upi--2020-12-02--Production underway in California on 'Blindspotting' series

Dec. 2 ( UPI ) -- Production began this week in California on the half-hour , comedy series , Blindspotting @ @ @ @ @ on Rafael Casal 's 2018 film of the same name , the show stars Benjamin @ @ @ @ @ , Jaylen Barron , Candace Nicholas-Lippman and Jasmine Cephas Jones .
Casal is the show-runner @ @ @ @ @ of Miles from the movie .
Hamilton icon and Snowpiercer actor Daveed Diggs -- who @ @ @ @ @ in the Blindspotting film -- co-wrote and is producing its TV spin-off .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ and the production are a dream .
We are making the kind of show we @ @ @ @ @ on television , centered around just some of the amazing kinds of characters the Bay @ @ @ @ @ '' Casal said in a statement Tuesday .
Production on film and television projects recently @ @ @ @ @ in place after months of shutdowns in the United States amid the coronavirus pandemic .

1/3
Helen Hunt has joined the cast of Starz's "Blindspotting" television series, inspired by the film of the same name. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Helen Hunt has signed on to star in Starz's upcoming Blindspotting television series, a spinoff based on the 2018 film of the same name from Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal. Hunt will portray Rainey, the mother of Casal's character Miles who is incarcerated. The show will follow star Jasmine Cephas Jones who is reprising her role as Ashley from the film. Advertisement
Ashley is forced to live with Rainey, her mother-in-law, after Miles is arrested.
"It is such an honor to have Helen Hunt in this series. We became friends after she tweeted about her love of the film and we have long looked for a project to do together. She has been our first choice for the character Rainey since we dreamed this show up," Casal said in a statement Wednesday.
Production began this week in California on the half-hour comedy series, Starz also announced.
Benjamin Earl Turner, Atticus Woodward, Jaylen Barron and Candace Nicholas-Lippman also star.
Casal is the show-runner and will reprise his role of Miles from the movie.
Hamilton icon and Snowpiercer actor Diggs -- who co-wrote, produced and acted in the Blindspotting film -- co-wrote and is producing its TV spin-off.
Advertisement
"This story, the incredible cast and the production are a dream. We are making the kind of show we have long hoped to see on television, centered around just some of the amazing kinds of characters the Bay Area has to offer," Casal said in a statement Tuesday.
Production on film and television projects recently resumed with strict safety protocols in place after months of shutdowns in the United States amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Oakland, stand up #Blindspotting the series, is now in production! Get into the incredible cast and executive producers. pic.twitter.com/5sBNNPXeqs— Blindspotting (@BlindspottingTV) December 1, 2020


upi--2020-12-02--Elaine Welteroth, Amanda Kloots named new co-hosts of 'The Talk'

Dec. 2 ( UPI ) -- Project Runway judge Elaine Welteroth and Broadway actress Amanda Kloots will join The Talk @ @ @ @ @ , CBS announced .
Welteroth and Kloots replace outgoing panelist Marie Osmond , who quit @ @ @ @ @ season , and Eve , who is exiting the this month after three seasons .
@ @ @ @ @ energy , interesting points of view and a willingness to share their personal life experiences @ @ @ @ @ our other phenomenal women , '' Heather Gray , executive producer and show-runner of The @ @ @ @ @ press release Tuesday .
Welteroth is also a journalist , magazine editor and the author @ @ @ @ @ Claiming Space for Who You Are No Matter What They Say .
Kloots made headlines @ @ @ @ @ discussed in interviews and social media her late husband Nick Cordero 's battle with the @ @ @ @ @ in July at age 41 .
The Season 11 cast of The Talk also includes @ @ @ @ @ and Carrie Ann Inaba .

1/3
Elaine Welteroth is one of the new co-hosts of "The Talk." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Project Runway judge Elaine Welteroth and Broadway actress Amanda Kloots will join The Talk as co-hosts on Jan. 4, CBS announced. Welteroth and Kloots replace outgoing panelist Marie Osmond, who quit the daytime chat show last season, and Eve, who is exiting the this month after three seasons. Advertisement
"They both have amazing energy, interesting points of view and a willingness to share their personal life experiences that complement the voices of our other phenomenal women," Heather Gray, executive producer and show-runner of The Talk, said in a press release Tuesday.
Welteroth is also a journalist, magazine editor and the author of More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are No Matter What They Say.
Kloots made headlines this year when she publicly discussed in interviews and social media her late husband Nick Cordero's battle with the coronavirus. The actor died in July at age 41.
The Season 11 cast of The Talk also includes Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood and Carrie Ann Inaba.
Congratulations! We are so thrilled and excited to welcome @AmandaKloots and @ElaineWelteroth to The Talk family Show them some pic.twitter.com/6scYgFMg2I— The Talk (@TheTalkCBS) December 1, 2020


upi--2020-12-02--Trump could test system again with threat to Iran

Given reports of Iran 's continuing uranium enrichment program in its Natanz nuclear facilities , according to The New York Times on Nov. 12 , the president met with his key national security advisers to discuss a military strike .
The president , apparently , was keen to take action .
His advisers , fearing consequences that were unpredictable and unacceptable , cautioned restraint .
Today , certain indicators suggest that a Trump-ordered pre-emptive military strike against Iran 's nuclear programs is still possible , however unlikely .
Central Command deployed a B-52 bomber to the region in a show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups are in the region , as are a number of nuclear submarines carrying Tomahawk cruise missiles .
In a not-so-secret and unprecedented meeting in Saudi Arabia , Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , an advocate of regime change in Iran .
No diplomatic breakthroughs took place other than the meeting itself .
But the assassination last weekend of Iran 's top nuclear scientist , Moshen Fakhrizadeh , did not seem coincidental .
One possibility is that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Iranian response that in turn could serve as justification for retaliatory action .
This would fulfill U.S. President Donald Trump 's promise that Iran would never have a nuclear weapon .
And it would leave the Biden administration , that Trump still asserts was fraudulently elected , to clean up the radioactive political mess left behind .
Suppose Trump declared Iran to be a `` clear and present danger '' requiring immediate action .
Suppose further , Trump ordered the acting secretary of defense to execute an attack .
Several former secretaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chiefs of staff told me that such an order was probably legal .
While the order might also be catastrophic , it was not at face value unethical or immoral .
Previous presidents have done worse with even weaker rationale .
Based on a second North Vietnamese PT boat attack against two U.S. Navy destroyers in the Tonkin Gulf in August 1964 that did not take place , President Lyndon Johnson gained a near unanimous congressional resolution to engage in a war that would be lost .
In 1995 , Bill Clinton approved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapons plant in Kenya that was actually producing weed killer .
And George W. Bush 's crusade into Iraq was founded on destroying weapons of mass destruction that did not exist .
What would acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller do ?
Would he have the courage as attorneys general did during the Nixon years and not carry out the presidential order to fire the special prosecutor investigating Watergate ?
Would he follow the lead of then-Secretary of Defense James Schlesinger , concerned about Nixon 's mental state during the October 1973 Arab-Israeli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to respond only to orders directly from him and no one else per the chain of command ?
If Miller , a Trump loyalist placed in the Pentagon to do Trump 's bidding , believed the law to be legal and ordered the responsible operational commander to execute it , what would the commander do ?
Note that the chairman of the joint chiefs , Army Gen. Mark Milley , is not in the chain of command .
Nor is Congress part of this process , except through the War Powers Act , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the power to declare war , which the president would not request .
It is clear that the responsible operational commander would consult with his lawyers and certainly the chairman about that order .
Whether the order could or would be rescinded is an open question .
The order could be leaked .
Given the tightly controlled access list , that might be difficult .
The order for Seal Team 6 to capture or kill Osama bin Laden was kept secret until after the operation was successfully completed .
But according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as commander-in-chief to direct such actions .
If U.S. forces stationed in land bases in the region were part of the strike , would allies need to be informed in advance ?
During the 1986 Libyan strike , France refused overflights of U.S. bombers en route to targets from bases in Britain , and the United States , Saudi Arabia , Turkey and Qatar could also refuse access if they were informed .
Trump tested the basis of America 's democracy by calling the election `` rigged '' and a `` fraud .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ unpredictable and purposefully disruptive , could he also conclude that , in his final days in office , an attack against Iran 's nuclear facilities was warranted ?
How would the system respond ?
The system worked in electing Joe Biden the 46th president .
But would it work again ?
We can only hope we do not have to find out .
Harlan Ullman is senior adviser at the Atlantic Council and author of the upcoming book , `` The Fifth Horseman and MAD : How Massive Attacks of Disruption Endanger , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the World . ''

