upi--2020-12-30--Joe Biden nominates Kathleen Hicks first female deputy secretary of defense

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday appointed or nominated several officials to the Defense Department and White House staff , including what would potentially be the highest-ranking female Pentagon official in U.S. history .
The transition team announced that Biden nominated Kathleen Hicks as deputy secretary of defense and Colin Kahl as undersecretary of defense for policy .
If confirmed , Hicks would be the first woman to serve as deputy secretary for the Pentagon .
She would serve under former four-star Army Gen. Lloyd Austin III , whom Biden nominated to head the Pentagon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hicks and Dr. Colin Kahl have the broad experience and crisis-tested judgment necessary to help tackle the litany of challenges we face today , and all those we may confront tomorrow , '' Biden said .
`` They will be trusted partners to me , the vice president-elect , and Secretary-designate [ Lloyd ] Austin -- as well as our dedicated civilian and military team -- as we work to restore responsible American leadership on the world stage . ''
Hicks currently serves as senior vice president and director of the International Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ International Studies .
She has served as an adviser to Biden and leads the transition 's defense review team .
During the Obama administration , she was deputy undersecretary of defense for strategy , plans and forces , and was a career official in the Pentagon for more than a decade .
Kahl is currently a co-director of the Center for International Security and Cooperation and a professor of political science at Stanford University .
He was Biden 's national security adviser during the Obama administration .
The transition team also announced new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kaitlyn Hobbs Demers , Christopher Garcia , Ashley Jones , Alicia Molt-West , Angela Ramirez , Dana Shubat , Lee Slater and Chris Slevin in the Office of Legislative Affairs ; Cynthia Bernstein and Josh Hsu in the Office of the Vice President ; Karen Andre , Jamie Citron , Corina Cortez , Matt Dannenberg , Dani Durante , Stacy Eichner , Danielle Okai , Katie Petrelius , Jacob Sztraicher , Rachel Wallace , Allison Wong and Thomas Zimmerman in the Presidential Personnel Office ; Jessica Hertz and Michael Hochman in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stephen Goepfert and Ashley Williams in Oval Office Operations .
With Wednesday 's announcement , the transition team says it 's now named more than 100 White House staffers .
The team said that of those appointments , 61 % were women , 54 % people of color , 11 % LGBTQ , nearly 20 % first-generation Americans and nearly 40 % have children at home .
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders also account for more than twice their national population .
`` To meet the unprecedented challenges facing the American people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the very best of our country , '' Vice President-elect Kamala Harris said .
`` These remarkable public servants have the knowledge and expertise to hit the ground running on day one .
And I look forward to working with them to get this virus under control , safely and responsibly reopen our economy and our schools , and build back our country in a way that lifts up all Americans . ''

If Kathleen Hicks is confirmed, she would be the first woman to serve as deputy defense secretary. File Photo courtesy of the Biden transition team
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday appointed or nominated several officials to the Defense Department and White House staff, including what would potentially be the highest-ranking female Pentagon official in U.S. history. The transition team announced that Biden nominated Kathleen Hicks as deputy secretary of defense and Colin Kahl as undersecretary of defense for policy. Advertisement
If confirmed, Hicks would be the first woman to serve as deputy secretary for the Pentagon. She would serve under former four-star Army Gen. Lloyd Austin III, whom Biden nominated to head the Pentagon earlier this month.
"Dr. Kath Hicks and Dr. Colin Kahl have the broad experience and crisis-tested judgment necessary to help tackle the litany of challenges we face today, and all those we may confront tomorrow," Biden said. "They will be trusted partners to me, the vice president-elect, and Secretary-designate [Lloyd] Austin -- as well as our dedicated civilian and military team -- as we work to restore responsible American leadership on the world stage."
Hicks currently serves as senior vice president and director of the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. She has served as an adviser to Biden and leads the transition's defense review team.
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During the Obama administration, she was deputy undersecretary of defense for strategy, plans and forces, and was a career official in the Pentagon for more than a decade.
Kahl is currently a co-director of the Center for International Security and Cooperation and a professor of political science at Stanford University. He was Biden's national security adviser during the Obama administration.
The transition team also announced new White House staffers, including Zephranie Buetow, Kaitlyn Hobbs Demers, Christopher Garcia, Ashley Jones, Alicia Molt-West, Angela Ramirez, Dana Shubat, Lee Slater and Chris Slevin in the Office of Legislative Affairs; Cynthia Bernstein and Josh Hsu in the Office of the Vice President; Karen Andre, Jamie Citron, Corina Cortez, Matt Dannenberg, Dani Durante, Stacy Eichner, Danielle Okai, Katie Petrelius, Jacob Sztraicher, Rachel Wallace, Allison Wong and Thomas Zimmerman in the Presidential Personnel Office; Jessica Hertz and Michael Hochman in the Office of the Staff Secretary; and Stephen Goepfert and Ashley Williams in Oval Office Operations.
With Wednesday's announcement, the transition team says it's now named more than 100 White House staffers. The team said that of those appointments, 61% were women, 54% people of color, 11% LGBTQ, nearly 20% first-generation Americans and nearly 40% have children at home. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders also account for more than twice their national population.
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"To meet the unprecedented challenges facing the American people, we must build an administration that reflects the very best of our country," Vice President-elect Kamala Harris said.
"These remarkable public servants have the knowledge and expertise to hit the ground running on day one. And I look forward to working with them to get this virus under control, safely and responsibly reopen our economy and our schools, and build back our country in a way that lifts up all Americans."


