upi--2020-11-22--Thanksgiving forecast: Wet conditions for most of nation except Southwest

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic , traditional holiday celebrations and family gatherings will look a bit different this year nationwide .
One aspect of the holiday will remain unaffected however , and that is what Mother Nature will decide to throw at us .
Some Americans may celebrate Thanksgiving in new ways , holding gatherings , meals and activities outdoors to maximize social distancing .
This can also lead to an increased exposure to what can often be less-than-ideal November weather .
Holiday travel is expected to be well below normal this year given the ongoing circumstances and continued concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AAA estimates a reduced amount of travelers this year compared to 2019 , which may result in fewer weather-related travel concerns as Americans choose to stay home to celebrate .
`` With health and government officials stressing that staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting sick , AAA anticipates at least a 10 percent drop in travel - the largest one-year decrease since the Great Recession in 2008 , '' the travel agency 's annual holiday travel forecast said .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upcoming Thanksgiving holiday , which urged people to celebrate virtually with family members outside of their household , adding that `` small household gatherings are an important contributor to the rise in COVID-19 cases . ''
Also , the agency noted that the guidance is meant to supplement rather than replace state , local , territorial or tribal health and safety laws , rules and regulations on gatherings .
With that being said , lets take a look at the coast-to-coast outlook for turkey day : A storm system slated to trek across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Thanksgiving will likely hinder outdoor plans for residents up and down the East coast of the United States .
Similarly on Thanksgiving Day , residents from Portland , Maine , to Daytona Beach , Fla. , should be prepared for wet weather during the daytime hours .
`` A storm system moving through the East Coast on Thanksgiving Day could force some people indoors who may have hoped otherwise .
Places such as Boston , New York City and Philadelphia could all get dampened by rain , but if this storm moves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dry out later in the afternoon , '' AccuWeather Meteorologist Renee Duff explained .
Thanksgiving celebrations will look a lot different in New York City this year , with the Macy 's Day Parade needing to make adjustments to their original plan to minimize crowds and attempt to keep all participants properly socially distanced .
The event usually draws in over a million onlookers to the city streets , however this year will be quite different .
On top of the adjustments being made by the parade coordinators , Mother Nature may try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as wet weather looks to be in the offing Thursday morning .
Although the forecast looks wet for the Big Apple , temperatures are expected to climb a few degrees above average into the middle 50s , a far cry from just two years ago where temperatures failed to reach 30 degrees Fahrenheit .
Many other cities from coastal New England down into the mid-Atlantic states can expect a similar scenario on Thursday as well .
A rollercoaster ride of a forecast is in the cards across the South this year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region before the big holiday .
Severe thunderstorms and the threat for flooding rainfall will sweep across portions of the South Tuesday and Tuesday night , but as the storm slides eastward for Thanksgiving , the weather should rebound quite nicely in many areas .
In the wake of the departed storm system , an area of high pressure will promote dry and settled weather in Dallas , Memphis , New Orleans , Atlanta and many other metropolitan areas across the South .
Outdoor plans will get the green light form Mother Nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60s and 70s in many locales .
The aforementioned storm system may still keep a few lingering showers for some across the Southeast on Thanksgiving , potentially hindering outdoor plans .
Although temperatures will climb into the lower 80s across a majority of the Sunshine State , this may be one area where wet weather tries to linger into turkey day .
Showers and a few rumbles of thunder may be largely limited to the northern half of Florida during the day on Thursday , leaving places like Miami and Key West comfortably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system that will bring heavy rain and thunderstorms across the South on Wednesday will also bring along messy weather to the Midwest prior to the holiday .
But in similar fashion , adverse conditions will translate eastward by Thanksgiving , allowing for dry and seasonably mild conditions to encompass the region .
Temperatures 5-10 degrees above average can be expected in places like Chicago , St. Louis and Minneapolis on Thursday .
And along with the comfortable late-November temperatures , a blend of clouds and sunshine , and a relatively light southwest breeze @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go off without a hitch .
A majority of the week leading up to Thanksgiving will feature rain and mountain snow across the Northwest , however there looks to be a brief reprieve in the wet weather just in time for the holiday .
`` Cold conditions with a few snow showers are expected across the high terrain of the Northwest , but areas closer to the coast , such as Seattle and Portland , Ore. , should wind up mostly dry , '' Duff added .
Even though Thursday is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could still continue to be travel issues across mountain pass roadways in Washington , Oregon , northern Idaho , western Montana and northwestern Wyoming in the wake of the persistently stormy pattern prior to the holiday .
The dry weather pattern will likely stay put across the Southwest for the holiday in places like Los Angeles , Phoenix and Las Vegas .
Ample sunshine and seasonable temperatures should also allow for outdoor activities to go off without a hitch as well .
Temperatures will drop back from their early week highs in many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the week progresses , so a long-sleeve shirt may end up being a better option than a t-shirt and shorts in many areas .
Still , temperatures in the mid-60s across the Los Angeles Basin to the mid-70s in southern Arizona will result in some of the best weather nationwide .
`` Across Southern California , gusty winds will begin to ramp up on Thanksgiving Day , leading to increased wildfire concerns .
So anyone with plans to use outdoor flames or turkey fryers should exercise caution , '' Duff explained .
Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day on Thursday , an even higher fire threat is expected in the days to follow after Thanksgiving .

1/3
An ice skater enjoys The Rink on the first day it opens for the 2020-21 season at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City on Saturday. The Rink will be open daily from 9 a.m. until midnight. To maintain social distancing, the number of skaters on the ice will be limited. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, traditional holiday celebrations and family gatherings will look a bit different this year nationwide. One aspect of the holiday will remain unaffected however, and that is what Mother Nature will decide to throw at us. Some Americans may celebrate Thanksgiving in new ways, holding gatherings, meals and activities outdoors to maximize social distancing. This can also lead to an increased exposure to what can often be less-than-ideal November weather. Advertisement
Holiday travel is expected to be well below normal this year given the ongoing circumstances and continued concerns of further spreading of the virus. AAA estimates a reduced amount of travelers this year compared to 2019, which may result in fewer weather-related travel concerns as Americans choose to stay home to celebrate.
"With health and government officials stressing that staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting sick, AAA anticipates at least a 10 percent drop in travel - the largest one-year decrease since the Great Recession in 2008," the travel agency's annual holiday travel forecast said.
Advertisement
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued guidelines around the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, which urged people to celebrate virtually with family members outside of their household, adding that "small household gatherings are an important contributor to the rise in COVID-19 cases." Also, the agency noted that the guidance is meant to supplement rather than replace state, local, territorial or tribal health and safety laws, rules and regulations on gatherings.
With that being said, lets take a look at the coast-to-coast outlook for turkey day:
A storm system slated to trek across the nation in the days leading up to Thanksgiving will likely hinder outdoor plans for residents up and down the East coast of the United States. Similarly on Thanksgiving Day, residents from Portland, Maine, to Daytona Beach, Fla., should be prepared for wet weather during the daytime hours.
"A storm system moving through the East Coast on Thanksgiving Day could force some people indoors who may have hoped otherwise. Places such as Boston, New York City and Philadelphia could all get dampened by rain, but if this storm moves along any quicker it may start to dry out later in the afternoon," AccuWeather Meteorologist Renee Duff explained.
Advertisement
Thanksgiving celebrations will look a lot different in New York City this year, with the Macy's Day Parade needing to make adjustments to their original plan to minimize crowds and attempt to keep all participants properly socially distanced. The event usually draws in over a million onlookers to the city streets, however this year will be quite different. On top of the adjustments being made by the parade coordinators, Mother Nature may try to aid in keeping spectators at home, as wet weather looks to be in the offing Thursday morning.
Although the forecast looks wet for the Big Apple, temperatures are expected to climb a few degrees above average into the middle 50s, a far cry from just two years ago where temperatures failed to reach 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Many other cities from coastal New England down into the mid-Atlantic states can expect a similar scenario on Thursday as well.
A rollercoaster ride of a forecast is in the cards across the South this year, as showers and thunderstorms will target the region before the big holiday. Severe thunderstorms and the threat for flooding rainfall will sweep across portions of the South Tuesday and Tuesday night, but as the storm slides eastward for Thanksgiving, the weather should rebound quite nicely in many areas.
Advertisement
In the wake of the departed storm system, an area of high pressure will promote dry and settled weather in Dallas, Memphis, New Orleans, Atlanta and many other metropolitan areas across the South. Outdoor plans will get the green light form Mother Nature as afternoon temperatures will climb into the 60s and 70s in many locales.
The aforementioned storm system may still keep a few lingering showers for some across the Southeast on Thanksgiving, potentially hindering outdoor plans. Although temperatures will climb into the lower 80s across a majority of the Sunshine State, this may be one area where wet weather tries to linger into turkey day. Showers and a few rumbles of thunder may be largely limited to the northern half of Florida during the day on Thursday, leaving places like Miami and Key West comfortably mild and sunny.
The same storm system that will bring heavy rain and thunderstorms across the South on Wednesday will also bring along messy weather to the Midwest prior to the holiday. But in similar fashion, adverse conditions will translate eastward by Thanksgiving, allowing for dry and seasonably mild conditions to encompass the region.
Advertisement
Temperatures 5-10 degrees above average can be expected in places like Chicago, St. Louis and Minneapolis on Thursday. And along with the comfortable late-November temperatures, a blend of clouds and sunshine, and a relatively light southwest breeze could even allow for some outdoor plans to go off without a hitch.
A majority of the week leading up to Thanksgiving will feature rain and mountain snow across the Northwest, however there looks to be a brief reprieve in the wet weather just in time for the holiday.
"Cold conditions with a few snow showers are expected across the high terrain of the Northwest, but areas closer to the coast, such as Seattle and Portland, Ore., should wind up mostly dry," Duff added.
Even though Thursday is expected to feature largely dry conditions, there could still continue to be travel issues across mountain pass roadways in Washington, Oregon, northern Idaho, western Montana and northwestern Wyoming in the wake of the persistently stormy pattern prior to the holiday.
The dry weather pattern will likely stay put across the Southwest for the holiday in places like Los Angeles, Phoenix and Las Vegas. Ample sunshine and seasonable temperatures should also allow for outdoor activities to go off without a hitch as well.
Advertisement
Temperatures will drop back from their early week highs in many places as cooler air filters southward as the week progresses, so a long-sleeve shirt may end up being a better option than a t-shirt and shorts in many areas. Still, temperatures in the mid-60s across the Los Angeles Basin to the mid-70s in southern Arizona will result in some of the best weather nationwide.
"Across Southern California, gusty winds will begin to ramp up on Thanksgiving Day, leading to increased wildfire concerns. So anyone with plans to use outdoor flames or turkey fryers should exercise caution," Duff explained. Although wind gusts will begin to increase during the day on Thursday, an even higher fire threat is expected in the days to follow after Thanksgiving.


