upi--2020-11-09--'Let Him Go' tops North American box office with $4.1M

Nov. 8 ( UPI ) -- Kevin Costner and Diane Lane 's latest drama Let Him Go is the No @ @ @ @ @ America , earning $ 4.1 million in receipts , BoxOfficeMojo.com announced Sunday .
Coming in @ @ @ @ @ the weekend roster was Come Play with $ 1.7 million , followed by The War @ @ @ @ @ 3 with $ 1.5 million , Honest Thief at No .
4 with $ 1.1 @ @ @ @ @ .
5 with $ 905,000 .
Rounding out the top tier were Toy Story at @ @ @ @ @ 505,000 , The Empty Man at No .
7 with $ 277,000 , Spell at @ @ @ @ @ 150,000 , The New Mutants at No .
9 with $ 110,000 and Love and @ @ @ @ @ with $ 100,000 .

1/2
Kevin Costner and Diane Lane's "Let Him Go" was the No. 1 movie in North America over the weekend. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Kevin Costner and Diane Lane's latest drama Let Him Go is the No. 1 movie in North America, earning $4.1 million in receipts, BoxOfficeMojo.com announced Sunday. Coming in at No. 2 on the weekend roster was Come Play with $1.7 million, followed by The War with Grandpa at No. 3 with $1.5 million, Honest Thief at No. 4 with $1.1 million and Tenet at No. 5 with $905,000. Advertisement
Rounding out the top tier were Toy Story at No. 6 with $505,000, The Empty Man at No. 7 with $277,000, Spell at No. 8 with $150,000, The New Mutants at No. 9 with $110,000 and Love and Monsters at No. 10 with $100,000.


upi--2020-11-09--Tropical Storm Eta moves off Florida, into Gulf of Mexico

Nov. 9 ( UPI ) -- Tropical Storm Eta has moved past the Florida Peninsula and into the Gulf of Mexico , the National Hurricane Center said early Monday .
In its 7 a.m. EST advisory , the NHC said Eta was located 55 miles northwest of Tortugas , Fla. , and 80 miles northwest of Key West .
It had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and was moving west at 13 mph .
The storm made landfall in far southern Florida late Sunday and cut power to tens of thousands of customers in the Miami metro area .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the Gulf of Mexico and restrengthen into a hurricane before making a shift in direction that carries it back to the northeast , and possibly back to central and northern Florida .
`` On the forecast track , the center of Eta will gradually move away from the Florida Keys and south Florida today , and will remain over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico tonight through Wednesday , '' the NHC said .
A tropical storm warning is still in effect for parts of Brevard and Volusia counties in Florida , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eta has already made history and matched the strength of the strongest storm of the tumultuous 2020 hurricane season -- Hurricane Laura -- when its winds peaked at 150 mph earlier this week .
Eta joined the ranks of eight other tropical systems in the Atlantic this season and underwent rapid strengthening , which is defined by a tropical system that experiences an increase its maximum sustained winds by 35 mph within 24 hours .

Tropical Storm Eta was expected to remain offshore over the next few days but bring life-threatening surf and rip currents to the southeastern coast of the United States. Photo courtesy of NOAA
Nov. 11 (UPI) -- After making its second landfall in Florida overnight, Tropical Storm Eta began moving offshore, where it's expected to skirt along the East Coast before heading out to sea. In its 10 p.m. EST advisory, the National Hurricane Center said the center of the storm was located about 65 miles east-southeast of Charleston, S.C., and was moving northeast at 17 mph. It had maximum sustained winds of 45. Advertisement
Eta is likely to remain a tropical storm over the next few days as it picks up speed, but could intensify into a non-tropical cyclone over the weekend.
"On the forecast track, Eta is expected to accelerate over the western Atlantic and move parallel to, but offshore of the Carolinas tonight and early Friday before heading well east of the Mid-Atlantic coast by late Friday," the NHC said in an earlier update.
There were no coastal watches or warnings in place throughout the region.
Eta was expected to bring an additional 1 inch to 3 inches of rain to the Florida peninsula Thursday, with localized flooding in some areas. The storm was also forecast to bring swells along the southeastern coast, including life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.


upi--2020-11-09--Moon: South Korea will have 'no gap' in U.S. alliance under Biden

SEOUL , Nov. 9 ( UPI ) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in congratulated U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on Monday and vowed to work with his incoming administration to ensure there will be `` no gap '' in the Seoul-Washington alliance or in the peace process on the Korean Peninsula .
Moon said the Biden administration would offer `` new opportunities '' to improve inter-Korean ties , which have remained strained since Pyongyang cut off all communications with Seoul and destroyed a shared liaison office in June .
`` Together with the next government of the United States , our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea ] -U.S. alliance and continue to develop solid ties between the people of our two countries , '' Moon said in public comments during a meeting with senior aides at the presidential Blue House .
`` We will do our best to ensure that the valuable achievements we have achieved with the Trump administration so far can be passed on to the next government and develop further , '' he said in his first spoken remarks on the U.S. election .
On Sunday , Moon posted a congratulatory message for Biden and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. President Donald Trump was at the center of a renewed period of détente on the Korean Peninsula , holding two official summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and meeting with him briefly for a third time in June 2019 in the demilitarized zone .
`` In inter-Korean relations , it is expected that an environment in which new opportunities and solutions can be found will be created , '' Moon said .
`` We have cooperated well with President Trump on the basis of strong friendship and trust between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has the experience of closely cooperating with the Democratic Party of Korea in the peace process . ''
Under Trump , Washington and Seoul have butted heads over trade issues and the amount that South Korea would contribute to the costs of the roughly 28,500 U.S. troops stationed on the peninsula .
The two sides remain at an impasse over a new Special Measures Agreement , the cost-sharing arrangement for the troops , which expired at the end of last year .
Washington is looking for Seoul to pay $ 1.3 billion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea paid last year .
Moon promised to work toward greater economic cooperation with the incoming administration through bilateral trade policies and to coordinate efforts in fighting the coronavirus pandemic .
He added that the Biden administration 's environmental policy goals closely align with his own government 's .
`` In particular , the carbon neutrality and climate change response policies emphasized by President-elect Biden are consistent with the Korean government 's carbon-neutral goals and Green New Deal policies , so there is great room for cooperation , '' Moon said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agreement last week , but Biden has said he 'll rejoin the landmark pact to reduce global warming immediately upon taking office .
South Korea 's Defense Ministry also promised to continue to closely work together with the Pentagon under the Biden administration on Monday .
`` The South Korean and the U.S. defense authorities will strive for maintaining a strong combined defense posture to militarily support the peace process on the Korean Peninsula , '' ministry spokesman Col .
Moon Hong-sik told reporters , according to Yonhap .
South Korean Foreign Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead of talks scheduled for Monday with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on strengthening the alliance and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula .
It is unclear whether she will sit down with figures from the Biden camp , although Kang told reporters she would try to meet members of Congress and academia on the trip , which lasts until Wednesday .
North Korea has not released any statements so far regarding the U.S. election .

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said Monday Seoul would coordinate closely with the incoming Biden administration to maintain a strong alliance. Photo by Yonhap/EPA-EFE
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in congratulated U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on Monday and vowed to work with his incoming administration to ensure there will be "no gap" in the Seoul-Washington alliance or in the peace process on the Korean Peninsula. Moon said the Biden administration would offer "new opportunities" to improve inter-Korean ties, which have remained strained since Pyongyang cut off all communications with Seoul and destroyed a shared liaison office in June. Advertisement
"Together with the next government of the United States, our government will further strengthen the [South Korea]-U.S. alliance and continue to develop solid ties between the people of our two countries," Moon said in public comments during a meeting with senior aides at the presidential Blue House.
"We will do our best to ensure that the valuable achievements we have achieved with the Trump administration so far can be passed on to the next government and develop further," he said in his first spoken remarks on the U.S. election.
Advertisement
On Sunday, Moon posted a congratulatory message for Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Twitter.
U.S. President Donald Trump was at the center of a renewed period of détente on the Korean Peninsula, holding two official summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and meeting with him briefly for a third time in June 2019 in the demilitarized zone.
"In inter-Korean relations, it is expected that an environment in which new opportunities and solutions can be found will be created," Moon said. "We have cooperated well with President Trump on the basis of strong friendship and trust between the leaders, and the U.S. Democratic Party has the experience of closely cooperating with the Democratic Party of Korea in the peace process."
Under Trump, Washington and Seoul have butted heads over trade issues and the amount that South Korea would contribute to the costs of the roughly 28,500 U.S. troops stationed on the peninsula. The two sides remain at an impasse over a new Special Measures Agreement, the cost-sharing arrangement for the troops, which expired at the end of last year. Washington is looking for Seoul to pay $1.3 billion, a 50% increase over what South Korea paid last year.
Advertisement
Moon promised to work toward greater economic cooperation with the incoming administration through bilateral trade policies and to coordinate efforts in fighting the coronavirus pandemic. He added that the Biden administration's environmental policy goals closely align with his own government's.
"In particular, the carbon neutrality and climate change response policies emphasized by President-elect Biden are consistent with the Korean government's carbon-neutral goals and Green New Deal policies, so there is great room for cooperation," Moon said.
The United States officially left the Paris Climate Agreement last week, but Biden has said he'll rejoin the landmark pact to reduce global warming immediately upon taking office.
South Korea's Defense Ministry also promised to continue to closely work together with the Pentagon under the Biden administration on Monday.
"The South Korean and the U.S. defense authorities will strive for maintaining a strong combined defense posture to militarily support the peace process on the Korean Peninsula," ministry spokesman Col. Moon Hong-sik told reporters, according to Yonhap.
South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha arrived in Washington on Sunday ahead of talks scheduled for Monday with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on strengthening the alliance and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Advertisement
It is unclear whether she will sit down with figures from the Biden camp, although Kang told reporters she would try to meet members of Congress and academia on the trip, which lasts until Wednesday.
North Korea has not released any statements so far regarding the U.S. election.


