upi--2020-12-30--U.N. confirms North Korean defectors at risk of repatriation from China

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- The United Nations sent a letter to the Chinese government in October , urging Beijing to refrain from forcibly repatriating a group of North Korean refugees under Chinese detention .
The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights disclosed a letter signed by Tomás Ojea Quintana , the U.N. special rapporteur on North Korea human rights , and Nils Melzer , the special rapporteur on torture and other cruel , inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment , that was delivered to the Chinese government on Oct. 27 , South Korean news service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 , Chinese authorities arrested a group of five defectors .
The North Koreans were attempting to flee to South Korea , leaving the northeastern Chinese city of Shenyang on Sept. 12 .
The next day , the group , which included a 14-year-old girl and a pregnant woman , were detained and sent to a police station in the port city of Qingdao , according to the U.N. letter .
It is unclear whether the arrested North Koreans are a family .
The group included a 49-year-old woman , a 48-year-old man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was six months pregnant , and another woman whose age is unknown , according to reports .
The U.N. said any repatriation of the defectors would be a violation of Article 3 of the U.N. Convention against Torture , or UNCAT , which requires no government expel , return or extradite a person to another country where there are sufficient grounds to believe the individual would be subjected to torture .
The number of North Korean defections to the South has dropped in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Pyongyang has sealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and could be on guard for the new mutated form of the novel coronavirus .
Korean Workers ' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun said Tuesday a `` new variant of a malicious virus '' that is highly infectious is `` spreading to various countries around the world . ''
North Korea raised its alert level for the virus to the highest of three stages earlier this month , and all foreign aid workers left the country in December .

Chinese authorities arrested a group of North Koreans attempting to flee to South Korea in September, according to the United Nations. File Photo by Stephen Shaver | License Photo
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The United Nations sent a letter to the Chinese government in October, urging Beijing to refrain from forcibly repatriating a group of North Korean refugees under Chinese detention. The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights disclosed a letter signed by Tomás Ojea Quintana, the U.N. special rapporteur on North Korea human rights, and Nils Melzer, the special rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, that was delivered to the Chinese government on Oct. 27, South Korean news service News 1 reported Wednesday. Advertisement
On Sept. 13, Chinese authorities arrested a group of five defectors. The North Koreans were attempting to flee to South Korea, leaving the northeastern Chinese city of Shenyang on Sept. 12. The next day, the group, which included a 14-year-old girl and a pregnant woman, were detained and sent to a police station in the port city of Qingdao, according to the U.N. letter.
It is unclear whether the arrested North Koreans are a family. The group included a 49-year-old woman, a 48-year-old man, a 14-year-old girl, a woman who was six months pregnant, and another woman whose age is unknown, according to reports.
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The U.N. said any repatriation of the defectors would be a violation of Article 3 of the U.N. Convention against Torture, or UNCAT, which requires no government expel, return or extradite a person to another country where there are sufficient grounds to believe the individual would be subjected to torture.
The number of North Korean defections to the South has dropped in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. Pyongyang has sealed its borders in response to COVID-19, and could be on guard for the new mutated form of the novel coronavirus.
Korean Workers' Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun said Tuesday a "new variant of a malicious virus" that is highly infectious is "spreading to various countries around the world."
North Korea raised its alert level for the virus to the highest of three stages earlier this month, and all foreign aid workers left the country in December.


upi--2020-12-30--Joe Biden, Jill Biden to give interview on 'New Year's Rockin' Eve'

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- Joe Biden and Jill Biden will give `` their last interview of the year '' during Dick Clark 's New Year 's Rockin ' Eve .
Dick Clark Productions announced Wednesday that Biden , the president-elect , and Jill Biden will appear during the TV special Thursday .
Biden and Jill Biden will share `` a special message of hope , unity , and best wishes for the year ahead , '' producers said in a statement .
`` In a year marked with many challenges , we are honored that President-Elect Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most-watched tradition -- Dick Clark 's New Year 's Rockin ' Eve -- to share an inspiring message as we come together to close out 2020 and look ahead with hope to 2021 , '' producers added .
Ryan Seacrest , Lucy Hale and Billy Porter will host the New York event in Times Square , with Ciara to host the Los Angeles celebration and Big Freedia to host the New Orleans bash .
Performers include Jennifer Lopez , who will perform her song `` In the Morning '' for the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Doja Cat , Maluma , En Vogue and other artists .
Seacrest discussed New Year 's Rockin ' Eve during Wednesday 's episode of Good Morning America .
The event is invite-only due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will honor the `` heroes of 2020 . ''
`` We will have our heroes of 2020 -- we 'll have the first responders , the essential workers .
Many of them do n't call themselves heroes , but we 'll have a chance to meet them , meet their families , and celebrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , '' Seacrest said .
New Year 's Rockin ' Eve will begin airing Thursday at 8 p.m. EST on ABC .
Other New Year 's Eve specials include NBC 's New Year 's Eve , featuring Gwen Stefani and Kylie Minogue , and a performance by Gloria Gaynor .

President-Elect @JoeBiden and @DrBiden will appear in their last interview of the year during #RockinEve! Tune-in TOMORROW at 8/7c on ABC. pic.twitter.com/xvJkFkPzvW— New Year's Rockin' Eve (@NYRE) December 30, 2020
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Joe Biden and Jill Biden will give "their last interview of the year" during Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.
Dick Clark Productions announced Wednesday that Biden, the president-elect, and Jill Biden will appear during the TV special Thursday.
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Biden and Jill Biden will share "a special message of hope, unity, and best wishes for the year ahead," producers said in a statement.
"In a year marked with many challenges, we are honored that President-Elect Joe Biden and Dr. Biden will join America's most-watched tradition -- Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve -- to share an inspiring message as we come together to close out 2020 and look ahead with hope to 2021," producers added.
Ryan Seacrest, Lucy Hale and Billy Porter will host the New York event in Times Square, with Ciara to host the Los Angeles celebration and Big Freedia to host the New Orleans bash.
Performers include Jennifer Lopez, who will perform her song "In the Morning" for the first time, Miley Cyrus, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Maluma, En Vogue and other artists.
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Seacrest discussed New Year's Rockin' Eve during Wednesday's episode of Good Morning America. The event is invite-only due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will honor the "heroes of 2020."
"We will have our heroes of 2020 -- we'll have the first responders, the essential workers. Many of them don't call themselves heroes, but we'll have a chance to meet them, meet their families, and celebrate what they have done for us this year," Seacrest said.
New Year's Rockin' Eve will begin airing Thursday at 8 p.m. EST on ABC. Other New Year's Eve specials include NBC's New Year's Eve, featuring Gwen Stefani and Kylie Minogue, and a performance by Gloria Gaynor.


upi--2020-12-30--Indian Wells tennis tourney postponed for 2nd year due to COVID-19

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- The annual BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells , Calif. , has been postponed for a second-consecutive year due to COVID-19 , organizers announced in a news release .
`` The BNP Paribas Open will not be held March 8 to 21 as originally scheduled , '' said the release , which was issued on Tuesday .
`` The tournament is proactively working with the ATP and WTA tours as well as title sponsor BNP Paribas to confirm dates later in the year to hold the event .
Details will be released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finalized . ''
In March , the 2020 BNP Paribas Open was the first tennis tournament to be postponed -- and ultimately canceled -- due to the pandemic .
The ATP and WTA tours later suspended their seasons until August .
The ATP on Tuesday also announced its schedule for the start of the year .
The 2021 Australian Open is from Feb. 8 to 21 before events in Argentina , France , the Netherlands , Chile , Qatar , Mexico , and the United Arab Emirates , before the tour returns to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Miami Open .
The WTA has not announced its scheduled events beyond the first seven weeks of the season .

BNP Paribas Open organizers hope to host the tennis tournament later this year in Indian Wells, Calif., after it was postponed on Tuesday due to the coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The annual BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif., has been postponed for a second-consecutive year due to COVID-19, organizers announced in a news release. "The BNP Paribas Open will not be held March 8 to 21 as originally scheduled," said the release, which was issued on Tuesday. Advertisement
"The tournament is proactively working with the ATP and WTA tours as well as title sponsor BNP Paribas to confirm dates later in the year to hold the event. Details will be released in the near future as plans are finalized."
In March, the 2020 BNP Paribas Open was the first tennis tournament to be postponed -- and ultimately canceled -- due to the pandemic. The ATP and WTA tours later suspended their seasons until August.
The ATP on Tuesday also announced its schedule for the start of the year. The 2021 Australian Open is from Feb. 8 to 21 before events in Argentina, France, the Netherlands, Chile, Qatar, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates, before the tour returns to the United States in late March for the Miami Open.
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The WTA has not announced its scheduled events beyond the first seven weeks of the season.


upi--2020-12-30--Is President Donald Trump deluded or determined?

