upi--2020-11-23--Rookie Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow expects to miss rest of season with knee injury

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will miss the rest of the season after sustaining a knee injury during a loss to the Washington Football Team on Sunday .
Sources told NFL Network that Burrow tore the ACL in his left knee after he was hit by two Washington defenders in the third quarter of the loss at FedEx Field in Landover , Md .
Burrow was carted off the field and did not return to the game .
`` Thanks for all the love , '' Burrow tweeted Sunday night .
`` Ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ See ya next year . ''
Bengals coach Zac Taylor did not provide specifics about Burrow 's injury when he spoke to reporters after the game .
Burrow is expected to get an MRI on Monday to confirm the injury .
Burrow , the No .
1 overall pick out of LSU in April 's NFL Draft , completed 22 of 34 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown before he left Sunday 's game .
He completed 65.3 % of his throws for 2,688 yards , 13 touchdowns and five interceptions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contender for AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year .
He posted a 2-7-1 record as a starter in his rookie campaign .
The Bengals will now turn to backup quarterback Ryan Finley for the rest of the season .
Finley completed 3 of 10 passes for 30 yards and an interception on Sunday after replacing Burrow .
`` To lose your quarterback is tough , but that 's the way it goes , '' Taylor told reporters .
`` Finley came up and we have to help him .
I have to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bengals ( 2-7-1 ) next host the New York Giants at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium .

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9), the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, appeared in 10 games this year before he sustained a season-ending knee injury on Sunday. File Photo by Derik Hamilton/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will miss the rest of the season after sustaining a knee injury during a loss to the Washington Football Team on Sunday. Sources told NFL Network that Burrow tore the ACL in his left knee after he was hit by two Washington defenders in the third quarter of the loss at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. Advertisement
Burrow was carted off the field and did not return to the game.
"Thanks for all the love," Burrow tweeted Sunday night. "Can't get rid of me that easy. See ya next year."
Bengals coach Zac Taylor did not provide specifics about Burrow's injury when he spoke to reporters after the game. Burrow is expected to get an MRI on Monday to confirm the injury.
Burrow, the No. 1 overall pick out of LSU in April's NFL Draft, completed 22 of 34 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown before he left Sunday's game.
He completed 65.3% of his throws for 2,688 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 games this season and was a contender for AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year. He posted a 2-7-1 record as a starter in his rookie campaign.
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The Bengals will now turn to backup quarterback Ryan Finley for the rest of the season. Finley completed 3 of 10 passes for 30 yards and an interception on Sunday after replacing Burrow.
"To lose your quarterback is tough, but that's the way it goes," Taylor told reporters. "Finley came up and we have to help him. I have to put him in better situations."
The Bengals (2-7-1) next host the New York Giants at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-23--Pat Quinn, co-founder of famous 'Ice Bucket Challenge,' dies at 37

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Pat Quinn , the co-founder of the famous `` Ice Bucket Challenge '' that emerged several years ago and raised more than $ 250 million for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis research , died of the disease on Sunday .
He was 37 .
A native of the Yonkers section of New York City , Quinn was diagnosed with ALS , also known as Lou Gehrig 's disease , in 2013 when he was 30 .
The following year , he and Pete Frates invented the Ice Bucket Challenge -- a popular activity in which people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heads to raise awareness for the disease .
A number of well-known figures and celebrities participated in the challenge and posted videos to social media .
After taking a bucket of ice onto their heads , a person would then nominate another person to take the challenge .
Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton were nominated by multiple prominent figures , but instead opted to make a financial donation to the ALS Foundation .
Former President George W. Bush did take the challenge .
`` We are deeply sorry to share that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the foundation said .
`` Pat was co-founder of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and an inspiration to millions of people around the world .
`` Pat fought ALS with positivity and bravery and inspired all around him .
Those of us who knew him are devastated but grateful for all he did to advance the fight against ALS . ''
Quinn , a former rugby player at Iona College , later made motivational speeches and fought ALS with his non-profit Quinn for the Win Foundation .
`` He was able to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Iona rugby coach and friend Bruce McLane said .
`` He always had the right words when you were down , and he was very compassionate , even though he was suffering tremendously . ''
Iona inducted Quinn into its rugby hall of fame in 2019 and named an award after him .
Some of the prominent figures who participated in the challenge were Oprah Winfrey , Microsoft founder Bill Gates and NBA superstar LeBron James .
Several revivals of the Ice Bucket Challenge followed in the years after its debut in @ @

Pat Quinn, co-founder of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, is seen at the 19th Webby Awards in New York City on May 18, 2015. He died at the age of 37 on Sunday. File Photo by Justin Lane/EPA
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Pat Quinn, the co-founder of the famous "Ice Bucket Challenge" that emerged several years ago and raised more than $250 million for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis research, died of the disease on Sunday. He was 37. A native of the Yonkers section of New York City, Quinn was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2013 when he was 30. Advertisement
The following year, he and Pete Frates invented the Ice Bucket Challenge -- a popular activity in which people had buckets of ice dumped onto their heads to raise awareness for the disease. A number of well-known figures and celebrities participated in the challenge and posted videos to social media.
After taking a bucket of ice onto their heads, a person would then nominate another person to take the challenge. Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton were nominated by multiple prominent figures, but instead opted to make a financial donation to the ALS Foundation. Former President George W. Bush did take the challenge.
"We are deeply sorry to share that Pat Quinn passed away today," the foundation said. "Pat was co-founder of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and an inspiration to millions of people around the world.
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"Pat fought ALS with positivity and bravery and inspired all around him. Those of us who knew him are devastated but grateful for all he did to advance the fight against ALS."
Frates died last December at age 34.
Quinn, a former rugby player at Iona College, later made motivational speeches and fought ALS with his non-profit Quinn for the Win Foundation.
"He was able to find a positive in almost every situation," Iona rugby coach and friend Bruce McLane said. "He always had the right words when you were down, and he was very compassionate, even though he was suffering tremendously."
Iona inducted Quinn into its rugby hall of fame in 2019 and named an award after him.
Some of the prominent figures who participated in the challenge were Oprah Winfrey, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and NBA superstar LeBron James.
Several revivals of the Ice Bucket Challenge followed in the years after its debut in 2014.


upi--2020-11-23--Patrick Mahomes leads Kansas City Chiefs over Las Vegas Raiders with late TD

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes connected with All-Pro Travis Kelce for a 22-yard score with 34 seconds remaining to cap a dramatic Kansas City Chiefs win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday Night Football .
Mahomes completed 34 of 45 passes for 348 yards , two scores and an interception in the 35-31 victory on Sunday at the Raiders ' Allegiant Stadium .
He out-dueled Raiders quarterback Derek Carr , who passed for 275 yards , three scores and an interception .
`` That 's a good football team , '' Mahomes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guys just stepped up when their number was called and made plays . ''
The Chiefs used 460 total yards to roll over the Raiders and avenge an Oct. 11 loss to their AFC West foes .
`` We are giving great effort , '' Raiders coach Jon Gruden said .
`` We have to get some players back on the field .
We have six or seven more weeks guaranteed to us .
Hopefully we can take advantage of it . ''
Las Vegas got a two-yard rushing touchdown from Josh Jacobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Chiefs answered with a 14-play , 85-yard drive and ended that possession with a Mahomes touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill .
The Raiders responded with another touchdown drive , with Carr throwing a 17-yard touchdown strike to Nelson Agholor to give Las Vegas a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter .
Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire scored a three-yard rushing touchdown on Kansas City 's next possession and Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson made a 35-yard field goal to give Las Vegas a three-point edge at halftime .
The Chiefs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive of the game at the start of the third quarter .
Edwards-Helaire ran for a 14-yard score to cap off the 16-play , 93-yard possession , which took 8:37 off the clock and gave the Chiefs a 21-17 advantage .
The Raiders punched back with an 11-play , 75-yard drive that was capped with a three-yard touchdown pass to tight end Darren Waller to give Las Vegas a 24-21 lead at the start of the fourth .
Kansas City and Las Vegas exchanged punts on the first two possessions of the final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to running back Le'Veon Bell for a six-yard score to give Kansas City a four-point edge with six minutes remaining .
Carr orchestrated a 12-play , 51-yard scoring drive on the next possession , punctuated by a short touchdown toss to veteran tight end Jason Witten .
But Las Vegas left nearly two minutes on the clock for Mahomes and the Chiefs .
Mahomes found Hill on a 10-yard throw on the first play of the final possession and connected with Hill once more before completing passes to Kelce , Mecole Hardman and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Raiders 22-yard line with 34 seconds left .
Mahomes took his next snap out of the shotgun formation , dropped back , took a quick step forward and ran toward the line of scrimmage .
He then lobbed a pass over the defense and into the hands of Kelce for a touchdown .
The Raiders ' last-gasp chance disappeared when Carr threw an interception to Chiefs safety Daniel Sorensen on the first play of the final possession .
Kelce had eight catches for 127 yards and a touchdown in the victory , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yards and another score .
`` We knew it would be a fight coming into it , '' Kelce said .
`` I 'm just proud of our guys in the locker room .
We came away with a very hard-fought win . ''
The Chiefs ( 9-1 ) next face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 4:25 p.m. EST on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa , Fla. , and the Raiders ( 6-4 ) face the Atlanta Falcons at 1 p.m. EST at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta .

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 348 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday in Paradise, Nev. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes connected with All-Pro Travis Kelce for a 22-yard score with 34 seconds remaining to cap a dramatic Kansas City Chiefs win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday Night Football. Mahomes completed 34 of 45 passes for 348 yards, two scores and an interception in the 35-31 victory on Sunday at the Raiders' Allegiant Stadium. He out-dueled Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who passed for 275 yards, three scores and an interception. Advertisement
"That's a good football team," Mahomes told reporters. "I think our guys just stepped up when their number was called and made plays."
The Chiefs used 460 total yards to roll over the Raiders and avenge an Oct. 11 loss to their AFC West foes.
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"We are giving great effort," Raiders coach Jon Gruden said. "We have to get some players back on the field. We have six or seven more weeks guaranteed to us. Hopefully we can take advantage of it."
MARCHED RIGHT DOWN THE FIELD : @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/5yyRhYGx7B— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 23, 2020
Las Vegas got a two-yard rushing touchdown from Josh Jacobs on the game's opening possession. The Chiefs answered with a 14-play, 85-yard drive and ended that possession with a Mahomes touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill.
The Raiders responded with another touchdown drive, with Carr throwing a 17-yard touchdown strike to Nelson Agholor to give Las Vegas a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire scored a three-yard rushing touchdown on Kansas City's next possession and Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson made a 35-yard field goal to give Las Vegas a three-point edge at halftime.
The Chiefs marched down the field for their longest drive of the game at the start of the third quarter. Edwards-Helaire ran for a 14-yard score to cap off the 16-play, 93-yard possession, which took 8:37 off the clock and gave the Chiefs a 21-17 advantage.
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The Raiders punched back with an 11-play, 75-yard drive that was capped with a three-yard touchdown pass to tight end Darren Waller to give Las Vegas a 24-21 lead at the start of the fourth.
Kansas City and Las Vegas exchanged punts on the first two possessions of the final frame before the Chiefs handed the ball to running back Le'Veon Bell for a six-yard score to give Kansas City a four-point edge with six minutes remaining.
Carr orchestrated a 12-play, 51-yard scoring drive on the next possession, punctuated by a short touchdown toss to veteran tight end Jason Witten. But Las Vegas left nearly two minutes on the clock for Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Mahomes found Hill on a 10-yard throw on the first play of the final possession and connected with Hill once more before completing passes to Kelce, Mecole Hardman and Darrel Williams to get the Chiefs to the Raiders 22-yard line with 34 seconds left.
Mahomes took his next snap out of the shotgun formation, dropped back, took a quick step forward and ran toward the line of scrimmage. He then lobbed a pass over the defense and into the hands of Kelce for a touchdown.
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The Raiders' last-gasp chance disappeared when Carr threw an interception to Chiefs safety Daniel Sorensen on the first play of the final possession.
Kelce had eight catches for 127 yards and a touchdown in the victory, and Hill had 11 grabs for 102 yards and another score.
"We knew it would be a fight coming into it," Kelce said. "I'm just proud of our guys in the locker room. We came away with a very hard-fought win."
The Chiefs (9-1) next face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 4:25 p.m. EST on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., and the Raiders (6-4) face the Atlanta Falcons at 1 p.m. EST at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-23--Joe Biden to name first Cabinet nominees on Tuesday

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- President-elect Joe Biden will announce the first of his Cabinet nominees this week , expected to include Antony Blinken and Linda Thomas-Greenfield in two top diplomatic posts .
Biden 's chief of staff Ron Klain told ABC News on Sunday of the forthcoming announcements , but did n't name any expected appointments .
The Washington Post , The New York Times and Bloomberg reported that Blinken , who served as Biden 's national security adviser in the Obama administration , is the choice for secretary of state .
As Biden 's foreign policy chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crafting U.S. foreign policy actions in the Middle East .
Analysts say Blinken is considered a moderate on foreign policy issues and will likely lead Biden 's efforts to reverse some of the Trump administration 's moves to isolate the United States from traditional allies on global agreements like the Iran nuclear deal and Paris Climate Agreement .
In another key diplomatic post , Biden is expected to nominate Linda Thomas-Greenfield as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations , the Post , CBS News and Axios reported .
Thomas-Greenfield was assistant secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Foreign Service and U.S. ambassador to Liberia in the Obama administration .
The Washington Post , New York Times and Bloomberg also reported that Jake Sullivan appears to be Biden 's choice for national security adviser .
He was a foreign policy expert for former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016 and has played a key role in formulating domestic policies for Biden during his campaign .

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Janet Yellen is President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for treasury secretary. She would be the first woman in the job. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- President-elect Joe Biden announced a slate of Cabinet nominees Monday, including Antony Blinken as secretary of state and Janet Yellen, who would be the first woman to serve as treasury secretary. Biden's transition team posted the nominations Monday after initially saying they would be announced Tuesday. Advertisement
Blinken served as Biden's national security adviser in the Obama administration. As Biden's foreign policy chief, he played a key role in crafting U.S. foreign policy actions in the Middle East.
Analysts say Blinken is considered a moderate on foreign policy issues and will likely lead Biden's efforts to reverse some of the Trump administration's moves to isolate the United States from traditional allies on global agreements like the Iran nuclear deal and Paris Climate Agreement.
Former Federal Reserve Chair Yellen, 74, would be the first woman to lead the Treasury Department, if confirmed by the Senate. She was the first woman to serve as Fed chair, serving a four-year term from 2014 until President Donald Trump replaced her with Jerome Powell at the end of her first term.
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Yellen currently is an economist at the Brookings Institution and is seen as someone capable of gaining bipartisan support.
Alli McCartney, managing director at UBS, called the choice "reassuring, especially with the challenges that lie ahead including avoiding a double-dip recession and getting people back to work amidst rising virus cases," CNBC reported.
In another key diplomatic post, Biden, nominated Linda Thomas-Greenfield as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Thomas-Greenfield was assistant secretary of state for African affairs, director-general of the U.S. Foreign Service and U.S. ambassador to Liberia in the Obama administration.
Jake Sullivan was named Biden's choice for national security adviser. He was a foreign policy expert for former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016 and has played a key role in formulating domestic policies for Biden during his campaign.
In other Cabinet appointments announced Monday, Alejandro Mayorkas was named to head the Department of Homeland Security, Avril Haines will be Biden's director of national intelligence and former Secretary of State John Kerry was named as a special presidential envoy on climate change.
Mayorkas makes history as the first Latino nominated to lead DHS, which implements and oversees the nation's immigration policies. He served as deputy Homeland Security secretary from 2013 to 2016
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Haines served as deputy CIA director in the Obama administration before succeeding Blinken as deputy national security adviser. If confirmed, she would become the highest-ranking woman ever to serve in the intelligence community.
Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, served as Obama's secretary of state from 2013 to 2017. Since then, he has helped spearhead programming on climate change and oceans for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.


upi--2020-11-23--Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Justin Bieber win big at American Music Awards 2020

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Taylor Swift , The Weeknd and Justin Bieber each won three awards at the 2020 American Music Awards , which took place at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday .
Swift earned Artist of the Year , Favorite Female Artist - Pop/Rock and Favorite Music Video for `` Cardigan . ''
She accepted the Artist of the Year award virtually from a studio where she said she was re-recording her old music .
The Weeknd won Favorite Male Artist - Soul/R & B , Favorite Album - Soul/R & B for After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for `` Heartless . ''
Justin Bieber won Collaboration of the Year and Favorite Song - Country for `` 10,000 Hours '' with Dan + Shay and Favorite Male Artist - Pop/Rock .
Other winners included Doja Cat taking home New Artist of the Year and BTS earning Favorite Social Artist and Favorite Duo or Group - Pop/Rock .
Taraji P. Henson hosted the fan-voted event which featured performances from The Weeknd , Billie Eillish , BTS , Jennifer Lopez with Maluma , Megan Thee Stallion , Bieber , Dua Lipa , Bad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Katy Perry , Bebe Rexha with Doja Cat , Dan + Shay , Bell Biv DeVoe , Nelly , Lewis Capaldi and Machine Gun Kelly .
Perry performed `` Only Love '' with Darius Rucker .
It was her first award show performance since she gave birth to her first child in August .

BIG congratulations to @taylorswift13! Shes taking home the award for Artist of the Year! #AMAs pic.twitter.com/XfBOTPU5Nc— American Music Awards (@AMAs) November 23, 2020
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Taylor Swift, The Weeknd and Justin Bieber each won three awards at the 2020 American Music Awards, which took place at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Swift earned Artist of the Year, Favorite Female Artist - Pop/Rock and Favorite Music Video for "Cardigan."
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She accepted the Artist of the Year award virtually from a studio where she said she was re-recording her old music.
The Weeknd won Favorite Male Artist - Soul/R&B, Favorite Album - Soul/R&B for After Hours and Favorite Song Soul/R&B for "Heartless."
Justin Bieber won Collaboration of the Year and Favorite Song - Country for "10,000 Hours" with Dan + Shay and Favorite Male Artist - Pop/Rock.
Other winners included Doja Cat taking home New Artist of the Year and BTS earning Favorite Social Artist and Favorite Duo or Group - Pop/Rock.
Advertisement ARMY! YOU voted and @BTS_twt wins Favorite Duo or Group - Pop/Rock! #AMAs pic.twitter.com/j4Z73Pv8pJ— American Music Awards (@AMAs) November 23, 2020
Taraji P. Henson hosted the fan-voted event which featured performances from The Weeknd, Billie Eillish, BTS, Jennifer Lopez with Maluma, Megan Thee Stallion, Bieber, Dua Lipa, Lil Baby, Shawn Mendes, Katy Perry, Bebe Rexha with Doja Cat, Dan + Shay, Bell Biv DeVoe, Nelly, Lewis Capaldi and Machine Gun Kelly.
Perry performed "Only Love" with Darius Rucker. It was her first award show performance since she gave birth to her first child in August.


upi--2020-11-23--Online sales, spread-out deals expected for atypical Black Friday

