upi--2020-11-21--Taiwan, U.S. economic talks lead to 5-year agreement

Nov. 21 ( UPI ) -- Economic cooperation talks between the United States and Taiwan have led to a five-year agreement .
The countries signed a five-year memorandum of understanding , including efforts to boost ties in healthcare , semiconductors , 5G infrastructure and energy sectors along with supply-chain security .
Both parties also agreed to establish working groups on global health security , science and technology , women 's economic empowerment and infrastructure , among other issues .
The talks dubbed as the `` Inaugural U.S.-Taiwan Prosperity Partnership Dialogue , '' were held virtually and partly in person in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the dialogue `` was a great success , '' in a Twitter post .
`` Thank you for everyone involved for bringing # Taiwan & the # US even closer together & strengthening our economies during trying times .
We will continue to work together to build a more prosperous world . ''
Others in the delegation took part by video conference from Taipei , including Minister without Portfolio , John Deng , in charge of financial and economic affairs , and Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-Hua .
Under Secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Krach led the U.S. delegation .
Chen said Krach praised Taiwan 's technology achievements and wanted both sides to work together .
The dialogue did not advance Taiwan 's hopes for a bilateral trade agreement , according to officials .
The economic dialogue is part of the Trump administration 's growing relationship with Taiwan , which has also included Krach visiting Taipei in September , and led to billions of dollars in potential arms sales , which have led China to say it would sanction U.S. defense contractors .
Lowry Institute research fellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade talks were not discussed , but `` even the symbolism of these high-level economic talks and resulting MOU is valuable . ''
Deng said that a focus will be strategic cooperation in the semiconductor industry , which could benefit both economies .
Wang added that investment of the world 's biggest contract chipmaker , Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing , in the United States , has built a basis for bilateral cooperation .
For global health , Taiwan agreed to share its protective equipment expertise , and the United States said it would contribute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research and development .
On women 's economic empowerment , both sides agreed to combine efforts with the United States already involved in initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean and Taiwan involved in programs in the Indo-Pacific region .
Both parties also agreed to establish a task force on economic cooperation .
They also discussed cooperating on infrastructure development in the Indo-Pacific region .

A five-year memorandum of understanding was signed at the "U.S.-Taiwan Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue" on Friday. Photo courtesy of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen/ Twitter
Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Economic cooperation talks between the United States and Taiwan have led to a five-year agreement. The countries signed a five-year memorandum of understanding, including efforts to boost ties in healthcare, semiconductors, 5G infrastructure and energy sectors along with supply-chain security. Advertisement
Both parties also agreed to establish working groups on global health security, science and technology, women's economic empowerment and infrastructure, among other issues.
The talks dubbed as the "Inaugural U.S.-Taiwan Prosperity Partnership Dialogue," were held virtually and partly in person in Washington, D.C.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen said the dialogue "was a great success," in a Twitter post. "Thank you for everyone involved for bringing #Taiwan & the #US even closer together & strengthening our economies during trying times. We will continue to work together to build a more prosperous world."
Taiwan's Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Chen Chern-Chyi "C.C." Chen led a delegation to D.C. talks.
Others in the delegation took part by video conference from Taipei, including Minister without Portfolio, John Deng, in charge of financial and economic affairs, and Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-Hua.
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Under Secretary of Economic Growth, Energy and Environment Keith Krach led the U.S. delegation.
Chen said Krach praised Taiwan's technology achievements and wanted both sides to work together.
The dialogue did not advance Taiwan's hopes for a bilateral trade agreement, according to officials.
The economic dialogue is part of the Trump administration's growing relationship with Taiwan, which has also included Krach visiting Taipei in September, and led to billions of dollars in potential arms sales, which have led China to say it would sanction U.S. defense contractors.
Lowry Institute research fellow Natasha Kassam said it wasn't surprising trade talks were not discussed, but "even the symbolism of these high-level economic talks and resulting MOU is valuable."
Deng said that a focus will be strategic cooperation in the semiconductor industry, which could benefit both economies.
Wang added that investment of the world's biggest contract chipmaker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, in the United States, has built a basis for bilateral cooperation.
For global health, Taiwan agreed to share its protective equipment expertise, and the United States said it would contribute its strength in medical research, vaccine research and development.
On women's economic empowerment, both sides agreed to combine efforts with the United States already involved in initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean and Taiwan involved in programs in the Indo-Pacific region.
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Both parties also agreed to establish a task force on economic cooperation.
They also discussed cooperating on infrastructure development in the Indo-Pacific region.


upi--2020-11-21--Intact bodies of 2 men found at Pompeii dig

Nov. 21 ( UPI ) -- The almost perfectly preserved remains of two men -- believed to be a wealthy landowner and a younger enslaved person -- have been unearthed at the ancient Roman city of Pompeii .
Pompeii archaeological park officials said Friday that the bodies were found during excavations at a villa on the outskirts of the city .
The two men are believed to have died as they fled the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79 .
Found lying close together , the men are believed to escape the initial phase of the eruption , which blanketed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but were likely killed by a blast that happened the next day .
Park director Massimo Ossana described the find as `` truly exceptional . ''
Experts say the younger man was probably aged between 18 and 25 and had several compressed vertebrae , suggesting he was a manual laborer or was enslaved .
The older man is estimated to have been 30 and 40 .
Park officials said they intend to do more digging in the next few months , which might offer more clues about where the men were going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the villa .
The eruption of Vesuvius was described by Roman magistrate Pliny the Younger as `` an extraordinary and alarming scene . ''
The city and the neighboring area were completely buried and remained intact until 1748 when King Charles III of Bourbon commissioned the first official excavations of the site .

A photo made available by Parco Archeologico of Pompeii shows two bodies, master and slave: they are the almost intact bodies of two men in Pompeii, Italy, 21 November 2020. Luigi Spina /Parco Archeologico / EPA-EFE
Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The almost perfectly preserved remains of two men -- believed to be a wealthy landowner and a younger enslaved person -- have been unearthed at the ancient Roman city of Pompeii. Pompeii archaeological park officials said Friday that the bodies were found during excavations at a villa on the outskirts of the city. Advertisement
The two men are believed to have died as they fled the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79.
Found lying close together, the men are believed to escape the initial phase of the eruption, which blanketed the city in volcanic ash and pumice, but were likely killed by a blast that happened the next day.
Park director Massimo Ossana described the find as "truly exceptional."
Experts say the younger man was probably aged between 18 and 25 and had several compressed vertebrae, suggesting he was a manual laborer or was enslaved.
The older man is estimated to have been 30 and 40.
Park officials said they intend to do more digging in the next few months, which might offer more clues about where the men were going and what roles they may have played in the villa.
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The eruption of Vesuvius was described by Roman magistrate Pliny the Younger as "an extraordinary and alarming scene."
The city and the neighboring area were completely buried and remained intact until 1748 when King Charles III of Bourbon commissioned the first official excavations of the site.


upi--2020-11-21--New 'Predator' movie in the works

New 'Predator' movie in the works

Variety and Deadline reported the project and the filmmaker 's involvement in it Friday .
`` This was meant to @ @ @ @ @ working on this for almost 4 years now .
I am very sad that what @ @ @ @ @ how you could discover this movie will no longer happen .
It 's a bummer @ @ @ @ @ ! ''
Trachtenberg tweeted , along with a link to the Deadline article .
No @ @ @ @ @ been disclosed .
Tom Clancy 's Jack Ryan and Treadstone scribe Patrick Aison is writing @ @ @ @ @ , Carl Weathers and Jesse Ventura starred in the original 1987 movie , Predator .
@ @ @ @ @ Olivia Munn , Keegan-Michael Key and Thomas Jane .
It was released in 2018 .

A fifth "Predator" movie is now in the works. Olivia Munn starred in the most recent sequel, "The Predator," in 2018. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 21 (UPI) -- 10 Cloverfield Lane director Dan Trachtenberg is helming a fifth Predator sci-fi movie. Variety and Deadline reported the project and the filmmaker's involvement in it Friday. Advertisement
"This was meant to be a surprise. Been working on this for almost 4 years now. I am very sad that what we had in store for how you could discover this movie will no longer happen. It's a bummer. But also...YAY!" Trachtenberg tweeted, along with a link to the Deadline article.
No casting or story details have been disclosed.
Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan and Treadstone scribe Patrick Aison is writing the script.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers and Jesse Ventura starred in the original 1987 movie, Predator.
The most recent sequel featured Olivia Munn, Keegan-Michael Key and Thomas Jane. It was released in 2018.


upi--2020-11-21--69  inmates break out of Lebanese prison; 5 die later in car crash

Nov. 21 ( UPI ) -- Sixty-nine inmates broke out of a Lebanese prison Saturday and five of them later @ @ @ @ @ , security forces said .
Inmates escaped around dawn from the prison in Baabda , @ @ @ @ @ capital Beirut .
The Internal Security Forces said prisoners broke down the doors of their @ @ @ @ @ outnumbering security officials , were able to lock some guards in cells prior to fleeing @ @ @ @ @ .
Five died and one was injured after escapees stole a car and crashed into @ @ @ @ @ inmate was being treated at a hospital , according to the ISF .
The ISF @ @ @ @ @ fugitives on Twitter .
Forty-four prisoners were at large , 15 were rearrested and four @ @ @ @ @ ISF reported .
In April , Amnesty International said the country had riots inside prisons @ @ @ @ @ release of prisoners amid growing concern related to the spread of COVID-19 .

