upi--2020-12-09--Leipzig eliminates Manchester United from Champions League

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- RB Leipzig held off a late rally to beat Manchester United 3-2 in the group stage of the Champions League .
The loss eliminated the Red Devils from the annual European soccer tournament .
Angelino , Amadou Haidara and Justin Kluivert each scored for Leipzig in the victory on Tuesday in Leipzig , Germany .
Bruno Fernandes scored for the Red Devils in the 80th minute .
United added another score on an own goal in the 82nd minute , but could not net an equalizer .
`` I 'm so proud of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We 've showed that we can win against really good teams .
Winning against Manchester United just feels great .
`` It was an unbelievably hard game , a really tough match .
But now it feels incredibly good .
We did n't need to make it hard work toward the end , and [ goalkeeper ] Peter Gulacsi had to make some really good saves .
He saved us really . ''
The Red Devils needed a draw or victory to advance to the round of 16 .
Leipzig joins Paris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Group H to the knockout rounds .
Leipzig midfielder Marcel Sabitzer sent a beautiful cross ahead for Angelino 's score in the second minute .
The right-to-left feed flew behind the final line of Red Devils defenders and led Angelino into the box before the Leipzig winger used his left foot for a rocket of a shot into the right side of the goal .
Angelino assisted Haidara for Leipzig 's second score about 10 minutes later .
He received a pass in the left side of the box at the start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cross toward the far post , where Haidara was there for a volleyed shot past Red Devils goalie David de Gea .
Leipzig held the two-score lead through the halftime whistle before Kluivert added to the advantage in the 69th minute .
Angelino also set up that score .
The Leipzig left wing received a pass on the left side of the field during that exchange .
He then sent a low cross into the box , which forward Christopher Nkunku deflected onto Kluivert as he ran in front of the goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to chip a shot into the near-post netting .
Fernandes cut into the lead when he made a penalty kick for the Red Devils in the 80th minute .
The Red Devils got their final score during a corner kick .
A feed came in from the left corner during that play , before Red Devils defender Paul Pogba headed the ball toward the goal .
Leipzig center back Ibrahima Konate then put his left thigh on the attempt and deflected the ball into his own net to beat Gulacsi .
`` Close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't expect to go through when you go three goals down against a good team like Leipzig , '' Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told reporters .
`` I ca n't fault the character and effort and pressure that we put on them all second half , where we deserved more almost .
`` But you ca n't give a team a three-goal lead and expect to come back .
Just too late and unlucky toward the end . ''
Leipzig battles Werder in Bundesliga play at 9:30 a.m. EST on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manchester City in the Premier League at 12:30 p.m. EST on Saturday at Old Trafford in Manchester , England .

Angelino of Leipzig had a goal and an assist in a win over Manchester United in the Champions League on Tuesday in Leipzig, Germany. Photo by Filip Singer/EPA-EFE
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- RB Leipzig held off a late rally to beat Manchester United 3-2 in the group stage of the Champions League. The loss eliminated the Red Devils from the annual European soccer tournament. Angelino, Amadou Haidara and Justin Kluivert each scored for Leipzig in the victory on Tuesday in Leipzig, Germany. Advertisement
Bruno Fernandes scored for the Red Devils in the 80th minute. United added another score on an own goal in the 82nd minute, but could not net an equalizer.
"I'm so proud of the team," Angelino told reporters. "We've showed that we can win against really good teams. Winning against Manchester United just feels great.
"It was an unbelievably hard game, a really tough match. But now it feels incredibly good. We didn't need to make it hard work toward the end, and [goalkeeper] Peter Gulacsi had to make some really good saves. He saved us really."
Advertisement
The Red Devils needed a draw or victory to advance to the round of 16. Leipzig joins Paris Saint-Germain as the two teams to advance from Group H to the knockout rounds.
Leipzig midfielder Marcel Sabitzer sent a beautiful cross ahead for Angelino's score in the second minute. The right-to-left feed flew behind the final line of Red Devils defenders and led Angelino into the box before the Leipzig winger used his left foot for a rocket of a shot into the right side of the goal.
Angelino assisted Haidara for Leipzig's second score about 10 minutes later. He received a pass in the left side of the box at the start of that sequence. Angelino then lifted a cross toward the far post, where Haidara was there for a volleyed shot past Red Devils goalie David de Gea.
Leipzig held the two-score lead through the halftime whistle before Kluivert added to the advantage in the 69th minute. Angelino also set up that score.
The Leipzig left wing received a pass on the left side of the field during that exchange. He then sent a low cross into the box, which forward Christopher Nkunku deflected onto Kluivert as he ran in front of the goal. Kluivert then used his first touch to chip a shot into the near-post netting.
Advertisement
Fernandes cut into the lead when he made a penalty kick for the Red Devils in the 80th minute. The Red Devils got their final score during a corner kick.
A feed came in from the left corner during that play, before Red Devils defender Paul Pogba headed the ball toward the goal. Leipzig center back Ibrahima Konate then put his left thigh on the attempt and deflected the ball into his own net to beat Gulacsi.
"Close at the end, but you can't expect to go through when you go three goals down against a good team like Leipzig," Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told reporters. "I can't fault the character and effort and pressure that we put on them all second half, where we deserved more almost.
"But you can't give a team a three-goal lead and expect to come back. Just too late and unlucky toward the end."
Leipzig battles Werder in Bundesliga play at 9:30 a.m. EST on Saturday in Leipzig. The Red Devils host Manchester City in the Premier League at 12:30 p.m. EST on Saturday at Old Trafford in Manchester, England.


upi--2020-12-09--DoorDash begins trading on NYSE after initial public offering

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- Food delivery service DoorDash has raised more than $ 3 billion in one of @ @ @ @ @ in the United States this year , and will begin selling shares of stock on @ @ @ @ @ sold some 33 million shares at $ 102 per share , raising nearly $ 3.4 @ @ @ @ @ originally marketed for between $ 90 and $ 95 each .
The offering on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ 32.4 billion .
It will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange Wednesday under @ @ @ @ @ and other delivery companies have seen an uptick in revenues since the start of the @ @ @ @ @ living under various restrictions have turned to them for food .
DoorDash controls about 50 @ @ @ @ @ delivery market .
Property rental company Airbnb is also expected to go public this week @ @ @ @ @ next week .

A DoorDash delivery person waits to pick up an order in San Francisco, Calif., on March 17. Shares of the company began trading on the NYSE Wednesday. File Photo by John G. Mabanglo/EPA-EFE
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Food delivery service DoorDash ended the day up 85% after its market debut on Wednesday, achieving a market valuation of about $60.2 billion. DoorDash on Tuesday sold some 33 million shares at $102 per share, raising nearly $3.4 billion. The shares were originally marketed for between $90 and $95 each. Advertisement
The stock began trading at $182 per share.
The offering on Tuesday valued the company at $32.4 billion. It began trading on the New York Stock Exchange Wednesday under the symbol DASH.
DoorDash and other delivery companies have seen an uptick in revenues since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, as people living under various restrictions have turned to them for food.
DoorDash controls about 50% of the U.S. food delivery market.
Property rental company Airbnb is also expected to go public this week, and online retailer Wish next week.


upi--2020-12-09--New Roche antibody test to be used in Moderna COVID-19 vaccine trial

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- Swiss healthcare company Roche announced Wednesday its newly approved coronavirus antibody test will be used in clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna .
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last week granted emergency use authorization for Roche 's Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 molecular blood test , which works by detecting antibodies sent from the body 's immune system to fight the spike protein `` crown '' of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 .
Detecting the presence and levels of the antibodies can be used to determine if a person has been infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immunity to the virus .
It can also be used to monitor how well a vaccine is working .
Preliminary results from Moderna 's late-stage vaccine clinical trials have shown it is 94 % effective in blocking COVID-19 .
The FDA has scheduled a meeting for Dec. 17 to determine whether to grant emergency approval for Moderna 's vaccine .
The company says it expects to have 20 million doses available in the United States by the end of the month .
Moderna 's vaccine activates an antibody response to proteins found on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roche 's test can be useful in measuring a patient 's response over time , Roche Diagnostics CEO Thomas Schinecker said .
`` We are pleased to see that our quantitative Elecsys SARS-CoV-2 S test , which targets the spike protein , is now also being used as part of the Moderna vaccine trials , which could ultimately help to end this pandemic , '' he said .
Roche 's antibody test received approvals in the European Union in September .
It said it will begin shipping kits to U.S. laboratories this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnostics firm LabCorp .

