upi--2020-12-14--Electoral College to cast deciding votes Monday

Dec. 14 ( UPI ) -- The Electoral College is set to cast its votes to elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris president and vice president on Monday , following efforts by President Donald Trump to cast doubt on the election process .
All 50 states and Washington , D.C. , have certified their votes and named slates of electors that are expected to cast 306 electoral votes for Biden , more than the 270 needed to be elected president , and 232 votes for Trump , who despite multiple failed legal challenges on Sunday continued to lash out against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweets .
Under the Constitution , each state receives a number of electors equal to the number of their seats in Congress and with the exception of Maine and Nebraska , every state awards those votes to the winner of the state 's popular vote .
On Monday , those electors will meet in locations chosen by each individual state legislature and cast one vote for president and another for vice president on paper ballots .
After the votes are counted , the electors from each state sign six certificates with the results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certificate from the governor .
One of these copies goes to the president of the U.S. Senate to be officially counted , two copies are sent to the state 's secretary of state , two copies are delivered to National Archives and Records Administration , and one backup copy goes to the presiding judge in the district where electors meet .
Electors are typically elected officials or other party loyalists selected in spring or summer by state parties , including some notable names such as former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams in Georgia .
Laws require electors to cast their ballots for the winner of the state 's popular vote in 32 states and Washington , D.C .
It is uncommon for electors to vote against their state 's selection in numbers large enough to affect an election , however , 10 electors did so in 2016 .
In July , the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that states can punish electors who formally cast the votes for president of the United States but go against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday 's vote , the Senate will convene on Jan. 6 for a session , presided over by Vice President Mike Pence , where they will count the votes , followed by the inauguration on Jan. 20 .
In Michigan , officials have closed the state House and Senate office buildings during the Electoral College meeting due to security concerns .
Amber McCann , a spokeswoman for Senate Republican Majority Leader Mike Shirkey said law enforcement made the recommendation .
Michigan State Police Lt. Darren Green said it was monitoring social media and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In October , 13 men were charged in connection with a kidnapping plot against Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer .

The Electoral College on Monday was cast the deciding votes to elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris president and vice president. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Joe Biden and Kamala Harris officially received 306 electoral votes to be elected president and vice president as the Electoral College cast votes Monday, following weeks of efforts by President Donald Trump to cast doubt on the election process. Shortly after 5 p.m. EST, California cast its 55 electoral votes in favor of Biden and Harris, pushing them above the 270 vote total required to be elected president and vice president, respectively. Advertisement
Hawaii, which Biden won, was the final state to cast its votes, giving them a total of 306 votes, with 232 votes going to Trump.
Electors in the key swing states of Georgia and Pennsylvania -- where the Trump campaign bitterly contested the election results in a series of lawsuits -- also cast a total of 36 votes for Biden and Harris.
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Earlier, electors in Nevada also cast their six votes for Biden in a virtual meeting. The Nevada Supreme Court had just rejected a Trump lawsuit alleging the election results were "rigged."
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who won the popular vote over Donald Trump in 2016, but lost the electoral vote, was among the New York electors for Biden and Harris -- the first woman to serve as vice president.
Political activist Stacey Abrams, who turned her defeat for Georgia governor into a get-out-the-vote campaign, presided over the Georgia electors' meeting.
I was honored to preside over today's meeting of Georgia electors and to cast my vote for @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris, the first Democrats to win GA since 1992. Together, we will restore the soul of our nation, build our economy back better and recover from the pandemic. #gapol— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) December 14, 2020
"I was honored to preside over today's meeting of Georgia electors and to cast my vote for @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris, the first Democrats to win GA since 1992," Abrams tweeted. "Together, we will restore the soul of our nation, build our economy back better and recover from the pandemic."
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Voting began again in Georgia on Monday for two runoffs that will determine which party has control of the U.S. Senate in January.
The Electoral College vote is came after all 50 states and Washington, D.C., certified their votes and named slates of electors.
Under the Constitution, each state receives a number of electors equal to the number of their seats in Congress and, with the exception of Maine and Nebraska, every state awards those votes to the winner of the state's popular vote.
Those electors met Monday in locations chosen by each state legislature and casti one vote for president and another for vice president on paper ballots.
After the votes were counted, the electors from each state signed six certificates with the results, which are then paired with a certificate from the governor.
One of these copies goes to the president of the U.S. Senate to be officially counted. Two copies go sent to the state's secretary of state, two copies are delivered to National Archives and Records Administration and one backup copy goes to the presiding judge in the district in which the electors met.
Laws require electors to cast their ballots for the winner of the state's popular vote in 32 states and Washington, D.C. It is uncommon for electors to vote against their state's selection in numbers large enough to affect an election. However, 10 electors did so in 2016.
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In July, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that states can punish electors who formally cast the votes for president of the United States, but go against the majority of their state.
The Senate will convene Jan. 6 for a session, presided over by Pence, where they will count the votes, followed by the inauguration on Jan. 20.
In Michigan, officials closed the state House and Senate office buildings during the Electoral College meeting due to security concerns. Amber McCann, a spokeswoman for Senate Republican Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, said law enforcement made the recommendation.
Michigan State Police Lt. Darren Green said it was monitoring social media and other communications. In October, 13 men were charged in connection with a kidnapping plot against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The state's Republican legislative leaders on Monday repeated an earlier pledge not to attempt to overturn the popular vote or interfere with the electors.
"While there are some who still argue this should not take place, we must recognize that our feelings, our desires, and our disappointments are subordinate to the health of our democracy and the will of the majority," Shirkey said in a statement.


upi--2020-12-14--Watch: Kenya Moore says Marc Daly is 'fighting' for their marriage

Dec. 14 ( UPI ) -- Kenya Moore says her estranged husband , Marc Daly , is `` really fighting '' for their marriage .
The 49-year-old television personality gave an update on her relationship with Daly during Sunday 's episode of Watch What Happens Live after Daly filed for divorce .
Moore and Daly split in September 2019 after more than two years of marriage .
On WWHL , Moore said she and Daly have n't moved forward with divorce proceedings .
`` I have not filed for divorce .
He did file and withdrew it less than 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of gotten past that , '' Moore said .
`` Right now Marc is really fighting for his marriage , '' she added .
`` He wants to go to counseling , he 's made appointments .
He 's asking to publicly apologize to me and a lot of things that I never thought I 'd see the day . ''
Moore and Daly married in June 2017 and have a 2-year-old daughter , Brooklyn Doris .
The pair looked the happy couple while celebrating Brooklyn 's second birthday in November .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moore said on Instagram .
Moore said in a previous update on WWHL in April that she and Daly were getting along well .
`` We 're actually getting along better than probably shortly after we got married , '' she said .
`` It 's just been no arguments , no real fights or disagreements , and he 's been really sweet and caring , thoughtful .
It 's like , wow .
This is the man I married . ''
At the time , Moore said she was open to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance .
`` I think when you 're married you have to try everything to stay together , '' she said .
`` Right now , yeah , if he 's going to be a changed person , yes .
If he 's going to be the Marc that you 've seen , no . ''
Moore stars on the Bravo series Real Housewives of Atlanta , which returned for a 13th season last week .

Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Kenya Moore says her estranged husband, Marc Daly, is "really fighting" for their marriage.
The 49-year-old television personality gave an update on her relationship with Daly during Sunday's episode of Watch What Happens Live after Daly filed for divorce.
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Moore and Daly split in September 2019 after more than two years of marriage. On WWHL, Moore said she and Daly haven't moved forward with divorce proceedings.
"I have not filed for divorce. He did file and withdrew it less than 24 hours later. So we've kind of gotten past that," Moore said.
"Right now Marc is really fighting for his marriage," she added. "He wants to go to counseling, he's made appointments. He's asking to publicly apologize to me and a lot of things that I never thought I'd see the day."
Moore and Daly married in June 2017 and have a 2-year-old daughter, Brooklyn Doris. The pair looked the happy couple while celebrating Brooklyn's second birthday in November.
"Wishing everyone love and happiness," Moore said on Instagram.
Moore said in a previous update on WWHL in April that she and Daly were getting along well.
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"We're actually getting along better than probably shortly after we got married," she said. "It's just been no arguments, no real fights or disagreements, and he's been really sweet and caring, thoughtful. It's like, wow. This is the man I married."
At the time, Moore said she was open to the idea of giving her marriage a second chance.
"I think when you're married you have to try everything to stay together," she said. "Right now, yeah, if he's going to be a changed person, yes. If he's going to be the Marc that you've seen, no."
Moore stars on the Bravo series Real Housewives of Atlanta, which returned for a 13th season last week.


upi--2020-12-14--Defector Thae Yong-ho: Seoul’s parliament ‘capitulating’ to North Korea

Dec. 14 ( UPI ) -- A high-profile North Korean defector serving in the South 's parliament condemned a controversial bill banning anti-Pyongyang leaflets , which passed at Seoul 's National Assembly Monday .
Thae Yong-ho , a former senior diplomat at Pyongyang 's Embassy in London , said Thursday during a 10-hour filibuster the law banning activists from launching anti-North Korean flyers is capitulation to Kim Yo-jong , the younger sister of leader Kim Jong-un , Donga Ilbo reported Monday .
`` If Kim Yo-jong did not propose such a law be made , would they have made such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referring to South Korea 's ruling party .
`` It is a pity the National Assembly follows the instruction of Kim Yo-jong . ''
In June , Kim had issued a statement condemning defectors , describing the group of North Koreans in the South campaigning against the North as `` human scum . ''
South Korean opposition politicians also attempted to block a bill that would transfer investigation powers of the National Intelligence Service to Seoul 's National Police Agency .
The bill passed with support from Democratic Party lawmakers , who form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the law say the ruling party 's decision reflects lack of preparation because the police is not ready to take on probes into anti-state espionage .
Spy agency reform has `` been discussed for a long time among ruling party constituents , but unexpected results can occur , such as those we witnessed in real estate policy , '' said Cho Jin-man , a professor of political science at Duksung Women 's University .
Housing prices have skyrocketed in the South despite tax hikes this year .
The bill and police reform means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the United States ' Federal Bureau of Investigation , according to JoongAng Daily .
Seoul 's spy agency is to also disclose more than 640,000 documents related to the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster to the Special Investigation Committee on Social Affairs , Hankyoreh reported Monday .
Not all Sewol documents are to be available , and restrictions will remain if there are domestic security concerns , according to the report .