upi--2020-11-22--Prince William, Kate Middleton mourn the death of dog Lupo

Nov. 22 ( UPI ) -- Britain 's Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton have announced the death of @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Very sadly last weekend our dear dog , Lupo , passed away .
@ @ @ @ @ heart of our family for the past nine years and we will miss him so @ @ @ @ @ wrote in an Instagram post Sunday .
The message , which included a photo of @ @ @ @ @ , has gotten more than 500,000 `` likes . ''
Lupo was an English Cocker @ @ @ @ @ years old .
William and Kate welcomed Lupo in December 2011 about a year and @ @ @ @ @ their first son , Prince George .
William , 38 , and Kate , 38 @ @ @ @ @ They have three children -- George , 7 ; Princess Charlotte , 5 ; and @ @ @ @ @

Prince William and his wife Kate are mourning the death of their dog Lupo. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton have announced the death of their beloved pet, Lupo. "Very sadly last weekend our dear dog, Lupo, passed away. He has been at the heart of our family for the past nine years and we will miss him so much," the couple wrote in an Instagram post Sunday. Advertisement
The message, which included a photo of their pet in happier days, has gotten more than 500,000 "likes."
Lupo was an English Cocker Spaniel, who was 9 years old. William and Kate welcomed Lupo in December 2011 about a year and half before the birth of their first son, Prince George.
William, 38, and Kate, 38, married in 2011. They have three children -- George, 7; Princess Charlotte, 5; and Prince Louis, 2.


upi--2020-11-22--'Freaky' tops North American box office for 2nd weekend

Nov. 22 ( UPI ) -- Horror comedy Freaky is the No .
1 movie in North America this weekend @ @ @ @ @ in receipts , BoxOfficeMojo.com announced Sunday .
Coming in at No .
2 is The @ @ @ @ @ 733,067 , followed by Let Him Go at No .
3 with $ 710,000 , @ @ @ @ @ 4 with $ 550,000 and The Santa Clause at No .
5 with $ 461,000 @ @ @ @ @ tier are Honest Thief at No .
6 with $ 452,000 , Vanguard at No @ @ @ @ @ , Tenet at No .
8 with $ 360,000 , The Last Vermeer at No @ @ @ @ @ and Gekijouban Fatw/Stay Night : Heaven 's Feel -- III .
Spring Song at No @ @ @ @ @ .

Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Horror comedy Freaky is the No. 1 movie in North America this weekend, earning $1.2 million in receipts, BoxOfficeMojo.com announced Sunday.
Coming in at No. 2 is The War with Grandpa with $733,067, followed by Let Him Go at No. 3 with $710,000, Come Play at No. 4 with $550,000 and The Santa Clause at No. 5 with $461,000.


upi--2020-11-22--Russia's cases, fatalities surge; world death toll nears 1.4 million

Nov. 22 ( UPI ) -- With worldwide coronavirus deaths increasing by more than 10,000 each day and cases surging by 1 million every two days , the numbers have been especially pronounced in Russia .
In one week , the nation has surpassed Peru and Colombia climbing from 13th place to 11th place for the most deaths , 36,179 .
Last week , Russia passed 2 million cases at 2,089,329 , which is fifth in the world behind the United States , India , Brazil and France .
Globally , there are 1,392,567 deaths and 58,928,191 cases since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
On Saturday , there were 8,922 fatalities one day after a record 11,135 and 581,150 infections one day after a record 662,957 .
The first time cases hit 500,000 was Oct. 28 .
Russia has been setting national records for most deaths and cases .
On Sunday , the nation reported a record 24,581 cases .
Just two months ago there was one-quarter that number .
It reached 10,000 cases for the first time on Oct. 4 .
Cases reported Sunday in Russia were 401 compared with the record 467 the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a steep increase .
On May 29 there were a record 232 deaths , which was n't surpassed until 244 on Oct. 13 .
Russia has 14,134 cases per million , which is more than the world average of 7,526 and India with 6,584 but less than the United States with 37,550 and Brazil with 28,397 .
Russia 's death rate is 248 compared with the world at 178.2 , the U.S. at 789 , Brazil at 793 and India at 96 .
`` The entire Russian population , including people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and small towns , will sooner or later contract the coronavirus , '' lung doctor Alexander Karabinenko told TASS .
last week .
`` The virus spreads through the air and how can we limit air circulation ?
We need herd immunity to stop the rise in infections . ''
Experts throughout the world such as Kristian Andersen , an immunologist at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla , Calif. , have declared herd immunity a dangerous and ineffective strategy to combat the virus .
`` Such an approach would lead to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessarily speeding up society 's return to normal , '' Andersen told Nature.com .
Russia , considered part of Europe , is experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths like the rest of the continent .
On Sunday , Europe reported 3,139 deaths and 181,883 cases as the disease is surging at record cases levels and deaths are the highest since the spring with nations instituting lockdowns .
The totals are 355,055 fatalities , as well as 15,632,908 infections , second behind Asia .
No .
5 Britain reported 398 deaths for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two days after a record 33,470 .
The nation tallied its highest number of fatalities -- 1,166 -- on April 21 .
Britain has been in its second lockdown , which is scheduled to end Dec. 2 and Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to announce a `` strengthened '' tier system to succeed it on Monday , Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak told Sky News on Sunday .
`` The good news is , we will be exiting national restrictions on the 2nd of December , as the Prime Minister said at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
He did n't say whether a 10 p.m. curfew on the hospitality sector would be extended .
No .
6 Italy , which at one time was the world 's epicenter with 919 deaths in one day , reported 562 deaths Sunday for a total of 49,823 and 28,337 cases two days after record 40,902 cases .
Italy has n't imposed a second lockdown but has regions deemed coronavirus high-risk `` red zones . ''
In the highest zone , residents can only leave home for work , health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Closed are all non-essential stores .
Three weeks ago No .
7 France imposed a lockdown but its cases have declined from a record 86,852 one Saturday ago to 13,157 .
The nation also announced 214 deaths Sunday , one week after 932 deaths that was the most since a record of 1,437 .
No .
8 Spain does n't report data on the weekend after Friday 's 308 deaths and 21,371 cases , behind a record 22,516 Nov. 7 .
Regional authorities have the power to restrict movement but do n't allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top 20 , Belgium is 16th , reporting 170 deaths Sunday with Germany in 18th adding 9 .
Germany , through this month , is in `` lockdown light '' with schools , stores and many businesses open .
The restrictions should be extended in December and possibly toward Christmas , Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Bavaria 's state premier , Markus Soder , told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper .
Poland , which is 19th , has been surging with the previous high before October 44 on April 24 .
The record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's total was 339 with 18,467 cases .
Coronavirus is not nearly as alarming in Asia , where the pandemic originated in Mainland China , though there are trouble spots .
The continent has 278,168 deaths , including 1,722 Sunday and 15,784,584 cases , including an additional 104,590 .
Most are in India which reported 45,209 cases for a total of 9,095,807 and 501 deaths to total 133,227 .
Iran is 10th in deaths at 44,802 , including 475 six days after a record 486 , and cases at a near-record 13,053 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and limited travel restrictions .
Mainland China has not reported a death since April 26 and has dropped to 36th place , behind Morocco .
It added 13 cases Sunday .
However , Hong Kong reported 68 new coronavirus cases , the highest increase since August with 61 locally transmitted .
The total is 5,629 with 108 deaths .
`` We are now facing a very severe situation in Hong Kong , the number of unlinked cases has been increasing in the past few days , '' Sophia Chan , the secretary for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding more people are being tested .
Japan 's cases announce Sunday were 2,168 one day after a record 2,596 for a total of 133,731 Deaths are at 2,001 with an additional 7 .
The nation is considering reimposing attendance limits on large gatherings in areas of the country with a big increase in cases , Yasutoshi Nishimura , minister in charge of the government 's coronavirus response , told reporters Sunday .
South Korea , which reported 330 new cases Sunday for a total of 30,733 , plans to increase social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Metropolitan area for two weeks , starting Tuesday .
At that level , masks are mandatory in all indoor facilities , entertainment facilities are prohibited , gatherings will be limited to less than 100 people , and schools are at one-third capacity .
Korea also reported two deaths for a total of 505 .
Cases and deaths continue to surge on the West Hemisphere .
South America holds six spots in the top 20 for most deaths : Brazil in second with 169,016 , Argentina in 10th with 36,902 , Peru 12th with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chile 17th with 15,069 , Ecuador 20h with 13,139 .
On Saturday , the continent reported 796 deaths for a total of 316,559 and 52,992 cases for a total of 10,676,689 .
Brazil reported 354 , compared with the record 1,554 on July 29 , to rise to 169,016 .
The nation added 32,622 cases and is at 6,052,786 .
Argentina reported 112 deaths and 7,140 cases .
In North America , all but around 16,000 of the deaths in North America are in the U.S. , Mexico and Canada .
Cases total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No .
4 Mexico added 550 deaths and 6,729 cases .
No .
23 Canada reported 72 deaths for a total of 11,406 and 4,992 cases five days after a record 6,115 .
Between May 26 and Aug. 30 cases were never more than 1,000 .
`` More and larger outbreaks are occurring in long term care homes , congregate living settings and hospitals , and spreading in Indigenous communities , '' Dr. Theresa Tam , who is Canada 's top doctor , said in a statement Saturday .
`` These developments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canadians at risk of life-threatening illness , cause serious disruptions to health services and present significant challenges for areas not adequately equipped to manage complex medical emergencies . ''
The three nations have extended their travel ban through Dec. 21 .
`` In order to continue to prevent the spread of COVID , the US , Mexico , & Canada will extend the restrictions on non-essential travel through Dec 21 , '' Chad Wolf , who is U.S .
Homeland Security 's acting secretary posted on Twitter .
`` We are working closely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade & travel open while also protecting our citizens from the virus .
In Oceania , New Zealand 's deaths have stood at 25 since Sept. 16 and Australia at 907 , including none since two on Oct. 28 .
On Sunday , New Zealand reported nine cases for a total of 2,028 , which is 27 in one week , and Australia up 15 for 27,806 , an increase of 78 in seven days .
In Africa , there have been 49,779 deaths and 2,081,803 cases .
South Africa leads the continent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday followed by Egypt at 6,535 after 14 Saturday .
South Africa has the 16th-most cases in the world at 767,679 , including 2,270 more Sunay .