Dec. 29 ( UPI ) -- Whether one admires or abhors President Donald Trump , to many , he is still the most transparent president in the nation 's history .
Wielding Twitter as a machine gun , the president unleashes torrents of 140-letter commentary about everything and everyone .
The last outburst was over vetoing the National Defense Authorization Act , and after various threats , signing the COVID-19 relief bill .
But despite his displeasure over both in his tweets , is the president deluded , as some argue , and a modern day mad King Lear ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to maintain power and mad only in the sense he is furious with the results of the election and a party that no longer bows and scrapes to his every whim , perhaps looking to 2024 to redeem his failure to win a second term ?
Unfortunately , the transparency of his tweets do not provide an answer .
Applying rationality to these questions is undermined by a president whose decision-making process and attention span are measured in micro-seconds .
One of the most frightening and perhaps unintentional revelations of former national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the Room Where It Happened '' was the lack of an apparent presidential decision-making process .
Even the term ad hoc may be too clinical as Bolton describes few high-level meetings with the president in which decisions were carefully weighed .
With that caveat , what may be driving the president ?
Clearly , he refuses to accept defeat and the loss of a second term , only the third time since the end of World War II that a sitting elected president was not re-elected ( Jimmy Carter and George H.W @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gerald Ford succeeded Richard Nixon after his resignation ) .
More likely , Trump is maneuvering for a 2024 re-run and putting a final measure of discipline and control on the Republican Party in his remaining three weeks in office .
By vetoing the defense spending bill , Trump forced Republicans to vote against him in the override thereby providing future leverage to attack any dissenting members .
By threatening to veto the COVID-19 relief bill and calling for a $ 2,000 stimulus payment , Trump was aided by House Democrats who passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Senate Republicans to support him .
No matter the outcome , the president will cynically claim achieving a political victory and blaming others if the bill fails .
How this will affect the Senate run-off in Georgia on Jan. 5 is unclear .
If Senate Republicans have enough members to override the veto , then perhaps candidates David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler can vote to sustain the president , having already committed to support the $ 2,000 add-on .
For the moment , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not allowed this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand-alone legislation because a substantial number of his caucus are in opposition to increasing the debt .
All this could redound against Republicans in the Georgia senate race as Loeffler and Perdue are caught in this presidential crossfire .
Trump is also playing to his base .
The defense bill is loaded with items that can be attacked , rightly or wrongly , as pork and waste representing the worst in the Washington swamp Trump is still trying to drain .
By so forcefully advocating more relief money for Americans , Trump rallies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no mistake , all this keeps the president as the center of attention , crowding out the president-elect .
Thus , rather than being seen as acts of delusion , a case can be made that Trump has made a determined effort to keep the public eye , build on his popularity , seize the high ground for 2024 and tighten his grip on the party .
Critics will reject this conclusion as too logical for an often irrational president .
However , what has propelled Trump to the presidency , and made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to exploit the moment , whether through a premeditated assessment of conditions or a primal instinct that worked .
As Bolton underscored , this lack of or ad hoc decision-making process made Trump 's foreign policies ultimately self-defeating certainly with North Korea .
And even though the former national security adviser still claims that leaving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA ) with Iran and the Paris Climate Change Accord along with demanding NATO members pay more for defense and imposing sanctions on China were the right choices , all have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends , allies and adversaries .
How does this end ?
At this stage , no one knows .
The best bet is that even a year or two from now , not even Trump will know .
Harlan Ullman is senior adviser at the Atlantic Council and author of the upcoming book , `` The Fifth Horseman and MAD : The Tragic History of How Massive Attacks of Disruption Endangered , Infected , Engulfed and Disunited a 51 % Nation and the Rest of the World . ''

President Donald Trump speaks during an Operation Warp Speed Vaccine Summit in the South Court Auditorium of the of Eisenhower Executive Office Building next to the White House in Washington, D.C., on December 8, 2020. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Whether one admires or abhors President Donald Trump, to many, he is still the most transparent president in the nation's history. Wielding Twitter as a machine gun, the president unleashes torrents of 140-letter commentary about everything and everyone. The last outburst was over vetoing the National Defense Authorization Act, and after various threats, signing the COVID-19 relief bill. But despite his displeasure over both in his tweets, is the president deluded, as some argue, and a modern day mad King Lear? Or, is he determined in his efforts to maintain power and mad only in the sense he is furious with the results of the election and a party that no longer bows and scrapes to his every whim, perhaps looking to 2024 to redeem his failure to win a second term? Unfortunately, the transparency of his tweets do not provide an answer. Advertisement Advertisement
Applying rationality to these questions is undermined by a president whose decision-making process and attention span are measured in micro-seconds. One of the most frightening and perhaps unintentional revelations of former national security adviser John Bolton's book "In the Room Where It Happened" was the lack of an apparent presidential decision-making process. Even the term ad hoc may be too clinical as Bolton describes few high-level meetings with the president in which decisions were carefully weighed.
With that caveat, what may be driving the president? Clearly, he refuses to accept defeat and the loss of a second term, only the third time since the end of World War II that a sitting elected president was not re-elected (Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush being the other two as Gerald Ford succeeded Richard Nixon after his resignation).
More likely, Trump is maneuvering for a 2024 re-run and putting a final measure of discipline and control on the Republican Party in his remaining three weeks in office. By vetoing the defense spending bill, Trump forced Republicans to vote against him in the override thereby providing future leverage to attack any dissenting members. By threatening to veto the COVID-19 relief bill and calling for a $2,000 stimulus payment, Trump was aided by House Democrats who passed such a bill and put great pressure on Senate Republicans to support him. No matter the outcome, the president will cynically claim achieving a political victory and blaming others if the bill fails.
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How this will affect the Senate run-off in Georgia on Jan. 5 is unclear. If Senate Republicans have enough members to override the veto, then perhaps candidates David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler can vote to sustain the president, having already committed to support the $2,000 add-on. For the moment, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not allowed this spending bill to reach the floor as stand-alone legislation because a substantial number of his caucus are in opposition to increasing the debt. All this could redound against Republicans in the Georgia senate race as Loeffler and Perdue are caught in this presidential crossfire.
Trump is also playing to his base. The defense bill is loaded with items that can be attacked, rightly or wrongly, as pork and waste representing the worst in the Washington swamp Trump is still trying to drain. By so forcefully advocating more relief money for Americans, Trump rallies his populist audience. And, make no mistake, all this keeps the president as the center of attention, crowding out the president-elect.
Thus, rather than being seen as acts of delusion, a case can be made that Trump has made a determined effort to keep the public eye, build on his popularity, seize the high ground for 2024 and tighten his grip on the party. Critics will reject this conclusion as too logical for an often irrational president. However, what has propelled Trump to the presidency, and made him so dangerous, is the ability to exploit the moment, whether through a premeditated assessment of conditions or a primal instinct that worked.
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As Bolton underscored, this lack of or ad hoc decision-making process made Trump's foreign policies ultimately self-defeating certainly with North Korea. And even though the former national security adviser still claims that leaving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran and the Paris Climate Change Accord along with demanding NATO members pay more for defense and imposing sanctions on China were the right choices, all have damaged American national security and relations with friends, allies and adversaries.
How does this end? At this stage, no one knows. The best bet is that even a year or two from now, not even Trump will know.
Harlan Ullman is senior adviser at the Atlantic Council and author of the upcoming book, "The Fifth Horseman and MAD: The Tragic History of How Massive Attacks of Disruption Endangered, Infected, Engulfed and Disunited a 51% Nation and the Rest of the World."


upi--2020-12-30--Watch: Anthony Hopkins celebrates 45 years of sobriety: 'Hang in there'

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- Anthony Hopkins celebrated 45 years of sobriety by delivering a hopeful message to fans .
`` It 's been a tough year , full of grief and sadness for many , many , many people .
But 45 years ago today , I had a wake-up call .
I was heading for disaster , drinking myself to death , '' Hopkins began his video on Twitter , which he posted Tuesday .
`` I 'm not preachy but I got a message , a little thought that said , 'Do you want to live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I wanted to live .
And suddenly the relief came and my life has been amazing .
I may have off days and sometimes little bits of doubt and all that but all in all I say hang in there , '' the actor continued .
Hopkins directed his message towards young people , telling them not to give up and to keep fighting .
`` Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid .
That 's sustained me through my life , '' Hopkins said before signing off and stating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hopkins is set to turn 83 on Thursday .

With gratitude, I celebrate 45 years of sobriety. pic.twitter.com/fxzMRGlI4m— Anthony Hopkins (@AnthonyHopkins) December 29, 2020
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Anthony Hopkins celebrated 45 years of sobriety by delivering a hopeful message to fans.
"It's been a tough year, full of grief and sadness for many, many, many people. But 45 years ago today, I had a wake-up call. I was heading for disaster, drinking myself to death," Hopkins began his video on Twitter, which he posted Tuesday.
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"I'm not preachy but I got a message, a little thought that said, 'Do you want to live or die?' and I said I wanted to live. And suddenly the relief came and my life has been amazing. I may have off days and sometimes little bits of doubt and all that but all in all I say hang in there," the actor continued.
Hopkins directed his message towards young people, telling them not to give up and to keep fighting.
"Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid. That's sustained me through my life," Hopkins said before signing off and stating that 2021 will be the best year.
Hopkins is set to turn 83 on Thursday.


upi--2020-12-30--Government begins sending $600 COVID-19 stimulus payments to millions in U.S.