Lebanese police stand guard outside a detention center after dozens of prisoners escaped Saturday in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon. Photo by Wael Hamzeh/EPA-EFE
Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Sixty-nine inmates broke out of a Lebanese prison Saturday and five of them later died in a car crash, security forces said. Inmates escaped around dawn from the prison in Baabda, a suburb of Lebanon's capital Beirut. Advertisement
The Internal Security Forces said prisoners broke down the doors of their cells, and inmates, outnumbering security officials, were able to lock some guards in cells prior to fleeing, The Daily Star reported.
Prosecutor Ghada Aoun ordered a probe into the prison break.
Five died and one was injured after escapees stole a car and crashed into a tree. The injured inmate was being treated at a hospital, according to the ISF.
The crash occurred during a police pursuit, Lebanese news channel OTV reported.
The ISF posted some pictures of the fugitives on Twitter.
Forty-four prisoners were at large, 15 were rearrested and four turned themselves in, the ISF reported.
In April, Amnesty International said the country had riots inside prisons and protests calling for immediate release of prisoners amid growing concern related to the spread of COVID-19.
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upi--2020-11-21--Falcon 9 carries NASA's new ocean-imaging satellite into space

Nov. 21 ( UPI ) -- SpaceX 's Falcon 9 launched from Central California on Saturday , carrying Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich , the newest satellite to monitor global sea level rise .
Liftoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base took place at 12:17 p.m. EST .
The reusable Falcon 9 rocket landed around 12:25 p.m. EST and the satellite separated about an hour after liftoff .
NASA said it received its first signal from the deployed satellite .
Sentinel-6 was developed by scientists and engineers at NASA , the European Space Agency , the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a trio of instruments , including a state-of-the-art altimeter , that will be used to monitor the topography of the sea surface .
It also will record atmospheric data , like temperature and humidity , that will improve weather forecasts , climate models and hurricane tracking .
`` It 's going to be a new star in the sky , giving us the best possible measurements of sea level rise , ocean waves and wind , '' Craig Donlon , Sentinel-6 mission scientist with ESA , said during a press conference Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the main stage cut its engines and the first and second stages separated .
After separation , the second stage , carrying the satellite payload , ignited its boosters .
Forty-five minutes after the initial second stage engine burn , the second stage 's thrusters fired once more , carrying the payload into a `` parking '' orbit .
A few minutes later , the satellite was released .
`` The satellite will begin solar panel deployment about one hour and seven minutes post-launch and is expected to make first contact about 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NASA .
Sentinel-6 will follow the polar orbit of its predecessors , offering continuity to NASA 's 30-year effort to track sea level rise .
After a year of data analysis to make sure the satellite and its instruments are performing optimally , scientists will begin utilizing Sentinel-6 's data .
All of the satellite 's measurements will be publicly available .
Sentinel-6 will eventually be replaced by its twin satellite , Sentinel-6B , which is scheduled to launch in 2025 .

An artist's rendering shows the new Sentinel-6 satellite orbiting Earth. Image courtesy of NASA
Nov. 21 (UPI) -- SpaceX's Falcon 9 launched from Central California on Saturday, carrying Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, the newest satellite to monitor global sea level rise. Liftoff from Vandenberg Air Force Base took place at 12:17 p.m. EST. The reusable Falcon 9 rocket landed around 12:25 p.m. EST and the satellite separated about an hour after liftoff. Advertisement
NASA said it received its first signal from the deployed satellite.
Sentinel-6 was developed by scientists and engineers at NASA, the European Space Agency, the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites and NOAA.
The satellite houses a trio of instruments, including a state-of-the-art altimeter, that will be used to monitor the topography of the sea surface.
It also will record atmospheric data, like temperature and humidity, that will improve weather forecasts, climate models and hurricane tracking.
"It's going to be a new star in the sky, giving us the best possible measurements of sea level rise, ocean waves and wind," Craig Donlon, Sentinel-6 mission scientist with ESA, said during a press conference Friday.
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Just a few minutes after liftoff, the main stage cut its engines and the first and second stages separated. After separation, the second stage, carrying the satellite payload, ignited its boosters.
Forty-five minutes after the initial second stage engine burn, the second stage's thrusters fired once more, carrying the payload into a "parking" orbit. A few minutes later, the satellite was released.
"The satellite will begin solar panel deployment about one hour and seven minutes post-launch and is expected to make first contact about 25 minutes after that," according to NASA.
Sentinel-6 will follow the polar orbit of its predecessors, offering continuity to NASA's 30-year effort to track sea level rise.
After a year of data analysis to make sure the satellite and its instruments are performing optimally, scientists will begin utilizing Sentinel-6's data. All of the satellite's measurements will be publicly available.
Sentinel-6 will eventually be replaced by its twin satellite, Sentinel-6B, which is scheduled to launch in 2025.


upi--2020-11-21--Potent pre-Thanksgiving storm may trigger slew of hazards

Nov. 21 ( UPI ) -- As Americans prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving and feast safely amid growing coronavirus concerns , a tumultuous weather pattern could add to the worries for some Americans in the days leading up to the holiday .
A multi-faceted storm could deliver everything from a taste of winter to the Plains and Great Lakes to a feeling of deja vu to springtime with drenching rain , gusty winds and perhaps even a threat for tornadoes in the Southeast .
A storm system will start to spin up in the central Plains on Monday , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will already be in place across the northern Plains and Great Lakes .
The cold air will follow a fast-moving storm set to sweep through the region over the weekend .
This will set the stage for some wintry precipitation on the northern fringes of the storm from Monday night into Tuesday .
`` Moisture and milder air will attempt to surge northward Tuesday in the Midwest .
As it meets the cold air that will already been in place across the region , it will start as some snow and sleet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Eventually , it will change over to plain rain for just about everybody , but before that , there could be a couple of slushy inches of snow and sleet , leading to some slick roads for a time . ''
Areas from Minnesota across northern Wisconsin and into northern Michigan will have the best chance of some snow and sleet accumulation before a changeover to rain could occur Tuesday afternoon and evening .
Places such as Minneapolis and Green Bay , Wis. , could get some wintry weather just in time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as far south as Madison , Wis. , an icy mix may fall first thing Tuesday morning before precipitation quickly changes to rain .
As areas well to the north prepare for the potential of wintry weather , those farther south will have an altogether different threat to worry about .
`` By Tuesday into Wednesday , the center of the storm system will re-form farther south and begin to move through the Southeast .
This will help to pull more warm , moist air from the Gulf of Mexico , '' Witt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ south , the rising motion from the area of low pressure will meet this warm , moist air and could heighten the risk for severe thunderstorms . ''
Tornadoes can not be ruled out with the set of weather ingredients expected to take shape .
`` The low pressure area will provide 'directional wind shear , ' or a change in wind direction with height , '' Witt said , adding that this factor is what often creates a rotating motion that can help thunderstorms turn severe .
The changing winds with altitude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
According to forecasters , the risk for damaging thunderstorms will start on Tuesday , across parts of eastern Oklahoma and Texas into Arkansas and Louisiana .
On Wednesday the threat may shift east into Mississippi and Alabama .
Places such as Shreveport , La.
, and Little Rock , Ark.
, could face the threats of damaging winds , torrential downpours and perhaps a tornado on Tuesday .
Travel along routes like Interstate 20 could also be disrupted and may become dangerous as the storms erupt .
Forecasters also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inhibit severe thunderstorms from igniting .
`` If it becomes too cloudy or rainy ahead of the main storm system , that can prevent the development of severe thunderstorms , '' Witt explained .
Still , meteorologists urge residents across the South to be prepared and monitor the forecast in the coming days .
Heavy rain , localized flooding for some areas in between Severe thunderstorms in the South could unleash the potential for flooding downpours as well , but it wo n't be the only area of the country that could endure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` There could be a couple of areas to watch out for with the potential for heavy rain , '' Witt said .
`` The first will be in the Midwest on Monday , as the first part of the storm system starts to take shape . ''
A swath of drenching rain could cross from parts of eastern Nebraska across Iowa and into northern Illinois .
`` The main threat , other than a very raw , cold rain Monday night into Tuesday morning , would be some ponding of water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Flooding may not be widespread , but it may become problematic for motorists .
Forecasters cautioned that people should never drive through flooded roadways , even if the water looks calm or shallow .
Water can be much deeper than it appears , and roadways can become compromised underneath floodwaters .
The heaviest rainfall will heighten flood dangers Tuesday night into Wednesday .
`` As the center of the storm system re-forms farther south , the same transition that will lead to the threat of severe thunderstorms , it will also bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mid-Mississippi Valley to the lower Ohio Valley and Tennessee Valley , '' Witt said .
As thunderstorms are projected to rage to the south , heavy rain is expected to push from the Ozarks to the central and southern Appalachians .
Localized flash flooding will be a concern , along with flooding of streets and poor-drainage areas .
Any drains that are still leaf-clogged could worsen street flooding in urban areas .
A general 1 inch to 2 inches of rainfall is anticipated , with higher amounts likely where heavy rain is more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rain will continue to push from the Midwest across the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley and into the Northeast Tuesday into Wednesday .
`` While these areas wo n't really have hazardous weather to contend with , it 's not going to be particularly pleasant Tuesday into Wednesday either , with gray skies and periods of chilly rain , '' Witt said .

