upi--2020-12-26--Pompeii 'hot snack shop' unearthed by archaeologists

Dec. 26 ( UPI ) -- Pompeii archaeologists on Saturday unveiled the site of a snack shop for hot foods covered with colorful frescoes in the ancient city .
Scientists excavating the thermopolium , or street food shop , also found food residues , animal bones , graffiti and original victims of the 79 A.D. volcanic eruption of Mt .
Vesuvius , the Archaeological Park of Pompeii staff said .
Colorful decorations on the counter included a sea nymph riding a seahorse , along with still-life scenes of animals including two mallard ducks hanging upside down , a rooster and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with obscene graffiti .
`` As well as being another insight into daily life at Pompeii , the possibilities for study of this thermopolium are exceptional , '' said Massimo Osanna , interim director general of the site .
He said food left in terracotta containers found in shop 's counter , including duck bones and food remains from swine , goats , fish and land snails , would likely `` yield exceptional data for informing an understanding of what was sold and what the [ Roman ] diet was like . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents of the ancient city , possibly moved by illegal plunderers in the 1700s .
One person was a male in his 50s , who was thought to have been lying in a bed when the volcano 's first pyroclastic current of 700°C gas , ash and rocks arrived .
The other person 's remains were found in a tunnel built by the site 's first excavators .
Scientists also found the skeleton of a dog , which was significantly smaller than the dog depicted on the shop 's outer counters .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( breeding ) took place in the Roman age in order to obtain such a result , '' said Valeria Amoretti , an anthropologist on the team .
The dog depicted in a fresco on the shop 's outdoor counter had been marked with a mocking inscription carved in the wood frame , `` NICIA CINAEDE CACATOR , '' which means `` Nicias ( probably a freedman from Greece ) Shameless Shitter ! ''
`` This was probably left by a prankster who sought to poke fun at the owner , or by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the scientists said .
The shop was discovered in the archaeological park 's Regio V , which was partially excavated in 2019 and is not open to the public .
About two-thirds of the total 165-acre Unesco World Heritage site have been excavated .
Scientists excavating the thermopolium also found a bronze patera , or sacrificial libation bowl , and multiple flasks , amphorae and an olive oil dispenser .
The floor of the snack shop was constructed of waterproof terracotta tiles , researchers said .
Romans in the ancient city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( prandia ) outside the home from more than 80 walkup snack shops in Pompeii alone , scientists said .

Scientists at Pompeii unveiled a street food snack stall decorated with colorful frescoes on Saturday. Image courtesy of Pompeii Archaeological Park.
Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Pompeii archaeologists on Saturday unveiled the site of a snack shop for hot foods covered with colorful frescoes in the ancient city. Scientists excavating the thermopolium, or street food shop, also found food residues, animal bones, graffiti and original victims of the 79 A.D. volcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, the Archaeological Park of Pompeii staff said. Advertisement
Colorful decorations on the counter included a sea nymph riding a seahorse, along with still-life scenes of animals including two mallard ducks hanging upside down, a rooster and a dog on a leash, vandalized with obscene graffiti.
"As well as being another insight into daily life at Pompeii, the possibilities for study of this thermopolium are exceptional," said Massimo Osanna, interim director general of the site. He said food left in terracotta containers found in shop's counter, including duck bones and food remains from swine, goats, fish and land snails, would likely "yield exceptional data for informing an understanding of what was sold and what the [Roman] diet was like."
The team also found bones of two residents of the ancient city, possibly moved by illegal plunderers in the 1700s. One person was a male in his 50s, who was thought to have been lying in a bed when the volcano's first pyroclastic current of 700°C gas, ash and rocks arrived. The other person's remains were found in a tunnel built by the site's first excavators.
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Scientists also found the skeleton of a dog, which was significantly smaller than the dog depicted on the shop's outer counters. The toy-breed dog indicates that "intentional selection (breeding) took place in the Roman age in order to obtain such a result," said Valeria Amoretti, an anthropologist on the team.
The dog depicted in a fresco on the shop's outdoor counter had been marked with a mocking inscription carved in the wood frame, "NICIA CINAEDE CACATOR," which means "Nicias (probably a freedman from Greece) Shameless Shitter!"
"This was probably left by a prankster who sought to poke fun at the owner, or by someone who worked in the thermopolium," the scientists said.
The shop was discovered in the archaeological park's Regio V, which was partially excavated in 2019 and is not open to the public. About two-thirds of the total 165-acre Unesco World Heritage site have been excavated.
Scientists excavating the thermopolium also found a bronze patera, or sacrificial libation bowl, and multiple flasks, amphorae and an olive oil dispenser. The floor of the snack shop was constructed of waterproof terracotta tiles, researchers said.
Romans in the ancient city of 13,000 near Naples would snack on meals (prandia) outside the home from more than 80 walkup snack shops in Pompeii alone, scientists said.


upi--2020-12-26--Singer Michelle Branch says she suffered miscarriage

Dec. 26 ( UPI ) -- Singer Michelle Branch announced on Instagram Saturday that she has suffered a pregnancy loss .
`` Just when we were rounding third and heading home ( A baseball metaphor ?
!
I know , ) 2020 was like , `` nah , I ai n't done yet . ''
December decided to really finish us off with a bang !
No , literally , '' Branch captioned a photo gallery with her and her family .
`` A bomb went off in downtown Nashville yesterday .
And to further twist a dagger in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( ugh !
[ Expletive ! ]
) But alas , between the crying and binge eating of Christmas cookies , I decided to put on lipstick and a dress .
We drank champagne alllll day .
Made an incredible meal and sang Christmas songs snuggled up by a roaring fire .
5 more days until 2021 .
I 'm limping to the finish line .
These people , my precious family , my husband , sister and kids have been the MVP 's .
I could n't imagine spending a year isolated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone . ''
Branch married Patrick Carney of The Black Keys in April 2019 .
They have a 20-month-old son named Rhys and Branch has a 14-year-old daughter , Owen , from a previous relationship .
Branch and Carney met in 2015 and started dating during the making of her album , Hopeless Romantic .
The pair were engaged in July 2017 .

Michelle Branch announced Saturday she has suffered a miscarriage. File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Singer Michelle Branch announced on Instagram Saturday that she has suffered a pregnancy loss. "Just when we were rounding third and heading home (A baseball metaphor?! I know,) 2020 was like, "nah, I ain't done yet." December decided to really finish us off with a bang! No, literally," Branch captioned a photo gallery with her and her family. Advertisement
"A bomb went off in downtown Nashville yesterday. And to further twist a dagger in my heart, I experienced my first miscarriage (ugh! [Expletive!]) But alas, between the crying and binge eating of Christmas cookies, I decided to put on lipstick and a dress. We drank champagne alllll day. Made an incredible meal and sang Christmas songs snuggled up by a roaring fire. 5 more days until 2021. I'm limping to the finish line. These people, my precious family, my husband, sister and kids have been the MVP's. I couldn't imagine spending a year isolated with anyone else. Happy Christmas, everyone."
Branch married Patrick Carney of The Black Keys in April 2019.
They have a 20-month-old son named Rhys and Branch has a 14-year-old daughter, Owen, from a previous relationship.
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Branch and Carney met in 2015 and started dating during the making of her album, Hopeless Romantic. The pair were engaged in July 2017.


upi--2020-12-26--National Book Award-winning author Barry Lopez dead at 75

Dec. 26 ( UPI ) -- National Book Award-winning author Barry Lopez died Friday after a long struggle with prostate cancer , his family said .
He was 75 .
Lopez 's work encompasses a range of genres and themes , from natural history studies to essays and short story collections .
Lopez won the 1986 National Book Award for Arctic Dreams : Imagination and Desire in a Northern Landscape , which drew on almost five years of research and travel in the arctic .
His most recent book , the 500-page Horizon , was released in 2019 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ author 's travels to more than 70 countries .
`` His books are landmarks that define a region , a time , a cause , '' former Oregon Poet Laureate Kim Stafford , a longtime friend , told Oregonlive .
`` He also exemplifies a life of devotion to craft and learning , to being humble in the face of wisdom of all kinds . ''
Lopez lived outside Eugene , Ore. , alongside the McKenzie River for decades , but moved in September 2020 , when the Holiday Farm fire damaged his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he and his wife , author Debra Gwartney , had been living in an apartment in Eugene , and would soon move into a rental home in the city .
Gwartney told NPR the fire damaged much of the forest around the home , and that Lopez lost decades of notes and correspondence .
`` He talked a lot about climate change and how it 's so easy to think that it 's going to happen to other people and not to you , '' Gwartney said .
`` But it happened to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The fire was a blow he never could recover from . ''
Lopez was born Jan. 6 , 1945 in Port Chester , N.Y .
When he was three years old , his family relocated to southern California 's San Fernando Valley .
He attended the Loyola School in New York City and then the University of Notre Dame , where he earned bachelor 's and master 's degrees .
He moved to Oregon to pursue graduate work in folklore and journalism at the University of Oregon , settling in Finn Rock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ academia and wrote 17 books that earned a range of honors from the Guggenheim Fellowship to the John Burroughs Medal and two Pushcart Prizes .
`` It 's so difficult to be a human being , '' Lopez told a reporter in 2019 .
`` There are so many reasons to give up .
To retreat into cynicism or despair .
I hate to see that and I want to do something that makes people feel safe and loved and capable . ''