upi--2020-11-09--Eta makes landfall in Florida as a strong tropical storm

Nov. 9 ( UPI ) -- Tropical Storm Eta made landfall in the Florida Keys late Sunday , lashing it with strong winds , heavy rains and a dangerous storm surge after killing dozens late last week in Central America .
Eta made landfall at around 11 p.m. EST in Lower Matecumbe , Fla. , as a strong tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph , the National Hurricane Center said in a statement .
In its 4 a.m. advisory , the center located the system 70 miles north-northwest of Key West and 65 miles south of Naples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The forecasters said Eta was moving west-northwest at 13 mph and should pull away from the Florida Keys and South Florida later Monday and be over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico overnight through to Wednesday .
Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency Saturday for the counties of Broward , Collier , Hendry , Lee , Martin , Miami-Dade , Monroe and Palm Beach ahead of Eta 's arrival .
The center earlier said the storm was re-strengthening while moving over the Atlantic Ocean , and was expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it hit the Florida Keys .
A tropical storm 's maximum sustained winds are at least 39 miles per hour .
A hurricane is at least 74 mph .
A hurricane warning and storm surge warning has been issued for the Florida Keys from Ocean Reef to the Dry Tortugas , including Florida Bay .
The center described the situation as `` life threatening . ''
The center says Eta is expected `` to produce dangerous storm surge , flash floods and strong winds '' over the Keys .
The National Weather Service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lauderdale could see 10 to 15 inches of rain through Wednesday , the Miami Herald reported .
A flood warning is in effect for portions of coastal/metro Broward , northern Miami-Dade and southern Palm Beach counties , according to the National Weather Service in Miami .
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Florida coast from Brevard/Volusia County line to Englewood , including Florida Bay ; Florida Keys from Ocean Reef to the Dry Tortugas and Lake Okeechobee A Tropical Storm Watch for Florida coast from north of Englewood to Anna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tropical Storm Warning while another Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Cuban provinces of La Habana , Artemisa , Mayabeque , Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth .
In South Florida , a Hurricane Watch was discontinued from Deerfield Beach to Bonita Beach .
Monroe County announced evacuation orders for occupants of mobile homes and live-aboard vessels .
Florida Power and Light was warning its customers about outages .
`` While uncertainty remains in the forecast , we are expecting widespread outages in parts of our service area , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We are restoring outages as they occur .
Please finalize your preparations and stay safe . ''
Schools districts throughout South Florida have called off classes for Monday , including in Miami-Dade , Broward and Palm Beach counties .
In addition , Tri-Rail suspended service Sunday , as well as county bus service throughout the region .
No South Florida airports are closed though some flights are experiencing delays .
On Saturday night , the Coast Guard set port condition Zulu for port of Key West , Miami , Everglades , Palm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vessels may enter to transit within these ports without permissions of the captain of the port .
The Florida Department of Health closed coronavirus testing centers through at least Monday .
Eta made landfall last Tuesday in Central America as a Category 4 storm , leaving dozens death and a wake of destruction as it moved through Guatemala , Costa Rica and Nicaragua , with officials saying some 300,000 have been displaced .
In Guatemala , at least 50 people lost their lives to the storm and another 100 people lost their homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their roofs from rising floodwaters .

The city of Fort Lauderdale provided 200,000 pounds of sand to be used as sandbags on Friday. Photo courtesy city of Fort Lauderdale
Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Tropical Storm Eta made landfall in the Florida Keys late Sunday, lashing it with strong winds, heavy rains and a dangerous storm surge after killing dozens late last week in Central America. Eta made landfall at around 11 p.m. EST in Lower Matecumbe, Fla., as a strong tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in a statement. Advertisement
In its 4 a.m. advisory, the center located the system 70 miles north-northwest of Key West and 65 miles south of Naples and was maintaining its 65 mph winds.
The forecasters said Eta was moving west-northwest at 13 mph and should pull away from the Florida Keys and South Florida later Monday and be over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico overnight through to Wednesday.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency Saturday for the counties of Broward, Collier, Hendry, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach ahead of Eta's arrival.
Advertisement
The center earlier said the storm was re-strengthening while moving over the Atlantic Ocean, and was expected to be near hurricane strength by the time it hit the Florida Keys. A tropical storm's maximum sustained winds are at least 39 miles per hour. A hurricane is at least 74 mph.
A hurricane warning and storm surge warning has been issued for the Florida Keys from Ocean Reef to the Dry Tortugas, including Florida Bay. The center described the situation as "life threatening."
The center says Eta is expected "to produce dangerous storm surge, flash floods and strong winds" over the Keys.
The National Weather Service Miami office predicted that Homestead to Fort Lauderdale could see 10 to 15 inches of rain through Wednesday, the Miami Herald reported.
A flood warning is in effect for portions of coastal/metro Broward, northern Miami-Dade and southern Palm Beach counties, according to the National Weather Service in Miami.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Florida coast from Brevard/Volusia County line to Englewood, including Florida Bay; Florida Keys from Ocean Reef to the Dry Tortugas and Lake Okeechobee
A Tropical Storm Watch for Florida coast from north of Englewood to Anna Maria Island has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning while another Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Cuban provinces of La Habana, Artemisa, Mayabeque, Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth.
Advertisement
In South Florida, a Hurricane Watch was discontinued from Deerfield Beach to Bonita Beach.
Monroe County announced evacuation orders for occupants of mobile homes and live-aboard vessels.
Florida Power and Light was warning its customers about outages.
"While uncertainty remains in the forecast, we are expecting widespread outages in parts of our service area," FPL wrote on its website. "We are restoring outages as they occur. Please finalize your preparations and stay safe."
Schools districts throughout South Florida have called off classes for Monday, including in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. In addition, Tri-Rail suspended service Sunday, as well as county bus service throughout the region.
No South Florida airports are closed though some flights are experiencing delays.
On Saturday night, the Coast Guard set port condition Zulu for port of Key West, Miami, Everglades, Palm Beach and Fort Pierce, meaning no vessels may enter to transit within these ports without permissions of the captain of the port.
The Florida Department of Health closed coronavirus testing centers through at least Monday.
Eta made landfall last Tuesday in Central America as a Category 4 storm, leaving dozens death and a wake of destruction as it moved through Guatemala, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, with officials saying some 300,000 have been displaced.
Advertisement
In Guatemala, at least 50 people lost their lives to the storm and another 100 people lost their homes. In Honduras, people sought shelter on their roofs from rising floodwaters.
Compiled Content Tropical Storm Eta made landfall in the Florida Keys late Sunday, lashing it with strong winds, heavy rains and a dangerous storm surge after killing dozens late last week in Central America.
Eta made landfall at around 11 p.m. EST in Lower Matecumbe, Fla., as a strong tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in a statement.
In its 4 a.m. advisory, the center located the system 70 miles north-northwest of Key West and 65 miles south of Naples and was maintaining its 65 mph winds.
The forecasters said Eta was moving west-northwest at 13 mph and should pull away from the Florida Keys and South Florida later Monday and be over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico overnight through to Wednesday.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency Saturday for the counties of Broward, Collier, Hendry, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach ahead of Eta's arrival.
The center earlier said the storm was re-strengthening while moving over the Atlantic Ocean, and was expected to be near hurricane strength by the time it hit the Florida Keys. A tropical storm's maximum sustained winds are at least 39 miles per hour. A hurricane is at least 74 mph.
Advertisement
A hurricane warning and storm surge warning has been issued for the Florida Keys from Ocean Reef to the Dry Tortugas, including Florida Bay. The center described the situation as "life threatening."
The center says Eta is expected "to produce dangerous storm surge, flash floods and strong winds" over the Keys.
The National Weather Service Miami office predicted that Homestead to Fort Lauderdale could see 10 to 15 inches of rain through Wednesday, the Miami Herald reported.
A flood warning is in effect for portions of coastal/metro Broward, northern Miami-Dade and southern Palm Beach counties, according to the National Weather Service in Miami.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Florida coast from Brevard/Volusia County line to Englewood, including Florida Bay; Florida Keys from Ocean Reef to the Dry Tortugas and Lake Okeechobee
A Tropical Storm Watch for Florida coast from north of Englewood to Anna Maria Island has been upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning while another Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Cuban provinces of La Habana, Artemisa, Mayabeque, Pinar del Rio and the Isle of Youth.
In South Florida, a Hurricane Watch was discontinued from Deerfield Beach to Bonita Beach.
Monroe County announced evacuation orders for occupants of mobile homes and live-aboard vessels.
Advertisement
Florida Power and Light was warning its customers about outages.
"While uncertainty remains in the forecast, we are expecting widespread outages in parts of our service area," FPL wrote on its website. "We are restoring outages as they occur. Please finalize your preparations and stay safe."
Schools districts throughout South Florida have called off classes for Monday, including in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. In addition, Tri-Rail suspended service Sunday, as well as county bus service throughout the region.
No South Florida airports are closed though some flights are experiencing delays.
On Saturday night, the Coast Guard set port condition Zulu for port of Key West, Miami, Everglades, Palm Beach and Fort Pierce, meaning no vessels may enter to transit within these ports without permissions of the captain of the port.
The Florida Department of Health closed coronavirus testing centers through at least Monday.
Eta made landfall last Tuesday in Central America as a Category 4 storm, leaving dozens death and a wake of destruction as it moved through Guatemala, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, with officials saying some 300,000 have been displaced.
In Guatemala, at least 50 people lost their lives to the storm and another 100 people lost their homes. In Honduras, people sought shelter on their roofs from rising floodwaters.
Advertisement