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- The federal government on Wednesday began mailing out COVID-19 stimulus checks worth $ 600 for most Americans , amid ongoing efforts to raise the amount to $ 2,000 after Senate Republicans scuttled an attempt to do it immediately .
The $ 600 amount was part of the $ 900 billion coronavirus relief package negotiated in Congress for months and signed by President Donald Trump on Sunday .
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said late Tuesday that the government has already begun sending the money into Americans ' accounts , via direct deposit , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
The direct infusions of cash will continue to be deposited and sent through the mail into next week , Mnuchin said .
The payments are the second direct aid sent to Americans as a result of the health crisis .
The first , in the amount of $ 1,200 , were given out in April after Congress passed the initial relief package , the CARES Act .
House Democrats passed a second round of aid in May , but the Senate never considered the bill and insisted on dramatically reduced spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round of aid until lawmakers struck a compromise earlier this month .
`` This second round of payments will provide critical economic support to those who , through no fault of their own , have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic , '' Mnuchin said in a statement late Tuesday .
`` These payments are an integral part of our commitment to providing vital additional economic relief to the American people during this unprecedented time . ''
Mnuchin added that the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service are `` working with unprecedented speed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the first payments early this year , the new $ 600 amount will be sent to all eligible Americans and $ 1,200 will be given for married couples .
There will be an additional $ 600 per child .
All Americans who made up to $ 75,000 in 2019 , or $ 150,000 for married couples filing jointly , will receive the full amount .
The qualifying income figures are determined by recipients ' 2019 federal tax return .
For those above the income threshold , the amount will gradually reduce up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals and $ 174,000 for married couples .
Those who make more will not receive a payment .
Although the new stimulus payments are going out , it 's still possible the amount could be raised to $ 2,000 per person -- an increase demanded by both Trump and congressional Democrats , but resisted by a number of Republicans in both chambers .
Senate Democrats on Tuesday attempted to quickly pass a standalone bill , the CASH Act , to raise the payment amount so Americans could start receiving much-needed fiscal aid , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitch McConnell .
Several other GOP senators later supported McConnell 's move to block the increase , arguing the additional amount is unnecessary and excessive .
`` Congress should continue helping workers who 've lost their jobs .
But blindly borrowing more than $ 600 billion so we can send $ 2,000 checks to millions of people who have n't lost any income is terrible policy , '' Sen. Pat Toomey , R-Pa. , tweeted .
`` I wo n't consent to a vote on that . ''
McConnell , however , did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2,000 -- but attached two unrelated provisions to the measure , a proposal to repeal a law that shields social media platforms from legal liability over users ' content and creating an election fraud commission .
Both of the attachments are items Trump has pushed aggressively in recent weeks .
The first involves Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and the other is related to Trump 's baseless claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election .
Attaching those issues to the $ 2,000 stimulus raise , lawmakers and experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposed by Democrats and the attempt to give Americans more money will fail .
`` Sen. McConnell knows how to make $ 2,000 survival checks reality and he knows how to kill them , '' Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement late Tuesday .
`` If Sen. McConnell tries loading up the bipartisan House-passed CASH Act with unrelated , partisan provisions that will do absolutely nothing to help struggling families across the country , it will not pass the House and can not become law , '' Schumer said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell would be a blatant attempt to deprive Americans of a $ 2,000 survival check . ''
The issue of the raise has been a thorny one for the Republican Party , which is trying to hang onto control of the Senate .
Two runoff elections in Georgia next week will determine which party has control of the upper chamber in the 117th Congress , which will be seated on Sunday .

Senate Democrats and some Republicans are still trying to get the stimulus amount raised to $2,000, but GOP leadership has added provisions to the bill that give it little change of passing. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The federal government on Wednesday began mailing out COVID-19 stimulus checks worth $600 for most Americans, amid ongoing efforts to raise the amount to $2,000 after Senate Republicans scuttled an attempt to do it immediately. The $600 amount was part of the $900 billion coronavirus relief package negotiated in Congress for months and signed by President Donald Trump on Sunday. Advertisement
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said late Tuesday that the government has already begun sending the money into Americans' accounts, via direct deposit, and that paper checks would begin to go out Wednesday.
The direct infusions of cash will continue to be deposited and sent through the mail into next week, Mnuchin said.
The payments are the second direct aid sent to Americans as a result of the health crisis. The first, in the amount of $1,200, were given out in April after Congress passed the initial relief package, the CARES Act. House Democrats passed a second round of aid in May, but the Senate never considered the bill and insisted on dramatically reduced spending -- a split that delayed a new round of aid until lawmakers struck a compromise earlier this month.
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"This second round of payments will provide critical economic support to those who, through no fault of their own, have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic," Mnuchin said in a statement late Tuesday.
"These payments are an integral part of our commitment to providing vital additional economic relief to the American people during this unprecedented time."
Mnuchin added that the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service are "working with unprecedented speed" to deliver the payments.
Similar to the first payments early this year, the new $600 amount will be sent to all eligible Americans and $1,200 will be given for married couples. There will be an additional $600 per child.
All Americans who made up to $75,000 in 2019, or $150,000 for married couples filing jointly, will receive the full amount. The qualifying income figures are determined by recipients' 2019 federal tax return.
For those above the income threshold, the amount will gradually reduce up to a limit of $87,000 for individuals and $174,000 for married couples. Those who make more will not receive a payment.
Although the new stimulus payments are going out, it's still possible the amount could be raised to $2,000 per person -- an increase demanded by both Trump and congressional Democrats, but resisted by a number of Republicans in both chambers.
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Senate Democrats on Tuesday attempted to quickly pass a standalone bill, the CASH Act, to raise the payment amount so Americans could start receiving much-needed fiscal aid, but were blocked by Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. Several other GOP senators later supported McConnell's move to block the increase, arguing the additional amount is unnecessary and excessive.
"Congress should continue helping workers who've lost their jobs. But blindly borrowing more than $600 billion so we can send $2,000 checks to millions of people who haven't lost any income is terrible policy," Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., tweeted. "I won't consent to a vote on that."
On the Senate floor Wednesday, McConnell said he would not give in to Democratic pressure to increase the payments, saying that Congress needs to deliver "smart targeted aid. Not another firehose of money."
"The Senate's not going to be bullied into rushing out more borrowed money into the hands of Democrats' rich friends who don't need the help," he said.
McConnell, however, did agree to consider raising the payments to $2,000 -- but attached two unrelated provisions to the measure, a proposal to repeal a law that shields social media platforms from legal liability over users' content and creating an election fraud commission.
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Both of the attachments are items Trump has pushed aggressively in recent weeks. The first involves Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and the other is related to Trump's baseless claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election.
"The Senate is not going to split apart the three issues that President Trump linked together," McConnell said.
Attaching those issues to the $2,000 stimulus raise, lawmakers and experts say, virtually guarantees they will be opposed by Democrats and the attempt to give Americans more money will fail.
"Sen. McConnell knows how to make $2,000 survival checks reality and he knows how to kill them," Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement late Tuesday.
"If Sen. McConnell tries loading up the bipartisan House-passed CASH Act with unrelated, partisan provisions that will do absolutely nothing to help struggling families across the country, it will not pass the House and cannot become law," Schumer said.
"Any move like this by Sen. McConnell would be a blatant attempt to deprive Americans of a $2,000 survival check."
The issue of the raise has been a thorny one for the Republican Party, which is trying to hang onto control of the Senate. Two runoff elections in Georgia next week will determine which party has control of the upper chamber in the 117th Congress, which will be seated on Sunday.


upi--2020-12-30--Bucks set NBA 3-pointer record, beat Heat by 47

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- Milwaukee Bucks sharpshooters made an NBA-record 29 shots from 3-point range to lead the team to a 47-point triumph over the Miami Heat .
Bucks guard Jrue Holiday scored 24 points and made 6 of 10 shots from downtown in the 144-97 win on Tuesday at American Airlines Arena in Miami .
Khris Middleton scored a game-high 25 points for the Bucks .
Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo scored just nine points in the victory .
`` It 's great to see , '' Middleton told reporters .
`` He [ Antetokounmpo ] does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to create offense himself .
He realizes he has shooters around him . ''
The Bucks raced out to a 21-3 lead in the first quarter .
Holiday and Brook Lopez scored 11 points apiece in the frame to help the Bucks earn a 46-26 edge to start the second quarter .
Middleton then chipped in 11 points in the second quarter to lead Milwaukee to an 83-51 lead at halftime .
Holiday scored another 11 points and made three 3-pointers in the third frame as the Bucks outscored the Heat 32-24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miami 29-22 down the stretch .
Heat guard Tyler Hero scored a team-high 23 points and had seven assists in the loss .
The Bucks shot 56.9 % from 3-point range in the win .
Twelve Bucks players made at least one 3-pointer .
`` As players , we need to do more , '' Herro said .
`` We have to make extra efforts and be locked in .
Everybody knows who we are .
They know the Miami Heat can play .
We ca n't come out lackadaisical .
We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Bucks ( 2-2 ) face the Heat ( 1-2 ) again at 7:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday in Miami .
`` It 's hopefully just the first of two [ wins ] here , '' Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said .
`` We have to try to come out with the same edge . ''