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- As with most things this year , Black Friday shopping wo n't be very traditional , with retailers expecting more online sales and public health officials advising shoppers to stay home .
In the days and weeks leading up to the United States ' biggest shopping day of the year , COVID-19 cases skyrocketed to new records .
The spike has led some state and local leaders to order fresh lockdowns and limit indoor capacities for non-essential businesses .
The general consensus among public health officials is that the best way to prevent the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from large crowds , keep 6 feet away from people who are n't in your household and wear face coverings in public -- basically , stay home .
In a list of guidelines for lower-risk holiday activities , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that Americans shop `` online rather than in person '' on Black Friday and the following Monday .
It lists shopping in `` crowded '' stores just before , on or after Thanksgiving as a `` higher-risk '' activity .
With more than $ 730.2 billion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dec. 31 last year , U.S. retailers depend heavily on holiday shopping each year .
Those dollars are even more critical this year when the overall economy is struggling under the weight of job losses and business closings due to the pandemic .
The annual ShopperTrack report , which predicts the busiest shopping days each year , said in October that it expects 2020 holiday sales to be down between 22 % and 25 % compared to 2019 .
The report , though , also predicted that more Americans will spread out their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores on business weekends or sales days , such as Black Friday .
The National Retail Federation , the world 's largest retail trade association , said 42 % of shoppers said they started their holiday shopping earlier this year than they typically do .
The group said October retail sales this year were up 10.6 % year-to-year , an indication of a desire to shop earlier .
According to a survey by the NRF and Prosper Insights & Analytics , however , only 26 % of holiday shoppers said they 'd completed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retailers , recognizing the need to keep crowd sizes smaller in post-Thanksgiving shopping , have adjusted Black Friday deals to last for weeks .
`` Consumers have welcomed the longer shopping season , where many retailers have chosen to offer deals before and leading up to the traditional Thanksgiving and Black Friday doorbusters , '' Prosper Executive Vice President of Strategy Phil Rist said .
`` These additional offerings translate to more options for holiday shoppers in the long run . ''
`` The steady expansion of retail sales is good news against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and climbing virus cases in recent weeks , '' said Jack Kleinhenz , the NRF 's chief economist .
`` Early holiday shopping appears to have supported October 's increase in sales .
The rise in COVID-19 cases continues to be a factor that weighs on consumer perceptions , sentiment and spending and there could be retrenchment if we can not thwart this latest wave .
Nonetheless , retailers are well prepared to safely fulfill holiday shopping lists , and the October results suggest so far , so good . ''
Many big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over a period of weeks this year .
Walmart began its `` Black Friday Deals for Days '' on Nov. 4 , Target launched `` Black Friday Now '' deals the first week of November and Best Buy began offering deals as early as Nov. 5 .
The Better Business Bureau said it expects more holiday shopping online this year , and a 35 % increase in e-commerce sales over last year .
`` I do think online shopping is going to go through the roof and online shopping has been through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , BBB vice president of development , told WGXA-TV in Macon , Ga. '' Everything virtually has just skyrocketed .
I know that UPS is preparing for one of their largest Christmas deliveries they 've ever had .
Everything is pointing to online shopping just being astronomical this year . ''
For small businesses , Black Friday and Small Business Saturday could be even more critical .
Payroll services company CBIZ said small and midsize businesses have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic , with more than 43 % reporting a significant or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` significant '' decrease in sales .
According to Yelp 's Local Economic Impact Report in September , nearly 100,000 U.S. businesses have permanently closed since the start of the pandemic .
`` What I would like to encourage people to do is [ shop ] the Saturday after Black Friday , '' Blankenship said .
`` While a lot of larger big box places and people with huge web presence , you know can get those deals all November long .
Make sure not to forget our small businesses ... on Small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it a whole lot more than anyone else . ''

Parishioners sit in folding chairs with candles, listening to prayers outside of the St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Ladue, Mo., on December 24. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- As with most things this year, Black Friday shopping won't be very traditional, with retailers expecting more online sales and public health officials advising shoppers to stay home. In the days and weeks leading up to the United States' biggest shopping day of the year, COVID-19 cases skyrocketed to new records. The spike has led some state and local leaders to order fresh lockdowns and limit indoor capacities for non-essential businesses. Advertisement
The general consensus among public health officials is that the best way to prevent the virus' spread is to stay away from large crowds, keep 6 feet away from people who aren't in your household and wear face coverings in public -- basically, stay home.
In a list of guidelines for lower-risk holiday activities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that Americans shop "online rather than in person" on Black Friday and the following Monday. It lists shopping in "crowded" stores just before, on or after Thanksgiving as a "higher-risk" activity.
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With more than $730.2 billion in sales recorded nationally between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 last year, U.S. retailers depend heavily on holiday shopping each year. Those dollars are even more critical this year when the overall economy is struggling under the weight of job losses and business closings due to the pandemic.
The annual ShopperTrack report, which predicts the busiest shopping days each year, said in October that it expects 2020 holiday sales to be down between 22% and 25% compared to 2019.
The report, though, also predicted that more Americans will spread out their shopping this year instead of going into stores on business weekends or sales days, such as Black Friday.
The National Retail Federation, the world's largest retail trade association, said 42% of shoppers said they started their holiday shopping earlier this year than they typically do. The group said October retail sales this year were up 10.6% year-to-year, an indication of a desire to shop earlier.
According to a survey by the NRF and Prosper Insights & Analytics, however, only 26% of holiday shoppers said they'd completed their shopping by Nov. 9.
And retailers, recognizing the need to keep crowd sizes smaller in post-Thanksgiving shopping, have adjusted Black Friday deals to last for weeks.
Advertisement
"Consumers have welcomed the longer shopping season, where many retailers have chosen to offer deals before and leading up to the traditional Thanksgiving and Black Friday doorbusters," Prosper Executive Vice President of Strategy Phil Rist said. "These additional offerings translate to more options for holiday shoppers in the long run."
"The steady expansion of retail sales is good news against the background of these unusual economic circumstances and climbing virus cases in recent weeks," said Jack Kleinhenz, the NRF's chief economist.
"Early holiday shopping appears to have supported October's increase in sales. The rise in COVID-19 cases continues to be a factor that weighs on consumer perceptions, sentiment and spending and there could be retrenchment if we cannot thwart this latest wave. Nonetheless, retailers are well prepared to safely fulfill holiday shopping lists, and the October results suggest so far, so good."
Many big retailers are spreading their Black Friday deals over a period of weeks this year. Walmart began its "Black Friday Deals for Days" on Nov. 4, Target launched "Black Friday Now" deals the first week of November and Best Buy began offering deals as early as Nov. 5.
The Better Business Bureau said it expects more holiday shopping online this year, and a 35% increase in e-commerce sales over last year.
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"I do think online shopping is going to go through the roof and online shopping has been through the roof all 2020," Jason Blankenship, BBB vice president of development, told WGXA-TV in Macon, Ga.
"Everything virtually has just skyrocketed. I know that UPS is preparing for one of their largest Christmas deliveries they've ever had. Everything is pointing to online shopping just being astronomical this year."
For small businesses, Black Friday and Small Business Saturday could be even more critical.
Payroll services company CBIZ said small and midsize businesses have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, with more than 43% reporting a significant or severe impact. Many have seen a "significant" decrease in sales.
According to Yelp's Local Economic Impact Report in September, nearly 100,000 U.S. businesses have permanently closed since the start of the pandemic.
"What I would like to encourage people to do is [shop] the Saturday after Black Friday," Blankenship said.
"While a lot of larger big box places and people with huge web presence, you know can get those deals all November long. Make sure not to forget our small businesses ... on Small Business Saturday. Those people have felt it a whole lot more than anyone else."


upi--2020-11-23--AstraZeneca says COVID-19 vaccine has average efficacy of 70%

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- AstraZeneca announced Monday that a vaccine it 's been developing with Oxford University has shown to be `` highly effective '' at preventing COVID-19 , with an average efficacy of 70 % .
The multinational pharmaceutical company said it has received `` positive high-level results '' from an interim analysis of clinical trials of its AZD1222 vaccine candidate .
The drugmaker has been holding late-stage trials in Britain and Brazil and the vaccine has resulted in zero hospitalizations and no severe cases of the coronavirus among volunteers , it said .
AstraZeneca said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regimens .
It was 62 % effective when two full doses of the vaccine were administered a month apart , and 90 % when a half-dose was followed by a full dose after a month .
`` These findings show that we have an effective vaccine that will save lives , '' Andrew Pollard , chief investigator of the Oxford Vaccine Trial in England , said in a statement .
`` Excitingly , we 've found that one of our dosing regimens may be around 90 % effective and if this dosing regime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccinated with planned vaccine supply . ''
AstraZeneca said it 's preparing to submit the vaccine for regulatory approval and emergency approval from the World Health Organization , to accelerate availability of the vaccine in low-income countries .
A full analysis of the interim results is also being submitted to a peer-reviewed journal , it said .
Some 23,000 people have participated so far in the two-dose vaccine trials , which have been conducted in the United States , Japan , Russia , South Africa , Kenya and Latin America .
Other trials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AstraZeneca expects to ultimately enroll 60,000 volunteers .
Monday 's announcement added to global confidence that a COVID-19 vaccine will be available soon .
Pfizer and BioNTech and Moderna each said last week their vaccines have shown to be 95 % .
They are awaiting regulatory approvals .
Dr. Moncef Slaoui , a member of the White House vaccine effort , Operation Warp Speed , told CNN 's State of the Union Sunday that one could be ready as soon as early December .