upi--2020-11-09--Trump campaign picks Rep. Doug Collins to lead Georgia recount

Nov. 9 ( UPI ) -- The Trump campaign has picked Rep. Doug Collins to lead the recount effort in Georgia , one of four states still counting ballots early Monday .
`` Republicans stand by the ideal that every eligible voter should be able to vote legally and have it counted , '' Collins said in a statement .
Counters in Georgia have gone through 99 % of ballots cast with CNN , ABC and NBC projecting Democratic nominee Joe Biden is posed to win the state by some 10,000 votes over President Donald Trump .
Biden secured the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday , but the president has yet to concede and has filed several legal challenges against results in states whose electoral votes have been projected for the former vice president .
Late last week , officials in Georgia announced there would be a recount due to a margin smaller than 0.5 % between the candidates , and Trump 's campaign announced in the statement late Sunday that it had pegged Collins to lead the recount effort .
`` In order for Americans to have confidence in our elections , every legal vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraudulent vote must be excluded , '' said Matt Morgan , general counsel for the president 's re-election campaign .
`` We look forward to guaranteeing that our elections are safe and secure , just as we look forward to President Trump winning Georgia . ''
Both Collins , who lost his bid for a Senate seat last week , and Morgan raised concerns without offering evidence about issues with tabulation and fraudulent votes in Georgia , accusations that Trump has also made about several states .
In the past few days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject have been flagged by the social media platform for containing disputed or misleading claims .
Late last week , Trump lost three legal cases concerning vote counting , including one in Georgia where a judge rejected his challenge to halt the state 's counting of ballots .
The Trump campaign said Sunday the recount will begin as soon as the canvassing has concluded .
Along with Georgia , ballots in North Carolina , Arizona and Alaska were still being counted early Monday .

Rep. Doug Collins will lead the Republican Party's recount team in Georgia. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 9 (UPI) -- The Trump campaign has picked Rep. Doug Collins to lead the recount effort in Georgia, one of four states still counting ballots early Monday. "Republicans stand by the ideal that every eligible voter should be able to vote legally and have it counted," Collins said in a statement. Advertisement
Counters in Georgia have gone through 99% of ballots cast with CNN, ABC and NBC projecting Democratic nominee Joe Biden is posed to win the state by some 10,000 votes over President Donald Trump.
Biden secured the presidency over Trump with 279 electoral votes on Saturday, but the president has yet to concede and has filed several legal challenges against results in states whose electoral votes have been projected for the former vice president.
Late last week, officials in Georgia announced there would be a recount due to a margin smaller than 0.5% between the candidates, and Trump's campaign announced in the statement late Sunday that it had pegged Collins to lead the recount effort.
"In order for Americans to have confidence in our elections, every legal vote must be counted and every illegal or fraudulent vote must be excluded," said Matt Morgan, general counsel for the president's re-election campaign. "We look forward to guaranteeing that our elections are safe and secure, just as we look forward to President Trump winning Georgia."
Advertisement
Both Collins, who lost his bid for a Senate seat last week, and Morgan raised concerns without offering evidence about issues with tabulation and fraudulent votes in Georgia, accusations that Trump has also made about several states. In the past few days, tweets the president has made on the subject have been flagged by the social media platform for containing disputed or misleading claims.
Late last week, Trump lost three legal cases concerning vote counting, including one in Georgia where a judge rejected his challenge to halt the state's counting of ballots.
The Trump campaign said Sunday the recount will begin as soon as the canvassing has concluded.
Along with Georgia, ballots in North Carolina, Arizona and Alaska were still being counted early Monday.


upi--2020-11-09--Arecibo Observatory incurs more damage as another support cable snaps

ORLANDO , Fla. , Nov. 9 ( UPI ) -- A main cable that supports Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico broke over the weekend , compounding damage caused by a smaller cable failure in August , according to the University of Central Florida in Orlando , which manages the facility .
`` It broke and fell onto the reflector dish below , causing additional damage to the dish and other nearby cables , '' the university said in a statement about the incident Friday evening .
`` No one was hurt , and engineers are already working to determine the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the statement said .
Few additional details and no new photos were available Sunday because the facility restricted access to the area around the 18-acre dish , the university said .
UCF submitted a request recently to the National Science Foundation for $ 10.5 million to begin repairs on the August damage .
That work would include buying at least six massive cables , which range in thickness from 3 inches to 6 inches .
The cables support a six-story structure and platform suspended above the dish , which houses the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other instruments .
When functioning properly , the observatory can beam radio waves at asteroids and other space objects , obtaining images and data as the waves bounce back to Earth .
Among the vital science conducted at the facility is the tracking of near-Earth objects -- comets or asteroids that could collide with Earth and destroy large regions .
Engineers at the site had determined the August failure resulted from a 3-inch cable slipping out of a socket on a support tower .
But the university 's statement on Friday 's mishap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socket , but rather broke -- mostly likely because of increased stress due to the previous failure .
`` The team hopes to be able to reduce the tension in the existing cables at the tower and install steel reinforcements to temporarily alleviate some of the additional load that is being distributed among the remaining cables , '' the university said .
Two new cables on order would be rushed to the site , if possible , according to UCF 's statement .

1/3
The Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico incurred damage Friday when a main support cable snapped, compounding damage done by a smaller cable failure in August. File Photo by Paul Brinkmann/UPI
ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 9 (UPI) -- A main cable that supports Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico broke over the weekend, compounding damage caused by a smaller cable failure in August, according to the University of Central Florida in Orlando, which manages the facility. "It broke and fell onto the reflector dish below, causing additional damage to the dish and other nearby cables," the university said in a statement about the incident Friday evening. Advertisement
"No one was hurt, and engineers are already working to determine the best way to stabilize the structure," the statement said.
Few additional details and no new photos were available Sunday because the facility restricted access to the area around the 18-acre dish, the university said.
UCF submitted a request recently to the National Science Foundation for $10.5 million to begin repairs on the August damage. That work would include buying at least six massive cables, which range in thickness from 3 inches to 6 inches.
The cables support a six-story structure and platform suspended above the dish, which houses the world's most powerful radio telescope transmitter and other instruments. When functioning properly, the observatory can beam radio waves at asteroids and other space objects, obtaining images and data as the waves bounce back to Earth.
Advertisement
Among the vital science conducted at the facility is the tracking of near-Earth objects -- comets or asteroids that could collide with Earth and destroy large regions.
Engineers at the site had determined the August failure resulted from a 3-inch cable slipping out of a socket on a support tower. But the university's statement on Friday's mishap said it did not slip from a socket, but rather broke -- mostly likely because of increased stress due to the previous failure.
"The team hopes to be able to reduce the tension in the existing cables at the tower and install steel reinforcements to temporarily alleviate some of the additional load that is being distributed among the remaining cables," the university said.
Two new cables on order would be rushed to the site, if possible, according to UCF's statement.


upi--2020-11-09--Famous birthdays for Nov. 9: Cory Hardrict, Eric Dane

Nov. 9 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Scorpio .
-- Sargent @ @ @ @ @ the Peace Corps , in 1915 -- Rock and Roll Hall of fame member Tom @ @ @

1/2
Cory Hardrict attends the 16th annual BET Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on June 26, 2016. The actor turns 41 on November 9. File Photo by Phil McCarten/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Scorpio. They include: Advertisement
-- Russian author Ivan Turgenev in 1818
-- Actor Marie Dressler in 1868
-- Actor Hedy Lamarr in 1914
-- Sargent Shriver, first director of the Peace Corps, in 1915
-- Former Vice President Spiro T. Agnew in 1918
-- Actor Dorothy Dandridge in 1922
-- Astronomer Carl Sagan in 1934
-- Baseball Hall of Fame member Whitey Herzog in 1931 (age 89)
UPI File Photo
-- Baseball Hall of Fame member Bob Gibson in 1935
-- Folk singer Mary Travers in 1936
-- Rock and Roll Hall of fame member Tom Fogerty in 1941
-- Actor Robert David Hall in 1947 (age 73)
-- Bodybuilder/actor Lou Ferrigno in 1951 (age 69)
-- Musician Susan Tedeschi in 1970 (age 50)
-- Wrestler Chris Jericho, born Christopher Irvine, in 1970 (age 50)
-- Actor Eric Dane in 1972 (age 48)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Advertisement
-- Singer Nick Lachey in 1973 (age 47)
-- Rapper Sisqo, born Mark Andrews, in 1978 (age 42)
-- Actor Cory Hardrict in 1979 (age 41)
-- Television personality Vanessa Lachey in 1980 (age 40)
-- Rapper French Montana, born Karim Kharbouch, in 1984 (age 36)
-- Country musician Chris Lane in 1984 (age 36)
-- Actress Analeigh Tipton in 1988 (age 32)
-- Actor Nikki Blonsky in 1988 (age 32)