Russian women wear protective face masks while walking on a street in Moscow on Saturday. Photo by Yuri Kochetlkov/EPA-EFE
Nov. 22 (UPI) -- With worldwide coronavirus deaths increasing by more than 10,000 each day and cases surging by 1 million every two days, the numbers have been especially pronounced in Russia. In one week, the nation has surpassed Peru and Colombia climbing from 13th place to 11th place for the most deaths, 36,179. Last week, Russia passed 2 million cases at 2,089,329, which is fifth in the world behind the United States, India, Brazil and France. Advertisement
Globally, there are 1,392,567 deaths and 58,928,191 cases since the pandemic began at the start of the year. On Saturday, there were 8,922 fatalities one day after a record 11,135 and 581,150 infections one day after a record 662,957. The first time cases hit 500,000 was Oct. 28.
Russia has been setting national records for most deaths and cases. On Sunday, the nation reported a record 24,581 cases. Just two months ago there was one-quarter that number. It reached 10,000 cases for the first time on Oct. 4.
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Cases reported Sunday in Russia were 401 compared with the record 467 the day before. The totals have been in a steep increase. On May 29 there were a record 232 deaths, which wasn't surpassed until 244 on Oct. 13.
Russia has 14,134 cases per million, which is more than the world average of 7,526 and India with 6,584 but less than the United States with 37,550 and Brazil with 28,397. Russia's death rate is 248 compared with the world at 178.2, the U.S. at 789, Brazil at 793 and India at 96.
"The entire Russian population, including people who will leave their home regions, villages and small towns, will sooner or later contract the coronavirus," lung doctor Alexander Karabinenko told TASS. last week. "The virus spreads through the air and how can we limit air circulation? We need herd immunity to stop the rise in infections."
Experts throughout the world such as Kristian Andersen, an immunologist at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, Calif., have declared herd immunity a dangerous and ineffective strategy to combat the virus.
"Such an approach would lead to a catastrophic loss of human lives without necessarily speeding up society's return to normal," Andersen told Nature.com.
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Russia, considered part of Europe, is experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths like the rest of the continent.
On Sunday, Europe reported 3,256 deaths and 183,757 cases as the disease is surging at record cases levels and deaths are the highest since the spring with nations instituting lockdowns. The totals are 355,172 fatalities, as well as 15,634,782 infections, second behind Asia.
No. 5 Britain reported 398 deaths for a total of 55,024 and 18,662 cases two days after a record 33,470. The nation tallied its highest number of fatalities -- 1,166 -- on April 21.
Britain has been in its second lockdown, which is scheduled to end Dec. 2 and Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to announce a "strengthened" tier system to succeed it on Monday, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak told Sky News on Sunday.
"The good news is, we will be exiting national restrictions on the 2nd of December, as the Prime Minister said at the beginning of the month-long restrictions," he said.
He didn't say whether a 10 p.m. curfew on the hospitality sector would be extended.
No. 6 Italy, which at one time was the world's epicenter with 919 deaths in one day, reported 562 deaths Sunday for a total of 49,823 and 28,337 cases two days after record 40,902 cases.
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Italy hasn't imposed a second lockdown but has regions deemed coronavirus high-risk "red zones." In the highest zone, residents can only leave home for work, health reasons, essential shopping or emergencies. Closed are all non-essential stores.
Three weeks ago No. 7 France imposed a lockdown but its cases have declined from a record 86,852 one Saturday ago to 13,157. The nation also announced 214 deaths Sunday, one week after 932 deaths that was the most since a record of 1,437.
No. 9 Spain doesn't report data on the weekend after Friday's 308 deaths and 21,371 cases, behind a record 22,516 on Nov. 7. Regional authorities have the power to restrict movement but don't allow a full lockdown.
Also in the top 20, Belgium is 16th, reporting 170 deaths Sunday with Germany in 18th adding 9.
Germany, through this month, is in "lockdown light" with schools, stores and many businesses open. The restrictions should be extended in December and possibly toward Christmas, Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Bavaria's state premier, Markus Soder, told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper.
Poland, which is 19th, has been surging with the previous high before October 44 on April 24. The record was 637 three days ago. Sunday's total was 339 with 18,467 cases.
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Coronavirus is not nearly as alarming in Asia, where the pandemic originated in Mainland China, though there are trouble spots. The continent has 278,168 deaths, including 1,722 Sunday and 15,784,584 cases, including an additional 104,590.
Most are in India which reported 45,209 cases for a total of 9,095,807 and 501 deaths to total 133,227.
Iran is 8th in deaths at 44,802, including 475 six days after a record 486, and cases at a near-record 13,053. On Saturday, the nation closed businesses and limited travel restrictions.
Mainland China has not reported a death since April 26 and has dropped to 36th place, behind Morocco. It added 13 cases Sunday.
However, Hong Kong reported 68 new coronavirus cases, the highest increase since August with 61 locally transmitted. The total is 5,629 with 108 deaths.
"We are now facing a very severe situation in Hong Kong, the number of unlinked cases has been increasing in the past few days," Sophia Chan, the secretary for food and health, said Sunday, adding more people are being tested.
Japan's cases announce Sunday were 2,168 one day after a record 2,596 for a total of 133,731 Deaths are at 2,001 with an additional 7.
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The nation is considering reimposing attendance limits on large gatherings in areas of the country with a big increase in cases, Yasutoshi Nishimura, minister in charge of the government's coronavirus response, told reporters Sunday.
South Korea, which reported 330 new cases Sunday for a total of 30,733, plans to increase social distancing measures to level 2 in the Seoul Metropolitan area for two weeks, starting Tuesday. At that level, masks are mandatory in all indoor facilities, entertainment facilities are prohibited, gatherings will be limited to less than 100 people, and schools are at one-third capacity.
Korea also reported two deaths for a total of 505.
Cases and deaths continue to surge on the West Hemisphere.
South America holds six spots in the top 20 for most deaths: Brazil in second with 169,197, Argentina in 10th with 37,002, Peru 12th with 35,549, Colombia 13th with 35,287, Chile 17th with 15,069, Ecuador 20h with 13,201.
On Saturday, the continent reported 796 deaths and 52,992 cases followed by 624 deaths and 35,839 cases on Sunday for a total of 10,712,528.
Brazil reported 181 on Sunday and 354 on Saturday, compared with the record 1,554 on July 29, to rise to 169,197. The nation added 18,615 cases on Sunday and 32,622 on Saturday and is at 6,071,401. Argentina reported 100 deaths and 4,184 cases.
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In North America, all but around 16,000 of the deaths in North America are in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Cases total 14,710,740 as the U.S. passed 12 million.
No. 4 Mexico added 550 deaths and 6,729 cases. No. 23 Canada reported49 deaths on Sunday after 72 deaths were reported a day earlier for a total of 11,455 and 4,792 cases five days after a record 6,115. Between May 26 and Aug. 30 cases were never more than 1,000.
"More and larger outbreaks are occurring in long term care homes, congregate living settings and hospitals, and spreading in Indigenous communities," Dr. Theresa Tam, who is Canada's top doctor, said in a statement Saturday.
"These developments are deeply concerning as they put countless Canadians at risk of life-threatening illness, cause serious disruptions to health services and present significant challenges for areas not adequately equipped to manage complex medical emergencies."
The three nations have extended their travel ban through Dec. 21.
"In order to continue to prevent the spread of COVID, the US, Mexico, & Canada will extend the restrictions on non-essential travel through Dec 21," Chad Wolf, who is U.S. Homeland Security's acting secretary posted on Twitter. "We are working closely with Mexico & Canada to keep essential trade & travel open while also protecting our citizens from the virus.
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In Oceania, New Zealand's deaths have stood at 25 since Sept. 16 and Australia at 907, including none since two on Oct. 28.
On Sunday, New Zealand reported nine cases for a total of 2,028, which is 27 in one week, and Australia up 15 for 27,806, an increase of 78 in seven days.
In Africa, there have been 49,802 deaths and 2,082,709 cases.
South Africa leads the continent with 20,903 deaths, including 58 more Saturday followed by Egypt at 6,535 after 14 Saturday. South Africa has the 16th-most cases in the world at 767,679, including 2,270 more Sunday.


upi--2020-11-22--New book celebrates 25 years of 'Star Trek: Voyager'

Nov. 22 ( UPI ) -- A book called Star Trek : Voyager -- A Celebration , marking the 25th anniversary of the classic sci-fi series , will go on sale Tuesday .
Written by Ben Robinson and Mark Wright , the retrospective offers a behind-the-scenes look at the show , explores favorite episodes and features new interviews with its stars , including Kate Mulgrew , Jeri Ryan and Robert Picardo .
`` There were going to be lots of conventions that reunited the cast , and we figured that not everyone would be able to go , so we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in book form , '' Robinson said in a statement .
`` Then , of course , COVID hit and we became the biggest celebration Voyager would get .
At that point , ironically , COVID worked to our advantage .
Because everyone was locked down , they had time to talk to us , so we were able to do an epic series of in-depth interviews .
We talked to all the principal cast members except Jennifer Lien -- there 's a story there , which fans will get if they read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of all the key departments from visual effects to music . ''
Star Trek : Voyager originally aired from 1995 to 2001 .
It was the first Star Trek series with a female captain at the helm , Mulgrew 's Kathryn Janeway .
`` The best thing was simply the privilege and the challenge of being able to take a shot at the first female captain , transcending stereotypes that I was very familiar with .
I was able to do that in front of millions of viewers , '' Mulgrew said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a remarkable experience -- and it continues to resonate . ''
Hero Collector , a division of Eaglemoss , also recently published Mr. Spock 's Little Book of Mindfulness and Star Trek Cocktails : A Stellar Compendium , both by Glenn Dakin .