AstraZeneca said it's preparing to submit the vaccine for regulatory approval and emergency approval from the World Health Organization. File Photo by Dan Himbrechts/EPA-EFE
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- AstraZeneca announced Monday that a vaccine it's been developing with Oxford University has shown to be "highly effective" at preventing COVID-19, with an average efficacy of 70%. The multinational pharmaceutical company said it has received "positive high-level results" from an interim analysis of clinical trials of its AZD1222 vaccine candidate. Advertisement
The drugmaker has been holding late-stage trials in Britain and Brazil and the vaccine has resulted in zero hospitalizations and no severe cases of the coronavirus among volunteers, it said.
AstraZeneca said the vaccine showed different efficacy in different dosing regimens. It was 62% effective when two full doses of the vaccine were administered a month apart, and 90% when a half-dose was followed by a full dose after a month.
"These findings show that we have an effective vaccine that will save lives," Andrew Pollard, chief investigator of the Oxford Vaccine Trial in England, said in a statement. "Excitingly, we've found that one of our dosing regimens may be around 90% effective and if this dosing regime is used, more people could be vaccinated with planned vaccine supply."
AstraZeneca said it's preparing to submit the vaccine for regulatory approval and emergency approval from the World Health Organization, to accelerate availability of the vaccine in low-income countries. A full analysis of the interim results is also being submitted to a peer-reviewed journal, it said.
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Some 23,000 people have participated so far in the two-dose vaccine trials, which have been conducted in the United States, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Kenya and Latin America. Other trials are planned in Europe and Asia and AstraZeneca expects to ultimately enroll 60,000 volunteers.
Monday's announcement added to global confidence that a COVID-19 vaccine will be available soon. Pfizer and BioNTech and Moderna each said last week their vaccines have shown to be 95%. They are awaiting regulatory approvals.
Dr. Moncef Slaoui, a member of the White House vaccine effort, Operation Warp Speed, told CNN's State of the Union Sunday that one could be ready as soon as early December.


upi--2020-11-23--Joshua Wong, 2 others plead guilty over 2019 Hong Kong protest

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Joshua Wong and two other prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activists pleaded guilty on Monday over their involvement in protests in the summer of 2019 .
Wong , Agnes Chow and Ivan Lam pleaded guilty and were jailed ahead of sentencing next week when they each face up to three years in prison , the Hong Kong Free Press reported .
The trio pleaded guilty to charges in connection to a June 2019 demonstration when protesters surrounded the police headquarters in opposition to police brutality .
Protesters had taken to the streets against a controversial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marches intensified in response to the violent crackdown by police .
Wong , who has previously served prison terms over his activism , told reporters before heading into the court room on Monday that they planned to plead guilty to the charges and expected to be jailed ahead of sentencing .
`` We will continue to fight for freedom , and now it is not the time for us to kowtow to Beijing and surrender , '' he said .
Wong pleaded guilty to inciting and organizing an unauthorized assembly and Lam admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty in July to inciting others to participate in an unlawful assembly .
On Twitter Sunday , Wong said they decided to plead guilty after speaking with a lawyer but did not say why they decided to do so .
`` Cages may lock up our bodies , but never our unwavering souls , '' he said .
`` One day our indomitable will return and make us assemble again . ''
Chow said on Facebook Sunday that she is prepared to go to jail .
`` If I am sentenced to prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time in my life that I have been in prison , '' she said .
`` Although I have been mentally prepared , I am still a little bit scared . ''
The trio 's guilty pleas came amid heightened concerns from Western nations over China 's treatment of Hong Kong .
Last week , the Five Eyes intelligence alliance of the United States , Australia , Britain , Canada and New Zealand called on China to repeal a new law that allows for the disqualification of lawmakers over so-called unpatriotic acts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law earlier this month causing all remaining pro-democracy lawmakers to resign in protest .
The new law followed China in July implementing a draconian national security law on Hong Kong that raised the ire of human rights organizations and the international community .
China has repeatedly balked at such criticism as attempts to meddle in its internal affairs .

Joshua Wong pleaded guilty Monday along with two other pro-democracy activists to charges stemming from protests in 2019. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Joshua Wong and two other prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activists pleaded guilty on Monday over their involvement in protests in the summer of 2019. Wong, Agnes Chow and Ivan Lam pleaded guilty and were jailed ahead of sentencing next week when they each face up to three years in prison, the Hong Kong Free Press reported. Advertisement
The trio pleaded guilty to charges in connection to a June 2019 demonstration when protesters surrounded the police headquarters in opposition to police brutality. Protesters had taken to the streets against a controversial extradition bill that summer but rallies and marches intensified in response to the violent crackdown by police.
Wong, who has previously served prison terms over his activism, told reporters before heading into the court room on Monday that they planned to plead guilty to the charges and expected to be jailed ahead of sentencing.
"We will continue to fight for freedom, and now it is not the time for us to kowtow to Beijing and surrender," he said.
Wong pleaded guilty to inciting and organizing an unauthorized assembly and Lam admitted to an incitement charge while Chow pleaded guilty in July to inciting others to participate in an unlawful assembly.
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On Twitter Sunday, Wong said they decided to plead guilty after speaking with a lawyer but did not say why they decided to do so.
"Cages may lock up our bodies, but never our unwavering souls," he said. "One day our indomitable will return and make us assemble again."
Chow said on Facebook Sunday that she is prepared to go to jail.
"If I am sentenced to prison this time, it will be the first time in my life that I have been in prison," she said. "Although I have been mentally prepared, I am still a little bit scared."
The trio's guilty pleas came amid heightened concerns from Western nations over China's treatment of Hong Kong.
Last week, the Five Eyes intelligence alliance of the United States, Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand called on China to repeal a new law that allows for the disqualification of lawmakers over so-called unpatriotic acts. Four politicians were unseated by the law earlier this month causing all remaining pro-democracy lawmakers to resign in protest.
The new law followed China in July implementing a draconian national security law on Hong Kong that raised the ire of human rights organizations and the international community.
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China has repeatedly balked at such criticism as attempts to meddle in its internal affairs.


upi--2020-11-23--On This Day, Nov. 23: Romania signs Tripartite Pact, joins Nazis

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1889 , the first jukebox was placed in service in the Palais Royal Saloon in San Francisco .
In 1890 , the independent Grand Duchy of Luxembourg was separated from the Netherlands .
In 1919 , the first play-by-play football game broadcast by radio in the United States described Texas A & M 's 7-0 shutout of the University of Texas .
In 1936 , a revamped Life magazine made its debut with a focus on photojournalism .
In 1940 , Romania signed the Tripartite Pact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy and Japan in World War II .
In 1943 , the U.S. Marines took control of the Gilbert Islands from Japanese forces following a fierce 76-hour battle .
In 1945 , evidence presented during the Nuremberg Trials detailed a meeting between Adolf Hitler and Japanese Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka where they discussed German-Japanese co-operation in a war against the United States eight months before Pearl Harbor .
In 1963 , in a radio and TV broadcast the day after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas , President Lyndon Johnson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of the United States , has been taken from us by an act which outrages decent men everywhere .
He upheld the faith of our fathers , which is freedom for all men .
He broadened the frontiers of that faith , and backed it with the energy and the courage which are the mark of the nation he led .
A man of wisdom , strength and peace , he molded and moved the power of our nation in the service of a world of growing liberty and order .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
In 1980 , an earthquake in the Naples , Italy region killed more than 3,000 people .
In 1996 , a hijacker forced an Ethiopian jetliner to fly until it ran out of fuel .
The aircraft crashed into the sea , killing 125 of the 175 people on board .
In 2004 , in a disputed Ukraine election , the day after opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko declared himself the winner , officials determined that Kremlin-backed Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych was the real winner .
In 2008 , U.S. President-elect Barack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary and selected former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers as the head of the White House Economic Council .
In 2010 , South Korean officials said North Korea bombarded the South 's Yeonpyeong Island , killing two civilians and two marines and injuring 18 other people in an apparent effort to discourage upcoming U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises .
In 2012 , a day after Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi issued a decree stating his decisions were n't subject to review or appeal , police in Cairo used tear gas on thousands of protesters accusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2017 , Papua New Guinea police entered the former Australian-run detention center , Manus Island , in an attempt to remove asylum seekers who remained at the site .

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Romanian head of state, Gen. Ian Antonescu (2nd-L) meets with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler (2nd-R) on June 10, 1941. On November 23, 1940, Romania signed the Tripartite Pact, joining the Axis powers of Germany, Italy and Japan in World War II. File Photo courtesy the Germany Federal Archive
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1889, the first jukebox was placed in service in the Palais Royal Saloon in San Francisco. Advertisement
In 1890, the independent Grand Duchy of Luxembourg was separated from the Netherlands.
In 1919, the first play-by-play football game broadcast by radio in the United States described Texas A&M's 7-0 shutout of the University of Texas.
In 1936, a revamped Life magazine made its debut with a focus on photojournalism.
In 1940, Romania signed the Tripartite Pact, joining the Axis powers of Germany, Italy and Japan in World War II.
In 1943, the U.S. Marines took control of the Gilbert Islands from Japanese forces following a fierce 76-hour battle.
File Photo by USMC/UPI
In 1945, evidence presented during the Nuremberg Trials detailed a meeting between Adolf Hitler and Japanese Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka where they discussed German-Japanese co-operation in a war against the United States eight months before Pearl Harbor.
In 1963, in a radio and TV broadcast the day after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, President Lyndon Johnson said: "John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th president of the United States, has been taken from us by an act which outrages decent men everywhere. He upheld the faith of our fathers, which is freedom for all men. He broadened the frontiers of that faith, and backed it with the energy and the courage which are the mark of the nation he led. A man of wisdom, strength and peace, he molded and moved the power of our nation in the service of a world of growing liberty and order. All who love freedom will mourn his death."
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In 1980, an earthquake in the Naples, Italy region killed more than 3,000 people.
In 1996, a hijacker forced an Ethiopian jetliner to fly until it ran out of fuel. The aircraft crashed into the sea, killing 125 of the 175 people on board.
In 2004, in a disputed Ukraine election, the day after opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko declared himself the winner, officials determined that Kremlin-backed Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych was the real winner.
File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI
In 2008, U.S. President-elect Barack Obama nominated Timothy Geithner to be treasury secretary and selected former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers as the head of the White House Economic Council.
In 2010, South Korean officials said North Korea bombarded the South's Yeonpyeong Island, killing two civilians and two marines and injuring 18 other people in an apparent effort to discourage upcoming U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises.
In 2012, a day after Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi issued a decree stating his decisions weren't subject to review or appeal, police in Cairo used tear gas on thousands of protesters accusing him of making a despotic power grab.
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In 2017, Papua New Guinea police entered the former Australian-run detention center, Manus Island, in an attempt to remove asylum seekers who remained at the site.


upi--2020-11-23--Famous birthdays for Nov. 23, Robin Roberts, Chuck Schumer

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius .
-- Franklin @ @ @ @ @ the United States , in 1804 -- U.S. outlaw Billy `` The Kid '' Bonney @ @ @ @ @ Harpo Marx , born Adolph Arthur , of the Marx Brothers in 1888