upi--2020-11-09--On This Day, Nov. 9: Berlin Wall falls

On This Day, Nov. 9: Berlin Wall falls

Nov. 9 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1872 , a fire which began in the basement of a warehouse in downtown Boston raged for 12 hours , consuming 65 acres and leaving 776 buildings in ruins .
The Great Boston Fire killed at least 30 people .
In 1906 , Theodore Roosevelt traveled to Panama to observe the progress being made on the construction of the canal .
He was the first sitting president of the United States to embark on an official trip outside the country .
In 1918 , Germany 's Kaiser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drew to a close .
In 1938 , mobs of Germans attacked Jewish businesses and homes throughout Germany in what became known as Kristallnacht , or Crystal Night .
In 1953 , the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Major League Baseball is n't within the scope of federal antitrust laws .
In 1965 , a massive power failure left more than 30 million people in the dark in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada .
In 1985 , Gary Kasparov , 22 , became the youngest world chess champion , ending the 10-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 1989 , East Germany announced free passage for its citizens through border checkpoints .
The announcement rendered the Berlin Wall , the most reviled symbol of the Cold War , virtually irrelevant 28 years after its construction .
In 1995 , Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat visited Israel for the first time to offer personal condolences to the wife of slain Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin .
In 2007 , Germany 's Bundestag passes a heavily criticized data retention bill , mandating the collection of its citizen 's telecom data for six months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three men were executed by firing squad for 2002 bombings in Bali that killed 202 people , mostly tourists .
In 2011 , a burgeoning child sexual-abuse scandal at Penn State University involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky claimed its legendary football coach when the school 's board of trustees fired Joe Paterno .
In 2015 , the World Anti-Doping Agency recommended that Russia be banned from international sporting events due to systematic doping by athletes .
Of the 389 athletes submitted for competition in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tests required of all Russian athletes .
In 2018 , a series of car bombs detonated in the Somali capital of Mogadishu , killing more than 50 people .

1/5
A boy looks over an original segment of the Berlin Wall at the Bernauer Strasse memorial on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Wall on November 9, 2009 in Berlin. On November 9, 1989, East Germany announced free passage for its citizens through border checkpoints, rendering the Berlin Wall virtually irrelevant. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 9 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1872, a fire which began in the basement of a warehouse in downtown Boston raged for 12 hours, consuming 65 acres and leaving 776 buildings in ruins. The Great Boston Fire killed at least 30 people. Advertisement
In 1906, Theodore Roosevelt traveled to Panama to observe the progress being made on the construction of the canal. He was the first sitting president of the United States to embark on an official trip outside the country.
In 1918, Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated as World War I drew to a close.
In 1938, mobs of Germans attacked Jewish businesses and homes throughout Germany in what became known as Kristallnacht, or Crystal Night.
In 1953, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Major League Baseball isn't within the scope of federal antitrust laws.
File Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI
In 1965, a massive power failure left more than 30 million people in the dark in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada.
In 1985, Gary Kasparov, 22, became the youngest world chess champion, ending the 10-year reign of Anatoly Karpov in Moscow.
Advertisement
In 1989, East Germany announced free passage for its citizens through border checkpoints. The announcement rendered the Berlin Wall, the most reviled symbol of the Cold War, virtually irrelevant 28 years after its construction.
In 1995, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat visited Israel for the first time to offer personal condolences to the wife of slain Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
In 2007, Germany's Bundestag passes a heavily criticized data retention bill, mandating the collection of its citizen's telecom data for six months without probable cause.
In 2008, three men were executed by firing squad for 2002 bombings in Bali that killed 202 people, mostly tourists.
File Photo by Brian Richards/UPI
In 2011, a burgeoning child sexual-abuse scandal at Penn State University involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky claimed its legendary football coach when the school's board of trustees fired Joe Paterno.
In 2012, CIA Director David Petraeus resigned, citing an extramarital affair.
In 2015, the World Anti-Doping Agency recommended that Russia be banned from international sporting events due to systematic doping by athletes. Of the 389 athletes submitted for competition in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, 111 were prohibited in stringent doping tests required of all Russian athletes.
Advertisement
In 2018, a series of car bombs detonated in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, killing more than 50 people.


upi--2020-11-09--Barr urges prosecutors to probe alleged voting irregularities

Nov. 9 ( UPI ) -- U.S. Attorney General William Barr on Monday instructed federal prosecutors to investigate `` substantial allegations of vote tabulation irregularities '' before the election results are certified , going against long-standing Justice Department policy .
Barr wrote the two-page memo as the Trump campaign , President Donald Trump himself and his White House staff make rampant accusations of unlawful activities concerning the election without providing proof after his democratic challenger , Joe Biden , was named president-elect late last week .
The memo instructs prosecutors to overlook the Justice Department 's policy that states investigations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until after the results are certified in order to prevent interfering in the process .
In the memo , Barr argued that while the majority of election misconduct investigations could be delayed until after the vote is certified as the scale of the allegations would have no impact on the outcome , others do not .
Barr added that the Justice Department 's impact on the election was minuscule if not nonexistent following the votes being cast .
`` Given this , and given that voting in our current elections has not concluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegations of voting and vote tabulation irregularities prior to the certification of elections in your jurisdictions in certain cases , as I have already done in specific instances , '' he wrote .
The memo follows Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , urging the Department of Justice and the U.S .
Postal Service to investigate claims of mail-in ballot mishandling from a Pennsylvania postal worker .
`` It is imperative that all credible allegations of voting irregularities and misconduct be investigated to ensure the integrity of the 2020 elections , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The presidential election remains close in multiple states , and as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee , all credible allegations of voting irregularities and misconduct will be taken seriously . ''
Bob Bauer , an attorney with Biden 's election campaign , said in a statement that it was `` deeply unfortunate '' that Barr issued the memo as it will likely fuel `` specious , speculative or far-fetched claims . ''
`` Those are the very kind of claims that the president and his lawyers are making unsuccessfully every day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one court after another , '' he said .

U.S. Attorney General William Barr went against long-standing Justice Department policy on Monday by instructing prosecutors to investigate claims of voter fraud before election results have been certified. Pool Photo by Jeff Roberson/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. Attorney General William Barr on Monday instructed federal prosecutors to investigate "substantial allegations of vote tabulation irregularities" before the election results are certified, going against long-standing Justice Department policy. Barr wrote the two-page memo as the Trump campaign, President Donald Trump himself and his White House staff make rampant accusations of unlawful activities concerning the election without providing proof after his democratic challenger, Joe Biden, was named president-elect late last week. Advertisement
The memo instructs prosecutors to overlook the Justice Department's policy that states investigations into election fraud should not be pursued until after the results are certified in order to prevent interfering in the process.
In the memo, Barr argued that while the majority of election misconduct investigations could be delayed until after the vote is certified as the scale of the allegations would have no impact on the outcome, others do not.
Barr added that the Justice Department's impact on the election was minuscule if not nonexistent following the votes being cast.
"Given this, and given that voting in our current elections has not concluded, I authorize you to pursue substantial allegations of voting and vote tabulation irregularities prior to the certification of elections in your jurisdictions in certain cases, as I have already done in specific instances," he wrote.
Advertisement
The memo follows Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., urging the Department of Justice and the U.S. Postal Service to investigate claims of mail-in ballot mishandling from a Pennsylvania postal worker.
"It is imperative that all credible allegations of voting irregularities and misconduct be investigated to ensure the integrity of the 2020 elections," Graham wrote in a statement. "The presidential election remains close in multiple states, and as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, all credible allegations of voting irregularities and misconduct will be taken seriously."
Bob Bauer, an attorney with Biden's election campaign, said in a statement that it was "deeply unfortunate" that Barr issued the memo as it will likely fuel "specious, speculative or far-fetched claims."
"Those are the very kind of claims that the president and his lawyers are making unsuccessfully every day, as their lawsuits are laughed out of one court after another," he said.


upi--2020-11-09--Bills fans donate to children's hospital in honor of Josh Allen's late grandmother

Nov. 9 ( UPI ) -- Buffalo Bills supporters have donated more than $ 150,000 to Oishei Children 's Hospital after it was revealed that quarterback Josh Allen 's grandmother died Saturday night .
Bills head coach Sean McDermott announced the death of Allen 's grandmother after the team 's victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday .
Fans quickly rallied around Allen and donated to Oishei , a local hospital the quarterback has long supported and worked with since arriving in Buffalo .
Fans suggested donating to the hospital in increments of $ 17 , which represents Allen 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and eventually the hospital made an Allen-themed donation button for anyone who wanted to participate .
In a statement Monday night , Oishei Children 's Hospital said more than $ 150,000 has been donated so far in honor of Allen 's grandmother .
Allen acknowledged the support from fans Monday afternoon with a post on social media .
`` At a loss for words , '' he wrote on Twitter .
`` Buffalo , I love you . ''
Allen and Oishei Children 's Hospital most recently worked together when Wegmans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Josh 's Jaqs '' cereal in September .
A portion of the proceeds went to the hospital .