A photo made available by MAXAR Technologies shows a satellite image of a destroyed building of the Natanz uranium enrichment facilities in Iran on July 8. File satellite image courtesy of MAXAR Technologies/EPA-EFE
Given reports of Iran's continuing uranium enrichment program in its Natanz nuclear facilities, according to The New York Times on Nov. 12, the president met with his key national security advisers to discuss a military strike. The president, apparently, was keen to take action. His advisers, fearing consequences that were unpredictable and unacceptable, cautioned restraint. Advertisement
Today, certain indicators suggest that a Trump-ordered pre-emptive military strike against Iran's nuclear programs is still possible, however unlikely. Central Command deployed a B-52 bomber to the region in a show of force. Two American carrier strike groups are in the region, as are a number of nuclear submarines carrying Tomahawk cruise missiles.
In a not-so-secret and unprecedented meeting in Saudi Arabia, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, an advocate of regime change in Iran. No diplomatic breakthroughs took place other than the meeting itself. But the assassination last weekend of Iran's top nuclear scientist, Moshen Fakhrizadeh, did not seem coincidental.
Advertisement
One possibility is that this assassination may have been timed to provoke an Iranian response that in turn could serve as justification for retaliatory action. This would fulfill U.S. President Donald Trump's promise that Iran would never have a nuclear weapon. And it would leave the Biden administration, that Trump still asserts was fraudulently elected, to clean up the radioactive political mess left behind.
Suppose Trump declared Iran to be a "clear and present danger" requiring immediate action. Suppose further, Trump ordered the acting secretary of defense to execute an attack. Several former secretaries of defense and chairmen of the joint chiefs of staff told me that such an order was probably legal. While the order might also be catastrophic, it was not at face value unethical or immoral. Previous presidents have done worse with even weaker rationale.
Based on a second North Vietnamese PT boat attack against two U.S. Navy destroyers in the Tonkin Gulf in August 1964 that did not take place, President Lyndon Johnson gained a near unanimous congressional resolution to engage in a war that would be lost. In 1995, Bill Clinton approved cruise missile strikes against a suspected chemical weapons plant in Sudan that was actually producing weed killer. And George W. Bush's crusade into Iraq was founded on destroying weapons of mass destruction that did not exist.
Advertisement
What would acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller do? Would he have the courage as attorneys general did during the Nixon years and not carry out the presidential order to fire the special prosecutor investigating Watergate? Would he follow the lead of then-Secretary of Defense James Schlesinger, concerned about Nixon's mental state during the October 1973 Arab-Israeli War, who instructed the field commanders to respond only to orders directly from him and no one else per the chain of command?
If Miller, a Trump loyalist placed in the Pentagon to do Trump's bidding, believed the law to be legal and ordered the responsible operational commander to execute it, what would the commander do? Note that the chairman of the joint chiefs, Army Gen. Mark Milley, is not in the chain of command.
Nor is Congress part of this process, except through the War Powers Act, which does not immediately apply, or the power to declare war, which the president would not request. It is clear that the responsible operational commander would consult with his lawyers and certainly the chairman about that order. Whether the order could or would be rescinded is an open question.
Advertisement
The order could be leaked. Given the tightly controlled access list, that might be difficult. The order for Seal Team 6 to capture or kill Osama bin Laden was kept secret until after the operation was successfully completed. But according to the Constitution, the president has the authority as commander-in-chief to direct such actions.
If U.S. forces stationed in land bases in the region were part of the strike, would allies need to be informed in advance? During the 1986 Libyan strike, France refused overflights of U.S. bombers en route to targets from bases in Britain, and the United States, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar could also refuse access if they were informed.
Trump tested the basis of America's democracy by calling the election "rigged" and a "fraud." Given Trump's track record as unpredictable and purposefully disruptive, could he also conclude that, in his final days in office, an attack against Iran's nuclear facilities was warranted? How would the system respond? The system worked in electing Joe Biden the 46th president. But would it work again?
We can only hope we do not have to find out.
Harlan Ullman is senior adviser at the Atlantic Council and author of the upcoming book, "The Fifth Horseman and MAD: How Massive Attacks of Disruption Endanger, Infect and Engulf a 51% Nation and the World."


upi--2020-12-02--Historians, watchdog sue Trump to prevent records from being destroyed

Dec. 2 ( UPI ) -- A group of historians and a government accountability watchdog has sued the Trump administration to force it to preserve complete records amid the presidential transition , accusing White House policies of permitting the destruction of historically important documents .
The lawsuit filed Tuesday says current White House policies allowing officials to only take a screenshot of electronic messages sent or received through unofficial messaging smartphone services is in violation of the law as it permits the loss and destruction of presidential records as only a graphic is preserved while all digital links , attachments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Security Archive , the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations , the American Historical Association and the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington , the lawsuit accuses this policy of violating the Presidential Records Act , which requires the president and his staff to document and preserve records of `` the activities , deliberations , decisions and policies that reflect the performance of the president 's constitutional , statutory or other official or ceremonial duties . ''
`` The Presidential Records Act exists for a simple reason : to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historically valuable records , '' CREW Executive Director Noah Bookbinder said in a statement .
`` By deleting or preserving only parts of these records , the White House is destroying essential historical records . ''
The plaintiffs said this skirting by the White House of its record-keeping responsibility is part of a larger pattern by President Donald Trump and his staff that is becoming more concerning as he faces the end of his term in office and facing potential legal and financial exposure as a citizen .
`` The actions of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by truth and facts -- have heightened concerns that he will destroy records of his 'potential malfeasance and crimes , ' '' they said in the lawsuit .
The plaintiffs offered as evidence Trump 's practice of ripping up notes at the end of meetings , his deleting of tweets despite being warned against doing so by the National Archives and Records Administration and his alleged confiscation of notes from his interpreter following a July 2017 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin .
CREW has previously called out Trump 's daughter Ivanka Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior positions within his administration , for communicating through private email accounts and messaging applications in violation of the PRA .
President Trump , Kushner , the Executive Office of the President , David Ferriero as archivist of the United States and the National Archives and Records Administration are named as defendants .
The suit seeks to order the defendants to preserve `` complete copies '' of all presidential records while declaring the White House screen-shotting policy to be unlawful .
`` With President Trump 's term in office soon coming to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduct will permanently deprive Plaintiffs and the public of records documenting a critical part of our nation 's history , '' the lawsuits argues .
The White House responded to the suit in a statement , saying , `` The Trump administration acts in accordance with statutory requirements . ''
The same coalition minus the American Historical Association filed a similar suit against the Trump administration that was dismissed early this year , with the court stating it `` lacks authority to oversee the President 's day-to-day compliance with the statutory provisions involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judge Amy Berman Jackson said in her February opinion that it was n't an endorsement of the administration 's actions .
`` This opinion will not address , and should not be interpreted to endorse the challenged practices ; nor does it include any finding that the Executive Office is in compliance with its obligations , '' she wrote .

Historians on Tuesday sued the Trump administration over a White House policy of taking screen shots to preserve smartphone messages as presidential records, saying it is in violation of the Presidential Records Act. Photo by Shawn Thew/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 2 (UPI) -- A group of historians and a government accountability watchdog has sued the Trump administration to force it to preserve complete records amid the presidential transition, accusing White House policies of permitting the destruction of historically important documents. The lawsuit filed Tuesday says current White House policies allowing officials to only take a screenshot of electronic messages sent or received through unofficial messaging smartphone services is in violation of the law as it permits the loss and destruction of presidential records as only a graphic is preserved while all digital links, attachments and metadata are lost. Advertisement
Filed by the National Security Archive, the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations, the American Historical Association and the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, the lawsuit accuses this policy of violating the Presidential Records Act, which requires the president and his staff to document and preserve records of "the activities, deliberations, decisions and policies that reflect the performance of the president's constitutional, statutory or other official or ceremonial duties."
Advertisement
"The Presidential Records Act exists for a simple reason: to prevent presidents and their staff from destroying historically valuable records," CREW Executive Director Noah Bookbinder said in a statement. "By deleting or preserving only parts of these records, the White House is destroying essential historical records."
The plaintiffs said this skirting by the White House of its record-keeping responsibility is part of a larger pattern by President Donald Trump and his staff that is becoming more concerning as he faces the end of his term in office and facing potential legal and financial exposure as a citizen.
"The actions of the president since losing the election -- unrestrained by truth and facts -- have heightened concerns that he will destroy records of his 'potential malfeasance and crimes,'" they said in the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs offered as evidence Trump's practice of ripping up notes at the end of meetings, his deleting of tweets despite being warned against doing so by the National Archives and Records Administration and his alleged confiscation of notes from his interpreter following a July 2017 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
CREW has previously called out Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who hold senior positions within his administration, for communicating through private email accounts and messaging applications in violation of the PRA.
Advertisement
President Trump, Kushner, the Executive Office of the President, David Ferriero as archivist of the United States and the National Archives and Records Administration are named as defendants.
The suit seeks to order the defendants to preserve "complete copies" of all presidential records while declaring the White House screen-shotting policy to be unlawful.
"With President Trump's term in office soon coming to an end, absent judicial intervention, this conduct will permanently deprive Plaintiffs and the public of records documenting a critical part of our nation's history," the lawsuits argues.
The White House responded to the suit in a statement, saying, "The Trump administration acts in accordance with statutory requirements."
The same coalition minus the American Historical Association filed a similar suit against the Trump administration that was dismissed early this year, with the court stating it "lacks authority to oversee the President's day-to-day compliance with the statutory provisions involved in the case."
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said in her February opinion that it wasn't an endorsement of the administration's actions.
"This opinion will not address, and should not be interpreted to endorse the challenged practices; nor does it include any finding that the Executive Office is in compliance with its obligations," she wrote.


upi--2020-12-02--Study: Air pollution exposure may be linked to Alzheimer's disease risk

