs have reverted to their traditional retaliation .
Once more , they have unleashed their demonization campaign against the Iranian democratic opposition , instructing their pet journalists to churn out the usual vitriol .
Surely the Assadi trial should sound alarm bells for prominent newspapers and media outlets who pay lip service to absurd and disgraceful fabrications about the opposition , propagated by a pariah regime that is widely recognized as a sponsor of international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to demonize the MEK by deliberately spreading misinformation is an effort by the theocratic regime in Tehran either to distract public attention from the Assadi trial , or , in their perverted logic , to somehow attempt to justify the bombing of the Villepinte rally .
It is a softening-up process aimed at tarnishing the image of the MEK in the eyes of the public , so that the failed attack does not inspire the same level of condemnation .
It is a sad fact that there are journalists today who ignore the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traduce the men and women of the MEK who have given up their professional careers and family life to devote themselves to the cause of ending oppression and tyranny in Iran .
The mullahs know that their days are numbered .
It is therefore no surprise that they have embarked on such a frantic campaign of misinformation and demonization .
But no one will be fooled .
When this evil dictatorship is toppled , history will record the names of those journalists who played this dishonest game in a roll call of shame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ word has consequences .
Every silence , too . ''
Struan Stevenson is the coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change .
He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland ( 1999-2014 ) , president of the Parliament 's Delegation for Relations with Iraq ( 2009-14 ) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup ( 2004-14 ) .
He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and is also president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association .

Demonstrations hold portraits of Iranian politicians Massoud Rajavi and his wife, Maryam Rajavi, at a rally in Washington, D.C. last year. Maryam Rajavi was the target of a bomb plot for which an Iranian diplomat is standing trial. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- A French daily newspaper, founded by the famous philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre in 1973, is the latest to join the ignoble list of so-called left-wing media organs to demonize the main Iranian democratic opposition movement. A Nov. 26 article trotted out the Iranian regime's greatest hits about the Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK), like calling them an "Islamic-Marxist group" who "sided with Saddam Hussein" that has "been on the lists of terrorist organizations in the United States and in Europe for years." All lies and all tired and weary propaganda that is fed into the system by Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security, a sinister KGB-style organization that is itself on the U.S. and European Union terrorist lists. Advertisement
The MOIS maintains a bank of helpful journalists and lobbyists in the West that it unleashes at times of crisis in an attempt to demonize the MEK, whom it loathes with a passionate hatred. The medieval mullahs see the MEK as the greatest threat to the continuation of their venally corrupt regime. They blame the MEK for inspiring nationwide uprisings that have erupted in Iran periodically, leading to predictable murderous crackdowns.
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The crisis that has inspired their most recent demonization campaign may yet prove to be the closing chapter for the mullahs. On Nov. 27, the day after the disparaging article appeared in France, the trial began in Belgium of Assadollah Assadi, a senior diplomat from the Iranian Embassy in Vienna, and three co-conspirators on charges of terrorism. Assadi is the first ever serving Iranian diplomat to be charged with terrorist offenses. If he is found guilty, he could face life in prison. The trial continued on Thursday.
The court heard how on July 1, 2018, Assadi was arrested and charged with passing 550gms of TATP triacetone triperoxide high explosives and a detonator to an Iranian/Belgian couple from Antwerp, Belgium. He was filmed by European Union security services giving the bomb to Amir Saadouni, 40, and his wife, Nasimeh Naami, 36, at a Pizza Hut restaurant in Luxembourg.
Evidence revealed by the Belgian prosecutor found Assadi had instructed them to detonate the bomb at a major gathering of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, attended by tens of thousands of people at Villepinte near Paris. A third co-conspirator, Mehrdad Arefani, who had been a "lookout" at the Villepinte event, was also arrested. The rally was addressed by leading international politicians and senior government officials.
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The main target of the bomb was the Iranian opposition president, Maryam Rajavi, but Assadi had instructed his co-conspirators to kill and maim as many people as possible. The Belgian prosecutor explained how the bomb attack had been carefully planned in Tehran and had clearly involved the highest echelons of the Iranian government.
The attack must have been authorized by the Iranian regime's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and by its so-called "moderate" President Hassan Rouhani. Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Iranian foreign minister, as the minister in charge of all of the clerical regime's diplomats, would certainly have been a key party to the terrorist plot, along with the minister of intelligence and security Mahmoud Alavi and the leaders of the terrorist Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and their extra-territorial offshoot, the Quds Force. All of them must be held to account and indicted for acts of terrorism.
Having tried unsuccessfully for two years to insist on Assadi's release, claiming diplomatic immunity, the mullahs have now instructed Assadi not to appear in court in Antwerp, citing diplomatic privilege. They have also resorted to their usual threats.
Assadi told the Belgian police that if he were found guilty there were a number of armed groups in Iran, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon that would seek revenge. But the Belgian, French and German authorities have courageously resisted all menaces and ultimatums from Tehran.
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Lawyers representing the three co-conspirators told the court on the second day of the trial on Thursday that their clients accepted the damning evidence, but in mitigation stated that "the bomb was only 550gms and not very strong!" They said their clients insisted: "Assadi told us that it will not kill anyone and he only wanted to frighten the MEK!"
A verdict in the trial is expected early in the new year.
In blind panic and embarrassment at having one of their diplomats caught red-handed in an attempt to kill and maim hundreds of innocent people on European soil, the mullahs have reverted to their traditional retaliation. Once more, they have unleashed their demonization campaign against the Iranian democratic opposition, instructing their pet journalists to churn out the usual vitriol.
Surely the Assadi trial should sound alarm bells for prominent newspapers and media outlets who pay lip service to absurd and disgraceful fabrications about the opposition, propagated by a pariah regime that is widely recognized as a sponsor of international terror and assassination.
This latest attempt to demonize the MEK by deliberately spreading misinformation is an effort by the theocratic regime in Tehran either to distract public attention from the Assadi trial, or, in their perverted logic, to somehow attempt to justify the bombing of the Villepinte rally. It is a softening-up process aimed at tarnishing the image of the MEK in the eyes of the public, so that the failed attack does not inspire the same level of condemnation.
Advertisement
It is a sad fact that there are journalists today who ignore the truth, preferring instead to abuse and traduce the men and women of the MEK who have given up their professional careers and family life to devote themselves to the cause of ending oppression and tyranny in Iran.
The mullahs know that their days are numbered. It is therefore no surprise that they have embarked on such a frantic campaign of misinformation and demonization. But no one will be fooled. When this evil dictatorship is toppled, history will record the names of those journalists who played this dishonest game in a roll call of shame.
Jean-Paul Sartre said: "Every word has consequences. Every silence, too."
Struan Stevenson is the coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change. He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland (1999-2014), president of the Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Iraq (2009-14) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup (2004-14). He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and is also president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association.