National Book Award-winning author Barry Lopez died Friday at 75. Photo via Barry Lopez/ Facebook
Dec. 26 (UPI) -- National Book Award-winning author Barry Lopez died Friday after a long struggle with prostate cancer, his family said. He was 75. Lopez's work encompasses a range of genres and themes, from natural history studies to essays and short story collections. Advertisement
Lopez won the 1986 National Book Award for Arctic Dreams: Imagination and Desire in a Northern Landscape, which drew on almost five years of research and travel in the arctic.
His most recent book, the 500-page Horizon, was released in 2019. The semi-autobiographical collection of essays reflects on the author's travels to more than 70 countries.
"His books are landmarks that define a region, a time, a cause," former Oregon Poet Laureate Kim Stafford, a longtime friend, told Oregonlive. "He also exemplifies a life of devotion to craft and learning, to being humble in the face of wisdom of all kinds."
Lopez lived outside Eugene, Ore., alongside the McKenzie River for decades, but moved in September 2020, when the Holiday Farm fire damaged his home.
In November the author announced he and his wife, author Debra Gwartney, had been living in an apartment in Eugene, and would soon move into a rental home in the city.
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Gwartney told NPR the fire damaged much of the forest around the home, and that Lopez lost decades of notes and correspondence.
"He talked a lot about climate change and how it's so easy to think that it's going to happen to other people and not to you," Gwartney said. "But it happened to us, it happened to him personally. The fire was a blow he never could recover from."
Lopez was born Jan. 6, 1945 in Port Chester, N.Y. When he was three years old, his family relocated to southern California's San Fernando Valley.
He attended the Loyola School in New York City and then the University of Notre Dame, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees.
He moved to Oregon to pursue graduate work in folklore and journalism at the University of Oregon, settling in Finn Rock in 1970.
Lopez decided to leave academia and wrote 17 books that earned a range of honors from the Guggenheim Fellowship to the John Burroughs Medal and two Pushcart Prizes.
"It's so difficult to be a human being," Lopez told a reporter in 2019. "There are so many reasons to give up. To retreat into cynicism or despair. I hate to see that and I want to do something that makes people feel safe and loved and capable."
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Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-12-26--Actor David Henrie, wife Maria welcome a son

Dec. 26 ( UPI ) -- Wizards of Waverly Place and That 's So Raven alum David Henrie announced on Instagram Saturday that his wife , former Miss Hawaii Maria Cahill , has given birth to a son .
`` CHRISTMAS BABY !
!
!
Y'all ... WHAT A NIGHT ! ''
Henrie captioned a photo of him cradling his newborn in a hospital bed beside his spouse .
`` James Thomas Augustine Henrie was born at 9:33pm on December 25th 2020 weighing 8lbs 13oz .
My wife is a superhero and was able to achieve her goal of having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so proud of her !
Aside from sharing the stage with none other than Jesus , He blessed us in a special way by giving us James on this date because it was December 25th 2019 that we had our fourth miscarriage .
Thank you all for the prayers and well wishes , they paid off in a massive way .
MERRY CHRISTMAS : ) ps it started snowing as he was being pushed out .
Crazy !
!
! ''
The couple married in 2017 and are also the parents of an @ @ @ @ @

(L-R) "Wizards of Waverly Place" cast members Jake T. Austin, Selena Gomez, Maria Canals Barrera, Jennifer Stone and David Henrie appear together at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles in 2009. Henrie welcomed his second child this weekend. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Wizards of Waverly Place and That's So Raven alum David Henrie announced on Instagram Saturday that his wife, former Miss Hawaii Maria Cahill, has given birth to a son. "CHRISTMAS BABY!!! Y'all... WHAT A NIGHT!" Henrie captioned a photo of him cradling his newborn in a hospital bed beside his spouse. Advertisement
"James Thomas Augustine Henrie was born at 9:33pm on December 25th 2020 weighing 8lbs 13oz. My wife is a superhero and was able to achieve her goal of having a drug free birth. I'm so proud of her! Aside from sharing the stage with none other than Jesus, He blessed us in a special way by giving us James on this date because it was December 25th 2019 that we had our fourth miscarriage. Thank you all for the prayers and well wishes, they paid off in a massive way. MERRY CHRISTMAS :) ps it started snowing as he was being pushed out. Crazy!!!"
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The couple married in 2017 and are also the parents of an 18-month-old daughter named Pia.


upi--2020-12-26--Biden urges Trump to sign COVID-19 relief bill to save unemployment benefits

Unemployment benefits for 14 million people out of work amid the pandemic are set to lapse Saturday .
Congress approved Monday a $ 900 billion COVID-19 pandemic relief bill in its $ 2.3 trillion funding package .
In the bill was a plan to extend unemployment benefits to 14 million people using two pandemic unemployment programs until mid-March .
As unemployment benefits run out Saturday , it 's still unclear if Trump will sign the bill and his delay makes at least a temporary lapse in expanding unemployment benefits unavoidable , The New York Times reported .
Michele Evermore of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if Trump does sign the bill into law Saturday , unemployed workers will be able to still claim benefits , but states will need time to reprogram computer systems to account for the new law .
`` It 's the day after Christmas , and millions of families do n't know if they 'll be able to make ends meet because of President Donald Trump 's refusal to sign an economic relief bill approved by Congress with an overwhelming and bipartisan majority , '' Biden said in a statement Saturday .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he added , referring to millions who will lose unemployment insurance benefits .
Since states can not payout benefits for weeks that begin before the bill is signed , if Trump does n't sign the bill Saturday , benefits will not restart until the first week of January , but will still end in mid-March .
Along with the enhanced federal unemployment benefits , the $ 900 billion pandemic relief package also includes stimulus payments for individuals of $ 600 to $ 700 ; more than $ 80 billion for schools ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and several billions of dollars to cover costs of distributing COVID-19 vaccines .
Democrats also announced that the relief bill also included , among other items , $ 25 billion in rental assistance for families and extension of a moratorium on evictions otherwise set to expire at the end of the year and $ 13 billion in increased food stamp and child nutrition benefits `` to help relieve the historic hunger crisis that has left up to 17 million children food insecure . ''
On Saturday , Trump complained about the relief package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get our great people $ 2000 , rather than the measly $ 600 that is now in the bill , '' Trump tweeted .
`` Also , stop the billions of dollars in 'pork . ''
On Tuesday , Trump had denounced the package in a video message , saying Congress should raise the individual stimulus to $ 2,000 per person and $ 4,000 per couple , and that he might not sign it , calling it `` a disgrace , '' overly long , and filled with unnecessary and `` wasteful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 5,000-page legislation to Mar-a-Lago club , Trump 's private club in Palm Beach , Fla. , on Christmas Eve , and Trump spent the next day playing golf and said he made many calls .
On Christmas Day , while playing golf with Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , Trump similarly complained again about spending in the COVID-19 stimulus bill , calling it `` pork . ''
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , R-Calif. , said that she would put pressure on Republicans Monday who oppose the $ 2,000 in direct payments to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote .
Congress will also need to pass another stopgap measure to avoid a government shutdown Tuesday .
Biden also referred in his statement to other government funding that could be placed in jeopardy if Trump failing to sign the economic relief bill leads to government shutdown , such as housing and military paychecks .
`` In just a few days , government funding will expire , putting vital services and paychecks for military personnel at risk , '' Biden said .
`` In less than a week , a moratorium on evictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being forced from their homes over the holidays . ''
`` This bill is critical .
It needs to be signed into law now , '' he added .
`` But it is also a first step and down payment on more action that we 'll need to take early in the new year to revive the economy and contain the pandemic -- including meeting the dire need for funding to distribute and administer the vaccine and to increase our testing capacity . ''

President Donald J. Trump has been playing golf amid uncertainty over whether he will sign the $900 billion coronavirus relief bill. File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 26 (UPI) -- President-Elect Joe Biden urged President Donald Trump Saturday to sign a pandemic relief package to save unemployment benefits. Unemployment benefits for 14 million people out of work amid the pandemic are set to lapse Saturday. Advertisement
Congress approved Monday a $900 billion COVID-19 pandemic relief bill in its $2.3 trillion funding package. In the bill was a plan to extend unemployment benefits to 14 million people using two pandemic unemployment programs until mid-March. As unemployment benefits run out Saturday, it's still unclear if Trump will sign the bill and his delay makes at least a temporary lapse in expanding unemployment benefits unavoidable, The New York Times reported.
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Michele Evermore of the National Employment Law Project said that if Trump does sign the bill into law Saturday, unemployed workers will be able to still claim benefits, but states will need time to reprogram computer systems to account for the new law.
"It's the day after Christmas, and millions of families don't know if they'll be able to make ends meet because of President Donald Trump's refusal to sign an economic relief bill approved by Congress with an overwhelming and bipartisan majority," Biden said in a statement Saturday.
"This abdication of responsibility has devastating consequences," he added, referring to millions who will lose unemployment insurance benefits.
Since states cannot payout benefits for weeks that begin before the bill is signed, if Trump doesn't sign the bill Saturday, benefits will not restart until the first week of January, but will still end in mid-March.
Along with the enhanced federal unemployment benefits, the $900 billion pandemic relief package also includes stimulus payments for individuals of $600 to $700; more than $80 billion for schools; $330 billion for small business loans and several billions of dollars to cover costs of distributing COVID-19 vaccines.
Democrats also announced that the relief bill also included, among other items, $25 billion in rental assistance for families and extension of a moratorium on evictions otherwise set to expire at the end of the year and $13 billion in increased food stamp and child nutrition benefits "to help relieve the historic hunger crisis that has left up to 17 million children food insecure."
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On Saturday, Trump complained about the relief package on Twitter.
"I simply want to get our great people $2000, rather than the measly $600 that is now in the bill," Trump tweeted. "Also, stop the billions of dollars in 'pork."
On Tuesday, Trump had denounced the package in a video message, saying Congress should raise the individual stimulus to $2,000 per person and $4,000 per couple, and that he might not sign it, calling it "a disgrace," overly long, and filled with unnecessary and "wasteful" spending.
White House officials sent the 5,000-page legislation to Mar-a-Lago club, Trump's private club in Palm Beach, Fla., on Christmas Eve, and Trump spent the next day playing golf and said he made many calls.
On Christmas Day, while playing golf with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Trump similarly complained again about spending in the COVID-19 stimulus bill, calling it "pork."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, R-Calif., said that she would put pressure on Republicans Monday who oppose the $2,000 in direct payments to approve them by holding a roll call vote.
Congress will also need to pass another stopgap measure to avoid a government shutdown Tuesday.
Advertisement
Biden also referred in his statement to other government funding that could be placed in jeopardy if Trump failing to sign the economic relief bill leads to government shutdown, such as housing and military paychecks.
"In just a few days, government funding will expire, putting vital services and paychecks for military personnel at risk," Biden said. "In less than a week, a moratorium on evictions expires, putting millions at risk of being forced from their homes over the holidays."
"This bill is critical. It needs to be signed into law now," he added. "But it is also a first step and down payment on more action that we'll need to take early in the new year to revive the economy and contain the pandemic -- including meeting the dire need for funding to distribute and administer the vaccine and to increase our testing capacity."


