upi--2020-12-01--Officials: Amazon deforestation in Brazil at 12-year high

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Deforestation of the Amazon in Brazil surged to a 12-year high in 2020 , officials with the nation 's space agency said .
Inpe , the Brazilian space institute , reported Monday that preliminary data showed 4,281 square miles of rainforest was razed between August 2019 and July , an increase of 9.5 % from a year prior and the most rainforest destroyed since 2008 .
The agency said that the number released Monday is expected to be higher in its final report to be published in the first half of 2021 .
Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the deforestation occurred on land not designated for either conservation or private use , blaming the rainforest 's destruction on those stealing land .
Paul Moutinho , a senior researcher at Inpe , said if no action is taken to curb this `` illegal invasion '' the public heritage of all Brazilians will be destroyed .
`` Public forests must be preserved as they are fundamental to maintain the climate and water balance of the Amazon , '' Moutinho said in a statement .
`` It is urgent that deforestation there be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The occupation and the deforestation is being driven by real estate speculation by those trying to profit from land grabs , the space agency said , calling for more stringent policies to be put in place to prevent the practice from worsening .
`` With investment and planning , it is possible to end deforestation in the Amazon , '' said Inpe Executive Director Andre Guimaraes .
However , scientists and conservationist see the increase in deforestation a result of the policies of President Jair Bolsonaro , who has encouraged agriculture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the strength of the nation 's environmental protection agencies .
Carlos Rittl , a Brazilian environmentalist at Germany 's Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies , said in the two years of Bolsonaro 's presidency , he has turned the country into `` the world 's top forest destroyer '' and `` a global environmental pariah . ''
`` The pace of Amazon destruction increased 47.1 % under Bolsonaro , '' Rittl tweeted .
`` The anti-environmental agenda of President Bolsonaro is delivering its worst expected results for the region . ''
The Observation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inpe were not a surprise and reflect Bolsonaro 's plan `` to annihilate the capacity of the Brazilian state and supervisory bodies to take care of our forests and fight crime in the Amazon . ''
`` This well-executed destruction project will cost Brazil dearly , '' said Marcio Astrini , the executive secretary of the observatory .
`` We are losing trade agreements , turning our soft power literally into smoke and increasing our international isolation at a time when the world is entering a critical realignment in relation to combating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government is acting as a machine producing only `` shameful news '' about the country with Bolsonaro acting as the largest saboteur of its image .
Meanwhile , Greenpeace Brazil described the deforestation in the last year as the equivalent of 1.58 million soccer fields or 7.3 times the size of Sao Paulo .
Cristiane Mazzetti , a spokeswoman for Greenpeace , said in a statement that the Bolsonaro administration 's response to the deforestation has been to politicize environmental protection and work to weaken civil society and democracy .
Mazzetti blamed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government environmental protection agencies and the administration 's anti-environmental policies .
`` The Bolsonaro government 's development vision for the Amazon takes us back to the past , with deforestation rates not observed since 2008 , '' Mazzetti said .
`` It is a retrograde view , which does not talk to most Brazilians and does not match the efforts needed to deal with climate and biodiversity crises . ''

Greenpeace Brazil said some 626 million trees were destroyed last year in the Amazon. Photo by Christian Braga/Greenpeace
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Deforestation of the Amazon in Brazil surged to a 12-year high in 2020, officials with the nation's space agency said. Inpe, the Brazilian space institute, reported Monday that preliminary data showed 4,281 square miles of rainforest was razed between August 2019 and July, an increase of 9.5% from a year prior and the most rainforest destroyed since 2008. Advertisement
The agency said that the number released Monday is expected to be higher in its final report to be published in the first half of 2021.
Vice President Hamilton Mourao said some 30% of the deforestation occurred on land not designated for either conservation or private use, blaming the rainforest's destruction on those stealing land.
Paul Moutinho, a senior researcher at Inpe, said if no action is taken to curb this "illegal invasion" the public heritage of all Brazilians will be destroyed.
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"Public forests must be preserved as they are fundamental to maintain the climate and water balance of the Amazon," Moutinho said in a statement. "It is urgent that deforestation there be stopped and that these areas be protected."
The occupation and the deforestation is being driven by real estate speculation by those trying to profit from land grabs, the space agency said, calling for more stringent policies to be put in place to prevent the practice from worsening.
"With investment and planning, it is possible to end deforestation in the Amazon," said Inpe Executive Director Andre Guimaraes.
However, scientists and conservationist see the increase in deforestation a result of the policies of President Jair Bolsonaro, who has encouraged agriculture and mining within the rainforest and reduced the strength of the nation's environmental protection agencies.
Carlos Rittl, a Brazilian environmentalist at Germany's Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, said in the two years of Bolsonaro's presidency, he has turned the country into "the world's top forest destroyer" and "a global environmental pariah."
"The pace of Amazon destruction increased 47.1% under Bolsonaro," Rittl tweeted. "The anti-environmental agenda of President Bolsonaro is delivering its worst expected results for the region."
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The Observation do Clima said the numbers released by Inpe were not a surprise and reflect Bolsonaro's plan "to annihilate the capacity of the Brazilian state and supervisory bodies to take care of our forests and fight crime in the Amazon."
"This well-executed destruction project will cost Brazil dearly," said Marcio Astrini, the executive secretary of the observatory. "We are losing trade agreements, turning our soft power literally into smoke and increasing our international isolation at a time when the world is entering a critical realignment in relation to combating the climate crisis."
He said the government is acting as a machine producing only "shameful news" about the country with Bolsonaro acting as the largest saboteur of its image.
Meanwhile, Greenpeace Brazil described the deforestation in the last year as the equivalent of 1.58 million soccer fields or 7.3 times the size of Sao Paulo.
Cristiane Mazzetti, a spokeswoman for Greenpeace, said in a statement that the Bolsonaro administration's response to the deforestation has been to politicize environmental protection and work to weaken civil society and democracy.
Mazzetti blamed the deforestation rate on slashing the budgets of government environmental protection agencies and the administration's anti-environmental policies.
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"The Bolsonaro government's development vision for the Amazon takes us back to the past, with deforestation rates not observed since 2008," Mazzetti said. "It is a retrograde view, which does not talk to most Brazilians and does not match the efforts needed to deal with climate and biodiversity crises."


upi--2020-12-01--California to receive 327K COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer in mid-December

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- California Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced the state will receive 327,000 doses of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer 's COVID-19 vaccine by the middle of this month .
`` Transparency , equity and safety will continue to be our top priorities as we begin the distribution process for Phase 1 , '' the Democratic governor said in a tweet Monday announcing the vaccine arrangement .
Pfizer and its German partner , BioNTech , applied for emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine with the Food and Drug Administration on Nov. 20 after its candidate drug showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late-stage clinical trials .
The company said the authorization would enable the use of its vaccine in high-risk populations by mid-December .
The FDA said it has scheduled a meeting on Dec. 10 to discuss the request .
The Pfizer vaccine is to be administered in two doses , and Newsom said during a virtual news conference Monday that the second dose is anticipated to arrive three weeks after the initial delivery .
Guidelines are currently being recommended for the Phase 1 distribution of the vaccine to decide which frontline workers will receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stating that Phase 1 guidelines will be out this week .
The announcement came amid surging cases in the state , with officials announcing more than 14,000 infections in the past 24 hours .
The seven-day average was at 14,657 , which surpassed the nearly 10,000 average cases registered during the previous peak , Newsom said , adding that they expect a further increase due to the Thanksgiving holiday .
If nothing changes , he said , hospitalizations could increase by up to three times the current rate in one month and projections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
He said he was considering a new stay-at-home order for counties in the highest tier of the state 's coronavirus restrictions , of which 51 of the state 's 58 counties were in .
`` We 're not just now looking at positivity rates , we 're not now just looking at case rates , we are now looking in real time at hospitalization numbers and ICU capacity in those regions , '' he said .
Pfizer said in November that based on its projections it expects to produce up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 1.3 billion by the end of 2021 .
Moderna on Monday announced it has also applied for Emergency Use Authorization with the FDA , who has scheduled a meeting to discuss its candidate vaccine on Dec. 17 .

Pfizer and BioNTech say their BNT162b2 vaccine candidate is 95% efficient. Photo by BioNTech SE/EPA-EFE
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- U.S.-based companies Moderna and Pfizer applied for emergency authorization in Tuesday to roll out their COVID-19 vaccines in Europe, the European Union said. The two companies, which are awaiting emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, have now sought what's called conditional marketing authorization from the European Medicines Agency. Advertisement
The EMA said its assessments of the vaccines would be "accelerated."
"An opinion on the marketing authorization could be issued within weeks, depending on whether the data submitted are sufficiently robust and complete to show the quality, safety and effectiveness of the vaccine," the agency said.
The EMA said it would schedule a meeting on the Pfizer vaccine by Dec. 29 at the latest and for Moderna's no later than Jan. 12.
The applications come one day after Moderna applied for an EUA from the FDA and more than a week after Pfizer and its partner, BioNTech, sought the same approval.
The companies are attempting to begin delivering the vaccines before the end of the year. Moderna says its vaccine has 94% efficacy and Pfizer lists its candidate's efficacy at 95%.
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday the state will receive 327,000 doses of Pfizer's vaccine by the middle of this month.
"Transparency, equity and safety will continue to be our top priorities as we begin the distribution process for Phase 1," he said in a tweet.
Pfizer said FDA authorization would enable the use of its vaccine in high-risk populations by mid-December.
The Pfizer vaccine is to be administered in two doses, and Newsom said during a virtual news conference Monday that the second dose is anticipated to arrive three weeks after the initial delivery.
Guidelines have not yet been recommended for the first stage of distribution.
If nothing changes, Newsom said, hospitalizations in California could triple the current rate in a month and projections see intensive care unit beds at 112% capacity.
"We are now looking in real time at hospitalization numbers and ICU capacity in those regions," he said.
Pfizer said last month it expects to produce 50 million doses this year and more than a billion by the end of 2021.
Moderna has also applied for Emergency Use Authorization with the FDA.