As areas well to the north prepare for the potential of wintry weather, those farther south will face storms and potential tornadoes. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 21 (UPI) -- As Americans prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving and feast safely amid growing coronavirus concerns, a tumultuous weather pattern could add to the worries for some Americans in the days leading up to the holiday. A multi-faceted storm could deliver everything from a taste of winter to the Plains and Great Lakes to a feeling of deja vu to springtime with drenching rain, gusty winds and perhaps even a threat for tornadoes in the Southeast. Advertisement
Wintry mix for the Upper Midwest
A storm system will start to spin up in the central Plains on Monday, and it will meet up with cold air that will already be in place across the northern Plains and Great Lakes. The cold air will follow a fast-moving storm set to sweep through the region over the weekend.
This will set the stage for some wintry precipitation on the northern fringes of the storm from Monday night into Tuesday.
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"Moisture and milder air will attempt to surge northward Tuesday in the Midwest. As it meets the cold air that will already been in place across the region, it will start as some snow and sleet," AccuWeather meteorologist Derek Witt said.
"Eventually, it will change over to plain rain for just about everybody, but before that, there could be a couple of slushy inches of snow and sleet, leading to some slick roads for a time."
Areas from Minnesota across northern Wisconsin and into northern Michigan will have the best chance of some snow and sleet accumulation before a changeover to rain could occur Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Places such as Minneapolis and Green Bay, Wis., could get some wintry weather just in time for the Tuesday morning commute. Even as far south as Madison, Wis., an icy mix may fall first thing Tuesday morning before precipitation quickly changes to rain.
Severe storms to rattle Deep South
As areas well to the north prepare for the potential of wintry weather, those farther south will have an altogether different threat to worry about.
"By Tuesday into Wednesday, the center of the storm system will re-form farther south and begin to move through the Southeast. This will help to pull more warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico," Witt explained.
Advertisement
"With the track father south, the rising motion from the area of low pressure will meet this warm, moist air and could heighten the risk for severe thunderstorms."
Tornadoes cannot be ruled out with the set of weather ingredients expected to take shape.
"The low pressure area will provide 'directional wind shear,' or a change in wind direction with height," Witt said, adding that this factor is what often creates a rotating motion that can help thunderstorms turn severe. The changing winds with altitude could "help to spawn tornadoes," he said.
According to forecasters, the risk for damaging thunderstorms will start on Tuesday, across parts of eastern Oklahoma and Texas into Arkansas and Louisiana. On Wednesday the threat may shift east into Mississippi and Alabama.
Places such as Shreveport, La., and Little Rock, Ark., could face the threats of damaging winds, torrential downpours and perhaps a tornado on Tuesday.
Travel along routes like Interstate 20 could also be disrupted and may become dangerous as the storms erupt.
Forecasters also pointed to some weather factors that could inhibit severe thunderstorms from igniting.
"If it becomes too cloudy or rainy ahead of the main storm system, that can prevent the development of severe thunderstorms," Witt explained.
Advertisement
Still, meteorologists urge residents across the South to be prepared and monitor the forecast in the coming days.
Heavy rain, localized flooding for some areas in between
Severe thunderstorms in the South could unleash the potential for flooding downpours as well, but it won't be the only area of the country that could endure heavy rain and the potential for flooding.
"There could be a couple of areas to watch out for with the potential for heavy rain," Witt said. "The first will be in the Midwest on Monday, as the first part of the storm system starts to take shape."
A swath of drenching rain could cross from parts of eastern Nebraska across Iowa and into northern Illinois.
"The main threat, other than a very raw, cold rain Monday night into Tuesday morning, would be some ponding of water on streets and in poor-drainage areas."
Flooding may not be widespread, but it may become problematic for motorists. Forecasters cautioned that people should never drive through flooded roadways, even if the water looks calm or shallow. Water can be much deeper than it appears, and roadways can become compromised underneath floodwaters.
The heaviest rainfall will heighten flood dangers Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Advertisement
"As the center of the storm system re-forms farther south, the same transition that will lead to the threat of severe thunderstorms, it will also bring the potential for heavy rain from the mid-Mississippi Valley to the lower Ohio Valley and Tennessee Valley," Witt said.
As thunderstorms are projected to rage to the south, heavy rain is expected to push from the Ozarks to the central and southern Appalachians. Localized flash flooding will be a concern, along with flooding of streets and poor-drainage areas.
Any drains that are still leaf-clogged could worsen street flooding in urban areas. A general 1 inch to 2 inches of rainfall is anticipated, with higher amounts likely where heavy rain is more persistent.
Farther north, a cold rain will continue to push from the Midwest across the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley and into the Northeast Tuesday into Wednesday.
"While these areas won't really have hazardous weather to contend with, it's not going to be particularly pleasant Tuesday into Wednesday either, with gray skies and periods of chilly rain," Witt said.


upi--2020-11-21--Contestant dies after finishing 'Wipeout' obstacle course

Nov. 21 ( UPI ) -- A man died earlier this week after completing an obstacle course on TBS game @ @ @ @ @ confirmed .
The contestant died Wednesday after going into cardiac arrest after he finished the @ @ @ @ @ , which airs the show , and Endemol Shine North America , which produces the @ @ @ @ @ .
He was attended to by on-site emergency medical personnel after requiring medical attention upon @ @ @ @ @ later died , sources close to the production told Variety and CNN .
Contestants of @ @ @ @ @ to undergo medical exams and testing for COVID-19 before they are allowed to participate .
@ @ @ @ @ have learned of his passing and our deepest sympathy goes out to the family , @ @ @ @ @ CNN and Variety .
Endemol Shine North America added : `` We offer our heartfelt @ @ @ @ @ our thoughts are with them at this time . ''
Wipeout halted production Thursday and @ @ @ @ @ Thanksgiving holiday break .

TBS ordered the revival of "Wipeout" competition series earlier this year. File Photo courtesy of Endemol Shine
Nov. 21 (UPI) -- A man died earlier this week after completing an obstacle course on TBS game show Wipeout, the network confirmed. The contestant died Wednesday after going into cardiac arrest after he finished the course, spokespeople from TBS, which airs the show, and Endemol Shine North America, which produces the series, confirmed to Variety. Advertisement
He was attended to by on-site emergency medical personnel after requiring medical attention upon completion of the course and later died, sources close to the production told Variety and CNN.
Contestants of the game show are required to undergo medical exams and testing for COVID-19 before they are allowed to participate.
"We are devastated to have learned of his passing and our deepest sympathy goes out to the family," a TBS spokesperson told CNN and Variety.
Endemol Shine North America added: "We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and our thoughts are with them at this time."
Wipeout halted production Thursday and Friday and will resume after Thanksgiving holiday break.


upi--2020-11-21--Kabul rocket strike kills at least 8, injures over 2 dozen

Nov. 21 ( UPI ) -- A rocket strike in Kabul , Afghanistan , on Saturday killed 11 people and injured over two dozen , officials said .
Interior Affairs Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said 23 rockets exploded near a university and shopping area , and other places in downtown Kabul .
A burning truck with launch tubes in its bed was found in the vicinity , which indicated the vehicle was used to fire the munitions , security officials said .
The SITE Intelligence Group monitoring Islamic State announcements said the Islamic State , which used a similar attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , claimed responsibility for the attack .
The rockets landed in Kabul shortly after two improvised explosive devices exploded in Chehel Sutoon and Arzaan Qeemat , Tolo News reported .
The bomb in Arzaan Qeemat killed one security force member and injured three more people .
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Qatar hours after the fatal rocket attacks in Kabul .
Pompeo met with Afghan and Taliban negotiators in an effort to try to resume peace negotiations .
On Tuesday , the Pentagon said it would cut U.S. troops in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

An unfired rocket remains stuck in a damaged vehicle which was carrying and shooting the rockets, in the aftermath of a rocket attack Saturday in Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo by Jawad Jalali/EPA-EFE
Nov. 21 (UPI) -- A rocket strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Saturday killed 11 people and injured over two dozen, officials said. Interior Affairs Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said 23 rockets exploded near a university and shopping area, and other places in downtown Kabul. Advertisement
A burning truck with launch tubes in its bed was found in the vicinity, which indicated the vehicle was used to fire the munitions, security officials said.
The SITE Intelligence Group monitoring Islamic State announcements said the Islamic State, which used a similar attack in March to target the presidential inauguration, claimed responsibility for the attack.
The rockets landed in Kabul shortly after two improvised explosive devices exploded in Chehel Sutoon and Arzaan Qeemat, Tolo News reported.
The bomb in Arzaan Qeemat killed one security force member and injured three more people.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Qatar hours after the fatal rocket attacks in Kabul.
Pompeo met with Afghan and Taliban negotiators in an effort to try to resume peace negotiations.
On Tuesday, the Pentagon said it would cut U.S. troops in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500 by Jan.15.


upi--2020-11-21--Scenes from the holiday season

Scenes from the holiday season

The world heads into a holiday season like no other , with the COVID-19 pandemic resurging in many areas .
@ @ @ @ @ withstanding the disruption .
Here 's look at people preparing for the holidays in the @ @ @ @ @ world .