Thae Yong-ho, a lawmaker at Seoul's National Assembly, said Seoul's politicians are following North Korean demands during the passage of a controversial bill Monday. File Photo by Jeon Heon-kyun
Dec. 14 (UPI) -- A high-profile North Korean defector serving in the South's parliament condemned a controversial bill banning anti-Pyongyang leaflets, which passed at Seoul's National Assembly Monday. Thae Yong-ho, a former senior diplomat at Pyongyang's Embassy in London, said Thursday during a 10-hour filibuster the law banning activists from launching anti-North Korean flyers is capitulation to Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of leader Kim Jong-un, Donga Ilbo reported Monday. Advertisement
"If Kim Yo-jong did not propose such a law be made, would they have made such a law," Thae said, referring to South Korea's ruling party. "It is a pity the National Assembly follows the instruction of Kim Yo-jong."
In June, Kim had issued a statement condemning defectors, describing the group of North Koreans in the South campaigning against the North as "human scum."
South Korean opposition politicians also attempted to block a bill that would transfer investigation powers of the National Intelligence Service to Seoul's National Police Agency. The bill passed with support from Democratic Party lawmakers, who form a majority in parliament.
Critics of the law say the ruling party's decision reflects lack of preparation because the police is not ready to take on probes into anti-state espionage.
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Spy agency reform has "been discussed for a long time among ruling party constituents, but unexpected results can occur, such as those we witnessed in real estate policy," said Cho Jin-man, a professor of political science at Duksung Women's University. Housing prices have skyrocketed in the South despite tax hikes this year.
The bill and police reform means turning the NPA into an agency similar to the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to JoongAng Daily.
Seoul's spy agency is to also disclose more than 640,000 documents related to the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster to the Special Investigation Committee on Social Affairs, Hankyoreh reported Monday.
Not all Sewol documents are to be available, and restrictions will remain if there are domestic security concerns, according to the report.


upi--2020-12-14--In photos: Moments from the National Football League for the week of Dec. 13, 2020

New Orleans Saints ' Taysom Hill ( C ) is sacked by the Philadelphia Eagles ' Javon Hargrave ( R @ @ @ @ @ in Philadelphia on Sunday .
The Eagles defeated the Saints 24-21 .
Photo by John @

New Orleans Saints' Taysom Hill (C) is sacked by the Philadelphia Eagles' Javon Hargrave (R) at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sunday. The Eagles defeated the Saints 24-21. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI


upi--2020-12-14--In photos: Scenes from the holiday season

The world is celebrating a holiday season like no other , with the COVID-19 pandemic resurging in many areas .
@ @ @ @ @ withstanding the disruption .
Here 's look at people observing the holidays in the United @ @ @ @ @ .

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


upi--2020-12-14--Tanker struck by 'external source' in Saudi Arabia, causing fire

Dec. 14 ( UPI ) -- A Singapore-flagged oil tanker discharging in Saudi Arabia was struck by an `` external @ @ @ @ @ causing a fire and damage to the ship 's hull .
The ship 's owner @ @ @ @ @ was possible some oil was lost at the Port of Jeddah , but it was @ @ @ @ @ .
Hafnia said no one was injured and the incident was being investigated .
Jeddah @ @ @ @ @ bomb attack that injured four people last month at a cemetery .
That attack occurred @ @ @ @ @ those who fought and died in World War I .
`` The master immediately ceased @ @ @ @ @ emergency procedures onboard , '' Hafnia said in its statement .
`` The crew has @ @ @ @ @ from the shore fire brigade and tugboats , and all 22 seafarers have been accounted @ @ @ @ @ '' Hafnia operates 178 vessels that transport oil and oil products around the world to @ @ @ @ @ .

According to a statement by the shipping company Hafnia, one of its vessels, the BW Rhine, was hit by an "external source" at Jeddah port, Saudi Arabia, resulting in an explosion and subsequent fire. Photo courtesy of Hafnia/EPA-EFE
Dec. 14 (UPI) -- A Singapore-flagged oil tanker discharging in Saudi Arabia was struck by an "external source" early Monday, causing a fire and damage to the ship's hull. The ship's owner, Hafnia, said it was possible some oil was lost at the Port of Jeddah, but it was still being determined how much. Hafnia said no one was injured and the incident was being investigated. Advertisement
Jeddah was the site of a bomb attack that injured four people last month at a cemetery. That attack occurred during a ceremony to commemorate those who fought and died in World War I.
Hafnia said Monday's incident happened shortly after midnight.
"The master immediately ceased all discharge operations and enacted emergency procedures onboard," Hafnia said in its statement. "The crew has extinguished the fire with assistance from the shore fire brigade and tugboats, and all 22 seafarers have been accounted for with no injuries."
Hafnia operates 178 vessels that transport oil and oil products around the world to oil and major chemical companies.


upi--2020-12-14--In photos: Notable deaths of 2020

In photos: Notable deaths of 2020

James Redford ( L ) arrives with his father , Robert Redford , at the September 13 , 1999 New @ @ @ @ @ documentary `` The Kindness of Strangers '' in New York City on September 13 , @ @ @ @ @ known for producing documentaries about health and the environment , died of bile duct cancer @ @ @ @ @ age of 58 .
Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI

Dawn Wells
Dawn Wells poses with the original, fully restored S.S. Minnow from "Gilligan's Island" to meet and greet fans and visitors at the Vancouver International Boat Show in Vancouver on January 23, 2014. Best known for her role as Mary Ann from "Gilligan's Island," Wells died of COVID-19 on December 30 at the age of 82. Photo by Heinz Ruckemann/UPI


upi--2020-12-14--Stanford becomes latest college football team to skip bowl due to COVID-19

Dec. 14 ( UPI ) -- Stanford has become the fourth college Football Bowl Subdivision program to opt out of the postseason due to COVID-19 , the Cardinal announced after its win over Oregon State .
The Cardinal beat the Beavers 27-24 on Saturday in Corvallis , Ore. , for its third win of the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign .
Stanford said after the win that its matchup Saturday at UCLA will be its final game of the season .
`` After being on the road since Dec. 1 , the Cardinal will decline postseason opportunities , '' Stanford said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , on Monday , its football program will relocate to Santa Barbara , Calif .
The Stanford campus is located in Santa Clara County , which on Nov. 28 announced new COVID-19 restrictions that prevent football games and practices in the area .
The Cardinal went to Seattle on Dec. 1 to prepare for a Dec. 5 game against Washington .
The Cardinal then spent a week in Corvallis to prepare for Oregon State .
Stanford joined Boston College , Pittsburgh and Virginia as the fourth college football program to opt out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live it each and every day , it is impossible to understand the mental , emotional and physical sacrifice these young men have made since their return in July , '' Virginia athletic director Carla Williams said Saturday in a news release .
`` I am proud of their commitment and their incredible maturity .
Our students did everything we asked them to do and they were rewarded with the opportunity to compete in the sport they love when many doubted it could be done .
The life lessons gained over the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Virginia was one of 17 FBS teams that played at least 10 games this season without a postponement or cancellation due to COVID-19 since the start of its 2020 campaign .
Cavaliers players reported to Charlottesville , Va. , on July 5 to start preparations for the season and have not left campus -- as a group -- for personal reasons at any point since that time .

Stanford coach David Shaw and the Cardinal football team face UCLA in their final game of the season on Saturday after the program announced it will decline bowl game invitations due to COVID-19. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Stanford has become the fourth college Football Bowl Subdivision program to opt out of the postseason due to COVID-19, the Cardinal announced after its win over Oregon State. The Cardinal beat the Beavers 27-24 on Saturday in Corvallis, Ore., for its third win of the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign. Stanford said after the win that its matchup Saturday at UCLA will be its final game of the season. Advertisement
"After being on the road since Dec. 1, the Cardinal will decline postseason opportunities," Stanford said in a news release.
Stanford also said that, on Monday, its football program will relocate to Santa Barbara, Calif. The Stanford campus is located in Santa Clara County, which on Nov. 28 announced new COVID-19 restrictions that prevent football games and practices in the area.
The Cardinal went to Seattle on Dec. 1 to prepare for a Dec. 5 game against Washington. The Cardinal then spent a week in Corvallis to prepare for Oregon State.
Stanford joined Boston College, Pittsburgh and Virginia as the fourth college football program to opt out of the postseason.
"Unless you live it each and every day, it is impossible to understand the mental, emotional and physical sacrifice these young men have made since their return in July," Virginia athletic director Carla Williams said Saturday in a news release.
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"I am proud of their commitment and their incredible maturity. Our students did everything we asked them to do and they were rewarded with the opportunity to compete in the sport they love when many doubted it could be done. The life lessons gained over the last nine months will serve them well."
Virginia was one of 17 FBS teams that played at least 10 games this season without a postponement or cancellation due to COVID-19 since the start of its 2020 campaign.
Cavaliers players reported to Charlottesville, Va., on July 5 to start preparations for the season and have not left campus -- as a group -- for personal reasons at any point since that time.