Moderna's vaccine activates an antibody response to proteins found on the coronavirus' binding spikes, meaning Roche's test can be useful in measuring a patient's response over time, officials say. File Photo by Steffen Schmidt/EPA-EFE
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Swiss healthcare company Roche announced Wednesday its newly approved coronavirus antibody test will be used in clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last week granted emergency use authorization for Roche's Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 molecular blood test, which works by detecting antibodies sent from the body's immune system to fight the spike protein "crown" of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Advertisement
Detecting the presence and levels of the antibodies can be used to determine if a person has been infected and whether they have potentially developed an immunity to the virus. It can also be used to monitor how well a vaccine is working.
Preliminary results from Moderna's late-stage vaccine clinical trials have shown it is 94% effective in blocking COVID-19.
The FDA has scheduled a meeting for Dec. 17 to determine whether to grant emergency approval for Moderna's vaccine. The company says it expects to have 20 million doses available in the United States by the end of the month.
Moderna's vaccine activates an antibody response to proteins found on the coronavirus' binding spikes, meaning Roche's test can be useful in measuring a patient's response over time, Roche Diagnostics CEO Thomas Schinecker said.
Advertisement
"We are pleased to see that our quantitative Elecsys SARS-CoV-2 S test, which targets the spike protein, is now also being used as part of the Moderna vaccine trials, which could ultimately help to end this pandemic," he said.
Roche's antibody test received approvals in the European Union in September. It said it will begin shipping kits to U.S. laboratories this week, with the first going to national diagnostics firm LabCorp.


upi--2020-12-09--Watch: Taraji P. Henson on Megan Thee Stallion music video: 'I wasn't going to say no'

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- Taraji P. Henson appeared on The Tonight Show and discussed her friendship with Megan Thee Stallion and how she ended up in the rapper 's music video for `` Body . ''
The actress told host Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday that she connected with Megan Thee Stallion over Instagram .
`` I became aware of her on Sway in the Morning .
She did a freestyle and she rode the beat forever .
It was like 24 hours .
I woke up the next morning , she was still riding the beat .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 'Who is this ? '
'' Henson said .
`` I have such an affinity for female emcees so I reposted her and then she was like , 'Oh my God .
I ca n't believe it . '
And we just kind of became Instagram friends , '' she continued .
Henson dances alongside Megan Thee Stallion in the music video for `` Body , '' which was released in November .
`` Body '' appears on Megan Thee Stallion 's debut album titled Good News .
`` I was n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't even know what the song was and I get there and I 'm like , 'Yes , thank God I 've been working out , ' because it 's about your body , '' Henson said about being asked to appear in the music video .
Henson is launching a new talk show centered on mental health titled Peace of Mind with Taraji , which is coming to Facebook Watch on Monday .
`` It 's the proudest moment of my career , '' Henson said about the series which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a nonprofit that aims to change the perception of mental illness in the African-American community .
`` It 's not about a celebrity being a talk show host .
Like , I really suffer .
My best friend has been suffering from anxiety since I 've known her .
And we 're two people on the show still learning and still healing along with our guests , '' she continued .

Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Taraji P. Henson appeared on The Tonight Show and discussed her friendship with Megan Thee Stallion and how she ended up in the rapper's music video for "Body."
The actress told host Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday that she connected with Megan Thee Stallion over Instagram.
Advertisement
"I became aware of her on Sway in the Morning. She did a freestyle and she rode the beat forever. It was like 24 hours. I woke up the next morning, she was still riding the beat. But she was amazing and I was like, 'Who is this?'" Henson said.
"I have such an affinity for female emcees so I reposted her and then she was like, 'Oh my God. I can't believe it.' And we just kind of became Instagram friends," she continued.
Henson dances alongside Megan Thee Stallion in the music video for "Body," which was released in November. "Body" appears on Megan Thee Stallion's debut album titled Good News.
"I wasn't going to say no. And I didn't even know what the song was and I get there and I'm like, 'Yes, thank God I've been working out,' because it's about your body," Henson said about being asked to appear in the music video.
Advertisement
Henson is launching a new talk show centered on mental health titled Peace of Mind with Taraji, which is coming to Facebook Watch on Monday.
"It's the proudest moment of my career," Henson said about the series which was born from her Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to change the perception of mental illness in the African-American community.
"It's not about a celebrity being a talk show host. Like, I really suffer. My best friend has been suffering from anxiety since I've known her. And we're two people on the show still learning and still healing along with our guests," she continued.


upi--2020-12-09--Baltimore Ravens run over Dallas Cowboys 34-17 in rare Tuesday night NFL game

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens used the best rushing attack in the league to steamroll the Dallas Cowboys in a rare Tuesday night game .
The Ravens amassed a season-high 294 rushing yards in the 34-17 victory at M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore .
It was just the third game played on a Tuesday since 1946 and the second this season due to COVID-19-related schedule issues .
`` It was very encouraging , '' Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters .
`` I think our guys did a great job .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wide receivers blocked .
The tight ends , the guys that are new to the program , came in and did a good job .
`` It 's always a team effort .
Obviously , Lamar had a lot to do with that , as well .
[ I 'm ] very happy with that .
That 's big for us . ''
The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for Baltimore .
The Cowboys have now lost six of their last seven games .
Gus Edwards led the way with 101 yards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ravens rookie J.K. Dobbins ran for 71 yards and a score on 11 carries .
Jackson -- who missed the Ravens ' Week 12 game due to a positive COVID-19 test -- had 94 yards and a score on 13 totes .
Dallas jumped out to an early lead after Jackson threw a first-quarter interception to Cowboys safety Darian Thompson .
Greg Zuerlein made a 31-yard field goal six plays later for the 3-0 advantage .
Jackson responded with a 37-yard rushing touchdown on the next possession to put Baltimore ahead by four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Michael Gallup at the start of the second quarter .
Ravens kicker Justin Tucker then missed a field goal attempt , but was bailed out when the Baltimore defense intercepted Dalton on the Cowboys next drive .
Jackson threw a 38-yard touchdown toss to Miles Boykin on the next play to push the Ravens ahead 14-10 .
Tucker added a field goal at the end of the quarter to give the Ravens a seven-point edge at halftime .
Jackson threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the second half .
Tucker added to the lead with a fourth quarter field goal .
Dalton threw a two-yard touchdown toss to Amari Cooper on the next drive .
Dobbins answered with a five-yard touchdown run for Baltimore on the Ravens final possession .
The Cowboys attempted a final drive , but ran out of time while deep in their own territory , which ended the game .
Dalton completed 31 of 48 passes for 285 yards , two touchdowns and an interception in the loss .
Jackson completed 12 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had two scores and an interception , in addition to his work on the ground .
`` Hey , 300 yards is obviously astronomical , '' Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said of the Ravens ' 294 rushing yards .
`` We have to get a quick turnaround .
`` The key to the game was stopping the run and we definitely did n't get that done . ''
The Ravens ( 7-5 ) next face the Cleveland Browns at 8:15 p.m. EST on Monday at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland .
The Cowboys ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 p.m. EST on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati .
`` We 've got the Browns right now , '' Jackson said .
`` We 've got to come to play .
We 're going to Cleveland .
We 've just got to be ready to play football . ''

1/3
Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins (27) had 71 yards and a score on 11 carries in a win over the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday in Baltimore. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens used the best rushing attack in the league to steamroll the Dallas Cowboys in a rare Tuesday night game. The Ravens amassed a season-high 294 rushing yards in the 34-17 victory at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. It was just the third game played on a Tuesday since 1946 and the second this season due to COVID-19-related schedule issues. Advertisement
"It was very encouraging," Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters. "I think our guys did a great job. They blocked. They ran. Our wide receivers blocked. The tight ends, the guys that are new to the program, came in and did a good job.
"It's always a team effort. Obviously, Lamar had a lot to do with that, as well. [I'm] very happy with that. That's big for us."
Advertisement
The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for Baltimore. The Cowboys have now lost six of their last seven games.
Gus Edwards led the way with 101 yards on seven carries for the Ravens. Ravens rookie J.K. Dobbins ran for 71 yards and a score on 11 carries.
Jackson -- who missed the Ravens' Week 12 game due to a positive COVID-19 test -- had 94 yards and a score on 13 totes.
Run this like I'm LAMAR JACKSON TOUCHDOWN @Lj_era8 | ProBowl Vote Tune in: https://t.co/iOuT7Sypnr pic.twitter.com/38QNTtqEXj— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 9, 2020
Dallas jumped out to an early lead after Jackson threw a first-quarter interception to Cowboys safety Darian Thompson. Greg Zuerlein made a 31-yard field goal six plays later for the 3-0 advantage.
Jackson responded with a 37-yard rushing touchdown on the next possession to put Baltimore ahead by four points. Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton followed with a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Michael Gallup at the start of the second quarter.
Ravens kicker Justin Tucker then missed a field goal attempt, but was bailed out when the Baltimore defense intercepted Dalton on the Cowboys next drive. Jackson threw a 38-yard touchdown toss to Miles Boykin on the next play to push the Ravens ahead 14-10.
Advertisement
Tucker added a field goal at the end of the quarter to give the Ravens a seven-point edge at halftime.
Jackson threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Marquise Brown on the Ravens second drive of the second half. Tucker added to the lead with a fourth quarter field goal.
Dalton threw a two-yard touchdown toss to Amari Cooper on the next drive. Dobbins answered with a five-yard touchdown run for Baltimore on the Ravens final possession. The Cowboys attempted a final drive, but ran out of time while deep in their own territory, which ended the game.
Dalton completed 31 of 48 passes for 285 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the loss. Jackson completed 12 of 17 passes for 107 yards and also had two scores and an interception, in addition to his work on the ground.
"Hey, 300 yards is obviously astronomical," Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said of the Ravens' 294 rushing yards. "We have to get a quick turnaround.
"The key to the game was stopping the run and we definitely didn't get that done."
The Ravens (7-5) next face the Cleveland Browns at 8:15 p.m. EST on Monday at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland. The Cowboys (3-9) battle the Cincinnati Bengals at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.
Advertisement
"We've got the Browns right now," Jackson said. "We've got to come to play. We're going to Cleveland. We've just got to be ready to play football."
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-09--Watch live: Pentagon gives update on rollout for COVID-19 vaccine in U.S.