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (L) scored a game-high 25 points in a win over the Miami Heat on Tuesday in Miami. Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Milwaukee Bucks sharpshooters made an NBA-record 29 shots from 3-point range to lead the team to a 47-point triumph over the Miami Heat. Bucks guard Jrue Holiday scored 24 points and made 6 of 10 shots from downtown in the 144-97 win on Tuesday at American Airlines Arena in Miami. Khris Middleton scored a game-high 25 points for the Bucks. Advertisement
Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo scored just nine points in the victory.
"It's great to see," Middleton told reporters. "He [Antetokounmpo] doesn't have to put his head down and try to create offense himself. He realizes he has shooters around him."
The Bucks raced out to a 21-3 lead in the first quarter. Holiday and Brook Lopez scored 11 points apiece in the frame to help the Bucks earn a 46-26 edge to start the second quarter. Middleton then chipped in 11 points in the second quarter to lead Milwaukee to an 83-51 lead at halftime.
Holiday scored another 11 points and made three 3-pointers in the third frame as the Bucks outscored the Heat 32-24 in the frame. Milwaukee then outpaced Miami 29-22 down the stretch.
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Heat guard Tyler Hero scored a team-high 23 points and had seven assists in the loss. The Bucks shot 56.9% from 3-point range in the win. Twelve Bucks players made at least one 3-pointer.
"As players, we need to do more," Herro said. "We have to make extra efforts and be locked in. Everybody knows who we are. They know the Miami Heat can play. We can't come out lackadaisical. We are getting everybody's best shot."
The Bucks (2-2) face the Heat (1-2) again at 7:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday in Miami.
"It's hopefully just the first of two [wins] here," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "We have to try to come out with the same edge."


upi--2020-12-30--Argentina legalizes abortion; largest Latin American nation to do so

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- Argentina on Wednesday passed a law legalizing abortion and became the largest nation in Latin America to do so .
The Argentina Senate voted to pass the measure 38-29 in a reversal of a 2018 vote that blocked a wider-ranging abortion bill .
The House had already passed the bill .
The law legalizes abortions over the first 14 weeks of pregnancy .
The milestone marks a significant social shift for Argentina , which is largely Roman Catholic and is the native country of Pope Francis .
The pope had opposed the proposal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passage was the fulfillment of a campaign promise made by Argentine President Alberto Fernandez , who was elected after vowing to push for legalization .
`` Safe , legal and free abortion is now law , '' Fernandez tweeted .
`` Today , we are a better society . ''
Although the bill 's passage was widely celebrated in Argentina , there is still significant opposition on the issue .
Argentina legal secretary Vilmar Ibarra , one of the bill 's authors , praised the new law as a victory for women 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because this law is the result of a decades-long fight by women , by campaigners , by people from different political parties , '' Ibarra said .
`` The interruption of a pregnancy is a tragedy , '' Blas told the Senate before the vote .
`` It abruptly ends another developing life . ''
Nearly 40,000 women and girls were hospitalized in 2016 after seeking illegal abortions , according to Human Rights Watch .
Argentina 's health ministry said dozens of women died from medical complications related to abortion in 2018 @

Thousands are seen outside Argentina's Congress of the Nation late on Tuesday as they awaited the Senate vote on a proposal to legalize abortion, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Senate passed the bill early Wednesday. Photo by Juan Ignacio Roncoroni/EPA-EFE
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Argentina on Wednesday passed a law legalizing abortion and became the largest nation in Latin America to do so. The Argentina Senate voted to pass the measure 38-29 in a reversal of a 2018 vote that blocked a wider-ranging abortion bill. The House had already passed the bill. Advertisement
The law legalizes abortions over the first 14 weeks of pregnancy.
The milestone marks a significant social shift for Argentina, which is largely Roman Catholic and is the native country of Pope Francis. The pope had opposed the proposal to legalize the procedure.
Wednesday's historic passage was the fulfillment of a campaign promise made by Argentine President Alberto Fernandez, who was elected after vowing to push for legalization.
"Safe, legal and free abortion is now law," Fernandez tweeted. "Today, we are a better society."
Although the bill's passage was widely celebrated in Argentina, there is still significant opposition on the issue.
Argentina legal secretary Vilmar Ibarra, one of the bill's authors, praised the new law as a victory for women's rights.
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"We are very happy, because this law is the result of a decades-long fight by women, by campaigners, by people from different political parties," Ibarra said.
Argentine Sen. Ines Blas voted against the bill.
"The interruption of a pregnancy is a tragedy," Blas told the Senate before the vote. "It abruptly ends another developing life."
Nearly 40,000 women and girls were hospitalized in 2016 after seeking illegal abortions, according to Human Rights Watch. Argentina's health ministry said dozens of women died from medical complications related to abortion in 2018.


upi--2020-12-30--Tyrese Gibson, wife Samantha announce split

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- Tyrese Gibson and his wife , Samantha Gibson , released a joint statement announcing that they have decided to separate and divorce after close to four years of marriage .
`` Our intention is to remain the best of friends & strong coparents .
We feel incredibly blessed to have found each other and deeply grateful for the 4 years we have been married to each other , '' the statement , posted onto Tyrese Gibson 's Instagram account on Tuesday , said .
`` Our journey together has been a ride of both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a journey that neither of us would have chosen to take with anyone else .
We truly have so much love & respect for each other .
We both have grown tremendously within this relationship ; we have shared so many beautiful memories and moments , and we also look forward to see the amazing futures we have ahead of us individually , '' the statement continues .
The statement was posted alongside a photo of Tyrese Gibson kissing Samantha Gibson on the cheek while walking a red carpet .
Tyrese Gibson and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day in 2017 .
The pair share 2-year-old daughter Soraya together .
Samantha Gibson gave birth to Soraya in October 2018 .
Tyrese Gibson is also the father to 13-year-old daughter Shayla who he shares with his ex-wife Norma Gibson .

Tyrese Gibson and his wife, Samantha Gibson, have announced their split. File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Tyrese Gibson and his wife, Samantha Gibson, released a joint statement announcing that they have decided to separate and divorce after close to four years of marriage. "Our intention is to remain the best of friends & strong coparents. We feel incredibly blessed to have found each other and deeply grateful for the 4 years we have been married to each other," the statement, posted onto Tyrese Gibson's Instagram account on Tuesday, said. Advertisement
"Our journey together has been a ride of both ups & downs, but it's a journey that neither of us would have chosen to take with anyone else. We truly have so much love & respect for each other. We both have grown tremendously within this relationship; we have shared so many beautiful memories and moments, and we also look forward to see the amazing futures we have ahead of us individually," the statement continues.
The statement was posted alongside a photo of Tyrese Gibson kissing Samantha Gibson on the cheek while walking a red carpet.
Tyrese Gibson and Samantha Gibson got married on Valentine's Day in 2017.
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The pair share 2-year-old daughter Soraya together. Samantha Gibson gave birth to Soraya in October 2018.
Tyrese Gibson is also the father to 13-year-old daughter Shayla who he shares with his ex-wife Norma Gibson.
Celebrity splits of 2020
December P.K. Subban (L) and Lindsey Vonn arrive on the red carpet at the MTV Video Music Awards in Newark, N.J., on August 26, 2019. The couple P.K. Subban (L) and Lindsey Vonn arrive on the red carpet at the MTV Video Music Awards in Newark, N.J., on August 26, 2019. The couple called off their engagement after being together for three years. Photo by Serena Xu-Ning/UPI | License Photo


upi--2020-12-30--Jonathan Pollard, who sold top secret U.S. documents in 1980s, returns to Israel