upi--2020-12-01--Study: Some talc-based cosmetic products contain asbestos

Nearly 15 % of talc-based cosmetic products analyzed in a recent study contained asbestos .
Environmental Working Group -- an American advocacy nonprofit that commissioned the tests and did the analysis -- said methods used by the cosmetics industry to screen talc supplies are inadequate .
The voluntary testing method developed by industry is not sensitive enough to screen for asbestos when compared to electron microscopy , the group said .
`` Many well-known brands use talc in body and facial powders that can be inhaled , '' said Nneka Leiba , an EWG vice president .
She noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 2,000 personal care products that contain talc , including more than 1,000 loose or pressed powders that could pose an inhalation risk .
`` It 's troubling to think how many Americans have been using talc-based cosmetics products potentially contaminated with asbestos , '' Leiba said in an EWG news release .
The analysis was published this month in the journal Environmental Health Insights .
The Scientific Analytical Institute conducted the tests , using electron microscopy to analyze samples .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not require testing talc supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FDA develop a rigorous screening method for talc used in personal care products , '' said Sean Fitzgerald , head of the Greensboro , N.C.-based institute .
`` The lab repeatedly finds asbestos in products made with talc , including cosmetics marketed to children .
It 's outrageous that a precise method for testing personal care products for the presence of asbestos exists , but the cosmetics industry is n't required to use it , '' Fitzgerald said .
Talc is often used in cosmetics as a filler or to improve texture or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be formed in the same rocks that are mined for both cosmetics use and industrial use .
The federal government does not require that cosmetics be tested for asbestos , instead encouraging companies to select talc mines carefully to avoid asbestos contamination , according to the study .
In May , Johnson & Johnson announced it would end the sale of its talc-based baby powder in the United States and Canada .
Thousands of people have filed lawsuits against the company , claiming the product caused cancer , the study said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in talc can cause mesothelioma and other deadly diseases , many years after exposure , '' Tasha Stoiber , a senior scientist at EWG , said in the release .
`` How much talc is inhaled -- and how much is contaminated with asbestos -- is hard to know , but it only takes one asbestos fiber , lodged in the lungs , to cause mesothelioma decades later , '' Stoiber said .
EWG reports that exposure to asbestos is linked to asbestosis , mesothelioma , and lung and ovarian cancer .
Based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fund estimates that up to 15,000 Americans die each year from asbestos-triggered disease .
In March 2019 , Congresswoman Debbie Dingell , D-Mich. , introduced legislation that would require warning labels on cosmetics that could contain asbestos and are marketed to children .
EWG called for Congress to pass legislation mandating rigorous testing of talc-based personal care products .
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has more information on asbestos .

Based on their new study, researchers say methods used by the cosmetics industry to screen talc supplies for asbestos are inadequate. Photo by harrydona /Pixabay
Nearly 15% of talc-based cosmetic products analyzed in a recent study contained asbestos. Environmental Working Group -- an American advocacy nonprofit that commissioned the tests and did the analysis -- said methods used by the cosmetics industry to screen talc supplies are inadequate. Advertisement
The voluntary testing method developed by industry is not sensitive enough to screen for asbestos when compared to electron microscopy, the group said.
"Many well-known brands use talc in body and facial powders that can be inhaled," said Nneka Leiba, an EWG vice president.
She noted that EWG's online database has identified more than 2,000 personal care products that contain talc, including more than 1,000 loose or pressed powders that could pose an inhalation risk.
"It's troubling to think how many Americans have been using talc-based cosmetics products potentially contaminated with asbestos," Leiba said in an EWG news release.
The analysis was published this month in the journal Environmental Health Insights.
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The Scientific Analytical Institute conducted the tests, using electron microscopy to analyze samples. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not require testing talc supplies.
"It is critical that the FDA develop a rigorous screening method for talc used in personal care products," said Sean Fitzgerald, head of the Greensboro, N.C.-based institute.
"The lab repeatedly finds asbestos in products made with talc, including cosmetics marketed to children. It's outrageous that a precise method for testing personal care products for the presence of asbestos exists, but the cosmetics industry isn't required to use it," Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald's lab tested 21 samples of powder cosmetics, including eye shadow, foundation, blush, face and body powders.
Talc is often used in cosmetics as a filler or to improve texture or absorb moisture. Talc and asbestos can be formed in the same rocks that are mined for both cosmetics use and industrial use.
The federal government does not require that cosmetics be tested for asbestos, instead encouraging companies to select talc mines carefully to avoid asbestos contamination, according to the study.
In May, Johnson & Johnson announced it would end the sale of its talc-based baby powder in the United States and Canada. Thousands of people have filed lawsuits against the company, claiming the product caused cancer, the study said.
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"Inhaling even the tiniest amount of asbestos in talc can cause mesothelioma and other deadly diseases, many years after exposure," Tasha Stoiber, a senior scientist at EWG, said in the release.
"How much talc is inhaled -- and how much is contaminated with asbestos -- is hard to know, but it only takes one asbestos fiber, lodged in the lungs, to cause mesothelioma decades later," Stoiber said.
EWG reports that exposure to asbestos is linked to asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung and ovarian cancer.
Based on federal data, the EWG Action Fund estimates that up to 15,000 Americans die each year from asbestos-triggered disease.
In March 2019, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., introduced legislation that would require warning labels on cosmetics that could contain asbestos and are marketed to children.
EWG called for Congress to pass legislation mandating rigorous testing of talc-based personal care products.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has more information on asbestos.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-12-01--Famous birthdays for Dec. 1: Janelle Monae, Sarah Silverman

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius .
-- Rock @ @ @ @ @ member John Densmore in 1944 ( age 76 ) -- Matthew Shepard , University of @ @ @ @ @ was gay , in 1976

1/2
Janelle Monae attends the premiere of "Harriet" at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles on October 29, 2019. She turns 35 on December 1. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius. They include: Advertisement
-- French wax-figure sculptor Marie Tussaud in 1761
-- Baseball Hall of Fame member Walter Alston in 1911
-- Singer/actor Mary Martin in 1913
-- Singer Lou Rawls in 1933
-- Comedian/filmmaker Woody Allen in 1935 (age 85)
-- Golf Hall of Fame member Lee Trevino in 1939 (age 81)
-- Comedian Richard Pryor in 1940
-- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member John Densmore in 1944 (age 76)
-- Singer/actor Bette Midler in 1945 (age 75)
File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
-- Actor Treat Williams in 1951 (age 69)
-- Actor Deep Roy in 1957 (age 63)
-- Model Carol Alt in 1960 (age 60)
-- Actor Golden Brooks in 1970 (age 50)
-- Comedian Sarah Silverman in 1970 (age 50)
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File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Matthew Shepard, University of Wyoming student killed because he was gay, in 1976
-- Actor Dean O'Gorman in 1976 (age 44)
-- Actor Riz Ahmed in 1982 (age 38)
-- Rapper Yolandi Visser in 1984 (age 36)
-- Singer/actor Janelle Monae in 1985 (age 35)
-- Rock singer Tyler Joseph in 1988 (age 32)
-- Actor Zoe Kravitz in 1988 (age 32)
-- TV personality/animal conservationist Robert Irwin in 2003 (age 17)


upi--2020-12-01--On This Day, Dec. 1: U.S., Soviets ban military activity on Antarctica

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1891 , the game of basketball was invented when James Naismith , a physical education teacher at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield , Mass.
, put peach baskets at the opposite ends of a gym and gave students soccer balls to toss into them .
In 1903 , the world 's first drive-in gasoline station opened for business in Pittsburgh .
In 1943 , ending a `` Big Three '' meeting in Tehran , U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt , British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to defeat Nazi Germany .
In 1950 , Gen. Douglas MacArthur , in a cable to United Press , said that his U.N. forces were fighting in Korea against `` military odds without precedent in history , '' and warned that failure to meet the issue there will leave it to `` be fought , and possibly lost , on the battlefields of Europe . ''
In 1953 , the first Playboy magazine was published .
Marilyn Monroe was on the cover .
The magazine temporarily ended the practice of including nudity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reintroduced it one year later .
In 1955 , Rosa Parks , a black woman , was arrested in Montgomery , Ala. , for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a city bus , signaling , along with its resulting bus boycott and related events , the birth of the modern civil rights movement .
In 1959 , the United States and the Soviet Union signed a treaty banning military activity on Antarctica , reserving the continent for scientific research .
In 1990 , workers broke through in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time .
The Chunnel connecting Britain and France opened four years later .
In 2005 , same-sex marriage became legal in South Africa when the country 's Constitutional Court ruled that laws banning it were unconstitutional .
In 2011 , Iceland became the first Western European country to recognize a Palestinian sovereign state .
In 2016 , Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was formally proclaimed King Maha X of Thailand , the country 's first new monarch in seven decades .
In 2017 , Michael Flynn , former national security adviser in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lying to the FBI as part of special counsel Robert Mueller 's probe into Russia 's alleged election meddling .
In 2018 , the animated movie Spider-Man : Into the Spider-Verse had its world premiere in Los Angeles .
The move went on to win Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards .

1/4
Researchers run under the payload as a balloon first takes flight at the SANAE IV research station in Antarctica. On December 1, 1959, the United States and the Soviet Union signed a treaty banning military activity on Antarctica, reserving the continent for scientific research. File Photo courtesy of NASA | License Photo
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1891, the game of basketball was invented when James Naismith, a physical education teacher at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Mass., put peach baskets at the opposite ends of a gym and gave students soccer balls to toss into them. Advertisement
In 1903, the world's first drive-in gasoline station opened for business in Pittsburgh.
In 1943, ending a "Big Three" meeting in Tehran, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Russian Premier Josef Stalin pledged a concerted effort to defeat Nazi Germany.
In 1950, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, in a cable to United Press, said that his U.N. forces were fighting in Korea against "military odds without precedent in history," and warned that failure to meet the issue there will leave it to "be fought, and possibly lost, on the battlefields of Europe."
File Photo by US Army/UPI
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In 1953, the first Playboy magazine was published. Marilyn Monroe was on the cover. The magazine temporarily ended the practice of including nudity in its pages in 2016, but reintroduced it one year later.
In 1955, Rosa Parks, a black woman, was arrested in Montgomery, Ala., for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a city bus, signaling, along with its resulting bus boycott and related events, the birth of the modern civil rights movement.
In 1959, the United States and the Soviet Union signed a treaty banning military activity on Antarctica, reserving the continent for scientific research.
In 1990, workers broke through in the tunnel under the English Channel for the first time. The Chunnel connecting Britain and France opened four years later.
In 2005, same-sex marriage became legal in South Africa when the country's Constitutional Court ruled that laws banning it were unconstitutional.
In 2011, Iceland became the first Western European country to recognize a Palestinian sovereign state.
In 2016, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn was formally proclaimed King Maha X of Thailand, the country's first new monarch in seven decades.
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File Photo by Eco Clement/UPI
In 2017, Michael Flynn, former national security adviser in the Trump administration, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI as part of special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russia's alleged election meddling.
In 2018, the animated movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse had its world premiere in Los Angeles. The move went on to win Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards.


upi--2020-12-01--Alabama remains atop latest College Football Playoff rankings

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- The Alabama Crimson Tide again topped the College Football Playoff rankings as the top seven teams remained unchanged Tuesday night .
Alabama sat atop the CFP rankings for the 20th time -- the most since the format was introduced for the 2014 season -- after a dominant win over Auburn on Saturday .
Notre Dame ( No .
2 ) , Clemson ( No .
3 ) and Ohio State ( No .
4 ) also occupied the same spots as last week .
Ohio State remained at No .
4 despite the cancellation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday .
The matchup was called off due to an increase in COVID-19 cases within the Buckeyes ' program , which included head coach Ryan Day testing positive .
Despite only playing four games this season , Ohio State was ranked ahead of one-loss Texas A & M ( No .
5 ) and one-loss Florida ( No .
6 ) .
Selection committee chairman Gary Barta said the group discussed whether to rank Texas A & M ahead of Ohio State , but the committee ultimately went with quarterback Justin Fields @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two teams were put side-by-side this morning and [ Monday ] night , there just was n't enough there to put Texas A & M ahead of Ohio State , '' Barta said Tuesday .
No .
7 Cincinnati and No .
10 Miami also stayed in the same positions , while Georgia moved up one spot to No .
8 after its win over South Carolina .
Northwestern was the only team in the initial CFP rankings from last week to fall out of the top 10 .
The Wildcats suffered their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State over the weekend and fell six spots to No .
14 .
The CFP selection committee will release rankings Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 before revealing its final list Dec. 20 .

Alabama head coach Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide are scheduled to play LSU this weekend. File Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- The Alabama Crimson Tide again topped the College Football Playoff rankings as the top seven teams remained unchanged Tuesday night. Alabama sat atop the CFP rankings for the 20th time -- the most since the format was introduced for the 2014 season -- after a dominant win over Auburn on Saturday. Notre Dame (No. 2), Clemson (No. 3) and Ohio State (No. 4) also occupied the same spots as last week. Advertisement
Ohio State remained at No. 4 despite the cancellation of the Buckeyes' game against Illinois on Saturday. The matchup was called off due to an increase in COVID-19 cases within the Buckeyes' program, which included head coach Ryan Day testing positive.
Despite only playing four games this season, Ohio State was ranked ahead of one-loss Texas A&M (No. 5) and one-loss Florida (No. 6).
Selection committee chairman Gary Barta said the group discussed whether to rank Texas A&M ahead of Ohio State, but the committee ultimately went with quarterback Justin Fields and the Buckeyes.
"When those two teams were put side-by-side this morning and [Monday] night, there just wasn't enough there to put Texas A&M ahead of Ohio State," Barta said Tuesday.
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No. 7 Cincinnati and No. 10 Miami also stayed in the same positions, while Georgia moved up one spot to No. 8 after its win over South Carolina.
Northwestern was the only team in the initial CFP rankings from last week to fall out of the top 10. The Wildcats suffered their first loss of the season to Michigan State over the weekend and fell six spots to No. 14.
The CFP selection committee will release rankings Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 before revealing its final list Dec. 20.
College Football Playoff rankings (Dec. 1):
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0)
2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9-0)
3. Clemson Tigers (8-1)
4. Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0)
5. Texas A&M Aggies (6-1)
6. Florida Gators (7-1)
7. Cincinnati Bearcats (8-0)
8. Georgia Bulldogs (6-2)
9. Iowa State Cyclones (7-2)
10. Miami Hurricanes (7-1)
11. Oklahoma Sooners (6-2)
12. Indiana Hoosiers (5-1)
13. BYU Cougars (9-0)
14. Northwestern Wildcats (5-1)
15. Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-2)
16. Wisconsin Badgers (2-1)
17. North Carolina Tar Heels (6-3)
18. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (9-0)
19. Iowa Hawkeyes (4-2)
20. USC Trojans (3-0)
21. Marshall Thundering Herd (7-0)
22. Washington Huskies (3-0)
23. Oregon Ducks (3-1)
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24. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (5-1)
25. Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (8-1)


upi--2020-12-01--Barr appoints U.S. attorney John Durham special counsel of Russia probe origins investigation

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Attorney General William Barr has appointed federal prosecutor John Durham as special counsel to ensure his criminal investigation into the origins of the Russia probe would continue into the next administration .
Barr 's appointment of the powers and authority of a Justice Department special counsel to the Connecticut U.S. attorney was notified to Congress Tuesday in a letter that said the appointment occurred back on Oct. 19 , ahead of last month 's presidential election .
`` In advance of the presidential election , I decided to appoint Mr. Durham as a Special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the assurance that they could complete their work , without regard to the outcome of the election , '' Barr said in the letter .
The attorney general assigned Durham in May 2019 to investigate the FBI 's probe of allegations of links between the Trump campaign and Russia called Crossfire Hurricane , which led to a two-year Justice Department effort that produced a lengthy report by special counsel Robert Mueller .
More than 30 people , including those close to President Donald Trump , such as his former 2016 campaign chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former national security adviser Michael Flynn , have been indicted as part of Mueller 's investigation .
Since Barr tapped Durham in 2019 to launch the investigation into whether federal agencies acted within the law during the initial stages of the Russian probe , only one indictment has been produced .
In August , former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith pleaded guilty to altering an email to support surveillance of Trump 's former campaign aide , Carter Page , charges for which he is to be sentenced for on Dec. 10 .
Barr said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attached to the letter to Congress that he has determined following discussion with the attorney that public interest and `` the extraordinary circumstances relating to these matters '' warrant the investigation to continue .
`` Although I had expected Mr. Durham to complete his work by the summer of 2020 , the COVID-19 pandemic , as well as additional information he uncovered , prevented him from doing so , '' Barr said in the letter , without detailing what the additional information consisted of .
Barr said he did not announce Durham 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would interfere in the election .
The order gives few specifics on the investigation , stating Durham is authorized to probe `` whether any federal official , employee or any other person or entity violated the law in connection with the intelligence , counter-intelligence or law-enforcement activities directed at the 2016 presidential campaigns , individuals associated with those campaigns and individuals associated with the administration of President Donald J. Trump , including but not limited to Crossfire Hurricane and the investigation of special counsel Robert S. Mueller , III . ''
Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and despite its nearly three dozen indictments and has frequently called it a `` witch hunt '' and accused the Obama administration of spying on his campaign .
The president has also used his powers to pardon Stone in July and Flynn last week .