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Robin Roberts arrives for the 92nd annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on February 9. She turns 60 on November 23. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius. They include: Advertisement
-- Franklin Pierce, 14th president of the United States, in 1804
-- U.S. outlaw Billy "The Kid" Bonney in 1859
-- Actor Boris Karloff in 1887
Ronald Reagan (standing) is seen in 1946 file photo with (left to right) Jane Wyman, Henry Fonda, Boris Karloff and Gene Kelly. UPI File Photo
-- Comic actor Harpo Marx, born Adolph Arthur, of the Marx Brothers in 1888
-- Composer Johnny Mandel in 1925
-- Screenwriter Robert Towne in 1934 (age 86)
-- Actor Franco Nero in 1941 (age 79)
-- Actor Susan Anspach in 1942
-- Radio personality Tom Joyner in 1949 (age 71)
-- Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer in 1950 (age 70)
File Photo by Sarah Silbiger/UPI
-- Musician Bruce Hornsby in 1954 (age 66)
-- Television personality Robin Roberts in 1960 (age 60)
-- Television personality Chris Hardwick in 1971 (age 49)
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-- Actor Page Kennedy in 1976 (age 44)
-- Television personality Nicole "Snookie" Polizzi in 1987 (age 33)
-- Actor/singer Miley Cyrus in 1992 (age 28)
-- Actor Lia Marie Johnson in 1996 (age 24)
-- Actor Lonnie Chavis in 2007 (age 13)


upi--2020-11-23--‘The Flight Attendant’ star Kaley Cuoco: ‘I've loved being scared’

LOS ANGELES , Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco , known for her comedic roles , said she has enjoyed taking on a darker role in the new HBO Max thriller series The Flight Attendant , in which she stars and serves as executive producer .
`` I 've loved being scared , '' Cuoco said on a recent Television Critics Association panel .
`` It 's been completely new and different . ''
Cuoco portrays Cassie , an airline flight attendant who becomes caught up in a murder .
She has a fling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Michiel Huisman ) , on an overnight layover , and wakes up with his dead body .
She has little memory of her night with Alex , as she has a history of blackouts from drinking .
She does n't think she killed Alex , but she 's trying to piece together the evening without incriminating herself .
In a panic , she leaves evidence that she tampered with the crime scene .
Cassie then lives in fear of either being caught by police or pursued by the real killers .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humor mixed with its intense situations .
For example , Alex continues to appear to Cassie as a figment of her imagination , helping her recall events of their night together .
`` The tone has been a fascinating challenge , '' Cuoco said .
`` We really have ridden a fine line because dark stuff happens , but there is levity . ''
The character already had been on shaky footing before she became embroiled in a death -- she drank heavily and often showed up late for work .
Cuoco says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comedic instincts to some of Cassie 's more bumbling moments .
`` I just love the art of making someone laugh , and not taking yourself too seriously , '' Cuoco said .
Creator and executive producer Steve Yockey adapted Chris Bohjalian 's 2018 book of the same name for television .
Cuoco says Yockey and the writers got to know her sense of humor and added it to subsequent scripts .
`` Our creative team , who really got to learn my voice , put those Kaley-isms in [ the scripts ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuoco helped to obtain the rights to Bohjalian 's book .
Cuoco said she has been looking at books over the past few years to produce but nothing excited her .
But , she said , The Flight Attendant 's synopsis on Amazon sold her on the book before she read it .
After she read it , she won the rights in a bidding war .
She brought the property to Warner Bros. , the studio that produced The Big Bang Theory and the animated Harley Quinn series for which Cuoco provides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Yockey .
The studio also added veteran Warner Bros. Television producers Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter to The Flight Attendant .
Casting the supporting characters also helped balance the darkly comedic tone , Cuoco said .
`` We have so many funny actors that can make those quirky moments be a little lighter , '' Cuoco said Cassie 's team of flight attendants includes Megan ( Rosie Perez ) , Van ( Nolan Gerard Funk ) and Shane ( Griffin Matthews ) .
Cuoco said she begged Perez to play the role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Cuoco in real life than their characters do .
`` Megan just does n't have too much of a life outside of the plane , '' Perez said .
`` So she tolerates Cassie because she clings onto her friendship .
That sounds so pathetic and sad , but it 's true . ''
Cuoco said once The Flight Attendant received a green light , she started to study flight attendants whenever she traveled .
Viewers will see some of the subtle mannerisms Cuoco learned from observation .
`` You start seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making the drinks and how they talk to each other and how they react to passengers , '' Cuoco said .
`` They take their heels off and they put their comfy shoes on . ''
The first season of The Flight Attendant promises to resolve the mystery of Alex 's death .
Yockey and Cuoco both have ideas for a next season should The Flight Attendant be renewed .
`` Oh , we have plans for another season , '' Cuoco assured .

1/4
Kaley Cuoco stars in the new HBO Max series "The Flight Attendant." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco, known for her comedic roles, said she has enjoyed taking on a darker role in the new HBO Max thriller series The Flight Attendant, in which she stars and serves as executive producer. "I've loved being scared," Cuoco said on a recent Television Critics Association panel. "It's been completely new and different." Advertisement
Cuoco portrays Cassie, an airline flight attendant who becomes caught up in a murder. She has a fling with one of her passengers, Alex (Michiel Huisman), on an overnight layover, and wakes up with his dead body.
She has little memory of her night with Alex, as she has a history of blackouts from drinking. She doesn't think she killed Alex, but she's trying to piece together the evening without incriminating herself.
In a panic, she leaves evidence that she tampered with the crime scene. Cassie then lives in fear of either being caught by police or pursued by the real killers.
Advertisement
The 34-year-old said The Flight Attendant has some humor mixed with its intense situations. For example, Alex continues to appear to Cassie as a figment of her imagination, helping her recall events of their night together.
"The tone has been a fascinating challenge," Cuoco said. "We really have ridden a fine line because dark stuff happens, but there is levity."
The character already had been on shaky footing before she became embroiled in a death -- she drank heavily and often showed up late for work. Cuoco says she has been able to bring her comedic instincts to some of Cassie's more bumbling moments.
"I just love the art of making someone laugh, and not taking yourself too seriously," Cuoco said.
Creator and executive producer Steve Yockey adapted Chris Bohjalian's 2018 book of the same name for television. Cuoco says Yockey and the writers got to know her sense of humor and added it to subsequent scripts.
"Our creative team, who really got to learn my voice, put those Kaley-isms in [the scripts]."
As an executive producer, Cuoco helped to obtain the rights to Bohjalian's book.
Cuoco said she has been looking at books over the past few years to produce but nothing excited her. But, she said, The Flight Attendant's synopsis on Amazon sold her on the book before she read it. After she read it, she won the rights in a bidding war. She brought the property to Warner Bros., the studio that produced The Big Bang Theory and the animated Harley Quinn series for which Cuoco provides a voice.
Advertisement
Warner Bros. connected Cuoco with Yockey. The studio also added veteran Warner Bros. Television producers Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter to The Flight Attendant. Casting the supporting characters also helped balance the darkly comedic tone, Cuoco said.
"We have so many funny actors that can make those quirky moments be a little lighter," Cuoco said
Cassie's team of flight attendants includes Megan (Rosie Perez), Van (Nolan Gerard Funk) and Shane (Griffin Matthews). Cuoco said she begged Perez to play the role. Perez said she got along better with Cuoco in real life than their characters do.
"Megan just doesn't have too much of a life outside of the plane," Perez said. "So she tolerates Cassie because she clings onto her friendship. That sounds so pathetic and sad, but it's true."
Cuoco said once The Flight Attendant received a green light, she started to study flight attendants whenever she traveled. Viewers will see some of the subtle mannerisms Cuoco learned from observation.
"You start seeing what they're doing when they're making the drinks and how they talk to each other and how they react to passengers," Cuoco said. "They take their heels off and they put their comfy shoes on."
The first season of The Flight Attendant promises to resolve the mystery of Alex's death. Yockey and Cuoco both have ideas for a next season should The Flight Attendant be renewed.
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"Oh, we have plans for another season," Cuoco assured.
The Flight Attendant premieres Thursday on HBO Max.


upi--2020-11-23--Interview: 'The Other History of the DC Universe' gives a 'voice' to diverse characters