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- Former Navy intelligence analyst Jonathan Pollard , who stole and sold top secret U.S. documents to Israel in the 1980s , arrived to a warm welcome in Israel on Wednesday , weeks after parole restrictions that barred him from traveling abroad were lifted by the Trump administration .
Pollard , 66 , was greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials after a private jet carrying he and wife Esther touched down at Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv .
`` Welcome home , '' Netanyahu said after Pollard , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Now you can start life anew , with freedom and happiness .
Now you are at home . ''
`` We are excited to be home at last , '' Pollard said .
`` There is no one who is more proud of this country or its leader than we are .
We hope to become productive citizens as soon as possible . ''
Pollard spent 30 years in U.S. prisons after he pleaded guilty in 1986 on charges of spying for Israel .
He was freed on parole five years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the travel ban .
Those restrictions were allowed to expire last month by the U.S. Justice Department -- a move seen by some as a political gift from the departing Trump administration to close ally Netanyahu , who is embroiled in a corruption scandal and a tough re-election campaign .
The Pollards arrived in Israel aboard an aircraft registered to American billionaire Sheldon Adelson , a staunch supporter of both Trump and Netanyahu .
At his 1986 trial , Pollard claimed he passed top secret intelligence to Israel only because of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endangering Israel 's security by withholding `` crucial information '' about the Soviet Union 's support for Arab countries in the Middle East .
`` I realized that a whole new generation of ultra-sophisticated military equipment was quietly being introduced into the arsenals of our most implacable enemies , without Israel being forewarned by her ostensively 'loyal ' allies , '' Pollard wrote before his 1987 sentencing , UPI reported at the time .
`` I really did n't know whether I was observing a short-fused time bomb or something more manageable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has served to obscure my true motives in the affair . ''
Israel has long argued that Pollard 's life sentence was too harsh , though it did not admit that he 'd worked directly with its government until 1998 .
Frequent requests for an early release were repeatedly denied until the U.S. Parole Commission ordered Pollard 's release in 2015 .
Not everyone is Israel , however , welcomed Pollard 's homecoming .
University of Haifa political science professor Israel Waismel-Manor said in a tweet that Pollard `` is not a Zionist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` by ego and money '' who `` caused severe damage to Israeli-U.S .
relations . ''
`` [ He ] hit a devastating blow to American Jewry by raising a dual loyalty suspicion .
It would have been better if he had stayed in the U.S. , '' he said .
Prosecutors said Pollard delivered suitcases full of U.S. secrets to Israeli agents in 1984 and 1985 in exchange for gifts and cash payments worth tens of thousands of dollars .

Israeli activists call for the release of U.S. spy Jonathan Pollard from prison outside a hotel in Jerusalem where then-U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was staying, on January 2, 2014. File Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Former Navy intelligence analyst Jonathan Pollard, who stole and sold top secret U.S. documents to Israel in the 1980s, arrived to a warm welcome in Israel on Wednesday, weeks after parole restrictions that barred him from traveling abroad were lifted by the Trump administration. Pollard, 66, was greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials after a private jet carrying he and wife Esther touched down at Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. Advertisement
"Welcome home," Netanyahu said after Pollard, who is Jewish, knelt to kiss the ground. "Now you can start life anew, with freedom and happiness. Now you are at home."
"We are excited to be home at last," Pollard said. "There is no one who is more proud of this country or its leader than we are. We hope to become productive citizens as soon as possible."
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Pollard spent 30 years in U.S. prisons after he pleaded guilty in 1986 on charges of spying for Israel. He was freed on parole five years ago but had been subject to conditions like the travel ban.
Those restrictions were allowed to expire last month by the U.S. Justice Department -- a move seen by some as a political gift from the departing Trump administration to close ally Netanyahu, who is embroiled in a corruption scandal and a tough re-election campaign.
The Pollards arrived in Israel aboard an aircraft registered to American billionaire Sheldon Adelson, a staunch supporter of both Trump and Netanyahu.
At his 1986 trial, Pollard claimed he passed top secret intelligence to Israel only because of his belief that the Reagan administration was deliberately endangering Israel's security by withholding "crucial information" about the Soviet Union's support for Arab countries in the Middle East.
"I realized that a whole new generation of ultra-sophisticated military equipment was quietly being introduced into the arsenals of our most implacable enemies, without Israel being forewarned by her ostensively 'loyal' allies," Pollard wrote before his 1987 sentencing, UPI reported at the time.
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"I really didn't know whether I was observing a short-fused time bomb or something more manageable. ... Regrettably, the issue of money has served to obscure my true motives in the affair."
Israel has long argued that Pollard's life sentence was too harsh, though it did not admit that he'd worked directly with its government until 1998. Frequent requests for an early release were repeatedly denied until the U.S. Parole Commission ordered Pollard's release in 2015.
Not everyone is Israel, however, welcomed Pollard's homecoming.
University of Haifa political science professor Israel Waismel-Manor said in a tweet that Pollard "is not a Zionist hero," but rather someone driven "by ego and money" who "caused severe damage to Israeli-U.S. relations."
"[He] hit a devastating blow to American Jewry by raising a dual loyalty suspicion. It would have been better if he had stayed in the U.S.," he said.
Prosecutors said Pollard delivered suitcases full of U.S. secrets to Israeli agents in 1984 and 1985 in exchange for gifts and cash payments worth tens of thousands of dollars.


upi--2020-12-30--Cheez-It Bowl: Oklahoma State holds off Miami rally

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- The Oklahoma State Cowboys stormed out to a 21-0 lead before they held off a late Miami Hurricanes rally to win the 2020 Cheez-It Bowl .
Cowboys quarterback Spencer Sanders completed 27 of 40 passes for 305 yards and four scores in the 37-34 win on Tuesday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando , Fla. '' [ We are ] playing with 22 people , and there 's 11 people on defense and 11 people on offense , '' Sanders told reporters .
`` I feel like everybody deserves it .
It 's not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like I did a great job of spreading the ball this game . ''
The Cowboys ( 8-3 ) and Hurricanes ( 8-3 ) combined for 930 total yards in the postseason matchup .
`` That was probably an outstanding ballgame , highly competitive , '' Hurricanes coach Manny Diaz said .
`` At no point did I think we would lose that game , and I do n't think our team did , either , until it hit triple-zeros .
The way we battled , the way we fought , the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The Cowboys began the game with 15 consecutive pass plays .
They used that script to produce touchdowns on their first three drives .
Sanders threw a 30-yard score to Brennan Presley on the opening possession .
L.D .
Brown ran for a two-yard touchdown on the Cowboys second drive .
Sanders then threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Presley for a 21-0 Cowboys lead at the end of the first quarter .
The Hurricanes answered when quarterback D'Eriq King threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Brevin Jordan to start the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goal on its next drive , but lost King for the remainder of the game due to a right knee injury .
The Hurricanes got a second Jose Borregales field goal to start the second half .
Miami then cut the Oklahoma State lead to two points with a Cam'Ron Harris 42-yard touchdown run with 8:45 remaining in the third quarter .
The Cowboys answered with a Brady Pohl field goal on their next drive .
They then capitalized on a Hurricanes fumble to push their lead to 31-19 at the start of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touchdown toss to Dillon Stoner to end that drive .
The Hurricanes and Cowboys then traded touchdown drives before the Oklahoma defense tightened up and secured the victory .
N'Kosi Perry threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes for the Hurricanes .
Presley also caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Sanders in the final frame .
Presley had six catches for 118 yards and three scores in the win .
Perry completed 19 of 34 passes for 228 yards and two scores for the Hurricanes .
King completed 10 of 13 passes for 113 yards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This was a really , really good college football game and we beat a good football team , '' Cowboys coach Mike Gundy said .
`` Miami is very talented and very athletic .
I do n't know if anybody has done their research , but the last four years , they have had 26 players that are in a draft-able position for the NFL .
That will give you some kind of idea of what kind of talent and players that they have . ''

Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The Oklahoma State Cowboys stormed out to a 21-0 lead before they held off a late Miami Hurricanes rally to win the 2020 Cheez-It Bowl.
Cowboys quarterback Spencer Sanders completed 27 of 40 passes for 305 yards and four scores in the 37-34 win on Tuesday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.
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"[We are] playing with 22 people, and there's 11 people on defense and 11 people on offense," Sanders told reporters. "I feel like everybody deserves it. It's not just one person. And I feel like I did a great job of spreading the ball this game."
The Cowboys (8-3) and Hurricanes (8-3) combined for 930 total yards in the postseason matchup.
"That was probably an outstanding ballgame, highly competitive," Hurricanes coach Manny Diaz said.
"At no point did I think we would lose that game, and I don't think our team did, either, until it hit triple-zeros. The way we battled, the way we fought, the way we played for each other was inspiring."
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The Cowboys began the game with 15 consecutive pass plays. They used that script to produce touchdowns on their first three drives.
Sanders threw a 30-yard score to Brennan Presley on the opening possession. L.D. Brown ran for a two-yard touchdown on the Cowboys second drive.
Sanders then threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Presley for a 21-0 Cowboys lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Hurricanes answered when quarterback D'Eriq King threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Brevin Jordan to start the second quarter. Miami added a field goal on its next drive, but lost King for the remainder of the game due to a right knee injury.
Oklahoma State held onto a 21-10 lead at halftime.
The Hurricanes got a second Jose Borregales field goal to start the second half. Miami then cut the Oklahoma State lead to two points with a Cam'Ron Harris 42-yard touchdown run with 8:45 remaining in the third quarter.
The Cowboys answered with a Brady Pohl field goal on their next drive. They then capitalized on a Hurricanes fumble to push their lead to 31-19 at the start of the fourth quarter. Sanders threw a touchdown toss to Dillon Stoner to end that drive.
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The Hurricanes and Cowboys then traded touchdown drives before the Oklahoma defense tightened up and secured the victory.
N'Kosi Perry threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes for the Hurricanes. Presley also caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Sanders in the final frame.
Presley had six catches for 118 yards and three scores in the win. Perry completed 19 of 34 passes for 228 yards and two scores for the Hurricanes. King completed 10 of 13 passes for 113 yards and a score for Miami.
"This was a really, really good college football game and we beat a good football team," Cowboys coach Mike Gundy said.
"Miami is very talented and very athletic. I don't know if anybody has done their research, but the last four years, they have had 26 players that are in a draft-able position for the NFL. That will give you some kind of idea of what kind of talent and players that they have."