Parishioners sit in folding chairs with candles, listening to prayers outside of the St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Ladue, Mo., on December 24. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI


upi--2020-11-21--COVID-19: Nearly monthlong lockdown to begin in Toronto

Nov. 21 ( UPI ) -- Toronto will begin a 28-day lockdown Monday due to risk of the COVID-19 pandemic overwhelming hospitals .
Premier Doug Ford announced Friday the lockdown in the city along with the Peel Region , which includes widespread closures similar to those early on in the pandemic as COVID-19 cases spike across Ontario province .
Under the lockdown , gyms , nail and hair salons , gaming establishments , such as casinos and bingo halls , cinemas , and performing art centers will all be closed .
Restaurants and bars will also be closed except for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also be open for pick-up and drop-off of materials , and hotels and motels will be allowed to continue to operate though facilities like pools will remain closed .
Indoor sports facilities will close and outdoor sports will be limited to 10 people with social distancing .
Toronto Transit Commission spokesperson Stuart Green said the new lockdown would not affect bus service though the TCC goal continues to be to have no more than 15 passengers on each bus .
The province said it will fine people $ 750 for violation of public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required to prevent the worst-case scenario , '' Ford told reporters .
The province reported eight new COVID-19 deaths Friday , bringing the death toll in the province to 3,451 .
This month alone , 315 people have died of COVID-19 in Ontario .
Hospitalizations have increased by 22 % and intensive care unit visits have increased by 50 % .
Since the pandemic began , Canada has had 324,152 cases and 11,385 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University global tracker .
Meanwhile , Russia and Japan have reported a record number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fourth record high for daily cases with 24,822 new COVID-19 cases for Friday .
It was the fourth time the country set a new daily record this week .
In Moscow , 7,168 new cases were reported , an all-time high for the entire pandemic , bringing the total number in the capital to 547,138 cases .
The country also set a record of 467 new deaths from the coronavirus over the past day .
To date , Russia has reported over 2 million cases and more than 35,000 deaths .
Japan hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fourth day in a row with more than 2,500 new cases Saturday .
Amid the spike in cases , Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Japan will suspend its `` Go To Travel '' campaign -- a subsidy program that offers discounts on travel inside Japan to restart the economy -- in areas that have a high number of COVID-19 cases .
Akira Koike , head of the secretariat of the Japanese Communist Party , criticized Suga for not acting sooner to suspend the program amid record number of cases .
`` Opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be canceled , but the government never listened , '' Koike said .
Tokyo reported a new record of 539 new cases Saturday and Osaka prefecture hit a record 415 .
Nationwide , the total number of cases since the pandemic began has risen to 130,866 .
In Hong Kong , the number of new COVID-19 cases rose to 43 from 26 the prior day .
Amid the rise in cases , Singapore and Hong Kong have halted the air travel bubble initially set to begin Monday with a single daily flight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maximum of 200 passengers per flight .
Travel authorities had previously said the agreement would be suspended if COVID-19 worsens in either city .
So far , Hong Kong has reported more than 5,500 cases and 108 deaths from the coronavirus , according to the government 's website .
Singapore has reported 58,148 cases and 28 deaths since the pandemic began .
In Iran , a surge in cases led to new COVID-19 restrictions Saturday , Al Jazeera reported .
The new restrictions include a partial shutdown in areas classified as having the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these areas , all non-essential businesses will be closed , but up to a third of government employees will be allowed to work at offices .
Private firms with essential services will also be allowed to continue operating .
In regions with fewer hospitalizations , more business and government workers will continue operating .
Stanford Graduate School of Business economics professor Mohammad Akbarpour said a full lockdown where all but essential services are closed is needed to control the spread of the coronavirus , which means reducing the reproduction number to ensure each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than one individual on average .
`` Wearing masks and social distancing in restaurants and so on can reduce the reproduction number to numbers close to one , '' Akbarpour told Al Jazeera .
`` But what Iran needs at this point is a substantial reduction in the number of infected people and this can be achieved only through an aggressive , short lockdown in which only essential workers are active and people do not interact with anyone but their household members . ''
Iran has reported 841,308 cases since the pandemic began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States has the most cases and deaths at more than 11.9 million cases and over 250,000 deaths .
To date , COVID-19 has infected over 57 million people and killed over 1 million people .

A surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations is leading to widespread closures in the Ontario province of Canada. File Photo by Andre Pichette/EPA-EFE
Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Toronto will begin a 28-day lockdown Monday due to risk of the COVID-19 pandemic overwhelming hospitals. Premier Doug Ford announced Friday the lockdown in the city along with the Peel Region, which includes widespread closures similar to those early on in the pandemic as COVID-19 cases spike across Ontario province. Advertisement
Under the lockdown, gyms, nail and hair salons, gaming establishments, such as casinos and bingo halls, cinemas, and performing art centers will all be closed. Restaurants and bars will also be closed except for takeout and drive-thru delivery. Libraries will also be open for pick-up and drop-off of materials, and hotels and motels will be allowed to continue to operate though facilities like pools will remain closed.
Indoor sports facilities will close and outdoor sports will be limited to 10 people with social distancing.
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Toronto Transit Commission spokesperson Stuart Green said the new lockdown would not affect bus service though the TCC goal continues to be to have no more than 15 passengers on each bus.
The province said it will fine people $750 for violation of public health rules.
"Further action is required to prevent the worst-case scenario," Ford told reporters.
The province reported eight new COVID-19 deaths Friday, bringing the death toll in the province to 3,451. This month alone, 315 people have died of COVID-19 in Ontario. Hospitalizations have increased by 22% and intensive care unit visits have increased by 50%.
Since the pandemic began, Canada has had 324,152 cases and 11,385 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University global tracker.
Meanwhile, Russia and Japan have reported a record number of new cases.
Russia reported a fourth record high for daily cases with 24,822 new COVID-19 cases for Friday.
It was the fourth time the country set a new daily record this week.
In Moscow, 7,168 new cases were reported, an all-time high for the entire pandemic, bringing the total number in the capital to 547,138 cases.
The country also set a record of 467 new deaths from the coronavirus over the past day.
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To date, Russia has reported over 2 million cases and more than 35,000 deaths.
Japan hit a record high of new cases for the fourth day in a row with more than 2,500 new cases Saturday.
Amid the spike in cases, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Japan will suspend its "Go To Travel" campaign -- a subsidy program that offers discounts on travel inside Japan to restart the economy -- in areas that have a high number of COVID-19 cases.
Akira Koike, head of the secretariat of the Japanese Communist Party, criticized Suga for not acting sooner to suspend the program amid record number of cases.
"Opposition parties had said [the campaign] should be canceled, but the government never listened," Koike said.
Tokyo reported a new record of 539 new cases Saturday and Osaka prefecture hit a record 415.
Nationwide, the total number of cases since the pandemic began has risen to 130,866.
Japan has also reported 1,932 deaths.
In Hong Kong, the number of new COVID-19 cases rose to 43 from 26 the prior day.
Amid the rise in cases, Singapore and Hong Kong have halted the air travel bubble initially set to begin Monday with a single daily flight into each city, capped at a maximum of 200 passengers per flight.
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Travel authorities had previously said the agreement would be suspended if COVID-19 worsens in either city.
So far, Hong Kong has reported more than 5,500 cases and 108 deaths from the coronavirus, according to the government's website.
Singapore has reported 58,148 cases and 28 deaths since the pandemic began.
In Iran, a surge in cases led to new COVID-19 restrictions Saturday, Al Jazeera reported.
The new restrictions include a partial shutdown in areas classified as having the highest number of COVID-19 hospitalizations. In these areas, all non-essential businesses will be closed, but up to a third of government employees will be allowed to work at offices. Private firms with essential services will also be allowed to continue operating.
In regions with fewer hospitalizations, more business and government workers will continue operating.
Stanford Graduate School of Business economics professor Mohammad Akbarpour said a full lockdown where all but essential services are closed is needed to control the spread of the coronavirus, which means reducing the reproduction number to ensure each COVID-19 patient transmits the infection to less than one individual on average.
"Wearing masks and social distancing in restaurants and so on can reduce the reproduction number to numbers close to one," Akbarpour told Al Jazeera. "But what Iran needs at this point is a substantial reduction in the number of infected people and this can be achieved only through an aggressive, short lockdown in which only essential workers are active and people do not interact with anyone but their household members."
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Iran has reported 841,308 cases since the pandemic began and 44,327 deaths.
Worldwide, the United States has the most cases and deaths at more than 11.9 million cases and over 250,000 deaths.
To date, COVID-19 has infected over 57 million people and killed over 1 million people.


upi--2020-11-21--Michigan GOP meets with Trump, not 'made aware' of election fraud

Nov. 21 ( UPI ) -- Republican lawmakers from Michigan said they 've not seen any evidence that would change the outcome of the state 's election hours after they met with President Donald Trump at the White House .
State Senate Republican leader Mike Shirkey and state House Speaker Lee Chatfield said they used the meeting to ask Trump for more funds to fight the COVID-19 pandemic .
They were part of a team of representatives met with Trump for 2 hours Friday , purportedly for a routine meeting , according to White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Shirkey and Chatfield expected Trump to pressure them to intervene in the election in his favor .
`` This is not an advocacy meeting , '' McEnany said Friday .
`` There will be no one from the campaign there .
[ The president ] routinely meets with lawmakers from across the country . ''
After the meeting , Shirkey and Chatfield issued a statement clarifying that they spoke with Trump about the COVID-19 funding .
But they also addressed Trump 's challenge to the state 's elections process .
They said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the election .
`` We have not yet been made aware of any information that would change the outcome of the election in Michigan and as legislative leaders , we will follow the law and follow the normal process regarding Michigan 's electors , just as we have said throughout this election , '' the statement said .
`` Michigan 's certification process should be a deliberate process free from threats and intimidation .
Allegations of fraudulent behavior should be taken seriously , thoroughly investigated , and if prove , prosecuted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Early Saturday , Trump repeated his unfounded allegation of `` massive fraud '' in Michigan .
On Thursday , the Trump campaign dropped a lawsuit seeking to halt the certification of election results in Wayne County , which contains Detroit .
Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani announced the move after two Republican members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers signed affidavits stating they wanted to rescind their votes to certify the results .
`` This morning we are withdrawing our lawsuit in Michigan as a direct result of achieving the relief we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wayne County from being prematurely certified before residents can be assured that every legal vote has been counted and every illegal vote has not been counted , '' Giuliani said in a statement .
Canvassing board members Monica Palmer and William Hartmann initially voted not to certify Wayne County 's results , voicing concerns about unproven `` irregularities , '' and deadlocked the board vote in a 2-2 tie .
After widespread criticism that they were attempting to disenfranchise the county 's Black voters , Hartmann and Palmer switched their votes to confirm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying those votes were made under pressure and sought to rescind them .
Palmer told NBC News that President Donald Trump called her and Hartmann the day before they sought to rescind their votes , but that did n't influence their request .