upi--2020-12-08--Washington upsets undefeated Steelers on 'MNF'

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- Alex Smith led the Washington Football Team to a second-half rally to pull off an upset of the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football .
Smith completed 31 of 46 passes for 296 yards and a score in the 23-17 win on Monday at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh .
Washington held Pittsburgh to just 21 rushing yards in the victory .
Washington linebacker Jon Bostic intercepted Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with two minutes remaining to ice the victory .
`` We knew this was going to be kind of be this brand of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters .
`` Playing Pittsburgh in December , we knew it was going to be a little bit ugly .
`` But proud of our team I think to find a way to win this game like that , especially as young as we are , I think it showed a lot of maturity . ''
Neither team scored in the first quarter .
Roethlisberger then connected with wide receiver Diontae Johnson on a three-yard touchdown toss to start the second quarter .
Both offenses continued to struggle until Roethlisberger threw a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give the Steelers a 14-0 lead .
Dustin Hopkins made a 49-yard field goal at the end of the first half to make the score 14-3 at the break .
Washington then began the second half with a 14-play , 95-yard touchdown drive .
Running back Peyton Barber ended the drive with a one-yard touchdown run .
The Steelers pushed their lead back to seven points when kicker Matthew Wright made a 37-yard field goal at the start of the fourth quarter .
Washington later tied the score when Smith threw a 15-yard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hopkins added two field goals down the stretch to secure the victory .
Roethlisberger completed 33 of 53 passess for 305 yards , two scores and an interception in the loss .
T.J. Watt had five tackles , two tackles for a loss , a sack and a forced fumble for the Steelers .
Thomas had 98 yards and a score on nine catches for Washington .
`` These guys deserve it , '' Washington coach Ron Rivera said .
`` We have been down for such a long time and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
`` This is something that we can build off of and just really proud of the way they played . ''
The Steelers ( 11-1 ) face the Buffalo Bills at 8:20 p.m. EST on Sunday in Orchard Park , N.Y. Washington ( 5-7 ) faces the San Francisco 49ers at 4:25 p.m. EST on Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale , Ariz. '' We step into a stadium each week with intentions towards winning , '' Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said .
`` Our intentions will be the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week at a time .
It 's not a collective for us . ''