upi--2020-12-30--Google honors civil rights activist Elizabeth Peratrovich with new Doodle

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- Google is celebrating civil rights activist Elizabeth Peratrovich , who helped pass the first anti-discrimination law in the United States , with a new Doodle .
Guest artist Michaela Goade , of Sitka , Alaska , created Google 's homepage artwork , which shows Peratrovich giving a speech while wearing wings .
On this day in 1941 , Peratrovich set the anti-discrimination law into motion by writing a letter to Alaska 's governor and gaining his support after she came across an inn door sign that said , `` No Natives Allowed . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the grand president of the Alaska Native Sisterhood , one of the oldest civil rights groups in the world .
She and her husband , Roy Peratrovich , moved with their three children in 1941 to the Alaskan capital of Juneau where they faced discrimination .
The couple helped draft Alaska 's first anti-discrimination bill which failed to pass in 1941 .
Peratrovich helped get a second bill in 1945 passed after delivering an impassioned speech that called for equal treatment for Indigenous peoples .
The Alaska State Legislature declared Feb. 16 as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added to a $ 1 god coin by the United States Mint in 2020 .
`` Thank you , Elizabeth Peratrovich , for helping to build the foundation for a more equitable future , '' Google said .

Google is paying homage to civil rights activist Elizabeth Peratrovich with a new Doodle. Image courtesy of Google
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Google is celebrating civil rights activist Elizabeth Peratrovich, who helped pass the first anti-discrimination law in the United States, with a new Doodle. Guest artist Michaela Goade, of Sitka, Alaska, created Google's homepage artwork, which shows Peratrovich giving a speech while wearing wings. Advertisement
On this day in 1941, Peratrovich set the anti-discrimination law into motion by writing a letter to Alaska's governor and gaining his support after she came across an inn door sign that said, "No Natives Allowed."
Peratrovich, an Alaskan Native, became the grand president of the Alaska Native Sisterhood, one of the oldest civil rights groups in the world. She and her husband, Roy Peratrovich, moved with their three children in 1941 to the Alaskan capital of Juneau where they faced discrimination.
The couple helped draft Alaska's first anti-discrimination bill which failed to pass in 1941. Peratrovich helped get a second bill in 1945 passed after delivering an impassioned speech that called for equal treatment for Indigenous peoples.
The Alaska State Legislature declared Feb. 16 as Elizabeth Peratrovich Day. Her likeness was added to a $1 gold coin by the United States Mint in 2020.
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"Thank you, Elizabeth Peratrovich, for helping to build the foundation for a more equitable future," Google said.


upi--2020-12-30--Britain approves Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- Britain on Wednesday became the first country in the world to give emergency regulatory approval to the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford , a move that is expected to rapidly increase the number of its citizens inoculated against the virus .
`` It is truly fantastic news -- and a triumph for British science -- that the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved for use , '' British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Twitter .
`` We will now move to vaccinate as many people as quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced in a statement that it has approved the vaccine for use at the recommendation of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency following rigorous clinical trials and analysis of data .
Britain became the first country to begin vaccinating its citizens earlier this month , and had inoculated more than 600,000 residents by Christmas Eve but now with two vaccines approved the rate of inoculation is expected to increase .
The Department of Health and Social Care said starting Wednesday doctors have been advised to administer the first shot of the two-dose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-risk group .
`` With two vaccines now approved , we will be able to vaccinate a greater number of people who are at highest risk , protecting them from the disease and reducing mortality and hospitalization , '' the department said .
This approach , it said , is to take advantage of the two vaccines to ensure more at risk people are vaccinated in the coming weeks and months , `` reducing deaths and starting to ease pressure '' on the healthcare system , which has been stressed due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Health and Social Care , explained the AstraZeneca vaccine is comparatively inexpensive and easier to handle than the Pfizer drug , which needs to be stored at very cold temperatures .
The government has pre-ordered 100 million doses of the vaccine , which are to be deployed in accordance to need , he said , urging to public to maintain practices , such as wearing a face mask and isolating , that stymie the virus ' spread as the vaccine is administered .
`` As we do this , we should all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is on its way , and that science has delivered to give us all a brighter future , '' he said in a recorded statement .
AstraZeneca explained the vaccine is to be administered to those 18 years of age or older in two doses separated by between four and 12 weeks as this regime was shown to be safe and effective in its trials , resulting in no severe cases or hospitalizations 14 days after the second booster shot was given .
The company said it aims to supply `` millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its 100 million-dose agreement with the country .
`` Though this is just the beginning , we will start to get ahead of the pandemic , protect health and economies when the vulnerable are vaccinated everywhere , as many as possible as soon as possible , '' said Andrew Pollard , director of the Oxford Vaccine Group and chief investigator of the Oxford Vaccine Trial .
The announcement came as the country experiences skyrocketing infections with a record 53,135 cases set on Tuesday , according to the government 's data .
The country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the pandemic , suffering more than 2.34 million infections and more than 71,500 deaths .

AstraZeneca said the vaccine it developed with the University of Oxford is to be administered to those above the age of 18 in two doses separated by between four and 12 weeks. Photo by Dan Himbrechts/EPA-EFE
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Britain on Wednesday became the first country in the world to give emergency regulatory approval to the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, a move that is expected to rapidly increase the number of its citizens inoculated against the virus. "It is truly fantastic news -- and a triumph for British science -- that the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved for use," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Twitter. "We will now move to vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible." Advertisement It is truly fantastic news - and a triumph for British science - that the @UniofOxford /@AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved for use. We will now move to vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible. pic.twitter.com/cR4pRdZJlT— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) December 30, 2020 Advertisement The British government announced in a statement that it has approved the vaccine for use at the recommendation of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency following rigorous clinical trials and analysis of data. Britain became the first country to begin vaccinating its citizens earlier this month, and had inoculated more than 600,000 residents by Christmas Eve but now with two vaccines approved the rate of inoculation is expected to increase. The Department of Health and Social Care said starting Wednesday doctors have been advised to administer the first shot of the two-dose vaccine regime to all in the most high-risk group. "With two vaccines now approved, we will be able to vaccinate a greater number of people who are at highest risk, protecting them from the disease and reducing mortality and hospitalization," the department said. This approach, it said, is to take advantage of the two vaccines to ensure more at risk people are vaccinated in the coming weeks and months, "reducing deaths and starting to ease pressure" on the healthcare system, which has been stressed due to the pandemic. Matt Hancock, the secretary of Health and Social Care, explained the AstraZeneca vaccine is comparatively inexpensive and easier to handle than the Pfizer drug, which needs to be stored at very cold temperatures. Advertisement
The government has pre-ordered 100 million doses of the vaccine, which are to be deployed in accordance to need, he said, urging to public to maintain practices, such as wearing a face mask and isolating, that stymie the virus' spread as the vaccine is administered.
"As we do this, we should all take comfort in the fact that help is on its way, and that science has delivered to give us all a brighter future," he said in a recorded statement.
AstraZeneca explained the vaccine is to be administered to those 18 years of age or older in two doses separated by between four and 12 weeks as this regime was shown to be safe and effective in its trials, resulting in no severe cases or hospitalizations 14 days after the second booster shot was given.
The company said it aims to supply "millions of doses in the first quarter" under its 100 million-dose agreement with the country.
"Though this is just the beginning, we will start to get ahead of the pandemic, protect health and economies when the vulnerable are vaccinated everywhere, as many as possible as soon as possible," said Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group and chief investigator of the Oxford Vaccine Trial.
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The announcement came as the country experiences skyrocketing infections with a record 53,135 cases set on Tuesday, according to the government's data.
The country has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, suffering more than 2.34 million infections and more than 71,500 deaths.