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The book "Star Trek: Voyager -- A Celebration" includes a new interview with show star Kate Mulgrew. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 22 (UPI) -- A book called Star Trek: Voyager -- A Celebration, marking the 25th anniversary of the classic sci-fi series, will go on sale Tuesday. Written by Ben Robinson and Mark Wright, the retrospective offers a behind-the-scenes look at the show, explores favorite episodes and features new interviews with its stars, including Kate Mulgrew, Jeri Ryan and Robert Picardo. Advertisement
"There were going to be lots of conventions that reunited the cast, and we figured that not everyone would be able to go, so we'd create the best Voyager convention ever in book form," Robinson said in a statement.
"Then, of course, COVID hit and we became the biggest celebration Voyager would get. At that point, ironically, COVID worked to our advantage. Because everyone was locked down, they had time to talk to us, so we were able to do an epic series of in-depth interviews. We talked to all the principal cast members except Jennifer Lien -- there's a story there, which fans will get if they read the book -- every writer, and members of all the key departments from visual effects to music."
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Star Trek: Voyager originally aired from 1995 to 2001. It was the first Star Trek series with a female captain at the helm, Mulgrew's Kathryn Janeway.
"The best thing was simply the privilege and the challenge of being able to take a shot at the first female captain, transcending stereotypes that I was very familiar with. I was able to do that in front of millions of viewers," Mulgrew said in the book. "That was a remarkable experience -- and it continues to resonate."
Hero Collector, a division of Eaglemoss, also recently published Mr. Spock's Little Book of Mindfulness and Star Trek Cocktails: A Stellar Compendium, both by Glenn Dakin.


upi--2020-11-22--Late actor Alan Rickman's diaries to be published

Nov. 22 ( UPI ) -- British publisher Canongate has confirmed it is publishing a book based on the diaries of late actor Alan Rickman .
Rickman died of cancer in 2016 at age 69 .
He was known for his roles in the Harry Potter film franchise , as well as Bottle Shock , Love Actually , Sense and Sensibility , Galaxy Quest , Robin Hood : Prince of Thieves and Die Hard .
`` Hey , um , I do n't want to make a big deal about this -- I do n't really like being the centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might want to keep an out for some PRETTY BIG CANONGATE NEWS hitting The Guardian tomorrow , '' the publisher tweeted Friday .
`` What did I tell you ?
BIG NEWS , '' Canongate 's Twitter feed said Saturday as it shared a link to a Guardian article with details about the book .
It also included a GIF video of Rickman smiling and bowing in a scene from Sense and Sensibility .
`` I 'm delighted that Canongate will be publishing Alan 's diaries and could n't have wished for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Rickman 's widow Rima Horton told the newspaper .
`` The diaries reveal not just Alan Rickman the actor but the real Alan -- his sense of humor , his sharp observation , his craftsmanship and his devotion to the arts . ''
The book is set for release in the fall of 2022 .

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Alan Rickman's diaries are being published. File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 22 (UPI) -- British publisher Canongate has confirmed it is publishing a book based on the diaries of late actor Alan Rickman. Rickman died of cancer in 2016 at age 69. Advertisement
He was known for his roles in the Harry Potter film franchise, as well as Bottle Shock, Love Actually, Sense and Sensibility, Galaxy Quest, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Die Hard.
"Hey, um, I don't want to make a big deal about this -- I don't really like being the centre of attention, y'know -- but you might want to keep an out for some PRETTY BIG CANONGATE NEWS hitting The Guardian tomorrow," the publisher tweeted Friday.
"What did I tell you? BIG NEWS," Canongate's Twitter feed said Saturday as it shared a link to a Guardian article with details about the book.
It also included a GIF video of Rickman smiling and bowing in a scene from Sense and Sensibility.
"I'm delighted that Canongate will be publishing Alan's diaries and couldn't have wished for a finer appointment of editor than Alan Taylor," Rickman's widow Rima Horton told the newspaper. "The diaries reveal not just Alan Rickman the actor but the real Alan -- his sense of humor, his sharp observation, his craftsmanship and his devotion to the arts."
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The book is set for release in the fall of 2022.


upi--2020-11-23--FIFA bans Africa soccer chief Ahmad Ahmad for 5 years after ethics inquiry

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Soccer 's international governing body on Monday banned Ahmad Ahmad , its president of the Confederation of African Football , for five years after an ethics investigation found he misappropriated funds and accepted gifts and improper benefits .
Ahmad , who was hoping for re-election in the FIFA post , had been under investigation stemming from various accusations of misconduct at Confederation of African Football headquarters in Cairo , Egypt .
Last year , he was arrested by French authorities on accusations of corruption related to an apparel contract .
`` Based on information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ahmad had breached his duty of loyalty , offered gifts and other benefits , mismanaged funds and abused his position as the CAF President , pursuant to the FIFA Code of Ethics , '' FIFA said in a statement .
`` Consequently , the adjudicatory chamber ... sanctioned him with a ban from all football-related activity at both national and international level for five years . ''
Ahmad was also ordered to pay a $ 220,000 fine .
Five years ago , the U.S. Justice Department issued indictments related to corruption accusations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FIFA President Gianni Infantino took charge in 2016 on a mandate to clean up the organization .

"Based on information gathered by the investigatory chamber, Mr. Ahmad had breached his duty of loyalty," FIFA said in a statement Monday. File Photo by Nick Soland/EPA
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Soccer's international governing body on Monday banned Ahmad Ahmad, its president of the Confederation of African Football, for five years after an ethics investigation found he misappropriated funds and accepted gifts and improper benefits. Ahmad, who was hoping for re-election in the FIFA post, had been under investigation stemming from various accusations of misconduct at Confederation of African Football headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. Advertisement
Last year, he was arrested by French authorities on accusations of corruption related to an apparel contract.
"Based on information gathered by the investigatory chamber, Mr. Ahmad had breached his duty of loyalty, offered gifts and other benefits, mismanaged funds and abused his position as the CAF President, pursuant to the FIFA Code of Ethics," FIFA said in a statement.
"Consequently, the adjudicatory chamber ... sanctioned him with a ban from all football-related activity at both national and international level for five years."
Ahmad was also ordered to pay a $220,000 fine.
Five years ago, the U.S. Justice Department issued indictments related to corruption accusations in the Americas and Caribbean soccer organizations. FIFA President Gianni Infantino took charge in 2016 on a mandate to clean up the organization.
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upi--2020-11-23--Watch: BTS discusses 'Be,' performs 'Life Goes On' on 'GMA'

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- South Korean boy band BTS celebrated the release of its new album on Good Morning America .
The K-pop group discussed the album , titled Be , and performed the song `` Life Goes On '' during Monday 's episode of the ABC morning show .
BTS released Be on Friday .
On GMA , the group said the album was informed by the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` This album Be and the single 'Dynamite ' would n't be here without the pandemic , '' RM said .
`` If there 's no pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` With Be , we want to deliver a message of hope to the world , '' Jimin added .
BTS performed `` Life Goes On '' sans Suga , who is recovering from a shoulder injury .
The group channeled its `` Life Goes On '' music video for the performance , which featured the members in pajamas .
BTS released the `` Life Goes On '' music video alongside Be on Friday .
The video shows the group spending time together in isolation , including playing video games and watching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goes On '' and `` Dynamite , '' Be also features the songs `` Fly to My Room , '' `` Blue & Grey , '' `` Skit , '' `` Telepathy , '' `` Dis-ease '' and `` Stay . ''
BTS announced the album in September .
`` The new album imparts of message of healing to the world by declaring , 'Even in the face of this new normality , our life goes on , ' '' the group 's agency , Big Hit Entertainment , said .
BTS performed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dynamite '' during the American Music Awards on Sunday .
Taylor Swift , The Weeknd and Justin Bieber won big at the awards show , which aired on ABC .

Nov. 23 (UPI) -- South Korean boy band BTS celebrated the release of its new album on Good Morning America.
The K-pop group discussed the album, titled Be, and performed the song "Life Goes On" during Monday's episode of the ABC morning show.
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BTS released Be on Friday. On GMA, the group said the album was informed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This album Be and the single 'Dynamite' wouldn't be here without the pandemic," RM said. "If there's no pandemic, we would be on tour."
"With Be, we want to deliver a message of hope to the world," Jimin added.
BTS performed "Life Goes On" sans Suga, who is recovering from a shoulder injury. The group channeled its "Life Goes On" music video for the performance, which featured the members in pajamas.
BTS released the "Life Goes On" music video alongside Be on Friday. The video shows the group spending time together in isolation, including playing video games and watching movies.
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In addition to "Life Goes On" and "Dynamite," Be also features the songs "Fly to My Room," "Blue & Grey," "Skit," "Telepathy," "Dis-ease" and "Stay." BTS announced the album in September.
"The new album imparts of message of healing to the world by declaring, 'Even in the face of this new normality, our life goes on,'" the group's agency, Big Hit Entertainment, said.
BTS performed "Life Goes On" and "Dynamite" during the American Music Awards on Sunday. Taylor Swift, The Weeknd and Justin Bieber won big at the awards show, which aired on ABC.
BTS consists of Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook.


upi--2020-11-23--Victims of North Korea shelling decry silence on Yeonpyeong anniversary

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Parents of South Korean marines who died during the North Korean artillery shelling of Yeonpyeong Island mourned the deaths of their sons while condemning the downplaying of North Korean provocations .
Kim Oh-bok , the mother of South Korean Marine Seo Jung-woo , said Monday at the 10th anniversary memorial at Daejeon National Cemetery her son had called on the day of his death .
Seo was about to go on vacation when the shelling occurred , Kim said , according to Yonhap .
`` I still remember vividly your words on the phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go on vacation leave , ' '' Kim said , as she read her letter of remembrance before an audience that included Defense Minister Suh Wook .
`` I am sorry , so sorry .
And I am sorry again .
For not once did you [ receive ] a word of apology for your sacrifice , and now the shelling of Yeonpyeong is being forgotten in the hearts of many . ''
Seo was among the four South Koreans who died during the bombardment on Nov. 23 , 2010 .
Moon Kwang-wook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died after North Korea fired about 170 artillery shells and rockets .
On Monday Kim criticized what she said was lack of interest in the incident .
`` In the name of peace , there are more and more of those who try hard to dismiss North Korea 's provocations .
This is truly unfortunate . ''
South Korean officials handling inter-Korea relations did not attend the ceremony in Daejeon .
Unification Minister Lee In-young said Monday engagement with the North must continue , and Pyongyang 's unilateral decision to demolish the inter-Korean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future efforts , JoongAng Ilbo reported .
`` The liaison office must be rebuilt without leaving behind a history of hostility , '' Lee said at a meeting hosted by the ruling Democratic Party .
Lee also said the South should push to build liaison offices in the North Korean cities of Sinuiju , Rajin and Sonbong , according to the JoongAng .