Michigan Republican lawmakers met with President Donald Trump at the White House for 2 hours. Photo by Sarah Silbiger/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Republican lawmakers from Michigan said they've not seen any evidence that would change the outcome of the state's election hours after they met with President Donald Trump at the White House. State Senate Republican leader Mike Shirkey and state House Speaker Lee Chatfield said they used the meeting to ask Trump for more funds to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement
They were part of a team of representatives met with Trump for 2 hours Friday, purportedly for a routine meeting, according to White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany.
A Michigan Republican leader told NBC News that Shirkey and Chatfield expected Trump to pressure them to intervene in the election in his favor.
"This is not an advocacy meeting," McEnany said Friday. "There will be no one from the campaign there. [The president] routinely meets with lawmakers from across the country."
After the meeting, Shirkey and Chatfield issued a statement clarifying that they spoke with Trump about the COVID-19 funding. But they also addressed Trump's challenge to the state's elections process.
They said they have faith in congressional committee reviews of the election.
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"We have not yet been made aware of any information that would change the outcome of the election in Michigan and as legislative leaders, we will follow the law and follow the normal process regarding Michigan's electors, just as we have said throughout this election," the statement said.
"Michigan's certification process should be a deliberate process free from threats and intimidation. Allegations of fraudulent behavior should be taken seriously, thoroughly investigated, and if prove, prosecuted to the full extend of the law."
Early Saturday, Trump repeated his unfounded allegation of "massive fraud" in Michigan.
On Thursday, the Trump campaign dropped a lawsuit seeking to halt the certification of election results in Wayne County, which contains Detroit.
Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani announced the move after two Republican members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers signed affidavits stating they wanted to rescind their votes to certify the results.
"This morning we are withdrawing our lawsuit in Michigan as a direct result of achieving the relief we sought: to stop the election in Wayne County from being prematurely certified before residents can be assured that every legal vote has been counted and every illegal vote has not been counted," Giuliani said in a statement.
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Canvassing board members Monica Palmer and William Hartmann initially voted not to certify Wayne County's results, voicing concerns about unproven "irregularities," and deadlocked the board vote in a 2-2 tie.
After widespread criticism that they were attempting to disenfranchise the county's Black voters, Hartmann and Palmer switched their votes to confirm the results. They later signed affidavits saying those votes were made under pressure and sought to rescind them.
Palmer told NBC News that President Donald Trump called her and Hartmann the day before they sought to rescind their votes, but that didn't influence their request.


upi--2020-11-21--Season 4 will be the last for 'Black Lightning' on CW

Nov. 21 ( UPI ) -- The upcoming fourth season of Black Lightning will be the DC comic-book adaptation 's @ @ @ @ @ `` When we first started the Black Lighting journey , I knew that Jefferson Pierce @ @ @ @ @ Black Women would be a unique addition to the super hero genre , '' series @ @ @ @ @ Akil said in a statement Friday .
`` The love that Blerds and all comic @ @ @ @ @ have shown this series over the past three seasons proved what we imagined , Black @ @ @ @ @ in all their complexities . ''
The final season is slated to air in 2021 @

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Cress Williams' "Black Lightning" won't get a fifth season on The CW. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The upcoming fourth season of Black Lightning will be the DC comic-book adaptation's last on The CW. "When we first started the Black Lighting journey, I knew that Jefferson Pierce and his family of powerful Black Women would be a unique addition to the super hero genre," series developer and executive producer Salim Akil said in a statement Friday. Advertisement
"The love that Blerds and all comic book fans around the globe have shown this series over the past three seasons proved what we imagined, Black People Want To See Themselves in all their complexities."
The show stars Cress Williams, Christine Adams, China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, James Remar, Marvin Jones III, Jordan Calloway and Damon Gupton.
The final season is slated to air in 2021.


upi--2020-11-21--Michael Chiklis' 'Coyote' to debut on Jan. 7

Nov. 21 ( UPI ) -- All six episodes of Michael Chiklis ' new drama , Coyote , will be @ @ @ @ @ All Access on Jan.7 .
The cast also features Juan Pablo Raba , Adriana Paz @ @ @ @ @ Pisano , Cynthia Kaye McWilliams and Julio Cedillo .
`` Coyote is the story of @ @ @ @ @ 32 years as a border patrol agent is forced to work for the very people @ @ @ @ @ to keep out of America , '' the streaming service said in a news release @ @ @ @ @ life on the other side of the wall , Ben will start to question his @ @ @ @ @ the world , challenging his ideology and his loyalties . ''
David Graziano -- whose @ @ @ @ @ Southland -- is the show-runner .

Michael Chiklis' "Coyote" is set to debut on CBS All Access on Jan. 7. File Photo by Phil McCarten/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 21 (UPI) -- All six episodes of Michael Chiklis' new drama, Coyote, will be available to stream on CBS All Access on Jan.7. The cast also features Juan Pablo Raba, Adriana Paz, Kristyan Ferrer, Octavio Pisano, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams and Julio Cedillo. Advertisement
"Coyote is the story of Ben Clemens, who after 32 years as a border patrol agent is forced to work for the very people he spent his career trying to keep out of America," the streaming service said in a news release. "Now exposed to life on the other side of the wall, Ben will start to question his black and white views of the world, challenging his ideology and his loyalties."
David Graziano -- whose credits include American Gods and Southland -- is the show-runner.


upi--2020-11-21--Meagan Good, Chiké Okonkwo land leads in Lifetime's 'Death Saved My Life'

Nov. 21 ( UPI ) -- Meagan Good , Chiké Okonkwo and La'Myia Good have signed on for roles in @ @ @ @ @ Saved My Life .
Set to premiere in 2021 , the film is part of @ @ @ @ @ Ripped from the Headlines '' series .
`` Real-life sisters Meagan and La'Myia Good portray @ @ @ @ @ which is inspired by true events and tells the story of a woman who faked @ @ @ @ @ to trap her husband after he hires a hitman to kill her , '' a @ @ @ @ @ said .
Seth Jarrett is directing the project .
Barbara Kymlicka penned the screenplay .

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Meagan Good is set to star in Lifetime's "Death Saved My Life." File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Meagan Good, Chiké Okonkwo and La'Myia Good have signed on for roles in the Lifetime movie, Death Saved My Life. Set to premiere in 2021, the film is part of the cable network's "Ripped from the Headlines" series. Advertisement
"Real-life sisters Meagan and La'Myia Good portray siblings in the film, which is inspired by true events and tells the story of a woman who faked her own death in order to trap her husband after he hires a hitman to kill her," a synopsis from the cable network said.
Seth Jarrett is directing the project. Barbara Kymlicka penned the screenplay.


upi--2020-11-21--HBO Max announces six-part Nicki Minaj docu-series

Nov. 21 ( UPI ) -- Rapper Nicki Minaj is set to star in a six-part docu-series for HBO Max @ @ @ @ @ a multi-faceted artist , businesswoman , and innovator as well as force to be reckoned @ @ @ @ @ privilege to bring this project to HBO Max and provide our viewers with unprecedented access @ @ @ @ @ Sarah Aubrey , head of original content at HBO Max , said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ the project on Twitter .
`` It 's going to give you guys a raw @ @ @ @ @ personal life and my professional journey , '' Minaj said in a video .
`` @ @ @ @ @ share it with you . ''
Minaj also announced last month she gave birth to @ @ @ @ @ child with her husband , Kenneth Petty .

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Nicki Minaj is set to star in a six-part docu-series for HBO Max. File Photo by Serena Xu-Ning/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Rapper Nicki Minaj is set to star in a six-part docu-series for HBO Max. "Nicki Minaj is a multi-faceted artist, businesswoman, and innovator as well as force to be reckoned with. It's a privilege to bring this project to HBO Max and provide our viewers with unprecedented access to her life," Sarah Aubrey, head of original content at HBO Max, said in a statement Friday. Advertisement
Minaj also confirmed the project on Twitter.
"It's going to give you guys a raw, unfiltered look at my personal life and my professional journey," Minaj said in a video. "I can't wait to share it with you."
Minaj also announced last month she gave birth to a son, her first child with her husband, Kenneth Petty.


upi--2020-11-22--Tyler Perry Studios feeds 5,000 families for Thanksgiving

Nov. 22 ( UPI ) -- Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta is helping 5,000 families prepare for Thanksgiving .
`` @ @ @ @ @ the # TPSGiving Food Giveaway event on Sunday , November 22nd from 8:00am to 12:00pm @ @ @ @ @ Twitter feed said .
`` During this drive-up event we will be distributing non-perishable food @ @ @ @ @ people who are in need during this holiday season .
See you there ! ''
@ @ @ @ @ out on filmmaker Tyler Perry 's studio lot .
The Sistas , Madea and The @ @ @ @ @ creator , 51 , was honored at this year 's Emmy Awards ceremony with the @ @ @ @ @ and philanthropic contributions .
`` We 're proud to announce this year 's recipient @ @ @ @ @ @ for their impact in television , and ongoing commitment to humanitarian efforts , '' the @ @ @ @ @ when the award was announced .