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Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith threw for 296 yards and a score in a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday in Pittsburgh. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Alex Smith led the Washington Football Team to a second-half rally to pull off an upset of the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. Smith completed 31 of 46 passes for 296 yards and a score in the 23-17 win on Monday at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Advertisement
Washington held Pittsburgh to just 21 rushing yards in the victory. Washington linebacker Jon Bostic intercepted Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with two minutes remaining to ice the victory.
"We knew this was going to be kind of be this brand of football coming up here," Smith told reporters. "Playing Pittsburgh in December, we knew it was going to be a little bit ugly.
"But proud of our team I think to find a way to win this game like that, especially as young as we are, I think it showed a lot of maturity."
Neither team scored in the first quarter. Roethlisberger then connected with wide receiver Diontae Johnson on a three-yard touchdown toss to start the second quarter.
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Both offenses continued to struggle until Roethlisberger threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to James Washington to give the Steelers a 14-0 lead.
Washington then started its rally.
Dustin Hopkins made a 49-yard field goal at the end of the first half to make the score 14-3 at the break. Washington then began the second half with a 14-play, 95-yard touchdown drive. Running back Peyton Barber ended the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.
The Steelers pushed their lead back to seven points when kicker Matthew Wright made a 37-yard field goal at the start of the fourth quarter.
Washington later tied the score when Smith threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end Logan Thomas. Hopkins added two field goals down the stretch to secure the victory.
Roethlisberger completed 33 of 53 passess for 305 yards, two scores and an interception in the loss. T.J. Watt had five tackles, two tackles for a loss, a sack and a forced fumble for the Steelers. Thomas had 98 yards and a score on nine catches for Washington.
"These guys deserve it," Washington coach Ron Rivera said. "We have been down for such a long time and we're trying to rebuild ourselves and build up.
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"This is something that we can build off of and just really proud of the way they played."
The Steelers (11-1) face the Buffalo Bills at 8:20 p.m. EST on Sunday in Orchard Park, N.Y. Washington (5-7) faces the San Francisco 49ers at 4:25 p.m. EST on Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
"We step into a stadium each week with intentions towards winning," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "Our intentions will be the same next week. We just live one week at a time. It's not a collective for us."
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-08--Mario Lopez plays Colonel Sanders in new Lifetime mini-movie

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- Saved by the Bell star and Access Hollywood host Mario Lopez will play KFC icon Colonel Sanders in a new Lifetime mini-movie .
`` Some folks take their secrets to the grave , but Colonel Sanders takes his to the deep fryer .
Tune in on 12/13 at 12pm ET/PT to watch @ MarioLopezViva as the Colonel in the premiere of `` A Recipe for Seduction , '' a KFC and @ LifetimeTV Original Mini-Movie , '' the fast-food chicken restaurant tweeted Monday .
The post includes a movie poster featuring Lopez with grey-streaked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He is wearing eyeglasses , a tight , white , short-sleeved shirt and a black tie .
Lopez retweeted the image along with the message : `` Colonel Sanders is adding some sabor to the menu ... get your appetite ready ... # FingerLickinGood # Lifetime # Dec 13 . ''
The cable network confirmed the project , too .
`` It 's real !
@ MarioLopezviva is Colonel Sanders .
Do n't miss this year 's epic Lifetime Original Mini-Movie presented by @ KFC .
`` A Recipe For Seduction , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12PM .
# ItsAWonderfulLifetime , '' Lifetime said .
Tessa Munro , Chad Doreck and Martin Mandela co-star in the 15-minute short .
Lopez , 47 , can now be seen in Peacock 's Saved by the Bell reboot .
He starred on the original sitcom and several subsequent TV movie sequels from 1989 to 1994 .

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Mario Lopez is to play KFC icon Colonel Sanders in a Lifetime mini-movie. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Saved by the Bell star and Access Hollywood host Mario Lopez will play KFC icon Colonel Sanders in a new Lifetime mini-movie. "Some folks take their secrets to the grave, but Colonel Sanders takes his to the deep fryer. Tune in on 12/13 at 12pm ET/PT to watch @MarioLopezViva as the Colonel in the premiere of "A Recipe for Seduction," a KFC and @LifetimeTV Original Mini-Movie," the fast-food chicken restaurant tweeted Monday. Advertisement
The post includes a movie poster featuring Lopez with grey-streaked hair, a grey mustache and goatee. He is wearing eyeglasses, a tight, white, short-sleeved shirt and a black tie.
Lopez retweeted the image along with the message: "Colonel Sanders is adding some sabor to the menu...get your appetite ready...#FingerLickinGood #Lifetime #Dec 13."
The cable network confirmed the project, too.
"It's real! @MarioLopezviva is Colonel Sanders. Don't miss this year's epic Lifetime Original Mini-Movie presented by @KFC. "A Recipe For Seduction," premiering Sunday, December 13th at 12PM. #ItsAWonderfulLifetime," Lifetime said.
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Tessa Munro, Chad Doreck and Martin Mandela co-star in the 15-minute short.
Lopez, 47, can now be seen in Peacock's Saved by the Bell reboot. He starred on the original sitcom and several subsequent TV movie sequels from 1989 to 1994.
It's real! @MarioLopezviva is Colonel Sanders. Don't miss this year's epic Lifetime Original Mini-Movie presented by @KFC. "A Recipe For Seduction," premiering Sunday, December 13th at 12PM. #ItsAWonderfulLifetime pic.twitter.com/EdGtn9lVER— Lifetime (@lifetimetv) December 8, 2020


upi--2020-12-08--'Peace and love': Tributes to John Lennon mark 40th anniversary of his death