upi--2020-12-30--Indonesia outlaws Islamic Defenders Front religious group

A joint ministerial decree signed by top officials and the national police chief said that the Islamic Defenders Front , or FPI , no longer has legal grounds to operate as a civil organization and its activities often violated the law and caused public disorder .
Coordinating Political , Law and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD said the group failed to meet the June 20 , 2019 , deadline to extend its organizational registration permit with the Home Ministry but continued to hold activities that `` disturbed public order and security and was involved in activities that were in violation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sweeping , provocation and other things . ''
The government added that 29 members of the group had been convicted of committing acts of terror and 100 more had been convicted of other crimes but did not provide further details .
FPI spokesman Novel Bamukmin said members would not be deterred by the government 's decision to dissolve the group .
`` They can disband the FPI but they can not disband our struggle in defending the country and religion , '' he said .
`` If we want to , we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afternoon .
If it 's disbanded , we can make a new one continuously .
Registered or not , we continue to exist . ''
The decision to outlaw the group comes two months after its leader , Rizieq Chihab , returned from self-imposed exile pledging to lead the group in a `` moral revolution . ''
Rizieq surrendered to police earlier this month and faces up to six years in prison on charges related to violating the nation 's coronavirus protocol by holding gatherings with thousands of people .

Supporters protest the arrest of Indonesian Islamic cleric and the leader of Islamic Defenders Front Rizieq Shihab. On Wednesday, Indonesia outlawed the hardline Islamic Defenders Front convicting more than two dozen members of committing acts of terror. Photo by Bagus Indahono/EPA-EFE
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Indonesia's government on Wednesday outlawed the hardline Islamic Defenders Front religious group. A joint ministerial decree signed by top officials and the national police chief said that the Islamic Defenders Front, or FPI, no longer has legal grounds to operate as a civil organization and its activities often violated the law and caused public disorder. Advertisement
Coordinating Political, Law and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD said the group failed to meet the June 20, 2019, deadline to extend its organizational registration permit with the Home Ministry but continued to hold activities that "disturbed public order and security and was involved in activities that were in violation of the law such as violence, sweeping, provocation and other things."
The government added that 29 members of the group had been convicted of committing acts of terror and 100 more had been convicted of other crimes but did not provide further details.
FPI spokesman Novel Bamukmin said members would not be deterred by the government's decision to dissolve the group.
"They can disband the FPI but they cannot disband our struggle in defending the country and religion," he said. "If we want to, we can declare a new Islamic mass organization this afternoon. If it's disbanded, we can make a new one continuously. Registered or not, we continue to exist."
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The decision to outlaw the group comes two months after its leader, Rizieq Chihab, returned from self-imposed exile pledging to lead the group in a "moral revolution."
Rizieq surrendered to police earlier this month and faces up to six years in prison on charges related to violating the nation's coronavirus protocol by holding gatherings with thousands of people.


upi--2020-12-30--Man wins big lottery jackpot thanks to clerk's helpful suggestion

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- An Australian man said he never would have purchased the lottery ticket that earned him a jackpot of more than $ 750,000 if it had n't been for a clerk 's suggestion .
The Woy Woy , New South Wales , man told The Lott officials he went to the Deepwater Plaza Newsagency in Woy Woy without any intention of buying a ticket for the Dec. 28 Monday & Wednesday Lotto drawing .
`` Normally , I only enter the big jackpotting games like Oz Lotto , but when I went into the news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Wednesday Lotto , so I got a ticket .
Otherwise , I would n't have normally got it , '' the man recalled .
The ticket ended up earning the man a $ 768,225 jackpot .
`` It 's going to help a lot .
We have quite a crappy car so we can give away the old one and get a nice car , '' he said .
`` There other things on the list .
My mind is just flying around thinking about it all at the moment , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing . ''