Tyler Perry is giving out food to 5,000 families in Atlanta Sunday, ahead of this week's Thanksgiving holiday. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta is helping 5,000 families prepare for Thanksgiving. "We are excited to announce the #TPSGiving Food Giveaway event on Sunday, November 22nd from 8:00am to 12:00pm," the company's Twitter feed said. Advertisement
"During this drive-up event we will be distributing non-perishable food items and gift cards to people who are in need during this holiday season. See you there!"
The food is being given out on filmmaker Tyler Perry's studio lot.
The Sistas, Madea and The Haves and the Have Nots creator, 51, was honored at this year's Emmy Awards ceremony with the Governors Award for his cultural and philanthropic contributions.
"We're proud to announce this year's recipient @TylerPerry and The Perry Foundation for their impact in television, and ongoing commitment to humanitarian efforts," the Television Academy said in August when the award was announced.
We are excited to announce the #TPSGiving Food Giveaway event on Sunday, November 22nd from 8:00am to 12:00pm. During this drive-up event we will be distributing non-perishable food items and gift cards to people who are in need during this holiday season. See you there! pic.twitter.com/kQH2DvwNYp— Tyler Perry Studios (@TPstudios) November 19, 2020
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upi--2020-11-22--'Little House' icon Melissa Gilbert recovering from surgery

Nov. 22 ( UPI ) -- Little House on the Prairie icon Melissa Gilbert is recovering from surgery in California @ @ @ @ @ successful ! ''
the 56-year-old actress posted on Instagram , along with a photo of @ @ @ @ @ and eyeglasses and sitting up in a chair .
`` Dr Bray was able to @ @ @ @ @ , shave off bone spurs causing numbness in my right hand and , and , @ @ @ @ @ to give me the artificial disc !
!
!
So now I focus on recovery @ @ @ @ @ Thank you all for your love , support and prayers .
I send so much @ @ @ @ @ .
Happy Thanksgiving indeed !
!
!
Love and love and love ... MG # @ @ @ @ @ grateful # blessed # loveiseverything . ''
Gilbert starred in the family drama Little House @ @ @ @ @ to 1983 .

Melissa Gilbert is recovering from surgery in California. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Little House on the Prairie icon Melissa Gilbert is recovering from surgery in California. "Surgery was wildly successful!" the 56-year-old actress posted on Instagram, along with a photo of her wearing a hospital gown and eyeglasses and sitting up in a chair. Advertisement
"Dr Bray was able to remove all the old hardware, shave off bone spurs causing numbness in my right hand and, and, and, he was able to give me the artificial disc!!! So now I focus on recovery and remaining Covid free. Thank you all for your love, support and prayers. I send so much love back to you all. Happy Thanksgiving indeed!!! Love and love and love...MG #discsportandspine #artificial disc #grateful #blessed #loveiseverything."
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Gilbert starred in the family drama Little House on the Prairie from 1974 to 1983.
The Diary of Anne Frank and The Miracle Worker, and competed in Season 14 of Dancing with the Stars. She also appeared in the TV moviesand, and competed in Season 14 of


upi--2020-11-22--On This Day, Nov. 22: John F. Kennedy assassinated

Nov. 22 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1718 , Edward Teach , also known as the pirate Blackbeard , was killed off North Carolina 's Outer Banks during a battle with a British navy force .
In 1858 , the city of Denver was founded .
In 1935 , a Pan American Martin 130 `` flying boat '' called the China Clipper began regular trans-Pacific mail service .
The flight from San Francisco to Manila , Philippines , took 59 hours and 48 minutes .
In 1943 , meeting in Cairo , Egypt , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Winston Churchill and Chinese Premier Chiang Kai-Shek discuss ways to defeat the Empire of Japan .
In 1950 , a train wreck in New York City killed 79 people .
In 1954 , the Humane Society of the United States was founded .
In 1963 , U.S. President John F. Kennedy , 46 , in the third year of his first term , was assassinated while riding in a motorcade in Dallas .
Vice President Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as the nation 's 36th chief executive .
Lee Harvey Oswald was charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before he could go to trial .
In 1972 , the U.S. State Department ended a 22-year ban on U.S. travel to China .
In 1977 , the Anglo-French supersonic Concorde jetliner began scheduled flights to New York from London and Paris .
In 1988 , the U.S. Air Force publicly unveiled the B-2 Stealth bomber for the first time before some 2,500 spectators , including members of Congress and other dignitaries .
In 1989 , newly elected Lebanese President Rene Moawad died in bomb blast that also killed 17 other people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher resigned after 11 years in office .
In 1993 , Mexico 's Senate approved the North American Free Trade Agreement .
Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari called it a `` triumph . ''
In 1997 , New Zealanders Robert Hamill and Phil Stubbs arrived in Barbados from the Canary Islands in their boat , Kiwi Challenger , after 41 days , 1 hour and 55 minutes -- a record for rowing across the Atlantic .
In 2002 , at least 100 people died in riots in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the Miss World beauty pageant .
In 2005 , Angela Merkel was sworn in as Germany 's chancellor .
She was the first woman and first person from East Germany to lead the country .
In 2010 , about 400 people were killed and hundreds injured in a panic-driven stampede on a densely crowded suspension bridge during Cambodia 's Water Festival in Phnom Penh .
In 2016 , President Barack Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to Grace Hopper for her roles as a pioneering computer scientist and Navy admiral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tom Hanks , Ellen DeGeneres , Robert De Niro , Robert Redford , Lorne Michaels , Bruce Springsteen , Diana Ross , Cicely Tyson , Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , Michael Jordan , Vin Scully , Elouise Cobell , Bill Gates , Melinda Gates , Frank Gehry , Maya Lin and Richard Garwin .
In 2017 , former Bosnian Serb commander Ratko Mladic -- dubbed the `` Butcher of Bosnia '' -- was sentenced by a U.N. tribunal to life in prison for war crimes and genocide .

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President John F. Kennedy slumps into the arms of his wife, Jackie, immediately after he was shot as his motorcade made its way through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963. UPI File Photo | License Photo
Nov. 22 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1718, Edward Teach, also known as the pirate Blackbeard, was killed off North Carolina's Outer Banks during a battle with a British navy force. Advertisement
In 1858, the city of Denver was founded.
In 1935, a Pan American Martin 130 "flying boat" called the China Clipper began regular trans-Pacific mail service. The flight from San Francisco to Manila, Philippines, took 59 hours and 48 minutes.
In 1943, meeting in Cairo, Egypt, President Franklin Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Chinese Premier Chiang Kai-Shek discuss ways to defeat the Empire of Japan.
In 1950, a train wreck in New York City killed 79 people.
In 1954, the Humane Society of the United States was founded.
File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
In 1963, U.S. President John F. Kennedy, 46, in the third year of his first term, was assassinated while riding in a motorcade in Dallas. Vice President Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as the nation's 36th chief executive. Lee Harvey Oswald was charged with Kennedy's slaying but was killed before he could go to trial.
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In 1972, the U.S. State Department ended a 22-year ban on U.S. travel to China.
In 1977, the Anglo-French supersonic Concorde jetliner began scheduled flights to New York from London and Paris.
In 1988, the U.S. Air Force publicly unveiled the B-2 Stealth bomber for the first time before some 2,500 spectators, including members of Congress and other dignitaries.
In 1989, newly elected Lebanese President Rene Moawad died in bomb blast that also killed 17 other people in Syrian-patrolled Muslim West Beirut.
In 1990, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher resigned after 11 years in office.
File Photo by Rich Lipsk/UPI
In 1993, Mexico's Senate approved the North American Free Trade Agreement. Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari called it a "triumph."
In 1997, New Zealanders Robert Hamill and Phil Stubbs arrived in Barbados from the Canary Islands in their boat, Kiwi Challenger, after 41 days, 1 hour and 55 minutes -- a record for rowing across the Atlantic.
In 2002, at least 100 people died in riots in northern Nigeria sparked by a religious controversy over the Miss World beauty pageant.
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In 2005, Angela Merkel was sworn in as Germany's chancellor. She was the first woman and first person from East Germany to lead the country.
In 2010, about 400 people were killed and hundreds injured in a panic-driven stampede on a densely crowded suspension bridge during Cambodia's Water Festival in Phnom Penh.
In 2016, President Barack Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to Grace Hopper for her roles as a pioneering computer scientist and Navy admiral. Also awarded that day were: Tom Hanks, Ellen DeGeneres, Robert De Niro, Robert Redford, Lorne Michaels, Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross, Cicely Tyson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Vin Scully, Elouise Cobell, Bill Gates, Melinda Gates, Frank Gehry, Maya Lin and Richard Garwin.
In 2017, former Bosnian Serb commander Ratko Mladic -- dubbed the "Butcher of Bosnia" -- was sentenced by a U.N. tribunal to life in prison for war crimes and genocide.


upi--2020-11-22--Famous birthdays for Nov. 22: Steven Van Zandt, Terry Gilliam

Nov. 22 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius .
-- U.S. @ @ @ @ @ 1744 -- Wiley Post , the first pilot to fly solo around the world , @ @ @ @ @ Bluford Jr. , the first African-American astronaut in space , in 1942 ( age 78 @

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Steven Van Zandt arrives on the red carpet at a screening of "Western Stars" at Metrograph in New York City on October 16, 2019. The guitarist turns 70 on November 22. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius. They include: Advertisement
-- French explorer Rene-Robert Cavelier Sieur de La Salle in 1643
-- U.S. first lady Abigail Adams in 1744
-- English novelist George Eliot, born Mary Ann Evans, in 1819
-- French statesman/military leader Charles de Gaulle in 1890
-- Wiley Post, the first pilot to fly solo around the world, in 1898
-- Comedian Rodney Dangerfield in 1921
-- Actor Geraldine Page in 1924
-- Actor Robert Vaughn in 1932
-- Writer/director/Monty Python alum Terry Gilliam in 1940 (age 80)
File Photo by David Silpa/UPI
-- Actor Tom Conti in 1941 (age 79)
-- Musician Jesse Colin Young in 1941 (age 79)
-- Guion S. Bluford Jr., the first African-American astronaut in space, in 1942 (age 78)
-- Tennis star Billie Jean King in 1943 (age 77)
-- Guitarist/actor Steven Van Zandt in 1950 (age 70)
-- Actor Richard Kind in 1956 (age 64)
-- Actor Jamie Lee Curtis in 1958 (age 62)
-- Actor Mariel Hemingway in 1961 (age 59)
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-- Actor Mads Mikkelsen in 1965 (age 55)
-- Actor Mark Ruffalo in 1967 (age 53)
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-- Tennis player Boris Becker in 1967 (age 53)
-- Actor Scarlett Johansson in 1984 (age 36)
-- South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius in 1986 (age 34)
-- Actor Jamie Campbell Bower in 1988 (age 32)
-- Actor Dacre Montgomery in 1994 (age 26)
-- Actor Katherine McNamara in 1995 (age 25)
-- Model Hailey Baldwin in 1996 (age 24)
-- Actor/singer Auli'i Cravalho in 2000 (age 20)


upi--2020-11-22--COVID-19 vaccine may reach states by mid-December; Sen. Kelly Loeffler re-tests negative