U.S. attorney John Durham has been investigating the origins of the Russia probe since May 2019. Photo courtesy the U.S. Justice Department
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Attorney General William Barr has appointed federal prosecutor John Durham as special counsel to ensure his criminal investigation into the origins of the Russia probe would continue into the next administration. Barr's appointment of the powers and authority of a Justice Department special counsel to the Connecticut U.S. attorney was notified to Congress Tuesday in a letter that said the appointment occurred back on Oct. 19, ahead of last month's presidential election. Advertisement
"In advance of the presidential election, I decided to appoint Mr. Durham as a Special Counsel to provide him and his team with the assurance that they could complete their work, without regard to the outcome of the election," Barr said in the letter.
The attorney general assigned Durham in May 2019 to investigate the FBI's probe of allegations of links between the Trump campaign and Russia called Crossfire Hurricane, which led to a two-year Justice Department effort that produced a lengthy report by special counsel Robert Mueller.
More than 30 people, including those close to President Donald Trump, such as his former 2016 campaign chief Paul Manafort, friend Roger Store and former national security adviser Michael Flynn, have been indicted as part of Mueller's investigation.
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Since Barr tapped Durham in 2019 to launch the investigation into whether federal agencies acted within the law during the initial stages of the Russian probe, only one indictment has been produced.
In August, former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith pleaded guilty to altering an email to support surveillance of Trump's former campaign aide, Carter Page, charges for which he is to be sentenced for on Dec. 10.
Barr said in an order of Durham's appointment attached to the letter to Congress that he has determined following discussion with the attorney that public interest and "the extraordinary circumstances relating to these matters" warrant the investigation to continue.
"Although I had expected Mr. Durham to complete his work by the summer of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as additional information he uncovered, prevented him from doing so," Barr said in the letter, without detailing what the additional information consisted of.
Barr said he did not announce Durham's appointment in October due to worries it would interfere in the election.
The order gives few specifics on the investigation, stating Durham is authorized to probe "whether any federal official, employee or any other person or entity violated the law in connection with the intelligence, counter-intelligence or law-enforcement activities directed at the 2016 presidential campaigns, individuals associated with those campaigns and individuals associated with the administration of President Donald J. Trump, including but not limited to Crossfire Hurricane and the investigation of special counsel Robert S. Mueller, III."
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Trump has vehemently condemned the Mueller report and investigation and despite its nearly three dozen indictments and has frequently called it a "witch hunt" and accused the Obama administration of spying on his campaign.
The president has also used his powers to pardon Stone in July and Flynn last week.


upi--2020-12-01--Justice Department investigating bribery-for-pardon scheme

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- The Justice Department is investigating a potential scheme involving bribes in exchange for presidential pardons , according to federal court documents released Tuesday .
The documents contain an opinion entered by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on Aug. 28 discussing whether prosecutors can review documents obtained as part of the bribery-for-pardon investigation .
According to the filings , the investigation may involve at least two individuals who `` acted as lobbyists to senior White House officials , without complying with the registration requirement of the Lobbying Disclosure Act ... to secure ' a pardon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an individual whose name was redacted .
It also involves an alleged offer by another individual presenting `` a substantial political contribution in exchange for a presidential pardon or reprieve of sentence . ''
The filings do not reveal a timeline of the alleged scheme , nor the names of any individuals involved .
It also does not name President Donald Trump or indicate if White House officials were aware of the scheme .
In August , more than 50 digital devices such as iPhones , iPads , laptops , thumb drives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being looked over by a filter team , which ensures prosecutors do n't observe privileged information .
Prosecutors believed the devices revealed emails showing criminal activity related to the scheme and Howell allowed them access , as attorney-client privilege does not protect communications that include discussion of a crime .
The Justice Department told Howell it wanted to keep the filings confidential in court as `` individuals and conduct '' had not yet been charged and investigators said they planned to `` confront '' three people with communications and complete their investigation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his former national security adviser Michael Flynn last week , and commuted 16 sentences during his presidency .

Federal court documents released Tuesday showed that the Justice Department is investigating a alleged bribery-for-pardon scheme. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- The Justice Department is investigating a potential scheme involving bribes in exchange for presidential pardons, according to federal court documents released Tuesday. The documents contain an opinion entered by Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell on Aug. 28 discussing whether prosecutors can review documents obtained as part of the bribery-for-pardon investigation. Advertisement
According to the filings, the investigation may involve at least two individuals who "acted as lobbyists to senior White House officials, without complying with the registration requirement of the Lobbying Disclosure Act ... to secure 'a pardon or reprieve of sentence'" for an individual whose name was redacted.
It also involves an alleged offer by another individual presenting "a substantial political contribution in exchange for a presidential pardon or reprieve of sentence."
The filings do not reveal a timeline of the alleged scheme, nor the names of any individuals involved. It also does not name President Donald Trump or indicate if White House officials were aware of the scheme.
In August, more than 50 digital devices such as iPhones, iPads, laptops, thumb drives and computer drives obtained in office raids were being looked over by a filter team, which ensures prosecutors don't observe privileged information.
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Prosecutors believed the devices revealed emails showing criminal activity related to the scheme and Howell allowed them access, as attorney-client privilege does not protect communications that include discussion of a crime.
The Justice Department told Howell it wanted to keep the filings confidential in court as "individuals and conduct" had not yet been charged and investigators said they planned to "confront" three people with communications and complete their investigation.
Trump has granted 29 pardons, including his former national security adviser Michael Flynn last week, and commuted 16 sentences during his presidency.


upi--2020-12-01--Ravens record two more positives, remove four players from COVID-19 list

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- The Baltimore Ravens activated defensive lineman Brandon Williams , quarterback Trace McSorley and injured cornerbacks Tavon Young and Khalil Dorsey from the reserve/COVID-19 list , the team announced Tuesday .
With the activation of those four players , the Ravens have reduced the number of players on their COVID-19 list to 16 ahead of a Wednesday afternoon game against the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers .
It is the first time the Ravens have trimmed the number of players on their COVID-19 list since the outbreak in Baltimore started on Nov. 22 .
Despite lowering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list , league sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Baltimore recorded two more positive tests Tuesday .
According to the outlets , one player and a staff member tested positive for the coronavirus .
That makes it 10 consecutive days in which at least one player has tested positive for the Ravens .
Even with the latest positives , Wednesday 's game between the Steelers and Ravens is still on .
It will be the NFL 's first Wednesday game since the 2012 season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then waited for the latest test results .
Once cleared , the team traveled to the airport at about 5 p.m. Tuesday , according to ESPN .
The Ravens have had at least 22 players test positive for COVID-19 or be identified as a high-risk close contact over the past 10 days , including star quarterback Lamar Jackson .
The Ravens-Steelers matchup was originally scheduled for Thanksgiving night but was pushed back to Sunday because of Baltimore 's coronavirus issues .
It was then moved to Tuesday night after more positive COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another postponement .
The Steelers are set to host the Ravens at 3:40 p.m. EST at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh .

The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to host the Baltimore Ravens at 3:40 p.m. EST on Wednesday at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- The Baltimore Ravens activated defensive lineman Brandon Williams, quarterback Trace McSorley and injured cornerbacks Tavon Young and Khalil Dorsey from the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced Tuesday. With the activation of those four players, the Ravens have reduced the number of players on their COVID-19 list to 16 ahead of a Wednesday afternoon game against the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers. It is the first time the Ravens have trimmed the number of players on their COVID-19 list since the outbreak in Baltimore started on Nov. 22. Advertisement
Despite lowering the number of players on its COVID-19 list, league sources told ESPN and NFL Media that Baltimore recorded two more positive tests Tuesday. According to the outlets, one player and a staff member tested positive for the coronavirus.
That makes it 10 consecutive days in which at least one player has tested positive for the Ravens.
Even with the latest positives, Wednesday's game between the Steelers and Ravens is still on. It will be the NFL's first Wednesday game since the 2012 season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants.
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The Ravens practiced early Tuesday and then waited for the latest test results. Once cleared, the team traveled to the airport at about 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to ESPN.
The Ravens have had at least 22 players test positive for COVID-19 or be identified as a high-risk close contact over the past 10 days, including star quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The Ravens-Steelers matchup was originally scheduled for Thanksgiving night but was pushed back to Sunday because of Baltimore's coronavirus issues. It was then moved to Tuesday night after more positive COVID-19 tests before ultimately landing on Wednesday after another postponement.
The Steelers are set to host the Ravens at 3:40 p.m. EST at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-01--Cleveland Browns activate Myles Garrett, place Ronnie Harrison on IR

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- The Cleveland Browns removed star defensive end Myles Garrett from the reserve/COVID-19 list and placed safety Ronnie Harrison on injured reserve , the team announced Tuesday .
Following his activation , Garrett is set to return Sunday for Cleveland 's road game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium .
Garrett , who has missed the Browns ' last two games , was placed on the COVID-19 list Nov. 20 .
Garrett was leading the NFL with 9 1/2 sacks before he landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list .
He is still tied for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) this season .
While Garrett is nearing a return to the field , the Browns will be without Harrison for multiple weeks .
League sources told ESPN and Cleveland.com that Harrison is expected to miss four to six weeks because of a shoulder injury he suffered Sunday .
Harrison injured the shoulder during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars and did n't return .
He started the past six games for the Browns after the team acquired him in a trade with the Jaguars before the season .
In 10 games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total tackles , one sack , one interception and a fumble recovery .