Older adults exposed to air pollution might have a heightened risk of abnormal `` plaque '' accumulation in the brain , a new study suggests .
Plaques refer to clumps of protein called beta-amyloid that build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer 's disease .
In the new study , researchers found that among older adults with memory and thinking problems , those exposed to higher levels of air pollution were more likely to show plaque buildup on brain scans .
The findings do not prove air pollution causes plaques or dementia , said lead researcher Leonardo Iaccarino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of California , San Francisco 's Memory and Aging Center .
But the results add to a body of research suggesting that air pollution is a risk factor for dementia .
A recent study , for example , found that older Americans living in polluted ZIP codes had higher odds of being hospitalized for dementia or Parkinson 's disease than people breathing cleaner air .
The new study is different in that it looked at air quality and its relationship to a `` biomarker '' in the brain , Iaccarino said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or mild cognitive impairment -- problems with memory and thinking that can progress to dementia .
Each underwent a PET scan to look for beta-amyloid deposits in the brain .
Iaccarino 's team used data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to estimate people 's exposure to air pollution -- both around the time of the PET scan and 14 years earlier , based on their ZIP codes .
Overall , 61 % showed beta-amyloid clumps on their brain scans .
And the odds inched up along with air pollution exposure .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years prior were 10 % more likely to have evidence of plaques than those in the least-polluted areas .
Why ?
One question was whether heart disease or stroke could explain the connection .
Air pollution can worsen those conditions , and they are linked to dementia risk .
But Iaccarino 's team accounted for heart disease and stroke diagnoses , as well as respiratory and neurological conditions , smoking habits , household income and other factors .
And air pollution exposure , itself , was still a predictor for having beta-amyloid plaques @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin to form in the brain years before dementia symptoms are apparent , Iaccarino said .
So the current findings link air pollution to a brain pathology underlying the disease .
That , again , does not prove cause and effect .
But based on lab research , Iaccarino said , it 's possible that air pollution directly affects brain health by causing inflammation .
Xiao Wu , a researcher at Harvard University in Boston , worked on the recent study linking air pollution to hospitalizations for dementia .
He called the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tie air pollution to the biology underlying Alzheimer 's .
Wu agreed that it 's plausible that air pollutants have a direct effect : Research suggests the microscopic inhaled particles can cross the blood-brain barrier , he noted , and possibly lead to sustained inflammation .
At this point , Wu said , research into air pollution and brain health is in early days , and much more is left to learn .
`` It 's very important that we look at the modifiable factors that are related to dementia and other neurological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air pollution does contribute to Alzheimer 's risk , Iaccarino said , it would be just one of many factors .
`` Alzheimer 's is a very complex condition , '' he said .
`` Air pollution may be a small , but significant , determinant . ''
It 's significant , in part , because air quality can be improved .
In fact , Iaccarino noted , the Lancet Commission on Dementia recently added air pollution to its list of modifiable risk factors for the disease .
Others include smoking , high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brain injury .
Iaccarino also stressed that the study did not look at single air-polluting events , like wildfires , but at average , daily-life exposures to dirty air .
It all suggests that even air pollution levels within `` normal '' range are associated with beta-amyloid in the brain , he said .
On the positive side , Iaccarino said , Americans are living with less-polluted air , on the whole , than in years past .
`` Air quality in the U.S. has improved a lot in the last 20 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's going in the right direction . ''
The findings were published online this week in JAMA Neurology .
The Alzheimer 's Association has advice on keeping the brain healthy .

Older adults exposed to air pollution might have a heightened risk of abnormal "plaque" accumulation in the brain, a new study suggests.
Plaques refer to clumps of protein called beta-amyloid that build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.
Advertisement
In the new study, researchers found that among older adults with memory and thinking problems, those exposed to higher levels of air pollution were more likely to show plaque buildup on brain scans.
The findings do not prove air pollution causes plaques or dementia, said lead researcher Leonardo Iaccarino, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, San Francisco's Memory and Aging Center.
But the results add to a body of research suggesting that air pollution is a risk factor for dementia.
A recent study, for example, found that older Americans living in polluted ZIP codes had higher odds of being hospitalized for dementia or Parkinson's disease than people breathing cleaner air.
Advertisement
The new study is different in that it looked at air quality and its relationship to a "biomarker" in the brain, Iaccarino said.
The 18,000 study participants all had either dementia or mild cognitive impairment -- problems with memory and thinking that can progress to dementia. Each underwent a PET scan to look for beta-amyloid deposits in the brain.
Iaccarino's team used data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to estimate people's exposure to air pollution -- both around the time of the PET scan and 14 years earlier, based on their ZIP codes.
Overall, 61% showed beta-amyloid clumps on their brain scans. And the odds inched up along with air pollution exposure.
People who lived in the most-polluted areas 14 years prior were 10% more likely to have evidence of plaques than those in the least-polluted areas.
Why? One question was whether heart disease or stroke could explain the connection. Air pollution can worsen those conditions, and they are linked to dementia risk.
But Iaccarino's team accounted for heart disease and stroke diagnoses, as well as respiratory and neurological conditions, smoking habits, household income and other factors. And air pollution exposure, itself, was still a predictor for having beta-amyloid plaques.
Advertisement
Alzheimer's researchers suspect that plaques begin to form in the brain years before dementia symptoms are apparent, Iaccarino said. So the current findings link air pollution to a brain pathology underlying the disease.
That, again, does not prove cause and effect. But based on lab research, Iaccarino said, it's possible that air pollution directly affects brain health by causing inflammation.
Xiao Wu, a researcher at Harvard University in Boston, worked on the recent study linking air pollution to hospitalizations for dementia.
He called the new findings "important," because they tie air pollution to the biology underlying Alzheimer's.
Wu agreed that it's plausible that air pollutants have a direct effect: Research suggests the microscopic inhaled particles can cross the blood-brain barrier, he noted, and possibly lead to sustained inflammation.
At this point, Wu said, research into air pollution and brain health is in early days, and much more is left to learn.
"It's very important that we look at the modifiable factors that are related to dementia and other neurological conditions," he said.
If air pollution does contribute to Alzheimer's risk, Iaccarino said, it would be just one of many factors.
"Alzheimer's is a very complex condition," he said. "Air pollution may be a small, but significant, determinant."
Advertisement
It's significant, in part, because air quality can be improved.
In fact, Iaccarino noted, the Lancet Commission on Dementia recently added air pollution to its list of modifiable risk factors for the disease. Others include smoking, high blood pressure, physical inactivity and traumatic brain injury.
Iaccarino also stressed that the study did not look at single air-polluting events, like wildfires, but at average, daily-life exposures to dirty air.
It all suggests that even air pollution levels within "normal" range are associated with beta-amyloid in the brain, he said.
On the positive side, Iaccarino said, Americans are living with less-polluted air, on the whole, than in years past.
"Air quality in the U.S. has improved a lot in the last 20 years," he said. "It's going in the right direction."
The findings were published online this week in JAMA Neurology.
The Alzheimer's Association has advice on keeping the brain healthy.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-12-02--On This Day, Dec. 2: EPA formed with Ruckelshaus as administrator

Dec. 2 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1804 , Napoleon crowned himself emperor of France .
In 1823 , during his annual address to the U.S. Congress , President James Monroe proclaimed a new U.S. foreign policy initiative that became known as the `` Monroe Doctrine . ''
In 1859 , abolitionist John Brown was hanged for his raid on the federal arsenal at Harper 's Ferry , W.Va .
In 1927 , the Model A Ford was introduced as the successor to the Model T. The price of a Model A roadster was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atomic Age was born when scientists demonstrated the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction at a laboratory below the stands at the University of Chicago football stadium .
In 1954 , the U.S. Senate voted 65-22 to condemn Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy , R-Wis. , for conduct unbecoming a senator .
The condemnation , which was equivalent to a censure , related to McCarthy 's controversial investigation of alleged communists in the U.S. government , military and civilian society .
In 1961 , Fidel Castro disclosed he was a communist , acknowledging he concealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Cuba .
In 1970 , the Environmental Protection Agency was formed with Indianapolis lawyer William Ruckelshaus as its administrator .
In 1982 , retired dentist Barney Clark , 62 , became the first person to receive a permanent artificial heart .
He survived 112 days .
In 1993 , Colombian drug trafficker Pablo Escobar was killed in a shootout with police and soldiers in the Colombian city of Medellin .
In 2001 , U.S. forces in Afghanistan captured John Walker Lindh , 20 , a U.S. citizen from San Anselmo , Calif. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2001 , energy company Enron filed for bankruptcy , sparking one of the biggest corporate scandals in U.S. history .
The Houston-based company was found to have fraudulent accounting practices .
In 2015 , Syed Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik , attacked a social services facility in Southern California killing 14 before leading police in a running gun battle in which they were killed .
In 2016 , a fire broke out an Oakland , Calif. , warehouse killing 36 people .
The warehouse , which was being used for artist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concert at the time of the fire .
In 2018 , Israeli police recommended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife , Sara Netanyahu , face charges for bribery , fraud and breach of public trust as part of the so-called Case 4000 .