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- The Defense Department will give an update Wednesday morning on plans to distribute COVID-19 vaccines in the United States .
The department is one of several government sectors that are involved in the rollout of a coronavirus vaccine , along with the Health and Human Services Department and Department of Veterans Affairs .
Pentagon officials will deliver the update at 10:30 a.m. EST .
Nearly a dozen military officers are embedded at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assist the allocation and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine , the Pentagon said last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Food and Drug Administration is considering emergency use authorization for vaccines developed by Pfizer and partner BioNTech , which could come as soon as Thursday .
The FDA will also consider emergency approval for a vaccine developed by Moderna on Dec. 17 .
Pfizer rolled out its vaccine for people in Britain on Tuesday .
The first recipient was a 90-year-old woman at the University Hospital in Coventry .
Army Gen. Gustave Perna , chief operating officer of the Trump administration 's Operation Warp Speed , said late last month the goal is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the year .
He said once the FDA gives emergency approval for a vaccine , it will begin distribution to the public within 24 hours .
`` That 's our goal .
That 's what we 're striving for , '' he said .
Trump administration officials say 20 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine could be distributed this month .
Perna told reporters in November that the Defense Department , the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been working with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distribution .
`` We 're working on this constantly , '' he said .
`` We work rehearsals of different scenarios to make sure we 're capturing all the nuances of the delivery .
But each and every week we get stronger . ''

Illinois National Guard member Hannah Gonder inspects a test swab at a COVID-19 testing site in East St. Louis on May 28, 2020. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- The Defense Department will prioritize its healthcare workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when the Pentagon gets its first share of doses, officials said Wednesday. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Thomas McCaffery told reporters that residents and staff of military-run long-term care facilities, other essential department workers and "high-risk beneficiaries" will also be among the first to receive doses of the vaccine developed by Pfizer and partner BioNTech. Advertisement
The department said it will receive 44,000 doses, likely next week.
Pfizer rolled out its vaccine for the public in Britain on Tuesday.
"We expect to shots in arms of [Defense Department] personnel with 24 to 48 hours [after approval]," McCaffery said.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said Wednesday he expects the Food and Drug Administration to approve the Pfizer vaccine within the next few days.
Decisions for which of the Pentagon's 11 million armed services personnel will get the vaccine first are based on guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the department's COVID-19 assessments of "unique mission requirements," McCaffery said.
Advertisement
A prioritization hierarchy will be followed until 60% of all department personnel are vaccinated, at which point full-scale, unrestricted distribution would be allowed, assuming vaccine manufacturers have ramped up production, he noted.
Sixteen sites have been selected for the first distributions, including 13 in the United States and three abroad. The sites overseas are Kadena Air Force Base in Japan; a base in Landstuhl, Germany; and Camp Humphreys near Seoul, South Korea, where U.S. Forces Korea apologized Wednesday for a party at the installation recently that flouted mask and distancing guidelines.
Officials said the second tier of recipients includes service members involved with "critical national capabilities," like the U.S. nuclear deterrent force and homeland defenses.
The Defense Department and several other federal sectors are involved in the U.S. vaccine rollout. States and local governments will be involved in the decision-making process for distributing their doses when they get them.
The FDA is also likely to give emergency use authorization for the a coronavirus vaccine from Moderna when it considers the request on Dec. 17.
Both vaccines have proven in late-stage clinical trials to be about 95% effective.


upi--2020-12-09--Xbox's 'Halo Infinite' sets new fall 2021 release date

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- Xbox exclusive title Halo Infinite will be released in fall 2021 after the game was delayed out of 2020 , developer 343 Industries has announced .
The new release window was announced in a blog post by 343 Industries on Tuesday that highlighted improvements the team has made to Halo Infinite 's graphics alongside discussion about the game 's free-to-play multiplayer mode .
Halo Infinite was slated to launch alongside new consoles Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S in November before it was delayed in August .
The game is also coming to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pass .
A gameplay trailer for Halo Infinite was released in July , which was criticized by fans .
`` The primary goal for the Campaign demo in July was showing Halo Infinite gameplay for the first time .
While that aspect generally landed as we wanted , the reality is that the art and visuals were n't at the bar we hold for Halo - even in a work-in-progress state , '' Neil Harrison of 343 Industries said in the blog post .
`` Much of the feedback we heard from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work we were already committed to doing around things like indirect lighting , material response , foliage and tree rendering , clouds , level-of-detail transitions and character fidelity .
Still , the feedback was humbling , and it also pushed us to look at additional opportunities for improvement , '' he continued about the negative reaction surrounding the gameplay trailer .

Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Xbox exclusive title Halo Infinite will be released in fall 2021 after the game was delayed out of 2020, developer 343 Industries has announced.
The new release window was announced in a blog post by 343 Industries on Tuesday that highlighted improvements the team has made to Halo Infinite's graphics alongside discussion about the game's free-to-play multiplayer mode.
Advertisement
Halo Infinite was slated to launch alongside new consoles Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S in November before it was delayed in August. The game is also coming to Xbox One, PC and Xbox Game Pass.
A gameplay trailer for Halo Infinite was released in July, which was criticized by fans.
"The primary goal for the Campaign demo in July was showing Halo Infinite gameplay for the first time. While that aspect generally landed as we wanted, the reality is that the art and visuals weren't at the bar we hold for Halo - even in a work-in-progress state," Neil Harrison of 343 Industries said in the blog post.
"Much of the feedback we heard from the community aligned with our own views and work we were already committed to doing around things like indirect lighting, material response, foliage and tree rendering, clouds, level-of-detail transitions and character fidelity. Still, the feedback was humbling, and it also pushed us to look at additional opportunities for improvement," he continued about the negative reaction surrounding the gameplay trailer.


upi--2020-12-09--A pre-emptive strike on Iran would throw world into chaos

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- Mulling the possibility of an American pre-emptive attack on Iran 's nuclear facilities , suppose a president concluded that Iran was within 6 to 18 months of enriching sufficient uranium to build several atom bombs .
And suppose that same president had promised Iran would never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons .
The only option could be to order a preventive strike .
If that president were Donald Trump , with only six weeks left in his term of office , could the Pentagon have sufficient time to carry out that order ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities would be extraordinarily complex in every dimension , risky and unlikely to guarantee that Iran will be unable to build a weapon for a lengthy period of time .
Nor are the reactions of Iran , states in and outside the region , as well as Russia and China predictable with any certainty .
The operational commander , likely Central Command , would be supported by at least European , Indo-Pacific , strategic , transportation , space and cyber commands , as well as by the CIA and later the State Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordinated by the joint staff and the office of the acting secretary of defense .
Joint analytical assessment centers would be working round the clock estimating likely bomb damage predictions of effectiveness depending on weapons employed ; possible U.S. losses of aircraft and people ; collateral damage ; likely loss of Iranian life ; and unexpected outcomes , such as detonation of a nuclear reactor with Chernobyl-like effects of disastrous fallout in and beyond Iran .
Each of these major commands would be reviewing contingency plans for dealing with a wide spectrum of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , against U.S. forces , or reprisals in other parts of the world .
And the White House and National Security Council would be engaged in developing plans to deal with friends , allies , the media and the U.S. public , as well as other nations and international organizations .
That an attack of this magnitude could be kept free of leaks is an interesting question .
As the order was legal , unless senior military at the JCS and combatant commander level chose to resign or go public , a leak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could use or pre-empt a leak by delivering a major national address about the Iranian threat and setting a deadline for Iran to cease enrichment and comply with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( from which Trump withdrew ) or face punitive action .
President John Kennedy used a prime-time broadcast in October 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis ordering a `` quarantine '' and declaring any attack originating from Cuba would be considered an act of war .
Kennedy had been previously advised by the joint chiefs of staff that even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or neutralizing every Soviet intermediate-range missile and weapon in Cuba .
No doubt the joint chiefs would have made a similar assessment to Trump about the difficulty of destroying deeply buried underground targets .
No doubt , at least one of Trump 's advisers would remind the president of the dilemma and contradiction that faced the George W. Bush administration .
Having invaded Iraq in March 2003 with nearly 200,000 troops on the 1 % chance Saddam Hussein could develop a nuclear or other weapon of mass destruction and found none , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea from building and testing its atomic bombs .
In my view , any pre-emptive military action absent a direct , absolutely certain and imminent nuclear attack by Iran on the United States or its treaty allies would be catastrophic and make the Iraq fiasco pale in comparison by throwing not only the region but much of the world into chaos .
However , given that the United States is a 51 % nation intractably divided 51-49 on virtually every issue , including the seriousness of the pandemic , the wearing of masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , would that split pertain to supporting or opposing a decapitating military strike on Iran 's nuclear facilities ?
That said , two critical questions are clear .
First , if the only way Iran 's nuclear facility could be incapacitated for the very long term was to use nuclear weapons for the third time in history , would that option even be considered or employed ?
Second , if President Joe Biden and not Trump decided that America 's most vital interests could only be protected by a preventive strike on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make any difference ?
The conclusion : Do not strike Iran .
Diplomacy and allies work .
The United States just needs to use those tools .
Harlan Ullman is senior adviser at the Atlantic Council and author of the upcoming book , `` The Fifth Horseman and MAD : The Tragic History of How Massive Attacks of Disruption Endangered , Infected , Engulfed and Disunited a 51 % Nation and the Rest of the World . ''