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- For millions of people around the world , it 's a moment they will always remember -- where they were , what they were doing and how they felt about it -- when they heard the news that music superstar and former Beatle John Lennon had been gunned down outside his New York City home 40 years ago Tuesday .
The date , Dec. 8 , 1980 , was a momentous one in the history of music and the annals of crime .
Now , four decades later , Lennon 's murder and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Julian Lennon , John 's first son with wife Cynthia , acknowledged Tuesday 's anniversary by posting a photo of his father and the words , `` As Time Goes By ... '' Son Sean Lennon , who was just 5 and inside their home at the Dakota at the time of the shooting , simply posted a photo of himself and his father and mother , singer Yoko Ono .
`` We all had to say goodbye to John peace and love John , '' former Beatles drummer and musician Ringo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a photo of him and Lennon .
`` I 'm asking every music radio station in the world sometime today play 'Strawberry Fields Forever . '
Peace and love . ''
`` 'Imagine all the people living life in peace , ' tweeted Lennon 's official Twitter account .
`` Please share your tributes for John using the hashtag # JohnLennon . ''
Mourners will pay tribute to Lennon on Tuesday at his former home , the Dakota in Manhattan , which is also where he was shot by assassin Mark David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shot , Lennon signed a copy of his album Double Fantasy for Chapman , a former fan who grew disillusioned with the singer over his perceived materialism and lack of religious faith .
That album , in fact , to which Lennon signed his name , and the year `` 1980 '' -- something fans and historians say he rarely ever included on his autographs -- will soon sell at auction and is expected to fetch more than $ 1 million .
New York City 's WABC-TV is streaming a new documentary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Death of John Lennon .
It is available to stream now and will air on WABC this weekend .
Before he was killed , Lennon had greeted Chapman outside his apartment building earlier in the evening on his way to a recording studio .
Later when Lennon returned , Chapman was still there -- waiting for just the right moment to strike .
As Lennon was walking several feet behind Ono on the way through the security area of the Dakota , Chapman produced the .38-caliber revolver and opened fire .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a `` premeditated execution , '' as Chapman , visiting New York from Hawaii , had been lurking outside Lennon 's home for three days .
`` The gunman 's motives remained a mystery , but reports Tuesday painted Chapman as a quiet , suicidal young man who had trouble keeping a job and identified obsessively with Lennon , '' UPI reported at the time .
`` When Chapman left his last job as a security guard-maintenance man , he signed out as 'John Lennon , ' '' said Mike Bird , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a Waikiki vacation apartment .
In another job as a guard for a utility , Chapman reportedly taped Lennon 's name over his identification badge .
`` We have to say it .
Remember this is just a football game , no matter who wins or loses .
An unspeakable tragedy confirmed to us by ABC News in New York City .
John Lennon , outside of his apartment building on the West Side of New York City -- the most famous , perhaps , of all of the Beatles -- shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roosevelt Hospital -- dead on arrival . ''
Ono , whose social media accounts are filled with photos and words about Lennon , paid tribute on Oct. 9 , what would have been his 80th birthday .
It 's also Sean Lennon 's birthday .
`` Happy Birthday John !
Happy Birthday Sean !
Yes , you are my angels .
I love you ! ''
After the shooting , Ono declared there would be no funeral for Lennon but millions of people around the world paid tribute to Lennon in the days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 100,000 at a vigil at nearby Central Park .
`` John loved and prayed for the human race .
Please pray the same for him , '' she said at the time .
`` By far the biggest crowd gathered at Central Park in New York .
More than 100,000 people , including actress-activist Jane Fonda and Mayor Edward Koch , braved stinging cold to listen to recorded music and pray in silence , '' UPI 's Mark Mooney reported on Dec. 14 , 1980 .
`` Though Central Park is renowned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one attendee ] said none of them were afraid .
'We felt John 's spirit was with us . '
'' Born Oct. 9 , 1940 in Liverpool , Britain , Lennon went on to form the band that would eventually become The Beatles in 1960 , with Starr , Paul McCartney and George Harrison .
Within a few years , the group had achieved international fame .
In an interview last weekend , McCartney recalled the impact that mega stardom had on the mental health of every member in the band .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] 'Help !
I need somebody . '
And I thought , 'Well , it 's just a song , ' but it turned out to be a cry for help , '' he said .
After The Beatles disbanded in the early 1970s , Lennon moved to New York City with Ono and launched a solo career , which produced one of his most popular songs , `` Imagine . ''
On Tuesday , the New York Adventure Club is hosting a live webinar titled `` John Lennon : Liverpool x New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life and legacy , '' with a focus on his nearly 10 years living in New York City -- which virtually became his adopted home after he left Britain in the 1960s .
In one of his final interviews , Lennon expressed a great deal of love for the city and its people .
`` You know , I should have been born in New York , man , '' Lennon said in a 1971 interview with Rolling Stone magazine .
`` That 's where I belong ! ''
Additionally , Indiana University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Remembering John Lennon 40 Years Later '' , an online event reflecting on Lennon 's career and death .
Now 65 , Chapman pleaded guilty to Lennon 's murder and was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison .
Now housed at a prison in upstate New York , he 's been eligible for parole every two years since 2000 .
He 's so far been denied parole 11 times , his most recent denial in August .
He will have another parole hearing in 2022 .