Cleveland Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Nov. 20. He has missed the Browns' last two games. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- The Cleveland Browns removed star defensive end Myles Garrett from the reserve/COVID-19 list and placed safety Ronnie Harrison on injured reserve, the team announced Tuesday. Following his activation, Garrett is set to return Sunday for Cleveland's road game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Garrett, who has missed the Browns' last two games, was placed on the COVID-19 list Nov. 20. Advertisement
Garrett was leading the NFL with 9 1/2 sacks before he landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He is still tied for the league lead in forced fumbles (four) this season.
While Garrett is nearing a return to the field, the Browns will be without Harrison for multiple weeks. League sources told ESPN and Cleveland.com that Harrison is expected to miss four to six weeks because of a shoulder injury he suffered Sunday.
Harrison injured the shoulder during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars and didn't return. He started the past six games for the Browns after the team acquired him in a trade with the Jaguars before the season.
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In 10 games this season, Harrison has recorded 32 total tackles, one sack, one interception and a fumble recovery.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-01--Driver rams into pedestrians in western Germany; at least 5 dead

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- At least five people were killed Tuesday in west-central Germany when a vehicle veered into a pedestrian zone and began ramming people , police said .
A 9-month-old baby was among the dead after the driver struck the pedestrians in downtown Trier , authorities said in a tweet .
He was arrested and his vehicle impounded a short time later .
At least 15 people were injured in the crash , including four severely .
`` We always see those images on TV , in other countries , and we always think this ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has happened in Trier and I am here as mayor and I have no words and I wonder , how can such a man have this idea ? ''
Leibe said .
Trier , a city of about 110,000 , is located about 100 miles west of Frankfurt near Germany 's border with Luxembourg .
Its city center was cordoned off and emergency personnel immediately tended to the injured , police said .
Police told reporters the driver is a 51-year-old man , but a motive is not known .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' police spokesman Karl-Peter Jochem said , adding that the driver appeared to hit people at random .
`` What happened in Trier happened is staggering , '' tweeted Steffan Siebert , a spokesman for the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel .
`` Our thoughts are with the relatives of the victims , with the numerous injured and with everyone who is currently on duty to care for those affected . ''

A police officer stands guard in the city center of Trier, Germany, on Tuesday after a man struck several pedestrians in the area. At least five died, authorities said. Photo by Julien Warnand/EPA-EFE
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- At least five people were killed Tuesday in west-central Germany when a vehicle veered into a pedestrian zone and began ramming people, police said. A 9-month-old baby was among the dead after the driver struck the pedestrians in downtown Trier, authorities said in a tweet. He was arrested and his vehicle impounded a short time later. Advertisement
At least 15 people were injured in the crash, including four severely.
Trier Mayor Wolfram Liebe called the attack a "rampage."
"We always see those images on TV, in other countries, and we always think this can't happen in Trier. And now it has happened in Trier and I am here as mayor and I have no words and I wonder, how can such a man have this idea?" Leibe said.
Trier, a city of about 110,000, is located about 100 miles west of Frankfurt near Germany's border with Luxembourg.
Its city center was cordoned off and emergency personnel immediately tended to the injured, police said.
Police told reporters the driver is a 51-year-old man, but a motive is not known.
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"We don't know why he did it," police spokesman Karl-Peter Jochem said, adding that the driver appeared to hit people at random.
"What happened in Trier happened is staggering," tweeted Steffan Siebert, a spokesman for the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel.
"Our thoughts are with the relatives of the victims, with the numerous injured and with everyone who is currently on duty to care for those affected."


upi--2020-12-01--Two Golden State Warriors players test positive for COVID-19

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers announced Tuesday that two players on the team tested positive for COVID-19 .
Myers said the start of the Warriors ' training camp will be delayed by one day because of the positive tests .
Practices are allowed to begin Sunday , but the Warriors will now begin camp Monday .
`` As players have entered back into our market , two players have tested positive after they 've reentered , '' Myers told reporters Tuesday .
`` I do n't think this is unexpected with all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside the ] market .
It kind of proves that the protocols and testing are working .
That was the whole point to catch these things before we began .
`` As a result , we 've been delayed one day .
So we 're going to start our individual workouts [ Wednesday ] and then the official kind of camp where they 're going to be practicing and everything together I believe will start on Monday . ''
Due to the collective bargaining agreement and HIPAA rules , Myers did n't name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
Both players could be eligible to return by the time the regular season begins on Dec. 22 .
Under the NBA 's COVID-19 health and safety protocols , a player who records a positive test must wait at least 12 days from the date of the positive test result or the onset of symptoms before returning .
The Warriors are scheduled to open their 2020-21 preseason slate against the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 12 .

The Golden State Warriors are delaying the start of their training camp by one day after the two positive test results. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers announced Tuesday that two players on the team tested positive for COVID-19. Myers said the start of the Warriors' training camp will be delayed by one day because of the positive tests. Practices are allowed to begin Sunday, but the Warriors will now begin camp Monday. Advertisement
"As players have entered back into our market, two players have tested positive after they've reentered," Myers told reporters Tuesday. "I don't think this is unexpected with all the guys coming back in from [outside the] market. It kind of proves that the protocols and testing are working. That was the whole point to catch these things before we began.
"As a result, we've been delayed one day. So we're going to start our individual workouts [Wednesday] and then the official kind of camp where they're going to be practicing and everything together I believe will start on Monday."
Due to the collective bargaining agreement and HIPAA rules, Myers didn't name the players who tested positive for the virus. Both players could be eligible to return by the time the regular season begins on Dec. 22.
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Under the NBA's COVID-19 health and safety protocols, a player who records a positive test must wait at least 12 days from the date of the positive test result or the onset of symptoms before returning.
The Warriors are scheduled to open their 2020-21 preseason slate against the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 12.


upi--2020-12-01--Raytheon awarded $235.6M for production of Silent Knight Radar

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Raytheon has been awarded a $ 235.6 million multi-year contract for production and delivery @ @ @ @ @ for U.S. Special Operations Command , according to the Pentagon .
Work on this contract @ @ @ @ @ and Forest , Miss.
, and is expected to be completed by July 2025 , @ @ @ @ @ Silent Knight radar is designed to be outfitted on the MH-47G Chinook and MH-60M Blackhawk @ @ @ @ @ CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft .
The Silent Knight is built for safe navigation through low @ @ @ @ @ bad weather .
In June 2019 Raytheon was awarded a $ 96.6 million contract for @ @ @ @ @ Silent Knight system for Special Operations Command .
This summer tilt and rotary wing test @ @ @ @ @ Force base logged their first CV-22 Osprey flight using the Silent Knight system , which @ @ @ @ @ continue testing for the next two years .

Raytheon was awarded a $235.6 million contract for production of the Silent Knight Radar system for the Air Force. Photo by Keifer Bowes/U.S. Air Force
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Raytheon has been awarded a $235.6 million multi-year contract for production and delivery of the Silent Knight Radar for U.S. Special Operations Command, according to the Pentagon. Work on this contract will be performed in McKinney and Forest, Miss., and is expected to be completed by July 2025, the Pentagon said. Advertisement
The Silent Knight radar is designed to be outfitted on the MH-47G Chinook and MH-60M Blackhawk helicopters, MC-130 transports and CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.
The Silent Knight is built for safe navigation through low altitudes at night or in bad weather.
In June 2019 Raytheon was awarded a $96.6 million contract for the initial production of the Silent Knight system for Special Operations Command.
This summer tilt and rotary wing test squadron pilots at Eglin Air Force base logged their first CV-22 Osprey flight using the Silent Knight system, which the Air Force intends to continue testing for the next two years.


upi--2020-12-01--Salesforce acquires work chat app Slack for $27B

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Cloud computing company Salesforce acquired workplace chat app Slack in an agreement announced by the two companies Tuesday .
Salesforce agreed to pay $ 27.7 billion for Slack , with Slack shareholders receiving $ 26.79 in cash and 0.0776 shares of Salesforce common stock for each Slack share .
The valuation was based on the closing price of Salesforce 's common stock on Monday .
Marc Benioff , chair and CEO of Salesforce , praised Slack CEO and co-founder Stewart Butterfield for building `` one of the most beloved platforms in enterprise software history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made in heaven , '' he said .
`` Together , Salesforce and Slack will shape the future of enterprise software and transform the way everyone works in the all-digital , work-from-anywhere world . ''
Butterfield similarly said the two companies see a `` massive '' opportunity in working together .
`` As software plays a more and more critical role in the performance of every organization , we share a vision of reduced complexity , increased power and flexibility and ultimately a greater degree of alignment and organizational agility . ''
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connect will become the new interface for Salesforce Customer 360 and will be `` deeply integrated '' into every Salesforce Cloud .
`` Slack will transform how people communicate , collaborate and take action on customer information across Salesforce as well as information from all of their business apps and systems to be more productive , make smarter , faster decisions and create connected customer experiences , '' the company said .

Cloud computing company Salesforce acquired workplace chat app Slack for $27.7 billion, the companies announced Tuesday. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Cloud computing company Salesforce acquired workplace chat app Slack in an agreement announced by the two companies Tuesday. Salesforce agreed to pay $27.7 billion for Slack, with Slack shareholders receiving $26.79 in cash and 0.0776 shares of Salesforce common stock for each Slack share. The valuation was based on the closing price of Salesforce's common stock on Monday. Advertisement
Marc Benioff, chair and CEO of Salesforce, praised Slack CEO and co-founder Stewart Butterfield for building "one of the most beloved platforms in enterprise software history."
"This is a match made in heaven," he said. "Together, Salesforce and Slack will shape the future of enterprise software and transform the way everyone works in the all-digital, work-from-anywhere world."
Butterfield similarly said the two companies see a "massive" opportunity in working together.
"As software plays a more and more critical role in the performance of every organization, we share a vision of reduced complexity, increased power and flexibility and ultimately a greater degree of alignment and organizational agility."
In the announcement, Salesforce said that Slack Connect will become the new interface for Salesforce Customer 360 and will be "deeply integrated" into every Salesforce Cloud.
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"Slack will transform how people communicate, collaborate and take action on customer information across Salesforce as well as information from all of their business apps and systems to be more productive, make smarter, faster decisions and create connected customer experiences," the company said.


upi--2020-12-01--Al-Shabab attack leaves dozens dead in Somalia

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- A clash between al-Shabab militants , and Somali soldiers backed by civilians left dozens @ @ @ @ @ Ministry of Information said Tuesday .
The ministry told Voice of America that militants attacked @ @ @ @ @ central town of Ba'adweyene on Monday morning , killing four soldiers and 11 civilians who @ @ @ @ @ .
Information Minister Osman Dubbe said government forces killed 51 al-Shabab militants in the fight @ @ @ @ @ the attack .
`` Al-Shabab defeat in yesterday 's attack in Ba'adweyene is a clear @ @ @ @ @ who stand by the army can easily stop the attacks and plots of the enemy @ @ @ @ @ `` Dubbe said .
Al-Shabab said it killed 53 troops in the attack and seized @ @ @ @ @ posted photos online of weapons it said it seized .