Two South Korean marines died during the North Korean bombardment of Yeonpyeong Island on Nov. 23, 2010. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Parents of South Korean marines who died during the North Korean artillery shelling of Yeonpyeong Island mourned the deaths of their sons while condemning the downplaying of North Korean provocations. Kim Oh-bok, the mother of South Korean Marine Seo Jung-woo, said Monday at the 10th anniversary memorial at Daejeon National Cemetery her son had called on the day of his death. Seo was about to go on vacation when the shelling occurred, Kim said, according to Yonhap. Advertisement
"I still remember vividly your words on the phone, 'Mother, I'm about to go on vacation leave,'" Kim said, as she read her letter of remembrance before an audience that included Defense Minister Suh Wook.
"I am sorry, so sorry. And I am sorry again. For not once did you [receive] a word of apology for your sacrifice, and now the shelling of Yeonpyeong is being forgotten in the hearts of many."
Seo was among the four South Koreans who died during the bombardment on Nov. 23, 2010. Moon Kwang-wook, another marine, and two civilians died after North Korea fired about 170 artillery shells and rockets.
On Monday Kim criticized what she said was lack of interest in the incident.
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"In the name of peace, there are more and more of those who try hard to dismiss North Korea's provocations. This is truly unfortunate."
South Korean officials handling inter-Korea relations did not attend the ceremony in Daejeon.
Unification Minister Lee In-young said Monday engagement with the North must continue, and Pyongyang's unilateral decision to demolish the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong should not deter future efforts, JoongAng Ilbo reported.
"The liaison office must be rebuilt without leaving behind a history of hostility," Lee said at a meeting hosted by the ruling Democratic Party.
Lee also said the South should push to build liaison offices in the North Korean cities of Sinuiju, Rajin and Sonbong, according to the JoongAng.


upi--2020-11-23--Teeth from eel-like conodonts offer new proof of parallel evolution

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- The ancient teeth of conodonts , one of Earth 's earliest vertebrates , have offered paleontologists new proof of parallel evolution .
Despite living in distinct geographical regions , different groups of conodonts , eel-like creatures , adapted to new habitats in nearly identical ways .
Researchers detailed their discovery this month in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Conodonts swam the planet 's seas from 500 to 200 million years ago .
Their cone-shaped teeth can be found trapped in sedimentary rocks all across the globe .
Scientists estimate there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have suspected for several years now that a certain subspecies known as Sweetognathus conodonts developed several parallel evolutionary adaptations , '' study co-author Emilia Jarochowska said in a news release .
For the study , Jarochowska and her colleagues in Germany partnered with a group of scientists in Canada who have collected Sweetognathus teeth from all over the world , including Bolivia and Russia .
`` As we now have such a good knowledge of tectonics over the history of the Earth , we can rule out the possibility that organisms from these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other , '' said Jarochowska , a paleontologist at Friedrich Alexander University in Germany .
Using high-resolution imagine technology , researchers produced 3D models and mathematical descriptions of several dozen conodont teeth .
The morphologies present in the teeth confirmed what scientists suspected -- conodonts repeatedly adapted in similar and predictable ways to different food sources in a variety of geographic locations .
The new analysis also confirmed that the teeth recovered from Bolivia and Russia belonged to two species with a common ancestor .
`` We were able to prove that two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world followed the same developmental pattern , '' Jarochowska said .
`` That is further proof for the theory of evolution -- and for the effectiveness of international collaboration . ''

A scanning electron microscope image shows the morphologies of an ancient tooth belonging to a conodont species from the Permian period. Photo by David Terrill/Charles Henderson/Friedrich Alexander University
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- The ancient teeth of conodonts, one of Earth's earliest vertebrates, have offered paleontologists new proof of parallel evolution. Despite living in distinct geographical regions, different groups of conodonts, eel-like creatures, adapted to new habitats in nearly identical ways. Advertisement
Researchers detailed their discovery this month in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Conodonts swam the planet's seas from 500 to 200 million years ago. Their cone-shaped teeth can be found trapped in sedimentary rocks all across the globe. Scientists estimate there were around 3,000 conodont species.
"Scientists have suspected for several years now that a certain subspecies known as Sweetognathus conodonts developed several parallel evolutionary adaptations," study co-author Emilia Jarochowska said in a news release.
For the study, Jarochowska and her colleagues in Germany partnered with a group of scientists in Canada who have collected Sweetognathus teeth from all over the world, including Bolivia and Russia.
"As we now have such a good knowledge of tectonics over the history of the Earth, we can rule out the possibility that organisms from these regions were ever in contact with each other," said Jarochowska, a paleontologist at Friedrich Alexander University in Germany.
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Using high-resolution imagine technology, researchers produced 3D models and mathematical descriptions of several dozen conodont teeth.
The morphologies present in the teeth confirmed what scientists suspected -- conodonts repeatedly adapted in similar and predictable ways to different food sources in a variety of geographic locations.
The new analysis also confirmed that the teeth recovered from Bolivia and Russia belonged to two species with a common ancestor.
"We were able to prove that two lineages of Sweetognathus in two different parts of the world followed the same developmental pattern," Jarochowska said. "That is further proof for the theory of evolution -- and for the effectiveness of international collaboration."


upi--2020-11-23--Daniil Medvedev stages comeback to beat No. 3 Dominic Thiem for ATP Finals crown

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev beat Novak Djokovic , Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem en route to his first ATP Finals title in London .
Medvedev , the No .
4 player in the ATP rankings , claimed the title with a 4-6 , 7-6 ( 2 ) , 6-4 victory over Thiem on Sunday .
He beat Djokovic -- the world 's top player -- in straight sets on Wednesday in the group stage , then Nadal -- the No .
2 player -- in three sets in Saturday 's semifinal to clinch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medvedev is the first player in history to beat the top three men 's players in the ATP Finals , which is the season finale for the men 's tour .
He fired 12 aces and 37 winners in the two-hour , 42-minute final .
Thiem hit six aces and 29 winners in the loss .
`` What a match , '' Medvedev told reporters .
`` [ It was ] one of my best victories of my career -- two hours [ and ] 42 [ minutes ] , three sets against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congratulations already for what you achieved in your career .
Your name is already in the history of tennis books .
It is amazing .
You won a Grand Slam this year .
You are playing unbelievable .
I hope we are going to have many more matches to come on big occasions like this . ''
Medvedev is just the fourth player in history to beat the top three men 's players in one tournament .
He also defeated No .
9 Diego Schwartzman and No .
7 Alexander Zverev in the @ @ @

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Daniil Medvedev beat Dominic Thiem in the in the two-hour and 42-minute final on Sunday in London, Britain. Photo by Andy Rain/EPA-EFE
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev beat Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem en route to his first ATP Finals title in London. Medvedev, the No. 4 player in the ATP rankings, claimed the title with a 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4 victory over Thiem on Sunday. He beat Djokovic -- the world's top player -- in straight sets on Wednesday in the group stage, then Nadal -- the No. 2 player -- in three sets in Saturday's semifinal to clinch his match-up against the third-ranked Thiem. Advertisement
Medvedev is the first player in history to beat the top three men's players in the ATP Finals, which is the season finale for the men's tour. He fired 12 aces and 37 winners in the two-hour, 42-minute final. Thiem hit six aces and 29 winners in the loss.
"What a match," Medvedev told reporters. "[It was] one of my best victories of my career -- two hours [and] 42 [minutes], three sets against an amazing player.
"Dominic, congratulations already for what you achieved in your career. Your name is already in the history of tennis books. It is amazing. You won a Grand Slam this year. You are playing unbelievable. I hope we are going to have many more matches to come on big occasions like this."
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Medvedev is just the fourth player in history to beat the top three men's players in one tournament. He also defeated No. 9 Diego Schwartzman and No. 7 Alexander Zverev in the group stage.


upi--2020-11-23--Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu makes secret trip to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu makes secret trip to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Mike Pompeo

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret trip to Saudi Arabia late Sunday to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the first time , as well as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
Netanyahu did not advise either his defense minister or foreign minister of the visit to Neom on Sunday night .
Mossad intelligence head Yossi Cohen also attended the meeting .
Among the topics of discussion was Iran , according to The Wall Street Journal .
The meeting lasted for a few hours before Netanyahu returned to Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a member of Netanyahu 's Likud party , called the meeting an `` incredible achievement . ''
`` Let us say that the very existence of the meeting , the fact that it was put out publicly ... [ is ] a matter of great importance from any aspect and matter , '' Gallant told Israel 's Army Radio .
Sunday 's was the first known meeting between Netanyahu and bin Salman .
Pompeo , who visited Saudi Arabia at the end of his seven-nation tour , has encouraged Saudi officials to normalize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken this fall by the United Arab Emirates , Bahrain and Sudan .
The Saudi crown prince is said to support establishing a diplomatic channel with Israel , but Saudi reports say King Salman is opposed to the idea .
Outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump has said he expects Saudi Arabia will follow the UAE , Bahrain and Sudan and establish Israeli ties .
Trump participated remotely Sunday on the second day of the G20 Summit after taking criticism for skipping the first day on Saturday to golf instead .
`` Trump expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and families .
He also discussed the historic achievements made in the United States and around the world in empowering and investing in women , and called on all countries to do more , '' the White House said in a statement .