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Writer John Ridley revisits signature moments from the DC Universe and re-examines them through a group of racially diverse characters in The Other History of the DC Universe , out Tuesday .
`` This is less about changing the DC Universe .
It 's really about embracing the DC Universe -- embracing these characters , '' Ridley said during an interview with UPI .
`` Giving a singular voice to these characters who oftentimes did not have very singular or particular voices . ''
Black Lightning ( Jefferson Pierce ) , his daughter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Herald ) , his wife , Karen Beecher ( Bumblebee ) , Renee Montoya ( The Question ) and Katana ( Tatsu Yamashiro ) are the main characters in the bimonthly series , which will run for five issues .
Artists Giuseppe 'Cammo ' Camuncoli and Andrea Cucchi and colorist José Villarrubia are working with Ridley on the series .
Cammuncoli , Marco Mastrazzo and Jamal Campbell are handling the cover art .
Ridley said he chose these characters for the story because he grew up loving them and said he hopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspires a greater appreciation of them .
`` These are stories of hope .
This is not about victimization .
This is not railing against the prevailing culture , '' Ridley said .
Inspired by 'History of the DC Universe' Ridley is a fan of DC Comics ' History of the DC Universe , which was released in 1986 , and said he was inspired by it .
`` I thought it was a really interesting attempt to take lore and mythology and treat it like it was real -- like it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I think it 's one of the great , interesting experiments in storytelling .
It really did read like a brief Encyclopaedia Britannica . ''
The Other History of the DC Universe looks back at big moments like the death of Superman , and Wonder Woman executing the villainous Maxwell Lord .
Ridley teased other moments that may not have stuck with fans , but were important to the characters , and said he added more context to well-known stories .
`` My desire was not to add things for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` My desire was to try to , as much as possible , be beholden to things that did happen in the actual lore and actual cannon , and maybe excavating them a little bit more .
Give a little bit more voice to these characters . ''
The series also gives more time to characters who sometimes were lost in the background .
Ridley discussed how Katana , a Japanese woman , was used in the 2016 Suicide Squad film .
`` Katana , maybe she has three lines of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is iconic enough to be included in the film , but not necessarily iconic enough to have any sense of who she was .
She was a mother , she was a wife who lost her family in a horrific way , '' the 55-year-old said .
He said comic book writers have worked decades to add more to the character .
`` I just wanted to pull a little bit more out of that and say , 'OK , if she lost her family , how would this really affect an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national arriving in America in the '80s , how would she see this country ?
How would she fit in or not fit in ? '
That 's what I wanted to do , '' he said .
Ridley also expressed fondness for Renee Montoya , a Latinx gay woman who gives perspective on what police officers go through because she worked for the Gotham City Police Department .
Montoya becomes Vic Savage 's successor as The Question , a character Ridley teased could be making a cameo appearance in the series .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes at a time where more women and characters of color are being used more frequently in comic books and beyond .
Ridley said that things are getting better in terms of diversity , pointing to HBO 's Watchmen series as a standout example , but for things to continue improving , he said diversity behind-the-scenes is needed .
`` It starts with the hiring .
It starts with bringing in creators who are a little bit closer to the material in some ways .
Also , remembering that if you are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can still write Superman , '' Ridley said .
Ridley ca n't predict how well The Other History of the DC Universe will do , but said recent comic books and other forms of media that are infused with real-life issues can be successful and make a real cultural impact .
Ridley says he has no expectation that every comic book or film has to contain commentary on race or gender , but the ones that do tend to be successful .
Ridley won an Academy Award as a screenwriter for 2013 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also penned DC Comics ' The American Way and its sequel , The American Way : Those Above and Those Below along with Batman : The Joker War Zone .
The future for DC and Ridley Ridley 's next comic book is Future State : The Next Batman , which will feature a new character who takes on the Batman mantle from Bruce Wayne .
The comic is a part of DC 's Future State line-wide event that will give a glimpse into what happens in the DC Universe in the near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Batman has been killed and Gotham City is placed under control by the Magistrate , a villainous regime .
An all-new Batman will rise along with a new group of Gotham heroes to fight back .
Ridley teased that Future State : The Next Batman will have new characters and relationships that reset and contain a focus on family .
`` It 's about family and what we would do for family , what we have to do for family , what we consider to be family .
As a father , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's just really great to be able to take these fantastic stories and ground them in something that I relate to , '' he said .

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"The Other History of the DC Universe," by writer John Ridley, puts diverse superheroes at the forefront. It's out Tuesday. Image courtesy of DC Comics
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Writer John Ridley revisits signature moments from the DC Universe and re-examines them through a group of racially diverse characters in The Other History of the DC Universe, out Tuesday. "This is less about changing the DC Universe. It's really about embracing the DC Universe -- embracing these characters," Ridley said during an interview with UPI. "Giving a singular voice to these characters who oftentimes did not have very singular or particular voices." Advertisement
Black Lightning (Jefferson Pierce), his daughter, Anissa (Thunder), Mal Duncan (Herald), his wife, Karen Beecher (Bumblebee), Renee Montoya (The Question) and Katana (Tatsu Yamashiro) are the main characters in the bimonthly series, which will run for five issues.
Artists Giuseppe 'Cammo' Camuncoli and Andrea Cucchi and colorist José Villarrubia are working with Ridley on the series. Cammuncoli, Marco Mastrazzo and Jamal Campbell are handling the cover art.
Advertisement
Ridley said he chose these characters for the story because he grew up loving them and said he hopes The Other History of the DC Universe inspires a greater appreciation of them.
"These are stories of hope. This is not about victimization. This is not railing against the prevailing culture," Ridley said.
Inspired by 'History of the DC Universe'
Ridley is a fan of DC Comics' History of the DC Universe, which was released in 1986, and said he was inspired by it.
"I thought it was a really interesting attempt to take lore and mythology and treat it like it was real -- like it was an actual timeline," he said. "I think it's one of the great, interesting experiments in storytelling. It really did read like a brief Encyclopaedia Britannica."
The Other History of the DC Universe looks back at big moments like the death of Superman, and Wonder Woman executing the villainous Maxwell Lord. Ridley teased other moments that may not have stuck with fans, but were important to the characters, and said he added more context to well-known stories.
"My desire was not to add things for the sake of adding things," he said. "My desire was to try to, as much as possible, be beholden to things that did happen in the actual lore and actual cannon, and maybe excavating them a little bit more. Give a little bit more voice to these characters."
Advertisement
The series also gives more time to characters who sometimes were lost in the background. Ridley discussed how Katana, a Japanese woman, was used in the 2016 Suicide Squad film.
"Katana, maybe she has three lines of dialogue. So here's this character that is iconic enough to be included in the film, but not necessarily iconic enough to have any sense of who she was. She was a mother, she was a wife who lost her family in a horrific way," the 55-year-old said.
He said comic book writers have worked decades to add more to the character.
"I just wanted to pull a little bit more out of that and say, 'OK, if she lost her family, how would this really affect an individual? If she is a Japanese national arriving in America in the '80s, how would she see this country? How would she fit in or not fit in?' That's what I wanted to do," he said.
Ridley also expressed fondness for Renee Montoya, a Latinx gay woman who gives perspective on what police officers go through because she worked for the Gotham City Police Department. Montoya becomes Vic Savage's successor as The Question, a character Ridley teased could be making a cameo appearance in the series.
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The Other History of the DC Universe comes at a time where more women and characters of color are being used more frequently in comic books and beyond. Ridley said that things are getting better in terms of diversity, pointing to HBO's Watchmen series as a standout example, but for things to continue improving, he said diversity behind-the-scenes is needed.
"It starts with the hiring. It starts with bringing in creators who are a little bit closer to the material in some ways. Also, remembering that if you are a Latinx, they, queer person, you can still write Superman," Ridley said.
Ridley can't predict how well The Other History of the DC Universe will do, but said recent comic books and other forms of media that are infused with real-life issues can be successful and make a real cultural impact.
Ridley says he has no expectation that every comic book or film has to contain commentary on race or gender, but the ones that do tend to be successful.
Ridley won an Academy Award as a screenwriter for 2013's 12 Years a Slave. He has also penned DC Comics' The American Way and its sequel, The American Way: Those Above and Those Below along with Batman: The Joker War Zone.
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The future for DC and Ridley
Ridley's next comic book is Future State: The Next Batman, which will feature a new character who takes on the Batman mantle from Bruce Wayne. The comic is a part of DC's Future State line-wide event that will give a glimpse into what happens in the DC Universe in the near and far future.
In Future State, Batman has been killed and Gotham City is placed under control by the Magistrate, a villainous regime. An all-new Batman will rise along with a new group of Gotham heroes to fight back.
Ridley teased that Future State: The Next Batman will have new characters and relationships that reset and contain a focus on family.
"It's about family and what we would do for family, what we have to do for family, what we consider to be family. As a father, as a husband at my age, it's just really great to be able to take these fantastic stories and ground them in something that I relate to," he said.


upi--2020-11-23--Kaitlyn Bristowe wins 'Dancing with the Stars' Season 29

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Kaitlyn Bristowe won the mirror-ball trophy on Monday 's Season 29 finale of Dancing @ @ @ @ @ .
The Bachelorette alum beat out fellow finalists Justina Machado , Nev Schulman and Nelly @ @ @ @ @ was paired with professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev for the competition .
Johnny Weir , Skai @ @ @ @ @ , Monica Aldama , Charles Oakley , Carole Baskin , Anne Heche , Jesse Metcalfe @ @ @ @ @ Stause previously got the boot this season .
Tyra Banks was the show 's host @ @ @ @ @ , Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough were the judges this season .

Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Kaitlyn Bristowe won the mirror-ball trophy on Monday's Season 29 finale of Dancing with the Stars on ABC.
The Bachelorette alum beat out fellow finalists Justina Machado, Nev Schulman and Nelly for the honor.


upi--2020-11-23--Judge reschedules execution for death row inmate who killed pregnant woman, stole baby

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- A federal court on Monday rescheduled the execution of a woman convicted of murdering a pregnant Missouri woman and stealing her unborn baby after delaying the process due to her lawyers falling sick with COVID-19 .
Attorneys for Lisa Montgomery on Monday said that her execution had been rescheduled to Jan. 12 while arguing that she should not face the death penalty citing her `` severe mental illness and lifetime of trauma . ''
`` Despite Lisa 's deteriorating mental health and a much deeper understanding of the trauma she endured , the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman has been executed for a similar crime , because most prosecutors have recognized that it is inevitably the product of trauma and mental illness , '' said Sandra Babcock , one of Montgomery 's attorneys .
Montgomery , 52 , was sentenced to death in 2007 for the 2004 death of Bobbie Jo Stinnett .
Prosecutors said Montgomery visited Stinnett 's home under the guise of purchasing a puppy .
Once there , she strangled the woman , who was eight months pregnant , then cut the baby from her body .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as her own .
She was originally scheduled to be executed on Dec. 8 but last week District Judge Randolph Moss of the District of Columbia blocked the U.S. government from executing Montgomery until Dec. 31 as both of her defense lawyers -- Amy Harwell and Kelley Henry -- have COVID-19 and are experiencing `` debilitating symptoms . ''
Moss said the two should have the time to `` present a meaningful petition for a reprieve or commutation of sentence '' to President Donald Trump .
Montgomery has been the only woman on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first woman executed by the federal government in 67 years .
Earlier this month , hundreds of supporters , anti-domestic violence groups and prosecutors sent letters to Trump requesting that her sentence be commuted as she has severe mental illness after experiencing physical , emotional and sexual abuse as a child .
They said her mother trafficked her as a teenager .