upi--2020-12-14--Google's Gmail, YouTube hit by worldwide outages; services restored

Dec. 14 ( UPI ) -- Google 's Gmail and YouTube services were hit with massive , worldwide outages and service interruptions early Monday , but company officials say service has since been restored .
Notices posted on Google 's Workplace Status Dashboard showed outages affecting popular products including its Gmail email service , Google Calendar , Google Drive , Google Classroom and many other online applications .
The first notice regarding Gmail was posted at 6:55 EST , indicating a problem was `` affecting a majority of users , '' who were unable to access their emails .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 36,000 complaints that Gmail was down during the early morning hours .
Around 8 a.m. , Google said the Gmail outage `` should be resolved for the vast majority of affected users .
We will continue to work towards restoring service for the remaining affected users . ''
YouTube , which like Google is owned by Alphabet Inc. , similarly acknowledged a problem around 7 a.m. '' We are aware that many of you are having issues accessing YouTube right now -- our team is aware and looking into it , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 'll update you here as soon as we have more news . ''
In an update around an hour later , YouTube announced , `` We 're back up and running !
You should be able to access YouTube again and enjoy videos as normal . ''

Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Google's Gmail and YouTube services were hit with massive, worldwide outages and service interruptions early Monday, but company officials say service has since been restored.
Notices posted on Google's Workplace Status Dashboard showed outages affecting popular products including its Gmail email service, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Google Classroom and many other online applications.
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The first notice regarding Gmail was posted at 6:55 EST, indicating a problem was "affecting a majority of users," who were unable to access their emails.
The outage tracker Down Detector received more than 36,000 complaints that Gmail was down during the early morning hours.
Around 8 a.m., Google said the Gmail outage "should be resolved for the vast majority of affected users. We will continue to work towards restoring service for the remaining affected users."
YouTube, which like Google is owned by Alphabet Inc., similarly acknowledged a problem around 7 a.m.
"We are aware that many of you are having issues accessing YouTube right now -- our team is aware and looking into it," the company said in a Tweet. "We'll update you here as soon as we have more news."
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In an update around an hour later, YouTube announced, "We're back up and running! You should be able to access YouTube again and enjoy videos as normal."


upi--2020-12-14--'The Dark Knight,' 'Grease' selected for National Film Registry

Dec. 14 ( UPI ) -- The Dark Knight , Grease , The Blues Brothers , Shrek and more were selected for inclusion in the National Film Registry Monday by The Library of Congress .
Freedom Riders , The Hurt Locker , Mauna Kea : Temple Under Siege , The Ground , Buena Vista Social Club , The Devil Never Sleeps , The Joy Luck Club , Illusions , Losing Ground , Wattstax , Sweet Sweetback 's Baadasssss Song , A Clockwork Orange , Lilies of the Field , The Man with the Golden Arm , Outrage , Cabin the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the World , The Battle of the Century , Bread , Kid Auto Races at Venice and Suspense have also been added to the National Film Registry .
The Library of Congress chooses 25 films every year for the National Film Registry due to a film 's cultural , historic or aesthetic importance .
`` This is not only a great honor for all of us who worked on The Dark Knight , this is also a tribute to all of the amazing artists and writers who have worked on the great mythology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christopher Nolan , director of The Dark Knight said in a statement .
The films selected for 2020 include nine directed by women and seven directed by people of color .
`` The National Film Registry is an important record of American history , culture and creativity , captured through one of the great American artforms , our cinematic experience , '' Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said in a statement .
`` With the inclusion of diverse filmmakers , we are not trying to set records but rather to set the record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and people of color have made to American cinema , despite facing often overwhelming hurdles , '' she continued .
Clerks , Purple Rain , Boys Do n't Cry , She 's Got ta Have It , Coal Miner 's Daughter , Before Stonewall , Platoon and Sleeping Beauty were among the films chosen last year .
The number of films selected for preservation in the registry has now reached 800 .
TCM or Turner Classic Movies will be airing a selection of films named to the registry for 2020 on Tuesday starting @ @ @ @ @

1/3
Christopher Nolan, the director behind "The Dark Knight," which has been added to the National Film Registry. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 14 (UPI) -- The Dark Knight, Grease, The Blues Brothers, Shrek and more were selected for inclusion in the National Film Registry Monday by The Library of Congress. Freedom Riders, The Hurt Locker, Mauna Kea: Temple Under Siege, The Ground, Buena Vista Social Club, The Devil Never Sleeps, The Joy Luck Club, Illusions, Losing Ground, Wattstax, Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, A Clockwork Orange, Lilies of the Field, The Man with the Golden Arm, Outrage, Cabin the Sky, With Cara and Camera Around the World, The Battle of the Century, Bread, Kid Auto Races at Venice and Suspense have also been added to the National Film Registry. Advertisement
The Library of Congress chooses 25 films every year for the National Film Registry due to a film's cultural, historic or aesthetic importance.
"This is not only a great honor for all of us who worked on The Dark Knight, this is also a tribute to all of the amazing artists and writers who have worked on the great mythology of Batman over the decades," Christopher Nolan, director of The Dark Knight said in a statement.
The films selected for 2020 include nine directed by women and seven directed by people of color.
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"The National Film Registry is an important record of American history, culture and creativity, captured through one of the great American artforms, our cinematic experience," Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said in a statement.
"With the inclusion of diverse filmmakers, we are not trying to set records but rather to set the record straight by spotlighting the astonishing contributions women and people of color have made to American cinema, despite facing often overwhelming hurdles," she continued.
Clerks, Purple Rain, Boys Don't Cry, She's Gotta Have It, Coal Miner's Daughter, Before Stonewall, Platoon and Sleeping Beauty were among the films chosen last year.
The number of films selected for preservation in the registry has now reached 800.
TCM or Turner Classic Movies will be airing a selection of films named to the registry for 2020 on Tuesday starting at 8 p.m. EST.


upi--2020-12-14--Champions League soccer: Barcelona-PSG, Atletico-Chelsea among round of 16 matchups

Dec. 14 ( UPI ) -- Lionel Messi and Barcelona on Monday were plucked for a matchup with Neymar Jr. and PSG as part of the round of 16 draw for the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League .
The draw , which took place at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon , Switzerland , also revealed knockout stage matchups between Liverpool and Leipzig ; Atletico and Chelsea ; and Juventus and Porto .
`` We know [ Paris ] well , they 've got some exceptional players , '' Barcelona director of institutional relations Guillermo Amor told reporters .
`` Paris want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Last year they came very close to winning it and they want to go one better this time round , but we 've got something to say about that . ''
English Premier League club Manchester City drew a round of 16 matchup against Borussia Monchengladbach of the German Bundesliga .
Perennial Bundesliga winner Bayern Munich -- the defending champion of the Champions League -- battles Italian Serie A side Lazio .
Spanish La Liga club Sevilla takes on Borussia Dortmund of the Bundesliga .
La Liga 's Real Madrid battles Serie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up against a great opponent , a really historic club , '' Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui said .
`` They [ Dortmund ] have some top players .
We 're talking about the last 16 of the Champions League against a top-level opponent .
`` They can play with different setups and systems , they 've got technically good players , physically they 're strong and they play fast-paced football .
We 'll need to be at our best . ''
Round of 16 first leg matches will be on Feb. 16 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leg matches will be March 9 , 10 , 16 , and 17 .
Teams that advance out of the round of 16 will be entered into draws for the quarterfinals , semifinals and final on March 19 before the first leg of the quarterfinals starts in April .
The 2020-21 Champions League final is on May 29 in Istanbul , Turkey .
Bayern beat PSG 1-0 in the 2019-20 Champions League final on Aug. 23 in Lisbon , Portugal .
Liverpool won the title in 2018-19 .
Real Madrid won the European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 and have a record 13 Champions League crowns .

UEFA deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchetti reveals the card of Atalanta for a matchup against Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2020-21 round of 16 draw on Monday at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. Photo by Harold Cunningham/EPA-EFE
Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Lionel Messi and Barcelona on Monday were plucked for a matchup with Neymar Jr. and PSG as part of the round of 16 draw for the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League. The draw, which took place at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, also revealed knockout stage matchups between Liverpool and Leipzig; Atletico and Chelsea; and Juventus and Porto. Advertisement
"We know [Paris] well, they've got some exceptional players," Barcelona director of institutional relations Guillermo Amor told reporters. "Paris want to fight for the Champions League.
"Last year they came very close to winning it and they want to go one better this time round, but we've got something to say about that."
English Premier League club Manchester City drew a round of 16 matchup against Borussia Monchengladbach of the German Bundesliga.
Perennial Bundesliga winner Bayern Munich -- the defending champion of the Champions League -- battles Italian Serie A side Lazio.
Spanish La Liga club Sevilla takes on Borussia Dortmund of the Bundesliga. La Liga's Real Madrid battles Serie A squad Atalanta.
"We're up against a great opponent, a really historic club," Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui said. "They [Dortmund] have some top players. We're talking about the last 16 of the Champions League against a top-level opponent.
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"They can play with different setups and systems, they've got technically good players, physically they're strong and they play fast-paced football. We'll need to be at our best."
Round of 16 first leg matches will be on Feb. 16, 17, 23 and 24. Second leg matches will be March 9, 10, 16, and 17. Teams that advance out of the round of 16 will be entered into draws for the quarterfinals, semifinals and final on March 19 before the first leg of the quarterfinals starts in April.
The 2020-21 Champions League final is on May 29 in Istanbul, Turkey.
Bayern beat PSG 1-0 in the 2019-20 Champions League final on Aug. 23 in Lisbon, Portugal. Liverpool won the title in 2018-19.
Real Madrid won the European tournament three consecutive times from 2016 through 2018 and have a record 13 Champions League crowns.
Champions League round of 16 matchups
Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Manchester City
Lazio vs. Bayern Munich
Atletico Madrid vs. Chelsea
RB Leipzig vs. Liverpool
Porto vs. Juventus
Barcelona vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Sevilla vs. Borussia Dortmund
Atalanta vs. Real Madrid


upi--2020-12-14--U.S. nears 300,000 deaths as COVID-19 vaccine set to arrive at first sites