Oishei Children's Hospital said more than $150,000 has been donated so far in honor of Josh Allen (pictured) and his late grandmother. File Photo by Corey Sipkin/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Buffalo Bills supporters have donated more than $150,000 to Oishei Children's Hospital after it was revealed that quarterback Josh Allen's grandmother died Saturday night. Bills head coach Sean McDermott announced the death of Allen's grandmother after the team's victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Fans quickly rallied around Allen and donated to Oishei, a local hospital the quarterback has long supported and worked with since arriving in Buffalo. Advertisement
Fans suggested donating to the hospital in increments of $17, which represents Allen's jersey number. The idea took off, and eventually the hospital made an Allen-themed donation button for anyone who wanted to participate.
In a statement Monday night, Oishei Children's Hospital said more than $150,000 has been donated so far in honor of Allen's grandmother.
Over $150,000 and #BillsMafia is keeping it going strong This is what it's all about - kids like Scarlett who wanted to share her support for @JoshAllenQB today too You're making a true impact so thank you! https://t.co/pS4gCIRfEE pic.twitter.com/jz6tvDKgKI— Oishei Children's Hospital (@OCHBuffalo) November 10, 2020 Advertisement
Allen acknowledged the support from fans Monday afternoon with a post on social media.
"At a loss for words," he wrote on Twitter. "Buffalo, I love you."
Allen and Oishei Children's Hospital most recently worked together when Wegmans, a local grocery store, started selling "Josh's Jaqs" cereal in September. A portion of the proceeds went to the hospital.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-09--Backstreet Boys' A.J. McLean eliminated from 'Dancing with the Stars'

Nov. 9 ( UPI ) -- Backstreet Boys singer A.J .
McLean got the boot on Dancing with the Stars @ @ @ @ @ .
McLean had been partnered with pro dancer Cheryl Burke for the competition .
Still @ @ @ @ @ coveted mirror-ball trophy are The Bachelorette alum Kaitlyn Bristowe , actresses Skai Jackson and Justina @ @ @ @ @ Nev Schulman , rapper Nelly and Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir .
Monica Aldama , @ @ @ @ @ , Anne Heche , Jesse Metcalfe , Vernon Davis and Chrishell Stause were previously eliminated @ @ @ @ @ Inaba , Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough are the judges this season .
The Bachelorette @ @ @ @ @ pro partner Alan Bersten won Season 28 in November .

Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Backstreet Boys singer A.J. McLean got the boot on Dancing with the Stars in Los Angeles Monday night.
McLean had been partnered with pro dancer Cheryl Burke for the competition.


upi--2020-11-09--Georgia senators call for secretary of state to resign

Nov. 9 ( UPI ) -- Two Republican U.S. senators from Georgia who face runoff elections against Democratic challengers called on the state 's Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to resign Monday .
Sens .
Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue cited failures in Georgia 's election process without citing specific examples and repeated President Donald Trump 's refrain that `` illegal votes '' should not be counted , in a joint statement calling for Raffensperger 's resignation .
`` There have been too many failures in Georgia elections this year and the most recent election has shined a national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senators wrote .
`` The secretary of state has failed to deliver honest and transparent elections .
He has failed the people of Georgia and he should step down immediately . ''
Perdue and Loeffler will go into runoff elections against their respective Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock as none of the candidates in either race secured at least 50 % of the vote during last week 's election .
Raffensperger issued his own statement saying he would not resign and declaring the election a `` resounding success , '' citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I know emotions are running high .
Politics are involved in everything right now , '' he said .
`` If I was Senator Perdue , I 'd be irritated I was in a runoff .
And both senators and I are all unhappy with the potential outcome for our president .
But I am the duly elected secretary of state .
One of my duties involves helping to run elections for all Georgia voters .
I have taken that oath and I will execute that duty and follow Georgia law .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he believes there was `` illegal voting '' and that his office is investigating it .
`` Does it rise to the numbers or margin necessary to change the outcome to where President [ Donald ] Trump is given Georgia 's electoral votes ?
That is unlikely , '' he said .
Former Vice President Joe Biden , who has secured the presidency with more than 270 electoral votes , leads Trump by 12,338 votes in Georgia with 2,469,117 ( 49.5 % ) to Trump 's 2,456,779 ( 49.3 % ) in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia officials announced the state would conduct a recount due to the smaller than 0.5 % between the candidates .

1/2
U.S. Sens. David Perdue, pictured here, and Kelly Loeffler of Georgia called on the state's Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to resign Monday citing election "failures." Pool photo by Anna Moneymaker/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Two Republican U.S. senators from Georgia who face runoff elections against Democratic challengers called on the state's Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to resign Monday. Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue cited failures in Georgia's election process without citing specific examples and repeated President Donald Trump's refrain that "illegal votes" should not be counted, in a joint statement calling for Raffensperger's resignation. Advertisement
"There have been too many failures in Georgia elections this year and the most recent election has shined a national light on the problems," the senators wrote. "The secretary of state has failed to deliver honest and transparent elections. He has failed the people of Georgia and he should step down immediately."
Perdue and Loeffler will go into runoff elections against their respective Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock as none of the candidates in either race secured at least 50% of the vote during last week's election.
Raffensperger issued his own statement saying he would not resign and declaring the election a "resounding success," citing low wait times and high turnout.
Advertisement
"I know emotions are running high. Politics are involved in everything right now," he said. "If I was Senator Perdue, I'd be irritated I was in a runoff. And both senators and I are all unhappy with the potential outcome for our president. But I am the duly elected secretary of state. One of my duties involves helping to run elections for all Georgia voters. I have taken that oath and I will execute that duty and follow Georgia law."
Raffensperger also said, however, that he believes there was "illegal voting" and that his office is investigating it.
"Does it rise to the numbers or margin necessary to change the outcome to where President [Donald] Trump is given Georgia's electoral votes? That is unlikely," he said.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, who has secured the presidency with more than 270 electoral votes, leads Trump by 12,338 votes in Georgia with 2,469,117 (49.5%) to Trump's 2,456,779 (49.3%) in the presidential race.
Last week, Georgia officials announced the state would conduct a recount due to the smaller than 0.5% between the candidates.


upi--2020-11-09--New Mexico meat factory sues state after COVID-19 outbreak triggers temporary closure

Nov. 9 ( UPI ) -- A New Mexico meat manufacturing plant is suing the state after being asked to close its doors for two weeks following six positive COVID-19 tests among its employees within four days .
Illinois-based Stampede Meat , which runs a 550-employee processing plant in Sunland , N.M. , near El Paso , pushed back against new state health department rules mandating that any business with four rapid-testing positive results within two weeks would need to temporarily close .
The company provides millions of pounds of meat products for stores such as Costco and Walmart .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Mexico District Court , Stampede says closing would mean the company will have to destroy millions of pounds of meat , which could contribute to a national meat shortage .
The company said they should be allowed to stay open because of President Donald Trump 's executive order invoking the Defense Production Act allowing meat factories to remain open to prevent food shortages during the pandemic .
The state health department reported an outbreak of six positive rapid-response COVID-19 tests within four days among employees of Stampede Meat 's Sunland plant .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ watchlist showed that Stampede had 11 positive tests .
New rules say businesses with outbreaks must temporarily close and follow deep-cleaning and workplace protocols .
Failure to comply may result in criminal prosecution and/or fines , the state said .
The company said the number of employees infected was a small percentage of the overall workforce and that any employee who has tested positive has stayed home in quarantine .
The number of positive cases in New Mexico has been rising rapidly , prompting New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham to issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in October that expire Nov. 13 .
As of Nov. 6 , the New Mexico Department of Public Health reported 56,289 cases of COVID-19 , with 1,130 total deaths .
As of Monday , 82 percent of general beds at New Mexico hospitals are occupied , and 66 percent of ICU beds are full , the public health department said .
Stampede has had 100 cases among employees since the pandemic began , the state 's environmental department spokeswoman , Maddy Hayden , told NBC .
Last spring , as the virus spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times to New Mexico 's state bureau of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that they were unable to socially distance and felt unsafe at work .
New Mexico Gov .
Michelle Lujan Grisham 's office told KRQU that the state was confident that courts would uphold a state health order , adding that Stampede Meat 's 11 rapid responses is `` so far beyond the four case threshold that it is alarming . ''

Stampede Meats sued the state of New Mexico Monday after public health officials said a processing plant in Sunland, N.M., had to close for two weeks following a COVID-19 outbreak. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 9 (UPI) -- A New Mexico meat manufacturing plant is suing the state after being asked to close its doors for two weeks following six positive COVID-19 tests among its employees within four days. Illinois-based Stampede Meat, which runs a 550-employee processing plant in Sunland, N.M., near El Paso, Texas, is challenging new state health department rules mandating that any business with four rapid-testing positive COVID-19 results within two weeks temporarily close. Advertisement
The company provides millions of pounds of meat products for stores including Costco and Walmart.
In a lawsuit filed Monday in New Mexico District Court, Stampede says closing would force the company to destroy millions of pounds of meat, which could contribute to a national shortage. The company argues it should be allowed to stay open because of President Donald Trump's executive order invoking the Defense Production Act, which allows meat factories to remain open to prevent food shortages during the pandemic.
The state health department reported an outbreak of six positive rapid-response COVID-19 tests within four days among employees of the Sunland plant. Within two weeks, the state's watchlist showed that Stampede had 11 positive tests.
Advertisement
New rules say businesses with outbreaks must temporarily close and follow deep-cleaning and workplace protocols. Failure to comply may result in criminal prosecution and/or fines, the state said.
The company said the number of employees infected was a small percentage of the overall workforce and that any employee who has tested positive has stayed home in quarantine.
The number of positive cases in New Mexico has been rising rapidly, prompting New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to issue new, more restrictive public health orders in October that expire Friday.
As of last Friday, the New Mexico Department of Public Health reported 56,289 cases of COVID-19, with 1,130 total deaths. As of Monday, 82 percent of general beds at New Mexico hospitals were occupied, and 66 percent of ICU beds were full, the public health department said.
Stampede has had 100 cases among employees since the pandemic began, the state's environmental department spokeswoman, Maddy Hayden, told NBC.
Last spring, as the virus spread, Stampede employees complained at least three times to New Mexico's state bureau of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that they were unable to socially distance and felt unsafe at work.
Grisham's office told KRQU that the state was confident that courts would uphold a state health order, adding that Stampede's 11 rapid responses is "so far beyond the four-case threshold that it is alarming."