Dec. 1 (UPI) -- A clash between al-Shabab militants, and Somali soldiers backed by civilians left dozens dead this week, the Ministry of Information said Tuesday.
The ministry told Voice of America that militants attacked a military base in the central town of Ba'adweyene on Monday morning, killing four soldiers and 11 civilians who took part in the battle.
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Information Minister Osman Dubbe said government forces killed 51 al-Shabab militants in the fight, including the mastermind of the attack.
"Al-Shabab defeat in yesterday's attack in Ba'adweyene is a clear example of how the people who stand by the army can easily stop the attacks and plots of the enemy against the Somali nation, " Dubbe said.
Al-Shabab said it killed 53 troops in the attack and seized military vehicles. The group posted photos online of weapons it said it seized.


upi--2020-12-01--Louisville, Ky., mayor declares racism a public health crisis

In remarks on Tuesday , Fischer declared 2020 has been a year like no other '' citing challenges facing the city such as COVID-19 , economic downturn , increase in gun violence and protests calling for racial justice some sparked by the police killing of Breonna Taylor , which he said made the city `` a focal point for America 's reckoning on racial justice . ''
`` For too many Lousivillians , racism is a fact of daily life , a fact that was created and documented in our country 's laws and institutional policies like segregation , redlining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The executive order outlines seven key areas for the city 's government to address racial equity challenges including public safety , children and families , Black employment , Black wealth , housing and neighborhood investment , health , and voting .
`` These reforms will require a strong commitment and a lot of work , '' Fischer said .
`` But I believe it can be done -- in part because when I look around Lousiville and talk to people from every neighborhood and background , I sense a greater and broader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than ever before . ''
More than 145 cities and counties throughout the United States have previously declared racism a public health issue , according to the American Public Health Association .
Multiple public health studies cited in a June article by Pew Research Center detailed the health effects of racism , including data showing that Black women are four times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications than White women , Black men are twice as likely to be killed by police as White men and the average life expectancy for Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years lower than the rest of the national population .
Fischer noted that in Louisville the Black poverty rate is nearly three times the White poverty rate , Black residents make up 22.4 % of the population but own 2.4 % of businesses , half as many Black residents own homes as White residents , Black graduates earn nearly $ 10,000 less than White graduates and life expectancy can vary by as much as 12 years between majority-Black and majority-White neighborhoods .
`` All of these and a million other statistics and real-life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than broken -- they must be dismantled and replaced , '' he said .

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer on Tuesday declared racism a public health crisis in the city, citing the police killing of Breonna Taylor, impacts of COVID-19 and longstanding systemic issues such as economic inequality. File Photo by Kyle Grillot/EPA-EFE
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Louisville, Ky., Mayor Greg Fischer signed an executive order Tuesday declaring racism a public health crisis. In remarks on Tuesday, Fischer declared 2020 has been a year like no other" citing challenges facing the city such as COVID-19, economic downturn, increase in gun violence and protests calling for racial justice some sparked by the police killing of Breonna Taylor, which he said made the city "a focal point for America's reckoning on racial justice." Advertisement
"For too many Lousivillians, racism is a fact of daily life, a fact that was created and documented in our country's laws and institutional policies like segregation, redlining and urban renewal," he said.
The executive order outlines seven key areas for the city's government to address racial equity challenges including public safety, children and families, Black employment, Black wealth, housing and neighborhood investment, health, and voting.
"These reforms will require a strong commitment and a lot of work," Fischer said. "But I believe it can be done -- in part because when I look around Lousiville and talk to people from every neighborhood and background, I sense a greater and broader understanding and desire to address racial equity than ever before."
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More than 145 cities and counties throughout the United States have previously declared racism a public health issue, according to the American Public Health Association.
Multiple public health studies cited in a June article by Pew Research Center detailed the health effects of racism, including data showing that Black women are four times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications than White women, Black men are twice as likely to be killed by police as White men and the average life expectancy for Black people in the United States is four years lower than the rest of the national population.
Fischer noted that in Louisville the Black poverty rate is nearly three times the White poverty rate, Black residents make up 22.4% of the population but own 2.4% of businesses, half as many Black residents own homes as White residents, Black graduates earn nearly $10,000 less than White graduates and life expectancy can vary by as much as 12 years between majority-Black and majority-White neighborhoods.
"All of these and a million other statistics and real-life experiences tell us that our systems are more than broken -- they must be dismantled and replaced," he said.


upi--2020-12-01--Marines to start fielding new cold-weather boot

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Marine Corps Systems Command announced plans Tuesday to start fielding a new boot that protects Marines in cold-weather climates .
The Marine Corps Intense Cold Weather Boot is designed for use in temperatures as cold as minus 20 Fahrenheit , allowing Marines to complete missions that might involve hiking or skiing in cold-weather environments without having to change boots .
`` In order to effectively conduct your mission in a cold-weather environment , you need to be warm , '' said Todd Towles , project officer of Cold Weather Gear with the Program Manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This boot helps to accomplish this goal . ''
Currently , the service uses both a temperate-weather boot -- appropriate for conditions between 20 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit -- and an extreme cold-weather boot designed for environments between minus 65 and minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit .
The Intense Cold Weather Boot , which is made of leather , will be used in temperatures ranging from minus 20 degrees and 20 degrees Fahrenheit , filling the gap left by the other cold-weather boots .
The Marines tested an early version of the boot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Iceland , Norway , Alaska and Montana -- and at the Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport , Calif .
The boot is scheduled to field in fiscal year 2021 .

Capt. Caleb Haney, a project officer with the Program Manager for Infantry Combat Equipment at Marine Corps Systems Command, compares the updated Marine Corps Intense Cold Weather Boot with an earlier, bulkier, suede prototype November 13 aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. Photo by Matt Gonzales/U.S. Marine Corps
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Marine Corps Systems Command announced plans Tuesday to start fielding a new boot that protects Marines in cold-weather climates. The Marine Corps Intense Cold Weather Boot is designed for use in temperatures as cold as minus 20 Fahrenheit, allowing Marines to complete missions that might involve hiking or skiing in cold-weather environments without having to change boots. Advertisement
"In order to effectively conduct your mission in a cold-weather environment, you need to be warm," said Todd Towles, project officer of Cold Weather Gear with the Program Manager for Infantry Combat Equipment at MCSC. "This boot helps to accomplish this goal."
Currently, the service uses both a temperate-weather boot -- appropriate for conditions between 20 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit -- and an extreme cold-weather boot designed for environments between minus 65 and minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Intense Cold Weather Boot, which is made of leather, will be used in temperatures ranging from minus 20 degrees and 20 degrees Fahrenheit, filling the gap left by the other cold-weather boots.
The Marines tested an early version of the boot, which was made of suede, in Iceland, Norway, Alaska and Montana -- and at the Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif.
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The boot is scheduled to field in fiscal year 2021.


upi--2020-12-01--Steve Mnuchin, Jerome Powell differ on U.S. economic prospects, need for COVID-19 relief

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell expressed very different opinions on the U.S. economy 's prospects Tuesday during a Senate hearing .
The two were close allies when the coronavirus pandemic first struck in March but have since diverged , with Powell advocating continued strong levels of economic aid to businesses , governments and individuals amid continuing uncertainty .
Mnuchin , meanwhile , is now calling for limited aid and is blaming public health shutdowns for the country 's economic woes .
Each agenda was on display at a Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the $ 2 trillion CARES Act , which was passed in March as the government 's first major economic answer to the health crisis .
Powell called the U.S. economic outlook amid a surge of new COVID-19 infections `` extraordinarily uncertain , '' especially heading into winter , and warned of `` tough '' months ahead , which could see many small businesses fold before the widespread availability of a vaccine .
`` For now , significant challenges and uncertainties remain , including timing , production and distribution , and efficacy across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He added that there was a `` great risk '' that the effects of the pandemic could worsen existing economic inequality in the nation .
`` There 's a real concern that if we do n't act as quickly as possible to support those people , get them back to work , get the economy up and running as much as possible , that we 'll leave behind a more unequal situation , '' he said .
In prepared remarks , he called for the continuation of several Federal Reserve lending programs established @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to expire at the end of the year .
Under the law , the Fed must return any unused CARES funds to the Treasury on Dec. 31 .
Slightly more than $ 100 billion has been given through lending programs that now face a phase-out -- including the Main Street lending facility , which provides financing to small- and medium-sized businesses .
`` These programs serve as a backstop to key credit markets and have helped restore the flow of credit from private lenders through normal channels , '' Powell said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an unprecedented extent . ''
Mnuchin , however , says those funds would be better spent elsewhere and announced last month that he would end several of those emergency loan programs -- a move Powell has opposed .
In his appearance Tuesday , Mnuchin praised what he called a rebounding economy , noting that the unemployment rate had dropped faster than expected , and said future aid should be narrowly targeted .
`` Based on recent economic data , I continue to believe that a targeted fiscal package is the most appropriate federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his prepared remarks .
He placed blame on economic shutdowns in parts of the country with soaring COVID-19 rates for causing `` great harm '' to businesses and workers .
Sen. Sherrod Brown , D-Ohio , said Mnuchin appeared to be `` trying to sabotage our economy on the way out the door '' with his move to end the Fed lending programs in the Trump administration 's final days .
`` Either you 're purposely trying to stop President-elect [ Joe ] Biden and Treasury Secretary-designee [ Janet ] Yellen from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all serve , or you 're delusional , '' he said .
Mnuchin responded , saying extending the facilities `` was not an economic decision '' before reading from the legislation , stating he did not believe it was Congress ' intention for those facilities to remain in place indefinitely .
Sen. Patrick Toomey , R-Pa. , agreed with Mnuchin 's assessment , saying it was the responsibility of Congress to determine how to aid `` probably insolvent companies and that the Fed 's emergency lending power should not act as a replacement @ @ @ @