upi--2020-12-26--Authorities ID person of interest in Nashville bombing blast

Dec. 26 ( UPI ) -- A person of interest has been identified in connection to the Nashville explosion , a law enforcement source said Saturday .
Anthony Quinn Warner , 63 , a Nashville area resident , had a similar make and model of the RV , which exploded in downtown Nashville Friday morning , CBS News reported , citing multiple sources .
At a press conference , Douglas Korneski , FBI special agent , said that they had over 500 leads and tips related to the case , and they believe currently there are no active threats .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ RV had broadcast a warning message , advising people within earshot to clear the area , about 15 minutes before the bomb blast .
Tennessee Gov .
Bill Lee announced Saturday that he had asked President Donald Trump for emergency relief statewide in the aftermath of Friday 's bomb blast .
`` I request that you declare an emergency disaster declaration for the State of Tennessee as a result of the intentional explosion in Nashville , Davidson County , '' Lee wrote in a letter to the president Friday that he posted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impacted AT & T communication systems across the State of Tennessee with additional impacts across Kentucky and Alabama , '' he wrote .
`` This impact included residential phones , cell service , and over 20 Public Safety Answering Points ( PSAP/911 Call Centers ) .
The failure of systems also impacted Nashville International Airport ( BNA ) and grounded inbound and outbound flights for a portion of the day . ''
Lee added that preliminary reports show that the blast damaged 41 businesses , including historic buildings and others which need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Local and federal authorities said they believed the explosion of an RV in downtown Nashville Friday was an intentional act .
Three people were taken to the hospital with minor injures , and though no fatalities were reported , Police Chief John Drake told reporters he found tissue they believe could be human remains that have been sent to medical examiner 's office for assessment .
`` This morning I toured the site of the bombing , '' Lee said in the tweet Saturday .
`` The damage is shocking and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed , '' he continued , adding that him and his wife `` continue to pray for those who sustained injuries from the blast . ''
Though it appears to be an intentional act , the FBI is leading an ongoing investigation , and Trump 'has been briefed . '
`` President Trump has been briefed on the explosion in Nashville , Tennessee , and will continue to receive regular updates , '' a White House statement Friday said .
`` The president is grateful for the incredible first responders and praying for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden , also briefed on the explosion , also thanked first responders and wished the injured `` a speedy recovery . ''
On Saturday , AT & T outages from the blast persisted , angering customers .
More than 1,000 people in Nashville were without power early Saturday morning , according to downdetector.com , dropping to 256 people by mid-afternoon .
`` Our teams continue to work around the clock on recovery efforts from yesterday morning 's explosion in Nashville , '' AT & T said in a statement Saturday morning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the restoration continues to be getting power to the equipment in a safe and secure way .
Challenges remain , including a fire which reignited overnight and led to the evacuation of the building . ''
Widespread police departments reported disrupted 911 operations in their jurisdictions .
Rutherford County reported 911 came back online , but problems remained with getting callers names and locations .
Multiple agencies set up alternative lines for people needing to call police News4 Nashville reported .
`` Currently , our teams are on site working with safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ T added in its statement Saturday .
`` They have drilled access holes into the building and are attempting to reconnect power to critical equipment .
Technical teams are also working as quickly as possible on rerouting additional services to other facilities in the region to restore service . ''
`` We continue to be grateful for the work of first responders as they respond to this event and help protect our team working to restore service for our customers , '' AT & T 's statement continued , adding that it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @

1/2
According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, this is the RV that exploded at 6:30 a.m. on Friday, outside 166 2nd Avenue North in downtown Nashville. Photo via Metro Nashville Police Department/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 26 (UPI) -- A person of interest has been identified in connection to the Nashville explosion, a law enforcement source said Saturday. Anthony Quinn Warner, 63, a Nashville area resident, had a similar make and model of the RV, which exploded in downtown Nashville Friday morning, CBS News reported, citing multiple sources. Advertisement
At a press conference, Douglas Korneski, FBI special agent, said that they had over 500 leads and tips related to the case, and they believe currently there are no active threats.
Police said in an earlier briefing the RV had broadcast a warning message, advising people within earshot to clear the area, about 15 minutes before the bomb blast.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced Saturday that he had asked President Donald Trump for emergency relief statewide in the aftermath of Friday's bomb blast.
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"I request that you declare an emergency disaster declaration for the State of Tennessee as a result of the intentional explosion in Nashville, Davidson County," Lee wrote in a letter to the president Friday that he posted to Twitter on Saturday.
"The blast impacted AT&T communication systems across the State of Tennessee with additional impacts across Kentucky and Alabama," he wrote. "This impact included residential phones, cell service, and over 20 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP/911 Call Centers). The failure of systems also impacted Nashville International Airport (BNA) and grounded inbound and outbound flights for a portion of the day."
Lee added that preliminary reports show that the blast damaged 41 businesses, including historic buildings and others which need to be assessed for structural integrity and safety.
Local and federal authorities said they believed the explosion of an RV in downtown Nashville Friday was an intentional act. Three people were taken to the hospital with minor injures, and though no fatalities were reported, Police Chief John Drake told reporters he found tissue they believe could be human remains that have been sent to medical examiner's office for assessment.
"This morning I toured the site of the bombing," Lee said in the tweet Saturday. "The damage is shocking and it is a miracle that no residents were killed," he continued, adding that him and his wife "continue to pray for those who sustained injuries from the blast."
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Though it appears to be an intentional act, the FBI is leading an ongoing investigation, and Trump 'has been briefed.'
"President Trump has been briefed on the explosion in Nashville, Tennessee, and will continue to receive regular updates," a White House statement Friday said. "The president is grateful for the incredible first responders and praying for those who were injured."
President-Elect Joe Biden, also briefed on the explosion, also thanked first responders and wished the injured "a speedy recovery."
On Saturday, AT&T outages from the blast persisted, angering customers.
More than 1,000 people in Nashville were without power early Saturday morning, according to downdetector.com, dropping to 256 people by mid-afternoon.
"Our teams continue to work around the clock on recovery efforts from yesterday morning's explosion in Nashville," AT&T said in a statement Saturday morning. "At our facility, the focus of the restoration continues to be getting power to the equipment in a safe and secure way. Challenges remain, including a fire which reignited overnight and led to the evacuation of the building."
Widespread police departments reported disrupted 911 operations in their jurisdictions. Rutherford County reported 911 came back online, but problems remained with getting callers names and locations.
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Multiple agencies set up alternative lines for people needing to call police News4 Nashville reported.
"Currently, our teams are on site working with safety and structural engineers," AT&T added in its statement Saturday. "They have drilled access holes into the building and are attempting to reconnect power to critical equipment. Technical teams are also working as quickly as possible on rerouting additional services to other facilities in the region to restore service."
"We continue to be grateful for the work of first responders as they respond to this event and help protect our team working to restore service for our customers," AT&T's statement continued, adding that it would provide updates as the work progresses.


upi--2020-12-26--Carlos, Alexa PenaVega expecting Baby No. 3

Dec. 26 ( UPI ) -- Musician Carlos PenaVega and his wife , actress Alexa PenaVega , have announced they @ @ @ @ @ .
`` MERRY CHRISTMAS from the 6 of us : ) We all got scooters @ @ @ @ @ !
!
Ca n't wait to meet baby PenaVega # 3 this summer !
!
@ @ @ @ @ captioned Friday 's Instagram photo of him with Alexa and their two older children playing @ @ @ @ @ .
Alexa shared on her social media account a home movie set to a holiday @ @ @ @ @ his Big Time Rush bandmates .
In it , Alexa pulls up her shirt to @ @ @ @ @ Baby No .
3 .
2021 . ''
`` Beautiful Christmas .
I will always @ @ @ @ @ !
Enjoy this awesome video by our favorite guys !
@ therealcarlospena @ kendallschmidt @ @ @ @ @ @ Alex captioned the video .
The couple married in 2014 .
They are already the @ @ @ @ @ 4 , and Kingston , 18 months .

Carlos PenaVega (L) and Alexa PenaVega are expecting their third child. File Photo by Phil McCarten/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Musician Carlos PenaVega and his wife, actress Alexa PenaVega, have announced they are expecting their third child. "MERRY CHRISTMAS from the 6 of us :) We all got scooters for Christmas this year!!! Can't wait to meet baby PenaVega #3 this summer!! @vegaalexa," Carlos captioned Friday's Instagram photo of him with Alexa and their two older children playing outside on the new toys. Advertisement Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Carlos PenaVega (@therealcarlospena) Advertisement
Alexa shared on her social media account a home movie set to a holiday song sung by Carlos and his Big Time Rush bandmates.
In it, Alexa pulls up her shirt to reveal the message: "Baby No. 3. 2021."
"Beautiful Christmas. I will always be obsessed with @bigtimerush! Enjoy this awesome video by our favorite guys! @therealcarlospena @kendallschmidt @jamesmaslow @loganhenderson," Alex captioned the video.
The couple married in 2014. They are already the parents of son Ocean, 4, and Kingston, 18 months.


upi--2020-12-26--LadBaby's 'Don't Stop Me Eatin' is Britain's Christmas No. 1

Dec. 26 ( UPI ) -- YouTuber LadBaby 's parody song `` Do n't Stop Me Eatin ' '' was this year 's Christmas No .
1 song in the United Kingdom , the BBC announced .
This is the third consecutive year that LadBaby has scored the top spot on the holiday chart .
He also had hits with 2018 's `` We Built This City ... On Sausage Rolls '' and 2019 's `` I Love Sausage Rolls . ''
The only other musical acts to ever have three straight Christmas No .
1 songs in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a video posted Friday , LadBaby and his wife Roxanne celebrated the milestone of the `` Do n't Stop Believin ' '' parody on YouTube .
`` Oh , my God !
Thank you , '' LadBaby tearfully said as his spouse danced around the room .
`` From the bottom of our hearts , thank so [ much . ]
Have we done it again ?
...
Thank you everyone who downloaded it , everyone who has supported it .
Thank you everyone who made it happen again this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the song went to benefit food banks .
The music video has gotten nearly 1.5 million views since it was posted on YouTube Dec. 18 .
The 2020 Christmas Top 5 also included `` All I Want For Christmas is You '' by Mariah Carey at No .
2 , `` Last Christmas '' by Wham !
at No .
3 , `` This Christmas '' by Jess Glynne at No .
4 and `` Boris Johnson ... '' at No .
5 by The K 's .