upi--2020-12-30--'Stepped' approach to exercise may help with arthritic knees

Millions of Americans suffer from the pain of arthritic knees .
But an innovative exercise regimen may help relieve discomfort and improve knee function , a new study finds .
The program is called STEP-KOA -- short for stepped exercise program for patients with knee osteoarthritis .
It starts with gentle exercises at home and , if needed , moves to phone consultation and in-person physical therapy .
`` STEP-KOA could be an efficient way to deliver exercise and physical therapy services for people with knee osteoarthritis , since it reserves the more resource-intensive steps for people who do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ author Kelli Allen .
`` This could be important in health systems that are trying to maximize resources or when there is limited access to physical therapy , '' said Allen , a research health scientist at the Durham VA Medical Center in North Carolina .
For the study , researchers from the Veterans Affairs Health Care System randomly assigned more than 300 patients with painful knee osteoarthritis to either STEP-KOA or arthritis education .
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the knee .
It is a degenerative , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starts with an internet-based exercise program .
If it is not effective , the patient moves to step two , which included twice-monthly coaching phone calls for three months .
If pain still does not improve , the patient moves to step three , which included in-person physical therapy .
Participants in the arthritis education group were mailed educational materials every two weeks .
After nine months , 65 % of patients in STEP-KOA progressed to step two , and 35 % went on to step three .
Compared to participants who received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greater improvement in pain and function , the researchers reported .
This strategy could lower health care costs and tailor programs to patients ' needs , the study authors said .
It should start instead with physical therapy and move on to patients doing exercises on their own , said Dr. Jeffrey Schildhorn of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City .
`` It seemed like this study was designed for a style of medicine that I think very few of us would appreciate , '' Schildhorn said .
`` It was almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where there are limited resources , and you try to do everything remotely , and you put the responsibility on the patient , '' he added .
Schildhorn noted that 90 patients dropped out of the program , and only 10 % remained at step one throughout the study .
Because each patient 's knee damage and perception of pain is unique , an effective program must be individually designed , he said .
`` I think that it 's imperative that people who have mild to moderate disease try to do whatever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or without in-person physical therapy , '' Schildhorn said .
The key is to keep the joint moving with gentle exercise .
A multimodal approach that includes periodic check-ins with a therapist , being shown in person how to do the movements with follow-up by phone or video chat is a viable approach , he said .
But patients need to do their exercises at home every day , Schildhorn emphasized .
`` Someone who goes to physical therapy three times a week probably does n't do as well as someone who goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own .
The majority of the value comes with daily in-home , stretching exercises , '' Schildhorn said .
`` If you go to physical therapy two times a week , then do nothing the other five days , there 's zero value there , '' Schildhorn said .
The report was published online Tuesday in the Annals of Internal Medicine .
Learn more about knee osteoarthritis from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons .

Millions of Americans suffer from the pain of arthritic knees. But an innovative exercise regimen may help relieve discomfort and improve knee function, a new study finds.
The program is called STEP-KOA -- short for stepped exercise program for patients with knee osteoarthritis.
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It starts with gentle exercises at home and, if needed, moves to phone consultation and in-person physical therapy.
"STEP-KOA could be an efficient way to deliver exercise and physical therapy services for people with knee osteoarthritis, since it reserves the more resource-intensive steps for people who do not make improvements earlier," said lead author Kelli Allen.
"This could be important in health systems that are trying to maximize resources or when there is limited access to physical therapy," said Allen, a research health scientist at the Durham VA Medical Center in North Carolina.
For the study, researchers from the Veterans Affairs Health Care System randomly assigned more than 300 patients with painful knee osteoarthritis to either STEP-KOA or arthritis education.
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Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the knee. It is a degenerative, "wear-and-tear" type of arthritis.
STEP-KOA starts with an internet-based exercise program. If it is not effective, the patient moves to step two, which included twice-monthly coaching phone calls for three months.
If pain still does not improve, the patient moves to step three, which included in-person physical therapy.
Participants in the arthritis education group were mailed educational materials every two weeks.
After nine months, 65% of patients in STEP-KOA progressed to step two, and 35% went on to step three.
Compared to participants who received education only, the stepped-care group had greater improvement in pain and function, the researchers reported.
This strategy could lower health care costs and tailor programs to patients' needs, the study authors said.
However, a prominent orthopedic surgeon called this approach backwards.
It should start instead with physical therapy and move on to patients doing exercises on their own, said Dr. Jeffrey Schildhorn of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
"It seemed like this study was designed for a style of medicine that I think very few of us would appreciate," Schildhorn said. "It was almost like you're preparing for a future where there are limited resources, and you try to do everything remotely, and you put the responsibility on the patient," he added.
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Schildhorn noted that 90 patients dropped out of the program, and only 10% remained at step one throughout the study.
Because each patient's knee damage and perception of pain is unique, an effective program must be individually designed, he said.
"I think that it's imperative that people who have mild to moderate disease try to do whatever they can on their own, with or without in-person physical therapy," Schildhorn said.
The key is to keep the joint moving with gentle exercise.
A multimodal approach that includes periodic check-ins with a therapist, being shown in person how to do the movements with follow-up by phone or video chat is a viable approach, he said.
But patients need to do their exercises at home every day, Schildhorn emphasized.
"Someone who goes to physical therapy three times a week probably doesn't do as well as someone who goes three times a week and practices on their own. The majority of the value comes with daily in-home, stretching exercises," Schildhorn said.
"If you go to physical therapy two times a week, then do nothing the other five days, there's zero value there," Schildhorn said.
The report was published online Tuesday in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Learn more about knee osteoarthritis from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-12-30--On This Day, Dec. 30: Nixon halts bombing in North Vietnam

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1853 , the United States bought 45,000 square miles of land along the Gila River from Mexico for $ 10 million .
The area is now southern Arizona and New Mexico .
In 1903 , flames swept the Iroquois Theater in Chicago , killing 602 people .
The fire led to safety regulations for theaters around the world .
In 1916 , Grigori Rasputin , a self-fashioned Russian holy man , was killed by Russian nobles eager to end his influence over the royal family .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Russia , Ukraine and two other Soviet republics signed a treaty creating the Soviet Union .
In 1958 , revolutionaries under the command of Ernesto `` Che '' Guevara battled with government troops loyal to Cuban President Fulgencio Batista for control of the city of Santa Clara .
Within 12 hours of the rebel victory , Batista had fled the country , with control of the country passing to Fidel Castro .
In 1965 , Ferdinand Marcos was inaugurated as president of the Philippines .
In 1972 , U.S. President Richard Nixon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Vietnam and announced that peace talks with the Hanoi government would resume in Paris in January .
In 1986 , Exxon Corp. became the first major international oil company to withdraw from South Africa because of that country 's racial policies .
In 1992 , Ling-Ling , a giant female panda who delighted visitors to Washington 's National Zoo for more than two decades , died of heart failure .
In 1994 , John Salvi III , an anti-abortion activist , went on a shooting spree at two abortion clinics in Brookline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and injured five others .
Police captured him the next day .
In 2006 , former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein , who had been convicted of the 1982 massacre of 148 Shiite men and boys , was executed by hanging in Baghdad .
In 2009 , a suicide bomber , identified as a Jordanian informant , killed at least eight U.S. civilians , all but one of them CIA agents , at a base in Afghanistan .
In 2012 , U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was hospitalized because of a blood clot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clot , or thrombus , was discovered during a routine MRI while Clinton recuperated from a recent concussion .
In 2013 , four NFL coaches were fired on the league 's so-called Black Monday : Mike Shanahan of the Washington Redskins , Leslie Fraiser of the Minnesota Vikings , Tampa Bay 's Greg Chiano and Jim Schwartz of the Detroit Lions .
Cleveland 's Rob Chudzinski had been let go the day before .
In 2016 , Indians deposited their last 500- and 1,000-rupee notes into the bank .
The government withdrew the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on black market and counterfeit currency .
In 2019 , the No .
9 Florida Gators defeated No .
24 Virginia Cavaliers 36-28 in the Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens , Fla .