A New South Wales, Australia, man won a $768,225 jackpot from a lottery ticket he said he never would have bought if it hadn't been suggested by a store clerk. Photo courtesy of The Lott
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Dec. 30 (UPI) -- An Australian man said he never would have purchased the lottery ticket that earned him a jackpot of more than $750,000 if it hadn't been for a clerk's suggestion. The Woy Woy, New South Wales, man told The Lott officials he went to the Deepwater Plaza Newsagency in Woy Woy without any intention of buying a ticket for the Dec. 28 Monday & Wednesday Lotto drawing. Advertisement
"Normally, I only enter the big jackpotting games like Oz Lotto, but when I went into the news agency, they suggested I try Monday & Wednesday Lotto, so I got a ticket. Otherwise, I wouldn't have normally got it," the man recalled.
The ticket ended up earning the man a $768,225 jackpot.
"It's going to help a lot. We have quite a crappy car so we can give away the old one and get a nice car," he said.
"There other things on the list. My mind is just flying around thinking about it all at the moment, but a new car is definitely the first thing."


upi--2020-12-30--Gut cells alert immune system to invading parasites

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- Cells in the gut are the first to sound the alarm when parasites invade the body , according to a study published this week in the journal PNAS .
When scientists exposed mouse models to the parasite Cryptosporidium , they found the first warning signal was emitted by epithelial cells lining the intestines , not an immune cell .
The gut 's epithelial cells , called enterocytes , are mostly responsible for absorbing nutrients .
But as the latest experiments revealed , they perform surveillance duties , using the molecular receptor NLRP6 to warn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NLRP6 is a component of a multi-protein complex known as the inflammasome .
`` You can think about the inflammasome as an alarm system in a house , '' senior study author Boris Striepen said in a news release .
`` It has various components -- like a camera that watches the door , and sensors on the windows -- and once triggered it amplifies those first signals to warn of danger and send a call for help , '' said Stripen , a professor of pathobiology at the University of Pennsylvania School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these different components as well , and now we 've provided maybe the clearest example yet of how a particular receptor in the gut is acting as a sensor for an important intestinal infection , '' he said .
Previous efforts to understand how the human alarm system works have mostly focused on immune cells like macrophages and dendritic cells .
But the latest study suggests epithelial cells , though not technically immune cells , are key to the body 's ability mount a effective immune response .
`` There is a growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what epithelial cells are doing to help the immune system sense pathogens , '' said first author Adam Sateriale .
`` They seem to be a first line of defense against infection , '' said Sateriale , who previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher in Striepen 's lab but now leads his own lab at the Francis Crick Institute in London .
The parasite Cryptosporidium is responsible for half of all water-borne disease outbreaks in the United States .
In less developed nations , the diarrheal disease caused by the parasite is often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lab experiments , Striepen and Sateriale used a Cryptosporidium species found in mice .
The species behaves similarly to the parasite that infects humans .
As previous studies have shown , Cryptosporidium infection can inflame the intestines of children , making them more susceptible to malnutrition and stunted growth .
Malnutrition can also make children more susceptible to parasitic infections -- an unfortunate reality in developing countries where both malnutrition and water contamination is common .
`` That led us to think that maybe some of the danger-sensing mechanisms that can drive inflammation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the larger context of this infection , '' said Striepen .
In the lab , researchers handicapped the mouse models ' inflammasome by blocking one of its key components , an enzyme called caspase-1 .
`` It turns out that animals that are missing this had much higher levels of infection , '' Sateriale said .
In followup experiments , researchers blocked caspase-1 in only epithelial cells in some mice and blocked the enzyme entirely in others .
The effect for each group was the same -- a bad infection .
Next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inflammasome receptors in the epithelial cells of mice .
They found only the silencing of the NLRP6 receptor lead to a pronounced infection .
When researchers blocked a variety of signaling molecules , they found only the silencing of a cytokine called IL-18 resulted in worse infections , suggesting the cytokine is key to the ability of epithelial cells to send out an alarm signal .
In future studies , Striepen and Sateriale plan to investigate how exactly the alarm signal produced by epithelial cells influences the behavior of the immune system .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is detected , we 'd like to understand the mechanisms by which it is controlled , '' Sateriale said .
`` After the system senses a parasite , what is done to restrict their growth and kill them ? ''