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, second from left, meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, center-right, in Neom, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also visited with the crown prince for the first time, officials said. Photo courtesy Secretary of State Mike Pompeo/Twitter
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret trip to Saudi Arabia late Sunday to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the first time, as well as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Netanyahu did not advise either his defense minister or foreign minister of the visit to Neom on Sunday night. Mossad intelligence head Yossi Cohen also attended the meeting. Advertisement
Among the topics of discussion was Iran, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The meeting lasted for a few hours before Netanyahu returned to Israel.
Israeli education minister Yoav Gallant, a member of Netanyahu's Likud party, called the meeting an "incredible achievement."
"Let us say that the very existence of the meeting, the fact that it was put out publicly ... [is] a matter of great importance from any aspect and matter," Gallant told Israel's Army Radio.
Sunday's was the first known meeting between Netanyahu and bin Salman.
Pompeo, who visited Saudi Arabia at the end of his seven-nation tour, has encouraged Saudi officials to normalize relations with Israel -- similar to steps taken this fall by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan.
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The Saudi crown prince is said to support establishing a diplomatic channel with Israel, but Saudi reports say King Salman is opposed to the idea. Outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump has said he expects Saudi Arabia will follow the UAE, Bahrain and Sudan and establish Israeli ties.
Trump participated remotely Sunday on the second day of the G20 Summit after taking criticism for skipping the first day on Saturday to golf instead.
"Trump expressed the importance of policies that promote workers and families. He also discussed the historic achievements made in the United States and around the world in empowering and investing in women, and called on all countries to do more," the White House said in a statement.


upi--2020-11-23--In photos: Moments from the National Football League for the week of Nov. 22, 2020

Pittsburgh Steelers ' Chase Claypool ( L ) slips as he attempts to receive a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday , where the Steelers defeated the Jaguars 27-3 , maintaining their undefeated position @ @ @ @ @

Tennessee Titans' Derrick Henry (C) breaks away from Baltimore Ravens' Patrick Queen (L) on a 29-yard touchdown run to win the game 30-24 during overtime in Baltimore on Sunday. Photo by David Tulis/UPI


upi--2020-11-23--Watch: Al Roker returns to 'Today' after prostate cancer surgery

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Al Roker is back at Today two weeks after his prostate cancer surgery .
The 66-year-old Today weather anchor and co-host returned to the show Monday following his prostate cancer diagnosis and surgery .
Roker was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September and had surgery to remove his prostate and several lymph nodes earlier this month .
On Today , he gave a health update and said he was feeling `` good . ''
`` I tell ya , I have great surgeons , '' Roker told his co-hosts .
`` Had a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of you and all of you here just really took care of me . ''
`` I feel good , I really do , '' he added .
`` Feel good and been trying to exercise . ''
Roker will undergo regular checkups in the coming years to keep an eye on his health .
`` The first week of January , I go have bloodwork .
Hopefully my PSA has dropped considerably , '' he said , referencing his prostate specific antigen ( PSA ) levels .
`` For the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every six months . ''
Roker confirmed his return and encouraged others to get tested for prostate cancer in an Instagram video Monday .
`` We 're baaaaaaack !
!
!
# getchecked for # prostatecancer # prostatecancerawareness , '' he captioned the post .
Roker announced his prostate cancer diagnosis Nov. 6 on Today .
He said Nov.12 on Instagram that he was feeling `` relieved '' and back at home after his surgery .
Last week on Today , Roker said he is `` doing great '' and announced his impending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dr. Vincent Laudone , said Roker now has `` no evidence of cancer '' but will be monitored for several years .

"I feel good, I really do," says @AlRoker. We're checking-in with our good friend Al who is back in studio 1A after receiving surgery for prostate cancer just two weeks ago. pic.twitter.com/ZHdjJqyfDY— TODAY (@TODAYshow) November 23, 2020
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Al Roker is back at Today two weeks after his prostate cancer surgery.
The 66-year-old Today weather anchor and co-host returned to the show Monday following his prostate cancer diagnosis and surgery.
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Roker was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September and had surgery to remove his prostate and several lymph nodes earlier this month. On Today, he gave a health update and said he was feeling "good."
"I tell ya, I have great surgeons," Roker told his co-hosts. "Had a lot of love from my family ... and a lot of you and all of you here just really took care of me."
"I feel good, I really do," he added. "Feel good and been trying to exercise."
Roker will undergo regular checkups in the coming years to keep an eye on his health.
"The first week of January, I go have bloodwork. Hopefully my PSA has dropped considerably," he said, referencing his prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. "For the next five years I'll get tested every six months."
Roker confirmed his return and encouraged others to get tested for prostate cancer in an Instagram video Monday.
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"We're baaaaaaack!!! #getchecked for #prostatecancer #prostatecancerawareness," he captioned the post.
Roker announced his prostate cancer diagnosis Nov. 6 on Today. He said Nov.12 on Instagram that he was feeling "relieved" and back at home after his surgery.
Last week on Today, Roker said he is "doing great" and announced his impending return to the show. His doctor, Dr. Vincent Laudone, said Roker now has "no evidence of cancer" but will be monitored for several years.


upi--2020-11-23--Joe Biden should think hard about re-engaging with Iran

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- As the Donald Trump presidency winds down and Joe Biden prepares to enter the White House , all eyes are on the Middle East and in particular the future of U.S. policy on Iran .
The outgoing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has pledged to toughen sanctions on Iran before he demits office .
Drawing attention to the first anniversary of the vicious suppression of nationwide protests in Iran , when more than 1,500 unarmed protesters were shot dead and over 12,000 arrested , Pompeo said : '' On Nov. 15 , 2019 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iranians took to the streets of more than 200 cities across Iran to protest four decades of mismanagement by a corrupt regime that squandered its people 's wealth on terrorism abroad and oppression at home .
The Iranian regime tried to hide the evidence of its brutal crackdown through censorship , intimidation , and the digital darkness of Internet shutdowns and still refuses to allow independent investigations into the killings it perpetrated during that fateful week . ''
As Biden talks up re-engaging America with the Iran nuclear deal , Trump is likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tighten sanctions under his `` maximum pressure '' campaign .
The Republican majority in the Senate , subject to any upsets in the Jan. 5 runoff in Georgia , will make it hard for Biden to cozy up to the mullahs in Tehran , the way his mentor Barack Obama did .
Nevertheless , it remains the case that Biden repeatedly stated during his campaign that it was his intention to re-engage in dialogue with the Iranian mullahs and to seek to restore the nuclear deal .
The president-elect is expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser Tony Blinken his secretary of state .
Jake Sullivan is likely to become his national security adviser .
Blinken and Sullivan , who was a key architect of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclearn deal , have said they favor restoring the deal , but both have emphasized that it will be subject to Iran adhering strictly to its conditions and ceasing its destabilizing activities in Syria , Yemen , Iraq and Lebanon .
It is unlikely the Iranian regime will embrace this approach .
Iran 's supreme leader , Ayatollah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the damage to Iran 's economy that he blames on Trump 's `` maximum pressure campaign '' sanctions .
He has also demanded the complete removal of sanctions before any negotiations can resume .
The theocratic regime has also boasted of its blatant violation of the nuclear deal .
It seems that the positions of the two sides are irreconcilable .
Before rushing back to Tehran to hug the mullahs , the Biden administration must surely take note of the court case about to begin in Belgium .
On Friday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a senior diplomat from the Iranian Embassy in Vienna and three other co-conspirators , on charges of terrorism .
On July 1 , 2018 , Assadi was arrested and charged with passing 500gms of TATP high explosives and a detonator to an Iranian/Belgian couple from Antwerp .
He had allegedly passed the bomb to Amir Saadouni , 40 , and his wife , Nasimeh Naami , 36 -- both of Iranian origin -- at a Pizza Hut restaurant in Place d'Armes , Luxembourg .
Assadi had instructed them to detonate the bomb at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Resistance of Iran , attended by more than 100,000 people at Villepinte near Paris .
The rally was addressed by leading politicians and senior government officials like Rudy Giuliani , Newt Gingrich , Member of Parliament Theresa Villiers , the former U.K .
Cabinet minister , and Stephen Harper , the former prime minister of Canada .
According to Jaak Raes , head of the VSSE , Belgium 's state security service , `` The plan for the attack was conceived in the name of Iran and under its leadership .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal initiative . ''
Will Biden really want to negotiate with a regime that planned to kill perhaps hundreds of people , including Americans , on European soil ?
Biden may also be alarmed to hear that the Iranian regime has been providing a safe haven for the leadership of America 's archenemy , al-Qaida .
It was revealed last week that Abu Muhammad al-Masri , al-Qaida 's second-in-command , was gunned down by two Israeli Mossad agents on a motorbike , in the center of Tehran on Aug. 7 .
Al-Masri was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the widow of Osama bin Laden 's son Hamza and herself a wanted terrorist , while sitting in their Renault , in a wealthy suburb of the Iranian capital .
Al-Masri was the mastermind behind the 1998 bomb attacks on the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed 224 people .
He was on the FBI 's most wanted list and the daring Mossad operation to eliminate him was believed to have been requested by Trump with the active involvement of the CIA .
Deeply embarrassed by the assassination , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ al-Masri 's identity , desperate to hide the fact that they were harboring one of the world 's most dangerous Sunni terrorists .
The Iranian regime is on its last legs .
Its economy has collapsed .
Inflation is running at 60 % .
It has debts of over $ 260 billion and massive unemployment .
The COVID-19 pandemic has killed more than 150,000 Iranians .
If the mullahs believe that the arrival of a new American president will offer them some sort of olive branch , they are seriously mistaken .
Eighty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a regime that has stolen their wealth , wrecked their country and sponsored war and terrorism around the world .
The young people have lost their fear .
Resistance units inspired by the National Council of Resistance of Iran have sprung up in every town and city in the Islamic Republic .
The next uprising will drive the mullahs from power and restore peace , freedom and justice to this beleaguered nation .
Biden , Blinken and Sullivan should think long and hard before they restore diplomatic relations with this terrorist regime .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Campaign for Iran Change .
He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland ( 1999-2014 ) , president of the Parliament 's Delegation for Relations with Iraq ( 2009-14 ) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup ( 2004-14 ) .
He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and is also president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association .

