upi--2020-12-10--All-Star forward Paul George signs multiyear extension with Clippers

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- Six-time All-Star forward Paul George has signed a multiyear contract extension with the Los Angeles Clippers , the team announced Thursday .
League sources told ESPN and the Los Angeles Times that George can earn up to $ 226 million over the next five years .
The team extended George 's contract for an additional four years at $ 190 million on top of his $ 35.4 million guaranteed salary for the 2020-21 campaign .
The maximum extension also includes a player option for the final season in 2024-25 , according to the outlets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't confirm the terms of the agreement .
`` This is an important moment for our franchise and our fans , to secure a long-term commitment from one of the premier two-way players in the NBA , '' Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said in a statement Thursday .
`` We aspire to create a destination for players , an environment where they can succeed and enjoy their success .
`` We 're delighted by Paul 's pride in representing Clippers fans , honored that he trusts the organization with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share in his relentless pursuit of championships .
We admire his talent , his dedication and his unwavering allegiance to this region .
We 're excited for the opportunity to accomplish our mutual goals together . ''
The 30-year-old George averaged 21.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game last season , his first with the Clippers .
Before being traded to Los Angeles , he was a first-team All-NBA selection for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2018-19 season .
George , a native of Palmdale , Calif. , also has been voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occasions .
He has been All-Defensive first or second team four times .
`` As a kid growing up in Southern California , I always dreamed of playing in Los Angeles , where my friends and family could come watch me play , '' George said .
`` I am so grateful to [ owner ] Steve Ballmer , Lawrence Frank , Coach Ty Lue , my teammates , and the entire Clippers organization for believing in me .
`` I am proud to call this my home and look forward to doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tremendous success -- both on and off the court -- in the years ahead . ''
In 10 NBA seasons between the Indiana Pacers , Thunder and Clippers , George has averaged 20 points , 6.4 rebounds , 3.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game .

Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George (13) averaged 21.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game last season, his first with the Clippers. File Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Six-time All-Star forward Paul George has signed a multiyear contract extension with the Los Angeles Clippers, the team announced Thursday. League sources told ESPN and the Los Angeles Times that George can earn up to $226 million over the next five years. The team extended George's contract for an additional four years at $190 million on top of his $35.4 million guaranteed salary for the 2020-21 campaign. Advertisement
The maximum extension also includes a player option for the final season in 2024-25, according to the outlets. Under team policy, the Clippers didn't confirm the terms of the agreement.
"This is an important moment for our franchise and our fans, to secure a long-term commitment from one of the premier two-way players in the NBA," Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said in a statement Thursday. "We aspire to create a destination for players, an environment where they can succeed and enjoy their success.
"We're delighted by Paul's pride in representing Clippers fans, honored that he trusts the organization with this chapter of his career, and share in his relentless pursuit of championships. We admire his talent, his dedication and his unwavering allegiance to this region. We're excited for the opportunity to accomplish our mutual goals together."
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The 30-year-old George averaged 21.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game last season, his first with the Clippers. Before being traded to Los Angeles, he was a first-team All-NBA selection for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2018-19 season.
George, a native of Palmdale, Calif., also has been voted to the All-NBA Third Team on four occasions. He has been All-Defensive first or second team four times.
"As a kid growing up in Southern California, I always dreamed of playing in Los Angeles, where my friends and family could come watch me play," George said. "I am so grateful to [owner] Steve Ballmer, Lawrence Frank, Coach Ty Lue, my teammates, and the entire Clippers organization for believing in me.
"I am proud to call this my home and look forward to doing my part in helping make the team a tremendous success -- both on and off the court -- in the years ahead."
In 10 NBA seasons between the Indiana Pacers, Thunder and Clippers, George has averaged 20 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game.


upi--2020-12-10--Four-month-old ravens just as intelligent as adult apes, study suggests

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- The cognitive capabilities of four-month-old ravens are on par with those of full-grown apes , according to a new study published Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports .
Researchers subjected different-aged ravens to a series of experimental tasks to test the birds ' spatial memory , communication abilities and learning capacity .
They also tested the ravens ' ability to understand relative numbers and addition , as well as their ability to grasp object permanence -- the understanding that an object still exists when it is out of sight .
`` For instance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is located , we hid treats under a cup , and moved it quickly back and forth among other cups that were empty , just as one does in the 'shell game , ' '' study co-author Miriam Sima said in a news release .
`` A raven selected a cup by pecking or pointing at it with its beak , while a chimpanzee would have done this with their fingers , '' said Sima , researcher with the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Germany .
Testing revealed all eight hand-raised ravens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 16 months , to be of similar intelligence , suggesting the species ' cognitive capabilities develop at a rather rapid pace .
It makes sense that ravens reach cognitive maturity by four months .
Around the same time , the birds tend to first exert their independence and begin exploring their surroundings .
The ravens showed individual differences in their cognitive capabilities , but overall , the eight birds were best at addition and understanding relative numbers , and less adept at spatial memory .
When the authors of the new study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those of 106 chimpanzees and 32 orangutans , they found the birds -- with the exception of spatial memory -- were just as cognitively capable as the apes .
Authors of the new study suggest the tests show the intelligence of ravens is n't specific to their domain .
Their cognitive skills , scientists contend , are exemplary of an impressive general intelligence .
`` Our results suggest that ravens are not only social intellects but have also developed sophisticated cognitive skills for dealing with the physical world , '' researchers wrote .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ design tests that reveal the more species-specific cognitive skills .

The cognitive abilities of ravens are on par with apes, according to new research. Photo by Pxhere /CC
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The cognitive capabilities of four-month-old ravens are on par with those of full-grown apes, according to a new study published Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports. Researchers subjected different-aged ravens to a series of experimental tasks to test the birds' spatial memory, communication abilities and learning capacity. Advertisement
They also tested the ravens' ability to understand relative numbers and addition, as well as their ability to grasp object permanence -- the understanding that an object still exists when it is out of sight.
"For instance, to investigate whether ravens know where food is located, we hid treats under a cup, and moved it quickly back and forth among other cups that were empty, just as one does in the 'shell game,'" study co-author Miriam Sima said in a news release.
"A raven selected a cup by pecking or pointing at it with its beak, while a chimpanzee would have done this with their fingers," said Sima, researcher with the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Germany.
Testing revealed all eight hand-raised ravens, ages 4, 8, 12 and 16 months, to be of similar intelligence, suggesting the species' cognitive capabilities develop at a rather rapid pace.
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It makes sense that ravens reach cognitive maturity by four months. Around the same time, the birds tend to first exert their independence and begin exploring their surroundings.
The ravens showed individual differences in their cognitive capabilities, but overall, the eight birds were best at addition and understanding relative numbers, and less adept at spatial memory.
When the authors of the new study compared the performance of the ravens with those of 106 chimpanzees and 32 orangutans, they found the birds -- with the exception of spatial memory -- were just as cognitively capable as the apes.
Authors of the new study suggest the tests show the intelligence of ravens isn't specific to their domain. Their cognitive skills, scientists contend, are exemplary of an impressive general intelligence.
"Our results suggest that ravens are not only social intellects but have also developed sophisticated cognitive skills for dealing with the physical world," researchers wrote.
In followup studies, researchers hope to design tests that reveal the more species-specific cognitive skills.


upi--2020-12-10--Pentagon plans to end military support for CIA counterrorism operations

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- The Pentagon has told the Central Intelligence Agency that it plans to end most @ @ @ @ @ provides to the agency 's counterterrorism early in the new year , multiple sources reported @ @ @ @ @ Christopher Miller sent a letter to CIA Director Gina Haspel outlining the decision to review @ @ @ @ @ agencies , ABC News , CNN and Defense One have each reported .
There were @ @ @ @ @ the scope of the review process , but Miller 's letter reportedly outlined some changes @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 5 .
The CIA may have to re-assign some DoD personnel detailed to the @ @ @ @ @ some military equipment , such as drones .
It is not clear how the decision @ @ @ @ @ worldwide counterterrorism missions , which have frequently relied on U.S. military support , including air @ @ @ @ @ evacuation .

Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The Pentagon has told the Central Intelligence Agency that it plans to end most of the military support it provides to the agency's counterterrorism early in the new year, multiple sources reported Thursday.
Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller sent a letter to CIA Director Gina Haspel outlining the decision to review the relationship between the two agencies, ABC News, CNN and Defense One have each reported.
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There were also few details available on the scope of the review process, but Miller's letter reportedly outlined some changes set to take place by Jan. 5.
The CIA may have to re-assign some DoD personnel detailed to the CIA, as well as some military equipment, such as drones.
It is not clear how the decision would impact the CIA's worldwide counterterrorism missions, which have frequently relied on U.S. military support, including air transportation, logistics and medical evacuation.


upi--2020-12-10--More than 100 House Republicans back Texas election challenge

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- A group of 106 House Republicans placed their support behind a Texas lawsuit seeking to challenge President-elect Joe Biden 's election wins in several key states Thursday .
The congressional lawmakers signed an amicus brief supporting the lawsuit by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton seeking to block Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin from voting in the Electoral College .
`` The brief presents [ our ] concern as Members of Congress , shared by untold millions of their constituents , that the unconstitutional irregularities involved in the 2020 presidential election cast doubt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American system of elections , '' the lawmakers wrote .
Rep. Mike Jonson of Louisiana , the outgoing Republican study committee chairman , led the effort and other prominent members of the GOP , including Republican Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana , top Republican on the House judiciary committee Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio , chairman of the conservative Freedom Caucus Rep. Andy Brigs of Arizona and Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana .
House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of California and GOP Conference Chairwoman Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming did not sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday joined the lawsuit , which argues changes to election procedures in the four states were unlawful and called into question Biden 's victories in those states .
On Thursday , Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro filed a brief in the U.S. Supreme Court opposing the Texas lawsuit .
`` Its request for this Court to exercise its original jurisdiction and then anoint Texas 's preferred candidate for president is an affront to principles of constitutional democracy , '' Shapiro , a Democrat , wrote in a tweet announcing the brief .
Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , also filed a brief stating the Supreme Court lacks the authority to order the state legislatures to appoint presidential electors .
`` The relief that Texas seeks would undermine a foundational premise of our federalist system : the idea that the states are sovereigns , free to govern themselves , '' Yost 's brief states .
`` The courts have no more business ordering the People 's representatives how to choose electors than they do ordering the People themselves how to choose their dinners . ''