Soldiers carry the coffin of slain Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh during funeral procession inside the Iranian defense ministry in Tehran on November 30. Photo courtesy of Iranian Defense Ministry | License Photo
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Mulling the possibility of an American pre-emptive attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, suppose a president concluded that Iran was within 6 to 18 months of enriching sufficient uranium to build several atom bombs. And suppose that same president had promised Iran would never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. The only option could be to order a preventive strike. If that president were Donald Trump, with only six weeks left in his term of office, could the Pentagon have sufficient time to carry out that order? A strike to eliminate Iran's nuclear facilities would be extraordinarily complex in every dimension, risky and unlikely to guarantee that Iran will be unable to build a weapon for a lengthy period of time. Nor are the reactions of Iran, states in and outside the region, as well as Russia and China predictable with any certainty. Advertisement Advertisement
The operational commander, likely Central Command, would be supported by at least European, Indo-Pacific, strategic, transportation, space and cyber commands, as well as by the CIA and later the State Department to deal with the diplomatic tsunami all coordinated by the joint staff and the office of the acting secretary of defense.
Joint analytical assessment centers would be working round the clock estimating likely bomb damage predictions of effectiveness depending on weapons employed; possible U.S. losses of aircraft and people; collateral damage; likely loss of Iranian life; and unexpected outcomes, such as detonation of a nuclear reactor with Chernobyl-like effects of disastrous fallout in and beyond Iran.
Each of these major commands would be reviewing contingency plans for dealing with a wide spectrum of consequences from Iranian retaliation in the Gulf, against U.S. forces, or reprisals in other parts of the world. And the White House and National Security Council would be engaged in developing plans to deal with friends, allies, the media and the U.S. public, as well as other nations and international organizations.
That an attack of this magnitude could be kept free of leaks is an interesting question. As the order was legal, unless senior military at the JCS and combatant commander level chose to resign or go public, a leak might not be fatal. The president could use or pre-empt a leak by delivering a major national address about the Iranian threat and setting a deadline for Iran to cease enrichment and comply with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (from which Trump withdrew) or face punitive action.
Advertisement
President John Kennedy used a prime-time broadcast in October 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis ordering a "quarantine" and declaring any attack originating from Cuba would be considered an act of war. Kennedy had been previously advised by the joint chiefs of staff that even total air superiority could not guarantee destroying or neutralizing every Soviet intermediate-range missile and weapon in Cuba. No doubt the joint chiefs would have made a similar assessment to Trump about the difficulty of destroying deeply buried underground targets.
No doubt, at least one of Trump's advisers would remind the president of the dilemma and contradiction that faced the George W. Bush administration. Having invaded Iraq in March 2003 with nearly 200,000 troops on the 1% chance Saddam Hussein could develop a nuclear or other weapon of mass destruction and found none, the Bush administration was impotent to prevent North Korea from building and testing its atomic bombs.
In my view, any pre-emptive military action absent a direct, absolutely certain and imminent nuclear attack by Iran on the United States or its treaty allies would be catastrophic and make the Iraq fiasco pale in comparison by throwing not only the region but much of the world into chaos. However, given that the United States is a 51% nation intractably divided 51-49 on virtually every issue, including the seriousness of the pandemic, the wearing of masks and even the legitimacy of the presidential election, would that split pertain to supporting or opposing a decapitating military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities?
Advertisement
That said, two critical questions are clear. First, if the only way Iran's nuclear facility could be incapacitated for the very long term was to use nuclear weapons for the third time in history, would that option even be considered or employed?
Second, if President Joe Biden and not Trump decided that America's most vital interests could only be protected by a preventive strike on Iran and ordered one, would that make any difference?
The conclusion: Do not strike Iran. Diplomacy and allies work. The United States just needs to use those tools.
Harlan Ullman is senior adviser at the Atlantic Council and author of the upcoming book, "The Fifth Horseman and MAD: The Tragic History of How Massive Attacks of Disruption Endangered, Infected, Engulfed and Disunited a 51% Nation and the Rest of the World."


upi--2020-12-09--White House proposes $916B COVID-19 relief package

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- The White House has proposed a $ 916 billion coronavirus relief package that includes money for state and local governments and liability protections for businesses , schools and universities .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin made the proposal to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , Tuesday evening , saying in a statement that he and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows had reviewed it with President Donald Trump , Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , and House minority leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. '' As part of this proposal , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in unused funds from the Paycheck Protections Program and $ 429 billion in Treasury funds , '' Mnuchin said .
`` I look forward to achieving bipartisan agreement so we can provide this critical economic relief to American workers , families and businesses . ''
Mnuchin offered little information about the proposal 's contents other than saying it is `` slightly larger '' than a $ 908 billion package bipartisan lawmakers have been working on .
Pelosi acknowledged in a joint statement with Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , the Senate minority leader , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed off on it , but stated it must not block bipartisan talks that are underway on the other package .
`` Members of the House and Senate have been engaged in good-faith negotiations and continue to make progress , '' the Democratic leaders said .
`` The bipartisan talks are the best hope for a bipartisan solution . ''
They added that the president 's offer also cuts the unemployment insurance proposal being discussed by the congressional members from $ 180 billion to $ 40 billion , which is a non-starter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Both Pelosi and Schumer gave their support to the $ 908 billion package last week , which is less than the $ 2.2 trillion bill the House passed in March but more than the $ 500 billion bill McConnell had been backing amid efforts to end the months-long standoff on another coronavirus relief measure .
Earlier Tuesday , McConnell told reporters during a press conference they ca n't leave for the holiday recess later this month without reaching a deal , stating `` the country needs it . ''
The senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the agree on , suggesting both sides shed `` controversial '' demands , specifically the Republicans ' ask of liability protections and the Democrats ' want of state and local government aid .
`` We know the new administration is going to be asking for another package .
What I recommend is we set aside liability , we set aside state and local and we pass those things we can agree on knowing full well we 'll be back at this after the first of the year , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ governments McConnell was `` pulling the rug out from under '' governors and mayors fighting to keep firefighters , police officers , sanitation workers and other government employees on payrolls .
`` When a worker is laid off from a state or local government , it is no different than a worker is laid off from a small business , '' he told reporters .
`` They each have to feed their families , pay the rent and mortgage and have enough wherewithal , enough dollars to survive . ''
He argued state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while McConnell 's corporate liability proposal does not .
He added that McConnell has refused to take part in bipartisan negotiations and accused him of attempting to `` sabotage '' what he described as `` the best hope for a bipartisan solution . ''
Meanwhile , a group of mostly Democratic senators penned a letter Tuesday saying the $ 908 billion bipartisan bill does n't go far enough , calling for a new relief proposal to include a $ 1,200 direct payment to adults and $ 500 to their children while removing language @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and safety of workers and customers .
Led by Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , the six senators said they `` very much appreciate the hard work '' lawmakers are putting into the proposal but `` given the horrific extent of the current crisis and the desperation that working families all over this country are experiencing , this proposal does not go anywhere near far enough . ''
The senators said only a portion of the $ 908 billion package is new money with $ 560 billion coming as remaining funds from March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Given the enormity of the crisis today , it would be unacceptable to take a major step backwards from those previous efforts by passing legislation that only included $ 348 billion in new money , '' the letter said .

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (L) said Tuesday evening that he and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows reviewed the $916 billion COVID-19 relief package with Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell and President Donald Trump. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- The White House has proposed a $916 billion coronavirus relief package that includes money for state and local governments and liability protections for businesses, schools and universities. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin made the proposal to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Tuesday evening, saying in a statement that he and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows had reviewed it with President Donald Trump, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House minority leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. Advertisement
"As part of this proposal, we will fund it using $140 billion in unused funds from the Paycheck Protections Program and $429 billion in Treasury funds," Mnuchin said. "I look forward to achieving bipartisan agreement so we can provide this critical economic relief to American workers, families and businesses."
Advertisement
Mnuchin offered little information about the proposal's contents other than saying it is "slightly larger" than a $908 billion package bipartisan lawmakers have been working on.
Pelosi acknowledged in a joint statement with Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the Senate minority leader, that the package represents progress as McConnell signed off on it, but stated it must not block bipartisan talks that are underway on the other package.
"Members of the House and Senate have been engaged in good-faith negotiations and continue to make progress," the Democratic leaders said. "The bipartisan talks are the best hope for a bipartisan solution."
They added that the president's offer also cuts the unemployment insurance proposal being discussed by the congressional members from $180 billion to $40 billion, which is a non-starter.
"That is unacceptable," they said.
Both Pelosi and Schumer gave their support to the $908 billion package last week, which is less than the $2.2 trillion bill the House passed in March but more than the $500 billion bill McConnell had been backing amid efforts to end the months-long standoff on another coronavirus relief measure.
Earlier Tuesday, McConnell told reporters during a press conference they can't leave for the holiday recess later this month without reaching a deal, stating "the country needs it."
Advertisement
The senator said that they should pass a bill that the agree on, suggesting both sides shed "controversial" demands, specifically the Republicans' ask of liability protections and the Democrats' want of state and local government aid.
"We know the new administration is going to be asking for another package. What I recommend is we set aside liability, we set aside state and local and we pass those things we can agree on knowing full well we'll be back at this after the first of the year," he said.
Schumer responded that by scraping aid for governments McConnell was "pulling the rug out from under" governors and mayors fighting to keep firefighters, police officers, sanitation workers and other government employees on payrolls.
"When a worker is laid off from a state or local government, it is no different than a worker is laid off from a small business," he told reporters. "They each have to feed their families, pay the rent and mortgage and have enough wherewithal, enough dollars to survive."
He argued state and local funding has broad bipartisan support while McConnell's corporate liability proposal does not.
He added that McConnell has refused to take part in bipartisan negotiations and accused him of attempting to "sabotage" what he described as "the best hope for a bipartisan solution."
Advertisement
Meanwhile, a group of mostly Democratic senators penned a letter Tuesday saying the $908 billion bipartisan bill doesn't go far enough, calling for a new relief proposal to include a $1,200 direct payment to adults and $500 to their children while removing language that shields corporations that risk the health and safety of workers and customers.
Led by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., the six senators said they "very much appreciate the hard work" lawmakers are putting into the proposal but "given the horrific extent of the current crisis and the desperation that working families all over this country are experiencing, this proposal does not go anywhere near far enough."
The senators said only a portion of the $908 billion package is new money with $560 billion coming as remaining funds from March's $2.2 trillion CARES Act.
"Given the enormity of the crisis today, it would be unacceptable to take a major step backwards from those previous efforts by passing legislation that only included $348 billion in new money," the letter said.