Dec. 14 ( UPI ) -- The United States approached 300,000 coronavirus-related deaths Monday as the first vials of the newly approved COVID-19 vaccine were set to arrive at their distribution points nationwide .
Nearly 1,400 Americans died Sunday , pushing the U.S. total since the start of the pandemic to 299,191 , according to a running tally kept by Johns Hopkins University .
The United States averaged 2,400 daily deaths last week , surpassing the 3,000 mark twice for the first time .
Death totals are usually lower on Mondays , reflecting delays in collecting data during weekends .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday , down from Friday 's all-time high of 232,000 but still well above the two-week average of 166,000 , according to health news website Stat .
The latest figures boosted the total U.S. caseload since March to 16.25 million , the Johns Hopkins data showed .
The number of Americans hospitalized with COVID-19 set a new record for the 17th consecutive day , rising to 109,000 , according to the COVID Tracking Project .
Amid the worsening pandemic , the first vials of a vaccine made by U.S. pharma giant Pfizer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to arrive at healthcare facilities across the country early Monday .
Just hours after Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield approved the vaccine to be administered to patients , trucks carrying nearly 185,000 vials left Pfizer 's facility in Kalamazoo , Mich .
The first batch of vaccines arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport late Sunday night via Federal Express , airport officials said .
`` This is a major milestone for science , our country and our community , '' they said in a tweet .
`` Thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivery possible , and are part of the incredible effort to distribute vaccines around the world . ''
The initial vials of the vaccine also arrived in Canada late Sunday , Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced .
`` This is good news , '' he wrote on Twitter .
`` But our fight against COVID-19 is not over .
Now more than ever , let 's keep up our vigilance . ''
In Texas , which reported 6,500 new cases and more than 100 deaths Sunday , 109 medical facilities were awaiting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the state , officials said .
The initial 20,000 doses will arrive at four sites in Houston , Austin , Dallas and San Antonio .
Another 75,000 doses will be arriving at 19 sites in 12 Texas cities on Tuesday .
Hospitals at Ohio State University and the University of Michigan were also expecting to receive their first does early Monday , officials told CNN .
Here are some other COVID-19 developments Monday : • California Gov .
Gavin Newsom hailed the shipment of the vaccine as `` the beginning of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leads the nation with more than 1.55 million cases , added at least 30,000 new cases for a third consecutive day .
`` We can do this .
Wear a mask .
Stay home as much as possible .
Let 's crush this curve and get to the finish line , '' Newsom .
• A bipartisan group of lawmakers plan to introduce their $ 908 billion COVID-19 relief bill on Monday .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer back the bill , which calls for $ 288 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for extended unemployment insurance .
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell , however , opposes the measure .

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Sandra Lindsay (L), a nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, is inoculated Monday with the COVID-19 vaccine by Dr. Michelle Chester in New York City. Pool Photo by Mark Lennihan/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 14 (UPI) -- The United States hit the grim milestone of 300,000 coronavirus-related deaths Monday as a New York City nurse became one of the first American recipients of a new COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer. Nearly 1,400 Americans died Sunday, pushing the U.S. total since the start of the pandemic to 300,490, according to a running tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. The United States averaged 2,400 daily deaths last week, surpassing the 3,000 mark twice for the first time. Advertisement
Death totals are usually lower on Mondays, reflecting delays in collecting data during weekends.
Meanwhile, 191,000 new infections were confirmed on Sunday, down from Friday's all-time high of 232,000 but still well above the two-week average of 166,000, according to health news website Stat.
The latest figures boosted the total U.S. caseload since March to 16.51 million, the Johns Hopkins data showed.
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The number of Americans hospitalized with COVID-19 set a new record for the 17th consecutive day, rising to 109,000, according to the COVID Tracking Project.
Amid the worsening pandemic, the first vials of a vaccine made by U.S. pharma giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech arrived at healthcare facilities across the country.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert said Monday that the United States should achieve "that umbrella of herd immunity" by late spring or early summer of 2021.
"By the time we get to the fall, we can start approaching some degree of relief where the level of infection will be so low in society we can start essentially approaching some form of normality," Fauci told MSNBC.
An intensive-care nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York received the first vaccine administered in the state, and perhaps the country, Monday morning as Gov. Andrew Cuomo watched via remote video feed.
Before nurse Sandra Lindsay received the shot, Cuomo praised the efforts of frontline responders in battling the pandemic.
"I know how horrific it was [for healthcare workers], it was a modern-day battlefield," he said. "That's why the word 'hero' is so appropriate for what you did."
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Applause broke out after Lindsay was inoculated.
However, even as he celebrated the beginning of the "largest vaccination effort in the history of New York City," Mayor Bill de Blasio warned that a total lockdown might be necessary before the vaccine can make a difference.
"It's not just a shot in the medical sense, it's a shot of hope," he said in a daily briefing, "but we have to keep fighting this virus in the meantime."
Indoor restaurant dining in the city was banned beginning Monday by a order issued last week by Cuomo, but de Blasio indicated even stricter measures may be in the offing due to "really worrisome" increases in hospitalizations and the rate of new infections.
"The governor said we should prepare for the possibility for a full shutdown, I agree with that," he said. "We need to recognize that that may be coming, and we need to get ready for that now."
Just hours after Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield approved the vaccine to be administered to patients on Sunday, trucks carrying nearly 185,000 vials left Pfizer's facility in Kalamazoo, Mich.
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The first batch of vaccines arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport via Federal Express, airport officials said.
"This is a major milestone for science, our country and our community," they said in a tweet. "Thank you to all those who made this delivery possible, and are part of the incredible effort to distribute vaccines around the world."
The initial vials of the vaccine also arrived in Canada late Sunday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced.
"This is good news," he wrote on Twitter. "But our fight against COVID-19 is not over. Now more than ever, let's keep up our vigilance."
In Texas, which reported 6,500 new cases and more than 100 deaths Sunday, 109 medical facilities were awaiting the first allocation of 1.4 million doses earmarked for the state, officials said.
The initial 20,000 doses will arrive at four sites in Houston, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio. Another 75,000 doses will be arriving at 19 sites in 12 Texas cities on Tuesday.
Hospitals at Ohio State University and the University of Michigan were also expecting to receive their first does early Monday, officials told CNN.
In other COVID-19 developments Monday:
A bipartisan group of lawmakers plan to introduce their $908 billion COVID-19 relief bill. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer back the bill, which calls for $288 billion in small-business support and $180 billion for extended unemployment insurance. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell opposes the measure.
In a case that could have implications for the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, an employee has filed a complaint against the University of Virginia Health System for refusing to exempt him from getting a flu shot that he believes would "defile the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit."
vaccine, an employee has filed a complaint against the University of Virginia Health System for refusing to exempt him from getting a flu shot that he believes would "defile the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit." A Texas Boy Scout troop is helping residents at a nursing home get a little closer to their visitors with a "hug booth." It's designed with a plexiglass window that allows guests to stick their hands through large, sanitized gloves for hugging and other physical touches.


upi--2020-12-14--Reddit says it is buying Dubsmash

Reddit says it is buying Dubsmash

Dec. 14 ( UPI ) -- The popular social media platform Reddit said Sunday it has acquired the German short-video app Dubsmash for an undisclosed amount of money in an effort to keep up with rivals like Facebook and Twitter .
Dubsmash is also a rival to Chinese-owned TikTok , which has dominated the short-video app field .
The app will add to the offerings of Reddit , best known for its online forums that attract groups with similar interests .
The financial terms of the deal include a mixture of cash and stocks .
`` Both Reddit and Dubsmash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come together , '' Steve Huffman , Reddit 's CEO said in a statement .
`` Dubsmash elevates under-represented creators , while Reddit fosters a sense of community and belonging across thousands of different topics and passions .
It 's clear that our missions closely align and that our community-focused platforms can coexist and grow as we learn from each other , '' Huffman said .
Dubsmash said its mission has been to uplift under-represented creators .
Twenty-five percent of African-American teens use Dubsmash while 70 % of the app 's users are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one billion video views per month .
`` In our years of building Dubsmash , we 've learned how video can spark creativity , unlock interactions , and deepen connections within communities , '' Suchit Dash , head of Dubsmash , said .
`` We want to continue our journey to bring best in class video products to our users , and now Reddit users .
We believe in the idea of connecting creators around interests and topics , something Reddit has pioneered , in our growing Dubsmash community , '' Dash said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration as a national security concern because it is owned by the Chinese firm Byte Dance .
President Donald Trump has called for it to be sold to a firm in the United States or it would be prevented from operating here .