Dec. 26 (UPI) -- YouTuber LadBaby's parody song "Don't Stop Me Eatin'" was this year's Christmas No. 1 song in the United Kingdom, the BBC announced.
This is the third consecutive year that LadBaby has scored the top spot on the holiday chart. He also had hits with 2018's "We Built This City... On Sausage Rolls" and 2019's "I Love Sausage Rolls."
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The only other musical acts to ever have three straight Christmas No. 1 songs in the country were the Spice Girls and the Beatles.
In a video posted Friday, LadBaby and his wife Roxanne celebrated the milestone of the "Don't Stop Believin'" parody on YouTube.
"Oh, my God! Thank you," LadBaby tearfully said as his spouse danced around the room. "From the bottom of our hearts, thank so [much.] Have we done it again? ... Thank you everyone who downloaded it, everyone who has supported it. Thank you everyone who made it happen again this year."
Proceeds from the sale of the song went to benefit food banks.
The music video has gotten nearly 1.5 million views since it was posted on YouTube Dec. 18.
The 2020 Christmas Top 5 also included "All I Want For Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey at No. 2, "Last Christmas" by Wham! at No. 3, "This Christmas" by Jess Glynne at No. 4 and "Boris Johnson..." at No. 5 by The K's.


upi--2020-12-26--China's economy predicted to overtake U.S. by 2028: British think tank

Dec. 26 ( UPI ) -- China 's economy will overtake that of the United States by 2028 , five years earlier than previously forecast , because of the two nations 's different policies on COVID-19 , a British economic think tank said Saturday .
The World Economic League Table , released by the London-based Centre for Economics and Business Research , said China 's quick and forceful handling of the pandemic , which first broke out in Wuhan in 2019 , resulted in less economic damage in 2020 , leading to a head start in recovery .
China reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 .
The country has reported a total of 95,460 cases with 4,770 deaths since the pandemic began , according to the online tracker at Johns Hopkins University .
The United States has been harmed economically by the COVID-19 pandemic , the report said .
The United States has the highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths worldwide at over 18.7 million cases and over 330,000 deaths , according to global trackers .
`` China is estimated to be likely to have positive GDP growth of 2 % in 2020 , whereas other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth for the year , '' the report said .
`` The skillful management of the pandemic and the hits to long term growth in the West mean that China 's relative economic performance has improved .
We now think that the Chinese economy in dollar terms will overtake the U.S. economy in 2028 , a full five years earlier than we thought last year . ''
The United States is predicted to undergo `` a strong post-pandemic rebound in 2021 , '' the report said .
The U.S. economy will grow about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.6 % in the years to follow .
In contrast , the report predicts the trend rate of growth for China to be 5.7 % annually from 2021-25 and 4.5 % annually from 2026-30 , slowing to 3.9 % annually from 2031-35 .
The economic weight of China , with a population of 1.44 billion people , has risen to 17.8 % of the world 's economy from just 3.6 % in 2000 .
China is poised to become a `` high-income economy '' by 2023 , with a median income of $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the average Chinese person will still remain poorer than the average person in the United States .
The U.S. median individual income was $ 35,977 in 2019 , according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis 's Economic Data .
Economic stimulus packages and consumer spending were poised to reboot the U.S. economy in 2021 , but `` political disagreements over the continuation of the measures could see the assistance to many businesses and individuals cut off in early 2021 , '' the report said .
Meanwhile , India is expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2030 , overtaking Britain in 2024 , Germany by 2027 and Japan by 2030 , the report said .

China's quick response to the COVID-19 pandemic will give its economy a significant head start in a global recovery, a new report from a British think tank said Saturday. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 26 (UPI) -- China's economy will overtake that of the United States by 2028, five years earlier than previously forecast, because of the two nations's different policies on COVID-19, a British economic think tank said Saturday. The World Economic League Table, released by the London-based Centre for Economics and Business Research, said China's quick and forceful handling of the pandemic, which first broke out in Wuhan in 2019, resulted in less economic damage in 2020, leading to a head start in recovery. Advertisement
China reported 23 active cases of COVID-19 on Dec. 19. The country has reported a total of 95,460 cases with 4,770 deaths since the pandemic began, according to the online tracker at Johns Hopkins University.
The United States has been harmed economically by the COVID-19 pandemic, the report said. The United States has the highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths worldwide at over 18.7 million cases and over 330,000 deaths, according to global trackers.
"China is estimated to be likely to have positive GDP growth of 2% in 2020, whereas other major economies are expected to have negative growth for the year," the report said.
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"The skillful management of the pandemic and the hits to long term growth in the West mean that China's relative economic performance has improved. We now think that the Chinese economy in dollar terms will overtake the U.S. economy in 2028, a full five years earlier than we thought last year."
The United States is predicted to undergo "a strong post-pandemic rebound in 2021," the report said. The U.S. economy will grow about 1.9% annually and then slow to 1.6% in the years to follow.
In contrast, the report predicts the trend rate of growth for China to be 5.7% annually from 2021-25 and 4.5% annually from 2026-30, slowing to 3.9% annually from 2031-35.
The economic weight of China, with a population of 1.44 billion people, has risen to 17.8% of the world's economy from just 3.6% in 2000. China is poised to become a "high-income economy" by 2023, with a median income of $14,406, the report says. But the average Chinese person will still remain poorer than the average person in the United States. The U.S. median individual income was $35,977 in 2019, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis's Economic Data.
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Economic stimulus packages and consumer spending were poised to reboot the U.S. economy in 2021, but "political disagreements over the continuation of the measures could see the assistance to many businesses and individuals cut off in early 2021," the report said.
Meanwhile, India is expected to become the world's third-largest economy by 2030, overtaking Britain in 2024, Germany by 2027 and Japan by 2030, the report said.


upi--2020-12-26--Video shows Billy Joel's young daughters dancing to Taylor Swift in kitchen

Dec. 26 ( UPI ) -- Rock ' n ' roll icon Billy Joel posted a video on social media @ @ @ @ @ dancing in his kitchen to a Taylor Swift tune .
`` Merry Christmas from the @ @ @ @ @ , Della and Remy Rockin ' out to @ taylorswift13 on Christmas morning , '' @ @ @ @ @ clip .
The video shows Della , 5 , and Remy , 3 , wearing @ @ @ @ @ to Swift 's hit , `` You Need to Calm Down . ''
Joel , @ @ @ @ @ in 2015 after six years of dating .

1/2
Billy Joel posted on Twitter a video showing his little girls dancing to a Taylor Swift song on Christmas morning. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Rock 'n' roll icon Billy Joel posted a video on social media Saturday showing his young daughters dancing in his kitchen to a Taylor Swift tune. "Merry Christmas from the Joels: Billy, Alexis, Della and Remy Rockin' out to @taylorswift13 on Christmas morning," Joel captioned the 2 1/2-minute clip. Advertisement
The video shows Della, 5, and Remy, 3, wearing fancy dresses and dramatically dancing to Swift's hit, "You Need to Calm Down."
Joel, 71, married Alexis Roderick in 2015 after six years of dating.
The family lives on Long Island, N.Y.


upi--2020-12-26--George Blake, British double-agent, dies in Moscow at age 98

Dec. 26 ( UPI ) -- British double agent George Blake , a former MI6 spy who revealed a secret tunnel in Berlin to the Soviet Union during the Cold War and escaped from a London jail in 1966 , has died in Moscow at age 98 .
`` Books have been written about him , films have been made , '' Sergei Ivanov , the head of the press bureau of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service , told Russian news agency RIA Novosti on Saturday .
`` In intelligence he was highly respected and appreciated .
[ Blake ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a foreign car that has adapted to Russian roads ... ' Now this foreign car has completed its almost century-old run . ''
Born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands in 1922 to a Dutch mother and Anglo-Egyptian father , Blake served as a Dutch resistance fighter in World War II , and then served in the British navy and became a British diplomat after obtaining British citizenship .
Through MI6 , Blake was sent to Seoul before the Korean War in 1948 .
During the war , he was captured and interned in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months .
It was there that Blake decided he wanted to work for the Soviet Union .
When released , Blake went back to working for British intelligence and in 1953 was sent to Berlin , where he is said to have exposed the entire British spy network of 40 agents in Eastern Europe and the Middle East to the Soviets .
Some of those agents were executed and others imprisoned .
Blake told Pravda in 1990 that his `` greatest exploit '' was revealing to the Soviets the existence of the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 1950s .
`` If I had to live my life over again , I would choose the same path , '' Blake said in 1990 .
`` I desperately needed espionage work in my life .
Time itself summoned me to serve socialist ideals . ''
Blake was convicted in Britain as a Soviet spy in 1961 and sentenced to 42 years in prison .
Blake escaped from Wormwoods Scrubs Prison in 1965 with the help of two British sympathizers , who smuggled in a two-way radio , a saw and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He fled across Europe to the East German border and into the Soviet Union , where he lived in relative obscurity .
In 2000 , 20 years after the fall of the Soviet Union , Blake was supposedly working as an advisor at Moscow 's foreign intelligence SVR school for future spies , helping to polish their English and manners .
In 2007 , he was awarded a medal by the Russian president , Vladimir Putin , and received a pension from the former KGB security service .
He married a Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgy Ivanovich , sometimes socializing with British double agent Kim Filby in Moscow .
Blake authored two memoirs , No Other Choice and Transparent Walls .