upi--2020-12-09--U.S. Forces Korea apologizes for maskless parties during pandemic surge

SEOUL , Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- United States Forces Korea said Wednesday it `` regrets '' a pair of crowded dance parties that were held on its installations in recent weeks , at which guests ignored social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines .
A party that was held at a venue in USFK 's Camp Humphreys last week drew criticism from local citizens and South Korean authorities after images and video were uploaded to social media and reported on by news outlets .
Camp Humphreys is located in Pyeongtaek , roughly 40 miles south of Seoul .
`` United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent on-installation events that displayed poor judgment and actions inconsistent with USFK 's core tenets and COVID-19 health protection mitigation measures , '' the military said in a statement titled `` USFK Regrets On-Installation Behavior . ''
The military said that it has closed both facilities involved in the incidents until further notice and `` will continue to implement mitigation measures to ensure our installations remain consistent with our core tenets and ROK government social distancing measures . ''
The Republic of Korea is the official name of South Korea .
South Korea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 pandemic since mid-November and this week raised social distancing restrictions in the greater Seoul area to the second-highest level on its five-tier scale .
USFK installations are not subject to the regulations as they are not South Korean territory .
However , the USFK 's own guidelines mandate social distancing of at least 3.3 feet and mask-wearing when distancing is not possible .
The Seoul government has requested that the U.S. military adhere to the local regulations , and USFK officials apologized to Pyeongtaek Mayor Jung Jang-seon earlier this week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , South Korea reported 686 new cases of COVID-19 , according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency , its second-highest daily total since the first confirmed case in the country in late January .
South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said Wednesday at a meeting of officials that the spread of the virus around Seoul is `` very severe '' and that the government `` will focus all of our capabilities '' on controlling it in the greater metropolitan area , which includes Pyeongtaek .
The total COVID-19 caseload in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the KDCA , while the USFK had recorded 408 cases among its population as of Monday .
`` USFK remains committed to being good neighbors with the Republic of Korea and to reinforcing USFK 's core tenet standards that continue to protect both the ROK and USFK communities , '' the military 's statement said .

United States Forces Korea apologized Wednesday for a maskless party held on Camp Humphreys (pictured) and at another installation during a COVID-19 surge in South Korea. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI
SEOUL, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- United States Forces Korea said Wednesday it "regrets" a pair of crowded dance parties that were held on its installations in recent weeks, at which guests ignored social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines. A party that was held at a venue in USFK's Camp Humphreys last week drew criticism from local citizens and South Korean authorities after images and video were uploaded to social media and reported on by news outlets. Camp Humphreys is located in Pyeongtaek, roughly 40 miles south of Seoul. Advertisement
A similar party was held earlier at nearby Osan Air Base.
"United States Forces Korea is aware of two recent on-installation events that displayed poor judgment and actions inconsistent with USFK's core tenets and COVID-19 health protection mitigation measures," the military said in a statement titled "USFK Regrets On-Installation Behavior."
The military said that it has closed both facilities involved in the incidents until further notice and "will continue to implement mitigation measures to ensure our installations remain consistent with our core tenets and ROK government social distancing measures."
The Republic of Korea is the official name of South Korea.
South Korea has been battling a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic since mid-November and this week raised social distancing restrictions in the greater Seoul area to the second-highest level on its five-tier scale.
Advertisement
USFK installations are not subject to the regulations as they are not South Korean territory. However, the USFK's own guidelines mandate social distancing of at least 3.3 feet and mask-wearing when distancing is not possible.
The Seoul government has requested that the U.S. military adhere to the local regulations, and USFK officials apologized to Pyeongtaek Mayor Jung Jang-seon earlier this week, according to news agency Yonhap.
On Wednesday, South Korea reported 686 new cases of COVID-19, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, its second-highest daily total since the first confirmed case in the country in late January.
South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said Wednesday at a meeting of officials that the spread of the virus around Seoul is "very severe" and that the government "will focus all of our capabilities" on controlling it in the greater metropolitan area, which includes Pyeongtaek.
The total COVID-19 caseload in South Korea rose to 39,432 on Wednesday, according to the KDCA, while the USFK had recorded 408 cases among its population as of Monday.
"USFK remains committed to being good neighbors with the Republic of Korea and to reinforcing USFK's core tenet standards that continue to protect both the ROK and USFK communities," the military's statement said.


upi--2020-12-09--'Body issues' significantly raise depression risk for teens, researchers say

The degree of heightened risk ranged from 50 % to 285 % , according to the report published online Tuesday in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health .
`` These findings demonstrate that body dissatisfaction should be considered as a public health issue of pressing concern , '' concluded a team led by researcher Anna Bornioli , of Erasmus University in Rotterdam , the Netherlands .
Their study included more than 3,700 teens in England who , at age 14 , were asked to rate their satisfaction with their physical appearance .
Overall , both boys and girls were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girls were more dissatisfied than boys .
Girls tended to be unhappy with their thighs , stomach and weight , while boys tended to dislike their body build , stomach and hips , the researchers said .
Nearly one in three girls and around one in seven boys were dissatisfied with their weight , the investigators found , and about one-quarter of girls and one in seven boys were dissatisfied with their figure .
At age 18 , the teens were assessed for symptoms of depression .
One in 10 girls and one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mild depressive episode , nearly 7 % of the girls and nearly 3 % of the boys reported at least one moderately severe depressive episode , and 1.5 % of girls and 0.7 % of boys reported at least one severe depressive episode .
Body dissatisfaction at age 14 predicted any level of depressive episode among the girls , and mild and severe depressive episodes among the boys by the time they were 18 .
Among girls , each increase in body dissatisfaction at age 14 was associated with an increased risk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , moderate ( 67 % ) or severe ( 84 % ) depressive episode at the age of 18 .
Among boys , each increase in body dissatisfaction at age 14 was associated with an increased risk of at least one mild ( 50 % ) or severe ( 285 % ) depressive episode at the age of 18 .
Body dissatisfaction affects up to 61 % of teens worldwide and `` is highly prevalent among young people in the general population and has an increasing incidence ; the findings indicate that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy to reduce mental health issues , '' Bornioli 's group said .
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more on children/teens and body image .

Body dissatisfaction significantly increases teens' risk of depression, researchers say.
The degree of heightened risk ranged from 50% to 285%, according to the report published online Tuesday in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.
Advertisement
"These findings demonstrate that body dissatisfaction should be considered as a public health issue of pressing concern," concluded a team led by researcher Anna Bornioli, of Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Their study included more than 3,700 teens in England who, at age 14, were asked to rate their satisfaction with their physical appearance. Overall, both boys and girls were mildly satisfied with their body, but girls were more dissatisfied than boys.
Girls tended to be unhappy with their thighs, stomach and weight, while boys tended to dislike their body build, stomach and hips, the researchers said.
Nearly one in three girls and around one in seven boys were dissatisfied with their weight, the investigators found, and about one-quarter of girls and one in seven boys were dissatisfied with their figure.
At age 18, the teens were assessed for symptoms of depression.
One in 10 girls and one in 20 boys reported at least one mild depressive episode, nearly 7% of the girls and nearly 3% of the boys reported at least one moderately severe depressive episode, and 1.5% of girls and 0.7% of boys reported at least one severe depressive episode.
Advertisement
Body dissatisfaction at age 14 predicted any level of depressive episode among the girls, and mild and severe depressive episodes among the boys by the time they were 18.
Among girls, each increase in body dissatisfaction at age 14 was associated with an increased risk of at least one mild (63%), moderate (67%) or severe (84%) depressive episode at the age of 18.
Among boys, each increase in body dissatisfaction at age 14 was associated with an increased risk of at least one mild (50%) or severe (285%) depressive episode at the age of 18.
Body dissatisfaction affects up to 61% of teens worldwide and "is highly prevalent among young people in the general population and has an increasing incidence; the findings indicate that reducing body dissatisfaction might be an effective strategy to reduce mental health issues," Bornioli's group said.
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more on children/teens and body image.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-12-09--Space Force studies idea of national spaceport authority