More than 100 House Republicans filed an amicus brief in support of a Texas lawsuit seeking to challenge President-elect Joe Biden's election wins in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Screengrab by UPI | License Photo
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- A group of 106 House Republicans placed their support behind a Texas lawsuit seeking to challenge President-elect Joe Biden's election wins in several key states Thursday. The congressional lawmakers signed an amicus brief supporting the lawsuit by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton seeking to block Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin from voting in the Electoral College. Advertisement
"The brief presents [our] concern as Members of Congress, shared by untold millions of their constituents, that the unconstitutional irregularities involved in the 2020 presidential election cast doubt upon its outcome and the integrity of the American system of elections," the lawmakers wrote.
Rep. Mike Jonson of Louisiana, the outgoing Republican study committee chairman, led the effort and other prominent members of the GOP, including Republican Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana, top Republican on the House judiciary committee Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, chairman of the conservative Freedom Caucus Rep. Andy Brigs of Arizona and Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana.
House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of California and GOP Conference Chairwoman Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming did not sign the brief.
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President Donald Trump on Wednesday joined the lawsuit, which argues changes to election procedures in the four states were unlawful and called into question Biden's victories in those states.
On Thursday, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro filed a brief in the U.S. Supreme Court opposing the Texas lawsuit.
"Its request for this Court to exercise its original jurisdiction and then anoint Texas's preferred candidate for president is an affront to principles of constitutional democracy," Shapiro, a Democrat, wrote in a tweet announcing the brief.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, also filed a brief stating the Supreme Court lacks the authority to order the state legislatures to appoint presidential electors.
"The relief that Texas seeks would undermine a foundational premise of our federalist system: the idea that the states are sovereigns, free to govern themselves," Yost's brief states. "The courts have no more business ordering the People's representatives how to choose electors than they do ordering the People themselves how to choose their dinners."


upi--2020-12-10--FDA panel recommends Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine approval

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- The Food and Drug Administration 's regulatory vaccines committee on Thursday voted to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech for emergency use authorization .
The vote by the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee does n't mean the vaccine gets immediate approval by the FDA .
That decision will be made at a future time that has yet to be announced .
If the FDA gives its full approval of an EUA , the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control must then give its OK. A CDC advisory committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FDA often follows the guidance by the the VRBPAC and officials said they plan to make their decision quickly .
The advisory committee voted 17-4 , with one abstention , in favor of the following language : '' Based on the totality of scientific evidence available , do the benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine outweigh its risks for use in individuals 16 and older ? ''
The vote concluded an hours-long tele-meeting in which more than a dozen experts discussed the results of Pfizer 's advance trial .
Emergency use authorization is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doses can be shipped to the American public .
The Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine , which in late-stage clinical trials showed to have about 95 % efficacy , has already been approved for emergency use in Britain and Canada .

A sample vial of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is seen Thursday on a desk before a Senate subcommittee hearing on transporting coronavirus vaccines in the United States, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Photo by Andrew Harnik/UPI/Pool | License Photo
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The Food and Drug Administration's regulatory vaccines committee on Thursday voted to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech for emergency use authorization. The vote by the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee doesn't mean the vaccine gets immediate approval by the FDA. That decision will be made at a future time that has yet to be announced. Advertisement
If the FDA gives its full approval of an EUA, the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control must then give its OK. A CDC advisory committee is scheduled to meet Sunday.
The FDA often follows the guidance by the the VRBPAC and officials said they plan to make their decision quickly.
The advisory committee voted 17-4, with one abstention, in favor of the following language:
"Based on the totality of scientific evidence available, do the benefits of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine outweigh its risks for use in individuals 16 and older?"
The vote concluded an hours-long tele-meeting in which more than a dozen experts discussed the results of Pfizer's advance trial.
Emergency use authorization is the final step necessary before millions of doses can be shipped to the American public.
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The Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, which in late-stage clinical trials showed to have about 95% efficacy, has already been approved for emergency use in Britain and Canada.


upi--2020-12-10--Southern Ocean upwelling fuels glacial-interglacial cycles

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- During the last million years of Earth 's history , the planet 's glaciers have regularly expanded and receded , triggering periods of dramatic climate change .
These glacial-interglacial cycles correspond with increases and decreases in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere , but nobody has been able to figure out exactly what drives the pattern .
New research , published Thursday in the journal Science , suggests changes in upwelling patterns in the Southern Ocean have a strong impact on the planet 's carbon cycle , perhaps explaining Earth 's glacial-interglacial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ layers to turn-over more rapidly , bringing cold , CO2-rich water from the ocean 's depths to the surface , where carbon can escape more readily into the atmosphere .
The process also helps bring oxygen and nutrients to the surface , fueling biological activity .
Because the Southern Ocean is connected to all of the planet 's other oceans , the Indian , Atlantic and Pacific , its overturning action works to distribute heat , nutrients , salt , oxygen and CO2 throughout .
Increasingly , researchers are becoming aware of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its influence on other other climate patterns .
`` The cause of the ice ages is one of the great unsolved problems in the geosciences , '' Daniel Sigman said in a news release .
`` Explaining this dominant climate phenomenon will improve our ability to predict future climate change , '' said Sigman , professor of geological and geophysical sciences at Princeton University .
Researchers in the 1970s revealed atmospheric CO2 levels during the ice ages were 30 percent lower on average than during interglacial periods .
Subsequent studies have suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ocean during the ice ages , but scientists have failed to settle on an explanation for such a pattern .
For the new study , researchers reconstructed a detailed record of chemical changes in the Southern Ocean by analyzing the levels of nitrogen isotopes in the fossilized shells of diatoms -- free-floating surface algae -- trapped in layers of ancient marine sediment .
Diatoms grow in great abundance in Antarctic surface waters , their shells trapping organic compounds as they grow .
When diatoms perish and sink to the bottom of the ocean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unused nitrogen that was available in the ocean at the time of their deaths .
The ancient fossils allowed researchers to compile a history of shifting nitrogen concentrations in the Southern Ocean over the past 150,000 years , spanning two ice ages and two interglacial periods .
Shifts in nitrogen levels revealed important changes in the ocean 's upwelling patterns .
`` Deep water has high concentrations of the nitrogen that algae rely on , '' said study first author Ellen Ai .
`` The more upwelling that occurs in the Antarctic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the surface water .
So our results also allowed us to reconstruct Antarctic upwelling changes , '' said Ai , a Princeton graduate student .
By comparing the geochemical signatures of ocean temperature changes found in the sediment cores to change signatures trapped in Antarctic ice cores , researchers were able to precisely date the sediment layers from which the diatom fossils were derived .
`` This allowed us to connect many features in the diatom nitrogen record to coincident climate and ocean changes from across the globe , '' said co-author Alfredo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are now able to pin down the timing of upwelling decline , when climate starts to cool , as well as to connect upwelling changes in the Antarctic with the fast climate oscillations during ice ages , '' said Martínez-García , a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Germany .
The combination of precisely calibrated timelines -- for both ocean chemical and climate changes -- allowed scientists to link wind pattern shifts with changes in the Southern Ocean 's upwelling pattern , changes that altered the planet 's carbon cycle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atmospheric CO2 change was central to the cycles , but not always in the way that many of us had assumed , '' said Daniel Sigman , study co-author and Princeton professor .
`` For example , rather than accelerating the descent into the ice ages , Antarctic upwelling caused CO2 changes that prolonged the warmest climates . ''
Researchers expect their findings to improve models designed to anticipate global warming 's impact on the Southern Ocean and Antarctic climate .
`` The new findings suggest that the atmosphere and ocean around Antarctica @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Ai .
`` However , because the CO2 from fossil fuel burning is unique to the current times , more work is needed to understand how Antarctic Ocean changes will affect the rate at which the ocean absorbs this CO2 . ''