1/6
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator William Ruckelshaus (L) meets with underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau on December 7, 1983. The EPA was formed December 2, 1970. File Photo by Don Rypka/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 2 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1804, Napoleon crowned himself emperor of France. Advertisement
In 1823, during his annual address to the U.S. Congress, President James Monroe proclaimed a new U.S. foreign policy initiative that became known as the "Monroe Doctrine."
In 1859, abolitionist John Brown was hanged for his raid on the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry, W.Va.
In 1927, the Model A Ford was introduced as the successor to the Model T. The price of a Model A roadster was $395.
In 1942, the Atomic Age was born when scientists demonstrated the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction at a laboratory below the stands at the University of Chicago football stadium.
In 1954, the U.S. Senate voted 65-22 to condemn Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy, R-Wis., for conduct unbecoming a senator. The condemnation, which was equivalent to a censure, related to McCarthy's controversial investigation of alleged communists in the U.S. government, military and civilian society.
In 1961, Fidel Castro disclosed he was a communist, acknowledging he concealed the fact until he solidified his hold on Cuba.
UPI File Photo
Advertisement
In 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency was formed with Indianapolis lawyer William Ruckelshaus as its administrator.
In 1982, retired dentist Barney Clark, 62, became the first person to receive a permanent artificial heart. He survived 112 days.
In 1993, Colombian drug trafficker Pablo Escobar was killed in a shootout with police and soldiers in the Colombian city of Medellin.
In 2001, U.S. forces in Afghanistan captured John Walker Lindh, 20, a U.S. citizen from San Anselmo, Calif., found fighting with the Taliban.
In 2001, energy company Enron filed for bankruptcy, sparking one of the biggest corporate scandals in U.S. history. The Houston-based company was found to have fraudulent accounting practices.
Former Enron CEO Ken Lay listens to a Senate Committee hearing on the down fall of the Enron energy company on February 12, 2002. File Photo by Michael Kleinfeld/UPI
In 2015, Syed Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik, attacked a social services facility in Southern California killing 14 before leading police in a running gun battle in which they were killed.
Advertisement
In 2016, a fire broke out an Oakland, Calif., warehouse killing 36 people. The warehouse, which was being used for artist studios and dwellings, was hosting a concert at the time of the fire.
In 2018, Israeli police recommended Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu, face charges for bribery, fraud and breach of public trust as part of the so-called Case 4000.


upi--2020-12-02--Famous birthdays for Dec. 2: Joe Lo Truglio, Britney Spears

Dec. 2 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius .
-- Former @ @ @ @ @ Haig Jr. in 1924 -- Former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese III in 1931 ( @ @ @ @ @ former Sen. Harry Reid , D-Nev. , in 1939 ( age 81 )

1/3
Joe Lo Truglio and Beth Dover arrive for the the 24th annual SAG Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 21, 2018. Lo Truglio turns 50 on December 2. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius. They include: Advertisement
-- French painter Georges-Pierre Seurat in 1859
-- Circus co-founder Charles Ringling in 1863
-- Opera singer Maria Callas in 1923
-- Former U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig Jr. in 1924
-- Former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese III in 1931 (age 89)
-- Former former Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., in 1939 (age 81)
File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
-- Artist and dog photographer William Wegman in 1943 (age 77)
-- Actor Cathy Lee Crosby in 1944 (age 76)
-- Fashion designer Gianni Versace in 1946
-- Figure skater Randy Gardner in 1958 (age 62)
-- Writer Ann Patchett in 1963 (age 57)
-- Actor Lucy Liu in 1968 (age 52)
-- Actor Joe Lo Truglio in 1970 (age 50)
-- Tennis player Monica Seles in 1973 (age 47)
-- Singer/songwriter Nelly Furtado in 1978 (age 42)
-- Pop singer Britney Spears in 1981 (age 39)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Advertisement
-- NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 1983 (age 37)
-- Actor/country singer Jana Kramer in 1983 (age 37)
-- Actor Daniela Ruah in 1983 (age 37)
-- Actor Alfred Enoch in 1988 (age 32)
-- Singer Charlie Puth in 1991 (age 29)
-- Actor Annalise Basso in 1998 (age 22)


upi--2020-12-02--Fantasy football: Brown, Adams top Week 13 wide receiver rankings

Dec. 2 ( UPI ) -- A.J .
Brown , Davante Adams , Adam Thielen , D.K .
Metcalf and Keenan Allen top my Week 13 fantasy football wide receiver rankings for 2020 .
Tyreek Hill , Calvin Ridley , Robert Woods , Terry McLaurin and Michael Thomas round out my Top 10 options .
D.J .
Chark , T.Y .
Hilton and Henry Ruggs are also among my favorite starts this week .
You should target players who have a good chance to score a touchdown and get a lot of looks from their respective quarterbacks when considering who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the status for each of your players ' games this week as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the NFL schedule and player availability .
Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers players should be removed from all starting lineups , as those teams have Week 13 byes .
Check out my weekly waiver wire article for candidates to add to your roster before your Week 13 matchup .
Here are some of my favorite players in this week 's rankings : A.J .
Brown has had a breakout season for the Tennessee Titans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in seven of his last eight games .
He is my top fantasy football wide receiver for Week 13 .
The Titans host the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in Nashville .
The Browns have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers .
They also just allowed 235 passing yards and two scores from journeyman quarterback Mike Glennon .
I expect Brown to score at least once and secure at five catches for more than 100 yards against the Browns .
He is an elite option down the stretch .
Green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ averaged a league-best 100.9 receiving yards per game this season .
He also has been one of the safest wide receivers in fantasy football .
Adams has three multi-touchdown games this season .
He also has scored in six consecutive games .
Adams is my No .
2 option for Week 13 as he heads into a matchup against a Philadelphia Eagles defense that was just torched by D.K .
Metcalf .
I expect Adams to score at least once as he dominates Eagles defensive backs .
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my Week 13 rankings .
Thomas had just four catches for 50 yards in Week 12 , but I expect a rebound performance this week when he faces the Atlanta Falcons .
The Falcons have allowed the second-most receiving yards and fourth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers .
Thomas should be a lock to receive at least 10 targets in this game , which I expect to be a shootout .
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver D.J .
Chark is my No .
19 option and is a great WR2 play for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since Nov. 8 , but I expect him to get into the end zone this week when the Jaguars face the Minnesota Vikings .
The Vikings have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers .
Chark should gain at least 60 receiving yards and should see some red zone looks .
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y .
Hilton had his best game of the season in Week 12 , with four catches for 81 yards and a score in a loss to the Tennessee Titans .
He should again provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he battles a Houston Texans defense that is tied for allowing the ninth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers .
The Texans also will be without starting cornerback Bradley Roby , who has been suspended for the rest of the season .
I expect the Colts to dominate this game and Hilton should benefit in the passing game .
He is my No .
25 wide receiver .
Rookie wide receiver Henry Ruggs III is one of my favorite sleepers for Week 13 .
Ruggs had three catches for 56 yards in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Atlanta Falcons .
He should continue to flash his explosive skill set down the stretch .
The Raiders face the New York Jets in Week 13 .
The Jets have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers .
Ruggs is my No .
32 wide receiver .
I expect the Raiders speedster to make some big plays against this struggling defense .

1/3
Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown (L) is my top fantasy football option at his position for Week 13. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 2 (UPI) -- A.J. Brown, Davante Adams, Adam Thielen, D.K. Metcalf and Keenan Allen top my Week 13 fantasy football wide receiver rankings for 2020. Tyreek Hill, Calvin Ridley, Robert Woods, Terry McLaurin and Michael Thomas round out my Top 10 options. D.J. Chark, T.Y. Hilton and Henry Ruggs are also among my favorite starts this week. Advertisement
You should target players who have a good chance to score a touchdown and get a lot of looks from their respective quarterbacks when considering who to start at the position.
Monitor the status for each of your players' games this week as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the NFL schedule and player availability. Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers players should be removed from all starting lineups, as those teams have Week 13 byes.
Advertisement
Check out my weekly waiver wire article for candidates to add to your roster before your Week 13 matchup.
Here are some of my favorite players in this week's rankings:
TOP SHELF
A.J. Brown has had a breakout season for the Tennessee Titans. The 6-foot wide receiver has scored in seven of his last eight games. He is my top fantasy football wide receiver for Week 13.
The Titans host the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in Nashville. The Browns have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. They also just allowed 235 passing yards and two scores from journeyman quarterback Mike Glennon.
I expect Brown to score at least once and secure at five catches for more than 100 yards against the Browns. He is an elite option down the stretch.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams has averaged a league-best 100.9 receiving yards per game this season. He also has been one of the safest wide receivers in fantasy football. Adams has three multi-touchdown games this season. He also has scored in six consecutive games.
Adams is my No. 2 option for Week 13 as he heads into a matchup against a Philadelphia Eagles defense that was just torched by D.K. Metcalf. I expect Adams to score at least once as he dominates Eagles defensive backs.
Advertisement
SNEAKY PLAYS
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas lands at No. 10 in my Week 13 rankings. Thomas had just four catches for 50 yards in Week 12, but I expect a rebound performance this week when he faces the Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons have allowed the second-most receiving yards and fourth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Thomas should be a lock to receive at least 10 targets in this game, which I expect to be a shootout.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver D.J. Chark is my No. 19 option and is a great WR2 play for Week 13. Chark hasn't scored since Nov. 8, but I expect him to get into the end zone this week when the Jaguars face the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Chark should gain at least 60 receiving yards and should see some red zone looks.
LONGSHOTS
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton had his best game of the season in Week 12, with four catches for 81 yards and a score in a loss to the Tennessee Titans. He should again provide WR3 steamer value in Week 13 when he battles a Houston Texans defense that is tied for allowing the ninth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
Advertisement
The Texans also will be without starting cornerback Bradley Roby, who has been suspended for the rest of the season. I expect the Colts to dominate this game and Hilton should benefit in the passing game. He is my No. 24 wide receiver.
Rookie wide receiver Henry Ruggs III is one of my favorite sleepers for Week 13. Ruggs had three catches for 56 yards in the Las Vegas Raiders loss last week to the Atlanta Falcons. He should continue to flash his explosive skill set down the stretch.
The Raiders face the New York Jets in Week 13. The Jets have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Ruggs is my No. 31 wide receiver. I expect the Raiders speedster to make some big plays against this struggling defense.
Week 13 fantasy football wide receiver rankings
1. A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans vs. CLE
2. Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers vs. PHI
3. Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings vs. JAX
4. D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks vs. NYG
5. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers vs. NE
6. Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs vs. DEN
Advertisement
7. Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons vs. NO
8. Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams at ARI
9. Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team at PIT
10. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints at ATL
11. Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears vs. DET
12. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills at SF
13. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings vs. JAX
14. Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks vs. NYG
15. Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans vs. IND
16. DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins vs. CIN
17. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams at ARI
18. DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals vs. LAR
19. D.J. Chark, Jacksonville Jaguars at MIN
20. Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns at TEN
21. Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. WAS
22. Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys at BAL
23. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons vs. NO
24. T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts at HOU
25. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers vs. BUF
Advertisement
26. Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals at MIA
27. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys at BAL
28. Darius Slayton, New York Giants at SEA
29. Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans vs. CLE
30. Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers vs. NE
31. Henry Ruggs III, Las Vegas Raiders at NYJ
32. Denzel Mims, New York Jets vs. LV
33. Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos at KC
34. Michael Pittman, Indianapolis Colts at HOU
35. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. WAS
36. Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals vs. LAR
37. Sterling Shepard, New York Giants at SEA
38. Nelson Agholor, Las Vegas Raiders at NYJ
39. Marquise Brown, Baltimore Ravens vs. DAL
40. Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots at LAC
41. Travis Fulgham, Philadelphia Eagles at GB
42. Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. WAS
43. Marvin Jones, Jr., Detroit Lions at CHI
44. Cole Beasley, Buffalo Bills at SF
Advertisement
45. Jamison Crowder, New York Jets vs. LV
46. Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers vs. PHI
47. Emmanuel Sanders, New Orleans Saints at ATL
48. Breshad Perriman, New York Jets vs. LV
49. Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers vs. BUF
50. Sammy Watkins, Kansas City Chiefs vs. DEN
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-02--New York City lights Rockefeller Center Christmas tree with no crowds