1/8
Flowers and petals decorate the "Imagine" mosaic at Strawberry Fields in New York City's Central Park on Monday, which is dedicated to late Beatle John Lennon on the eve of the 40th anniversary of his assassination on December 8, 1980. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- For millions of people around the world, it's a moment they will always remember -- where they were, what they were doing and how they felt about it -- when they heard the news that music superstar and former Beatle John Lennon had been gunned down outside his New York City home 40 years ago Tuesday. The date, Dec. 8, 1980, was a momentous one in the history of music and the annals of crime. Now, four decades later, Lennon's murder and his life are the subject of much focus. Advertisement
Julian Lennon, John's first son with wife Cynthia, acknowledged Tuesday's anniversary by posting a photo of his father and the words, "As Time Goes By..."
Son Sean Lennon, who was just 5 and inside their home at the Dakota at the time of the shooting, simply posted a photo of himself and his father and mother, singer Yoko Ono.
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"We all had to say goodbye to John peace and love John," former Beatles drummer and musician Ringo Starr said in a tweet Tuesday, with a photo of him and Lennon. "I'm asking every music radio station in the world sometime today play 'Strawberry Fields Forever.' Peace and love."
"'Imagine all the people living life in peace,' tweeted Lennon's official Twitter account. "Please share your tributes for John using the hashtag #JohnLennon."
Mourners will pay tribute to Lennon on Tuesday at his former home, the Dakota in Manhattan, which is also where he was shot by assassin Mark David Chapman. A few hours before he was shot, Lennon signed a copy of his album Double Fantasy for Chapman, a former fan who grew disillusioned with the singer over his perceived materialism and lack of religious faith.
That album, in fact, to which Lennon signed his name, and the year "1980" -- something fans and historians say he rarely ever included on his autographs -- will soon sell at auction and is expected to fetch more than $1 million.
New York City's WABC-TV is streaming a new documentary about Lennon's death, called Eyewitness to the Death of John Lennon. It is available to stream now and will air on WABC this weekend.
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Before he was killed, Lennon had greeted Chapman outside his apartment building earlier in the evening on his way to a recording studio. Later when Lennon returned, Chapman was still there -- waiting for just the right moment to strike. As Lennon was walking several feet behind Ono on the way through the security area of the Dakota, Chapman produced the .38-caliber revolver and opened fire.
The shooting was described then by some as a "premeditated execution," as Chapman, visiting New York from Hawaii, had been lurking outside Lennon's home for three days.
"The gunman's motives remained a mystery, but reports Tuesday painted Chapman as a quiet, suicidal young man who had trouble keeping a job and identified obsessively with Lennon," UPI reported at the time.
"When Chapman left his last job as a security guard-maintenance man, he signed out as 'John Lennon,'" said Mike Bird, who replaced the suspect at the job in a Waikiki vacation apartment. In another job as a guard for a utility, Chapman reportedly taped Lennon's name over his identification badge.
Legendary sportscaster Howard Cosell famously announced Lennon's death during Monday Night Football.
"We have to say it. Remember this is just a football game, no matter who wins or loses. An unspeakable tragedy confirmed to us by ABC News in New York City. John Lennon, outside of his apartment building on the West Side of New York City -- the most famous, perhaps, of all of the Beatles -- shot twice in the back, rushed to Roosevelt Hospital -- dead on arrival."
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Ono, whose social media accounts are filled with photos and words about Lennon, paid tribute on Oct. 9, what would have been his 80th birthday. It's also Sean Lennon's birthday.
"Happy Birthday John! Happy Birthday Sean! Yes, you are my angels. I love you!"
After the shooting, Ono declared there would be no funeral for Lennon but millions of people around the world paid tribute to Lennon in the days and weeks that followed, including more than 100,000 at a vigil at nearby Central Park.
"John loved and prayed for the human race. Please pray the same for him," she said at the time.
"By far the biggest crowd gathered at Central Park in New York. More than 100,000 people, including actress-activist Jane Fonda and Mayor Edward Koch, braved stinging cold to listen to recorded music and pray in silence," UPI's Mark Mooney reported on Dec. 14, 1980.
"Though Central Park is renowned as a haven for muggers, [one attendee] said none of them were afraid. 'We felt John's spirit was with us.'"
Born Oct. 9, 1940 in Liverpool, Britain, Lennon went on to form the band that would eventually become The Beatles in 1960, with Starr, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Within a few years, the group had achieved international fame.
Advertisement
In an interview last weekend, McCartney recalled the impact that mega stardom had on the mental health of every member in the band.
"You know, John [wrote] 'Help! I need somebody.' And I thought, 'Well, it's just a song,' but it turned out to be a cry for help," he said.
After The Beatles disbanded in the early 1970s, Lennon moved to New York City with Ono and launched a solo career, which produced one of his most popular songs, "Imagine."
On Tuesday, the New York Adventure Club is hosting a live webinar titled "John Lennon: Liverpool x New York" to explore Lennon's "life and legacy," with a focus on his nearly 10 years living in New York City -- which virtually became his adopted home after he left Britain in the 1960s.
In one of his final interviews, Lennon expressed a great deal of love for the city and its people.
"You know, I should have been born in New York, man," Lennon said in a 1971 interview with Rolling Stone magazine. "That's where I belong!"
Additionally, Indiana University provost professor Glenn Gass will host "Remembering John Lennon 40 Years Later", an online event reflecting on Lennon's career and death.
Advertisement
Now 65, Chapman pleaded guilty to Lennon's murder and was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. Now housed at a prison in upstate New York, he's been eligible for parole every two years since 2000. He's so far been denied parole 11 times, his most recent denial in August. He will have another parole hearing in 2022.