Researchers say changes in upwelling patterns in the Southern Ocean have a strong impact on the planet's carbon cycle, perhaps explaining Earth's glacial-interglacial cycles. File Photo by Reeve Jolliffe /Flickr/NASA
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- During the last million years of Earth's history, the planet's glaciers have regularly expanded and receded, triggering periods of dramatic climate change. These glacial-interglacial cycles correspond with increases and decreases in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but nobody has been able to figure out exactly what drives the pattern. Advertisement
New research, published Thursday in the journal Science, suggests changes in upwelling patterns in the Southern Ocean have a strong impact on the planet's carbon cycle, perhaps explaining Earth's glacial-interglacial cycles.
Wind-driven upwelling causes the ocean layers to turn-over more rapidly, bringing cold, CO2-rich water from the ocean's depths to the surface, where carbon can escape more readily into the atmosphere. The process also helps bring oxygen and nutrients to the surface, fueling biological activity.
Because the Southern Ocean is connected to all of the planet's other oceans, the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific, its overturning action works to distribute heat, nutrients, salt, oxygen and CO2 throughout.
Advertisement
Increasingly, researchers are becoming aware of the system's sensitivity to changes in wind and its influence on other other climate patterns.
"The cause of the ice ages is one of the great unsolved problems in the geosciences," Daniel Sigman said in a news release.
"Explaining this dominant climate phenomenon will improve our ability to predict future climate change," said Sigman, professor of geological and geophysical sciences at Princeton University.
Researchers in the 1970s revealed atmospheric CO2 levels during the ice ages were 30 percent lower on average than during interglacial periods.
Subsequent studies have suggested excess carbon remained trapped in the deep ocean during the ice ages, but scientists have failed to settle on an explanation for such a pattern.
For the new study, researchers reconstructed a detailed record of chemical changes in the Southern Ocean by analyzing the levels of nitrogen isotopes in the fossilized shells of diatoms -- free-floating surface algae -- trapped in layers of ancient marine sediment.
Diatoms grow in great abundance in Antarctic surface waters, their shells trapping organic compounds as they grow. When diatoms perish and sink to the bottom of the ocean, their shells carry a signature of the unused nitrogen that was available in the ocean at the time of their deaths.
Advertisement
The ancient fossils allowed researchers to compile a history of shifting nitrogen concentrations in the Southern Ocean over the past 150,000 years, spanning two ice ages and two interglacial periods.
Shifts in nitrogen levels revealed important changes in the ocean's upwelling patterns.
"Deep water has high concentrations of the nitrogen that algae rely on," said study first author Ellen Ai.
"The more upwelling that occurs in the Antarctic, the higher the nitrogen concentration in the surface water. So our results also allowed us to reconstruct Antarctic upwelling changes," said Ai, a Princeton graduate student.
By comparing the geochemical signatures of ocean temperature changes found in the sediment cores to change signatures trapped in Antarctic ice cores, researchers were able to precisely date the sediment layers from which the diatom fossils were derived.
"This allowed us to connect many features in the diatom nitrogen record to coincident climate and ocean changes from across the globe," said co-author Alfredo Martínez-García.
"In particular, we are now able to pin down the timing of upwelling decline, when climate starts to cool, as well as to connect upwelling changes in the Antarctic with the fast climate oscillations during ice ages," said Martínez-García, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Germany.
Advertisement
The combination of precisely calibrated timelines -- for both ocean chemical and climate changes -- allowed scientists to link wind pattern shifts with changes in the Southern Ocean's upwelling pattern, changes that altered the planet's carbon cycle.
"Our findings show that upwelling-driven atmospheric CO2 change was central to the cycles, but not always in the way that many of us had assumed," said Daniel Sigman, study co-author and Princeton professor. "For example, rather than accelerating the descent into the ice ages, Antarctic upwelling caused CO2 changes that prolonged the warmest climates."
Researchers expect their findings to improve models designed to anticipate global warming's impact on the Southern Ocean and Antarctic climate.
"The new findings suggest that the atmosphere and ocean around Antarctica will change greatly in the coming century," said Ai. "However, because the CO2 from fossil fuel burning is unique to the current times, more work is needed to understand how Antarctic Ocean changes will affect the rate at which the ocean absorbs this CO2."


upi--2020-12-10--SCOTUS rules military rape convictions have no statute of limitations

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling Thursday that upheld the rape convictions of three male Air Force members , reversing a ruling from the military 's top court .
In an 8-0 decision on U.S. v. Briggs , the Supreme Court ruled that a five-year statute of limitations does not apply to military rape prosecutions and convictions from between the years of 1986 and 2006 .
In 2014 , Lt. Col. Michael Briggs was sentenced for the 2005 rape of a female service member , but in 2018 , the Court of Appeals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ruled that a five-year statute of limitations applied to military rape prosecutions .
Briggs ' conviction was subsequently dismissed , along with those of two other airmen , Lt. Col. Humphrey Daniels , convicted in a 1998 rape of a civilian , and Master Sgt .
Collins , convicted of a 2000 rape of another service member .
Before 1996 , the Uniform Code of Military Justice considered rape a capital offense and had no time limit for prosecuting it .
The CAAF established the five-year limit in 1998 and kept it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to abolish it .
`` Among other things , the government argues that a rape committed by a service member may cause special damage by critically undermining unit cohesion and discipline and that , in some circumstances , the crime may have serious international implications .
That also appears to have been the view of Congress and the executive , '' Justice Samuel Alito wrote .

The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that a five-year statute of limitations does not apply to military rape prosecutions and convictions from between the years of 1986 and 2006. File Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling Thursday that upheld the rape convictions of three male Air Force members, reversing a ruling from the military's top court. In an 8-0 decision on U.S. v. Briggs, the Supreme Court ruled that a five-year statute of limitations does not apply to military rape prosecutions and convictions from between the years of 1986 and 2006. Advertisement
In 2014, Lt. Col. Michael Briggs was sentenced for the 2005 rape of a female service member, but in 2018, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, or CAAF, ruled that a five-year statute of limitations applied to military rape prosecutions.
Briggs' conviction was subsequently dismissed, along with those of two other airmen, Lt. Col. Humphrey Daniels, convicted in a 1998 rape of a civilian, and Master Sgt. Collins, convicted of a 2000 rape of another service member.
Before 1996, the Uniform Code of Military Justice considered rape a capital offense and had no time limit for prosecuting it.
The CAAF established the five-year limit in 1998 and kept it in place until 2006 when Congress moved to abolish it.
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"Among other things, the government argues that a rape committed by a service member may cause special damage by critically undermining unit cohesion and discipline and that, in some circumstances, the crime may have serious international implications. That also appears to have been the view of Congress and the executive," Justice Samuel Alito wrote.


upi--2020-12-10--Ben & Jerry's partners with Colin Kaepernick for 'Change the Whirled' flavor

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- Ice cream maker Ben & Jerry 's announced the release of a new ice cream flavor in collaboration with activist and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick on Thursday .
The flavor called `` Change the Whirled '' is a non-dairy frozen dessert with fudge chips , graham cracker swirls and chocolate cookie swirls , with Kaepernick 's portion of the proceeds going to the Know Your Rights Camp , the company announced .
`` We 're proud to be working with a dedicated activist like Colin Kaepernick , whose work helped spark the international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Jerry 's said .
Kaepernick also tweeted about the collaboration saying the goal was to `` serve up joy on the journey to justice ! ''
Know Your Rights Camp hosts free camps in the United States and other places throughout the world that seek `` to engage Black and Brown youth around social justice issues through education and self-empowerment . ''
Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since the 2016 season after he chose to protest racial injustice and police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Nike , appeared in EA Sport 's Madden NFL 21 , and signed a deal with Disney and ESPN films for an exclusive documentary series about his football career and racial activism .

Ben & Jerry's announced a partnership with activist and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick on a new flavor called "Change the Whirled" with proceeds benefitting Know Your Rights Camp. Photo by Ben & Jerry's
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's announced the release of a new ice cream flavor in collaboration with activist and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick on Thursday. The flavor called "Change the Whirled" is a non-dairy frozen dessert with fudge chips, graham cracker swirls and chocolate cookie swirls, with Kaepernick's portion of the proceeds going to the Know Your Rights Camp, the company announced. Advertisement
"We're proud to be working with a dedicated activist like Colin Kaepernick, whose work helped spark the international conversation around racial justice," Ben & Jerry's said.
Kaepernick also tweeted about the collaboration saying the goal was to "serve up joy on the journey to justice!"
Know Your Rights Camp hosts free camps in the United States and other places throughout the world that seek "to engage Black and Brown youth around social justice issues through education and self-empowerment."
Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since the 2016 season after he chose to protest racial injustice and police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem.
In the following years he led an ad campaign for Nike, appeared in EA Sport's Madden NFL 21, and signed a deal with Disney and ESPN films for an exclusive documentary series about his football career and racial activism.


upi--2020-12-10--NATO Operation Sea Guardian wraps last security patrol of 2020

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- NATO announced Thursday that Operation Sea Guardian has wrapped its last focused security patrol of this calendar year .
During the patrol , Sea Guardian ships paid port visits to Alexandria , Egypt , and Haifa , Israel , and trained with the Israeli navy in the eastern Mediterranean Sea .
Sea Guardian and Israeli Navy personnel practiced search and rescue and medical evacuation support to ensure health emergencies aboard military ships can be addressed quickly .
Sea Guardian uses NATO maritime assets to help provide an accurate maritime picture to the alliance 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with partners .
Sea Guardian carries out six focused operations every year which take place in a designated area in the Mediterranean .
Eleven NATO allies provided assets to either participate in or support Operation Sea Guardian this year , and aerial support was also provided by NATO AWACS aircraft .
The operation 's current flagship is the Hellenic Navy 's HS Spetsai .
The latest patrol also included the Bulgarian frigate Smeli , the British Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel Trent , as well as submarines from Greece and Turkey .