Dec. 2 ( UPI ) -- New York City lit up its iconic Christmas Tree for the first time Wednesday night during the 88th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony .
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Tishman Speyer CEO Rob Speyer concluded the ceremony by turning on the lights on the tree in Rockefeller Center as Wednesday 's event was pared down from its usual splendor as restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic prevented large crowds .
The 2-hour event began at 8 p.m. EST and featured performances by Kelly Clarkson , Gwen Stefani , Brett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meghan Trainor , Dolly Parton and Jimmy Fallon , Tori Kelly , Leslie Odom Jr. , the Pentatonix , Dan + Shay , the cast of Ai n't Too Proud , the cast of the Radio City Rockettes and Earth , Wind & Fire .
Today co-hosts Savannah Guthrie , Hoda Kotb , Craig Melvin and Al Roker hosted the event and closed the evening with a message of support and appreciation for America 's frontline workers amid the pandemic .
There was no public access to the event , leaving empty seats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guests will be able to view the tree up close by reserving 5-minute slots in socially distanced pods starting Thursday .
Visiting hours at the tree will be daily from 6 a.m. to midnight , 24 hours on Christmas Day and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on New Year 's Eve .
This year 's 75-foot tree hails from Oneonta , N.Y. , and is between 75 years and 80 years old , Rockefeller Center says .
It is 45 feet wide and weighs 11 tons .
It boasts more than 50,000 multi-colored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miles long .
It also features a 900-pound Swarovski crystal star , which was designed in 2018 .
Shortly after erecting the tree , workers found a tiny northern saw-whet owl hidden among the branches .
The owl was taken by the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center in Saugerties , N.Y. , and released back into the wild after receiving a clean bill of health .
Workers erected the first tree at Rockefeller Center in 1931 after pooling their money together to buy a 20-foot-tall balsam fir .
The center made the tree a tradition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years later .

The Christmas tree lights are turned on for the first time at Rockefeller Center in New York City on Wednesday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 2 (UPI) -- New York City lit up its iconic Christmas Tree for the first time Wednesday night during the 88th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Tishman Speyer CEO Rob Speyer concluded the ceremony by turning on the lights on the tree in Rockefeller Center as Wednesday's event was pared down from its usual splendor as restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic prevented large crowds. Advertisement
The 2-hour event began at 8 p.m. EST and featured performances by Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani, Brett Eldredge, the Goo Goo Dolls, Meghan Trainor, Dolly Parton and Jimmy Fallon, Tori Kelly, Leslie Odom Jr., the Pentatonix, Dan + Shay, the cast of Ain't Too Proud, the cast of the Radio City Rockettes and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Today co-hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Craig Melvin and Al Roker hosted the event and closed the evening with a message of support and appreciation for America's frontline workers amid the pandemic.
Advertisement
There was no public access to the event, leaving empty seats for the night's performances, but guests will be able to view the tree up close by reserving 5-minute slots in socially distanced pods starting Thursday. Visiting hours at the tree will be daily from 6 a.m. to midnight, 24 hours on Christmas Day and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on New Year's Eve.
This year's 75-foot tree hails from Oneonta, N.Y., and is between 75 years and 80 years old, Rockefeller Center says. It is 45 feet wide and weighs 11 tons.
It boasts more than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights on strings totaling about 5 miles long. It also features a 900-pound Swarovski crystal star, which was designed in 2018.
Shortly after erecting the tree, workers found a tiny northern saw-whet owl hidden among the branches. The owl was taken by the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center in Saugerties, N.Y., and released back into the wild after receiving a clean bill of health.
Workers erected the first tree at Rockefeller Center in 1931 after pooling their money together to buy a 20-foot-tall balsam fir. The center made the tree a tradition and held its first lighting ceremony two years later.


upi--2020-12-02--Former French President Valyery Giscard d'Esaing dies of COVID-19

Dec. 2 ( UPI ) -- Former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing , who attempted to modernize France and was instrumental in collating Europe into a union , died on Wednesday from complications related to COVID-19 , his foundation said .
He was 94 .
His foundation announced his death Wednesday evening on Twitter , stating he died earlier in the day at his home in Loir-et-Cher , in central France .
`` His state of health had deteriorated and he died of COVID-19 , '' the statement read .
`` In accordance with his wishes , his funeral will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The ambitious aristocrat was born in Germany in 1926 when his father was the director of finance at the High Commission of France in occupied Rhineland after World War One , according to his foundation .
At 18 , he joined the French military and returned to Germany , this time to defend his homeland against the land of his birth in the Second World War as part of a tank regiment , after which he established a career of his own in finance that would see him at the age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Giscard was elected president in 1974 at the age of 48 , making him the nation 's youngest leader since Napoleon Bonaparte , but he was ousted from the country 's helm when he lost his bid for a second seven-year term in 1981 due to the perception he ruled France as a monarch .
During his presidency and despite economic difficulties , Giscard was able to grow the country 's economy at the fastest pace outside of Japan though it occurred as unemployment rose .
Though considered an expert in finance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social reformer and legislated for divorce to be permitted by mutual consent , decriminalized adultery and reorganized media to make it more free .
He also worked to integrate people with disabilities into the workforce , lowered the voting age to 18 and legalized abortion , among other social reforms .
Christopher Castaner , the head of French President Emmanuel Macron 's ruling party , said in a statement Wednesday that Giscard `` wrote a strong page in the history of our Republic . ''
`` His modern and resolutely progressive action in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his legacy , '' he wrote .
Giscard also worked to unify Europe , and launched the European Monetary System with German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt on March 13 , 1979 -- a move that would eventually lead to the birth of the Euro .
Michel Barnier , the EU 's chief negotiator concerning Britain 's decision to leave the union , tweeted his respects to Giscard on Wednesday .
`` For Valery Giscard d'Estaing , Europe should be a French ambition and France a modern nation , '' he said .
This work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a body of parliamentarians in charge of writing the constitution of the European Union , but received pushback from Turkey as he was against it joining the coalition as he claimed it was not a European nation .
During his final cabinet meeting as president in May of 1981 , Giscard delivered an emotional farewell speech , stating that his administration had done as well as they could to help France .
`` That 's the answer that our conscience brings to the only question a man of politics should ask himself : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day like this one , the way of conscience is stronger than that of favor of the moment , '' he said .

Former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing sat at the country's helm for only one seven-year term, during which he attempted to modernize the European nation. Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Former French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing, who attempted to modernize France and was instrumental in collating Europe into a union, died on Wednesday from complications related to COVID-19, his foundation said. He was 94. His foundation announced his death Wednesday evening on Twitter, stating he died earlier in the day at his home in Loir-et-Cher, in central France. Advertisement
"His state of health had deteriorated and he died of COVID-19," the statement read. "In accordance with his wishes, his funeral will take place in the strictest family privacy."
The ambitious aristocrat was born in Germany in 1926 when his father was the director of finance at the High Commission of France in occupied Rhineland after World War One, according to his foundation.
At 18, he joined the French military and returned to Germany, this time to defend his homeland against the land of his birth in the Second World War as part of a tank regiment, after which he established a career of his own in finance that would see him at the age of 33 advising several French government ministries.
Advertisement
Giscard was elected president in 1974 at the age of 48, making him the nation's youngest leader since Napoleon Bonaparte, but he was ousted from the country's helm when he lost his bid for a second seven-year term in 1981 due to the perception he ruled France as a monarch.
During his presidency and despite economic difficulties, Giscard was able to grow the country's economy at the fastest pace outside of Japan though it occurred as unemployment rose.
Though considered an expert in finance, he was also a political and social reformer and legislated for divorce to be permitted by mutual consent, decriminalized adultery and reorganized media to make it more free. He also worked to integrate people with disabilities into the workforce, lowered the voting age to 18 and legalized abortion, among other social reforms.
Christopher Castaner, the head of French President Emmanuel Macron's ruling party, said in a statement Wednesday that Giscard "wrote a strong page in the history of our Republic."
"His modern and resolutely progressive action in the service of French will long mark his legacy," he wrote.
Giscard also worked to unify Europe, and launched the European Monetary System with German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt on March 13, 1979 -- a move that would eventually lead to the birth of the Euro.
Advertisement
Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator concerning Britain's decision to leave the union, tweeted his respects to Giscard on Wednesday.
"For Valery Giscard d'Estaing, Europe should be a French ambition and France a modern nation," he said.
This work exceeded his presidency, and he headed a body of parliamentarians in charge of writing the constitution of the European Union, but received pushback from Turkey as he was against it joining the coalition as he claimed it was not a European nation.
During his final cabinet meeting as president in May of 1981, Giscard delivered an emotional farewell speech, stating that his administration had done as well as they could to help France.
"That's the answer that our conscience brings to the only question a man of politics should ask himself: Have I served France well? On a day like this one, the way of conscience is stronger than that of favor of the moment," he said.
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-12-02--Rockets trade Russell Westbrook to Wizards for John Wall, first-round pick