British double agent George Blake died in Moscow at age 98. File Photo by Sergei Chirikov/EPA
Dec. 26 (UPI) -- British double agent George Blake, a former MI6 spy who revealed a secret tunnel in Berlin to the Soviet Union during the Cold War and escaped from a London jail in 1966, has died in Moscow at age 98. "Books have been written about him, films have been made," Sergei Ivanov, the head of the press bureau of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, told Russian news agency RIA Novosti on Saturday. "In intelligence he was highly respected and appreciated. [Blake] himself jokingly said: 'I am a foreign car that has adapted to Russian roads ... ' Now this foreign car has completed its almost century-old run." Advertisement
Born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands in 1922 to a Dutch mother and Anglo-Egyptian father, Blake served as a Dutch resistance fighter in World War II, and then served in the British navy and became a British diplomat after obtaining British citizenship.
Through MI6, Blake was sent to Seoul before the Korean War in 1948. During the war, he was captured and interned in a North Korean prison camp for 17 months. It was there that Blake decided he wanted to work for the Soviet Union.
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When released, Blake went back to working for British intelligence and in 1953 was sent to Berlin, where he is said to have exposed the entire British spy network of 40 agents in Eastern Europe and the Middle East to the Soviets. Some of those agents were executed and others imprisoned.
Blake told Pravda in 1990 that his "greatest exploit" was revealing to the Soviets the existence of the "Berlin tunnel" built by the CIA in the 1950s.
"If I had to live my life over again, I would choose the same path," Blake said in 1990. "I desperately needed espionage work in my life. Time itself summoned me to serve socialist ideals."
Blake was convicted in Britain as a Soviet spy in 1961 and sentenced to 42 years in prison.
Blake escaped from Wormwoods Scrubs Prison in 1965 with the help of two British sympathizers, who smuggled in a two-way radio, a saw and a rope ladder strengthened with knitting needles. He fled across Europe to the East German border and into the Soviet Union, where he lived in relative obscurity.
In 2000, 20 years after the fall of the Soviet Union, Blake was supposedly working as an advisor at Moscow's foreign intelligence SVR school for future spies, helping to polish their English and manners.
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In 2007, he was awarded a medal by the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and received a pension from the former KGB security service.
He married a Russian woman and went by the Russian name Georgy Ivanovich, sometimes socializing with British double agent Kim Filby in Moscow. Blake authored two memoirs, No Other Choice and Transparent Walls.


upi--2020-12-26--New COVID-19 variant spreads in France, Spain and Sweden

Dec. 26 ( UPI ) -- A new strain of the coronavirus has spread to France , Spain and Sweden since it was first detected in Britain earlier this month , health officials said .
Four people in Madrid were diagnosed with the COVID-19 variant , the health advisor for the region , Antonio Zapatero , said during a press conference Saturday .
One person was diagnosed Thursday after arriving from Britain and three others are members of the person 's family , according to Zapatero .
`` The situation of the confirmed patients is [ not serious ] , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this variant is more transmissible , but it does not cause a more severe reaction . ''
Zapatero added that there also three other suspected cases pending test results expected Tuesday or Wednesday .
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began , Spain has reported over 1.8 million cases and 49,824 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University global tracker of COVID-19 cases and deaths .
On Friday , health officials said the first case of the new COVID-19 variant first identified in Britain was detected in France .
The French Health Ministry said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French citizen living in England , who came back to France for city of Tours last weekend and was admitted to the hospital Monday .
`` The person is asymptomatic for COVID-19 , is currently isolated at home and is doing well , '' the statement said .
`` The health authorities have carried out contact tracing of the health professionals who took care of the patient and have sought out his at-risk contacts , in order to place them in strict quarantine . ''
France has reported more than 2.6 million COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the global tracker .
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Christmas Eve he was symptom-free after testing positive for COVID-19 last week .
In Sweden , the country 's public health agency reported a case of the virus 's new variant Saturday in the region of Sörmland , on the outskirts of Stockholm .
The patient was a visitor from the United Kingdom , identified via contact tracing , and was not needing hospitalization , the agency said .
As of Monday , all air travelers to the United States and Britain will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 72 hours before the flight , federal regulators ordered amid Britain 's struggle with new strain .
`` Viruses change through mutation , and preliminary analysis in [ Britain ] suggests that this new variant may be up to 70 % more transmissible than previously circulating variants , '' the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , which ordered the rule change , said about the new COVID-19 variant in a statement Thursday .
Britain has reported over 2.2 million coronavirus cases and 70,302 deaths , Johns Hopkins data shows .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a surge in cases during Christmas week , including 1,241 on Christmas Day alone , the largest daily increase it has seen since the pandemic began .
In South Korea , flights have been suspended from Britain until December 31 due to the new coronavirus strain .
To date , the global tracker shows South Korea has reported 55,902 COVID-19 cases and 793 deaths .
The government said in a statement Saturday South Korea will require additional COVID-19 tests for travelers from South Africa before they can be released from 14-day mandatory quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Africa tests positive , the government will conduct additional testing for the new strain , the Disease Control and Prevention Agency added in a statement .
The new COVID-19 strain identified in South Africa has been compared to the new variant in Britain .
`` Putting our data together with that in [ Britain ] , this [ South African ] variant is a bit more effective at spreading from person to person and that is not good , '' Dr. Richard Lessells , one of the specialists leading research into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Guardian .
The new variant in South Africa was found in 200 samples collected from 50 health facilities and originally detected in coastal regions , but has now spread inland , according to The Guardian .
South Africa has reported 983,359 COVID-19 cases and 26,276 deaths , according to the global tracker .
Turkey will begin to require a negative COVID-19 test from air passengers entering the country within 72 hours of boarding starting on Monday , Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said in a statement .
By Wednesday , travelers entering by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to present a negative test .
The new rules will be in effect until March 1 , according to the statement .
Along with the COVID-19 test , people who have been in Britain , Denmark , and South Korea in the previous 10 days will be required to undergo a mandatory home quarantine , the statement said .
They will get a COVID-19 test on day seven of their quarantine to see if they could exit quarantine .
Koca added in a tweet that Turkey has sealed a deal to obtain Pfizer/BioNTech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be delivered by early January and 4.5 million doses by the end of March .
Turkey has reported over 2.1 million COVID-19 cases and 19,371 deaths , the global tracker shows .
Norway has extended the ban it imposed on direct flights from Britain on Monday to next Tuesday amid concerns about new coronavirus strain in Britain , according to a Ministry of Health statement .
The health ministry also imposed additional COVID-19 testing and tracing measures for travelers from Britain to be in effect until Jan. 10 .
Norway has reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date , according to the global tracker .
Japan reported 3,823 new COVID-19 cases on Friday , which set a new daily record for the third straight day , the country 's Ministry of Health said Saturday .
Tokyo alone reported its second-highest number of daily infections so far with 884 cases .
Japan also reported 50 new COVID-19 deaths Friday , bringing the country 's total coronavirus cases to 218,452 and total deaths to 3,052 , the global tracker showed on Saturday .
The United States has the highest number of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million cases and over 330,000 deaths , according to the global tracker .
India has the second highest number of cases at over 10.1 million and third highest number of deaths at over 147,000 .
Brazil has the third highest number of cases and second highest number of deaths at over 7.4 million cases and over 190,000 deaths .
Worldwide , COVID-19 has infected over 79.9 million people and killed over 1.7 million .

Travelers wear face masks as they stand in line at the Adolfo-Suarez Barajas International Airport in Madrid, Spain. File Photo by Emilio Naranjo/EPA-EFE
Dec. 26 (UPI) -- A new strain of the coronavirus has spread to France, Spain and Sweden since it was first detected in Britain earlier this month, health officials said. Four people in Madrid were diagnosed with the COVID-19 variant, the health advisor for the region, Antonio Zapatero, said during a press conference Saturday. Advertisement
One person was diagnosed Thursday after arriving from Britain and three others are members of the person's family, according to Zapatero.
"The situation of the confirmed patients is [not serious]," Zapatero said. "We know this variant is more transmissible, but it does not cause a more severe reaction."
Zapatero added that there also three other suspected cases pending test results expected Tuesday or Wednesday.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Spain has reported over 1.8 million cases and 49,824 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University global tracker of COVID-19 cases and deaths.
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On Friday, health officials said the first case of the new COVID-19 variant first identified in Britain was detected in France.
The French Health Ministry said in a statement the person infected is a French citizen living in England, who came back to France for city of Tours last weekend and was admitted to the hospital Monday.
"The person is asymptomatic for COVID-19, is currently isolated at home and is doing well," the statement said. "The health authorities have carried out contact tracing of the health professionals who took care of the patient and have sought out his at-risk contacts, in order to place them in strict quarantine."
France has reported more than 2.6 million COVID-19 cases and 62,548 deaths, according to the global tracker.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Christmas Eve he was symptom-free after testing positive for COVID-19 last week.
In Sweden, the country's public health agency reported a case of the virus's new variant Saturday in the region of Sörmland, on the outskirts of Stockholm. The patient was a visitor from the United Kingdom, identified via contact tracing, and was not needing hospitalization, the agency said.
As of Monday, all air travelers to the United States and Britain will have to test negative for COVID-19 no more than 72 hours before the flight, federal regulators ordered amid Britain's struggle with new strain.
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"Viruses change through mutation, and preliminary analysis in [Britain] suggests that this new variant may be up to 70% more transmissible than previously circulating variants," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which ordered the rule change, said about the new COVID-19 variant in a statement Thursday.
Britain has reported over 2.2 million coronavirus cases and 70,302 deaths, Johns Hopkins data shows.
Meanwhile, South Korea has coped with a surge in cases during Christmas week, including 1,241 on Christmas Day alone, the largest daily increase it has seen since the pandemic began.
In South Korea, flights have been suspended from Britain until December 31 due to the new coronavirus strain.
To date, the global tracker shows South Korea has reported 55,902 COVID-19 cases and 793 deaths.
The government said in a statement Saturday South Korea will require additional COVID-19 tests for travelers from South Africa before they can be released from 14-day mandatory quarantine upon arrival.
If a traveler from South Africa tests positive, the government will conduct additional testing for the new strain, the Disease Control and Prevention Agency added in a statement.
The new COVID-19 strain identified in South Africa has been compared to the new variant in Britain.
Advertisement
"Putting our data together with that in [Britain], this [South African] variant is a bit more effective at spreading from person to person and that is not good," Dr. Richard Lessells, one of the specialists leading research into the new variant in South Africa, told The Guardian.
The new variant in South Africa was found in 200 samples collected from 50 health facilities and originally detected in coastal regions, but has now spread inland, according to The Guardian.
South Africa has reported 983,359 COVID-19 cases and 26,276 deaths, according to the global tracker.
Turkey will begin to require a negative COVID-19 test from air passengers entering the country within 72 hours of boarding starting on Monday, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said in a statement. By Wednesday, travelers entering by sea and land will also be required to present a negative test.
The new rules will be in effect until March 1, according to the statement.
Along with the COVID-19 test, people who have been in Britain, Denmark, and South Korea in the previous 10 days will be required to undergo a mandatory home quarantine, the statement said. They will get a COVID-19 test on day seven of their quarantine to see if they could exit quarantine.
Advertisement
Koca added in a tweet that Turkey has sealed a deal to obtain Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which includes 550,000 doses to be delivered by early January and 4.5 million doses by the end of March.
Turkey has reported over 2.1 million COVID-19 cases and 19,371 deaths, the global tracker shows.
Norway has extended the ban it imposed on direct flights from Britain on Monday to next Tuesday amid concerns about new coronavirus strain in Britain, according to a Ministry of Health statement.
The health ministry also imposed additional COVID-19 testing and tracing measures for travelers from Britain to be in effect until Jan. 10.
Norway has reported 46,248 COVID-19 cases and 421 deaths to date, according to the global tracker.
Japan reported 3,823 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, which set a new daily record for the third straight day, the country's Ministry of Health said Saturday.
Tokyo alone reported its second-highest number of daily infections so far with 884 cases.
Japan also reported 50 new COVID-19 deaths Friday, bringing the country's total coronavirus cases to 218,452 and total deaths to 3,052, the global tracker showed on Saturday.
The United States has the highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths worldwide at over 18.7 million cases and over 330,000 deaths, according to the global tracker. India has the second highest number of cases at over 10.1 million and third highest number of deaths at over 147,000. Brazil has the third highest number of cases and second highest number of deaths at over 7.4 million cases and over 190,000 deaths. Worldwide, COVID-19 has infected over 79.9 million people and killed over 1.7 million.