The Hellenic Navy’s HS Spetsai is the flagship of NATO's Operation Sea Guardian, which wrapped its last focused security patrol this week. Photo courtesy of NATO
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- NATO announced Thursday that Operation Sea Guardian has wrapped its last focused security patrol of this calendar year. During the patrol, Sea Guardian ships paid port visits to Alexandria, Egypt, and Haifa, Israel, and trained with the Israeli navy in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Advertisement
Sea Guardian and Israeli Navy personnel practiced search and rescue and medical evacuation support to ensure health emergencies aboard military ships can be addressed quickly.
Sea Guardian uses NATO maritime assets to help provide an accurate maritime picture to the alliance's commands, and enforces counter-terrorism measures while working with partners.
Sea Guardian carries out six focused operations every year which take place in a designated area in the Mediterranean.
Eleven NATO allies provided assets to either participate in or support Operation Sea Guardian this year, and aerial support was also provided by NATO AWACS aircraft.
The operation's current flagship is the Hellenic Navy's HS Spetsai.
The latest patrol also included the Bulgarian frigate Smeli, the British Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel Trent, as well as submarines from Greece and Turkey.


upi--2020-12-10--Emma Stone teams with Nathan Fielder, Safdie brothers for Showtime comedy

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- Showtime announced Thursday it has ordered the series The Curse .
The half-hour comedy stars Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder , who co-created the show with Bennie Safdie .
The show is about a newlywed couple trying to conceive and star on an HGTV show .
The curse makes both endeavors difficult for them .
Safdie is also the co-director of Uncut Gems along with his brother Josh , who also executive produces The Curse .
Bennie Safdie will also co-star on the show .
Stone will also executive produce with her company Fruit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created and starred on Nathan For You and currently produces the HBO docuseries How To with John Wilson .
Before The Curse makes it to Showtime , Fruit Tree will launch a TV series based on Stacy Willignham 's book The Shadows .
They are developing the Jesse Eisenberg directed When You Finish Saving the World with A24 .
Showtime Executive Vice President of Scripted Programming Amy Israel praised the collaboration in a statement .
`` The fierce intelligence and wit of the incomparable Emma Stone make her the perfect partner with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the subversive comedy of Nathan Fielder , '' said Israel .
`` Together , they promise to deliver a groundbreaking satire that is both unexpected and deeply human . ''

Emma Stone will star in and executive produce the Showtime comedy "The Curse." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Showtime announced Thursday it has ordered the series The Curse. The half-hour comedy stars Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder, who co-created the show with Bennie Safdie. The show is about a newlywed couple trying to conceive and star on an HGTV show. The curse makes both endeavors difficult for them. Advertisement
Safdie is also the co-director of Uncut Gems along with his brother Josh, who also executive produces The Curse. Bennie Safdie will also co-star on the show.
Stone will also executive produce with her company Fruit Tree, as will Fielder. Fielder created and starred on Nathan For You and currently produces the HBO docuseries How To with John Wilson.
Before The Curse makes it to Showtime, Fruit Tree will launch a TV series based on Stacy Willignham's book The Shadows. They are developing the Jesse Eisenberg directed When You Finish Saving the World with A24.
Showtime Executive Vice President of Scripted Programming Amy Israel praised the collaboration in a statement.
"The fierce intelligence and wit of the incomparable Emma Stone make her the perfect partner with the ingenious minds of the Safdie brothers and the subversive comedy of Nathan Fielder," said Israel. "Together, they promise to deliver a groundbreaking satire that is both unexpected and deeply human."


upi--2020-12-10--Search for lizard food leads to $200,000 lottery prize

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- A Virginia couple said their pet lizard 's appetite turned out to be lucky @ @ @ @ @ snack led to a $ 200,000 lottery jackpot .
Charlene Goad of Bassett told Virginia @ @ @ @ @ husband went out on an errand to find some worms for their pet lizard , @ @ @ @ @ went into the first store they tried to find the reptile 's preferred snack food @ @ @ @ @ discovered the store , Fas Mart in Bassett , was out of worms , but @ @ @ @ @ Jewel 7s scratch-off lottery tickets .
`` He said the green seven just kept popping @ @ @ @ @ Goad recalled .
The man brought the tickets back to the car , where Goad @ @ @ @ @ drove .
Goad said she was shocked to scratch off a $ 200,000 top prize @ @ @ @ @ 'It 's not real !
I do n't believe it , ' '' she said @ @ @ @ @ plan to use their winnings to pay off their mortgage .

Charlene Goad said her husband went into a store in Bassett, Va., to buy worms for the couple's pet lizard, but instead came out with a scratch-off lottery ticket worth $200,000. Photo courtesy of the Virginia Lottery
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Dec. 10 (UPI) -- A Virginia couple said their pet lizard's appetite turned out to be lucky when the search for a snack led to a $200,000 lottery jackpot. Charlene Goad of Bassett told Virginia Lottery officials she and her husband went out on an errand to find some worms for their pet lizard, George, and her husband went into the first store they tried to find the reptile's preferred snack food. Advertisement
Goad said her husband discovered the store, Fas Mart in Bassett, was out of worms, but he decided to buy four Jewel 7s scratch-off lottery tickets.
"He said the green seven just kept popping out at him," Goad recalled.
The man brought the tickets back to the car, where Goad scratched them while her husband drove.
Goad said she was shocked to scratch off a $200,000 top prize.
"I said, 'It's not real! I don't believe it,'" she said.
The couple said they plan to use their winnings to pay off their mortgage.


upi--2020-12-10--Airbnb surges 115% in first day of trading

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- Airbnb shares surged in its trading debut to $ 146 each , 115 % above initial public offering price of $ 68 .
The first-day price gain from its IPO ranks Airbnb as the No .
10 best debut in 2020 , CNBC reported .
At $ 146 per share on its first day of trading Thursday , the market capitalization for the home rental operator rose to $ 87 billion beating the market cap of competitors .
By comparison , Booking , had a valuation of more than $ 86 billion and competitor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 18 billion , and Delta Air Lines had a market value of about $ 30 billion .
Airbnb 's market also surpassed Marriott and Hilton hotels , with market caps of $ 42 billion and $ 29 billion , respectively .
`` Now that people are coming to Airbnb , they do n't necessarily have a destination in mind or dates , because they 're flexible .
We 're all obviously on Zoom , and so people are saying , ' I want to go anywhere 300 miles around me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky told CNBC ahead of the IPO .
`` Now we 're going to be getting a little bit more into the game of inspiration and matching people to the perfect home experience for them . ''
On Wednesday , food delivery service DoorDash stock soared 85 % in its market debut .
Airbnb 's performance led to comparisons with the first internet bubble that peaked more than two decades ago , but a San Francisco data analytics group , Snowflake , may be 2020 's biggest IPO success as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion this week , Financial Times reported .
`` Even though [ Airbnb had ] obviously been hurt by the pandemic , as has all travel , it stands to really get most of the early tail winds as people start coming out of hiding , '' Max Gokhman , head of asset allocation at Pacific Life Fund Advisors told Financial Times .

The Airbnb logo is displayed outside at the Nasdaq Exchange in Times Square in New York City. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Airbnb shares surged in its trading debut to $146 each, 115% above initial public offering price of $68. The first-day price gain from its IPO ranks Airbnb as the No. 10 best debut in 2020, CNBC reported. Advertisement
At $146 per share on its first day of trading Thursday, the market capitalization for the home rental operator rose to $87 billion beating the market cap of competitors.
By comparison, Booking, had a valuation of more than $86 billion and competitor Expedia had a market cap of more than $18 billion, and Delta Air Lines had a market value of about $30 billion. Airbnb's market also surpassed Marriott and Hilton hotels, with market caps of $42 billion and $29 billion, respectively.
"Now that people are coming to Airbnb, they don't necessarily have a destination in mind or dates, because they're flexible. We're all obviously on Zoom, and so people are saying, 'I want to go anywhere 300 miles around me, what can you show me," Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky told CNBC ahead of the IPO. "Now we're going to be getting a little bit more into the game of inspiration and matching people to the perfect home experience for them."
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On Wednesday, food delivery service DoorDash stock soared 85% in its market debut.
Airbnb's performance led to comparisons with the first internet bubble that peaked more than two decades ago, but a San Francisco data analytics group, Snowflake, may be 2020's biggest IPO success as its stock market value surpassed $120 billion this week, Financial Times reported.
"Even though [Airbnb had] obviously been hurt by the pandemic, as has all travel, it stands to really get most of the early tail winds as people start coming out of hiding," Max Gokhman, head of asset allocation at Pacific Life Fund Advisors told Financial Times.


upi--2020-12-10--Message in a bottle travels 2,000 miles from Canada to Scotland

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- A Scottish couple said they were shocked when a plastic bottle their dog found at the beach turned out to be a message in a bottle that traveled 2,000 miles from Canada .
Sharon and Michael Cox said they were walking on Traigh Eais beach , on the Isle of Barra , when their dog , Louie , grabbed a plastic bottle out of the surf .
The couple opened the bottle and discovered a handwritten note that was dropped into the ocean off the coast of Newfoundland , Canada .
The message reads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kaya and my uncle Curt is writing this letter hoping that someone will pick it up and see how far it will travel .
This is the latitude and longitude where he will drop this bottle from a fishing boat .
I live in a small community named Reefs Harbour on the norther peninsula of Newfoundland , Canada . ''
The couple said Kayla 's family got in touch after seeing their post about the discovery on social media .
`` The young lady 's grandma , who is a community nurse in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me , '' Sharon Cox told the Press and Journal .
`` She thanked me for sharing the post and told me how Kaya is very excited to know I found the letter . ''
`` We shall be writing to the address given on the back of the letter and putting together a wee gift box from Barra , enclosing some notes from Barra schoolchildren to send to Kaya , '' Cox said .