Dec. 2 ( UPI ) -- The Houston Rockets agreed to trade former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook to the Washington Wizards for All-Star guard John Wall and a first-round draft pick , the teams announced Wednesday night .
League sources told ESPN and The Athletic that Washington 's 2023 first-rounder to the Rockets is lottery protected .
If the pick does n't convey in that year , it is protected 1-12 in 2024 , 1-10 in 2025 and 1-8 in 2026 .
If it has n't conveyed as a first-round selection to Houston by 2026 , it switches to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wall , 30 , has n't played in a game since Dec. 26 , 2018 , missing parts of two seasons because of an Achilles tendon issue and a major knee injury .
In 32 contests during the 2018-19 campaign , he averaged 20.7 points and 8.7 assists per game .
`` Having the opportunity to acquire a player of Russell 's caliber and character was something that we could not pass up when looking at both the immediate and long-term future of our team , '' Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With that said , the decision to part ways with John , one of the greatest players in franchise history , was extremely difficult .
What he has meant to our organization and our community is immeasurable and will not be forgotten . ''
The 32-year-old Westbrook , who was the league 's MVP in 2017 , averaged 27.2 points , 7.9 rebounds and seven assists in his lone season with the Rockets .
Prior to joining Houston in July 2019 , he spent his first 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in nine of the last 10 seasons .
He joined Oscar Robertson as the only players in league history to average a triple-double in one season , doing so in his last three years with the Thunder .

Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook averaged 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and seven assists in his lone season with the Rockets. File Photo by Jason Szenes/EPA-EFE
Dec. 2 (UPI) -- The Houston Rockets agreed to trade former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook to the Washington Wizards for All-Star guard John Wall and a first-round draft pick, the teams announced Wednesday night. League sources told ESPN and The Athletic that Washington's 2023 first-rounder to the Rockets is lottery protected. If the pick doesn't convey in that year, it is protected 1-12 in 2024, 1-10 in 2025 and 1-8 in 2026. If it hasn't conveyed as a first-round selection to Houston by 2026, it switches to a second-round choice in both 2026 and 2027. Advertisement
Wall, 30, hasn't played in a game since Dec. 26, 2018, missing parts of two seasons because of an Achilles tendon issue and a major knee injury. In 32 contests during the 2018-19 campaign, he averaged 20.7 points and 8.7 assists per game.
"Having the opportunity to acquire a player of Russell's caliber and character was something that we could not pass up when looking at both the immediate and long-term future of our team," Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard said in a statement Wednesday.
Advertisement
"With that said, the decision to part ways with John, one of the greatest players in franchise history, was extremely difficult. What he has meant to our organization and our community is immeasurable and will not be forgotten."
The 32-year-old Westbrook, who was the league's MVP in 2017, averaged 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and seven assists in his lone season with the Rockets. Prior to joining Houston in July 2019, he spent his first 11 seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Westbrook has been an All-Star selection in nine of the last 10 seasons. He joined Oscar Robertson as the only players in league history to average a triple-double in one season, doing so in his last three years with the Thunder.


upi--2020-12-02--Tori Kelly, Taylor Dayne, Chloe Kim eliminated from 'Masked Singer'

Dec. 2 ( UPI ) -- Tori Kelly , Taylor Dayne and Chloe Kim were eliminated from The Masked Singer @ @ @ @ @ .
The singers and snowboarder were dressed respectively as a seahorse , a bucket of @ @ @ @ @ the competition .
Earlier in the day , the FOX show was renewed for a @ @ @ @ @ , Jenny McCarthy , Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke are the program 's judges for @ @ @ @ @ Cannon is the host .
Rapper Busta Rhymes was the first costumed celebrity to get @ @ @ @ @ Actor Mickey Rourke later took himself out of the competition , and TV icon Brian @ @ @ @ @ football player/sports commentator Mark Sanchez , talk-show host Wendy Williams , comedian Bob Saget , @ @ @ @ @ Lisa Hartman Black , NBA player Lonzo Ball , social media star Dr. Elvis Francois @ @ @ @ @ subsequently cut from the show .

1/3
Tori Kelly was one of the three contestants eliminated from Wednesday's "Masked Singer" semi-finals. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Tori Kelly, Taylor Dayne and Chloe Kim were eliminated from The Masked Singer during Wednesday night's semi-finals. The singers and snowboarder were dressed respectively as a seahorse, a bucket of popcorn and a jellyfish for the competition. Advertisement
Earlier in the day, the FOX show was renewed for a fifth season.
Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke are the program's judges for Season 4, and Nick Cannon is the host.
Rapper Busta Rhymes was the first costumed celebrity to get the boot this season.
Actor Mickey Rourke later took himself out of the competition, and TV icon Brian Austin Green, retired pro football player/sports commentator Mark Sanchez, talk-show host Wendy Williams, comedian Bob Saget, married singers Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black, NBA player Lonzo Ball, social media star Dr. Elvis Francois and singer Paul Anka were subsequently cut from the show.


upi--2020-12-02--Israeli Parliament approves measure to dissolve unity government

Dec. 2 ( UPI ) -- Israel 's Parliament voted in favor of dissolving the coalition government , putting the country on track for a potential fourth election in two years .
Lawmakers in the parliament , known as the Knesset , voted 61-54 to approve the preliminary reading of a bill to dissolve the parliament , the first of at least six steps before new elections are declared .
Following Wednesday 's vote , the bill is likely to be sent to the Knesset 's House Committee where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's Likud Party and the Blue and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz will enter negotiations that could prevent another vote .
After three elections failed to produce a winner between Netanyahu and Gantz , the two factions agreed to form a unity government in April .
Under the agreement , Netanyahu was set to remain as prime minister for 18 months with Gantz replacing him after that .
However , Gantz on Wednesday announced his party would support the bill to dissolve the government , accusing Netanyahu of attempting to prolong his time heading the government .
`` I had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gantz .
`` I was well aware of his track record as a serial promise-breaker , but I thought that the people of Israel are more important than one leader and that Netanyahu would rise to the occasion .
Much to my dismay , that did n't happen . ''
On the contrary , Netanyahu said his Likud Party would vote against the measure , accusing Gantz of threatening the nation 's stability .
`` Benny , what you need to do now is do a U-turn away from politics , for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a statement as the Knesset approved a measure launching a process that may dissolve the unity government and force a fourth election in two years. Pool Photo by Yonatan Sindel/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Israel's Parliament voted in favor of dissolving the coalition government, putting the country on track for a potential fourth election in two years. Lawmakers in the parliament, known as the Knesset, voted 61-54 to approve the preliminary reading of a bill to dissolve the parliament, the first of at least six steps before new elections are declared. Advertisement
Following Wednesday's vote, the bill is likely to be sent to the Knesset's House Committee where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party and the Blue and White Party led by Defense Minster and alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz will enter negotiations that could prevent another vote.
After three elections failed to produce a winner between Netanyahu and Gantz, the two factions agreed to form a unity government in April.
Under the agreement, Netanyahu was set to remain as prime minister for 18 months with Gantz replacing him after that.
However, Gantz on Wednesday announced his party would support the bill to dissolve the government, accusing Netanyahu of attempting to prolong his time heading the government.
"I had no illusions about Netanyahu," said Gantz. "I was well aware of his track record as a serial promise-breaker, but I thought that the people of Israel are more important than one leader and that Netanyahu would rise to the occasion. Much to my dismay, that didn't happen."
Advertisement
On the contrary, Netanyahu said his Likud Party would vote against the measure, accusing Gantz of threatening the nation's stability.
"Benny, what you need to do now is do a U-turn away from politics, for the people of Israel," he said.


upi--2020-12-02--Pittsburgh Steelers hold off Baltimore Ravens in rare Wednesday game

Dec. 2 ( UPI ) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers remained unbeaten with a 19-14 win over the short-handed Baltimore Ravens in a rare Wednesday afternoon game at Heinz Field .
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for 266 yards and found receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for a critical fourth-quarter touchdown in the first NFL game on a Wednesday since 2012 .
The matchup , originally scheduled for Thanksgiving night , was postponed three times because of COVID-19 issues in Baltimore .
Despite Pittsburgh improving to 11-0 this season , Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he was `` disappointed '' with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play against an undermanned Ravens squad .
`` To be bluntly honest , I 'm really disappointed in our performance tonight , '' Tomlin said .
`` We did enough to win tonight , that 's all .
...
It was just bad by all parties involved .
Coaches first and players second . ''
The Ravens ( 6-5 ) lost their third consecutive game while playing without more than a dozen players , including reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and offensive stars Mark Ingram and Mark Andrews .
Those players were moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading up to the delayed Week 12 matchup .
Robert Griffin III took over for Jackson and completed 7 of 12 pass attempts for 33 yards and an interception .
He added seven carries for a team-high 68 yards .
Griffin eventually exited in the fourth quarter because of a left hamstring injury .
Trace McSorley , who was one of 11 players promoted from the practice squad , replaced him and connected with receiver Marquise Brown for a 70-yard touchdown with under three minutes left in the game to cut the Steelers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steelers were able to drain the clock behind three first downs to eliminate the Ravens from repeating as AFC North champions .
`` The way the game went , obviously we wanted to win , '' Griffin said .
`` We felt like we had a chance to come in here and win , shock the world and do something special .
I put it on myself .
I feel like if I did n't pull my hamstring in the second quarter we would have won .
It was really emotional trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I let my guys down . ''
Gus Edwards had nine carries for 10 yards and a rushing score .
Brown led the Ravens with four receptions for 85 yards and his receiving touchdown .
Steelers running back Benny Snell Jr. , who was filling in for James Conner , had 60 rushing yards on 16 carries .
Conner was added to the COVID-19 list last week .
The Ravens will host the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday in a game initially scheduled for Thursday , while the Steelers will take on the Washington @ @ @ @ @