ORLANDO , Fla. , Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Space Force is studying the possibility of merging management of dozens of launch sites in Florida and California under a new operator to keep pace with the growing commercial space industry .
`` A future spaceport authority would ideally be able to address the needs of all consumers to include national security and civil customers , '' said Space Force Maj. Nicholas Mercurio , public affairs adviser to chief of space operations Gen. Jay Raymond .
Reorganizing launch site management would help NASA , the military and private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launch more frequently and with less bureaucratic delay .
Creating such a management organization would aid the growth of a space economy , which many banks believe will exceed $ 1 trillion globally by 2040 , according to a study prepared for the Space Force by California-based The Aerospace Corporation , a think tank .
The study also noted that such a strategy also would help ensure that the United States remains the global leader in spaceflight .
The nation 's busiest launch sites , at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` significant risk '' of falling behind the pace of launches planned by private companies , the study said .
The Federal Aviation Administration , which issues permits for launches , expects about 50 launches in 2021 -- mostly from the Florida sites and Vandenberg Air Force Base in California -- and 100 launches per year if companies like SpaceX , Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic begin space tourism flights .
The first step creating more efficient space launches would be to form a national spaceport authority , Mercurio said .
No proposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determined .
`` We are very early in the process , but believe now is the time to start having these discussions so we can focus our future development , '' Mercurio said .
The federal government can `` develop a parent organization to operate and maintain the spaceports , '' the 47-page study suggests .
`` It is possible for the [ Department of Defense ] to remove itself from the day-to-day direct management of the [ launch pads ] and , instead , transfer its authorities to an entity that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ core competency , '' the study said .
Florida 's launch locations are constrained by delays and procedural differences between the NASA sites and the Air Force sites , said the study 's author , Richard E. Lamb , systems director at The Aerospace Corporation , which has provided advisory services to the federal government , particularly the Department of Defense , for decades .
For example , Lamb said , each facility has different procedures for rocket and spacecraft storage and processing , fuel processing and storage , operations centers , weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air traffic management .
`` The motivation has always been what is in the best interest of the United States and how we ... create a national conversation about evolving our national space infrastructure , '' he said .
Lamb noted that launch sites like Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida originally were built to test missile launches , but they have evolved into property managers for private space companies .
Launch pads at the Air Force station are leased to such firms as SpaceX , Blue Origin and Firefly Aerospace .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ management of those sites , including such famous launch pads that include Kennedy Space Center 's Complex 39A , where Apollo 11 lifted off for the moon .
At the Air Force station , such sites include Landing Zone 1 and 2 , where SpaceX lands rocket boosters after launch , and Launch Complex 5 , the site of all six manned and unmanned Mercury/Redstone liftoffs .
Lamb 's firm completed its paper , titled `` A National Spaceport Strategy , '' in August as a starting point for talks among many federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NASA and the departments of transportation and commerce .
A national effort is needed to ensure an adequate number of launch sites exist and that they have the correct facilities and technology , Lamb said .
`` The closest thing we 've found to compare this to is the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority and other port authorities around the world , '' Lamb said .
Florida has a strong interest in making sure its launch facilities stay busy , said Dale Ketcham , vice president of external relations for Florida 's space development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've been stating since June of 2016 that there needs to be a better governance model for a spaceport , '' Ketcham said .
`` Neither NASA nor the Space Force are chartered or equipped to manage a bunch of commercial enterprises like we are seeing . ''
If NASA and the Space Force are n't able to accommodate the growth of commercial space traffic , launchers may look overseas or develop their own spaceports , Ketcham said .
Eventually , a national spaceport authority could combine some facilities or services at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station , Ketcham said .
Private launch companies are watching developments closely , said Les Kovacs , vice president of business development at Firefly , based in the Austin , Texas , area .
The firm intends to renovate an old launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to launch small rockets .
`` In Florida , particularly , there can be a lot of trouble preparing a site to launch again quickly after a rocket has lifted off , '' Kovacs said .
`` They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more progress is needed . ''
He added : `` Anything they can do to standardize procedures and increase the frequency of launch would be a big help .
The small launch industry will grow , and the question becomes who accommodates that best .
The current structure may not be the right answer . ''

1/3
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is launched in September from Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where more frequent commercial activity has prompted consideration of a new spaceport organization. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. Space Force is studying the possibility of merging management of dozens of launch sites in Florida and California under a new operator to keep pace with the growing commercial space industry. "A future spaceport authority would ideally be able to address the needs of all consumers to include national security and civil customers," said Space Force Maj. Nicholas Mercurio, public affairs adviser to chief of space operations Gen. Jay Raymond. Advertisement
Reorganizing launch site management would help NASA, the military and private space companies like Elon Musk's SpaceX launch more frequently and with less bureaucratic delay.
Creating such a management organization would aid the growth of a space economy, which many banks believe will exceed $1 trillion globally by 2040, according to a study prepared for the Space Force by California-based The Aerospace Corporation, a think tank.
Advertisement
The study also noted that such a strategy also would help ensure that the United States remains the global leader in spaceflight.
The nation's busiest launch sites, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center in Florida, are at "significant risk" of falling behind the pace of launches planned by private companies, the study said.
The Federal Aviation Administration, which issues permits for launches, expects about 50 launches in 2021 -- mostly from the Florida sites and Vandenberg Air Force Base in California -- and 100 launches per year if companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic begin space tourism flights.
The first step creating more efficient space launches would be to form a national spaceport authority, Mercurio said. No proposed timeline for such a transition has been determined.
"We are very early in the process, but believe now is the time to start having these discussions so we can focus our future development," Mercurio said.
The federal government can "develop a parent organization to operate and maintain the spaceports," the 47-page study suggests.
"It is possible for the [Department of Defense] to remove itself from the day-to-day direct management of the [launch pads] and, instead, transfer its authorities to an entity that is solely focused on operating spaceports as its core competency," the study said.
Advertisement
Florida's launch locations are constrained by delays and procedural differences between the NASA sites and the Air Force sites, said the study's author, Richard E. Lamb, systems director at The Aerospace Corporation, which has provided advisory services to the federal government, particularly the Department of Defense, for decades.
For example, Lamb said, each facility has different procedures for rocket and spacecraft storage and processing, fuel processing and storage, operations centers, weather stations, data processing, security and air traffic management.
"The motivation has always been what is in the best interest of the United States and how we ... create a national conversation about evolving our national space infrastructure," he said.
Lamb noted that launch sites like Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida originally were built to test missile launches, but they have evolved into property managers for private space companies. Launch pads at the Air Force station are leased to such firms as SpaceX, Blue Origin and Firefly Aerospace.
A spaceport authority could take over some management of those sites, including such famous launch pads that include Kennedy Space Center's Complex 39A, where Apollo 11 lifted off for the moon.
At the Air Force station, such sites include Landing Zone 1 and 2, where SpaceX lands rocket boosters after launch, and Launch Complex 5, the site of all six manned and unmanned Mercury/Redstone liftoffs.
Advertisement
Lamb's firm completed its paper, titled "A National Spaceport Strategy," in August as a starting point for talks among many federal agencies, including the Space Force, NASA and the departments of transportation and commerce.
A national effort is needed to ensure an adequate number of launch sites exist and that they have the correct facilities and technology, Lamb said.
"The closest thing we've found to compare this to is the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority and other port authorities around the world," Lamb said.
Florida has a strong interest in making sure its launch facilities stay busy, said Dale Ketcham, vice president of external relations for Florida's space development agency, Space Florida.
"We've been stating since June of 2016 that there needs to be a better governance model for a spaceport," Ketcham said. "Neither NASA nor the Space Force are chartered or equipped to manage a bunch of commercial enterprises like we are seeing."
If NASA and the Space Force aren't able to accommodate the growth of commercial space traffic, launchers may look overseas or develop their own spaceports, Ketcham said.
Eventually, a national spaceport authority could combine some facilities or services at the neighboring Florida launch sites -- Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Ketcham said.
Advertisement
Private launch companies are watching developments closely, said Les Kovacs, vice president of business development at Firefly, based in the Austin, Texas, area. The firm intends to renovate an old launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to launch small rockets.
"In Florida, particularly, there can be a lot of trouble preparing a site to launch again quickly after a rocket has lifted off," Kovacs said. "They've been getting better lately, but more progress is needed."
He added: "Anything they can do to standardize procedures and increase the frequency of launch would be a big help. The small launch industry will grow, and the question becomes who accommodates that best. The current structure may not be the right answer."
Astronauts make round trip to space station from U.S. soil
NASA astronaut Douglas Hurley (C) waves to onlookers as he boards a plane at Naval Air Station Pensacola to return him and NASA astronaut Robert Behnken home to Houston a few hours after the duo landed in their SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft off the coast of Pensacola, Fla,, on August 2, 2020. Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA | License Photo


upi--2020-12-09--'The Prom' choreography challenged Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman

LOS ANGELES , Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman have won Oscars for their acting in movies .
However , the dance choreography in their new film , The Prom , intimidated them both .
`` I 'm the oldest person in the cast and I have the most dancing , which did n't make sense to me , '' the 71-year-old Streep said in a Zoom press conference .
Streep plays Dee Dee Allen , the star of a Broadway bomb .
She and her co-stars Angie Dickinson ( Kidman ) , Barry Glickman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Andrew Rannells ) travel to Cincinnati , hoping to rehabilitate their images from their Broadway failure .
Their plan is to rally behind a gay teenager , Ellen ( Jo Ellen Pellman ) , whose school forbids her to go to the prom with her girlfriend , Alyssa ( Ariana DeBose ) .
The Prom debuted on stage in Atlanta in 2016 and made it to Broadway in 2018 .
When Streep went to see the show , the Dee Dee character on stage did not have as much choreography as she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hell broke loose when I got to Los Angeles and they laid out for me what it was , '' Streep said .
`` I got in shape .
It 's a lot of stamina .
Man , it was hard work , but it was really , really fun . ''
Streep and Kidman had experience in musicals ; Streep in the Mamma Mia movies and Kidman in Moulin Rouge !
To prepare , director Ryan Murphy set up six weeks of dance rehearsals for the cast on the Paramount studio lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making a musical , [ rehearsal ] is where the cast bonds , '' Murphy said .
`` They kind of become like a Broadway troupe .
Everybody cheered each other on . ''
The signature number for Angie is `` Zazz , '' a jazzy song in the style of Bob Fosse , paying homage to Chicago and Cabaret .
Angie is demonstrating the inspirational story of an understudy who had to fill in for a sick cast member as Roxie Hart in Chicago .
`` It was terrifying because the Fosse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` I had this amazing group of dancers who just trained me and trained me with the patience of saints . ''
Although the dances presented physical challenges , Streep said the benefits far outweighed them .
Despite her complaints about aging and physical strain , Streep hopes the dance numbers she learned for The Prom make viewers happy .
`` Whatever your particular sadness is , it 's irresistible in movie musicals when people start to dance , '' Streep said .
In The Prom , the joyous music has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delicate story .
In addition to being forbidden from the prom , Emma faces intolerance every day from her classmates and community .
Alyssa was planning to come out at the prom when she arrived with Emma , so their secret relationship adds stress to Emma 's situation .
It was Emma 's struggle that made Murphy want to adapt The Prom , the director said .
Murphy created the musical drama Glee and the dance musical Pose .
Murphy said he attended the show in 2019 as a fan and discovered he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the musical , I realized that was my experience , '' Murphy said .
`` I 'm from Indiana .
I was not allowed to go to my prom . ''
Murphy agreed with Streep that the show 's uplifting music helped make its serious themes resonate .
`` It had so much joy and optimism and it was about something , '' Murphy said .
`` Yet , it was also just fun . ''
At one low point for Emma , Angie and Emma also share an intimate scene in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chorus girl .
This leads into the `` Zazz '' number , intended to cheer Emma and show her she 's not alone .
`` I just love that there 's this older woman helping this younger person through by just being there for her , '' Kidman said .
Emma also brings up unresolved issues for Barry , whose parents rejected him when he came out as a boy , and the publicity he generates with Emma facilitates a reconnection with his mother ( Tracey Ullman ) .
`` For Barry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he sees himself in her completely , '' Corden said .
`` I think part of him wishes he had somebody like him around in those times . ''