upi--2020-12-26--Taylor Swift's 'Evermore' tops the U.S. album chart

Dec. 26 ( UPI ) -- Pop music star Taylor Swift 's Evermore is the No .
1 album in @ @ @ @ @ in at No .
2 on the Billboard 200 chart dated Saturday is Kid Cudi @ @ @ @ @ III : The Chosen , followed by Swift 's Folklore at No .
3 , @ @ @ @ @ Jack Harlow 's That 's What They All Say at No .
5 .
Rounding @ @ @ @ @ Carrie Underwood 's My Gift at No .
6 , Pop Smoke 's Shoot For @ @ @ @ @ Moon at No .
7 , Nat King Cole 's The Christmas Song at No @ @ @ @ @ 's El Ultimo Tour del Mundo at No .
9 and Mariah Carey 's Merry @ @ @ @ @ .

1/3
Taylor Swift "Evermore" and "Folklore" ranked at Nos. 1 and 3 on the Billboard 200 chart Saturday. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Pop music star Taylor Swift's Evermore is the No. 1 album in the United States. Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart dated Saturday is Kid Cudi's Man on the Moon III: The Chosen, followed by Swift's Folklore at No. 3, Michael Buble's Christmas and Jack Harlow's That's What They All Say at No. 5. Advertisement
Rounding out the top tier are Carrie Underwood's My Gift at No. 6, Pop Smoke's Shoot For the Stars Aim For the Moon at No. 7, Nat King Cole's The Christmas Song at No. 8, Bad Bunny's El Ultimo Tour del Mundo at No. 9 and Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas at No. 10.


upi--2020-12-26--Kanye West releases surprise EP 'Emmanuel'

Dec. 26 ( UPI ) -- Music icon Kanye West has released a new faith-based EP called Emmanuel without any @ @ @ @ @ record came out on Spotify and Apple Music Friday , Christmas Day .
The five-track @ @ @ @ @ promotional material as `` ancient and Latin inspired new music . ''
West wrote and @ @ @ @ @ EP and his Sunday Service Choir sang them .
Late last year , the rapper @ @ @ @ @ is Born and Jesus is King .
West made headlines in 2020 for his unsuccessful @ @ @ @ @ against the incumbent Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden .
Biden won .
@ @ @ @ @ Donda , named for his late mother , in July .

Kanye West surprised fans with a new album called "Emmanuel" on Christmas Day. File Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Music icon Kanye West has released a new faith-based EP called Emmanuel without any advance notice. The 5-track record came out on Spotify and Apple Music Friday, Christmas Day. Advertisement
The five-track album is being described in promotional material as "ancient and Latin inspired new music."
West wrote and produced the tracks on the EP and his Sunday Service Choir sang them.
Late last year, the rapper released the gospel albums Jesus is Born and Jesus is King.
West made headlines in 2020 for his unsuccessful bid for the U.S. presidency against the incumbent Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. Biden won.
West also released the album Donda, named for his late mother, in July.


upi--2020-12-26--John Travolta shares video of kids on first Christmas after Kelly Preston's death

Dec. 26 ( UPI ) -- Film star John Travolta shared a video of his two children -- Ella and @ @ @ @ @ Christmas since their mom , actress Kelly Preston , died of cancer in July .
@ @ @ @ @ Travolta family ! ''
the Grease and Pulp Fiction actor captioned Friday 's brief home @ @ @ @ @ festively decorated tree and his kids -- surrounded by presents -- smiling , waving and @ @ @ @ @ ! ''
Ella , 20 , is wearing pajamas and holding a phone and Ben @ @ @ @ @ in shorts and eating chocolate .
The video already has gotten more than 1 million @ @ @ @ @ credits included What a Girl Wants and Jerry Maguire -- secretly battled cancer for two @ @ @ @ @ when she died .

(L-R) Kelly Preston, Ben Travolta, John Travolta and Ella Travolta arrive before the screening of "Solo: A Star Wars Story" in Cannes in 2018. Travolta shared a video of his family celebrating their first Christmas without Preston, who died of cancer in July. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Film star John Travolta shared a video of his two children -- Ella and Ben -- celebrating their first Christmas since their mom, actress Kelly Preston, died of cancer in July. "Merry Christmas from the Travolta family!" the Grease and Pulp Fiction actor captioned Friday's brief home movie, which shows a festively decorated tree and his kids -- surrounded by presents -- smiling, waving and saying, "Merry Christmas!" Advertisement
Ella, 20, is wearing pajamas and holding a phone and Ben, 10, is shirtless in shorts and eating chocolate.
The family lives in Florida.
The video already has gotten more than 1 million views.
Preston -- whose credits included What a Girl Wants and Jerry Maguire -- secretly battled cancer for two years. She was 57 when she died.


upi--2020-12-27--Suspect in custody after 3 dead, 3 wounded at Illinois bowling alley

Dec. 27 ( UPI ) -- A 37-year-old unnamed white male is in custody after three people were killed and three others wounded in a shooting described as a random act at a bowling alley in northern Illinois , police said late Saturday .
Around 6:55 p.m. CST , police received a call about a shooting at Don Carter Lanes , Rockford police Chief Daniel O'Shea said at a news briefing .
Rockford is 80 miles northwest of Chicago .
`` When officers arrived on scene , the shooter was still in the building , '' O'Shea said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know of at this point , but the individual that we believe is responsible , and the only individual we believe at this point to be involved , we may have in custody . ''
Three people were found dead at the scene and three others with injuries were taken to a local hospital for treatment , he said .
The shooting happened inside and outside the bowling alley , he said .
It is unclear if the injured and dead were employees or patrons , O'Shea said , adding at least two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rockford police posted on Twitter the suspect is custody , and `` this is an active and ongoing investigation . ''
`` I 'm angered and saddened by the violence tonight at Don Carter Lanes , '' Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said in a statement posted on Facebook .
`` My thoughts are with the families of those who lost loved ones .
I 'm also thinking of those who were injured and my hopes are with them for a quick and full recovery . ''
Don Carter Lanes posted on its Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence by an evil coward took innocent life tonight .
The entire bowling community mourns the senseless loss of life and prays for the families .
God please be with their friends and families .
Thank you to law enforcement for your heroic actions that prevented further loss of life . ''
A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Tuesday night in its parking lot .

Duke Webb has been charged with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder in a shooting at a bowling alley in Rockford, Ill., on Saturday night. Photo courtesy Winnebago County Sherriff's Office
Dec. 27 (UPI) -- A 37-year-old male Army sergeant has been charged after three people were killed and three others wounded in a shooting Saturday night described as a random act at a bowling alley in northern Illinois, officials said Sunday. Duke Webb has been charged with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder, Winnebago County State's Attorney J. Hanley said during a news conference. Webb, a resident of Shalimar, Fla., is a special forces assistant operations and intelligence sergeant assigned to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida's Panhandle, the Rockford Register Star reported. He joined the Army in 2008 and was on leave. Advertisement
Webb had attempted to conceal his identity and hide his weapons from police, and two handguns were recovered from the scene, O'Shea said.
Around 6:55 p.m. CST, police received a call about a shooting at Don Carter Lanes, Rockford police Chief Daniel O'Shea said at a news briefing. Rockford is 80 miles northwest of Chicago.
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"When officers arrived on scene, the shooter was still in the building," O'Shea said. "No officers fired their weapons that we know of at this point, but the individual that we believe is responsible, and the only individual we believe at this point to be involved, we may have in custody."
The fatalities, whose identities have not been released by Winnebago Sheriff's Office, were three men 73, 65 and 69. A 62-year-old male who received multiple gunshot wounds underwent surgery overnight and is in critical condition.
Don Carter Lanes owner John Sommer described the four older victims as "regular wonderful costumers," in an interview with the Rockford newspaper.
Two teenagers were picking up food when they were shot. A 14-year-old boy was shot in the face and is now in stable condition, a 16-year-old girl was shot in the shoulder, and has been treated and released from a local hospital.
The shooting happened inside and outside the bowling alley, he said.
Don Carter Lanes and the downstairs bar were closed at the time in compliance with COVID-19 mitigation orders but the upstairs bar, which included an outdoor balcony, was open and in compliance with current orders, officials said.
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Late Saturday, Rockford police posted on Twitter the suspect is custody, and "this is an active and ongoing investigation."
"I'm angered and saddened by the violence tonight at Don Carter Lanes," Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said in a statement posted on Facebook. "My thoughts are with the families of those who lost loved ones. I'm also thinking of those who were injured and my hopes are with them for a quick and full recovery."
Don Carter Lanes posted on its Facebook page: "A heinous act of violence by an evil coward took innocent life tonight. The entire bowling community mourns the senseless loss of life and prays for the families. God please be with their friends and families. Thank you to law enforcement for your heroic actions that prevented further loss of life."
A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Tuesday night in its parking lot.