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) recorded 266 passing yards against the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 2 (UPI) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers remained unbeaten with a 19-14 win over the short-handed Baltimore Ravens in a rare Wednesday afternoon game at Heinz Field. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for 266 yards and found receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for a critical fourth-quarter touchdown in the first NFL game on a Wednesday since 2012. The matchup, originally scheduled for Thanksgiving night, was postponed three times because of COVID-19 issues in Baltimore. Advertisement
Despite Pittsburgh improving to 11-0 this season, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he was "disappointed" with his team's "junior varsity"-level play against an undermanned Ravens squad.
"To be bluntly honest, I'm really disappointed in our performance tonight," Tomlin said. "We did enough to win tonight, that's all. ... It was just bad by all parties involved. Coaches first and players second."
The Ravens (6-5) lost their third consecutive game while playing without more than a dozen players, including reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and offensive stars Mark Ingram and Mark Andrews. Those players were moved to the reserve/COVID-19 list in the days leading up to the delayed Week 12 matchup.
Advertisement
Robert Griffin III took over for Jackson and completed 7 of 12 pass attempts for 33 yards and an interception. He added seven carries for a team-high 68 yards.
Griffin eventually exited in the fourth quarter because of a left hamstring injury. Trace McSorley, who was one of 11 players promoted from the practice squad, replaced him and connected with receiver Marquise Brown for a 70-yard touchdown with under three minutes left in the game to cut the Steelers' lead to five.
But the Steelers were able to drain the clock behind three first downs to eliminate the Ravens from repeating as AFC North champions.
"The way the game went, obviously we wanted to win," Griffin said. "We felt like we had a chance to come in here and win, shock the world and do something special. I put it on myself. I feel like if I didn't pull my hamstring in the second quarter we would have won. It was really emotional trying to fight through that. I feel like I let my guys down."
Gus Edwards had nine carries for 10 yards and a rushing score. Brown led the Ravens with four receptions for 85 yards and his receiving touchdown.
Advertisement
Steelers running back Benny Snell Jr., who was filling in for James Conner, had 60 rushing yards on 16 carries. Conner was added to the COVID-19 list last week.
The Ravens will host the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday in a game initially scheduled for Thursday, while the Steelers will take on the Washington Football Team on Monday.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-02--Pelosi lights 2020 U.S. Capitol Christmas tree

Travelers gather their luggage at Los Angeles International Airport on November 25 .
Though the number of people flying for Thanksgiving is down more than half from last year because of the pandemic , 3 million passengers who went through U.S. airport checkpoints the previous weekend marked the biggest crowds since mid-March , when the coronavirus crisis took hold in the United States .
Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | Hudson Tabling , 2 , of Pickneyville , Ill. , touches a reindeer aboard the Polar Express train at Union Station on opening day in St. Louis on November 20 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ seventh year , will not move due to COVID-19 pandemic , but visitors still can walk through the train , experiencing actors in costume , singing and dancing .
Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | Salvation Army Divisional Cmdr .
Lt. Col. Robert A. Webster reaches out to light the Christmas tree in Kiener Plaza in downtown St. Louis on November 20 .
The tree lighting ceremony , which normally brings thousands , was kept short with no crowds , due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | Macy 's Herald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ design of hands clapping as a thank-you letter to the city and those who are on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic .
Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | St. Louis Aquarium divers Aaron Sproll ( L ) and Charmaine von Kriegenbergh , dressed as Santa Claus and an elf , wave to the guests in the Shark Caynon at Union Station in St. Louis on November 17 .
The two will make several dives a day during the holiday season , talking to visitors to the aquarium and answering questions about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fish .
Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | Workers unload boxes of Thanksgiving turkeys .
Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens were distributing 900 turkeys and food vouchers to families and individuals in need as part of its annual turkey giveaway in New York City on November 17 .
Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | Issa Kassissieh relaxes on a salt formation dressed as Santa as part of an event organized by the Israel Ministry of Tourism to encourage tourism to the Dead Sea ahead of the Christmas holiday in Ein Bokek , Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Debbie Hill/UPI | Ann Slayton of Switch , an experiential marketing and advertising agency , checks the brightness of new LED bulbs in the star that will sit atop the Salvation Army Christmas tree in St. Louis on November 12 .
Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI |

1/3
The Capitol Christmas Tree is an Engelmann Spruce from the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in Colorado. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 2 (UPI) -- The Christmas tree at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., was lit during a ceremony on Wednesday evening. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lit the 55-foot tall, 25-foot wide Engelmann spruce from Colorado as she spoke alongside the architect of the Capitol, U.S. Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen and members of the Colorado congressional delegation. Advertisement
"For over five decades Americans have come together, and especially in difficult times, to find joy and seek solace in what was called 'The People's Tree,'" said Pelosi. "Now tonight, we gather once more before this symbol of peace and hope to give thanks for the blessings bestowed upon our great nation."
Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., said this was the fourth time in the history of the Capitol Christmas tree that Colorado had provided the tree.
"It is so meaningful to everyone in Colorado," she said. "And if you can get close enough to the tree you can see that there are ornaments all over the tree from all aspects of life in Colorado."
The tree's journey to Capitol Hill began on Nov. 6 when it was harvested from the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre National Forest before traveling to 10 communities for a series of outdoor festivities, limited by social distancing requirements due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Advertisement
Scenes from the holiday season


upi--2020-12-02--Federal death row inmate Alfred Bourgeois seeks stay from Supreme Court

Dec. 2 ( UPI ) -- Attorneys for a man convicted of killing his 2-year-old daughter in 2002 asked the Supreme Court on Wednesday to stay his execution , citing intellectual disability .
Alfred Bourgeois , 55 , is scheduled to be executed Dec. 11 at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute , Ind .
In a Supreme Court filing Wednesday , his attorneys said his execution would be unconstitutional because he is intellectually disabled and therefore ca n't understand his punishment .
They submitted evidence of IQ test scores of 70 and 75 , as well as assessments by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people with such impairments as cruel and usual punishment .
The request for a stay comes one day after the 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Bourgeois ' application for a stay and denied his petition for a rehearing .
Bourgeois was among the first inmates slated for death last year when Attorney General William Barr announced the resumption of federal executions after a 17-year hiatus .
A federal judge stayed his execution in March , saying his lawyer made a strong case for his intellectual disability .
Bourgeois was convicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2002 death of his daughter in Corpus Christi , Texas .
Prosecutors said the girl died when Bourgeois became angry with her for turning over her potty training chair in the cab of his 18-wheeler and slammed her head into the vehicle 's window .
Investigators said he regularly physically and sexually abused the toddler before her death .
Bourgeois said he was innocent of the child 's death and blamed her mother .

Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Attorneys for a man convicted of killing his 2-year-old daughter in 2002 asked the Supreme Court on Wednesday to stay his execution, citing intellectual disability.
Alfred Bourgeois, 55, is scheduled to be executed Dec. 11 at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Ind.
Advertisement
In a Supreme Court filing Wednesday, his attorneys said his execution would be unconstitutional because he is intellectually disabled and therefore can't understand his punishment. They submitted evidence of IQ test scores of 70 and 75, as well as assessments by experts.
The Eighth Amendment bans executing people with such impairments as cruel and usual punishment.
The request for a stay comes one day after the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Bourgeois' application for a stay and denied his petition for a rehearing.
Bourgeois was among the first inmates slated for death last year when Attorney General William Barr announced the resumption of federal executions after a 17-year hiatus. A federal judge stayed his execution in March, saying his lawyer made a strong case for his intellectual disability.
Bourgeois was convicted in 2004 of capital murder for the 2002 death of his daughter in Corpus Christi, Texas. Prosecutors said the girl died when Bourgeois became angry with her for turning over her potty training chair in the cab of his 18-wheeler and slammed her head into the vehicle's window.
Advertisement
Investigators said he regularly physically and sexually abused the toddler before her death.
Bourgeois said he was innocent of the child's death and blamed her mother.


upi--2020-12-02--LeBron James agrees to 2-year, $85M extension with Lakers

Dec. 2 ( UPI ) -- Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James agreed to a multiyear contract extension with the franchise Wednesday .
James ' agent , Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group , told ESPN and The Athletic that James reached a two-year , $ 85 million extension with the Lakers .
James ' deal with Los Angeles runs through the 2022-23 season .
James , who turns 36 at the end of this month , averaged 25.3 points and led the league in assists with 10.2 per game last season .
He will be 39 when the contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his belt .
James is now scheduled to make $ 39.2 million in the 2020-21 campaign , according to ESPN .
He is set to earn about $ 41.2 million in 2021-22 and about $ 44.5 million in 2022-23 .
His career earnings from his NBA contracts will total more than $ 435 million by the conclusion of the extension .
The 16-time All-Star selection and four-time champion was named the 2020 NBA Finals MVP after guiding the Lakers past the Miami Heat in six games inside the league bubble near Orlando , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA history to win that award with three different teams .
He also was Finals MVP with the Heat in 2012-13 and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 .
James -- currently No .
3 on the league 's all-time scoring list with 34,241 points -- trails Kareem Abdul-Jabbar by 4,146 points for the top spot .
James also ranks eighth on the career assists list , No .
13 in steals , No .
15 in 3-pointers made and No .
48 in rebounds .