As President-elect Joe Biden talks up re-engaging America with the Iran nuclear deal, outgoing President Donald Trump is likely to use his remaining days in office to tighten sanctions under his "maximum pressure" campaign. Pool Photo by Andrew Harnik/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- As the Donald Trump presidency winds down and Joe Biden prepares to enter the White House, all eyes are on the Middle East and in particular the future of U.S. policy on Iran. The outgoing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has pledged to toughen sanctions on Iran before he demits office. Drawing attention to the first anniversary of the vicious suppression of nationwide protests in Iran, when more than 1,500 unarmed protesters were shot dead and over 12,000 arrested, Pompeo said: Advertisement
"On Nov. 15, 2019 and in the week that followed, brave Iranians took to the streets of more than 200 cities across Iran to protest four decades of mismanagement by a corrupt regime that squandered its people's wealth on terrorism abroad and oppression at home. The Iranian regime tried to hide the evidence of its brutal crackdown through censorship, intimidation, and the digital darkness of Internet shutdowns and still refuses to allow independent investigations into the killings it perpetrated during that fateful week."
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As Biden talks up re-engaging America with the Iran nuclear deal, Trump is likely to use his remaining days in office to tighten sanctions under his "maximum pressure" campaign. The Republican majority in the Senate, subject to any upsets in the Jan. 5 runoff in Georgia, will make it hard for Biden to cozy up to the mullahs in Tehran, the way his mentor Barack Obama did.
Nevertheless, it remains the case that Biden repeatedly stated during his campaign that it was his intention to re-engage in dialogue with the Iranian mullahs and to seek to restore the nuclear deal. The president-elect is expected to name his longtime friend and foreign policy adviser Tony Blinken his secretary of state.
Jake Sullivan is likely to become his national security adviser. Blinken and Sullivan, who was a key architect of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclearn deal, have said they favor restoring the deal, but both have emphasized that it will be subject to Iran adhering strictly to its conditions and ceasing its destabilizing activities in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon.
It is unlikely the Iranian regime will embrace this approach. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has demanded massive compensation for the damage to Iran's economy that he blames on Trump's "maximum pressure campaign" sanctions. He has also demanded the complete removal of sanctions before any negotiations can resume. The theocratic regime has also boasted of its blatant violation of the nuclear deal. It seems that the positions of the two sides are irreconcilable.
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Before rushing back to Tehran to hug the mullahs, the Biden administration must surely take note of the court case about to begin in Belgium. On Friday, the trial will start for Assadollah Assadi, a senior diplomat from the Iranian Embassy in Vienna and three other co-conspirators, on charges of terrorism. On July 1, 2018, Assadi was arrested and charged with passing 500gms of TATP high explosives and a detonator to an Iranian/Belgian couple from Antwerp.
He had allegedly passed the bomb to Amir Saadouni, 40, and his wife, Nasimeh Naami, 36 -- both of Iranian origin -- at a Pizza Hut restaurant in Place d'Armes, Luxembourg. Assadi had instructed them to detonate the bomb at a major gathering of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, attended by more than 100,000 people at Villepinte near Paris. The rally was addressed by leading politicians and senior government officials like Rudy Giuliani, Newt Gingrich, Member of Parliament Theresa Villiers, the former U.K. Cabinet minister, and Stephen Harper, the former prime minister of Canada.
According to Jaak Raes, head of the VSSE, Belgium's state security service, "The plan for the attack was conceived in the name of Iran and under its leadership. It was not a matter of Assadi's personal initiative." Will Biden really want to negotiate with a regime that planned to kill perhaps hundreds of people, including Americans, on European soil?
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Biden may also be alarmed to hear that the Iranian regime has been providing a safe haven for the leadership of America's archenemy, al-Qaida. It was revealed last week that Abu Muhammad al-Masri, al-Qaida's second-in-command, was gunned down by two Israeli Mossad agents on a motorbike, in the center of Tehran on Aug. 7. Al-Masri was assassinated, together with his daughter Maryam, the widow of Osama bin Laden's son Hamza and herself a wanted terrorist, while sitting in their Renault, in a wealthy suburb of the Iranian capital.
Al-Masri was the mastermind behind the 1998 bomb attacks on the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed 224 people. He was on the FBI's most wanted list and the daring Mossad operation to eliminate him was believed to have been requested by Trump with the active involvement of the CIA. Deeply embarrassed by the assassination, the fundamentalist Shi'ia mullahs tried to cover up al-Masri's identity, desperate to hide the fact that they were harboring one of the world's most dangerous Sunni terrorists.
The Iranian regime is on its last legs. Its economy has collapsed. Inflation is running at 60%. It has debts of over $260 billion and massive unemployment. The COVID-19 pandemic has killed more than 150,000 Iranians. If the mullahs believe that the arrival of a new American president will offer them some sort of olive branch, they are seriously mistaken.
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Eighty million Iranians are sick to death of a regime that has stolen their wealth, wrecked their country and sponsored war and terrorism around the world. The young people have lost their fear. Resistance units inspired by the National Council of Resistance of Iran have sprung up in every town and city in the Islamic Republic.
The next uprising will drive the mullahs from power and restore peace, freedom and justice to this beleaguered nation. Biden, Blinken and Sullivan should think long and hard before they restore diplomatic relations with this terrorist regime.
Struan Stevenson is the Coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change. He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland (1999-2014), president of the Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Iraq (2009-14) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup (2004-14). He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and is also president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association.


upi--2020-11-23--Lena Waithe's wife Alana Mayo files for divorce

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Lena Waithe 's wife Alana Mayo has filed for divorce 10 months after the @ @ @ @ @ Mayo filed to end the marriage on Friday at the Los Angeles County Superior Court @ @ @ @ @ .
E !
News also confirmed that Mayo has filed for divorce .
The separation @ @ @ @ @ , 36 , and Mayo announced their marriage .
`` After careful thought and consideration @ @ @ @ @ part ways .
We have nothing but support for one another and ask that you @ @ @ @ @ time , '' Waithe and Mayo said in a joint statement at the time .
@ @ @ @ @ Showtime 's The Chi and starring in Netflix 's Master of None , got engaged @ @ @ @ @ .

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Lena Waithe (L) and Alana Mayo attend the MTV Movie & TV Awards on June 2018. Mayo filed for divorce on Sunday. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Lena Waithe's wife Alana Mayo has filed for divorce 10 months after the pair separated in January. Mayo filed to end the marriage on Friday at the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Us Weekly has confirmed. Advertisement
E! News also confirmed that Mayo has filed for divorce.
The separation came two months after Waithe, 36, and Mayo announced their marriage.
"After careful thought and consideration, we have decided to part ways. We have nothing but support for one another and ask that you respect our privacy during this time," Waithe and Mayo said in a joint statement at the time.
Waithe, known for creating Showtime's The Chi and starring in Netflix's Master of None, got engaged to Mayo in November 2017.


upi--2020-11-23--Ryan Fitzpatrick says no QB controversy for Miami Dolphins after Tua Tagovailoa benched

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said it 's `` very clear '' that the Miami Dolphins are Tua Tagovailoa 's team and there is no controversy about who the starter is , even after the rookie was benched Sunday .
Tagovailoa completed 11 of 20 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown before he was replaced by Fitzpatrick in the fourth quarter of Miami 's 20-13 loss to the Denver Broncos .
Fitzpatrick nearly rallied the Dolphins to tie the score after he entered the game , but threw an interception in the red zone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was in , we could n't really get things going and coach [ Brian Flores ] felt like it was the best decision to put 'Fitz ' in to give us a spark , '' Tagovailoa told reporters .
`` When I heard that -- it was really [ about ] what 's best for the team .
If we were to win with 'Fitz ' in there , the locker room would be a lot different and everyone would be a lot happier .
It just sucks to lose . ''
Tagovailoa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Alabama in April 's NFL Draft -- made his NFL debut a month ago and his first start for Miami on Nov. 1 , a 28-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams .
Fitzpatrick started the Dolphins ' first six games this season before he was benched .
`` We talked about it on the sideline , '' Fitzpatrick said when asked if he advised Tagovailoa how to handle the swap .
`` We talked about it in the locker room .
I think it 's probably a conversation that 's over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the game the Dolphins wo n't make a change to the quarterback depth chart , which lists Tagovailoa as the starter .
He also said he 's not concerned about Tagovailoa 's confidence .
`` He 's a confident kid , '' Flores said .
`` I think he 's dealt with a lot of adversity .
He 's a confident kid and I think he 's fine . ''
`` Tua has done a nice job , so it 's about putting it behind you and moving onto the next one , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he 'll do a good job of that , so there 's no controversy .
`` This is his team .
He 's going to lead this team and continue to lead the team and we 've just all kind of got to pull him in the right direction and get everybody continuing to get better . ''
The Dolphins ( 6-4 ) next hit the road to face the New York Jets at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday at MetLife Stadium .

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick started the team's first six games before he was benched for Tua Tagovailoa, but said there's no quarterback controversy after he took over for the rookie on Sunday. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said it's "very clear" that the Miami Dolphins are Tua Tagovailoa's team and there is no controversy about who the starter is, even after the rookie was benched Sunday. Tagovailoa completed 11 of 20 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown before he was replaced by Fitzpatrick in the fourth quarter of Miami's 20-13 loss to the Denver Broncos. Advertisement
Fitzpatrick nearly rallied the Dolphins to tie the score after he entered the game, but threw an interception in the red zone with 1:10 remaining.
"When I was in, we couldn't really get things going and coach [Brian Flores] felt like it was the best decision to put 'Fitz' in to give us a spark," Tagovailoa told reporters.
"When I heard that -- it was really [about] what's best for the team. If we were to win with 'Fitz' in there, the locker room would be a lot different and everyone would be a lot happier. It just sucks to lose."
Tagovailoa -- the No. 5 overall pick from Alabama in April's NFL Draft -- made his NFL debut a month ago and his first start for Miami on Nov. 1, a 28-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Fitzpatrick started the Dolphins' first six games this season before he was benched.
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"We talked about it on the sideline," Fitzpatrick said when asked if he advised Tagovailoa how to handle the swap. "We talked about it in the locker room. I think it's probably a conversation that's over with now."
Flores said after the game the Dolphins won't make a change to the quarterback depth chart, which lists Tagovailoa as the starter. He also said he's not concerned about Tagovailoa's confidence.
"He's a confident kid," Flores said. "I think he's dealt with a lot of adversity. He's a confident kid and I think he's fine."
"Tua has done a nice job, so it's about putting it behind you and moving onto the next one," Fitzpatrick said. "I know that he'll do a good job of that, so there's no controversy.
"This is his team. He's going to lead this team and continue to lead the team and we've just all kind of got to pull him in the right direction and get everybody continuing to get better."
The Dolphins (6-4) next hit the road to face the New York Jets at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-23--WWE Survivor Series: Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre go to war, The Undertaker says goodbye