upi--2020-12-08--Britain begins COVID-19 vaccine rollout; grandmother receives 1st shot

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- Nearly a year after diagnosing its first COVID-19 infection , Britain 's National Health Service on Tuesday inoculated its first citizens against the coronavirus as it begins its largest vaccine campaign in history .
Margaret Keenan , a 90-year-old grandmother , at 6:31 a.m. became the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer/BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine at the University Hospital in Coventry in central England .
`` I feel so privileged to be the first person vaccinated against COVID-19 , '' the former jewelry shop assistant who turns 91 next week said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ present I could wish for because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the New Year after being on my own for most of the year . ''
May Parsons , the nurse who administered the historic injection , said it was `` a huge honor '' to deliver the first life-saving jab .
`` I 'm just glad that I 'm able to play a part in this historic day , '' she said .
`` That last few months have been tough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NHS , but now it feels like there is light at the end of the tunnel . ''
The rollout started less than a week after British regulators on Wednesday authorized the use of the Pfizer/BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine .
The British government has made an agreement with the pharmaceutical giant for 40 million doses of the drug , which are to be delivered throughout 2021 in stages .
The NHS said it has set up 50 vaccination hubs in hospitals throughout the country with more facilities to start vaccinating in the coming weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary of state for health and social care , said via Twitter on Monday that `` all parts of the U.K. now have doses of the coronavirus vaccine . ''
`` The deployment of this vaccine marks a decisive turning point in the battle with the pandemic , '' NHS Chief Executive Simon Stevens said .
`` NHS staff are proud to be leading the way as the first health service in the world to begin vaccination with this COVID jab . ''
Those over 80 years old who are either hospitalized or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be among the first to receive the vaccine as well as NHS workers who are high risk while care home providers are being asked by the Department of Health and Social Care to book staff appointments at vaccination clinics .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that while Tuesday marks `` a huge step '' in the nation 's fight against the pandemic , he cautioned that mass vaccination will take time and that people need to remain cautious .
`` We must remain clear-eyed about the challenges that remain , '' Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in the weeks and months ahead , it is as important as ever to keep to the COVID Winter plan -- following the rules in your area and remember the basics of hands , face and space . ''
NHS National Medical Director Stephen Powis also warned that the rollout will be a marathon not a sprint due to challenges of such a inoculation effort and those the vaccine presents , such as needing to be stored at minus 70 degrees Celsius .
`` Despite the huge complexities , hospitals will kickstart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccination campaign in our country 's history , '' he said .
The vaccine , which is typically delivered by an injection in the shoulder , requires two doses , and Keenan will receive her second booster jab in 21 days to ensure she has the best chance to be protected from the virus .
`` I ca n't thank May and the NHS staff enough who have looked after me tremendously , and my advice to anyone offered the vaccine is to take it -- If I can have it at 90 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said in an attempt to assuage worries about the vaccine .
The country confirmed its first coronavirus cases in late January , and the virus has since infected 1,737,960 people in the country , including 69,752 people who lost their lives to COVID-19 , according to data from the British government .