Sharon and Michael Cox said they were walking on Traigh Eais beach in Scotland when their dog picked up a bottle that turned out to contain a message revealing it had been tossed into the water 2,000 miles away in Canada. Photo by ariesa66/Pixabay.com
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Dec. 10 (UPI) -- A Scottish couple said they were shocked when a plastic bottle their dog found at the beach turned out to be a message in a bottle that traveled 2,000 miles from Canada. Sharon and Michael Cox said they were walking on Traigh Eais beach, on the Isle of Barra, when their dog, Louie, grabbed a plastic bottle out of the surf. Advertisement
The couple opened the bottle and discovered a handwritten note that was dropped into the ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.
The message reads: "Hi, my name is Kaya and my uncle Curt is writing this letter hoping that someone will pick it up and see how far it will travel. This is the latitude and longitude where he will drop this bottle from a fishing boat. I live in a small community named Reefs Harbour on the norther peninsula of Newfoundland, Canada."
The couple said Kayla's family got in touch after seeing their post about the discovery on social media.
"The young lady's grandma, who is a community nurse in the area of Reefs Harbour, contacted me," Sharon Cox told the Press and Journal. "She thanked me for sharing the post and told me how Kaya is very excited to know I found the letter."
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"We shall be writing to the address given on the back of the letter and putting together a wee gift box from Barra, enclosing some notes from Barra schoolchildren to send to Kaya," Cox said.


upi--2020-12-10--Groups call for end of 'politically motivated' executions in D.C. protest

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- A group of demonstrators descended upon the Department of Justice in Washington , D.C. , on Thursday , to protest the U.S. government 's resumption of federal execution after a 17-year hiatus .
The demonstration came hours before the scheduled execution of Brandon Bernard , 40 , for the 1999 deaths of a married couple in Texas .
He is awaiting a ruling from the Supreme Court on his application for a stay .
Death Penalty Action , an anti-death penalty group , organized the midday demonstration , along with two others scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's execution later in the day .
The protesters called for President Donald Trump to halt the five federal executions scheduled to take place during the last weeks of his term .
They 've also called for him to grant clemency to Bernard .
`` Now it really is up to the President , '' DPA Director Abraham Bonowitz said in a release announcing the protests .
`` His remaining handlers are loyalists who do n't want him to have to deal with something he does n't like .
The clemency recommendation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him and calling on him to do the right thing .
The world is watching . ''
Allison Cohen , a spokeswoman for DPA , said up to 20 people attended Thursday 's demonstration , with participation by Vote Common Good , Red Letter Christians , Pax Christie USA and the Franciscan Action Network , among others .
Clergy members and family members of murder victims also were in attendance .
The U.S. Justice Department began carrying out the executions of federal death row inmates in July after a 17-year hiatus on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that of Gulf War veteran Louis Jones Jr. in March 2003 for the rape and murder of a fellow soldier , Pvt .
Tracie McBride in 1995 .
Jones ' was the third federal execution in 40 years .
In 2014 , former President Barack Obama ordered then-Attorney General Eric Holder to review the use of the death penalty in the United States , effectively implementing a moratorium on executions .
Since July , the Justice Department has executed eight inmates : Daniel Lewis Lee , Wesley Purkey and Dustin Honken in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in August ; William LeCroy and Christopher Vialva in September ; and Orlando Hall in November .
Another five have been scheduled before President-elect Joe Biden 's inauguration : Bernard on Thursday , Alfred Bourgeois on Friday , Lisa Montgomery on Jan. 12 , Corey Johnson on Jan. 14 and Dustin Higgs on Jan. 15 .
Hall 's November execution was the first to happen during the transition of a presidency since 1880 under the administration of President Grover Cleveland .
`` It 's crazy that we are executing our federal death row @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cohen said .
She also noted that if all remaining executions go forward , Trump will have executed more federal death row inmates than any other president since Dwight Eisenhower in the 1950s .
The Eisenhower administration executed 10 federal inmates -- including the Rosenbergs , who were convicted of espionage -- over the course of his eight-year presidency .
`` This is politically motivated and it 's ugly , '' Cohen said .
DPA 's evening vigils are scheduled to begin around 5:30 p.m. EST in the Black Lives Matter Plaza in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute , Ind.
, the location of Bernard 's execution .

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Demonstrators with Death Penalty Action participate in a protest against the death penalty at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- A group of demonstrators descended upon the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, to protest the U.S. government's resumption of federal execution after a 17-year hiatus. The demonstration came hours before the scheduled execution of Brandon Bernard, 40, for the 1999 deaths of a married couple in Texas. He is awaiting a ruling from the Supreme Court on his application for a stay. Advertisement
Death Penalty Action, an anti-death penalty group, organized the midday demonstration, along with two others scheduled to take place around the time of Bernard's execution later in the day.
The protesters called for President Donald Trump to halt the five federal executions scheduled to take place during the last weeks of his term. They've also called for him to grant clemency to Bernard.
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"Now it really is up to the President," DPA Director Abraham Bonowitz said in a release announcing the protests. "His remaining handlers are loyalists who don't want him to have to deal with something he doesn't like. The clemency recommendation is creating a storm of people tweeting at him and calling on him to do the right thing. The world is watching."
Allison Cohen, a spokeswoman for DPA, said up to 20 people attended Thursday's demonstration, with participation by Vote Common Good, Red Letter Christians, Pax Christie USA and the Franciscan Action Network, among others. Clergy members and family members of murder victims also were in attendance.
The U.S. Justice Department began carrying out the executions of federal death row inmates in July after a 17-year hiatus on the practice.
The previous federal execution was that of Gulf War veteran Louis Jones Jr. in March 2003 for the rape and murder of a fellow soldier, Pvt. Tracie McBride in 1995.
Jones' was the third federal execution in 40 years. In 2014, former President Barack Obama ordered then-Attorney General Eric Holder to review the use of the death penalty in the United States, effectively implementing a moratorium on executions.
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Since July, the Justice Department has executed eight inmates: Daniel Lewis Lee, Wesley Purkey and Dustin Honken in July; Lezmond Mitchell and Keith Dwayne Nelson in August; William LeCroy and Christopher Vialva in September; and Orlando Hall in November.
Another five have been scheduled before President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration: Bernard on Thursday, Alfred Bourgeois on Friday, Lisa Montgomery on Jan. 12, Corey Johnson on Jan. 14 and Dustin Higgs on Jan. 15.
Hall's November execution was the first to happen during the transition of a presidency since 1880 under the administration of President Grover Cleveland.
"It's crazy that we are executing our federal death row prisoners during the lame-duck session," Cohen said.
She also noted that if all remaining executions go forward, Trump will have executed more federal death row inmates than any other president since Dwight Eisenhower in the 1950s.
The Eisenhower administration executed 10 federal inmates -- including the Rosenbergs, who were convicted of espionage -- over the course of his eight-year presidency.
"This is politically motivated and it's ugly," Cohen said.
DPA's evening vigils are scheduled to begin around 5:30 p.m. EST in the Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C., and near the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Ind., the location of Bernard's execution.


upi--2020-12-10--U.S. airstrikes in Somalia kill 8 al-Shabaab-linked weapons experts

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- U.S. Africa Command conducted two airstrikes in Somalia Thursday that killed eight , officials said .
According to AFRICOM , the airstrikes were coordinated with Somalia 's federal government and targeted al-Shabaab explosives experts .
Eight people are said to have died in the strikes , all of whom the U.S. government identified as terrorists `` known to play important roles in producing explosives for al-Shabaab , to include vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices '' known to target civilians .
AFRICOM said its current assessment is that no civilians were hurt or killed .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the al-Shabaab network .
They continue to undermine Somali security , and need to be contained and degraded , '' U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend , commander of U.S. Africa Command , said in a press release .
Al-Shabaab is said to conduct dozens of VBIED attacks annually across central and southern Somalia , including against civilian , government and U.S. targets .
Since 2018 the group has conducted about 45 VBIED attacks in Mogadishu alone .
AFRICOM said these attacks have resulted in the deaths of more than 400 civilians , security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strike should demonstrate to any enemy that we stand by our partners and will vigorously defend both ourselves and our partners during this repositioning and future operations , '' said Maj. Gen. Dagvin Anderson , Joint Task Force-Quartz commander .
`` We will continue to maintain strong force protection and strike those who seek to harm us or our partners , '' Anderson said .
In February , AFRICOM announced it was shifting its strategy to focus on containing al-Qaida and Islamic State affiliates and other militant groups .
Later that month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ al-Shabab leader suspected of being involved in an attack in Kenya that killed a U.S. service member .
In July , the United States conducted an airstrike in Somalia that killed seven ISIS militants .
But earlier this month , the Trump administration ordered most U.S. troops out of Somalia , which a Defense Department watchdog warned last month could damage gains the country has made against al-Shabab .

Dec. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. Africa Command conducted two airstrikes in Somalia Thursday that killed eight, officials said.
According to AFRICOM, the airstrikes were coordinated with Somalia's federal government and targeted al-Shabab explosives experts.
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Eight people are said to have died in the strikes, all of whom the U.S. government identified as terrorists "known to play important roles in producing explosives for al-Shabab, to include vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices" known to target civilians.
AFRICOM said its current assessment is that no civilians were hurt or killed.
"We will continue to apply pressure to the al-Shabaab network. They continue to undermine Somali security, and need to be contained and degraded," U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command, said in a press release.
Al-Shabab is said to conduct dozens of VBIED attacks annually across central and southern Somalia, including against civilian, government and U.S. targets. Since 2018 the group has conducted about 45 VBIED attacks in Mogadishu alone.
AFRICOM said these attacks have resulted in the deaths of more than 400 civilians, security forces and government officials.
"This strike should demonstrate to any enemy that we stand by our partners and will vigorously defend both ourselves and our partners during this repositioning and future operations," said Maj. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Joint Task Force-Quartz commander.
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"We will continue to maintain strong force protection and strike those who seek to harm us or our partners," Anderson said.
In February, AFRICOM announced it was shifting its strategy to focus on containing al-Qaida and Islamic State affiliates and other militant groups.
Later that month, a U.S. airstrike in Somalia killed an al-Shabab leader suspected of being involved in an attack in Kenya that killed a U.S. service member.
In July, the United States conducted an airstrike in Somalia that killed seven Islamic State militants.
But earlier this month, the Trump administration ordered most U.S. troops out of Somalia, which a Defense Department watchdog warned last month could damage gains the country has made against al-Shabab.


upi--2020-12-10--Watch: Portable toilets 'sing' Christmas carols in festive display

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- An Indiana portable toilet company shared a festive video of what it calls `` @ @ @ @ @ most animated faces on a single holiday light display . ''
Service Sanitation posted a @ @ @ @ @ portable toilets adorned with animated faces `` singing '' the song `` Hallelujah . ''
@ @ @ @ @ officially set a world record for the most animated faces on a single holiday light @ @ @ @ @ reads .
Steve Dykstra , director of marketing for the company , clarified the feat @ @ @ @ @ World Record , but the company considers it to be a world record because they @ @ @ @ @ videos online to dispute the claim .
A Guinness representative said the record-keeping organization does @ @ @ @ @ faces in holiday light displays .