When a parasite invades the body, the first cells to issue a warning signal are epithelial cells lining the intestine, rather than immune cells, as previously thought. Photo by derneuemann /Pixabay
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Cells in the gut are the first to sound the alarm when parasites invade the body, according to a study published this week in the journal PNAS. When scientists exposed mouse models to the parasite Cryptosporidium, they found the first warning signal was emitted by epithelial cells lining the intestines, not an immune cell. Advertisement
The gut's epithelial cells, called enterocytes, are mostly responsible for absorbing nutrients.
But as the latest experiments revealed, they perform surveillance duties, using the molecular receptor NLRP6 to warn other cells of an invading pathogen.
NLRP6 is a component of a multi-protein complex known as the inflammasome.
"You can think about the inflammasome as an alarm system in a house," senior study author Boris Striepen said in a news release.
"It has various components -- like a camera that watches the door, and sensors on the windows -- and once triggered it amplifies those first signals to warn of danger and send a call for help," said Stripen, a professor of pathobiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.
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"Cells have these different components as well, and now we've provided maybe the clearest example yet of how a particular receptor in the gut is acting as a sensor for an important intestinal infection," he said.
Previous efforts to understand how the human alarm system works have mostly focused on immune cells like macrophages and dendritic cells.
But the latest study suggests epithelial cells, though not technically immune cells, are key to the body's ability mount a effective immune response.
"There is a growing body of literature that is really appreciating what epithelial cells are doing to help the immune system sense pathogens," said first author Adam Sateriale.
"They seem to be a first line of defense against infection," said Sateriale, who previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher in Striepen's lab but now leads his own lab at the Francis Crick Institute in London.
The parasite Cryptosporidium is responsible for half of all water-borne disease outbreaks in the United States. In less developed nations, the diarrheal disease caused by the parasite is often fatal in young children.
For their lab experiments, Striepen and Sateriale used a Cryptosporidium species found in mice. The species behaves similarly to the parasite that infects humans.
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As previous studies have shown, Cryptosporidium infection can inflame the intestines of children, making them more susceptible to malnutrition and stunted growth.
Malnutrition can also make children more susceptible to parasitic infections -- an unfortunate reality in developing countries where both malnutrition and water contamination is common.
"That led us to think that maybe some of the danger-sensing mechanisms that can drive inflammation in the gut also play a role in the larger context of this infection," said Striepen.
In the lab, researchers handicapped the mouse models' inflammasome by blocking one of its key components, an enzyme called caspase-1.
"It turns out that animals that are missing this had much higher levels of infection," Sateriale said.
In followup experiments, researchers blocked caspase-1 in only epithelial cells in some mice and blocked the enzyme entirely in others. The effect for each group was the same -- a bad infection.
Next, researchers blocked a variety of potential inflammasome receptors in the epithelial cells of mice. They found only the silencing of the NLRP6 receptor lead to a pronounced infection.
When researchers blocked a variety of signaling molecules, they found only the silencing of a cytokine called IL-18 resulted in worse infections, suggesting the cytokine is key to the ability of epithelial cells to send out an alarm signal.
Advertisement
In future studies, Striepen and Sateriale plan to investigate how exactly the alarm signal produced by epithelial cells influences the behavior of the immune system.
"Now that we understand how infection is detected, we'd like to understand the mechanisms by which it is controlled," Sateriale said. "After the system senses a parasite, what is done to restrict their growth and kill them?"


upi--2020-12-30--Study: Preterm babies don't benefit from higher red blood cell transfusions

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- Very low birth weight babies born with anemia do n't need transfusions with a high number of red blood cells to avoid complications such as developmental delays , cerebral palsy , or hearing and vision loss , a study published Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine found .
About 50 % of preterm infants given high-red-blood-cell transfusions died or suffered a complication , roughly the same percentage as those who received transfusions with lower red-blood-cell counts , the data showed .
This suggests that transfusions given to preterm infants do n't necessarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counts , the researchers said .
Such transfusions carry a higher risk for side effects and other complications , including infections such as sepsis , they said .
`` Our study shows that a commonplace therapy considered to be standard practice may not have received adequate ... proof for benefit or harm , '' study co-author Dr. Haresh Kirpalani told UPI .
`` There needs to be more such systematic evaluation , [ but ] we still need to follow these babies to age 5 years to ensure nothing different is found in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kirpalani , emeritus professor of pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania .
Very preterm infants -- those born before 29 weeks of pregnancy -- and those weighing less than 2 pounds are at high risk for anemia because of their early stage of development .
This includes a reduced ability to produce red blood cells and a need for increased blood sampling as part of their intensive medical care , according to Kirpalani and his colleagues .
Earlier research has suggested anemic infants would have a lower risk of death , developmental delays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss if they received transfusions with higher levels of red blood cells , the researchers said .
Generally , transfusion thresholds for preterm infants vary based on weight , stage of maturity and other factors .
Measuring hemoglobin , a protein produced in red blood cells , indicates the proportion of red blood cells in the transfusion , they said .
For their National Institutes of Health-funded study , Kirpalani and his colleagues assessed health outcomes in 845 infants who received transfusions with higher hemoglobin thresholds and compared them to those among 847 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who received higher levels of red blood cells , 50.1 % died or survived with a neuro-developmental impairment , the data showed .
Among those given transfusions with lower levels , 49.8 % died or survived with a neuro-developmental impairment , the researchers said .
Based on their findings , the researchers concluded that higher hemoglobin thresholds increased the number of transfusions , but did not improve the chance of survival without neuro-developmental impairment in preterm infants .
`` For most very small and immature babies , there is no benefit in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... keeping hemoglobin at the higher range we studied , '' Kirpalani said .
`` There should be fewer blood transfusions , which would mean fewer need for intravenous sites , likely fewer pricks and pains to the baby and possibly even lower the rates of infections [ and ] it might also reserve blood for the most needed situations , '' he said .

Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Very low birth weight babies born with anemia don't need transfusions with a high number of red blood cells to avoid complications such as developmental delays, cerebral palsy, or hearing and vision loss, a study published Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine found.
About 50% of preterm infants given high-red-blood-cell transfusions died or suffered a complication, roughly the same percentage as those who received transfusions with lower red-blood-cell counts, the data showed.
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This suggests that transfusions given to preterm infants don't necessarily need to have higher red blood cell counts, the researchers said.
Such transfusions carry a higher risk for side effects and other complications, including infections such as sepsis, they said.
"Our study shows that a commonplace therapy considered to be standard practice may not have received adequate ... proof for benefit or harm," study co-author Dr. Haresh Kirpalani told UPI.
"There needs to be more such systematic evaluation, [but] we still need to follow these babies to age 5 years to ensure nothing different is found in the even longer term," said Kirpalani, emeritus professor of pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania.
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Very preterm infants -- those born before 29 weeks of pregnancy -- and those weighing less than 2 pounds are at high risk for anemia because of their early stage of development.
This includes a reduced ability to produce red blood cells and a need for increased blood sampling as part of their intensive medical care, according to Kirpalani and his colleagues.
Earlier research has suggested anemic infants would have a lower risk of death, developmental delays, cerebral palsy and hearing and vision loss if they received transfusions with higher levels of red blood cells, the researchers said.
Generally, transfusion thresholds for preterm infants vary based on weight, stage of maturity and other factors. Measuring hemoglobin, a protein produced in red blood cells, indicates the proportion of red blood cells in the transfusion, they said.
For their National Institutes of Health-funded study, Kirpalani and his colleagues assessed health outcomes in 845 infants who received transfusions with higher hemoglobin thresholds and compared them to those among 847 infants who received lower-hemoglobin transfusions.
Of those who received higher levels of red blood cells, 50.1% died or survived with a neuro-developmental impairment, the data showed.
Among those given transfusions with lower levels, 49.8% died or survived with a neuro-developmental impairment, the researchers said.
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Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that higher hemoglobin thresholds increased the number of transfusions, but did not improve the chance of survival without neuro-developmental impairment in preterm infants.
"For most very small and immature babies, there is no benefit in the short term or longer term to ... keeping hemoglobin at the higher range we studied," Kirpalani said.
"There should be fewer blood transfusions, which would mean fewer need for intravenous sites, likely fewer pricks and pains to the baby and possibly even lower the rates of infections [and] it might also reserve blood for the most needed situations," he said.


upi--2020-12-30--Dow Jones hits record high, rising for fourth session out of five

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a record high on Wednesday as investors reacted to renewed optimism surrounding COVID-19 vaccines .
The blue-chip index climbed for the fourth time in five sessions to end the day up 73.89 points , or 0.24 % , to a record closing high of 30,409.56 .
The S & P 500 also rose 0.24 % and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.15 % .
Wednesday 's gains came after Britain approved the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford for emergency use .
Markets also continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Congress over stimulus payments to Americans as $ 600 payments were sent out to Americans , while Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell introduced a bill tying $ 2,000 payments to demands by President Donald Trump on election security and removing legal protections from tech companies .
Disney led the Dow higher , rising 2.12 % , while Chinese tech company Baidu led the Nasdaq higher with a 12.59 % rise and the S & P 500 's energy and materials sectors each gained 1 % .
Wednesday 's gains came after markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote on the original bill raising stimulus payments .
Overall , the Nasdaq is up 43.4 % on the year , the S & P 500 is up 15.5 % and the Dow has gained 6.6 % .
`` We expect strong economic growth to reemerge in 2021 in the wake of headwinds from the pandemic in 2020 and the U.S.-China trade war in 2019 , '' said Doug Rao , portfolio manager at Janus Henderson Investors .
`` While leadership has thus far been narrow -- limited mostly to the digital economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccines are widely implemented and consumers are able to reengage with the physical economy . ''

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed to a record close at 30,409.56 points after rising for four out of the last five sessions. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average hit a record high on Wednesday as investors reacted to renewed optimism surrounding COVID-19 vaccines. The blue-chip index climbed for the fourth time in five sessions to end the day up 73.89 points, or 0.24%, to a record closing high of 30,409.56. The S&P 500 also rose 0.24% and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.15%. Advertisement
Wednesday's gains came after Britain approved the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford for emergency use.
Markets also continued to keep an eye on the debate in Congress over stimulus payments to Americans as $600 payments were sent out to Americans, while Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell introduced a bill tying $2,000 payments to demands by President Donald Trump on election security and removing legal protections from tech companies.
Disney led the Dow higher, rising 2.12%, while Chinese tech company Baidu led the Nasdaq higher with a 12.59% rise and the S&P 500's energy and materials sectors each gained 1%.
Wednesday's gains came after markets dipped on Tuesday when McConnell blocked a vote on the original bill raising stimulus payments.
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Overall, the Nasdaq is up 43.4% on the year, the S&P 500 is up 15.5% and the Dow has gained 6.6%.
"We expect strong economic growth to reemerge in 2021 in the wake of headwinds from the pandemic in 2020 and the U.S.-China trade war in 2019," said Doug Rao, portfolio manager at Janus Henderson Investors. "While leadership has thus far been narrow -- limited mostly to the digital economy -- we foresee a broadening recovery as vaccines are widely implemented and consumers are able to reengage with the physical economy."