Dec. 14 (UPI) -- The popular social media platform Reddit said Sunday it has acquired the German short-video app Dubsmash for an undisclosed amount of money in an effort to keep up with rivals like Facebook and Twitter.
Dubsmash is also a rival to Chinese-owned TikTok, which has dominated the short-video app field.
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The app will add to the offerings of Reddit, best known for its online forums that attract groups with similar interests.
The financial terms of the deal include a mixture of cash and stocks.
"Both Reddit and Dubsmash share a deep-rooted respect for how communities come together," Steve Huffman, Reddit's CEO said in a statement.
"Dubsmash elevates under-represented creators, while Reddit fosters a sense of community and belonging across thousands of different topics and passions. It's clear that our missions closely align and that our community-focused platforms can coexist and grow as we learn from each other," Huffman said.
Dubsmash said its mission has been to uplift under-represented creators.
Twenty-five percent of African-American teens use Dubsmash while 70% of the app's users are females. The app receives more than one billion video views per month.
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"In our years of building Dubsmash, we've learned how video can spark creativity, unlock interactions, and deepen connections within communities," Suchit Dash, head of Dubsmash, said.
"We want to continue our journey to bring best in class video products to our users, and now Reddit users. We believe in the idea of connecting creators around interests and topics, something Reddit has pioneered, in our growing Dubsmash community," Dash said.
TikTok has been targeted by the Trump administration as a national security concern because it is owned by the Chinese firm Byte Dance. President Donald Trump has called for it to be sold to a firm in the United States or it would be prevented from operating here.


upi--2020-12-14--Bills stay hot, sink Steelers on 'SNF'

Bills stay hot, sink Steelers on 'SNF'

Dec. 14 ( UPI ) -- The Buffalo Bills defense intercepted Ben Roethlisberger twice and allowed just 224 total yards to earn the team 's sixth win in seven games with a 26-15 triumph over the Pittsburgh Steelers .
Bills quarterback Josh Allen completed 24 of 43 passes for 238 yards and threw two touchdown passes in the win on Sunday in Orchard Park , N.Y. '' Our defense stepped up big time , especially when we started out the way we did , '' Allen told reporters .
`` We 've got a lot of guys that care about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to let each other down .
`` When we 're out there , we put it on the line for each other . ''
The Steelers have now lost two consecutive games after they started the season 11-0 .
Pittsburgh clinched a playoff spot before kickoff of the Sunday Night Football matchup due to the Kansas City Chiefs ' win over the Miami Dolphins .
`` We 've lost two , '' Roethlisberger said .
`` We are facing some adversity .
We 're not hitting the panic button .
`` Offensively , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , we are not playing good football , and that starts with me .
We all need to look in the mirror ... and understand that we all need to be better . ''
Roethlisberger completed 21 of 37 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns , in addition to his two interceptions .
Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs had 10 catches for 130 yards and a score .
Neither team could find an offensive groove at the start of the game .
The Steelers scored the first touchdown of the contest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James Washington for that score , which came three snaps after the Bills fumbled deep in their own territory .
Bills kicker Tyler Bass made a field goal later in the quarter before cornerback Taron Johnson intercepted Roethlisberger and scored on a 51-yard return to give Buffalo a 9-7 lead at halftime .
The Bills pushed their advantage to 16-9 with an eight-play , 68-yard touchdown drive to start the second half .
Allen threw a 19-yard touchdown toss to Diggs to end that possession .
Allen then hooked up with Gabriel Davis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bills next drive for a 23-7 edge .
Roethlisberger and the Steelers fought back with a long drive through the end of the third quarter .
The Steelers quarterback connected with wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for a three-yard touchdown to end that 10-play , 78-yard possession .
Bass added another field goal for Buffalo on the next drive for the final points of the game .
`` We have to find a way to collect ourselves and make sufficient plays , but we did n't , '' Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ get ready for our next opportunity . ''
The Bills ( 10-3 ) battle the Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m. EST on Saturday in Denver .
The Steelers face the Cincinnati Bengals at 8:15 p.m. EST on Dec. 21 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati .

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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes in a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in Orchard Park, N.Y. File Photo by Corey Sipkin/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 14 (UPI) -- The Buffalo Bills defense intercepted Ben Roethlisberger twice and allowed just 224 total yards to earn the team's sixth win in seven games with a 26-15 triumph over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bills quarterback Josh Allen completed 24 of 43 passes for 238 yards and threw two touchdown passes in the win on Sunday in Orchard Park, N.Y. Advertisement
"Our defense stepped up big time, especially when we started out the way we did," Allen told reporters. "We've got a lot of guys that care about each other and we don't want to let each other down.
"When we're out there, we put it on the line for each other."
The Steelers have now lost two consecutive games after they started the season 11-0. Pittsburgh clinched a playoff spot before kickoff of the Sunday Night Football matchup due to the Kansas City Chiefs' win over the Miami Dolphins.
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"We've lost two," Roethlisberger said. "We are facing some adversity. We're not hitting the panic button.
"Offensively, we are not very good. Right now, we are not playing good football, and that starts with me. We all need to look in the mirror ... and understand that we all need to be better."
Roethlisberger completed 21 of 37 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to his two interceptions. Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs had 10 catches for 130 yards and a score.
Neither team could find an offensive groove at the start of the game. The Steelers scored the first touchdown of the contest 8:26 before halftime. Roethlisberger connected with James Washington for that score, which came three snaps after the Bills fumbled deep in their own territory.
Bills kicker Tyler Bass made a field goal later in the quarter before cornerback Taron Johnson intercepted Roethlisberger and scored on a 51-yard return to give Buffalo a 9-7 lead at halftime.
The Bills pushed their advantage to 16-9 with an eight-play, 68-yard touchdown drive to start the second half. Allen threw a 19-yard touchdown toss to Diggs to end that possession. Allen then hooked up with Gabriel Davis on a 13-yard touchdown toss on the Bills next drive for a 23-7 edge.
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Roethlisberger and the Steelers fought back with a long drive through the end of the third quarter. The Steelers quarterback connected with wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster for a three-yard touchdown to end that 10-play, 78-yard possession.
Bass added another field goal for Buffalo on the next drive for the final points of the game.
"We have to find a way to collect ourselves and make sufficient plays, but we didn't," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said.
"We accept responsibility for that and get ready for our next opportunity."
The Bills (10-3) battle the Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m. EST on Saturday in Denver. The Steelers face the Cincinnati Bengals at 8:15 p.m. EST on Dec. 21 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-14--'Cyberpunk 2077' developer vows to fix issues on PS4, Xbox One, offers refunds

Dec. 14 ( UPI ) -- Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red said on Twitter Monday that they will fix the game 's issues on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One , while also offering players a refund .
Cyberpunk 2077 , which was released on Thursday , has performed poorly with a number of technical issues on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One .
CD Projekt Red also apologized for not showcasing the game on the consoles beforehand .
`` First of all , we would like to start by apologizing to you for not showing the game on base last-gen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequence , not allowing you to make a more informed decision about your purchase .
We should have paid more attention to making it play better on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One , '' the developer said before laying out its plans to fix the game .
CD Projekt Red said the next patch for the game is coming within the next seven days .
Two large patches are then planned with the first one coming in January and the second in February .
The patches , the developer said , will help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improve the overall experience .
`` Together these should fix the most prominent problems gamers are facing on last-gen consoles .
We will be informing you about the contents of each patch ahead of their release .
They wo n't make the game on last-gen look like it 's running on a high-spec PC or next-gen console , but it will be closer to that experience than it is now , '' CD Projekt Red said .
`` Finally , we would always like everyone who buys our games to be satisfied with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you would give us a chance , but if you are not pleased with the game on your console and do n't want to wait for updates , you can opt to refund your copy , '' they continued .
Fans who purchased the game digitally can use the refund system on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One .
The developer said those who purchased the game physically should try to get a refund from the store they bought the game from .
CD Projekt Red said that those experiencing issues with returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that PC players will continue to receive updates to improve the game as well .
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure game set in the future .
Players control V , who is searching for an implant that grants immortality .
Keanu portrays the character of Johnny Silverhand .

Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Cyberpunk 2077 developer CD Projekt Red said on Twitter Monday that they will fix the game's issues on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, while also offering players a refund.
Cyberpunk 2077, which was released on Thursday, has performed poorly with a number of technical issues on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
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CD Projekt Red also apologized for not showcasing the game on the consoles beforehand.
"First of all, we would like to start by apologizing to you for not showing the game on base last-gen consoles before it premiered and, in consequence, not allowing you to make a more informed decision about your purchase. We should have paid more attention to making it play better on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One," the developer said before laying out its plans to fix the game.
CD Projekt Red said the next patch for the game is coming within the next seven days. Two large patches are then planned with the first one coming in January and the second in February.
The patches, the developer said, will help with bugs, game crashes and will improve the overall experience.
"Together these should fix the most prominent problems gamers are facing on last-gen consoles. We will be informing you about the contents of each patch ahead of their release. They won't make the game on last-gen look like it's running on a high-spec PC or next-gen console, but it will be closer to that experience than it is now," CD Projekt Red said.
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"Finally, we would always like everyone who buys our games to be satisfied with their purchase. We would appreciate it if you would give us a chance, but if you are not pleased with the game on your console and don't want to wait for updates, you can opt to refund your copy," they continued.
Fans who purchased the game digitally can use the refund system on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The developer said those who purchased the game physically should try to get a refund from the store they bought the game from.
CD Projekt Red said that those experiencing issues with returning it in-store can email the developer and that PC players will continue to receive updates to improve the game as well.
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure game set in the future. Players control V, who is searching for an implant that grants immortality. Keanu portrays the character of Johnny Silverhand.


upi--2020-12-14--South Korea closes schools, opens new testing sites amid COVID-19 outbreak