1/4
Meryl Streep stars as Dee Dee Allen in the Netflix movie "The Prom." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman have won Oscars for their acting in movies. However, the dance choreography in their new film, The Prom, intimidated them both. "I'm the oldest person in the cast and I have the most dancing, which didn't make sense to me," the 71-year-old Streep said in a Zoom press conference. Advertisement
Streep plays Dee Dee Allen, the star of a Broadway bomb. She and her co-stars Angie Dickinson (Kidman), Barry Glickman (James Corden) and Trent Oliver (Andrew Rannells) travel to Cincinnati, hoping to rehabilitate their images from their Broadway failure.
Their plan is to rally behind a gay teenager, Ellen (Jo Ellen Pellman), whose school forbids her to go to the prom with her girlfriend, Alyssa (Ariana DeBose).
Advertisement
The Prom debuted on stage in Atlanta in 2016 and made it to Broadway in 2018. When Streep went to see the show, the Dee Dee character on stage did not have as much choreography as she would in the film.
"All hell broke loose when I got to Los Angeles and they laid out for me what it was," Streep said. "I got in shape. It's a lot of stamina. Man, it was hard work, but it was really, really fun."
Streep and Kidman had experience in musicals; Streep in the Mamma Mia movies and Kidman in Moulin Rouge! To prepare, director Ryan Murphy set up six weeks of dance rehearsals for the cast on the Paramount studio lot in Hollywood.
"When you're making a musical, [rehearsal] is where the cast bonds," Murphy said. "They kind of become like a Broadway troupe. Everybody cheered each other on."
The signature number for Angie is "Zazz," a jazzy song in the style of Bob Fosse, paying homage to Chicago and Cabaret. Angie is demonstrating the inspirational story of an understudy who had to fill in for a sick cast member as Roxie Hart in Chicago.
Advertisement
"It was terrifying because the Fosse dancing is so specific," Kidman said. "I had this amazing group of dancers who just trained me and trained me with the patience of saints."
Although the dances presented physical challenges, Streep said the benefits far outweighed them. Despite her complaints about aging and physical strain, Streep hopes the dance numbers she learned for The Prom make viewers happy.
"Whatever your particular sadness is, it's irresistible in movie musicals when people start to dance," Streep said.
In The Prom, the joyous music has a hefty task of uplifting a very delicate story. In addition to being forbidden from the prom, Emma faces intolerance every day from her classmates and community. Alyssa was planning to come out at the prom when she arrived with Emma, so their secret relationship adds stress to Emma's situation.
It was Emma's struggle that made Murphy want to adapt The Prom, the director said. Murphy created the musical drama Glee and the dance musical Pose. Murphy said he attended the show in 2019 as a fan and discovered he related to Emma.
"Halfway through the musical, I realized that was my experience," Murphy said. "I'm from Indiana. I was not allowed to go to my prom."
Advertisement
Murphy agreed with Streep that the show's uplifting music helped make its serious themes resonate.
"It had so much joy and optimism and it was about something," Murphy said. "Yet, it was also just fun."
At one low point for Emma, Angie and Emma also share an intimate scene in which Angie confesses her insecurities about being a chorus girl. This leads into the "Zazz" number, intended to cheer Emma and show her she's not alone.
"I just love that there's this older woman helping this younger person through by just being there for her," Kidman said.
Emma also brings up unresolved issues for Barry, whose parents rejected him when he came out as a boy, and the publicity he generates with Emma facilitates a reconnection with his mother (Tracey Ullman).
"For Barry, as soon as he sees Emma, he sees himself in her completely," Corden said. "I think part of him wishes he had somebody like him around in those times."
The Prom premieres Friday on Netflix.


upi--2020-12-09--Fantasy football: Jones, Henry lead Week 14 running back rankings

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- Aaron Jones , Derrick Henry , David Montgomery , James Robinson and Nick Chubb top my Week 14 fantasy football running back rankings for 2020 .
Alvin Kamara , Christian McCaffrey , Jonathan Taylor , Chris Carson and Dalvin Cook round out my Top 10 options for the first round of the fantasy football playoffs .
Melvin Gordon and James Conner also are among my favorite starts this week at the running back position .
Monitor the status for each of your players ' games this week as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bye weeks have ended , so you should have more options when it comes to finding good defensive matchups for your running backs .
Check out my article on the players with the easiest and hardest playoff schedules for an idea of who to start -- and who to avoid -- this postseason .
Here are some of my favorite players in this week 's rankings : Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers is my top fantasy football running back for Week 14 .
Jones had one of his best games of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 130 rushing yards and a score in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles .
He has now scored in two of his last three games .
This week , the Packers face the Detroit Lions .
The Lions have allowed the most fantasy points per game to running backs .
Jones is a must start .
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry was held to just 60 yards on 15 carries in Week 13 , after he piled up more than 400 rushing yards in the three games prior to Sunday 's loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Henry to return to his dominant self in Week 14 , when the Titans face the Jacksonville Jaguars .
The Jaguars have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to running backs .
Henry is my No .
2 option .
David Montgomery of the Chicago Bears has emerged as a late-season RB1 just in time for the fantasy football playoffs .
Montgomery has piled up more than 100 yards from scrimmage and scored in each of his last two games as he heads into the first round of the fantasy football postseason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Week 14 when the Bears host the Houston Texans .
The Texans have allowed the most rushing yards and the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs .
Montgomery is my No .
3 play at running back .
Indianapolis Colts rookie Jonathan Taylor is my No .
8 running back for Week 14 .
Taylor has had two consecutive games with at least 100 yards from scrimmage as he enters this matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders .
The Raiders have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a weekly basis , but should be in that slot as you start your playoff run .
Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon lands at No .
12 in my rankings and is a low-end RB1 for Week 14 .
The Broncos face the Carolina Panthers , a defense that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to running backs .
I expect Gordon to pile up at least 80 yards from scrimmage and score a touchdown in Week 14 .
Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner is expected to return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matchup against the Buffalo Bills .
The Bills have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to running backs .
I expect Conner to get a healthy workload in this matchup .
He is my No .
15 option and should provide solid RB2 or flex value in Week 14 .

1/3
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) has a great Week 14 matchup and should help you win the first game of the fantasy football playoffs. File Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Aaron Jones, Derrick Henry, David Montgomery, James Robinson and Nick Chubb top my Week 14 fantasy football running back rankings for 2020. Alvin Kamara, Jonathan Taylor, Chris Carson, Dalvin Cook and Ronald Jones round out my Top 10 options for the first round of the fantasy football playoffs. Advertisement
Melvin Gordon and James Conner also are among my favorite starts this week at the running back position.
Monitor the status for each of your players' games this week as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the NFL schedule and player availability. Bye weeks have ended, so you should have more options when it comes to finding good defensive matchups for your running backs.
Advertisement
Check out my article on the players with the easiest and hardest playoff schedules for an idea of who to start -- and who to avoid -- this postseason.
Here are some of my favorite players in this week's rankings:
TOP SHELF
Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers is my top fantasy football running back for Week 14. Jones had one of his best games of the season in Week 13, with 130 rushing yards and a score in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He has now scored in two of his last three games.
This week, the Packers face the Detroit Lions. The Lions have allowed the most fantasy points per game to running backs. Jones is a must start.
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry was held to just 60 yards on 15 carries in Week 13, after he piled up more than 400 rushing yards in the three games prior to Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Browns. I expect Henry to return to his dominant self in Week 14, when the Titans face the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Advertisement
The Jaguars have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Henry is my No. 2 option.
SNEAKY PLAYS
David Montgomery of the Chicago Bears has emerged as a late-season RB1 just in time for the fantasy football playoffs. Montgomery has piled up more than 100 yards from scrimmage and scored in each of his last two games as he heads into the first round of the fantasy football postseason.
He should have another great performance in Week 14 when the Bears host the Houston Texans. The Texans have allowed the most rushing yards and the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
Montgomery is my No. 3 play at running back.
Indianapolis Colts rookie Jonathan Taylor is my No. 8 running back for Week 14. Taylor has had two consecutive games with at least 100 yards from scrimmage as he enters this matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
Taylor is a matchup-based RB1 on a weekly basis, but should be in that slot as you start your playoff run.
LONGSHOTS
Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon lands at No. 11 in my rankings and is a low-end RB1 for Week 14. The Broncos face the Carolina Panthers, a defense that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
Advertisement
I expect Gordon to pile up at least 80 yards from scrimmage and score a touchdown in Week 14.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner is expected to return from his Week 13 absence for a matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. I expect Conner to get a healthy workload in this matchup.
He is my No. 12 option and should provide solid RB2 or flex value in Week 14.
Week 14 fantasy football running back rankings
1. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers at DET
2. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans at JAX
3. David Montgomery, Chicago Bears vs. HOU
4. James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. TEN
5. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns vs. BAL
6. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints at PHI
7. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts at LV
8. Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks vs. NYJ
9. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings at TB
10. Ronald Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. MIN
11. Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos at CAR
12. James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers at BUF
Advertisement
13. Mike Davis, Carolina Panthers vs. DEN
14. Wayne Gallman, New York Giants vs. ARI
15. Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers vs. WAS
16. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys at CIN
17. J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens at CLE
18. D'Andre Swift, Detroit Lions vs. GB
19. David Johnson, Houston Texans at CHI
20. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders vs. IND
21. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs at MIA
22. Kenyan Drake, Arizona Cardinals at NYG
23. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers vs. ATL
24. Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins vs. KC
25. Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals vs. DAL
26. Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns vs. BAL
27. Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles vs. NO
28. Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills vs. PIT
29. Todd Gurley, Atlanta Falcons at LAC
30. J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team at SF
Advertisement
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-09--On This Day, Dec. 9: Senate report on CIA calls torture tactics 'deeply flawed'