Nov. 22 ( UPI ) -- The chief adviser of the Trump administration 's Operation Warp Speed vaccine development program said Sunday a COVID-19 vaccine could be sent out to states by mid-December .
Kelly Loeffler , a Republican who is in runoff on Jan. 5 to retain her appointed U.S. Senate seat in Georgia , is among the more than 12 million Americans to initially test positive for coronavirus but another test was inconclusive and the PCR results were retested overnight and came back negative .
Dr. Moncef Slaoui told CNN 's State of the Union that a vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortly after it receives authorization from the Food and Drug Administration .
`` Our plan is to be able to ship vaccines to the immunization sites within 24 hours from the approval , so I expect maybe on day two after approval on the 11th or the 12th of December , '' he said .
U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech on Friday requested an emergency authorization from the FDA on Friday to begin distributing millions of doses of their vaccine , which the companies say is 95 % effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Press that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will determine who will get priority to receive the first doses of the vaccine when it 's initially made available .
`` That 's very likely to be maybe healthcare workers , maybe first-line workers , maybe individuals who are at very high risk , elderly , people with comorbidities .
We will have already identified with each state and department of health where they want the vaccines to be located , '' he said .
The virus has been surging in the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases and 1,448 new deaths Saturday , bringing its world-leading totals to so far Sunday to 256,638 fatalities and 12,207,135 infections , according to data gathered by Johns Hopkins University .
Loeffler , the Republican Senator , has had inconsistent test results .
`` Senator Loeffler 's previously inconclusive PCR results were retested overnight and the results thankfully came back negative , '' campaign spokesperson Stephen Lawson said in a statement to CNN .
But `` out of an abundance of caution , will continue to self-isolate and be retested again to hopefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lawson said that Loeffler was not exhibiting symptoms .
A spokesman for Vice President Mike Pence said he was awaiting Loeffler 's `` confirmatory test '' after he campaigned alongside her in Georgia on Friday in her runoff campaign to maintain her seat on the Senate .
`` As he awaits a confirmatory test from Senator Loeffler , Vice President Pence is in regular consultation with the White House medical Unit and will be following CDC guidelines as he has in other circumstances when he has been a close contact , '' spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation with 1,102,033 cases after adding 14,319 on Sunday and added 33 new deaths for a total of 18,676 -- third in the country .
Days after Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced a limited stay at home order for nearly 95 % of the population on Thursday , Los Angeles County said it was ceasing all outdoor dining , effective Wednesday at 10 p.m .
The county 's public health department warned if the five-day average of cases is 4,500 or more or hospitalizations are more than 2,000 a day , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued for three weeks , permitting only essential and emergency workers and those securing essential services to leave home .
`` We hope individuals continue to support restaurants , breweries and wineries by ordering for takeout or delivery , '' Barbara Ferrer , the director of public health in the county , said in a statement .
Texas added 8,554 cases on Sunday as it trails closely behind California with 1,094,275 infections , while adding 89 fatalities to bring its death toll to the second highest in the nation at 20,556 .
Third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday for a total of 938,414 , while adding 61 deaths for the nation 's fourth-highest death toll at 18,214 .
Illinois ranked fourth in the nation with 656,298 cases after reporting 10,012 new cases on Sunday , also adding 76 new deaths for a total of 11,506 ranking sixth .
New York holds the nation 's highest death toll at 26,357 after adding 30 new deaths on Sunday and added 5,391 cases for the fifth-highest total in the nation at 596,214 .
The state 's total deaths , including probable ones , @ @ @

Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday and was quarantining while awaiting additional results as her spokesman said subsequent tests were "inconclusive." File Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 22 (UPI) -- The chief adviser of the Trump administration's Operation Warp Speed vaccine development program said Sunday a COVID-19 vaccine could be sent out to states by mid-December. Kelly Loeffler, a Republican who is in runoff on Jan. 5 to retain her appointed U.S. Senate seat in Georgia, is among the more than 12 million Americans to initially test positive for coronavirus but another test was inconclusive and the PCR results were retested overnight and came back negative. Advertisement
Dr. Moncef Slaoui told CNN's State of the Union that a vaccine for the virus could begin being delivered shortly after it receives authorization from the Food and Drug Administration.
"Our plan is to be able to ship vaccines to the immunization sites within 24 hours from the approval, so I expect maybe on day two after approval on the 11th or the 12th of December," he said.
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U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech on Friday requested an emergency authorization from the FDA on Friday to begin distributing millions of doses of their vaccine, which the companies say is 95% effective.
Slaoui told NBC News' Meet the Press that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will determine who will get priority to receive the first doses of the vaccine when it's initially made available.
"That's very likely to be maybe healthcare workers, maybe first-line workers, maybe individuals who are at very high risk, elderly, people with comorbidities. We will have already identified with each state and department of health where they want the vaccines to be located," he said.
The virus has been surging in the United States as the nation reported 177,552 new cases and 1,448 new deaths Saturday, bringing its world-leading totals to so far Sunday to 256,638 fatalities and 12,207,135 infections, according to data gathered by Johns Hopkins University.
Loeffler, the Republican Senator, has had inconsistent test results.
"Senator Loeffler's previously inconclusive PCR results were retested overnight and the results thankfully came back negative," campaign spokesperson Stephen Lawson said in a statement to CNN. But "out of an abundance of caution, will continue to self-isolate and be retested again to hopefully receive consecutive negative test results."
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Lawson said that Loeffler was not exhibiting symptoms.
A spokesman for Vice President Mike Pence said he was awaiting Loeffler's "confirmatory test" after he campaigned alongside her in Georgia on Friday in her runoff campaign to maintain her seat on the Senate.
"As he awaits a confirmatory test from Senator Loeffler, Vice President Pence is in regular consultation with the White House medical Unit and will be following CDC guidelines as he has in other circumstances when he has been a close contact," spokesman Devin O'Malley told CNN.
California leads the nation with 1,102,033 cases after adding 14,319 on Sunday and added 33 new deaths for a total of 18,676 -- third in the country.
Days after Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a limited stay at home order for nearly 95% of the population on Thursday, Los Angeles County said it was ceasing all outdoor dining, effective Wednesday at 10 p.m.
The county's public health department warned if the five-day average of cases is 4,500 or more or hospitalizations are more than 2,000 a day, a targeted Safer at Home Order will be issued for three weeks, permitting only essential and emergency workers and those securing essential services to leave home.
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"We hope individuals continue to support restaurants, breweries and wineries by ordering for takeout or delivery," Barbara Ferrer, the director of public health in the county, said in a statement.
Texas added 8,554 cases on Sunday as it trails closely behind California with 1,094,275 infections, while adding 89 fatalities to bring its death toll to the second highest in the nation at 20,556.
Third place Florida reported 6,586 new cases on Sunday for a total of 938,414, while adding 61 deaths for the nation's fourth-highest death toll at 18,214.
Illinois ranked fourth in the nation with 656,298 cases after reporting 10,012 new cases on Sunday, also adding 76 new deaths for a total of 11,506 ranking sixth.
New York holds the nation's highest death toll at 26,357 after adding 30 new deaths on Sunday and added 5,391 cases for the fifth-highest total in the nation at 596,214. The state's total deaths, including probable ones, is 34,300.


upi--2020-11-22--Israel launches attack targeting Hamas in Gaza

Nov. 22 ( UPI ) -- Israel said Sunday its military struck Hamas targets in Gaza overnight in retaliation for a rocket fired earlier from the region toward Israel .
The Israel Defense Forces said Air Force jets struck two rocket ammunition manufacturing sites , underground infrastructure and a military compound .
`` We hold Hamas responsible , '' it said in a statement , as it holds the militant Palestinian organization responsible for all the occurs in Gaza .
The rocket was fired late Saturday from Gaza toward southern Israel , the military said .
Defense Minister Benny Gantz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The Jerusalem Post reported .
`` The IDF carried out a large and powerful retaliation tonight , '' he said .
`` We live with a very wide range of operational plans to protect the people of the south and if these violations of sovereignty continue , Hamas and the people of Gaza will meet these plans soon and I strongly advise them not to do so . ''
The attack occurred a week after Israel 's military struck Hamas underground infrastructure and military in Gaza in response to rockets launched toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has claimed responsibility for either of the rocket launches from Gaza .