upi--2020-12-27--Fast-moving storm to usher in unsettled weather for Midwest, Northeast

Following a white Christmas for some and a wet Christmas for others , another round of unsettled weather is on the way as a quick-hitting storm takes aim at the Great Lakes and Northeast early this week .
After a quiet Saturday across much of the Northeast outside of the lake-effect snow areas , an approaching storm will usher unsettled weather back into the region Sunday into Monday .
Unsettled weather for the Midwest will arrive early Sunday .
A fast-moving storm will begin in southern Iowa during the morning hours Sunday and quickly push into southern Ontario , Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way , this system will bring periods of rain and snow to portions of the Great Lakes and Midwest .
On the northwestern edge of this storm , a quick 1-3 inches of snow can blanket parts of the eastern Dakotas , Minnesota , Wisconsin and Michigan on Sunday .
Sunday night , snow will continue to fall across eastern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and will expand across northern Michigan .
`` Green Bay , Wisconsin , has only received about 2 inches of snow so far this month and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday and Sunday night , '' AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike Doll said .
The Green Bay Packers game against the Tennessee Titans is likely to be a snowy one on Sunday night at Lambeau Field .
Rain showers will dampen portions of Iowa and Illinois during the day Sunday , but precipitation will expand farther north and east into early Monday morning .
Workers commuting in Indiana , Ohio and southern Michigan on Monday morning will have to deal with damp , potentially slick roadways as a result of precipitation overnight .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time when many people will be traveling , '' Doll added .
As the center of the storm tracks northeast along the border between Canada and the United States on Monday , a cold front associated with the system will dig into the Northeast .
This cold front will interact with a rather dry air mass across the northeastern United States and widespread , heavy precipitation is not anticipated .
However , some snow and rain showers can still develop across the region .
Snow showers will stretch from portions of northeastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to portions of New England on Monday .
A quick 1-3 inches of snow can blanket the area .
A few rain showers can develop farther east and dampen portions of eastern Pennsylvania into southern New England on Monday .
In addition to wet weather , this storm will also kick up gusty winds across the Midwest and Northeast Sunday night through Monday .
While widespread damaging wind gusts are not anticipated at this time , winds can be strong enough to cause some minor issues for travel .
After this fast-moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night and its influence on the northeastern U.S. winds down , AccuWeather forecasters will turn their attention to the next significant storm to target the center of the country .

A girl raises her cell phone and reacts to falling snow during a major snow storm on Wall Street in New York City on Thursday, December 17, 2020. A winter storm nor'easter dumped snow in New York and the Northeast with totals in New York City totaling about 12 inches. Another round of unsettled weather is on the way to the region this week. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Following a white Christmas for some and a wet Christmas for others, another round of unsettled weather is on the way as a quick-hitting storm takes aim at the Great Lakes and Northeast early this week. After a quiet Saturday across much of the Northeast outside of the lake-effect snow areas, an approaching storm will usher unsettled weather back into the region Sunday into Monday. Unsettled weather for the Midwest will arrive early Sunday. Advertisement
A fast-moving storm will begin in southern Iowa during the morning hours Sunday and quickly push into southern Ontario, Canada, by Sunday night.
Along the way, this system will bring periods of rain and snow to portions of the Great Lakes and Midwest. On the northwestern edge of this storm, a quick 1-3 inches of snow can blanket parts of the eastern Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan on Sunday. Sunday night, snow will continue to fall across eastern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and will expand across northern Michigan.
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"Green Bay, Wisconsin, has only received about 2 inches of snow so far this month and could double or triple their month-to-date total Sunday and Sunday night," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike Doll said.
The Green Bay Packers game against the Tennessee Titans is likely to be a snowy one on Sunday night at Lambeau Field in Wisconsin.
Rain showers will dampen portions of Iowa and Illinois during the day Sunday, but precipitation will expand farther north and east into early Monday morning.
Workers commuting in Indiana, Ohio and southern Michigan on Monday morning will have to deal with damp, potentially slick roadways as a result of precipitation overnight.
"Roads can become slippery and hazardous at a time when many people will be traveling," Doll added.
As the center of the storm tracks northeast along the border between Canada and the United States on Monday, a cold front associated with the system will dig into the Northeast.
This cold front will interact with a rather dry air mass across the northeastern United States and widespread, heavy precipitation is not anticipated. However, some snow and rain showers can still develop across the region.
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Snow showers will stretch from portions of northeastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania and New York, to portions of New England on Monday. A quick 1-3 inches of snow can blanket the area.
A few rain showers can develop farther east and dampen portions of eastern Pennsylvania into southern New England on Monday.
In addition to wet weather, this storm will also kick up gusty winds across the Midwest and Northeast Sunday night through Monday. While widespread damaging wind gusts are not anticipated at this time, winds can be strong enough to cause some minor issues for travel.
After this fast-moving storm jogs into Atlantic Canada on Monday night and its influence on the northeastern U.S. winds down, AccuWeather forecasters will turn their attention to the next significant storm to target the center of the country.


upi--2020-12-27--On This Day, Dec. 27: Radio City Music Hall opens

Dec. 27 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1932 , Radio City Music Hall opened in New York .
In 1941 , Japanese warplanes bombed Manila in the Philippines even though it had been declared an `` open city . ''
In 1968 , the Apollo 8 astronauts -- Frank Borman , Jim Lovell , William Anders -- returned to Earth after orbiting the moon 10 times in a flight that helped open the way for moon-landing missions .
In 1983 , Pope John Paul II met privately in a jail cell with Mehmet Ali @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and attempted to assassinate the pontiff in 1981 .
The pope pardoned the 25-year-old .
In 1985 , gunmen opened fire at El Al ticket counters at airports in Rome and Vienna , killing 20 people and injuring more than 100 .
In 1991 , a Scandinavian Airlines jet with 129 people aboard crashed and broke apart after taking off from Stockholm .
No one died in the incident .
In 1992 , Port Authority police arrested singer Harry Connick Jr. for attempting to board a plane at JFK International Airport with an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges after the singer agreed to make a public service announcement about the dangers of breaking gun laws .
In 2007 , former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto , first woman to hold that post in an Islamic state , was assassinated in a suicide attack as she left a political rally in Rawalpindi .
Police said she was shot twice by a gunman who then set off a bomb in her motorcade , killing another 20 people .
In 2008 , 225 people died when Israeli jets bombed Gaza in retaliation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
At least 300 people were injured .
In 2013 , a car bomb in Beirut killed seven people , including Mohammad Chatah , Lebanon 's former ambassador to the United States .
Dozens of others were injured in the attack , which officials said targeted Chatah 's convoy in the central section of the city .
In 2015 , Iraqi security forces retook control of Ramadi from Islamic State militants .

1/4
On December 27, 1932, Radio City Music Hall opened in New York. File Photo by Serena Xu-Ning/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 27 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1932, Radio City Music Hall opened in New York. Advertisement
In 1941, Japanese warplanes bombed Manila in the Philippines even though it had been declared an "open city."
In 1968, the Apollo 8 astronauts -- Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, William Anders -- returned to Earth after orbiting the moon 10 times in a flight that helped open the way for moon-landing missions.
In 1983, Pope John Paul II met privately in a jail cell with Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turkish man who shot and attempted to assassinate the pontiff in 1981. The pope pardoned the 25-year-old.
UPI File Photo
In 1985, gunmen opened fire at El Al ticket counters at airports in Rome and Vienna, killing 20 people and injuring more than 100.
In 1991, a Scandinavian Airlines jet with 129 people aboard crashed and broke apart after taking off from Stockholm. No one died in the incident.
In 1992, Port Authority police arrested singer Harry Connick Jr. for attempting to board a plane at JFK International Airport with an unloaded gun. The court dropped the charges after the singer agreed to make a public service announcement about the dangers of breaking gun laws.
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File Photo by H. Ruckemann/UPI
In 2007, former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, first woman to hold that post in an Islamic state, was assassinated in a suicide attack as she left a political rally in Rawalpindi. Police said she was shot twice by a gunman who then set off a bomb in her motorcade, killing another 20 people.
In 2008, 225 people died when Israeli jets bombed Gaza in retaliation for Hamas-fired rockets, Israeli and Palestinian sources said. At least 300 people were injured.
In 2013, a car bomb in Beirut killed seven people, including Mohammad Chatah, Lebanon's former ambassador to the United States. Dozens of others were injured in the attack, which officials said targeted Chatah's convoy in the central section of the city.
In 2015, Iraqi security forces retook control of Ramadi from Islamic State militants.


upi--2020-12-27--Famous birthdays for Dec. 27: Timothee Chalamet, Savannah Guthrie

Dec. 27 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Capricorn .

Timothée Chalamet arrives for the 92nd annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on February 9. The actor turns 25 on December 27. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Capricorn. They include: Advertisement
-- German astronomer Johannes Kepler in 1571
-- French bacteriologist Louis Pasteur in 1822
-- Actor Sydney Greenstreet in 1879
-- Actor Marlene Dietrich in 1901
-- Actor John Amos in 1939 (age 81)
File Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI
-- News correspondent Cokie Roberts in 1943
-- French actor Gerard Depardieu in 1948 (age 72)
-- Former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon in 1951 (age 69)
-- Wrestler Chyna, born Joan Marie Laurer, in 1969
-- News correspondent Savannah Guthrie in 1971 (age 49)
File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
-- Actor Emilie De Ravin in 1981 (age 39)
-- Singer Hayley Williams in 1988 (age 32)
-- Actor Chloe Bridges in 1991 (age 29)
-- Country singer Shay Mooney in 1991 (age 29)
-- Actor Olivia Cooke in 1993 (age 27)
-- Actor Timothee Chalamet in 1995 (age 25)
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upi--2020-12-27--Roger Federer to miss 2021 Australian Open due to knee injury

Dec. 27 ( UPI ) -- Swiss tennis star Roger Federer , who is the fifth-ranked player in the world , has withdrawn from the 2021 Australian Open , tournament officials confirmed Sunday .
The six-time Australian Open champion will miss the event as he continues to recover from two operations on his right knee .
`` In the end Roger ran out of time to get himself ready for the rigors of a Grand Slam and he 's very disappointed he wo n't be coming to Melbourne in 2021 , '' Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has always held a special place in his heart -- remember it was Roger who first called the AO the 'happy slam . '
`` We wish him all the best as he prepares for his comeback later in the year and look forward to seeing him in Melbourne in 2022 . ''
The start of the Australian Open 's main draw was pushed back three weeks because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
It is now scheduled to start Feb. 8 at Melbourne Park .
The 39-year-old Federer has n't played in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 Australian Open .
Soon after , he played in an exhibition charity event with Rafael Nadal before announcing that he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee .
Federer later had a second procedure on the same knee and missed the remainder of the pandemic-altered season .
With Federer sidelined , Nadal tied his men 's record for most major championships by winning his 20th Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in October .