1/2
Nurse May Parsons injects Margaret Keenan with the Pfizer/BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, making her the first person in the world to receive the drug. Photo courtesy of NHS National Medical Director Stephen Powis/ Twitter
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Nearly a year after diagnosing its first COVID-19 infection, Britain's National Health Service on Tuesday inoculated its first citizens against the coronavirus as it begins its largest vaccine campaign in history. Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old grandmother, at 6:31 a.m. became the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer/BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine at the University Hospital in Coventry in central England. Advertisement
"I feel so privileged to be the first person vaccinated against COVID-19," the former jewelry shop assistant who turns 91 next week said. "It is the best early birthday present I could wish for because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the New Year after being on my own for most of the year."
May Parsons, the nurse who administered the historic injection, said it was "a huge honor" to deliver the first life-saving jab.
Advertisement
"I'm just glad that I'm able to play a part in this historic day," she said. "That last few months have been tough for all of us working in the NHS, but now it feels like there is light at the end of the tunnel."
The rollout started less than a week after British regulators on Wednesday authorized the use of the Pfizer/BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine. The British government has made an agreement with the pharmaceutical giant for 40 million doses of the drug, which are to be delivered throughout 2021 in stages.
The NHS said it has set up 50 vaccination hubs in hospitals throughout the country with more facilities to start vaccinating in the coming weeks and months.
Matt Hancock, the secretary of state for health and social care, said via Twitter on Monday that "all parts of the U.K. now have doses of the coronavirus vaccine."
"The deployment of this vaccine marks a decisive turning point in the battle with the pandemic," NHS Chief Executive Simon Stevens said. "NHS staff are proud to be leading the way as the first health service in the world to begin vaccination with this COVID jab."
Advertisement
Those over 80 years old who are either hospitalized or about to be discharged after hospital stays will be among the first to receive the vaccine as well as NHS workers who are high risk while care home providers are being asked by the Department of Health and Social Care to book staff appointments at vaccination clinics.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that while Tuesday marks "a huge step" in the nation's fight against the pandemic, he cautioned that mass vaccination will take time and that people need to remain cautious.
"We must remain clear-eyed about the challenges that remain," Johnson said. "As the program ramps up in the weeks and months ahead, it is as important as ever to keep to the COVID Winter plan -- following the rules in your area and remember the basics of hands, face and space."
NHS National Medical Director Stephen Powis also warned that the rollout will be a marathon not a sprint due to challenges of such a inoculation effort and those the vaccine presents, such as needing to be stored at minus 70 degrees Celsius.
"Despite the huge complexities, hospitals will kickstart the first phase of the largest scale vaccination campaign in our country's history," he said.
Advertisement
The vaccine, which is typically delivered by an injection in the shoulder, requires two doses, and Keenan will receive her second booster jab in 21 days to ensure she has the best chance to be protected from the virus.
"I can't thank May and the NHS staff enough who have looked after me tremendously, and my advice to anyone offered the vaccine is to take it -- If I can have it at 90 then you can have it too!" she said in an attempt to assuage worries about the vaccine.
The country confirmed its first coronavirus cases in late January, and the virus has since infected 1,737,960 people in the country, including 69,752 people who lost their lives to COVID-19, according to data from the British government.


upi--2020-12-08--U.S. adds Nigeria to list of world's worst religious freedom violators