upi--2020-11-09--Mississippi State-Auburn football game postponed due to COVID-19

Nov. 9 ( UPI ) -- Saturday 's Southeastern Conference matchup between Mississippi State and Auburn has been postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Bulldogs ' football program .
`` Based on positive tests and those considered as close contacts , along with non-COVID injuries , we do not have the minimum number of scholarship student-athletes available for Saturday 's game against Auburn , '' Mississippi State director of athletics John Cohen said in a statement Monday .
`` While we are disappointed that Saturday 's game has been postponed , our priority is the health , safety and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will continue to follow all established protocols and evaluate the most responsible path to return to the field . ''
The SEC also released a statement Monday saying Saturday 's game would be tentatively rescheduled for Dec. 12 .
`` The Auburn at Mississippi State football game [ on ] November 14 has been postponed due to positive tests and subsequent quarantining of individuals within the Mississippi State football program , consistent with Southeastern Conference COVID-19 management requirements , '' the statement read .
SEC schools have been hit hard by COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & M had to shut down practice Monday after multiple positive tests came back .
LSU 's contest against Alabama also is in jeopardy after the Tigers received multiple positive test results over the weekend .
`` We 're going to keep moving forward , '' SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said Monday .
`` We do n't get to just throw up our hands and not stop trying , but we 'll have to come together depending on how much disruption occurs and we 'll have to react to it .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the lessons from the last few months . ''
The SEC previously set a minimum requirement of 53 available scholarship athletes in order to compete .
Under the conference 's coronavirus protocols , players who test positive for COVID-19 must quarantine for 10 days .

Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey said Monday that the SEC will keep moving forward despite multiple COVID-19 cases at some of the conference's schools this week. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Saturday's Southeastern Conference matchup between Mississippi State and Auburn has been postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Bulldogs' football program. "Based on positive tests and those considered as close contacts, along with non-COVID injuries, we do not have the minimum number of scholarship student-athletes available for Saturday's game against Auburn," Mississippi State director of athletics John Cohen said in a statement Monday. Advertisement
"While we are disappointed that Saturday's game has been postponed, our priority is the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes and staff. We will continue to follow all established protocols and evaluate the most responsible path to return to the field."
The SEC also released a statement Monday saying Saturday's game would be tentatively rescheduled for Dec. 12.
"The Auburn at Mississippi State football game [on] November 14 has been postponed due to positive tests and subsequent quarantining of individuals within the Mississippi State football program, consistent with Southeastern Conference COVID-19 management requirements," the statement read.
SEC schools have been hit hard by COVID-19 testing this week, as Texas A&M had to shut down practice Monday after multiple positive tests came back. LSU's contest against Alabama also is in jeopardy after the Tigers received multiple positive test results over the weekend.
Advertisement
"We're going to keep moving forward," SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said Monday. "We don't get to just throw up our hands and not stop trying, but we'll have to come together depending on how much disruption occurs and we'll have to react to it. It's hard to predict. It's one of the lessons from the last few months."
The SEC previously set a minimum requirement of 53 available scholarship athletes in order to compete. Under the conference's coronavirus protocols, players who test positive for COVID-19 must quarantine for 10 days.


upi--2020-11-09--10 state AGs file amicus brief supporting challenge to Pennsylvania mail ballot deadline

Nov. 9 ( UPI ) -- Attorneys general from 10 states filed an amicus brief Monday urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Pennsylvania Supreme Court 's decision to extend the state 's deadline for receiving mail-in ballots .
The group of attorneys general from 10 Republican-led states supported the arguments of President Donald Trump 's campaign , the Pennsylvania Republican Party and a pair of state legislative leaders that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court `` overstepped its constitutional responsibility '' by extending the deadline for the state to accept mail-in ballots to Nov. 6 .
`` Free and fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and make the United States the envy of nations across the globe .
To keep those elections free and fair , we must ensure that every legal vote is counted and every illegal vote is not , '' Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt , who led the brief , said in a press release .
Attorneys general from Alabama , Arkansas , Florida , Kentucky , Louisiana , Mississippi , Florida , Kentucky , Louisiana , Mississippi , South Carolina , South Dakota and Texas also joined the brief .
The brief states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the authority of the legislature '' by extending the deadline and alleges that mail-in ballots increase the risk for fraud , citing prominent examples from past elections .
Also Monday , Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost , a Republican , filed a separate amicus brief in the case stating that `` state legislatures , not state courts , set the rules for picking presidential electors '' but did not challenge the practice of counting mail-in ballots after Election Day or suggest that absentee ballots present an opportunity for fraud .
`` This constitutional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections .
It is in the best interest of all Ohioans -- all of America -- to gain a definitive answer , regardless of politics , '' said Yost .
Last month , the Supreme Court declined a request to decide before Election Day whether to allow the extension , as Justices Samuel Alito , Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas said the court 's handling of the case `` needlessly created conditions that could lead to serious post-election problems '' but concluded there was not enough time to issue a decision before the @ @

Attorneys general from 10 states filed an amicus brief supporting a Supreme Court challenge to Pennsylvania's decision to extend its deadline to receive mail-in ballots. File Photo by Gary C. Caskey/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Attorneys general from 10 states filed an amicus brief Monday urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's decision to extend the state's deadline for receiving mail-in ballots. The group of attorneys general from 10 Republican-led states supported the arguments of President Donald Trump's campaign, the Pennsylvania Republican Party and a pair of state legislative leaders that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court "overstepped its constitutional responsibility" by extending the deadline for the state to accept mail-in ballots to Nov. 6. Advertisement
"Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of our republic and make the United States the envy of nations across the globe. To keep those elections free and fair, we must ensure that every legal vote is counted and every illegal vote is not," Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, who led the brief, said in a press release.
Attorneys general from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, South Dakota and Texas also joined the brief.
The brief states that the Pennsylvania legislature "encroached on the authority of the legislature" by extending the deadline and alleges that mail-in ballots increase the risk for fraud, citing prominent examples from past elections.
Advertisement
Also Monday, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, filed a separate amicus brief in the case stating that "state legislatures, not state courts, set the rules for picking presidential electors" but did not challenge the practice of counting mail-in ballots after Election Day or suggest that absentee ballots present an opportunity for fraud.
"This constitutional question will come up again in future elections. It is in the best interest of all Ohioans -- all of America -- to gain a definitive answer, regardless of politics," said Yost.
Last month, the Supreme Court declined a request to decide before Election Day whether to allow the extension, as Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas said the court's handling of the case "needlessly created conditions that could lead to serious post-election problems" but concluded there was not enough time to issue a decision before the election.


upi--2020-11-09--Atlanta Falcons waive disgruntled DE Takk McKinley

Nov. 9 ( UPI ) -- The Atlanta Falcons waived former first-round draft pick Takk McKinley on Monday , just days after the disgruntled defensive end called out the team for failing to trade him .
Last week , McKinley wrote on Twitter that Atlanta turned down fifth- and sixth-round draft pick offers from multiple teams despite his desire to be traded .
The fourth-year pass rusher also said he requested a trade last year , but the Falcons turned down a second-round selection for him at the time .
Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris said last week that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his decision to reveal the details of those possible trades on social media , along with past misconduct .
`` Takk will definitely be held accountable for his actions and everything that goes with it , '' Morris said .
`` That 's with him missing [ Wednesday ] and all of the things he 's missed in the past .
You definitely have to go through all the issues and go through all the stuff you have to deal with . ''
McKinley is now free to choose where he goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year , the Falcons declined to pick up McKinley 's fifth-year option , which carried a $ 10.3 million price tag .
McKinley was sidelined for the past two games because of a groin injury and illness .
According to the team , he has been dealing with the groin issue since Week 2 .
McKinley has played only 81 snaps and has just one sack in four games this season .
He has recorded 17.5 career sacks since entering the NFL in 2017 as the No .
26 overall pick .