upi--2020-12-30--House for sale in Vermont includes seven jail cells

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- A home for sale in Vermont is garnering attention online for an unusual feature @ @ @ @ @ what was formerly a county jail .
The home in Guildhall , listed for sale @ @ @ @ @ the jailer 's residence before it ceased operations as the Essex County Jail in 1969 @ @ @ @ @ to the north wall of the home , includes seven cells with barred windows .
@ @ @ @ @ the original prison cells with barred windows & the Jailers Office , '' the listing @ @ @ @ @ listed for $ 149,000 , also includes four bedrooms , two bathrooms and an updated @ @ @ @ @ .

A house for sale in Guildhall, Vermont, includes seven jail cells that formerly served as the Essex County Jail until 1969. Photo courtesy of Realtor.com
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Dec. 30 (UPI) -- A home for sale in Vermont is garnering attention online for an unusual feature -- seven jail cells in what was formerly a county jail. The home in Guildhall, listed for sale on Realtor.com, served as the jailer's residence before it ceased operations as the Essex County Jail in 1969. Advertisement
The jail, attached to the north wall of the home, includes seven cells with barred windows.
"The jail still exhibits the original prison cells with barred windows & the Jailers Office," the listing states.
The home, listed for $149,000, also includes four bedrooms, two bathrooms and an updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances.


upi--2020-12-30--Watch: Chairs taken from outside couple's home returned refurbished

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- A New Mexico couple who thought a pair of old dining chairs had been stolen from outside their home returned from a weekend trip to find the `` thief '' had returned the chairs with a fresh coat of paint and new upholstery .
University of New Mexico student Conrad Duran said he spotted the two chairs left at the side of the curb on Christmas Eve and decided to take them home to try to fix them up for use inside the Albuquerque home he shares with his girlfriend , Andrea .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside of my garage door which is really not that close to the curb , then I had to go to work , '' Duran told KRQE-TV .
Duran said he was dismayed to return home from his double shift to find the chairs had been stolen .
`` I 've gotten a few items stolen from me over the years living here , ever since I moved here , '' Duran said .
`` It 's one of those things where you come to terms with it . ''
Duran said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from visiting family during the weekend to find the chairs had returned to their porch with a new coat of paint and new upholstery .
`` I thought they had been stolen and lo and behold , they had just taken them , redid them , and returned them as a Christmas gift or something like that , '' Duran said .
`` Now they just look absolutely beautiful . ''
Duran said there was an anonymous note on one of the chairs about doing good for others .
Another case of suspected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this month , when Tommy Cook of Virginia was reunited with his long-lost 1969 Camaro .
Cook said the Camaro was stolen from his auto repair lot in Woodbridge in 2003 , and there were no developments in the investigation until Cook himself spotted the car in a Maryland auto shop while looking over another Camaro a friend was considering for purchase .
Cook said the car is in better shape now than it was when it was stolen -- it now has an engine .

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- A New Mexico couple who thought a pair of old dining chairs had been stolen from outside their home returned from a weekend trip to find the "thief" had returned the chairs with a fresh coat of paint and new upholstery.
University of New Mexico student Conrad Duran said he spotted the two chairs left at the side of the curb on Christmas Eve and decided to take them home to try to fix them up for use inside the Albuquerque home he shares with his girlfriend, Andrea.
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"I just grabbed them and left them outside of my garage door which is really not that close to the curb, then I had to go to work," Duran told KRQE-TV.
Duran said he was dismayed to return home from his double shift to find the chairs had been stolen.
"I've gotten a few items stolen from me over the years living here, ever since I moved here," Duran said. "It's one of those things where you come to terms with it."
Duran said he and Andrea were shocked when they returned from visiting family during the weekend to find the chairs had returned to their porch with a new coat of paint and new upholstery.
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"I thought they had been stolen and lo and behold, they had just taken them, redid them, and returned them as a Christmas gift or something like that," Duran said. "Now they just look absolutely beautiful."
Duran said there was an anonymous note on one of the chairs about doing good for others.
Another case of suspected theft had an unexpectedly happy ending earlier this month, when Tommy Cook of Virginia was reunited with his long-lost 1969 Camaro.
Cook said the Camaro was stolen from his auto repair lot in Woodbridge in 2003, and there were no developments in the investigation until Cook himself spotted the car in a Maryland auto shop while looking over another Camaro a friend was considering for purchase.
Cook said the car is in better shape now than it was when it was stolen -- it now has an engine.