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Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (L) testifies Tuesday as Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell listens at a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill. Pool Photo by Susan Walsh/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell expressed very different opinions on the U.S. economy's prospects Tuesday during a Senate hearing. The two were close allies when the coronavirus pandemic first struck in March but have since diverged, with Powell advocating continued strong levels of economic aid to businesses, governments and individuals amid continuing uncertainty. Advertisement
Mnuchin, meanwhile, is now calling for limited aid and is blaming public health shutdowns for the country's economic woes.
Each agenda was on display at a Senate banking committee hearing called to discuss implementation of the $2 trillion CARES Act, which was passed in March as the government's first major economic answer to the health crisis.
Powell called the U.S. economic outlook amid a surge of new COVID-19 infections "extraordinarily uncertain," especially heading into winter, and warned of "tough" months ahead, which could see many small businesses fold before the widespread availability of a vaccine.
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"For now, significant challenges and uncertainties remain, including timing, production and distribution, and efficacy across different groups," he said.
He added that there was a "great risk" that the effects of the pandemic could worsen existing economic inequality in the nation.
"There's a real concern that if we don't act as quickly as possible to support those people, get them back to work, get the economy up and running as much as possible, that we'll leave behind a more unequal situation," he said.
In prepared remarks, he called for the continuation of several Federal Reserve lending programs established by the CARES Act that are set to expire at the end of the year.
Under the law, the Fed must return any unused CARES funds to the Treasury on Dec. 31. Slightly more than $100 billion has been given through lending programs that now face a phase-out -- including the Main Street lending facility, which provides financing to small- and medium-sized businesses.
"These programs serve as a backstop to key credit markets and have helped restore the flow of credit from private lenders through normal channels," Powell said. "We have deployed these lending powers to an unprecedented extent."
Mnuchin, however, says those funds would be better spent elsewhere and announced last month that he would end several of those emergency loan programs -- a move Powell has opposed.
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In his appearance Tuesday, Mnuchin praised what he called a rebounding economy, noting that the unemployment rate had dropped faster than expected, and said future aid should be narrowly targeted.
"Based on recent economic data, I continue to believe that a targeted fiscal package is the most appropriate federal response," the treasury secretary said in his prepared remarks.
He placed blame on economic shutdowns in parts of the country with soaring COVID-19 rates for causing "great harm" to businesses and workers.
Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said Mnuchin appeared to be "trying to sabotage our economy on the way out the door" with his move to end the Fed lending programs in the Trump administration's final days.
"Either you're purposely trying to stop President-elect [Joe] Biden and Treasury Secretary-designee [Janet] Yellen from getting to work for the people we all serve, or you're delusional," he said.
Mnuchin responded, saying extending the facilities "was not an economic decision" before reading from the legislation, stating he did not believe it was Congress' intention for those facilities to remain in place indefinitely.
Sen. Patrick Toomey, R-Pa., agreed with Mnuchin's assessment, saying it was the responsibility of Congress to determine how to aid "probably insolvent companies and that the Fed's emergency lending power should not act as a replacement for fiscal policy.


upi--2020-12-01--State Department approves $350M deal for security services to Saudi Arabia

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- The State Department approved a possible $ 350 million deal to continue providing security @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency , the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia @ @ @ @ @ Assistance Office continue to provide support services for five more years .
If the deal @ @ @ @ @ for staff , communications support , administrative costs , construction and renovation costs and education @ @ @ @ @ proposed sale will continue to improve Saudi Arabia 's capability to meet current and future @ @ @ @ @ continued efforts to train , advise , and assist the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces to @ @ @ @ @ through military exercises and professional military education .
USMTM conducts non-combat , institutional advising that @ @ @ @ @ , training , and sustaining a capable deterrent to regional threats , '' the DSCA @ @ @ @ @ the State Department approved a $ 200 million deal for military technical support services to @ @ @

Gunner’s Mate 1st Class Andrew Davies, assigned to Commander Task Force 56, guides Rear Adm. Majed Haz'z Al-Kahtani, Deputy Commander, Royal Saudi Naval Forces Eastern Fleet, on how to operate a Mark VI patrol boat during an underway as part of exercise Nautical Defender 20 in Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Feb. 23. Photo by Kory Alsbery/U.S. Navy
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- The State Department approved a possible $350 million deal to continue providing security support services to Saudi Arabia Tuesday. According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has asked that U.S. Security Assistance Office continue to provide support services for five more years. Advertisement
If the deal is improved it would pay for staff, communications support, administrative costs, construction and renovation costs and education for dependents.
"This proposed sale will continue to improve Saudi Arabia's capability to meet current and future threats by utilizing USMTM's continued efforts to train, advise, and assist the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces to build defense capacity and capability through military exercises and professional military education. USMTM conducts non-combat, institutional advising that assists the MOD in developing, training, and sustaining a capable deterrent to regional threats," the DSCA said.
In February 2016 the State Department approved a $200 million deal for military technical support services to Saudi Arabia.


upi--2020-12-01--Analysis: Maternal, newborn deaths could decrease by 60% with more midwife care

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Making midwife services more widely available worldwide could reduce maternal deaths , newborn deaths and stillbirths by as much as two-thirds , particularly in developing countries , according to an analysis published Tuesday by The Lancet Global Health .
If countries allow midwives to provide a range of services , from family planning to post-natal care , their work could save the lives of up to 4.3 million mothers and newborns annually by 2035 , the researchers said .
Midwives are trained health professionals who help women during labor , delivery and after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 8 % of births in the United States , but that percentage is much higher in many European nations , the World Health Organization estimates .
`` Supported by appropriate professional education , regulation and improved working environments , it is possible to achieve a substantial increase in the level of provision of essential interventions delivered by midwives -- [ and ] this could save millions of lives , '' study co-author Andrea Nove said in a press release .
`` However , there are numerous barriers to fulfilling this level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income countries , '' said Nove , technical director at England-based data analytics firm Novametrics .
These barriers include inequitable distribution of qualified midwives , poor transportation links , lack of supplies and equipment and , in some countries , a lack of trust from the public , she said .
For this analysis , Nove and her team used the Lives Saved Tool , which models avoidable deaths assuming use , effectiveness and impact of a range of care services provided by midwives .
These services include family planning , hypertension screening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of antibiotics for newborn sepsis , caused by the body 's response to a blood infection in infants younger than three months old .
The researchers modeled the effect of changes in the level of healthcare interventions delivered by midwives for 88 countries and analyzed the results .
If current mortality rates persist in these 88 countries , the analysis more than 3 million stillbirths , 3 million newborn deaths and more than 400,000 maternal deaths annually by 2035 , the data showed .
If , however , use of midwife services in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five years , maternal deaths could drop by 41 % , stillbirths by 26 % and deaths of newborn babies by 39 % , the researchers estimated .
Providing midwife-delivered care to up to 95 % of mothers and newborns in these countries could result in a 67 % reduction in maternal deaths , a 65 % reduction in stillbirths and a 64 % reduction in deaths of newborn babies , the researchers estimated .
And the `` universal scale-up '' would have the potential to avert 280,000 maternal deaths , 2.1 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 2035 .
While the number of women who die during childbirth and newborn have both dropped by about 30 % globally since 2000 , the figures remain high in countries where access to quality care is an issue , according to the United Nations .
`` Midwives , especially in developing countries , are at the core of primary healthcare , '' study co-author Maria Najjemba said .
`` Scaling up midwife delivered interventions can be a game changer that will give midwives the much-needed confidence to reach everyone and provide quality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths ] , '' said Najjemba , a country midwifery adviser for the United Nations Population Office in Uganda .