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Dec. 10 (UPI) -- An Indiana portable toilet company shared a festive video of what it calls " a world record for the most animated faces on a single holiday light display."
Service Sanitation posted a video to Facebook showing 32 portable toilets adorned with animated faces "singing" the song "Hallelujah."
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"The Jingle Johns have officially set a world record for the most animated faces on a single holiday light display," the post reads.
Steve Dykstra, director of marketing for the company, clarified the feat was not an official Guinness World Record, but the company considers it to be a world record because they could not find any other videos online to dispute the claim.
A Guinness representative said the record-keeping organization does not monitor records involving animated faces in holiday light displays.


upi--2020-12-10--Julia robets and Reese Witherspoon team up for Apple TV+ series

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- Apple TV+ announced it has ordered a series based on Laura Dave 's upcoming book The Last Thing He Told Me .
Julia Roberts will star and executive produce .
Reese Witherspoon 's company , Hello Sunshine , also produces the series and optioned Dave 's book , which is due out on May 4 .
Hello Sunshine also produces The Morning Show for Apple and Little Fires Everywhere for Hulu .
Roberts will play a stepmother whose husband mysteriously disappears .
She will bond with her 16-year-old stepdaughter as she seeks to uncover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Last Thing He Told Me will be Roberts ' second streaming series .
The Oscar-winning Erin Brockovich actor starred on the first season of Amazon 's Homecoming , but did not return for the second season .
Dave and her husband Josh Singer , executive producer of Spotlight and First Man , co-created the adaptation of Dave 's book .
Apple TV+ launched on Nov. 1 , 2019 with originals The Morning Show , For All Mankind , See and Dickinson .
Other Apple originals include Central Park , Truth Be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dark and Mythic Quest .

Julia Roberts will return to streaming television for the Apple TV+ series "The Last Thing He Told Me." File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Apple TV+ announced it has ordered a series based on Laura Dave's upcoming book The Last Thing He Told Me. Julia Roberts will star and executive produce. Reese Witherspoon's company, Hello Sunshine, also produces the series and optioned Dave's book, which is due out on May 4. Hello Sunshine also produces The Morning Show for Apple and Little Fires Everywhere for Hulu. Advertisement
Roberts will play a stepmother whose husband mysteriously disappears. She will bond with her 16-year-old stepdaughter as she seeks to uncover the truth about her husband's disappearance.
The Last Thing He Told Me will be Roberts' second streaming series. The Oscar-winning Erin Brockovich actor starred on the first season of Amazon's Homecoming, but did not return for the second season.
Dave and her husband Josh Singer, executive producer of Spotlight and First Man, co-created the adaptation of Dave's book.
Apple TV+ launched on Nov. 1, 2019 with originals The Morning Show, For All Mankind, See and Dickinson. Other Apple originals include Central Park, Truth Be Told, Defending Jacob, Home Before Dark and Mythic Quest.


upi--2020-12-11--Watch live: SpaceX to launch satellite for SiriusXM from Florida

ORLANDO , Fla. , Dec. 11 ( UPI ) -- SpaceX plans to launch a radio communications satellite for SiriusXM on Friday from Florida .
Liftoff of a Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled for 11:21 a.m. from Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station , with an opportunity to launch extending for two hours in case of delays .
The satellite , SXM-7 , will aid delivery of SiriusXM 's entertainment and data services to more than 100 million subscribers in North America , according to the company .
Weather for the launch looks good , with only a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force a postponement by 24 hours , according to a U.S. Space Force forecast .
The satellite includes a large antenna and solar arrays , weighing in total over 15,400 pounds .
Built by Maxar Technologies in Palo Alto , Calif. , it is designed to provide service for 15 years or longer .
SiriusXM comes installed in new vehicles from every major automaker in the United States and is available in nearly half of the preowned vehicles for sale in the country , according to the company .
SiriusXM and its streaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people per month , the company said .
Maxar has built all seven of SiriusXM 's satellites , including the first spacecraft that were launched in 2000 .

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An artist's concept shows Sirius XM's latest broadcasting satellite, SXM-7, in space with extended solar arrays and broadcast antenna. Image courtesy of Sirius XM
ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 11 (UPI) -- SpaceX scrubbed the launch of a radio communications satellite for SiriusXM less than a minute from liftoff Friday from Florida. The company didn't say immediately what caused the halt, which occurred 30 seconds before the Falcon 9 rocket was to lift off at 12:55 p.m. EST from Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Another attempt is expected Sunday morning. Advertisement
SpaceX had moved the launch time back on Friday at least twice and engineers had been monitoring high-altitude winds for potential problems.
The satellite, SXM-7, is to aid delivery of SiriusXM's entertainment and data services to more than 100 million subscribers in North America, according to the company.
"Following ... the launch, the [satellite] will join five other satellites in SiriusXM's active satellite fleet," Kate Tice, a SpaceX senior engineer, said during a live broadcast. "After joining the fleet, there's an expectation that it will replace the XM-3 satellite."
The XM-3 was launched in March 2005.
The launch is to be the 25th SpaceX launch of 2020 and the seventh launch for the reusable first-stage booster.
The satellite includes a large antenna and solar arrays that span 100 feet when unfurled, weighing in total more than 15,400 pounds. Built by Maxar Technologies in Palo Alto, Calif., it is designed to provide service for 15 years or longer.
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SiriusXM comes installed in new vehicles from every major automaker in the United States and is available in nearly half of the preowned vehicles for sale in the country, according to the company.
SiriusXM and its streaming app, Pandora, reach 150 million people per month, the company said.
Maxar has built all seven of SiriusXM's satellites, including the first spacecraft that were launched in 2000.
NASA, SpaceX complete historic first mission to space station


upi--2020-12-11--FX renews 'Always Sunny;' orders Jeff Bridges drama

Dec. 11 ( UPI ) -- FX has announced it ordered four more seasons of its sitcom , It 's Always Sunny in Philadelphia .
The show is about Philly bar owners Mac ( Rob McElhenney ) , Dennis ( Glenn Howerton ) , Charlie ( Charlie Day ) , Dee ( Kaitlin Olson ) and Frank ( Danny DeVito ) .
Season 15 is slated to premiere in 2021 , setting the record for the longest-running , live-action comedy series in television history , bypassing The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet , which ran for 14 seasons .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw it as a 36-season arc .
We are so excited to be halfway there , '' creator Rob McElhenney said in a press release Thursday .
FX is also developing a show based on the Alien film franchise , a CIA drama starring Jeff Bridges called The Old Man , an anthology series from B.J .
Novak titled The Platform and a half-hour comedy from filmmaker Taiki Waititi about Native American teens called Reservoir Dogs .
An American Horror Story spinoff called American Horror Stories , the comic-book adaptation Y : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James Clavell 's epic Shogun are also in the works .

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"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" -- starring Kaitlin Olson (L) and Rob McElhenney -- has been renewed for four more seasons. File Photo by Phil McCarten/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 11 (UPI) -- FX has announced it ordered four more seasons of its sitcom, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The show is about Philly bar owners Mac (Rob McElhenney), Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Charlie (Charlie Day), Dee (Kaitlin Olson) and Frank (Danny DeVito). Advertisement
Season 15 is slated to premiere in 2021, setting the record for the longest-running, live-action comedy series in television history, bypassing The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet, which ran for 14 seasons.
"When we first pitched Sunny, we saw it as a 36-season arc. We are so excited to be halfway there," creator Rob McElhenney said in a press release Thursday.
FX is also developing a show based on the Alien film franchise, a CIA drama starring Jeff Bridges called The Old Man, an anthology series from B.J. Novak titled The Platform and a half-hour comedy from filmmaker Taiki Waititi about Native American teens called Reservation Dogs.
An American Horror Story spinoff called American Horror Stories, the comic-book adaptation Y: The Last Man and a screen version of James Clavell's epic Shogun are also in the works.


upi--2020-12-11--Australia stops trials for COVID-19 vaccine that produced HIV false positives

Dec. 11 ( UPI ) -- Australia halted testing Friday for a potential COVID-19 vaccine after researchers said some volunteers in the early-stage clinical trials had falsely tested positive for HIV .
The vaccine , developed by the University of Queensland and Australian biotech CSL , has been in first-stage clinical tests but scientists said the false HIV positives preclude any further development .
None of the volunteers who tested positive actually have the human immunodeficiency viruses that cause AIDS , researchers said .
`` Follow up tests confirmed that there is no HIV virus present , just a false @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no possibility the vaccine causes infection , '' CSL said in a statement .
`` Therefore , CSL and the Australian government have agreed vaccine development will not proceed to Phase 2/3 trials . ''
CSL said data from the trials , which included more than 200 volunteers , show that antibodies produced by the vaccine had apparently interfered with some of the tests and led to the false positives .
Researchers will continue to analyze data from the trials to see how long the antibodies persist .
The University of Queensland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia will increase production and purchases for AstraZeneca 's pending vaccine by 20 million doses and hike access to Novavax 's vaccine by 11 million doses .
`` The AstraZeneca vaccine , of course , is manufactured here in Melbourne by CSL , '' Morrison noted .
Scientists had hoped the CSL vaccine would be available by the middle of 2021 .
Researchers said the human clinical volunteers did n't show any serious side effects from the now-halted vaccine .