upi--2020-12-30--Ohio inmate who survived execution attempt dies of 'probable' COVID-19

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- An Ohio death row inmate who survived a botched execution attempt in 2009 died this week of suspected COVID-19 , the state 's corrections department said Wednesday .
Romell Broom , 64 , died Monday at Franklin Medical Center in Columbus , Ohio .
He had been incarcerated at the Chillicothe Correctional Institution prior to his hospitalization .
`` As of today , his death is considered a probable COVID-19 related death , pending his death certificate , '' said Sara French , a spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 , 2022 , for the rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl , Tryna Middleton , in East Cleveland in 1984 .
Prison officials spent more than 2 hours in September 2009 sticking Broom at least 18 times with needles trying to find a vein for an IV line to administer lethal injection drugs .
After they failed to find a vein , officials returned to him to a jail cell to await a second attempt at an execution .
In June , a federal appeals court declined to stop the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
The justices said he was n't protected by the 5th Amendment of the Constitution , which prohibits a person from being punished twice for the same crime -- a clause known as `` double jeopardy . ''
The court also declined Broom 's challenge based on the 8th Amendment , which protects against cruel and unusual punishment .
The three-judge panel agreed with the Ohio Supreme Court 's ruling , that Broom is n't likely to `` suffer severe pain '' during a second execution attempt `` because the state has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has executed numerous prisoners under those revamped protocols . ''
Broom is n't the first prisoner or death row inmate to die of the novel coronavirus since the start of the pandemic earlier this year .
Hundreds of thousands of inmates across the country have been infected .
Two federal death row inmates scheduled for execution next month have tested positive for the virus , and their lawyers have asked for stays of execution .

Romell Broom, 64, was convicted of kidnapping, raping and killing a 14-year-old girl, Tryna Middleton, in East Cleveland in 1984. File Photo courtesy of Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- An Ohio death row inmate who survived a botched execution attempt in 2009 died this week of suspected COVID-19, the state's corrections department said Wednesday. Romell Broom, 64, died Monday at Franklin Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. He had been incarcerated at the Chillicothe Correctional Institution prior to his hospitalization. Advertisement
"As of today, his death is considered a probable COVID-19 related death, pending his death certificate," said Sara French, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
Broom was scheduled to be executed March 16, 2022, for the rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl, Tryna Middleton, in East Cleveland in 1984.
Prison officials spent more than 2 hours in September 2009 sticking Broom at least 18 times with needles trying to find a vein for an IV line to administer lethal injection drugs. After they failed to find a vein, officials returned to him to a jail cell to await a second attempt at an execution.
In June, a federal appeals court declined to stop the state from attempting to execute him a second time. The justices said he wasn't protected by the 5th Amendment of the Constitution, which prohibits a person from being punished twice for the same crime -- a clause known as "double jeopardy."
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The court also declined Broom's challenge based on the 8th Amendment, which protects against cruel and unusual punishment. The three-judge panel agreed with the Ohio Supreme Court's ruling, that Broom isn't likely to "suffer severe pain" during a second execution attempt "because the state has since amended its execution protocols ... and has executed numerous prisoners under those revamped protocols."
Broom isn't the first prisoner or death row inmate to die of the novel coronavirus since the start of the pandemic earlier this year. Hundreds of thousands of inmates across the country have been infected.
Two federal death row inmates scheduled for execution next month have tested positive for the virus, and their lawyers have asked for stays of execution.


upi--2020-12-30--U.S. Navy trains Croatian navy in underwater mine disposal

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- U.S. Navy personnel concluded the second of a three-part training session with the Croatian Navy on underwater mine clearance , the U.S. Navy announced this week .
The three-week session in December at the Lora Naval Base in Split , Croatia , on the Adriatic Sea , involved U.S. sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Eight , who facilitated Department of Defense Humanitarian Mine Action EOD Level 2 training of the Croatian Navy 's underwater EOD team .
It came after the U.S. government donated $ 280,000 in mine countermeasure and explosive ordnance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The funds were provided by the U.S. European Command Humanitarian Mine Action Program , to `` fortify our defense partnership , '' a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Croatia said on Dec. 16 .
`` These kinds of focused training not only enhance the capabilities of our maritime forces but also strengthen our bond and effectiveness as NATO allies , '' the statement added .
`` This action is just one of the many examples of partnership between United States European Command , United States Navy , the Embassy , Croatian Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ session included classroom and hands-on training for Croatian Army technicians , some of whom had not previously been instructed in English , a U.S. Navy statement said on Tuesday .
`` The Adriatic Sea has many dumping zones of ordnance from World War I and World War II , both contact mines and ammunition from airplanes dropped into the sea , '' said Croatian Navy Capt .
Ivan Milinkovic , commander of the Croatian Mine Clear Diving Platoon .
`` Only four of us have finished EOD training in the United States .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Croatia , with the U.S. team , gives us more of the experience we need .
It also helps us practice our English and get familiar with ordnance in two languages , '' said Milinkovic .
Upcoming training will bring the Croatian sailors to Level 3 certification , an indication of mastery of specialized training for mine disposal .
`` Training evolutions like these between partnered countries help build trust , '' said Lt. Jack Smith , commander of EOD Platoon 3-1 .
`` The HMA training is a DoD [ U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navy ] Sixth Fleet priority , where we will be establishing a future standard of excellence for all of Europe . ''
Croatia , formerly a part of Yugoslavia , declared independence in 1991 and became a NATO partner nation in 2009 .