Midwife care can reduce mother and infant mortality globally, a new analysis has found. Photo by Markus Distelrath/ Pixabay
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Making midwife services more widely available worldwide could reduce maternal deaths, newborn deaths and stillbirths by as much as two-thirds, particularly in developing countries, according to an analysis published Tuesday by The Lancet Global Health. If countries allow midwives to provide a range of services, from family planning to post-natal care, their work could save the lives of up to 4.3 million mothers and newborns annually by 2035, the researchers said. Advertisement
Midwives are trained health professionals who help women during labor, delivery and after the birth of their babies. They attend about 8% of births in the United States, but that percentage is much higher in many European nations, the World Health Organization estimates.
"Supported by appropriate professional education, regulation and improved working environments, it is possible to achieve a substantial increase in the level of provision of essential interventions delivered by midwives -- [and] this could save millions of lives," study co-author Andrea Nove said in a press release.
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"However, there are numerous barriers to fulfilling this level of scale-up, particularly in low to middle income countries," said Nove, technical director at England-based data analytics firm Novametrics.
These barriers include inequitable distribution of qualified midwives, poor transportation links, lack of supplies and equipment and, in some countries, a lack of trust from the public, she said.
For this analysis, Nove and her team used the Lives Saved Tool, which models avoidable deaths assuming use, effectiveness and impact of a range of care services provided by midwives.
These services include family planning, hypertension screening, induction of labor and the use of antibiotics for newborn sepsis, caused by the body's response to a blood infection in infants younger than three months old.
The researchers modeled the effect of changes in the level of healthcare interventions delivered by midwives for 88 countries and analyzed the results.
If current mortality rates persist in these 88 countries, the analysis more than 3 million stillbirths, 3 million newborn deaths and more than 400,000 maternal deaths annually by 2035, the data showed.
If, however, use of midwife services in these countries increased by 25% every five years, maternal deaths could drop by 41%, stillbirths by 26% and deaths of newborn babies by 39%, the researchers estimated.
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Providing midwife-delivered care to up to 95% of mothers and newborns in these countries could result in a 67% reduction in maternal deaths, a 65% reduction in stillbirths and a 64% reduction in deaths of newborn babies, the researchers estimated.
And the "universal scale-up" would have the potential to avert 280,000 maternal deaths, 2.1 million stillbirths and 2 million neonatal deaths annually by 2035.
While the number of women who die during childbirth and newborn have both dropped by about 30% globally since 2000, the figures remain high in countries where access to quality care is an issue, according to the United Nations.
"Midwives, especially in developing countries, are at the core of primary healthcare," study co-author Maria Najjemba said.
"Scaling up midwife delivered interventions can be a game changer that will give midwives the much-needed confidence to reach everyone and provide quality care to reduce maternal and neonatal [deaths]," said Najjemba, a country midwifery adviser for the United Nations Population Office in Uganda.


upi--2020-12-01--Panel: Healthcare workers, nursing homes should get COVID-19 vaccine first

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- An advisory committee to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention said Tuesday that healthcare workers , and workers and residents at nursing homes should be the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available .
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted 13-1 in favor of prioritizing the groups , which also includes staffers and residents at other long-term care facilities .
This first group of recipients will be known as Phase 1a and will include some 23 million Americans .
The committee held an emergency meeting in Atlanta to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vaccine , which could become available as soon as this month .
Those expected to be included in later phases include people at high risk due to underlying conditions , those over the age of 65 , essential workers and healthy adults and children .
The committee will meet at a future date to determine subsequent phases of the vaccination program .
State governors will ultimately make the decisions about who will receive the 6.4 million vaccine doses from Pfizer and partner BioNTech , which could start distribution as soon as next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preference to include elderly residents of long-term care facilities in the first phase of the vaccination priority schedule , who are at greater risk of COVID-19 death .
Members of the administration 's Operation Warp Speed vaccine program , including Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar , have said the most vulnerable Americans should be vaccinated early .
Some experts have objected to that idea , concerned about a lack of data showing how well the first vaccines work in frail , elderly populations .
`` I recognize that they have suffered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... we have no efficacy data in this population because it has n't been studied , '' Baylor College of Medicine professor Robert Atmar told health news website Stat .
`` We know from flu vaccine studies that this population tends to have less efficacy of flu vaccine compared to other persons , '' he said .
The advisory committee 's non-binding recommendations will be made to CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield .

The vaccine recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which meets Tuesday, will ultimately be made to the head of the CDC, Dr. Robert Redfield. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- An advisory committee to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention said Tuesday that healthcare workers, and workers and residents at nursing homes should be the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted 13-1 in favor of prioritizing the groups, which also includes staffers and residents at other long-term care facilities. Advertisement
This first group of recipients will be known as Phase 1a and will include some 23 million Americans.
The committee held an emergency meeting in Atlanta to discuss the allocation of initial supplies of a vaccine, which could become available as soon as this month.
Those expected to be included in later phases include people at high risk due to underlying conditions, those over the age of 65, essential workers and healthy adults and children. The committee will meet at a future date to determine subsequent phases of the vaccination program.
State governors will ultimately make the decisions about who will receive the 6.4 million vaccine doses from Pfizer and partner BioNTech, which could start distribution as soon as next week.
Some committee members voiced a preference to include elderly residents of long-term care facilities in the first phase of the vaccination priority schedule, who are at greater risk of COVID-19 death.
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Members of the administration's Operation Warp Speed vaccine program, including Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, have said the most vulnerable Americans should be vaccinated early.
Some experts have objected to that idea, concerned about a lack of data showing how well the first vaccines work in frail, elderly populations.
"I recognize that they have suffered some of the greatest burden. But ... we have no efficacy data in this population because it hasn't been studied," Baylor College of Medicine professor Robert Atmar told health news website Stat.
"We know from flu vaccine studies that this population tends to have less efficacy of flu vaccine compared to other persons," he said.
The advisory committee's non-binding recommendations will be made to CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield.


upi--2020-12-01--Storing carbon through tree planting, preservation costs more than researchers thought

Dec. 1 ( UPI ) -- Planting trees and protecting forests are two of the myriad strategies for keeping carbon out of the atmosphere .
Of all the options , they 're considered the most eco-friendly , or greenest , but new research suggests planting and protecting trees does come with costs -- and those costs are quite a bit larger than has been previously estimated .
According to a new study , published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications , planting trees and conserving forests could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much 6 gigatons a year between 2025 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would come with an annual price tag of $ 393 billion .
`` There is a significant amount of carbon that can be sequestered through forests , but these costs are n't zero , '' study co-author Brent Sohngen , professor of environmental economics at the Ohio State University , said in a news release .
According to Sohngen and his colleagues , previous studies looking at the role of forest conservation in the global effort to curb climate change have largely ignored the effects on forest land use , management and trade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forests is a more cost effective way to curb carbon emissions than planting new trees .
In places where forest harvesting is an essential economic activity , the study 's authors suggest changes to how and when trees are harvested -- as opposed to total protection -- could offer a more cost-effective strategy for carbon reductions .
Sohngen and company determined forest protection measures are likely to deliver the most bang for their buck in Brazil , the Democratic Republic of Congo and Indonesia .
Unlike previous studies that have attempted to audit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the latest calculus accounted for what researchers call `` carbon leakage . ''
When trees are planted on agricultural lands in one part of the world , researchers suggest market demands can trigger deforestation in other parts of the world .
The study 's authors are in agreement with the broader scientific community that carbon emissions must be significantly reduced to avoid catastrophic climate impacts .
However , they suggest more work must be done to identify the most cost-effective strategies for curbing emissions .
`` Until now , there has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change mitigation from forests , '' said lead study author Kemen Austin .
`` Better understanding the costs of mitigation from global forests will help us to prioritize resources and inform the design of more efficient mitigation policies , '' said Austin , a senior policy analyst with RTI International , a nonprofit research institute based in North Carolina .
Planting and protecting trees alone , however , wo n't be enough to prevent catastrophic climate change , researchers said .
Efforts to conserve forests must be accompanied by robust efforts to scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power .
`` What we see is that you should devote about a third of your effort to this stuff and two-thirds to the other stuff -- to reducing coal , to investing in solar , to switching to electric , '' Sohngen said .
`` If you want your total mitigation to be as cheap as possible , that 's what you would do . ''

Researchers say that planting new trees, as well as protecting existing forests -- such as the Amazon basin forest north of Manaus, Brazil -- is much more expensive than had previously been thought. Photo by Phil P. Harris/ Wikimedia
Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Planting trees and protecting forests are two of the myriad strategies for keeping carbon out of the atmosphere. Of all the options, they're considered the most eco-friendly, or greenest, but new research suggests planting and protecting trees does come with costs -- and those costs are quite a bit larger than has been previously estimated. Advertisement
According to a new study, published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications, planting trees and conserving forests could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much 6 gigatons a year between 2025 and 2055.
Researchers calculated the reductions would come with an annual price tag of $393 billion.
"There is a significant amount of carbon that can be sequestered through forests, but these costs aren't zero," study co-author Brent Sohngen, professor of environmental economics at the Ohio State University, said in a news release.
According to Sohngen and his colleagues, previous studies looking at the role of forest conservation in the global effort to curb climate change have largely ignored the effects on forest land use, management and trade.
The new analysis showed protecting existing forests is a more cost effective way to curb carbon emissions than planting new trees.
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In places where forest harvesting is an essential economic activity, the study's authors suggest changes to how and when trees are harvested -- as opposed to total protection -- could offer a more cost-effective strategy for carbon reductions.
Sohngen and company determined forest protection measures are likely to deliver the most bang for their buck in Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Indonesia.
Unlike previous studies that have attempted to audit the economic impacts of various carbon sequestration, the latest calculus accounted for what researchers call "carbon leakage."
When trees are planted on agricultural lands in one part of the world, researchers suggest market demands can trigger deforestation in other parts of the world.
The study's authors are in agreement with the broader scientific community that carbon emissions must be significantly reduced to avoid catastrophic climate impacts. However, they suggest more work must be done to identify the most cost-effective strategies for curbing emissions.
"Until now, there has been limited research investigating the costs of climate change mitigation from forests," said lead study author Kemen Austin.
"Better understanding the costs of mitigation from global forests will help us to prioritize resources and inform the design of more efficient mitigation policies," said Austin, a senior policy analyst with RTI International, a nonprofit research institute based in North Carolina.
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Planting and protecting trees alone, however, won't be enough to prevent catastrophic climate change, researchers said. Efforts to conserve forests must be accompanied by robust efforts to scale green energy, like solar and wind power.
"What we see is that you should devote about a third of your effort to this stuff and two-thirds to the other stuff -- to reducing coal, to investing in solar, to switching to electric," Sohngen said. "If you want your total mitigation to be as cheap as possible, that's what you would do."