The Atlanta Falcons drafted defensive end Takkarist McKinley (L) with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. File Photo by Derik Hamilton/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 9 (UPI) -- The Atlanta Falcons waived former first-round draft pick Takk McKinley on Monday, just days after the disgruntled defensive end called out the team for failing to trade him. Last week, McKinley wrote on Twitter that Atlanta turned down fifth- and sixth-round draft pick offers from multiple teams despite his desire to be traded. The fourth-year pass rusher also said he requested a trade last year, but the Falcons turned down a second-round selection for him at the time. Advertisement
Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris said last week that McKinley would be "held accountable" for his decision to reveal the details of those possible trades on social media, along with past misconduct.
"Takk will definitely be held accountable for his actions and everything that goes with it," Morris said. "That's with him missing [Wednesday] and all of the things he's missed in the past. You definitely have to go through all the issues and go through all the stuff you have to deal with."
McKinley is now free to choose where he goes, if he clears waivers.
Earlier this year, the Falcons declined to pick up McKinley's fifth-year option, which carried a $10.3 million price tag.
Advertisement
McKinley was sidelined for the past two games because of a groin injury and illness. According to the team, he has been dealing with the groin issue since Week 2.
McKinley has played only 81 snaps and has just one sack in four games this season. He has recorded 17.5 career sacks since entering the NFL in 2017 as the No. 26 overall pick.
This week in the National Football League
The New Orleans Saints' Jared Cook grabs a pass in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead during the first half at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla, on Sunday. Photo by Steve Nesius/UPI | License Photo


upi--2020-11-09--Gordon Joseloff, former UPI editor and CBS News producer, dies at 75

Nov. 9 ( UPI ) -- Gordon F. Joseloff , 75 , a former UPI and CBS News award-winning journalist who reported from London , Moscow and Tokyo , died Monday after being diagnosed with a rare blood cancer three years ago .
Joseloff also served as publisher and editor of an all-digital community news site that he founded in 2003 .
He temporarily stepped down as editor in 2005 to serve two terms as first selectman of Westport , and then returned to local news eight years later .
His successor in the town position , Jim Marpe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connecticut Gov .
Ned Lamont gave permission for Westport to lower its flags to half-staff for the remainder of the week to honor Joseloff .
`` It was an honor to work with Gordon Joseloff all the years in the forefront of online community , '' said James Lomuscio , associate editor of WestportNow.com .
`` He aimed to create a digital history of Westport , his hometown .
He did it spectacularly . ''
Joseloff died at home under hospice care with daughter Anna-Liisa and son Ben at his side .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New York , the twin son of Hollywood radio producer Stanley Joseloff and his wife , Barbara , an interior decorator .
While attending Syracuse University in 1964 , Joseloff began in UPI 's Albany , N.Y. , bureau .
He later became a correspondent and editor in New York , London and Moscow .
Former UPI radio manager Tom Foty recalled that while Joseloff was vacationing in San Francisco in 1975 , he became an accidental eyewitness to Sara Jane Moore 's attempted assassination of then-President Gerald Ford .
His description @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UPI 's wires and radio network .
At CBS News , Joseloff served as a correspondent , senior producer and bureau chief in New York , Moscow and Tokyo .
He began at CBS as a writer for Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather and ended up reporting from the hotspots of the world , including covering the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1980 and the Polish Solidarity trade union movement led by Lech Walesa .
Joseloff won an Emmy Award for coverage of the 1983 assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first U.S. Gulf War in 1991 .
He met his former wife , Suzy Joseloff Stark , a governess for a U.S. diplomat , in Moscow .
The couple 's daughter was born in Helsinki and their son was born in Tokyo .
The couple divorced in 1998 .
Other survivors include six grandchildren , two sisters and a brother .

1/3
Gordon Joseloff, former international editor for UPI and senior producer for CBS News, died Monday at age 75. File Photo by CBS News
Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Gordon F. Joseloff, 75, a former UPI and CBS News award-winning journalist who reported from London, Moscow and Tokyo, died Monday after being diagnosed with a rare blood cancer three years ago. Joseloff also served as publisher and editor of an all-digital community news site that he founded in 2003. He temporarily stepped down as editor in 2005 to serve two terms as first selectman of Westport, and then returned to local news eight years later. Advertisement
His successor in the town position, Jim Marpe, said Monday that at his request, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont gave permission for Westport to lower its flags to half-staff for the remainder of the week to honor Joseloff.
"It was an honor to work with Gordon Joseloff all the years in the forefront of online community," said James Lomuscio, associate editor of WestportNow.com. "He aimed to create a digital history of Westport, his hometown. He did it spectacularly."
Joseloff died at home under hospice care with daughter Anna-Liisa and son Ben at his side.
He was born May 13, 1945, in New York, the twin son of Hollywood radio producer Stanley Joseloff and his wife, Barbara, an interior decorator.
Advertisement
While attending Syracuse University in 1964, Joseloff began in UPI's Albany, N.Y., bureau. He later became a correspondent and editor in New York, London and Moscow.
Former UPI radio manager Tom Foty recalled that while Joseloff was vacationing in San Francisco in 1975, he became an accidental eyewitness to Sara Jane Moore's attempted assassination of then-President Gerald Ford.
His description of what he saw appeared worldwide on UPI's wires and radio network.
At CBS News, Joseloff served as a correspondent, senior producer and bureau chief in New York, Moscow and Tokyo.
He began at CBS as a writer for Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather and ended up reporting from the hotspots of the world, including covering the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1980 and the Polish Solidarity trade union movement led by Lech Walesa.
Joseloff won an Emmy Award for coverage of the 1983 assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India. He coordinated CBS' coverage of the first U.S. Gulf War in 1991.
He met his former wife, Suzy Joseloff Stark, a governess for a U.S. diplomat, in Moscow. The couple's daughter was born in Helsinki and their son was born in Tokyo. The couple divorced in 1998.
Advertisement
Other survivors include six grandchildren, two sisters and a brother.


upi--2020-11-09--U.S. Space Force outlines practices, priorities

Nov. 9 ( UPI ) -- A 16-page plan , written by U.S. Space Force chief Gen. John Raymond to outline the new service branch 's management practices , was revealed by the branch on Monday .
`` Chief of Space Operations ' Planning Guidance '' is a formal guide to Raymond 's vision for the Space Force and provides the framework for its management , priorities and identity , Space Force officials said .
The branch was first organized in 2019 as part of the U.S. Air Force , before its formal establishment as the 6th branch of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sworn in as head of the branch in January .
`` I expect all uniformed and civilian space professionals , and USAF personnel assigned to USSF units and staffs , to read and begin implementing this guidance immediately , '' Raymond wrote in the new document .
Itemized priorities include empowerment of a `` lean and agile service , '' development of warfighters , delivery of relevant new capabilities , an expansion of cooperation to enhance prosperity and security , and creation of `` a digital service to accelerate innovation '' identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It calls for a `` command by negation '' command style , in which `` subordinate echelons are expected to default to action except where a higher echelon has specifically reserved authority . ''
The plan also notes the rise of competitors in space .
`` Chinese and Russian military doctrines indicate they view space as essential to modern warfare , and view counterspace capabilities as potent means to reduce U.S. and allied military effectiveness , '' Raymond wrote .
`` Modern Chinese and Russian space surveillance networks are capable of finding , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earth orbits , '' he wrote .
`` These systems can achieve a range of effects against U.S. and allied military , civil and commercial capabilities from temporary and reversible , to irreversible degradation . ''

A 16-page guidance document, written by U.S. Space Force chief Gen. John Raymond and outlining the branch's management practices and priorities, was released on Monday. Photo by Eric Dietrich/U.S. Air Force
Nov. 9 (UPI) -- A 16-page plan, written by U.S. Space Force chief Gen. John Raymond to outline the new service branch's management practices, was revealed by the branch on Monday. "Chief of Space Operations' Planning Guidance" is a formal guide to Raymond's vision for the Space Force and provides the framework for its management, priorities and identity, Space Force officials said. Advertisement
The branch was first organized in 2019 as part of the U.S. Air Force, before its formal establishment as the 6th branch of the U.S. military in December 2019.
Raymond was sworn in as head of the branch in January.
"I expect all uniformed and civilian space professionals, and USAF personnel assigned to USSF units and staffs, to read and begin implementing this guidance immediately," Raymond wrote in the new document.
Itemized priorities include empowerment of a "lean and agile service," development of warfighters, delivery of relevant new capabilities, an expansion of cooperation to enhance prosperity and security, and creation of "a digital service to accelerate innovation" identified as the Technology and Innovation Office.
It calls for a "command by negation" command style, in which "subordinate echelons are expected to default to action except where a higher echelon has specifically reserved authority."
Advertisement
The plan also notes the rise of competitors in space.
"Chinese and Russian military doctrines indicate they view space as essential to modern warfare, and view counterspace capabilities as potent means to reduce U.S. and allied military effectiveness," Raymond wrote.
"Modern Chinese and Russian space surveillance networks are capable of finding, tracking, and characterizing satellites in all earth orbits," he wrote. "These systems can achieve a range of effects against U.S. and allied military, civil and commercial capabilities from temporary and reversible, to irreversible degradation."


upi--2020-11-09--32-year-old message in a bottle found in Canadian lake

Nov. 9 ( UPI ) -- An Ontario , Canada , man who found a 32-year-old message in a bottle @ @ @ @ @ lake said he was able to talk with the message 's author -- although she @ @ @ @ @ the note .
Larry Jones , of Bobcaygeon , said he was working on his @ @ @ @ @ Sturgeon Lake when he spotted a green bottle stuck in the mud .
Jones and @ @ @ @ @ opened the bottle and discovered a letter inside authored by a 13-year-old girl named Angela @ @ @ @ @ , dated July 14 , 1988 , said she lived in Simcoe and was visiting @ @ @ @ @ on the other side of the lake from Jones ' property .
Jones said he @ @ @ @ @ her mother saw a news report about his discovery .
He said the woman told @ @ @ @ @ Swan cottages in 1988 , but she had no memory of setting a message in @ @ @ @ @ lake .