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison visits the University of Queensland's vaccine lab in Brisbane, Australia, on October 12. File Photo by Darren England/EPA-EFE
Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Australia halted testing Friday for a potential COVID-19 vaccine after researchers said some volunteers in the early-stage clinical trials had falsely tested positive for HIV. The vaccine, developed by the University of Queensland and Australian biotech CSL, has been in first-stage clinical tests but scientists said the false HIV positives preclude any further development. Advertisement
None of the volunteers who tested positive actually have the human immunodeficiency viruses that cause AIDS, researchers said.
"Follow up tests confirmed that there is no HIV virus present, just a false positive on certain HIV tests. There is no possibility the vaccine causes infection," CSL said in a statement.
"Therefore, CSL and the Australian government have agreed vaccine development will not proceed to Phase 2/3 trials."
CSL said data from the trials, which included more than 200 volunteers, show that antibodies produced by the vaccine had apparently interfered with some of the tests and led to the false positives.
Researchers will continue to analyze data from the trials to see how long the antibodies persist. The University of Queensland will submit the data for peer-review.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia will increase production and purchases for AstraZeneca's pending vaccine by 20 million doses and hike access to Novavax's vaccine by 11 million doses.
"The AstraZeneca vaccine, of course, is manufactured here in Melbourne by CSL," Morrison noted.
Scientists had hoped the CSL vaccine would be available by the middle of 2021. Researchers said the human clinical volunteers didn't show any serious side effects from the now-halted vaccine.


upi--2020-12-11--New 'Perfect Dark,' Sephiroth from 'Final Fantasy' in 'Smash Bros.' announced at Game Awards 2020

Dec. 11 ( UPI ) -- A new Perfect Dark , Final Fantasy 's Sephiroth coming to Super Smash Bros .
Ultimate and a new entry in the Mass Effect series were announced at the 2020 Game Awards .
Perfect Dark is a reboot of the classic first-person shooter series that started on the Nintendo 64 in 2000 .
The last entry titled Perfect Dark Zero , arrived in 2005 for the Xbox 360 .
This new entry is coming to Xbox platforms from developer The Initiative .
Agent Joanna Dark , the main protagonist , was re-introduced during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking on large corporations who now run the world following an ecological disaster .
No release date was given .
Sephiroth , the main villain of Final Fantasy 7 , is coming to Nintendo 's crossover fighting game Super Smash Bros .
Ultimate in December .
Sephiroth battled his nemesis Cloud and Nintendo characters such as Mario using his signature long sword in a cinematic trailer that also included gameplay footage .
Mass Effect , a sci-fi role-playing game , returned with a new teaser trailer from Electronic Arts and developer Bioware .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ice planet as an unknown character found wreckage labeled N7 .
Additionally , Master Chief from the Halo series has entered free-to-play battle royale title Fortnite , and is available now for purchase .
Daryl and Michonne from The Walking Dead are coming to the game on Dec. 16 .
A cooperative zombie shooter from the makers of Left4Dead titled Back 4 Blood coming June 2021 , a Cyberpunk 2077 car coming to Forza Horizon 4 , a cinematic trailer for Dragon Age 4 , Swedish Chef from The Muppets coming to Overcooked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ map for Among Us and more were also announced along with a cinematic trailer for Ark 2 featuring Vin Diesel .
PlayStation 4 exclusive title The Last of Us Part II won big on the awards side , taking home Game of the Year , Game Direction , Narrative , Audio Design , Performance for actress Laura Bailey who portrayed Abby , Innovation in Accessibility and Action/Adventure Game .

Dec. 11 (UPI) -- A new Perfect Dark, Final Fantasy's Sephiroth coming to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and a new entry in the Mass Effect series were announced at the 2020 Game Awards.
Perfect Dark is a reboot of the classic first-person shooter series that started on the Nintendo 64 in 2000. The last entry titled Perfect Dark Zero, arrived in 2005 for the Xbox 360.
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This new entry is coming to Xbox platforms from developer The Initiative. Agent Joanna Dark, the main protagonist, was re-introduced during a cinematic trailer.
Joanna Dark will be taking on large corporations who now run the world following an ecological disaster. No release date was given.
Sephiroth, the main villain of Final Fantasy 7, is coming to Nintendo's crossover fighting game Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in December.
Sephiroth battled his nemesis Cloud and Nintendo characters such as Mario using his signature long sword in a cinematic trailer that also included gameplay footage.
Mass Effect, a sci-fi role-playing game, returned with a new teaser trailer from Electronic Arts and developer Bioware. The galaxy-spanning clip took viewers to an ice planet as an unknown character found wreckage labeled N7.
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Additionally, Master Chief from the Halo series has entered free-to-play battle royale title Fortnite, and is available now for purchase. Daryl and Michonne from The Walking Dead are coming to the game on Dec. 16.
A cooperative zombie shooter from the makers of Left4Dead titled Back 4 Blood coming June 2021, a Cyberpunk 2077 car coming to Forza Horizon 4, a cinematic trailer for Dragon Age 4, Swedish Chef from The Muppets coming to Overcooked, Evil Dead The Game, new map for Among Us and more were also announced along with a cinematic trailer for Ark 2 featuring Vin Diesel.
PlayStation 4 exclusive title The Last of Us Part II won big on the awards side, taking home Game of the Year, Game Direction, Narrative, Audio Design, Performance for actress Laura Bailey who portrayed Abby, Innovation in Accessibility and Action/Adventure Game.


upi--2020-12-11--Fantasy football: Jones, Henry lead Week 14 running back rankings

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- Aaron Jones , Derrick Henry , David Montgomery , James Robinson and Nick Chubb top my Week 14 fantasy football running back rankings for 2020 .
Alvin Kamara , Jonathan Taylor , Chris Carson , Dalvin Cook and Ronald Jones round out my Top 10 options for the first round of the fantasy football playoffs .
Melvin Gordon and James Conner also are among my favorite starts this week at the running back position .
Monitor the status for each of your players ' games this week as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bye weeks have ended , so you should have more options when it comes to finding good defensive matchups for your running backs .
Check out my article on the players with the easiest and hardest playoff schedules for an idea of who to start -- and who to avoid -- this postseason .
Here are some of my favorite players in this week 's rankings : Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers is my top fantasy football running back for Week 14 .
Jones had one of his best games of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 130 rushing yards and a score in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles .
He has now scored in two of his last three games .
This week , the Packers face the Detroit Lions .
The Lions have allowed the most fantasy points per game to running backs .
Jones is a must start .
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry was held to just 60 yards on 15 carries in Week 13 , after he piled up more than 400 rushing yards in the three games prior to Sunday 's loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Henry to return to his dominant self in Week 14 , when the Titans face the Jacksonville Jaguars .
The Jaguars have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to running backs .
Henry is my No .
2 option .
David Montgomery of the Chicago Bears has emerged as a late-season RB1 just in time for the fantasy football playoffs .
Montgomery has piled up more than 100 yards from scrimmage and scored in each of his last two games as he heads into the first round of the fantasy football postseason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Week 14 when the Bears host the Houston Texans .
The Texans have allowed the most rushing yards and the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs .
Montgomery is my No .
3 play at running back .
Indianapolis Colts rookie Jonathan Taylor is my No .
8 running back for Week 14 .
Taylor has had two consecutive games with at least 100 yards from scrimmage as he enters this matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders .
The Raiders have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a weekly basis , but should be in that slot as you start your playoff run .
Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon lands at No .
11 in my rankings and is a low-end RB1 for Week 14 .
The Broncos face the Carolina Panthers , a defense that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to running backs .
I expect Gordon to pile up at least 80 yards from scrimmage and score a touchdown in Week 14 .
Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner is expected to return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matchup against the Buffalo Bills .
The Bills have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to running backs .
I expect Conner to get a healthy workload in this matchup .
He is my No .
12 option and should provide solid RB2 or flex value in Week 14 .

1/3
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) has a great Week 14 matchup and should help you win the first game of the fantasy football playoffs. File Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Aaron Jones, Derrick Henry, David Montgomery, James Robinson and Nick Chubb top my Week 14 fantasy football running back rankings for 2020. Alvin Kamara, Jonathan Taylor, Chris Carson, Dalvin Cook and Ronald Jones round out my Top 10 options for the first round of the fantasy football playoffs. Advertisement
Melvin Gordon and James Conner also are among my favorite starts this week at the running back 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. Bye weeks have ended, so you should have more options when it comes to finding good defensive matchups for your running backs.
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Check out my article on the players with the easiest and hardest playoff schedules for an idea of who to start -- and who to avoid -- this postseason.
Here are some of my favorite players in this week's rankings:
TOP SHELF
Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers is my top fantasy football running back for Week 14. Jones had one of his best games of the season in Week 13, with 130 rushing yards and a score in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He has now scored in two of his last three games.
This week, the Packers face the Detroit Lions. The Lions have allowed the most fantasy points per game to running backs. Jones is a must start.
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry was held to just 60 yards on 15 carries in Week 13, after he piled up more than 400 rushing yards in the three games prior to Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Browns. I expect Henry to return to his dominant self in Week 14, when the Titans face the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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The Jaguars have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Henry is my No. 2 option.
SNEAKY PLAYS
David Montgomery of the Chicago Bears has emerged as a late-season RB1 just in time for the fantasy football playoffs. Montgomery has piled up more than 100 yards from scrimmage and scored in each of his last two games as he heads into the first round of the fantasy football postseason.
He should have another great performance in Week 14 when the Bears host the Houston Texans. The Texans have allowed the most rushing yards and the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
Montgomery is my No. 3 play at running back.
Indianapolis Colts rookie Jonathan Taylor is my No. 8 running back for Week 14. Taylor has had two consecutive games with at least 100 yards from scrimmage as he enters this matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
Taylor is a matchup-based RB1 on a weekly basis, but should be in that slot as you start your playoff run.
LONGSHOTS
Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon lands at No. 11 in my rankings and is a low-end RB1 for Week 14. The Broncos face the Carolina Panthers, a defense that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
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I expect Gordon to pile up at least 80 yards from scrimmage and score a touchdown in Week 14.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner is expected to return from his Week 13 absence for a matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. I expect Conner to get a healthy workload in this matchup.
He is my No. 12 option and should provide solid RB2 or flex value in Week 14.
Week 14 fantasy football running back rankings
1. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers at DET
2. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans at JAX
3. David Montgomery, Chicago Bears vs. HOU
4. James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. TEN
5. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns vs. BAL
6. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints at PHI
7. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts at LV
8. Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks vs. NYJ
9. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings at TB
10. Ronald Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. MIN
11. Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos at CAR
12. James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers at BUF
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13. Mike Davis, Carolina Panthers vs. DEN
14. Wayne Gallman, New York Giants vs. ARI
15. Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers vs. WAS
16. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys at CIN
17. J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens at CLE
18. D'Andre Swift, Detroit Lions vs. GB
19. David Johnson, Houston Texans at CHI
20. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders vs. IND
21. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs at MIA
22. Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals at NYG
23. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers vs. ATL
24. Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins vs. KC
25. Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals vs. DAL
26. Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns vs. BAL
27. Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles vs. NO
28. Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills vs. PIT
29. Todd Gurley, Atlanta Falcons at LAC
30. J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team at SF
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This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-11--Duke cancels non-conference schedule out of caution for COVID-19