Nov. 23 (UPI) -- A federal court on Monday rescheduled the execution of a woman convicted of murdering a pregnant Missouri woman and stealing her unborn baby after delaying the process due to her lawyers falling sick with COVID-19.
Attorneys for Lisa Montgomery on Monday said that her execution had been rescheduled to Jan. 12 while arguing that she should not face the death penalty citing her "severe mental illness and lifetime of trauma."
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"Despite Lisa's deteriorating mental health and a much deeper understanding of the trauma she endured, the government plans to kill her. No other woman has been executed for a similar crime, because most prosecutors have recognized that it is inevitably the product of trauma and mental illness," said Sandra Babcock, one of Montgomery's attorneys.
Montgomery, 52, was sentenced to death in 2007 for the 2004 death of Bobbie Jo Stinnett. Prosecutors said Montgomery visited Stinnett's home under the guise of purchasing a puppy. Once there, she strangled the woman, who was eight months pregnant, then cut the baby from her body. Montgomery tried to pass the newborn off as her own.
She was originally scheduled to be executed on Dec. 8 but last week District Judge Randolph Moss of the District of Columbia blocked the U.S. government from executing Montgomery until Dec. 31 as both of her defense lawyers -- Amy Harwell and Kelley Henry -- have COVID-19 and are experiencing "debilitating symptoms."
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Moss said the two should have the time to "present a meaningful petition for a reprieve or commutation of sentence" to President Donald Trump.
Montgomery has been the only woman on death row since 2008 and would be the first woman executed by the federal government in 67 years.
Earlier this month, hundreds of supporters, anti-domestic violence groups and prosecutors sent letters to Trump requesting that her sentence be commuted as she has severe mental illness after experiencing physical, emotional and sexual abuse as a child. They said her mother trafficked her as a teenager.


upi--2020-11-23--Search underway for 4 fishermen after boat sinks in Atlantic

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Coast Guard said a search was underway Monday for four fishermen after their boat sank off the coast of Massachusetts .
The Coast Guard said in a release it received an emergency notification at 1 a.m. from the 82-foot Emmy Rose fishing vessel indicating it was about 20 miles off of Provincetown , and dispatched a Jayhawk helicopter crew and a Coast Guard cutter to its last known location , only to find debris and an empty life raft floating on the water .
`` We saw the raft that was deployed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Coast Guard Commander Ian Hurst , CBS Boston reported .
`` We were hoping that we would find some people inside that raft . ''
The owner of the Portland , Maine-registered boat told the Coast Guard that there were reportedly four people on board and that no one had answered its satellite phone .
The Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod Jayhawk helicopter , Ocean Sentry fixed-wing aircraft , a 47-foot motor life boat and two U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Key Largo and Vigorous have been dispatched in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Vigorous will remain on scene throughout the night , '' U.S. Coast Guard First District Northeast said on Twitter .
Sen. Angus King wrote on Twitter that he was `` praying for the safe return of these four fishermen and the safety of the [ U.S. Coast Guard ] responders . ''
The Coast Guard said weather on the scene was 30-knot winds with up to eight-foot seas .

Debris believed to be from the Emmy Rose found floating in the Atlantic Ocean on Monday. Photo courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- The U.S. Coast Guard said a search was underway Monday for four fishermen after their boat sank off the coast of Massachusetts. The Coast Guard said in a release it received an emergency notification at 1 a.m. from the 82-foot Emmy Rose fishing vessel indicating it was about 20 miles off of Provincetown, and dispatched a Jayhawk helicopter crew and a Coast Guard cutter to its last known location, only to find debris and an empty life raft floating on the water. Advertisement
"We saw the raft that was deployed and upright, so that was encouraging," said Coast Guard Commander Ian Hurst, CBS Boston reported. "We were hoping that we would find some people inside that raft."
The owner of the Portland, Maine-registered boat told the Coast Guard that there were reportedly four people on board and that no one had answered its satellite phone.
The Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod Jayhawk helicopter, Ocean Sentry fixed-wing aircraft, a 47-foot motor life boat and two U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Key Largo and Vigorous have been dispatched in the rescue effort, the release said.
"Vigorous will remain on scene throughout the night," U.S. Coast Guard First District Northeast said on Twitter.
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Sen. Angus King wrote on Twitter that he was "praying for the safe return of these four fishermen and the safety of the [U.S. Coast Guard] responders."
The Coast Guard said weather on the scene was 30-knot winds with up to eight-foot seas.


upi--2020-11-23--Feds announce indictment of 15 alleged Philadelphia mafia members

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Federal prosecutors in Philadelphia announced indictments for 15 alleged mafia members in South Philadelphia and southern New Jersey Monday .
Members allegedly belonging to `` La Cosa Nostra '' under mob-leader Steven `` Stevie '' Mazzone , 56 , were charged with bookmaking and loan sharking in Philadelphia and Atlantic City beginning in October of 2015 .
Ten defendants are charged with racketeering and the other five are charged with running illegal gambling rings , extortion and conspiracy to sell illegal drugs .
Some of the defendants are accused of conspiring to kidnap and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs in Philadelphia , prosecutors said .
`` The Philadelphia mob is n't what it used to be , and thank God for that , '' said U.S. Attorney McSwain in a statement .
`` But it is still a problem and is still allegedly committing serious federal crimes , which is why we at the Department of Justice are focused on stamping it out .
We will not rest until the mob is nothing but a bad memory . ''
Other defendants included Domenic Grande , aka `` Dom , '' `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' or `` Dom14 , '' age 41 as well as Joseph Servidio , aka `` Joey Electric , '' 60 ; Salvatore Mazzone , aka `` Sonny , '' age 55 ; Joseph Malone , age 70 ; Louis Barretta , aka `` Louie Sheep , '' age 56 ; Victor DeLuca , aka `` Big Vic , '' age 56 ; Kenneth Arabia , aka `` Kenny , '' age 67 ; Daniel Castelli , aka `` Danny , '' aka `` Cozzy , '' aka `` Butch , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; Carl Chianese , age 81 ; Anthony Gifoli , aka `` Tony Meatballs , '' age 73 ; John Romeo , age 58 ; Daniel Malatesta , age 75 ; Daniel Bucceroni , age 66 ; and John Michael Payne , age 34 .
Defendants are accused of squeezing borrowers of illegal gambling debts for interest rates more than 400 % and distributing illegal drugs including heroin , cocaine , fentanyl , methamphetamine and oxycodone pills .
One defendant , Joseph Malone , was the proprietor of a restaurant for 40 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
`` My client , who has led a quiet life , is presumed innocent , as is everyone else , '' attorney William Brennan said .
`` Unfortunately , when the federal agents arrived at his house , he suffered a heart attack and has undergone surgery .
We 're now focusing on his health , but we look forward to defending [ him ] on these charges . ''
The indictments were the result of a combined investigation between Philadelphia and Atlantic City law enforcement agencies and the FBI , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a criminal presence in our city and beyond , '' said Michael Driscoll , special agent in charge of the FBI 's Philadelphia Division , in a press release .
`` From loansharking and illegal gambling to drug trafficking and extortion , the mob continues to keep its fingers in many different pots , in its ceaseless quest for illegal profits .
This group should 've learned by now that the FBI is as committed to eradicating organized crime as wise guys are to embracing it . ''
All 15 defendants will appear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barclay Surrick on Jan. 8 , according to court documents .

Federal prosecutors in Philadelphia announced on Monday the indictments of 15 alleged mafia members under boss Steven “Stevie” Mazzone who are charged with running illegal gambling rackets and other crimes in south Philadelphia and Atlantic City, N.J. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Federal prosecutors in Philadelphia announced indictments for 15 alleged mafia members in South Philadelphia and southern New Jersey Monday. Members allegedly belonging to "La Cosa Nostra" under mob-leader Steven "Stevie" Mazzone, 56, were charged with bookmaking and loan sharking in Philadelphia and Atlantic City beginning in October of 2015. Advertisement
Ten defendants are charged with racketeering and the other five are charged with running illegal gambling rings, extortion and conspiracy to sell illegal drugs. Some of the defendants are accused of conspiring to kidnap and kill an associate who sold them fake drugs in Philadelphia, prosecutors said.
"The Philadelphia mob isn't what it used to be, and thank God for that," said U.S. Attorney McSwain in a statement. "But it is still a problem and is still allegedly committing serious federal crimes, which is why we at the Department of Justice are focused on stamping it out. We will not rest until the mob is nothing but a bad memory."
Other defendants included Domenic Grande, aka "Dom," "Mr. Hopkins," "Mr. Brown," or "Dom14," age 41 as well as Joseph Servidio, aka "Joey Electric," 60; Salvatore Mazzone, aka "Sonny," age 55; Joseph Malone, age 70; Louis Barretta, aka "Louie Sheep," age 56; Victor DeLuca, aka "Big Vic," age 56; Kenneth Arabia, aka "Kenny," age 67; Daniel Castelli, aka "Danny," aka "Cozzy," aka "Butch," aka "Harry," age 67; Carl Chianese, age 81; Anthony Gifoli, aka "Tony Meatballs," age 73; John Romeo, age 58; Daniel Malatesta, age 75; Daniel Bucceroni, age 66; and John Michael Payne, age 34.
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Defendants are accused of squeezing borrowers of illegal gambling debts for interest rates more than 400% and distributing illegal drugs including heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine and oxycodone pills.
One defendant, Joseph Malone, was the proprietor of a restaurant for 40 years, his attorney told The Philadelphia Inquirer Monday.
"My client, who has led a quiet life, is presumed innocent, as is everyone else," attorney William Brennan said. "Unfortunately, when the federal agents arrived at his house, he suffered a heart attack and has undergone surgery. We're now focusing on his health, but we look forward to defending [him] on these charges."
The indictments were the result of a combined investigation between Philadelphia and Atlantic City law enforcement agencies and the FBI, prosecutors said.
"The mafia remains a criminal presence in our city and beyond," said Michael Driscoll, special agent in charge of the FBI's Philadelphia Division, in a press release. "From loansharking and illegal gambling to drug trafficking and extortion, the mob continues to keep its fingers in many different pots, in its ceaseless quest for illegal profits. This group should've learned by now that the FBI is as committed to eradicating organized crime as wise guys are to embracing it."
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All 15 defendants will appear in front of U.S. District Judge R. Barclay Surrick on Jan. 8, according to court documents.


upi--2020-11-23--Apple security chief charged with bribing Calif. sheriffs for concealed gun permits