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
Nov. 9 (UPI) -- An Ontario, Canada, man who found a 32-year-old message in a bottle on the shore of a lake said he was able to talk with the message's author -- although she has no memory of writing the note.
Larry Jones, of Bobcaygeon, said he was working on his property on the shore of Sturgeon Lake when he spotted a green bottle stuck in the mud.
Advertisement
Jones and his wife, Millie, opened the bottle and discovered a letter inside authored by a 13-year-old girl named Angela Vankerkhoven.
Vankerkhoven's note, dated July 14, 1988, said she lived in Simcoe and was visiting White Swan cottages, located on the other side of the lake from Jones' property.
Jones said he was contacted by Vankerkhoven after her mother saw a news report about his discovery. He said the woman told him she recalled visiting White Swan cottages in 1988, but she had no memory of setting a message in a bottle adrift in the lake.


upi--2020-11-09--Teens see mental health benefits with less screen time, more sports, art

Walking away from TV , laptops and cellphones and spending more time in sports and other extracurricular activities boosts teens ' mental health , Canadian researchers say .
Spending less than two hours a day browsing the internet , playing video games and using social media was linked to increased levels of life satisfaction and optimism and lower levels of anxiety and depression , especially among girls , the study found .
`` Although we conducted this study before the COVID-19 pandemic , the findings are especially relevant now when teens may be spending more time in front of screens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extracurricular activities , like sports and arts programs , is restricted due to COVID-19 , '' said lead author Eva Oberle , an assistant professor with the Human Early Learning Partnership at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver .
`` Our findings highlight extracurricular activities as an asset for teens ' mental well-being , '' she said in a university news release .
`` Finding safe ways for children and teens to continue to participate in these activities during current times may be a way to reduce screen time and promote mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study , the researchers surveyed nearly 29,000 seventh-graders .
• Teens who took part in extracurricular activities were less likely to engage in screen-based activities for two or more hours after school .
• More than two hours a day of screen time was linked with lower levels of life satisfaction and optimism , and higher levels of anxiety and depression .
`` We do know that some forms of screen time can be beneficial , like maintaining connections with friends and family members online if we can not see them in person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screen time that can be quite harmful , '' Oberle said .
`` There are many nuances that are not well-understood yet and that are important to explore . ''
The findings were recently published in the journal Preventive Medicine .
For more on teens ' mental health , visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine .

Walking away from TV, laptops and cellphones and spending more time in sports and other extracurricular activities boosts teens' mental health, Canadian researchers say.
Spending less than two hours a day browsing the internet, playing video games and using social media was linked to increased levels of life satisfaction and optimism and lower levels of anxiety and depression, especially among girls, the study found.
Advertisement
"Although we conducted this study before the COVID-19 pandemic, the findings are especially relevant now when teens may be spending more time in front of screens in their free time if access to extracurricular activities, like sports and arts programs, is restricted due to COVID-19," said lead author Eva Oberle, an assistant professor with the Human Early Learning Partnership at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
"Our findings highlight extracurricular activities as an asset for teens' mental well-being," she said in a university news release. "Finding safe ways for children and teens to continue to participate in these activities during current times may be a way to reduce screen time and promote mental health and well-being."
For the study, the researchers surveyed nearly 29,000 seventh-graders.
Advertisement
They found that:
Teens who took part in extracurricular activities were less likely to engage in screen-based activities for two or more hours after school.
More than two hours a day of screen time was linked with lower levels of life satisfaction and optimism, and higher levels of anxiety and depression.
Longer screen time negatively affected girls' mental health more than boys'.
"We do know that some forms of screen time can be beneficial, like maintaining connections with friends and family members online if we cannot see them in person, but there are other types of screen time that can be quite harmful," Oberle said. "There are many nuances that are not well-understood yet and that are important to explore."
The findings were recently published in the journal Preventive Medicine.
For more on teens' mental health, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-11-09--COVID-19 vaccines may need to evolve to keep up with changing virus, experts say

Nov. 9 ( UPI ) -- Researchers working to develop a vaccine against COVID-19 must consider the inevitable mutation of the virus and monitor its evolution to ensure that inoculations continue to prevent infection , the authors of a commentary published Monday by PLOS Biology argue .
Even as new vaccines become available -- perhaps as soon as later this year -- researchers should use virus samples collected during testing to check for new strains that may not respond to the formulation , they said .
Multiple strains of the new coronavirus already have been identified , suggesting that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that new vaccines will need to keep up to provide immunity , according to the authors , both biologists at Penn State University .
The commentary was published on the same day that drugmaker Pfizer announced that its two-dose COVID-19 vaccine is 90 % effective at preventing new infections , based on preliminary data from Phase 3 trials .
`` I hope that the first licensed vaccine is safe , effective , and easy to produce and administer , but even if that is the case , [ virus ] evolution can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David A. Kennedy told UPI .
`` Examples of resistance have been seen against many different types of vaccines ... [ so ] I do n't think we can make blanket statements about which types of vaccine , or which types of diseases for that matter , will have problems with resistance , '' said Kennedy , an assistant professor of biology .
Research suggests at least six different strains of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 are circulating globally , although it appears to be evolving more slowly than it spreads , researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being developed , with more than 40 already in clinical trials designed to assess safety and efficacy , according to the World Health Organization .
What Kennedy and his colleagues are proposing does n't call into question the trial process or delay it in any way , they said .
Instead , what they suggest is that researchers learn lessons from the antibiotic resistance crisis -- in which infection-causing bacteria have become resistant to currently available antibiotics , leading to severe illness and death -- and continue to track the evolution of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market .
This would entail using samples collected during vaccine trials -- including both nasal and throat swabs and blood -- for new strains of the virus , Kennedy said .
For example , blood samples can be used to assess `` the redundancy of immune protection generated by '' vaccines by measuring the types and amounts of antibodies -- proteins produced by the immune system to fight infection -- that inoculated people develop against the virus .
`` The data necessary to quantify the risk of vaccine resistance can be assessed concurrently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The question is , what do we do if we learn that an otherwise promising vaccine candidate is very likely to be undermined by pathogen evolution ? ''
he asked .
One positive that can be taken from the need to develop a vaccine against COVID-19 is that the process , which has progressed at record pace , can be used to improve vaccines overall , according to Stephen S. Morse , an expert in emerging infectious diseases .
`` Our knowledge of how vaccines work , and how to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaps , '' Morse , a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University , who was not part of the PLOS Biology commentary , told UPI .
`` This is a great opportunity to fill in some of the gaps [ and ] provide the opportunity for more precise assessments of the immune response to these vaccines , and help us learn how to design better ones , '' which is essentially what the authors are proposing , he said .

COVID-19 vaccine developers must continue to monitor the virus for new strains to ensure long-term effectiveness of the formulation, expert say. Photo by huntlh/ Pixabay
Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Researchers working to develop a vaccine against COVID-19 must consider the inevitable mutation of the virus and monitor its evolution to ensure that inoculations continue to prevent infection, the authors of a commentary published Monday by PLOS Biology argue. Even as new vaccines become available -- perhaps as soon as later this year -- researchers should use virus samples collected during testing to check for new strains that may not respond to the formulation, they said. Advertisement
Multiple strains of the new coronavirus already have been identified, suggesting that the virus that originated in China is evolving and that new vaccines will need to keep up to provide immunity, according to the authors, both biologists at Penn State University.
The commentary was published on the same day that drugmaker Pfizer announced that its two-dose COVID-19 vaccine is 90% effective at preventing new infections, based on preliminary data from Phase 3 trials.
Advertisement
"I hope that the first licensed vaccine is safe, effective, and easy to produce and administer, but even if that is the case, [virus] evolution can undermine vaccine protection," commentary co-author David A. Kennedy told UPI.
"Examples of resistance have been seen against many different types of vaccines ... [so] I don't think we can make blanket statements about which types of vaccine, or which types of diseases for that matter, will have problems with resistance," said Kennedy, an assistant professor of biology.
Research suggests at least six different strains of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 are circulating globally, although it appears to be evolving more slowly than it spreads, researchers said.
Roughly 200 vaccines against COVID-19 are being developed, with more than 40 already in clinical trials designed to assess safety and efficacy, according to the World Health Organization.
What Kennedy and his colleagues are proposing doesn't call into question the trial process or delay it in any way, they said.
Instead, what they suggest is that researchers learn lessons from the antibiotic resistance crisis -- in which infection-causing bacteria have become resistant to currently available antibiotics, leading to severe illness and death -- and continue to track the evolution of the new coronavirus after vaccines come to market.
Advertisement
This would entail using samples collected during vaccine trials -- including both nasal and throat swabs and blood -- for new strains of the virus, Kennedy said.
For example, blood samples can be used to assess "the redundancy of immune protection generated by" vaccines by measuring the types and amounts of antibodies -- proteins produced by the immune system to fight infection -- that inoculated people develop against the virus.
"The data necessary to quantify the risk of vaccine resistance can be assessed concurrently with clinical trials," Kennedy said.
"The question is, what do we do if we learn that an otherwise promising vaccine candidate is very likely to be undermined by pathogen evolution?" he asked.
One positive that can be taken from the need to develop a vaccine against COVID-19 is that the process, which has progressed at record pace, can be used to improve vaccines overall, according to Stephen S. Morse, an expert in emerging infectious diseases.
"Our knowledge of how vaccines work, and how to make them work better, still has many gaps," Morse, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University, who was not part of the PLOS Biology commentary, told UPI.
"This is a great opportunity to fill in some of the gaps [and] provide the opportunity for more precise assessments of the immune response to these vaccines, and help us learn how to design better ones," which is essentially what the authors are proposing, he said.