Dec. 11 ( UPI ) -- The Duke men 's basketball team has canceled the remainder of its non-conference schedule `` out of an abundance of caution due to the COVID 19 pandemic , '' the program said .
Duke said the decision allows for players on the team to spend time with their families over the holidays .
The Blue Devils ( 2-2 ) lost to Illinois on Tuesday in Durham , N.C .
They also played non-conference games against Coppin State , Michigan State and Bellarmine before Thursday 's announcement .
`` This is the best decision we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making sure that we are doing the right thing for our players , '' Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a news release .
`` This will also allow our team to have time over the holidays to safely enjoy with their families .
`` These kids need to be with their families , at least for a little bit .
So we will play the Notre Dame game on Dec. 16 , and then allow our team four or five days at home before returning here to prepare for the remainder of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play all of them .
These kids go through so much , and we need to take care of them . ''
The Blue Devils said players on the men 's basketball team have had `` limited to no '' in-person contact with their immediate families since August .
They were scheduled to face Charleston Southern on Saturday and Gardner-Webb on Dec. 19 .
Duke battles Notre Dame at 9 p.m. EST on Wednesday in Notre Dame , Ind.
, before the Blue Devils return for a Dec. 29 matchup against Pittsburgh @ @ @

Coach Mike Krzyzewski and the Duke men's basketball team will now have a break from Dec. 16 until Dec. 29 after they canceled the remainder of their non-conference schedule. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 11 (UPI) -- The Duke men's basketball team has canceled the remainder of its non-conference schedule "out of an abundance of caution due to the COVID 19 pandemic," the program said. Duke said the decision allows for players on the team to spend time with their families over the holidays. The Blue Devils (2-2) lost to Illinois on Tuesday in Durham, N.C. They also played non-conference games against Coppin State, Michigan State and Bellarmine before Thursday's announcement. Advertisement
"This is the best decision we could make as a program, in making sure that we are doing the right thing for our players," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a news release. "This will also allow our team to have time over the holidays to safely enjoy with their families.
"These kids need to be with their families, at least for a little bit. So we will play the Notre Dame game on Dec. 16, and then allow our team four or five days at home before returning here to prepare for the remainder of our ACC schedule -- and hopefully get to play all of them. These kids go through so much, and we need to take care of them."
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The Blue Devils said players on the men's basketball team have had "limited to no" in-person contact with their immediate families since August.
They were scheduled to face Charleston Southern on Saturday and Gardner-Webb on Dec. 19.
Duke battles Notre Dame at 9 p.m. EST on Wednesday in Notre Dame, Ind., before the Blue Devils return for a Dec. 29 matchup against Pittsburgh in Durham.


upi--2020-12-11--Frustration, anger on Capitol Hill over stalled bipartisan stimulus bill

Dec. 11 ( UPI ) -- Any progress that 's been achieved over the past week on a new round of coronavirus relief in Congress has again run up against stalemate as negotiators are deadlocked over the latest competing aid proposals .
Lawmakers end another week on Friday without an agreement to provide much-needed stimulus to the U.S. economy and millions of Americans who are struggling financially , nearly a year after the arrival of COVID-19 in the United States .
No votes are expected in the House until at least Tuesday , House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , D-Md.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vowed the current lame-duck session -- the period between now and Jan. 3 when the 117th Congress is seated -- wo n't be adjourned without both a relief package and a government funding bill .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has also promised to keep working .
`` We can not leave here without having a piece of legislation , '' she told reporters , suggesting the 116th Congress could remain in session past its scheduled adjournment next Friday .
`` We 've been here after Christmas , you know , '' she added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Labor Department reported Thursday that another 853,000 U.S. workers have filed new unemployment claims -- the most since September and about 100,000 more claims than analysts expected .
Last week , a bipartisan group of lawmakers advanced a $ 908 billion bipartisan proposal to essentially split the difference between Democrats ' $ 2.2 trillion aid package that passed the House in May and a $ 500 billion `` skinny '' measure favored by Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell .
The proposal was the first tangible progress on stimulus negotiations in months and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid for medium and small businesses .
However , it includes elements that are firmly opposed by both parties and McConnell 's staff has signaled that Senate Republicans likely wo n't support the proposal in its current form .
The main sticking point in the bipartisan bill , lawmakers say , is an attempt to combine liability protections for businesses , which Democrats oppose , with billions in aid to state and local governments , which Republicans are against .
`` What Mr. McConnell is putting forth in terms of liability is such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I hope that the group goes nowhere near what he is presenting , '' Pelosi said .
McConnell wants to drop both the liability protections and the aid for state and local governments , but Democrats have rejected that call and instead favor `` pausing '' business liability in exchange for the $ 160 billion in local government aid contained in the bipartisan bill .
Progress for the bipartisan pitch was slowed more by a $ 916 billion counterproposal this week from the White House that largely ignores the provisions supported by Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployed on top of state benefits , fiscal aid that was widely lauded as helpful for struggling Americans , expired in July and is impossible to revive without a new agreement .
Also part of the discussions is another direct stimulus payment to Americans .
Most received at least $ 1,200 from the CARES Act in March and Democrats have called for another payment now .
The White House proposal does include a direct payment , but for hundreds less .
Looming in the background of the stalled negotiations is the threat of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not yet passed a one-week stopgap spending bill passed by the House this week that 's needed to keep the federal government running past Friday , when current funding runs out .
Efforts in the Senate to pass the bill have been bogged down by progressive independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri , who are seeking to add provisions to give most Americans another stimulus payment of at least $ 1,200 .
The failure of Congress to give relief to the American people , combined with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to greater frustration and anger in Congress and across the United States .
`` People are certainly going to assume government is broken , '' Rep. Denver Riggleman , R-Va. , a part of the bipartisan negotiations , said .
`` There 's a frustration and an anger in the electorate that 's starting to ripple through the United States .
`` It 's time for us to do something to get off our damn asses . ''

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell puts on a face mask as he leaves the Mansfield Room in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday after speaking to reporters. Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Any progress that's been achieved over the past week on a new round of coronavirus relief in Congress has again run up against a stalemate as negotiators are deadlocked over the latest competing aid proposals. Lawmakers end another week on Friday without an agreement to provide much-needed stimulus to the U.S. economy and millions of Americans who are struggling financially, nearly a year after the arrival of COVID-19 in the United States. Advertisement
No votes are expected in the House until at least Tuesday, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said Thursday. But he vowed the current lame-duck session -- the period through Jan. 3 when the 117th Congress is seated -- won't be adjourned without both a relief package and a government funding bill.
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has also promised to keep working.
"We cannot leave here without having a piece of legislation," she told reporters, suggesting the 116th Congress could remain in session past its scheduled adjournment Dec. 18.
"We've been here after Christmas, you know," she added.
Talks have gained more urgency after the Labor Department reported Thursday that another 853,000 U.S. workers have filed new unemployment claims -- the most since September and about 100,000 more claims than analysts expected.
Last week, a bipartisan group of lawmakers advanced a $908 billion proposal to essentially split the difference between Democrats' $2.2 trillion aid package that passed the House in May and a $500 billion "skinny" measure favored by Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell.
The proposal was the first tangible progress on stimulus negotiations in months and included provisions like enhanced unemployment payments and aid for medium and small businesses.
However, it includes elements that are firmly opposed by both parties and McConnell's staff has signaled that Senate Republicans likely won't support the proposal in its current form.
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The main sticking point in the bipartisan bill, lawmakers say, is an attempt to combine liability protections for businesses, which Democrats oppose, with billions in aid to state and local governments, which Republicans are against.
"What Mr. McConnell is putting forth in terms of liability is such an assault on America's workers that I hope that the group goes nowhere near what he is presenting," Pelosi said.
McConnell wants to drop both the liability protections and the aid for state and local governments, but Democrats have rejected that call and instead favor "pausing" business liability in exchange for the $160 billion in local government aid contained in the bipartisan bill.
Progress for the bipartisan pitch was slowed more by a $916 billion counterproposal this week from the White House that largely ignores the provisions supported by Democrats.
A $600-per-week payment given to unemployed on top of state benefits, aid that was widely lauded as helpful for struggling Americans, expired in July and is impossible to revive without a new agreement.
Also part of the discussions is another direct stimulus payment to individuals. Most received at least $1,200 from the CARES Act in March and Democrats have called for another payment. The White House proposal does include a direct payment of about half the previous amount.
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Looming in the background of the stalled negotiations is the threat of another government shutdown.
The Senate has not passed a one-week stopgap spending bill passed by the House this week that's needed to keep the federal government running past Friday, when current funding runs out.
Efforts in the Senate to pass the bill have been bogged down by progressive independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, who are seeking to add provisions to give most Americans another stimulus payment of at least $1,200.
"People are certainly going to assume government is broken," said Rep. Denver Riggleman, R-Va., who participated in the bipartisan negotiations. "There's a frustration and an anger in the electorate that's starting to ripple through the United States.
"It's time for us to do something to get off our damn asses."