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Apple 's global head of security and two members of the Santa Clara County Sheriff 's office were indicted by a grand jury Monday for allegedly requesting and offering bribes for concealed weapons licenses .
A grand jury indicted Undersheriff Rick Sung , 48 , and Captain James Jensen , 43 , for coordinating a bribe with Apple Chief Security Officer Thomas Moyer , 50 , to provide the weapons licenses in exchange for iPads .
`` Undersheriff Sung and Captain Jensen treated CCW licenses as commodities and found willing buyers , '' Santa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Bribe seekers should be reported to the District Attorney 's Office , not rewarded with compliance . ''
Rosen 's office said that Sung and Jensen withheld the licenses from Apple employees and solicited a bribe in the form of a donation of 200 iPads -- worth about $ 70,000 -- to the sheriff 's office .
The deal was eventually called off on Aug. 2 , 2019 , after Sung and Moyer learned the District Attorney 's Office executed a search warrant at the sheriff 's office to seize all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District Attorney 's Office said .
Moyer 's lawyer Ed Swanson denied the allegations in a statement to CNBC .
`` Tom Moyer is innocent of the charges filed against him .
He did nothing wrong and acted with the highest integrity throughout his career .
We have no doubt he will be acquitted at trial , '' said Swanson .
Apple said an investigation into Moyer 's action found no wrongdoing .
`` We expect all of our employees to conduct themselves with integrity .
After learning of the allegations , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no wrongdoing , '' a representative said .
Sung and Jensen were also accused of coordinating a bribe with local business owner Harpreet Chadha by withholding concealed weapons licenses to extract a promise of $ 6,000 worth of luxury box seats to a San Jose Sharks hockey game on Valentine 's Day 2019 .
Sheriff Laurie Smith 's family members and some of her biggest political donors held a small celebration of her re-election as Sheriff in the suite , prosecutors said .
The defendants will be arraigned on Jan. 11 , 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .

Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Apple's global head of security and two members of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's office were indicted by a grand jury Monday for allegedly requesting and offering bribes for concealed weapons licenses.
A grand jury indicted Undersheriff Rick Sung, 48, and Captain James Jensen, 43, for coordinating a bribe with Apple Chief Security Officer Thomas Moyer, 50, to provide the weapons licenses in exchange for iPads.
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"Undersheriff Sung and Captain Jensen treated CCW licenses as commodities and found willing buyers," Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen said. "Bribe seekers should be reported to the District Attorney's Office, not rewarded with compliance."
Rosen's office said that Sung and Jensen withheld the licenses from Apple employees and solicited a bribe in the form of a donation of 200 iPads -- worth about $70,000 -- to the sheriff's office.
The deal was eventually called off on Aug. 2, 2019, after Sung and Moyer learned the District Attorney's Office executed a search warrant at the sheriff's office to seize all of its concealed weapons license records, the District Attorney's Office said.
Moyer's lawyer Ed Swanson denied the allegations in a statement to CNBC.
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"Tom Moyer is innocent of the charges filed against him. He did nothing wrong and acted with the highest integrity throughout his career. We have no doubt he will be acquitted at trial," said Swanson.
Apple said an investigation into Moyer's action found no wrongdoing.
"We expect all of our employees to conduct themselves with integrity. After learning of the allegations, we conducted a thorough internal investigation and found no wrongdoing," a representative said.
Sung and Jensen were also accused of coordinating a bribe with local business owner Harpreet Chadha by withholding concealed weapons licenses to extract a promise of $6,000 worth of luxury box seats to a San Jose Sharks hockey game on Valentine's Day 2019. Sheriff Laurie Smith's family members and some of her biggest political donors held a small celebration of her re-election as Sheriff in the suite, prosecutors said.
The defendants will be arraigned on Jan. 11, 2021, and if convicted could face prison time.


upi--2020-11-23--GSA to release funds for Biden transition team

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- Money from the U.S. government for President-elect Joe Biden 's transition team will be released from the General Service Administration , administrator Emily Murphy said Monday .
Biden 's team is now entitled to $ 7.3 million of resources and services available for a presidential transition Murphy said in a letter released by multiple news sources .
Biden was declared the winner of the Nov. 3 U.S. presidential election with 306 electoral votes to President Donald Trump 's 232 votes .
Biden also won the popular vote by 6 million votes .
The move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the winner have been certified in battleground states of Michigan and Georgia and as they will soon be certified in Pennsylvania .
The GSA is an independent federal agency that helps manage and support basic functions of other federal-level agencies and is responsible for making transition resources available to any president-elect .
Unlocking the resources for a president-elect in the past had been part of an administrative routine , but Murphy , a Trump appointee , had stalled the process , facing complaints from both Democrats and Republicans , including a threat of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Appropriations Committee .
Murphy said her decision to release the GSA funding was made independently without influence from the White House .
`` I was never directly or indirectly pressured by any Executive Branch officials -- including those who work at the White House or GSA -- with regard to the substance or timing of my decision , '' she wrote .
But President Donald Trump quickly tweeted that he had directed Murphy to begin the process and added that his campaign had not given up the legal challenges to Biden 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Trump said Monday .
`` We will keep up the good fight , and I believe we will prevail !
Nevertheless , in the best interest of our country , I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols , and have told my team to do the same . ''
The Biden team has complained that they have been denied important information to help the president-elect 's advisory task force prepare to defeat COVID-19 , as well as being denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden 's campaign solicited donations to help fund the transition process itself amid Trump 's refusal to concede .

Residents celebrate after several news organizations called the presidential election for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the Silver Lake section of Los Angeles on Saturday, November 7, 2020. Biden defeated President Donald Trump to become 46th president of the United States. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Money from the U.S. government for President-elect Joe Biden's transition team will be released from the General Service Administration, administrator Emily Murphy said Monday. Biden's team is now entitled to $7.3 million of resources and services available for a presidential transition, Murphy said in a letter released by multiple news sources. Advertisement
Biden was declared the winner of the Nov. 3 U.S. presidential election with 306 electoral votes to President Donald Trump's 232 votes. Biden also won the popular vote by 6 million votes.
The move comes as state election results showing Biden the winner have been certified in battleground states of Michigan and Georgia and as they will soon be certified in Pennsylvania.
The GSA is an independent federal agency that helps manage and support basic functions of other federal-level agencies and is responsible for making transition resources available to any president-elect.
Unlocking the resources for a president-elect in the past had been part of an administrative routine, but Murphy, a Trump appointee, had stalled the process, facing complaints from both Democrats and Republicans, including a threat of a subpoena to appear before the U.S. House Appropriations Committee.
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Murphy said her decision to release the GSA funding was made independently without influence from the White House.
"I was never directly or indirectly pressured by any Executive Branch officials -- including those who work at the White House or GSA -- with regard to the substance or timing of my decision," she wrote.
But President Donald Trump quickly tweeted that he had directed Murphy to begin the process and added that his campaign had not given up the legal challenges to Biden's win.
"Our case strongly continues," Trump said Monday. "We will keep up the good fight, and I believe we will prevail! Nevertheless, in the best interest of our country, I am recommending that Emily and her team do what needs to be done with regard to initial protocols, and have told my team to do the same."
On Monday night, the Department of Defense announced it has received notice of the release of funds and said it contacted Biden's transition team and its designated lead for the department's Agency Review Team.
"The DOD is prepared to provide post-election services and support in a professional, orderly and efficient manner that is befitting of the public's expectation of the department and our commitment to national security," the statement read.
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The Biden team has complained that they have been denied important information to help the president-elect's advisory task force prepare to defeat COVID-19, as well as being denied access to intelligence briefings.
On Friday, Biden's campaign solicited donations to help fund the transition process itself amid Trump's refusal to concede.


upi--2020-11-23--Watch: First lady Melania Trump accepts 2020 White House Christmas tree

Nov. 23 ( UPI ) -- First lady Melania Trump welcomed the 2020 White House Christmas tree in a brief event Monday afternoon , continuing the tradition despite the COVID-19 pandemic .
Trump did not wear a mask as she accepted the 18 1/2-foot-high Fraser fir from Dan and Bryan Trees on the North Portico of the White House .
The two coachmen and the horse handler who drove the carriage that delivered the tree wore masks , and the tree farmers did as well initially , but removed them as they posed for a photograph with the first lady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States added about 143,000 new coronavirus cases on Monday for a total of 12.25 million infections and 256,800 deaths since the start of the pandemic , more than any other nation according to data gathered by Johns Hopkins University .
East Wing chief of staff Stephanie Grisham said the White House still will hold celebrations for Christmas and Hanukkah in 2020 `` while providing the safest environment possible , '' including smaller guest lists , mask requirements , encouraged social distancing and hand sanitizer stations .
The National Christmas Tree Association , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas tree since 1966 , said there was no official selection event for the tree this year .
`` Instead , the tree was quietly chosen at Dan and Anne Taylor 's farm in West Virginia .
They are the 2020 NCTA Grand Champion Grower , '' the organization said .

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First lady Melania Trump received the official White House Christmas tree on Monday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 23 (UPI) -- First lady Melania Trump welcomed the 2020 White House Christmas tree in a brief event Monday afternoon, continuing the tradition despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump did not wear a mask as she accepted the 18 1/2-foot-high Fraser fir from Dan and Bryan Trees on the North Portico of the White House. Advertisement
The two coachmen and the horse handler who drove the carriage that delivered the tree wore masks, and the tree farmers did as well initially, but removed them as they posed for a photograph with the first lady.
Monday's event came as the United States added about 143,000 new coronavirus cases on Monday for a total of 12.25 million infections and 256,800 deaths since the start of the pandemic, more than any other nation according to data gathered by Johns Hopkins University.
East Wing chief of staff Stephanie Grisham said the White House still will hold celebrations for Christmas and Hanukkah in 2020 "while providing the safest environment possible," including smaller guest lists, mask requirements, encouraged social distancing and hand sanitizer stations.
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The National Christmas Tree Association, which has provided the White House's Christmas tree since 1966, said there was no official selection event for the tree this year.
"Instead, the tree was quietly chosen at Dan and Anne Taylor's farm in West Virginia. They are the 2020 NCTA Grand Champion Grower," the organization said.