SEOUL , Dec. 14 ( UPI ) -- After a weekend that saw record numbers of daily COVID-19 infections , South Korea amplified its efforts to control the spread of the virus with measures that include closing schools and opening 150 additional testing sites in the greater Seoul area on Monday .
On Sunday , South Korea recorded 1,050 COVID-19 cases , its highest-ever daily total , forcing health authorities to scramble to contain a third wave of the virus .
In an emergency meeting Sunday , President Moon Jae-in called the outbreak , which began in mid-November and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest crisis since the coronavirus has entered South Korea . ''
South Korea recorded its first COVID-19 infection on Jan. 20 .
`` There is nowhere to back down , '' Moon said .
`` This is a desperate time to devote all efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus by focusing all of our virus-control capabilities and administrative power . ''
Moon said that South Korea was entering a `` critical phase '' in trying to get the outbreak under control before moving to its highest phase of distancing guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more severe restrictions on movement and businesses .
The government ordered schools in the Seoul metropolitan area , where most of the cases have been concentrated , to move to fully online classes starting on Tuesday until the end of the month .
Health authorities also began providing free COVID-19 tests at 150 pop-up clinics in Seoul on Monday , allowing anyone to get tested anonymously , even asymptomatic people or those who have not come into contact with known cases .
The military was called in to add support , with 379 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Command sent out to health centers in Seoul to help with tracing and transferring samples for virus tests , the Army said .
Citizens seemed to respond to the plea from the government for increased testing on Monday , as an outdoor center set up at Seoul Station saw a steady stream of people lining up for nasal swabs despite frigid temperatures .
`` If people with asymptomatic infections in the local community are detected and isolated early through a large-scale pre-emptive examination , the current third wave can be managed without further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeong-hyup said in a statement Monday .
South Korea has been hailed around the world for its success in containing the spread of COVID-19 through aggressive testing and tracing without resorting to the lockdowns seen in the United States and Europe .
The Seoul area has been under Level 2.5 restrictions , the second-highest on the 5-tier system , since last week .
Under the guidelines , high-risk business such as nightclubs and karaoke rooms are forced to close , while restaurants , cafes and most stores must suspend operations at 9 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 restrictions would ban all gatherings of more than 10 people and allow only essential workers into offices .
`` If we improve the situation within a few days , we can avoid an upgrade to Level 3 distancing , which forces to the people to make tremendous sacrifices , '' Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said during a meeting Monday .
South Korea reported 718 new cases on Monday , a figure that reflects lower testing over the weekend , bringing the overall caseload to 43,484 , according to the Korea Disease Control @ @ @ @

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A health worker tests a patient Monday for COVID-19 at a new temporary walk-in site in Seoul, South Korea. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo
SEOUL, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- After a weekend that saw record numbers of daily COVID-19 infections, South Korea amplified its efforts to control the spread of the virus with measures that include closing schools and opening 150 additional testing sites in the greater Seoul area on Monday. On Sunday, South Korea recorded 1,050 COVID-19 cases, its highest-ever daily total, forcing health authorities to scramble to contain a third wave of the virus. Advertisement
In an emergency meeting Sunday, President Moon Jae-in called the outbreak, which began in mid-November and has shown no signs of slowing, "the biggest crisis since the coronavirus has entered South Korea."
South Korea recorded its first COVID-19 infection on Jan. 20.
"There is nowhere to back down," Moon said. "This is a desperate time to devote all efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus by focusing all of our virus-control capabilities and administrative power."
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Moon said that South Korea was entering a "critical phase" in trying to get the outbreak under control before moving to its highest phase of distancing guidelines, Level 3, which will impose more severe restrictions on movement and businesses.
The government ordered schools in the Seoul metropolitan area, where most of the cases have been concentrated, to move to fully online classes starting on Tuesday until the end of the month.
Health authorities also began providing free COVID-19 tests at 150 pop-up clinics in Seoul on Monday, allowing anyone to get tested anonymously, even asymptomatic people or those who have not come into contact with known cases.
The military was called in to add support, with 379 officers from the Army's Special Warfare Command sent out to health centers in Seoul to help with tracing and transferring samples for virus tests, the Army said.
Citizens seemed to respond to the plea from the government for increased testing on Monday, as an outdoor center set up at Seoul Station saw a steady stream of people lining up for nasal swabs despite frigid temperatures.
"If people with asymptomatic infections in the local community are detected and isolated early through a large-scale pre-emptive examination, the current third wave can be managed without further damage," acting Seoul Mayor Seo Jeong-hyup said in a statement Monday.
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South Korea has been hailed around the world for its success in containing the spread of COVID-19 through aggressive testing and tracing without resorting to the lockdowns seen in the United States and Europe.
The Seoul area has been under Level 2.5 restrictions, the second-highest on the 5-tier system, since last week. Under the guidelines, high-risk business such as nightclubs and karaoke rooms are forced to close, while restaurants, cafes and most stores must suspend operations at 9 p.m. each night.
A move to Level 3 restrictions would ban all gatherings of more than 10 people and allow only essential workers into offices.
"If we improve the situation within a few days, we can avoid an upgrade to Level 3 distancing, which forces to the people to make tremendous sacrifices," Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said during a meeting Monday.
South Korea reported 718 new cases on Monday, a figure that reflects lower testing over the weekend, bringing the overall caseload to 43,484, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.


upi--2020-12-14--U.S. agencies ordered to look for hacks after Commerce Dept. breach

Dec. 14 ( UPI ) -- The cybersecurity arm of the Department of Homeland Security has issued an emergency directive for all federal civilian executive branch agencies to search their networks for indications they were compromised after the Commerce Department confirmed it was hacked .
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued the directive late Sunday , stating cybersecurity products by Austin-based SolarWinds are `` being exploited by malicious actors . ''
`` CISA has determined that this exploitation of SolarWinds products poses an unacceptable risk , '' it said , stating the impact of a successful attack could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used by more than 300,000 customers , including more than 400 of the U.S. Fortune 500 companies , five branches of the U.S. military and the Departments of Defense , State and Justice , as well as the office of the president , according to its website .
The company described the attack in a statement as `` highly sophisticated '' and likely conducted by an outside nation state that targeted specific entities .
Though the extent of the intrusion is unknown , the Commerce Department confirmed in a statement to CNN that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breached .
`` We can confirm there has been a breach in one of our bureaus , '' it said without specifying which one .
`` We have asked CISA and the FBI to investigate , and we can not comment further at this time . ''
John Ullyot , the spokesman for the National Security Council , said in a statement that the U.S. government was aware of the reports and was `` taking all necessary steps to identify and remedy any possible issues related to the situation . ''
The breach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. cybersecurity firm FireEye , which works with government and private-sector clients , announced on Tuesday it had been hacked by `` a nation with top-tier offensive capabilities '' who stole tools it uses to mimic the behavior of malicious cyberactors to test security systems .
On Sunday , the company said its investigation uncovered the `` global campaign '' targeting the networks of public and private organizations that was delivered through updates to the network-monitoring products developed by SolarWinds .
`` The campaign demonstrates top-tier operational tradecraft and resourcing consistent with state-sponsored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CEO of FireEye , said in a statement .
The company said it has identified multiple organizations that have indications they were breached as far back as the spring , stating each attack required `` meticulous planning and manual interaction . ''
SolarWinds said the updates in question were released between March and June .
The attack comes a week after the National Security Agency issued a warning that `` Russian state-sponsored malicious cyberactors '' were exploiting vulnerabilities in software used by departments in the U.S. government .
Russia responded to speculation it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , stating `` malicious activities in the information space '' contradict its foreign policy , national interests and understanding of interstate relations .
`` Russia does not conduct offensive operations in the cyber domain , '' the Embassy of Russia in the United States said in a statement published on Facebook .
CISA said in the emergency directive that agencies operating SolarWinds products have until noon Monday to provide it with a complete report of its analysis of potential compromises .
`` Tonight 's directive is intended to mitigate potential compromises within federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our partners -- in the public and private sectors -- to assess their exposure to this compromise and to secure their networks against any exploitation , '' Brandon Wales , CISA acting director , said in a statement .

The Department of Commerce confirmed on Sunday that it was one of the U.S. agencies who experienced a data breach. File Photo by Roger Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 14 (UPI) -- At least three U.S. federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, were breached by hacking linked to weaknesses in network security software from SolarWinds and possibly orchestrated by Russia, authorities said Monday. The Russian intelligence service, SVR, is believed to be behind the attacks. Russian officials have denied involvement. Advertisement
The Commerce and Treasury Departments also reported being hacked in the sophisticated "supply chain" attack that began in the spring, investigators said.
The Russian hackers, nicknamed APT29 or Cozy Bear, breached email systems in a scheme similar to an attack on White House and State Department email servers during the Obama administration, officials told The Washington Post on Monday.
On Sunday, the cybersecurity arm of DHS issued an emergency directive for all federal civilian executive branch agencies to search their networks stating cybersecurity products by Austin, Texas-based SolarWinds are "being exploited by malicious actors."
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"CISA has determined that this exploitation of SolarWinds products poses an unacceptable risk," it said, stating the impact of a successful attack could be "grave."
SolarWinds products are used by more than 300,000 customers, including more than 400 of the U.S. Fortune 500 companies, five branches of the U.S. military and the Departments of Defense, State and Justice, as well as the office of the president, according to the company's website.
The company described the attack in a statement as "highly sophisticated" and likely conducted by an outside nation state that targeted specific entities.
John Ullyot, the spokesman for the National Security Council, said in a statement that the U.S. government was aware of the reports and was "taking all necessary steps to identify and remedy any possible issues related to the situation."
The breach comes less than a week after leading U.S. cybersecurity firm FireEye, which works with government and private-sector clients, announced on Tuesday it had been hacked by "a nation with top-tier offensive capabilities" who stole tools it uses to mimic the behavior of malicious cyberactors to test security systems.
On Sunday, the company said its investigation uncovered the "global campaign" targeting the networks of public and private organizations that was delivered through updates to the network-monitoring products developed by SolarWinds.
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"The campaign demonstrates top-tier operational tradecraft and resourcing consistent with state-sponsored threat actors," Kevin Mandia, CEO of FireEye, said in a statement.
The company said it has identified multiple organizations that have indications they were breached as far back as the spring, stating each attack required "meticulous planning and manual interaction."
SolarWinds said the updates in question were released between March and June. The company also said hackers may have used Microsoft's Office 365 email as "an attack vector."
The attack comes a week after the National Security Agency issued a warning that "Russian state-sponsored malicious cyberactors" were exploiting vulnerabilities in software used by departments in the U.S. government.
Russia responded to speculation it was behind the attack revealed on Sunday, stating "malicious activities in the information space" contradict its foreign policy, national interests and understanding of interstate relations.
"Russia does not conduct offensive operations in the cyber domain," the Embassy of Russia in the United States said in a statement published on Facebook.
CISA said in the emergency directive that agencies operating SolarWinds products have until noon Monday to provide it with a complete report of its analysis of potential compromises.
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"Tonight's directive is intended to mitigate potential compromises within federal civilian networks, and we urge all our partners -- in the public and private sectors -- to assess their exposure to this compromise and to secure their networks against any exploitation," Brandon Wales, CISA acting director, said in a statement.