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- The Trump administration has added Nigeria to a list of the world 's worst violators of religious freedom , opening up the African nation to punitive measures .
The State Department designated Nigeria for the first time as a Country of Particular Concern on Monday under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for engaging in or tolerating `` systematic , ongoing egregious violations of religious freedom . ''
Burma , China , Eritrea , Iran , North Korea , Pakistan , Saudi Arabia , Tajikistan and Turkmenistan were all re-designated as CPCs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a CPC become punishable by U.S. sanctions , including the suspension of foreign aid , trade restrictions or loan prohibitions though the law allows the executive branch the power to determine which if any restrictions to apply .
`` The U.S. is unwavering in its commitment to religious freedom , '' U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday in a tweet .
`` No country or entity should be allowed to persecute people with impunity because of their beliefs .
These annual designations show that when religious freedom is attacked , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commission on International Religious Freedom said it welcomed the addition of Nigeria to the CPC list .
`` Nigeria is the first secular democracy that has been named a CPC , which demonstrates that we must be vigilant that all forms of governments respect religious freedom , '' USCIRF Chair Gayle Manchin said in a statement .
The USCIRF had recommended in April for Nigeria to be added to the list due to state- and societally perpetrated violations against religious freedom .
The spring report said the government of Nigeria continued to detain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minority group and had violently cracked down on its members during religious processions and protests after banning the group for stating it was violent and annoying to society .
The country has also experienced security issues caused by terrorist organizations , including Boko Haram , which as recently as last month has been suspected of killing more than a 100 Nigerian farms in a terrorist attack .
`` The widespread security issues of inter-communal and militia violence , rampant kidnapping and general criminality also negatively impacted religious freedom , '' USCIRF 's annual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a CPC said .
`` There were multiple reports of criminal attacks on religious and traditional leaders ' houses of worship . ''
The commission had also recommended India , Russia , Syria and Vietnam in the report to be designated though the State Department did not add them to the list .
Russia along with Comoros , Cuba and Nicaragua were added the the Special Watch List for committing severe violations against religious freedom while Sudan and Uzbekistan have been removed from the watch list due to progress undertaken by their governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reforms of their laws and practices stand as models for other nations to follow , '' he said .
The USCIRF had recommended both Sudan and Uzbekistan remain on the list but the commission 's vice chair , Tony Perkins , said their removal was understandable given `` the historic progress that has been made in these two countries . ''
`` We hope that their progress encourages positive change in other places around the world , '' Perkins said .
Pompeo said they have also not renewed Entity of Particular Concern designations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Islamic State-Khorasan as they have both lost all territory they formerly held .
`` While these two groups no longer meet the statutory criteria for designation , we will not rest until we have fully eliminated the threat or religious freedom abuses by any violent extremist and terrorist groups , '' the United States ' top diplomat said .

The bodies of Nigerian farm workers slain in a suspected Boko Haram terrorist attack await burial in late November. Photo by EPA-EFE
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The Trump administration has added Nigeria to a list of the world's worst violators of religious freedom, opening up the African nation to punitive measures. The State Department designated Nigeria for the first time as a Country of Particular Concern on Monday under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 for engaging in or tolerating "systematic, ongoing egregious violations of religious freedom." Advertisement
Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan were all re-designated as CPC, the State Department said.
Nations designated as a CPC become punishable by U.S. sanctions, including the suspension of foreign aid, trade restrictions or loan prohibitions though the law allows the executive branch the power to determine which if any restrictions to apply.
"The U.S. is unwavering in its commitment to religious freedom," U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday in a tweet. "No country or entity should be allowed to persecute people with impunity because of their beliefs. These annual designations show that when religious freedom is attacked, we will act."
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said it welcomed the addition of Nigeria to the CPC list.
"Nigeria is the first secular democracy that has been named a CPC, which demonstrates that we must be vigilant that all forms of governments respect religious freedom," USCIRF Chair Gayle Manchin said in a statement.
The USCIRF had recommended in April for Nigeria to be added to the list due to state- and societally perpetrated violations against religious freedom.
The spring report said the government of Nigeria continued to detain the leader of its largest Shiite Muslim minority group and had violently cracked down on its members during religious processions and protests after banning the group for stating it was violent and annoying to society.
The country has also experienced security issues caused by terrorist organizations, including Boko Haram, which as recently as last month has been suspected of killing more than a 100 Nigerian farms in a terrorist attack.
"The widespread security issues of inter-communal and militia violence, rampant kidnapping and general criminality also negatively impacted religious freedom," USCIRF's annual report that recommended Nigeria be designated as a CPC said. "There were multiple reports of criminal attacks on religious and traditional leaders' houses of worship."
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The commission had also recommended India, Russia, Syria and Vietnam in the report to be designated though the State Department did not add them to the list.
Russia along with Comoros, Cuba and Nicaragua were added the the Special Watch List for committing severe violations against religious freedom while Sudan and Uzbekistan have been removed from the watch list due to progress undertaken by their governments, Pompeo said.
"Their courageous reforms of their laws and practices stand as models for other nations to follow," he said.
The USCIRF had recommended both Sudan and Uzbekistan remain on the list but the commission's vice chair, Tony Perkins, said their removal was understandable given "the historic progress that has been made in these two countries."
"We hope that their progress encourages positive change in other places around the world," Perkins said.
Pompeo said they have also not renewed Entity of Particular Concern designations for al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and the Islamic State-Khorasan as they have both lost all territory they formerly held.
"While these two groups no longer meet the statutory criteria for designation, we will not rest until we have fully eliminated the threat or religious freedom abuses by any violent extremist and terrorist groups," the United States' top diplomat said.