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1907 , the first Christmas Seals to raise money to fight tuberculosis went on sale in the post office in Wilmington , Del .
In 1955 , two weeks of bloody student uprisings against President Fulgencio Batista appeared to follow the pattern of the student riots that deposed Cuban Dictator Gerardo Machado 22 years ago .
Batista would remain in power four more years before losing power to Fidel Castro .
In 1974 , White House aide John Ehrlichman 's Watergate trial began in which he testified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a coverup .
In 1987 , the First Palestinian Intifada against Israeli occupation in Gaza and the West Bank .
Palestinians protested and rioted after an Israeli Defense Forces truck struck a civilian vehicle , killing four Palestinians .
In 1992 , British Prime Minister John Major announced the formal separation of Prince Charles and Princess Diana .
In 1992 , some 1,700 U.S. Marines landed in Somalia to secure the airfield , port and U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu and restore order to the conflict- and famine-stricken country .
In 2002 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing $ 22 million a day , filed for bankruptcy .
In 2008 , federal agents arrested Illinois Gov .
Rod Blagojevich on corruption charges in a scheme involving the sale of Illinois ' open Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama .
In 2014 , a U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee report said the CIA 's interrogation of terror suspects after the Sept. 11 , 2001 , attacks was more brutal than it told the White House or public .
The so-called `` CIA torture report '' called CIA tactics `` deeply flawed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Haider al-Abadi declared that the country 's forces completely liberated the nation from the Islamic State militant group .
In 2019 , the volcano on New Zealand 's Whakaari Island -- also known as White Island -- erupted , killing 22 people and injuring another 25 .

1/6
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., speaks to reporters after delivering a speech on the Senate Intelligence Committee's report on the CIA's interrogation techniques in the U.S. Capitol on December 9, 2014. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1907, the first Christmas Seals to raise money to fight tuberculosis went on sale in the post office in Wilmington, Del. Advertisement
In 1955, two weeks of bloody student uprisings against President Fulgencio Batista appeared to follow the pattern of the student riots that deposed Cuban Dictator Gerardo Machado 22 years ago. Batista would remain in power four more years before losing power to Fidel Castro.
In 1974, White House aide John Ehrlichman's Watergate trial began in which he testified that U.S. President Richard Nixon was responsible for a coverup.
UPI File Photo
In 1987, the First Palestinian Intifada against Israeli occupation in Gaza and the West Bank. Palestinians protested and rioted after an Israeli Defense Forces truck struck a civilian vehicle, killing four Palestinians.
In 1990, Lech Walesa won Poland's first direct presidential vote.
In 1992, British Prime Minister John Major announced the formal separation of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
Advertisement
In 1992, some 1,700 U.S. Marines landed in Somalia to secure the airfield, port and U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu and restore order to the conflict- and famine-stricken country.
In 2002, United Airlines, which said it was losing $22 million a day, filed for bankruptcy.
File Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI
In 2008, federal agents arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on corruption charges in a scheme involving the sale of Illinois' open Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
In 2014, a U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee report said the CIA's interrogation of terror suspects after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks was more brutal than it told the White House or public. The so-called "CIA torture report" called CIA tactics "deeply flawed."
In 2017, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared that the country's forces completely liberated the nation from the Islamic State militant group.
In 2019, the volcano on New Zealand's Whakaari Island -- also known as White Island -- erupted, killing 22 people and injuring another 25.
Advertisement


upi--2020-12-09--Famous birthdays for Dec. 9: Simon Helberg, McKayla Maroney

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius .
-- Former @ @ @ @ @ `` Tip '' O'Neill , D-Mass.
, in 1912

1/3
Simon Helberg arrives on the red carpet for the "Florence Foster Jenkins" premiere at AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13 Theater on August 9, 2016, in New York City. The actor turns 40 on December 9. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius. They include: Advertisement
-- English poet John Milton in 1608
-- Actor Margaret Hamilton in 1902
-- Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo in 1905
-- Former Speaker of the House Thomas "Tip" O'Neill, D-Mass., in 1912
-- Actor Kirk Douglas in 1916
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Comedian Redd Foxx in 1922
-- Actor Dick Van Patten in 1928
-- Actor John Cassavetes in 1929
-- Actor Buck Henry in 1930
-- Actor Judi Dench in 1934 (age 86)
-- Football Hall of Fame member Deacon Jones in 1938
-- Actor Beau Bridges in 1941 (age 79)
-- Football Hall of Fame member Dick Butkus in 1942 (age 78)
-- Actor Michael Nouri in 1945 (age 75)
-- Golf Hall of Fame member Tom Kite in 1949 (age 71)
-- Singer Joan Armatrading in 1950 (age 70)
-- Actor Michael Dorn in 1952 (age 68)
-- Actor John Malkovich in 1953 (age 67)
File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI
Advertisement
-- Singer Donny Osmond in 1957 (age 63)
-- Actor Joe Lando in 1961 (age 59)
-- Actor Felicity Huffman in 1962 (age 58)
-- Entrepreneur/TV personality Lori Greiner in 1969 (age 51)
-- Drummer Tre Cool, born Frank Wright III, in 1972 (age 48)
-- Pop singer Imogen Heap in 1977 (age 43)
-- Actor Jesse Metcalfe in 1978 (age 42)
-- Actor Simon Helberg in 1980 (age 40)
-- U.S. Olympic gold medal gymnast McKayla Maroney in 1995 (age 25)
File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI


upi--2020-12-09--Carolina Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey dealing with new quad injury

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- Carolina Panthers star running back Christian McCaffrey was limited in practice Wednesday because of a new quad injury .
Panthers head coach Matt Rhule told the team 's official website that McCaffrey injured the quad last week while working out on his own during the team 's bye .
The coach said it `` tightened up '' in Wednesday 's practice .
`` We 'll get him treatment and see if we can get him better , '' Rhule said .
`` I know how badly Christian wants to play .
I know how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win .
I feel bad for him just like I would anybody if they 're banged up . ''
Rhule 's update comes two days after he said McCaffrey was on target to return this weekend from a shoulder ailment that forced the tailback to miss the last three games .
Rhule said the Panthers ' medical staff will monitor McCaffrey 's newer injury over the next few days to `` see if he 's available to play versus the Broncos . ''
The 24-year-old McCaffrey , who was a Pro Bowl selection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games this season due to injuries .
He sat out six games with a high ankle sprain that he suffered in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and missed three more because of his shoulder issue .
Carolina ( 4-8 ) sits at the bottom of the NFC South this season .
The Panthers are scheduled to play the Denver Broncos at 1 p.m. EST Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina .

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) has missed the past three games because of a shoulder injury. File Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Carolina Panthers star running back Christian McCaffrey was limited in practice Wednesday because of a new quad injury. Panthers head coach Matt Rhule told the team's official website that McCaffrey injured the quad last week while working out on his own during the team's bye. The coach said it "tightened up" in Wednesday's practice. Advertisement
"We'll get him treatment and see if we can get him better," Rhule said. "I know how badly Christian wants to play. I know how badly Christian wants to help the Panthers win. I feel bad for him just like I would anybody if they're banged up."
Rhule's update comes two days after he said McCaffrey was on target to return this weekend from a shoulder ailment that forced the tailback to miss the last three games.
Rhule said the Panthers' medical staff will monitor McCaffrey's newer injury over the next few days to "see if he's available to play versus the Broncos."
The 24-year-old McCaffrey, who was a Pro Bowl selection in 2019, has played only three games this season due to injuries. He sat out six games with a high ankle sprain that he suffered in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and missed three more because of his shoulder issue.
Advertisement
Carolina (4-8) sits at the bottom of the NFC South this season. The Panthers are scheduled to play the Denver Broncos at 1 p.m. EST Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina.
This week in the National Football League