Roger Federer hasn't played in a tournament match since late January at the 2020 Australian Open. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Swiss tennis star Roger Federer, who is the fifth-ranked player in the world, has withdrawn from the 2021 Australian Open, tournament officials confirmed Sunday. The six-time Australian Open champion will miss the event as he continues to recover from two operations on his right knee. Advertisement
"In the end Roger ran out of time to get himself ready for the rigors of a Grand Slam and he's very disappointed he won't be coming to Melbourne in 2021," Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said in a statement. "The Australian Open has always held a special place in his heart -- remember it was Roger who first called the AO the 'happy slam.'
"We wish him all the best as he prepares for his comeback later in the year and look forward to seeing him in Melbourne in 2022."
The start of the Australian Open's main draw was pushed back three weeks because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is now scheduled to start Feb. 8 at Melbourne Park.
The 39-year-old Federer hasn't played in a tournament match since late January at the 2020 Australian Open. Soon after, he played in an exhibition charity event with Rafael Nadal before announcing that he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
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Federer later had a second procedure on the same knee and missed the remainder of the pandemic-altered season.
With Federer sidelined, Nadal tied his men's record for most major championships by winning his 20th Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in October.


upi--2020-12-27--Trump signs coronavirus relief, government funding bill into law

Dec. 27 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump on Sunday night signed an omnibus funding bill and an associated $ 900 billion coronavirus relief bill as unemployment benefits expired and a government shutdown loomed .
The pandemic bill extends billions of dollars in coronavirus relief to millions of Americans .
`` Good news on Covid Relief Bill , '' the president tweeted late Sunday before the signing of the bill was announced .
`` More information to follow ! ''
Members of Congress had urged the president to sign the pandemic relief bill and a $ 1.4 trillion omnibus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Trump shocked lawmakers last week by panning the relief bill as a `` disgrace '' and calling for direct payments to Americans to be increased from $ 600 in the bill to $ 2,000 .
Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , one of the most adamant voices supporting increased payments for Americans , described Trump 's last-minute refusal to sign the bill as `` unbelievably cruel '' and called on the president to sign the bill that would restore unemployment benefits and moratoriums on evictions and allow Congress to approve $ 2,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mr. President , and then immediately -- Monday , Tuesday -- we can pass a $ 2,000 direct payment to the working families of this country , '' Sanders told ABC News ' This Week , adding that `` the suffering of this country will be immense '' if Trump does not sign the bill .
The stimulus and funding bills are tied together , and while Trump did not threaten to veto the measures , he did not sign them when expected on Christmas Eve .
In a statement on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sending back to Congress `` a redlined version '' of the coronavirus relief bill insisting that those funds be removed .
`` As president , I have told Congress that I want far less wasteful sending and more money going to the American people in the form of $ 2,000 checks per adult and $ 600 per child , '' he said .
`` Much more money is coming . ''
If Trump had not signed the stimulus legislation before a new Congress arrives on Jan. 3 , the bills would have expired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Rep. Richard Neal , chairman of the House ways and means committee , lambasted Trump for the `` pointless delay '' that he said cost millions of Americans pandemic unemployment assistance .
`` His stalling only intensified anxiety and hardship for workers and families who are collateral damage in his political games , '' the Massachusetts Democrat said in a statement .
`` Now , people will need to wait even longer for direct payments and other vital assistance to arrive . ''
Sen. Pat Toomey , R-Pa. , had called on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't get everything you want , even if you 're the president of the United States , '' while also calling for a separate negotiation on $ 2,000 payments .
`` I understand he wants to be remembered for advocating for big checks , but the danger is he 'll be remembered for chaos and misery and erratic behavior if he allows this to expire , '' Toomey said of Trump on Fox News Sunday .
Toomey , however , has expressed that Republicans were unlikely to approve the increased payments , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amend the stimulus bill on Thursday .
`` Why should we be sending $ 2,000 to people with a six-figure income who 've had no suspension , no reduction of their income at all ? ''
Toomey said .
`` This money is n't sitting on a shelf .
We 're going to print it or we 're going to borrow it , and I think the aid should be much , much more targeted .
It should be targeted to people who 've actually lost their job .
Small businesses that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those are very real categories .
The numbers are significant . ''
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had said she would seek a roll-call vote on the proposal to increase the payments on Monday .
`` Now , the president must immediately call on congressional Republicans to end their obstruction and to join him and the Democrats in support of our stand-alone legislation to increase direct payment checks to $ 2,000 , which will be brought to the floor tomorrow , '' she said in a statement late Sunday .
On Saturday , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the people , get rid of the 'pork , '' and included his video message from Tuesday expressing his dissatisfaction with the legislation .
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell applauded Trump 's signing of the bill , which he called `` not perfect '' but `` will do an enormous amount of good '' for Americans struggling amid the health crisis .
`` I am glad the American people will receive this much-needed assistance as our nation continues battling this pandemic , '' he said in a statement late Sunday .
Chuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the House and Senate democrats will pass the bill to ensure Americans receive $ 2,000 checks leaving it up to Senate Republicans to decide if it will become law .
`` No Democrat will object , '' he tweeted .
`` Will Senate Republicans ? ''
The bills had been sent to his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach , Fla. , where the president arrived on Wednesday .

Members of Congress on Sunday had called on President Donald Trump to sign an omnibus funding bill and an associated coronavirus relief bill as unemployment benefits expired and a government shutdown loomed Tuesday. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 27 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Sunday night signed an omnibus funding bill and an associated $900 billion coronavirus relief bill as unemployment benefits expired and a government shutdown loomed. The pandemic bill extends billions of dollars in coronavirus relief to millions of Americans. Advertisement
"Good news on Covid Relief Bill," the president tweeted late Sunday before the signing of the bill was announced. "More information to follow!"
Members of Congress had urged the president to sign the pandemic relief bill and a $1.4 trillion omnibus bill to fund the government through September after Trump shocked lawmakers last week by panning the relief bill as a "disgrace" and calling for direct payments to Americans to be increased from $600 in the bill to $2,000.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., one of the most adamant voices supporting increased payments for Americans, described Trump's last-minute refusal to sign the bill as "unbelievably cruel" and called on the president to sign the bill that would restore unemployment benefits and moratoriums on evictions and allow Congress to approve $2,000 payments later.
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"Sign the bill, Mr. President, and then immediately -- Monday, Tuesday -- we can pass a $2,000 direct payment to the working families of this country," Sanders told ABC News' This Week, adding that "the suffering of this country will be immense" if Trump does not sign the bill.
The stimulus and funding bills are tied together, and while Trump did not threaten to veto the measures, he did not sign them when expected on Christmas Eve.
In a statement on Sunday night, the president said he was sending back to Congress "a redlined version" of the coronavirus relief bill insisting that those funds be removed.
"As president, I have told Congress that I want far less wasteful sending and more money going to the American people in the form of $2,000 checks per adult and $600 per child," he said. "Much more money is coming."
If Trump had not signed the stimulus legislation before a new Congress arrives on Jan. 3, the bills would have expired, forcing lawmakers to negotiate another package.
Rep. Richard Neal, chairman of the House ways and means committee, lambasted Trump for the "pointless delay" that he said cost millions of Americans pandemic unemployment assistance.
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"His stalling only intensified anxiety and hardship for workers and families who are collateral damage in his political games," the Massachusetts Democrat said in a statement. "Now, people will need to wait even longer for direct payments and other vital assistance to arrive."
Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., had called on Trump to accept that "you don't get everything you want, even if you're the president of the United States," while also calling for a separate negotiation on $2,000 payments.
"I understand he wants to be remembered for advocating for big checks, but the danger is he'll be remembered for chaos and misery and erratic behavior if he allows this to expire," Toomey said of Trump on Fox News Sunday.
Toomey, however, has expressed that Republicans were unlikely to approve the increased payments, after blocking an effort by House Democrats to amend the stimulus bill on Thursday.
"Why should we be sending $2,000 to people with a six-figure income who've had no suspension, no reduction of their income at all?" Toomey said.
"This money isn't sitting on a shelf. We're going to print it or we're going to borrow it, and I think the aid should be much, much more targeted. It should be targeted to people who've actually lost their job. Small businesses that are actually in danger of going under. Those are very real categories. The numbers are significant."
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had said she would seek a roll-call vote on the proposal to increase the payments on Monday.
"Now, the president must immediately call on congressional Republicans to end their obstruction and to join him and the Democrats in support of our stand-alone legislation to increase direct payment checks to $2,000, which will be brought to the floor tomorrow," she said in a statement late Sunday.
On Saturday, Trump posted on Twitter to "increase payments to the people, get rid of the 'pork," and included his video message from Tuesday expressing his dissatisfaction with the legislation.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell applauded Trump's signing of the bill, which he called "not perfect" but "will do an enormous amount of good" for Americans struggling amid the health crisis.
"I am glad the American people will receive this much-needed assistance as our nation continues battling this pandemic," he said in a statement late Sunday.
Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, said the House and Senate democrats will pass the bill to ensure Americans receive $2,000 checks leaving it up to Senate Republicans to decide if it will become law.
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"No Democrat will object," he tweeted. "Will Senate Republicans?"
The bills had been sent to his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Fla., where the president arrived on Wednesday.