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On December 30, 1972, U.S. President Richard Nixon ordered a halt in the bombing of North Vietnam and announced that peace talks with the Hanoi government would resume in Paris in January. File Photo by Darryl Heikes/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1853, the United States bought 45,000 square miles of land along the Gila River from Mexico for $10 million. The area is now southern Arizona and New Mexico. Advertisement
In 1903, flames swept the Iroquois Theater in Chicago, killing 602 people. The fire led to safety regulations for theaters around the world.
In 1916, Grigori Rasputin, a self-fashioned Russian holy man, was killed by Russian nobles eager to end his influence over the royal family.
In 1922, at the first Soviet Congress, Russia, Ukraine and two other Soviet republics signed a treaty creating the Soviet Union.
File Photo by Molly Riley/UPI
In 1958, revolutionaries under the command of Ernesto "Che" Guevara battled with government troops loyal to Cuban President Fulgencio Batista for control of the city of Santa Clara. Within 12 hours of the rebel victory, Batista had fled the country, with control of the country passing to Fidel Castro.
In 1965, Ferdinand Marcos was inaugurated as president of the Philippines.
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In 1972, U.S. President Richard Nixon ordered a halt in the bombing of North Vietnam and announced that peace talks with the Hanoi government would resume in Paris in January.
In 1986, Exxon Corp. became the first major international oil company to withdraw from South Africa because of that country's racial policies.
In 1992, Ling-Ling, a giant female panda who delighted visitors to Washington's National Zoo for more than two decades, died of heart failure.
In 1994, John Salvi III, an anti-abortion activist, went on a shooting spree at two abortion clinics in Brookline, Mass. He killed two workers and injured five others. Police captured him the next day.
In 2006, former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, who had been convicted of the 1982 massacre of 148 Shiite men and boys, was executed by hanging in Baghdad.
In 2009, a suicide bomber, identified as a Jordanian informant, killed at least eight U.S. civilians, all but one of them CIA agents, at a base in Afghanistan.
In 2012, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was hospitalized because of a blood clot, the State Department said. The clot, or thrombus, was discovered during a routine MRI while Clinton recuperated from a recent concussion.
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File Photo by Molly Riley/UPI
In 2013, four NFL coaches were fired on the league's so-called Black Monday: Mike Shanahan of the Washington Redskins, Leslie Fraiser of the Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay's Greg Chiano and Jim Schwartz of the Detroit Lions. Cleveland's Rob Chudzinski had been let go the day before.
In 2016, Indians deposited their last 500- and 1,000-rupee notes into the bank. The government withdrew the currency values in order to crack down on black market and counterfeit currency.
In 2019, the No. 9 Florida Gators defeated No. 24 Virginia Cavaliers 36-28 in the Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Fla.


upi--2020-12-30--NASA studies fruit flies to understand astronaut sleep cycles

ORLANDO , Fla. , Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- Tiny fruit flies are helping NASA study how brain activity and sleep patterns change when organisms live in the microgravity of space .
An experiment on the International Space Station will build on the United States ' legacy of using fruit flies to understand how life endures in space .
The experiment , known as Genes in Space-7 , uses genetic matter derived from fruit fly brains to understand their circadian rhythm -- or 24-hour sleep cycle .
`` Of course , it would be ideal to sample astronauts ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do that safely , '' said Finsam Samson , a student at Stanford University in California and lead investigator for the GIS-7 experiment , which was delivered to the space station on a SpaceX Dragon capsule in November .
`` Instead , we can send large numbers of fruit flies , and they are a great organism to study , since there 's been groundbreaking work on Earth and in space on fruit flies already , '' Samson said .
The current experiment uses only genetic material from fruit flies grown on Earth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to analyze fruit flies grown on the space station in future experiments .
NASA astronaut Kate Rubins conducted a genetics test known as a polymerase chain reaction on the genetic matter to tease out portions of it that are related to circadian rhythm .
Astronauts aboard the station then froze the sample for return to Earth , where scientists will examine the substance to ensure the process works properly in microgravity .
The experiment is due to return on SpaceX 's Dragon capsule re-entry , planned for Jan. 11 .
The United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1947 as the first living things intentionally launched beyond the atmosphere .
At that time , scientists merely wanted to know if life could survive in space , and the insects were recovered alive , according to military and NASA records .
Fruit flies have been used since then due to their small size and their 24-hour circadian rhythm , which is similar to humans , Samson said .
NASA maintains a fruit fly `` farm '' or laboratory for such uses at the agency 's Ames Research Center in Mountain View @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analyzed some of the flies ' genetic material as part of the Genes in Space experiment on board the space station , Samson said .
The Genes in Space program is sponsored by Boeing and Cambridge , Mass.-based company miniPCR bio , which makes genetic testing kits .
The experiment sets up protocols , or work flow , for more fruit fly missions planned in the next decade , said Emily Gleason , biologist and curriculum specialist with miniPCR .
`` We 're showing that the technology can work in microgravity , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Gleason said .
`` We know that astronauts and other living things are impacted by microgravity , but until recently we have been unable to study that at a molecular or genetic level , '' she said .
`` These experiments set the stage to do that , which could help to monitor astronaut health for deep space missions . ''
Samson , as a high school senior in 2019 , won a Genes in Space competition to use advanced DNA sampling methods in space experiments with fellow student Yujie Wang .

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NASA astronaut and microbiologist Kate Rubins holds fruit fly genetic material aboard the International Space Station on December 21 after analyzing the substance using new techniques. Photo courtesy of NASA
ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Tiny fruit flies are helping NASA study how brain activity and sleep patterns change when organisms live in the microgravity of space. An experiment on the International Space Station will build on the United States' legacy of using fruit flies to understand how life endures in space. Advertisement
The experiment, known as Genes in Space-7, uses genetic matter derived from fruit fly brains to understand their circadian rhythm -- or 24-hour sleep cycle.
"Of course, it would be ideal to sample astronauts' neural tissue, but we can't do that safely," said Finsam Samson, a student at Stanford University in California and lead investigator for the GIS-7 experiment, which was delivered to the space station on a SpaceX Dragon capsule in November.
"Instead, we can send large numbers of fruit flies, and they are a great organism to study, since there's been groundbreaking work on Earth and in space on fruit flies already," Samson said.
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The current experiment uses only genetic material from fruit flies grown on Earth to prove the technique that would be used to analyze fruit flies grown on the space station in future experiments.
NASA astronaut Kate Rubins conducted a genetics test known as a polymerase chain reaction on the genetic matter to tease out portions of it that are related to circadian rhythm.
Astronauts aboard the station then froze the sample for return to Earth, where scientists will examine the substance to ensure the process works properly in microgravity.
The experiment is due to return on SpaceX's Dragon capsule re-entry, planned for Jan. 11.
The United States first sent fruit flies into space in 1947 as the first living things intentionally launched beyond the atmosphere. At that time, scientists merely wanted to know if life could survive in space, and the insects were recovered alive, according to military and NASA records.
Fruit flies have been used since then due to their small size and their 24-hour circadian rhythm, which is similar to humans, Samson said. NASA maintains a fruit fly "farm" or laboratory for such uses at the agency's Ames Research Center in Mountain View, Calif.
NASA astronaut Kate Rubins recently analyzed some of the flies' genetic material as part of the Genes in Space experiment on board the space station, Samson said.
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The Genes in Space program is sponsored by Boeing and Cambridge, Mass.-based company miniPCR bio, which makes genetic testing kits.
The experiment sets up protocols, or work flow, for more fruit fly missions planned in the next decade, said Emily Gleason, biologist and curriculum specialist with miniPCR.
"We're showing that the technology can work in microgravity, to detect the expression of certain genes," Gleason said.
"We know that astronauts and other living things are impacted by microgravity, but until recently we have been unable to study that at a molecular or genetic level," she said.
"These experiments set the stage to do that, which could help to monitor astronaut health for deep space missions."
Samson, as a high school senior in 2019, won a Genes in Space competition to use advanced DNA sampling methods in space experiments with fellow student Yujie Wang.
20 years aboard the International Space Station
The International Space Station is photographed by Expedition 56 crew members from a Soyuz spacecraft after undocking on October 4, 2018. NASA astronauts Andrew Feustel and Ricky Arnold and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev executed a fly-around of the orbiting laboratory to take pictures of the space station before returning home after spending 197 days in space. Photo courtesy of NASA/Roscosmos


upi--2020-12-30--Famous birthdays for Dec. 30: Tracey Ullman, Ellie Goulding

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Capricorn .
-- Rock @ @ @ @ @ member Bo Diddley in 1928 -- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Patti Smith @ @ @ @ @ )

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Tracey Ullman attends the 70th annual Primetime Emmy Award at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles on September 17, 2018. The actor turns 61 on December 30. File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Capricorn. They include: Advertisement
-- British author Rudyard Kipling in 1865
-- Japan's World War II Prime Minister Hideki Tojo in 1884
-- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Bo Diddley in 1928
-- Actor/dancer Russ Tamblyn in 1934 (age 86)
-- Actor Joseph Bologna in 1934
-- Baseball Hall of Fame member Sandy Koufax in 1935 (age 85)
File Photo by Alexis C. Glenn/UPI
-- Folk singer Noel Paul Stookey in 1937 (age 83)
-- Television director James Burrows in 1940 (age 80)
-- Monkees member Mike Nesmith in 1942 (age 78)
-- Monkees member Davy Jones in 1945
-- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Patti Smith in 1946 (age 74)
-- Rock musician and producer Jeff Lynne in 1947 (age 73)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Television personality Meredith Vieira in 1953 (age 67)
-- Former Today host Matt Lauer in 1957 (age 63)
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-- Actor Tracey Ullman in 1959 (age 61)
-- Political commentator Sean Hannity in 1961 (age 59)
-- Golfer Tiger Woods in 1975 (age 45)
-- Actor Lucy Punch in 1977 (age 43)
-- Singer/actor Tyrese Gibson in 1978 (age 42)
-- Actor Eliza Dushku in 1980 (age 40)
-- Actor Kristin Kreuk in 1982 (age 38)
-- Basketball star LeBron James in 1984 (age 36)
-- Singer Ellie Goulding in 1986 (age 34)