upi--2020-12-14--Famous birthdays for Dec. 14: Offset, James Comey

Dec. 14 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius .
-- Former @ @ @ @ @ , R-Maine , in 1897

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Offset performs on stage during the Day N Vegas Music Festival at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds on November 2, 2019. The rapper turns 29 on December 14. File Photo by James Atoa/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius. They include: Advertisement
-- French astrologer/prophet Nostradamus in 1503
-- British King George VI in 1895
-- World War II U.S. air ace Jimmy Doolittle in 1896
-- Former U.S. Sen. Margaret Chase Smith, R-Maine, in 1897
File Photo courtesy of the U.S. Senate
-- Horror novelist Shirley Jackson in 1916
-- Country singer Charlie Rich in 1932
-- Actor Lee Remick in 1935
-- Football Hall of Fame member Ernie Davis in 1939
-- Tennis Hall of Fame member Stan Smith in 1946 (age 74)
-- Actor Patty Duke in 1946
-- Former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff in 1947 (age 73)
-- Actor Dee Wallace in 1948 (age 72)
-- Former FBI Director James Comey in 1960 (age 60)
File Photo by Dennis Van Tine/UPI
-- Actor Miranda Hart in 1972 (age 48)
-- Actor Jackson Rathbone in 1984 (age 36)
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-- Actor Vanessa Hudgens in 1988 (age 32)
-- Rapper Offset, born Kiari Kendrell Cephus, in 1991 (age 29)
-- Actor Joshua Rush in 2001 (age 19)


upi--2020-12-14--On This Day, Dec. 14: 28 die in Sandy Hook school massacre

Dec. 14 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1287 , more than 50,000 people died in a flood caused by the collapse of the Zuider Zee dike in the Netherlands .
In 1799 , George Washington , war for independence military leader and first president of the United States , died at his Mount Vernon home in Virginia .
In 1819 , Alabama became the 22nd state in the United States .
In 1911 , Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole .
The world would have to wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Amundsen 's triumphant feat .
In 1972 , Apollo 17 commander Eugene Cernan re-entered the lunar lander -- the last man to walk on the moon .
In 1988 , the United States announced the start of a `` substantive dialogue '' with the Palestine Liberation Organization for the first time .
In 1989 , Andrei Sakharov , father of the Soviet hydrogen bomb , dissident and Nobel Peace Prize winner for defending human rights , died at age 68 .
In 1995 , the signing of a peace treaty at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil war in Bosnia-Herzegovina .
In 2005 , Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the Holocaust was a `` myth '' and called for Israel to be moved to Europe or North America .
In 2006 , the official British police investigation into the 1997 death of Princess Diana in a Paris car crash concluded that it was an accident and no conspiracy or foul play was involved .
In 2012 , a gunman killed 27 people , including 20 children at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown , Conn. , then killed himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adam Lanza , 20 , killed his mother before going to the school .
In 2017 , the Federal Communications Commission repealed Obama-era net neutrality rules , loosening regulations on Internet service providers .

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Mourners gather near a memorial filled with flowers, stuffed toys and candles at the entrance to Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., following a shooting December 14, 2012. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 14 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1287, more than 50,000 people died in a flood caused by the collapse of the Zuider Zee dike in the Netherlands. Advertisement
In 1799, George Washington, war for independence military leader and first president of the United States, died at his Mount Vernon home in Virginia.
In 1819, Alabama became the 22nd state in the United States.
In 1911, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole. The world would have to wait until March 7, 1912 before learning of Amundsen's triumphant feat.
In 1972, Apollo 17 commander Eugene Cernan re-entered the lunar lander -- the last man to walk on the moon.
File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
In 1988, the United States announced the start of a "substantive dialogue" with the Palestine Liberation Organization for the first time.
In 1989, Andrei Sakharov, father of the Soviet hydrogen bomb, dissident and Nobel Peace Prize winner for defending human rights, died at age 68.
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In 1995, the signing of a peace treaty at a ceremony in Paris officially ended a four-year civil war in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
In 2005, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the Holocaust was a "myth" and called for Israel to be moved to Europe or North America.
File Photo by Mohammad Kheirkhah/UPI
In 2006, the official British police investigation into the 1997 death of Princess Diana in a Paris car crash concluded that it was an accident and no conspiracy or foul play was involved.
In 2012, a gunman killed 27 people, including 20 children at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., then killed himself. Police said the black-clad attacker, Adam Lanza, 20, killed his mother before going to the school.
In 2017, the Federal Communications Commission repealed Obama-era net neutrality rules, loosening regulations on Internet service providers.
In 2019, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy.
File Photo by Corey Sipkin/UPI


upi--2020-12-14--John le Carre, best-selling author of Cold War spy novels, dies aged 89

Dec. 13 ( UPI ) -- British best-selling author David Cornwell , better known as John le Carre whose Cold War-era spy novels transformed the espionage genre , died over the weekend , his literary agent said .
He was 89 years old .
His family said le Carre died Saturday night in Cornwall , Britain , from pneumonia after a short battle with the illness .
Jonny Geller , the chief executive of The Curtis Brown Group and le Carre 's literary agent for almost 15 years , mourned his client 's death in a statement .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , most importantly , a friend , '' he said .
`` We will not see his like again . ''
Geller described le Carre as `` an undisputed giant of English literature '' who `` defined the Cold War era and fearlessly spoke truth to power in the decades that followed . ''
Le Carre 's literary career spanned nearly six decades and included 26 books , including The Spy Who Came in From the Cold , the 1963 novel that placed his name among the very best of the spy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , George Smiley , critiquing Ian Fleming 's dapper and handsome James Bond .
His literary career began near the tail end of his time working for the British intelligence service .
In the late 1950s , he spied on far-left groups seeking information on possible Russian agents before transferring to the foreign intelligence service , known as MI6 , in the early 1960s , according to publishing house Penguin Random House Canada .
`` From the day my novel was published , I realized that now and for ever more I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writer , rather than as a writer who , like scores of his kind , had done a stint in the secret world , and written about it , '' he wrote in a postscript to the novel .
`` The novel 's merit , then -- or its offense , depending on where you stood -- was not that it was authentic , but that it was credible . ''
Along with The Spy Who Came in From the Cold , several of his novels have been turned into films , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which received three Oscar award nominations .
Actor Gary Oldman , who starred in the film as Smiley , said le Carre was the `` true owner '' of the serious spy genre and all who follow are in his debt .
`` His characters were drawn deftly and deeply , nuances too many to count , and for me , inhabiting George Smiley remains on of the high points of my life , '' Oldman said in a statement to Deadline .
He added he got to know le Carre during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was always available to offer advice .
`` He was generous with his creativity and always a true gentleman , '' he said .
`` The true spy master of several generations has left us . ''
Nicole Winstanley , the publisher of Penguin Canada and vice president of Penguin Random House Canada , said the death of le Carre was a loss for both publishers and readers alike .
`` We have taken an extraordinary journey through the cultural political landscape with him , riveted by the stories he told , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He will be greatly missed . ''
Le Carre is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years , Jane , and four sons .

British author John Le Carre died Saturday at the age of 89 following a short battle with pneumonia. Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 13 (UPI) -- British best-selling author David Cornwell, better known as John le Carre whose Cold War-era spy novels transformed the espionage genre, died over the weekend, his literary agent said. He was 89 years old. His family said le Carre died Saturday night in Cornwall, Britain, from pneumonia after a short battle with the illness. Advertisement
Jonny Geller, the chief executive of The Curtis Brown Group and le Carre's literary agent for almost 15 years, mourned his client's death in a statement.
"I have lost a mentor, an inspiration and, most importantly, a friend," he said. "We will not see his like again."
Geller described le Carre as "an undisputed giant of English literature" who "defined the Cold War era and fearlessly spoke truth to power in the decades that followed."
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Le Carre's literary career spanned nearly six decades and included 26 books, including The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, the 1963 novel that placed his name among the very best of the spy genre with his plump and balding spy, George Smiley, critiquing Ian Fleming's dapper and handsome James Bond.
His literary career began near the tail end of his time working for the British intelligence service.
In the late 1950s, he spied on far-left groups seeking information on possible Russian agents before transferring to the foreign intelligence service, known as MI6, in the early 1960s, according to publishing house Penguin Random House Canada.
"From the day my novel was published, I realized that now and for ever more I was to be branded as the spy turned writer, rather than as a writer who, like scores of his kind, had done a stint in the secret world, and written about it," he wrote in a postscript to the novel. "The novel's merit, then -- or its offense, depending on where you stood -- was not that it was authentic, but that it was credible."
Along with The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, several of his novels have been turned into films, including Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy in 2011, which received three Oscar award nominations.
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Actor Gary Oldman, who starred in the film as Smiley, said le Carre was the "true owner" of the serious spy genre and all who follow are in his debt.
"His characters were drawn deftly and deeply, nuances too many to count, and for me, inhabiting George Smiley remains on of the high points of my life," Oldman said in a statement to Deadline.
He added he got to know le Carre during the shooting of the film and said he was always available to offer advice.
"He was generous with his creativity and always a true gentleman," he said. "The true spy master of several generations has left us."
Nicole Winstanley, the publisher of Penguin Canada and vice president of Penguin Random House Canada, said the death of le Carre was a loss for both publishers and readers alike.
"We have taken an extraordinary journey through the cultural political landscape with him, riveted by the stories he told," Winstanley wrote in a statement. "He will be greatly missed."
Le Carre is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Jane, and four sons.
Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-12-13--Nets' Kevin Durant scores 15 against Wizards in return from Achilles injury