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Universal Champion Roman Reigns collided with WWE Champion Drew McIntyre , Raw and SmackDown battled to determine the best brand and The Undertaker gave his final farewell at WWE Survivor Series .
Reigns faced McIntyre in a Champion vs. Champion match in the main event on Sunday .
Reigns , who was accompanied to the ring by his special counsel Paul Heyman , competes on SmackDown while McIntyre competes on Raw .
The Big Dog and McIntyre traded multiple haymakers against each other in the hard-hitting match .
Reigns started to punish McIntyre by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with two Samoan drops followed by a Spear through the ringside barricade .
McIntyre , however , was still able to kick out of Reigns ' pin and survived a second Spear inside the ring .
McIntyre was able to nail Reigns with a Claymore but the Universal Champion also bumped into the referee , knocking him out .
Jey Uso , who has been forced to serve his cousin Reigns , then arrived onto the scene to Superkick McIntyre after Reigns delivered a blow below the waist .
Reigns finished off McIntyre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submission hold the Guillotine , which caused McIntyre to pass out , making Reigns the winner .
Reigns and Jey Uso shared a hug at the top of the entrance ramp as they celebrated the victory .
The Undertaker said goodbye to WWE on the 30th anniversary of his debut at the 1990 edition of Survivor Series .
Triple H , Ric Flair , Shawn Michaels , Shane McMahon , Big Show , JBL , Mick Foley , The Godfather , The Goodwins , Savio Vega , Rikishi , Kevin Nash and Booker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards The Undertaker .
WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon also made a rare apperance to introduce The Phenom .
The Undertaker made a grand entrance to the ring and made a short speech before kneeling down before a hologram of the late Paul Bearer , The Undertaker 's former manager .
`` My time has come to let The Undertaker rest in peace , '' the seven-time world champion said .
The Raw Men 's and Women 's Survivor Series teams , despite being dysfunctional , were able to pull out victories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Survivor Series teams .
AJ Styles , Sheamus , Keith Lee , Riddle and Braun Strowman of Team Raw dominated Seth Rollins , King Corbin , Otis , Kevin Owens and Uso of Team SmackDown , defeating them without any of their members being eliminated .
Rollins arrived to match looking despondent and after entering the bout , got down on his knees and allowed Sheamus to freely eliminate him with a Brogue Kick .
The rest of Team SmackDown followed suit with Uso lasting the longest .
Reigns was not happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying that losing made him look bad .
Women 's Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler , Lana , Lacey Evans and Peyton Royce of Raw took on Bayley , Bianca Belair , Natalya , Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan of SmackDown .
Jax and Baszler continued to bully Lana , demanding that she not tag herself into the match and only stand on the nearby steel steps away from the team .
Royce at one point was able to Suplex Bayley into all of the participants outside the ring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Team SmackDown after her other teammates were eliminated .
Baszler was disqualified after she would n't let go of her submission hold on Belair , the Kirifuda Clutch .
Belair was left against Jax and Lana who still stayed on the steps .
Belair fought Jax outside the ring and was able toss Jax over the barricade , however , the referee reached a ten count which disqualified both grapplers .
This made Lana and Team Raw the winner , with Lana earning the the title of Sole Survivor .
Other moments from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bank The Miz of Raw winning a dual-brand Battle Royal ; SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits defeating Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day ; United States Champion Bobby Lashley of Raw defeating Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn of SmackDown ; and SmackDown Women 's Champion Sasha Banks defeating Raw Women 's Champion Asuka .

Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Universal Champion Roman Reigns collided with WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, Raw and SmackDown battled to determine the best brand and The Undertaker gave his final farewell at WWE Survivor Series.
Reigns faced McIntyre in a Champion vs. Champion match in the main event on Sunday. Reigns, who was accompanied to the ring by his special counsel Paul Heyman, competes on SmackDown while McIntyre competes on Raw.
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The Big Dog and McIntyre traded multiple haymakers against each other in the hard-hitting match. Reigns started to punish McIntyre by smashing him through the announcer's desk with two Samoan drops followed by a Spear through the ringside barricade.
McIntyre, however, was still able to kick out of Reigns' pin and survived a second Spear inside the ring. McIntyre was able to nail Reigns with a Claymore but the Universal Champion also bumped into the referee, knocking him out.
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Jey Uso, who has been forced to serve his cousin Reigns, then arrived onto the scene to Superkick McIntyre after Reigns delivered a blow below the waist. Reigns finished off McIntyre with a Superman Punch followed by his submission hold the Guillotine, which caused McIntyre to pass out, making Reigns the winner.
Reigns and Jey Uso shared a hug at the top of the entrance ramp as they celebrated the victory.
The Undertaker said goodbye to WWE on the 30th anniversary of his debut at the 1990 edition of Survivor Series.
Triple H, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, Shane McMahon, Big Show, JBL, Mick Foley, The Godfather, The Goodwins, Savio Vega, Rikishi, Kevin Nash and Booker T made appearances to show their respects towards The Undertaker. WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon also made a rare apperance to introduce The Phenom.
The Undertaker made a grand entrance to the ring and made a short speech before kneeling down before a hologram of the late Paul Bearer, The Undertaker's former manager.
"My time has come to let The Undertaker rest in peace," the seven-time world champion said.
The Raw Men's and Women's Survivor Series teams, despite being dysfunctional, were able to pull out victories against the SmackDown Men's and Women's Survivor Series teams.
AJ Styles, Sheamus, Keith Lee, Riddle and Braun Strowman of Team Raw dominated Seth Rollins, King Corbin, Otis, Kevin Owens and Uso of Team SmackDown, defeating them without any of their members being eliminated.
Rollins arrived to match looking despondent and after entering the bout, got down on his knees and allowed Sheamus to freely eliminate him with a Brogue Kick. The rest of Team SmackDown followed suit with Uso lasting the longest. Reigns was not happy with Team SmackDown or Uso's performance, saying that losing made him look bad.
Women's Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler, Lana, Lacey Evans and Peyton Royce of Raw took on Bayley, Bianca Belair, Natalya, Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan of SmackDown. Jax and Baszler continued to bully Lana, demanding that she not tag herself into the match and only stand on the nearby steel steps away from the team.
Royce at one point was able to Suplex Bayley into all of the participants outside the ring.
Belair was left all alone on Team SmackDown after her other teammates were eliminated. Baszler was disqualified after she wouldn't let go of her submission hold on Belair, the Kirifuda Clutch.
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Belair was left against Jax and Lana who still stayed on the steps. Belair fought Jax outside the ring and was able toss Jax over the barricade, however, the referee reached a ten count which disqualified both grapplers. This made Lana and Team Raw the winner, with Lana earning the the title of Sole Survivor.
Other moments from Survivor Series included Mr. Money in the Bank The Miz of Raw winning a dual-brand Battle Royal; SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits defeating Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day; United States Champion Bobby Lashley of Raw defeating Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn of SmackDown; and SmackDown Women's Champion Sasha Banks defeating Raw Women's Champion Asuka.


upi--2020-11-23--Merck to acquire U.S. biotech OncoImmune, experimental COVID-19 drug

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Pharmaceutical company Merck said Monday it will acquire a small , privately-held biotech firm that has developed a promising drug candidate for treating severe cases of COVID-19 .
Merck will acquire OncoImmune and its therapeutic coronavirus candidate CD24Fc for $ 425 million , according to Merck President Roger Perlmutter .
`` Recent clinical investigations support the view that CD24Fc may provide benefit beyond standard of care therapy for COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen support , and hence will represent an important addition to the Merck pipeline of investigational medicines and vaccines designed to address the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement Monday .
`` Meaningful new therapeutic options are desperately needed for possibly millions of people around the world who will develop severe or critical COVID-19 disease . ''
Rockville , Md.-based OncoImmune , founded by University of Maryland researcher Yang Liu , reported encouraging interim results of a late-stage clinical study of CD24F two months ago .
It found that patients with severe COVID-19 who were treated with a single dose of the drug were 60 % more likely to improve , compared to a placebo .
The risk of death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 50 % , OncoImmune said .
The company evaluated the drug in more than 200 volunteers .
Perlmutter called the results `` remarkable '' and said the drug could make a great impact on the coronavirus pandemic with Merck 's global reach .
`` We decided that the only way , seriously , that this could be brought to people who need it is for us to lean in with our capabilities , '' he told CNBC .
Detailed results for the potential treatment , however , have not yet been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's other investigational drug candidates will be spun off into a new company , in which Merck will invest $ 50 million and hold a minority stake .

The risk of death or respiratory failure was reduced by more than 50% for those who took the experimental drug, which is intended for patients with severe COVID-19. File Photo by Justin Lane/EPA-EFE
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Pharmaceutical company Merck said Monday it will acquire a small, privately-held biotech firm that has developed a promising drug candidate for treating severe cases of COVID-19. Merck will acquire OncoImmune and its therapeutic coronavirus candidate CD24Fc for $425 million, according to Merck President Roger Perlmutter. Advertisement
"Recent clinical investigations support the view that CD24Fc may provide benefit beyond standard of care therapy for COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen support, and hence will represent an important addition to the Merck pipeline of investigational medicines and vaccines designed to address the COVID-19 pandemic," Perlmutter said in a statement Monday.
"Meaningful new therapeutic options are desperately needed for possibly millions of people around the world who will develop severe or critical COVID-19 disease."
Rockville, Md.-based OncoImmune, founded by University of Maryland researcher Yang Liu, reported encouraging interim results of a late-stage clinical study of CD24F two months ago. It found that patients with severe COVID-19 who were treated with a single dose of the drug were 60% more likely to improve, compared to a placebo.
The risk of death or respiratory failure was also reduced by more than 50%, OncoImmune said. The company evaluated the drug in more than 200 volunteers.
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Perlmutter called the results "remarkable" and said the drug could make a great impact on the coronavirus pandemic with Merck's global reach.
"We decided that the only way, seriously, that this could be brought to people who need it is for us to lean in with our capabilities," he told CNBC.
Detailed results for the potential treatment, however, have not yet been peer-reviewed.
The companies said that OncoImmune's other investigational drug candidates will be spun off into a new company, in which Merck will invest $50 million and hold a minority stake.