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James led the NBA in assists last season with 10.2 per game. File Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE
Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James agreed to a multiyear contract extension with the franchise Wednesday. James' agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, told ESPN and The Athletic that James reached a two-year, $85 million extension with the Lakers. James' deal with Los Angeles runs through the 2022-23 season. Advertisement
James, who turns 36 at the end of this month, averaged 25.3 points and led the league in assists with 10.2 per game last season. He will be 39 when the contract ends, with 20 NBA seasons under his belt.
James is now scheduled to make $39.2 million in the 2020-21 campaign, according to ESPN. He is set to earn about $41.2 million in 2021-22 and about $44.5 million in 2022-23. His career earnings from his NBA contracts will total more than $435 million by the conclusion of the extension.
The 16-time All-Star selection and four-time champion was named the 2020 NBA Finals MVP after guiding the Lakers past the Miami Heat in six games inside the league bubble near Orlando, Fla. James became the first player in NBA history to win that award with three different teams. He also was Finals MVP with the Heat in 2012-13 and the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.
Advertisement
James -- currently No. 3 on the league's all-time scoring list with 34,241 points -- trails Kareem Abdul-Jabbar by 4,146 points for the top spot. James also ranks eighth on the career assists list, No. 13 in steals, No. 15 in 3-pointers made and No. 48 in rebounds.


upi--2020-12-02--Federal judge denies stay of execution for Brandon Bernard

Dec. 2 ( UPI ) -- A federal judge in Texas denied a stay of execution Wednesday for a man convicted of killing a married couple two decades ago .
Brandon Bernard , 40 , is scheduled to be executed Dec. 10 at the U.S. Penitentiary Terre Haute , Ind .
He 's one of several death row inmates to be scheduled for lethal injection this year after the U.S. Justice Department resumed federal executions this summer .
U.S. District Judge Alan Albright of the Western District of Texas ruled Wednesday that he did n't have jurisdiction over Bernard 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stay .
Bernard 's lawyers requested the stay last month after saying they 've discovered evidence showing their client had a lesser role in the crime and the gang that perpetrated the killings .
`` Brandon Bernard has been seeking relief since we discovered in 2018 that the trial prosecutors withheld critical evidence , yet procedural barriers have prevented him from obtaining a hearing on the merits of his claim , '' Robert Owen said .
`` We will continue to make our case in court that this hidden evidence would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Given that five jurors no longer stand by their death verdict , Brandon must not be executed until the courts have fully addressed the constitutionality of his sentence , and we will continue to vigorously pursue that vitally important goal . ''
Defense lawyers accused the government of withholding evidence showing that Bernard was `` on the very periphery of the youth gang '' that killed the Texas couple .
They said they found the evidence while reviewing court documents for the re-sentencing of one of Bernard 's co-defendants , showing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition to the stay , Bernard 's lawyers asked for a hearing on the new evidence .
Bernard , along with an accomplice , Christopher Vialva , were sentenced to death in 2000 for the 1999 deaths of Todd Bagley and Stacie Bagley , married youth ministers .
Prosecutors said the Bagleys gave Vialva and two other accomplices in the case a ride in their car , but the men held the couple at gunpoint and put them in the trunk of the vehicle .
They stole the couple 's money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyers said he was not with the three accomplices when they kidnapped the Bagleys and was called to join the other perpetrators later in his own vehicle .
The four men then drove the Bagleys and the two vehicles to Fort Hood Army base , where prosecutors said Vialva shot both victims in the head , instantly killing Todd Bagley .
They then set the car on fire .
Stacie Bagley , unconscious from a gunshot wound , died of smoke inhalation , federal prosecutors said .
Defense lawyers said Bernard believed he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bagley 's vehicles and let them go free .
Police arrested the four men after their vehicle slid off the road into a ditch near the Bagleys ' burning vehicle .
Because the murders took place on a military reservation , they were considered federal offenses .
Vialva was executed for his role in September .
In November , dozens of people -- including jurors from Bernard 's trial -- signed a clemency petition asking President Donald Trump to commute his death sentence .
The petition asked Trump to consider Bernard 's age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 -- his clean prison record , his remorse and outreach work while incarcerated .
They asked for his death sentence to be commuted to life in prison .
Jury foreman Calvin Kruger said that while the trial evidence showed that Bernard is `` guilty beyond any doubt '' of the murders , `` it also clearly showed that Brandon Bernard was not the ringleader behind these offenses , but a follower . ''
He also said he did n't believe Bernard 's attorney `` did a good job in defending him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ like his attorneys were going through the motions and nothing more . ''
Two other jurors agreed with Kruger 's assessment of the trial attorney .
Mark Bezy , a former federal Bureau of Prisons warden , said he supports clemency because of Bernard 's record of good conduct .
He said that `` should Bernard 's death sentence be commuted , the could and would function exceptionally well in a less-restrictive environment without posing any risk to institutional security and good order , or posing any risk to the safety and security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' U.S. Attorney General William Barr resumed federal executions in July after a 17-year hiatus .
Daniel Lewis Lee , Wesley Purkey and Dustin Honken were executed in July ; Lezmond Mitchell and Keith Dwayne Nelson in August ; William LeCroy and Vialva in September ; and Orlando Hall in November .

Brandon Bernard is set to be executed December 10 at the U.S. Penitentiary Terre Haute, Ind. File Photo courtesy of the attorneys for Brandon Bernard
Dec. 2 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Texas denied a stay of execution Wednesday for a man convicted of killing a married couple two decades ago. Brandon Bernard, 40, is scheduled to be executed Dec. 10 at the U.S. Penitentiary Terre Haute, Ind. He's one of several death row inmates to be scheduled for lethal injection this year after the U.S. Justice Department resumed federal executions this summer. Advertisement
U.S. District Judge Alan Albright of the Western District of Texas ruled Wednesday that he didn't have jurisdiction over Bernard's case and so denied a request for a stay.
Bernard's lawyers requested the stay last month after saying they've discovered evidence showing their client had a lesser role in the crime and the gang that perpetrated the killings.
"Brandon Bernard has been seeking relief since we discovered in 2018 that the trial prosecutors withheld critical evidence, yet procedural barriers have prevented him from obtaining a hearing on the merits of his claim," Robert Owen said.
Advertisement
"We will continue to make our case in court that this hidden evidence would have changed the outcome of Brandon's sentencing. Given that five jurors no longer stand by their death verdict, Brandon must not be executed until the courts have fully addressed the constitutionality of his sentence, and we will continue to vigorously pursue that vitally important goal."
Defense lawyers accused the government of withholding evidence showing that Bernard was "on the very periphery of the youth gang" that killed the Texas couple. They said they found the evidence while reviewing court documents for the re-sentencing of one of Bernard's co-defendants, showing the information was in the government's possession.
In addition to the stay, Bernard's lawyers asked for a hearing on the new evidence.
Bernard, along with an accomplice, Christopher Vialva, were sentenced to death in 2000 for the 1999 deaths of Todd Bagley and Stacie Bagley, married youth ministers.
Prosecutors said the Bagleys gave Vialva and two other accomplices in the case a ride in their car, but the men held the couple at gunpoint and put them in the trunk of the vehicle. They stole the couple's money and a wedding ring.
Bernard's lawyers said he was not with the three accomplices when they kidnapped the Bagleys and was called to join the other perpetrators later in his own vehicle.
Advertisement
The four men then drove the Bagleys and the two vehicles to Fort Hood Army base, where prosecutors said Vialva shot both victims in the head, instantly killing Todd Bagley. They then set the car on fire.
Stacie Bagley, unconscious from a gunshot wound, died of smoke inhalation, federal prosecutors said.
Defense lawyers said Bernard believed he was called to help dispose of the Bagley's vehicles and let them go free. Police arrested the four men after their vehicle slid off the road into a ditch near the Bagleys' burning vehicle.
Because the murders took place on a military reservation, they were considered federal offenses.
Vialva was executed for his role in September.
In November, dozens of people -- including jurors from Bernard's trial -- signed a clemency petition asking President Donald Trump to commute his death sentence. The petition asked Trump to consider Bernard's age at the time of the crime -- 18 -- his clean prison record, his remorse and outreach work while incarcerated. They asked for his death sentence to be commuted to life in prison.
Jury foreman Calvin Kruger said that while the trial evidence showed that Bernard is "guilty beyond any doubt" of the murders, "it also clearly showed that Brandon Bernard was not the ringleader behind these offenses, but a follower."
Advertisement
He also said he didn't believe Bernard's attorney "did a good job in defending him."
"To me, it seemed like his attorneys were going through the motions and nothing more."
Two other jurors agreed with Kruger's assessment of the trial attorney.
Mark Bezy, a former federal Bureau of Prisons warden, said he supports clemency because of Bernard's record of good conduct. He said that "should Bernard's death sentence be commuted, the could and would function exceptionally well in a less-restrictive environment without posing any risk to institutional security and good order, or posing any risk to the safety and security of staff, inmates or others."
U.S. Attorney General William Barr resumed federal executions in July after a 17-year hiatus. Daniel Lewis Lee, Wesley Purkey and Dustin Honken were executed in July; Lezmond Mitchell and Keith Dwayne Nelson in August; William LeCroy and Vialva in September; and Orlando Hall in November.