Dec. 13 ( UPI ) -- Brooklyn Nets star forward Kevin Durant , who spent almost two years rehabilitating a serious Achilles injury , returned to the basketball court for the first time in 552 days for a preseason game against the Washington Wizards on Sunday .
`` I was anxious , nervous , '' Durant said after the game .
`` I visualized this moment for so long .
Nine , ten months of thinking about how it would be -- this next phase of my career .
I felt like I was chomping at the bit .
Especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see a future -- when the season was going to start in the future .
I was going through it .
`` So , to go through this felt solid . ''
The Nets ' first points in the game came from a ferocious Durant dunk in the first quarter .
He followed up his slam with an assist to center DeAndre Jordan .
Brooklyn went on to beat the Wizards 119-114 in the preseason game , which was Durant 's first in a Nets uniform .
He finished with 15 points , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes .
He shot 5-of-12 from the field and added two blocks .
`` It felt great , you know , to be back in a routine and get back on the floor and feel like a player again , '' Durant said .
`` I did n't think I played great .
I felt I had some solid moments .
`` ...
It 's good to get back in the flow of things and it definitely gives me some confidence .
It 's a good step and I am trying to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA action came in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals .
In that game , he went down with a ruptured Achilles tendon in his right leg .
He was helped off the court in Toronto as some Raptors fans cheered about his injury .
The Raptors went on to win the NBA championship , and Durant moved from the Golden State Warriors to the Nets that summer .
After signing a four-year , $ 164 million contract with the Nets in free agency , he sat out the entire 2019-20 campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nets guard Kyrie Irving , who has n't played since February after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery , had 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting against the Wizards .
The All-Star guard , who played for 18 minutes , declined to speak to reporters following the game .

Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) and guard Kyrie Irving (11) return to the court following a timeout during the first half of a preseason game against the Washington Wizards on Sunday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Photo by Peter Foley/EPA-EFE
Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Brooklyn Nets star forward Kevin Durant, who spent almost two years rehabilitating a serious Achilles injury, returned to the basketball court for the first time in 552 days for a preseason game against the Washington Wizards on Sunday. "I was anxious, nervous," Durant said after the game. "I visualized this moment for so long. Nine, ten months of thinking about how it would be -- this next phase of my career. I felt like I was chomping at the bit. Especially once COVID hit because I didn't see a future -- when the season was going to start in the future. I was going through it. Advertisement
"So, to go through this felt solid."
The Nets' first points in the game came from a ferocious Durant dunk in the first quarter. He followed up his slam with an assist to center DeAndre Jordan.
Brooklyn went on to beat the Wizards 119-114 in the preseason game, which was Durant's first in a Nets uniform. He finished with 15 points, three rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes. He shot 5-of-12 from the field and added two blocks.
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"It felt great, you know, to be back in a routine and get back on the floor and feel like a player again," Durant said. "I didn't think I played great. I felt I had some solid moments.
"... It's good to get back in the flow of things and it definitely gives me some confidence. It's a good step and I am trying to build on it."
The comeback is on. 15 points in the preseason debut for @KDTrey5 pic.twitter.com/tPywmhuTIN— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 14, 2020
Durant's last NBA action came in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals. In that game, he went down with a ruptured Achilles tendon in his right leg. He was helped off the court in Toronto as some Raptors fans cheered about his injury.
The Raptors went on to win the NBA championship, and Durant moved from the Golden State Warriors to the Nets that summer. After signing a four-year, $164 million contract with the Nets in free agency, he sat out the entire 2019-20 campaign to fully recover from his Achilles injury.
Nets guard Kyrie Irving, who hasn't played since February after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, had 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting against the Wizards. The All-Star guard, who played for 18 minutes, declined to speak to reporters following the game.


upi--2020-12-13--Raiders fire defensive coordinator Paul Guenther after loss to Colts

Dec. 13 ( UPI ) -- The Las Vegas Raiders fired defensive coordinator Paul Guenther after Sunday 's 44-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts at Allegiant Stadium in Nevada .
The team announced Sunday night that defensive line coach Rod Marinelli will serve as the Raiders ' interim defensive coordinator for the remainder of the 2020 season .
The 49-year-old Guenther , who has been an assistant coach in the NFL since 2002 , was in his third year as the Raiders ' defensive coordinator .
Guenther 's defensive unit was shredded for 212 rushing yards during Sunday 's matchup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed more than 200 rushing yards in consecutive games for just the seventh time in franchise history .
`` To be a championship team and a playoff team , you have to be a good football team in all three phases , '' Raiders head coach Jon Gruden told reporters after Sunday 's loss .
`` Defensively , we had no answer .
You ca n't give up that many yards rushing -- and not get to the quarterback and lose the turnover margin -- and expect to win in this league .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raiders ( 7-6 ) are in the midst of a 1-3 run in their last four games that has them slipping out of the AFC playoff picture .
Las Vegas is scheduled to host the division rival Los Angeles Chargers ( 4-9 ) on Thursday night .
The Raiders currently sit in the ninth spot in the AFC standings .

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden (pictured) relieved Paul Guenther of his duties after his defensive unit gave up 212 rushing yards during Sunday's matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 13 (UPI) -- The Las Vegas Raiders fired defensive coordinator Paul Guenther after Sunday's 44-27 loss to the Indianapolis Colts at Allegiant Stadium in Nevada. The team announced Sunday night that defensive line coach Rod Marinelli will serve as the Raiders' interim defensive coordinator for the remainder of the 2020 season. Advertisement
The 49-year-old Guenther, who has been an assistant coach in the NFL since 2002, was in his third year as the Raiders' defensive coordinator.
Guenther's defensive unit was shredded for 212 rushing yards during Sunday's matchup against the Colts. The Raiders have allowed more than 200 rushing yards in consecutive games for just the seventh time in franchise history.
"To be a championship team and a playoff team, you have to be a good football team in all three phases," Raiders head coach Jon Gruden told reporters after Sunday's loss. "Defensively, we had no answer. You can't give up that many yards rushing -- and not get to the quarterback and lose the turnover margin -- and expect to win in this league."
With defensive miscues mounting, the Raiders (7-6) are in the midst of a 1-3 run in their last four games that has them slipping out of the AFC playoff picture.
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Las Vegas is scheduled to host the division rival Los Angeles Chargers (4-9) on Thursday night. The Raiders currently sit in the ninth spot in the AFC standings.


upi--2020-12-14--California death row inmate found dead in cell

Dec. 14 ( UPI ) -- California prison officials said a death row inmate was found dead in his cell early Monday .
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement that condemned inmate Noel Jesse Plata , 45 , was pronounced dead at 4:37 a.m. Monday , nearly an hour after he was found unresponsive in his San Quentin State Prison cell , prompting staff to perform life-saving measures .
`` Although no foul play is suspected , his death is under investigation and the exact cause of death will be determined by the coroner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his partner , Ronald Tri Tran , members of a Vietnamese street gang , were sentenced to death in 2008 for the 1995 gruesome murder of Linda Park , an Irvine Valley College freshman .
The pair were convicted of breaking into Park 's home and torturing her until she told them where her family held their valuables , which consisted of $ 500 in cash and about $ 10,000 in jewelry .
They then slit Park 's throat and strangled her to death , the Los Angeles Times reported following the sentencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison with parole for first-degree murder when he was convicted of killing Park , California 's corrections department said .
Plata and Tran were admitted to death row on Aug. 26 , 2008 .

Noel Jesse Plata was sentenced to death for the 1995 gruesome murder of Linda Park, an Irvine Valley College freshman. Photo courtesy of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Dec. 14 (UPI) -- California prison officials said a death row inmate was found dead in his cell early Monday. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement that condemned inmate Noel Jesse Plata, 45, was pronounced dead at 4:37 a.m. Monday, nearly an hour after he was found unresponsive in his San Quentin State Prison cell, prompting staff to perform life-saving measures. Advertisement
"Although no foul play is suspected, his death is under investigation and the exact cause of death will be determined by the coroner," the statement said.
Plata and his partner, Ronald Tri Tran, members of a Vietnamese street gang, were sentenced to death in 2008 for the 1995 gruesome murder of Linda Park, an Irvine Valley College freshman.
The pair were convicted of breaking into Park's home and torturing her until she told them where her family held their valuables, which consisted of $500 in cash and about $10,000 in jewelry. They then slit Park's throat and strangled her to death, the Los Angeles Times reported following the sentencing.
Plata was already serving life in prison with parole for first-degree murder when he was convicted of killing Park, California's corrections department said.
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Plata and Tran were admitted to death row on Aug. 26, 2008.