1/4
Palestinian men inspect the damage at the site of an Israeli air strike in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis on Sunday. A rocket was fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip on Saturday, the army said, shortly after warning sirens sounded in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Israel said Sunday its military struck Hamas targets in Gaza overnight in retaliation for a rocket fired earlier from the region toward Israel. The Israel Defense Forces said Air Force jets struck two rocket ammunition manufacturing sites, underground infrastructure and a military compound. Advertisement
"We hold Hamas responsible," it said in a statement, as it holds the militant Palestinian organization responsible for all the occurs in Gaza.
The rocket was fired late Saturday from Gaza toward southern Israel, the military said.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz warned Hamas against conducting any more provocations, The Jerusalem Post reported.
"The IDF carried out a large and powerful retaliation tonight," he said. "We live with a very wide range of operational plans to protect the people of the south and if these violations of sovereignty continue, Hamas and the people of Gaza will meet these plans soon and I strongly advise them not to do so."
The attack occurred a week after Israel's military struck Hamas underground infrastructure and military in Gaza in response to rockets launched toward the center of Israel.
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No one has claimed responsibility for either of the rocket launches from Gaza.


upi--2020-11-22--Michigan set to certify election results Monday despite GOP challenge

Nov. 22 ( UPI ) -- Michigan is set to certify the results of the 2020 election on Monday , amid ongoing challenges by President Donald Trump 's campaign .
Michigan Secretary of State spokeswoman Tracy Wimmer told CNN that the board of state canvassers is expected to certify the election results at their scheduled meeting Monday , despite a call from Michigan Republican Party Chairwoman Laura Cox and Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel to investigate alleged fraud .
`` We have no reason to doubt the canvassers will carry out their duty to certify .
Every one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Republican and Democrat clerks have confirmed there is no evidence of widespread irregularities and the board has previously certified elections with more clerical mistakes and much narrower margins of victory , '' Wimmer said .
President-elect Joe Biden won the state by about 150,000 votes , Cox and McDaniel sent a letter to the canvassing board suggesting it adjourn for 14 days for a `` full audit and investigation '' before certifying the state 's election results .
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson , however , clarified on Saturday that such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the election is certified .
A group of Black voters in Detroit filed a lawsuit on Friday , asking a federal judge to block Trump and his campaign from `` continuing to exert pressure '' on officials in Michigan and other states after he met with State Senate Republican leader Mike Shirkey and state House Speaker Lee Chatfield at the White House .
`` Central to this strategy is disenfranchising voters in predominately Black cities , '' the suit states .
`` Repeating false claims of voter fraud , which have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and local officials in Michigan not to count votes from Wayne County , Michigan ( where Detroit is the county seat ) , and thereby disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters . ''
Some counties in Pennsylvania , where Biden leads by about 80,000 votes , are also set to certify their election results Monday after U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Brann dismissed a Trump campaign lawsuit that attempted to invalidate millions of Pennsylvania mail-in votes .
`` This claim , like Frankenstein 's Monster , has been haphazardly stitched together from two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlling precedent , '' Brann wrote .
Trump 's campaign filed a notice to appeal the decision on Sunday .
Nevada , which Biden won by more than 30,000 votes , is expected to certify its results on Tuesday after District Court Judge Gloria Sturman denied a challenge by conservative activist Sharron Angle of the Election Integrity Project to request a preliminary injunction to the Nevada Supreme Court 's certification .
Wisconsin faces a Dec. 1 deadline to certify its election results but the state is still conducting a partial recount after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million to file a petition for a recount in Dane and Milwaukee counties , both of which voted overwhelmingly for Biden .
Georgia certified its election results on Friday following a hand recount that showed Trump lost the election to Biden by 12,284 votes , but the president requested a machine recount after he tweeted Wednesday that the hand recount `` is a joke . ''

Michigan is set to certify its election results on Monday, followed by other states in the coming days and weeks as President Donald Trump and his campaign continue challenges in key states. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Michigan is set to certify the results of the 2020 election on Monday, amid ongoing challenges by President Donald Trump's campaign. Michigan Secretary of State spokeswoman Tracy Wimmer told CNN that the board of state canvassers is expected to certify the election results at their scheduled meeting Monday, despite a call from Michigan Republican Party Chairwoman Laura Cox and Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel to investigate alleged fraud. Advertisement
"We have no reason to doubt the canvassers will carry out their duty to certify. Every one of Michigan's 83 counties have done so, Republican and Democrat clerks have confirmed there is no evidence of widespread irregularities and the board has previously certified elections with more clerical mistakes and much narrower margins of victory," Wimmer said.
President-elect Joe Biden won the state by about 150,000 votes, Cox and McDaniel sent a letter to the canvassing board suggesting it adjourn for 14 days for a "full audit and investigation" before certifying the state's election results.
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Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, however, clarified on Saturday that such an audit could not take place until after the election is certified.
A group of Black voters in Detroit filed a lawsuit on Friday, asking a federal judge to block Trump and his campaign from "continuing to exert pressure" on officials in Michigan and other states after he met with State Senate Republican leader Mike Shirkey and state House Speaker Lee Chatfield at the White House.
"Central to this strategy is disenfranchising voters in predominately Black cities," the suit states. "Repeating false claims of voter fraud, which have been thoroughly debunked, Defendants are pressuring state and local officials in Michigan not to count votes from Wayne County, Michigan (where Detroit is the county seat), and thereby disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters."
Some counties in Pennsylvania, where Biden leads by about 80,000 votes, are also set to certify their election results Monday after U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Brann dismissed a Trump campaign lawsuit that attempted to invalidate millions of Pennsylvania mail-in votes.
"This claim, like Frankenstein's Monster, has been haphazardly stitched together from two distinct theories in an attempt to avoid controlling precedent," Brann wrote.
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Trump's campaign filed a notice to appeal the decision on Sunday.
Nevada, which Biden won by more than 30,000 votes, is expected to certify its results on Tuesday after District Court Judge Gloria Sturman denied a challenge by conservative activist Sharron Angle of the Election Integrity Project to request a preliminary injunction to the Nevada Supreme Court's certification.
Wisconsin faces a Dec. 1 deadline to certify its election results but the state is still conducting a partial recount after the Trump campaign last week paid $3 million to file a petition for a recount in Dane and Milwaukee counties, both of which voted overwhelmingly for Biden.
Georgia certified its election results on Friday following a hand recount that showed Trump lost the election to Biden by 12,284 votes, but the president requested a machine recount after he tweeted Wednesday that the hand recount "is a joke."


upi--2020-11-22--G20: Leaders commit global effort to 'affordable and equitable' vaccine access

Nov. 22 ( UPI ) -- World leaders committed to a global effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic as they closed the virtual G20 Summit on Sunday .
The two-day conference ended with a final communique declaring that `` coordinated global action , solidarity and multilateral cooperation are more necessary today than ever '' to overcome global challenges , while pledging to take such action to ensure widespread access to COVID-19 vaccines .
`` We will spare no effort to ensure their affordable and equitable access for all people , consistent with members ' commitments to incentivize innovation , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also stressed the importance of advancing `` global pandemic preparedness , prevention , detection and response '' through international bodies such as the World Health Organization .
`` We emphasize the important mandate of the United Nations ' system and agencies , primarily the WHO , while considering the ongoing evaluations , its stated commitment to transparency and the need to strengthen its overall effectiveness , in coordinating and supporting the global response to the pandemic and the central efforts of Member States , '' they wrote .
Mohammed al Jdaan , Saudi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's support for the WHO in a news conference following the conclusion of the summit .
`` We have seen very clear signs but also actions by the G20 supporting multilateralism , '' he said .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday praised the approach , saying `` if we stand together worldwide , we can control and overcome the virus and its consequences . ''
The United States sent formal notice to the United States in July that it plans to withdraw from the WHO as President Donald Trump accused the agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ origins of the novel coronavirus .
President-elect Joe Biden has said he would halt the process upon taking office .
Trump addressed the summit in a session on the environment titled `` Safeguarding the Planet '' during which he called his record protecting the environment `` historic '' while panning the 2015 Paris climate accord , which he as also withdrawn from .
`` The Paris accord was not designed to save the environment , '' said Trump .
`` It was designed to kill the American economy . ''
The G20 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as natural disasters and extreme weather events as `` the most pressing challenges of our time . ''
`` As we recover from the pandemic , we are committed to safeguarding our planet and building a more environmentally sustainable and inclusive future for all people , '' they said .

The G20 leaders closed the 2020 summit in Saudi Arabia by pledging to undertake a global effort to ensure "affordable and equitable access" to a COVID-19 vaccine for all people. Photo courtesy G20 summit
Nov. 22 (UPI) -- World leaders committed to a global effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic as they closed the virtual G20 Summit on Sunday. The two-day conference ended with a final communique declaring that "coordinated global action, solidarity and multilateral cooperation are more necessary today than ever" to overcome global challenges, while pledging to take such action to ensure widespread access to COVID-19 vaccines. Advertisement
"We will spare no effort to ensure their affordable and equitable access for all people, consistent with members' commitments to incentivize innovation," the closing statement read.
The leaders also stressed the importance of advancing "global pandemic preparedness, prevention, detection and response" through international bodies such as the World Health Organization.
"We emphasize the important mandate of the United Nations' system and agencies, primarily the WHO, while considering the ongoing evaluations, its stated commitment to transparency and the need to strengthen its overall effectiveness, in coordinating and supporting the global response to the pandemic and the central efforts of Member States," they wrote.
Mohammed al Jdaan, Saudi Arabia's finance minister highlighted the group's support for the WHO in a news conference following the conclusion of the summit.
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"We have seen very clear signs but also actions by the G20 supporting multilateralism," he said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday praised the approach, saying "if we stand together worldwide, we can control and overcome the virus and its consequences."
The United States sent formal notice to the United States in July that it plans to withdraw from the WHO as President Donald Trump accused the agency of enabling China to cover up the origins of the novel coronavirus.
President-elect Joe Biden has said he would halt the process upon taking office.
Trump addressed the summit in a session on the environment titled "Safeguarding the Planet" during which he called his record protecting the environment "historic" while panning the 2015 Paris climate accord, which he as also withdrawn from.
"The Paris accord was not designed to save the environment," said Trump. "It was designed to kill the American economy."
The G20's communique declared climate change, as well as natural disasters and extreme weather events as "the most pressing challenges of our time."
"As we recover from the pandemic, we are committed to safeguarding our planet and building a more environmentally sustainable and inclusive future for all people," they said.