Members of the Croatian Navy learned underwater bomb disposal techniques during a three-week session taught by U.S. Navy personnel. Photo courtesy of Croatian Navy/U.S. Embassy in Croatia
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. Navy personnel concluded the second of a three-part training session with the Croatian Navy on underwater mine clearance, the U.S. Navy announced this week. The three-week session in December at the Lora Naval Base in Split, Croatia, on the Adriatic Sea, involved U.S. sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Eight, who facilitated Department of Defense Humanitarian Mine Action EOD Level 2 training of the Croatian Navy's underwater EOD team. Advertisement
It came after the U.S. government donated $280,000 in mine countermeasure and explosive ordnance disposal equipment to the Croatian Navy.
The funds were provided by the U.S. European Command Humanitarian Mine Action Program, to "fortify our defense partnership," a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Croatia said on Dec. 16.
"These kinds of focused training not only enhance the capabilities of our maritime forces but also strengthen our bond and effectiveness as NATO allies," the statement added. "This action is just one of the many examples of partnership between United States European Command, United States Navy, the Embassy, Croatian Government, and the Army."
The session included classroom and hands-on training for Croatian Army technicians, some of whom had not previously been instructed in English, a U.S. Navy statement said on Tuesday.
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"The Adriatic Sea has many dumping zones of ordnance from World War I and World War II, both contact mines and ammunition from airplanes dropped into the sea," said Croatian Navy Capt. Ivan Milinkovic, commander of the Croatian Mine Clear Diving Platoon.
"Only four of us have finished EOD training in the United States. Being able to have this training here in Croatia, with the U.S. team, gives us more of the experience we need. It also helps us practice our English and get familiar with ordnance in two languages," said Milinkovic.
Upcoming training will bring the Croatian sailors to Level 3 certification, an indication of mastery of specialized training for mine disposal.
"Training evolutions like these between partnered countries help build trust," said Lt. Jack Smith, commander of EOD Platoon 3-1."The HMA training is a DoD [U.S. Department of Defense] and [U.S. Navy] Sixth Fleet priority, where we will be establishing a future standard of excellence for all of Europe."
Croatia, formerly a part of Yugoslavia, declared independence in 1991 and became a NATO partner nation in 2009.


upi--2020-12-30--379th Expeditionary Air Wing gets its first female, first reservist chief

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- The leader of the U.S. Air Force 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Qatar is Chief Master Dana Capaldi , the unit 's first female and first reservist chief .
Capaldi began her six-month command this week , the Air Force announced in a statement on Wednesday .
The position is usually a longer assignment and is typically held by a commissioned officer , but applications were considered on a volunteer basis .
`` It was easy to volunteer for this opportunity , '' she said .
`` I 've been in the Air Force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times .
You never know going in how it will be , but I was n't apprehensive .
Everyone in the wing has been amazing . ''
The Air Wing is one of the most diverse expeditionary wings in the Air Force , and provides air cover and support from the Middle East to the Horn of Africa .
It operates over 100 aircraft , including the B-1B and B-52 bombers , the P-3C Orion surveillance plane , and KC-135 , C-17and C-130 tanker and cargo planes .
`` There always has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case that is being a reservist and a female command chief of the largest expeditionary wing in the world , '' said Capaldi .
`` I never saw me at the table when I first joined the Air Force , but we 've grown a lot as a military and continue to grow .
The unique experiences of my career allow me to be two firsts in this instance , and what I hope many other Airmen take from this moment is that they have the potential to be at the table in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Capaldi joined the Air Force in 1990 , and was deployed numerous times in support of Operations Desert Storm , Deny Flight -- a 1993 NATO mission enforcing a no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina -- Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom .

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Dana L. Capaldi was named chief of the 379th Expeditionary Air Wing this week, the first female and first reservist to hold the position. Photo by TSgt. Bridgette Waltermire/U.S. Air Force
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The leader of the U.S. Air Force 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Qatar is Chief Master Dana Capaldi, the unit's first female and first reservist chief. Capaldi began her six-month assignment as command chief this week, the Air Force announced in a statement on Wednesday. Advertisement
"It was easy to volunteer for this opportunity," she said. "I've been in the Air Force for over 30 years and deployed multiple times. You never know going in how it will be, but I wasn't apprehensive. Everyone in the wing has been amazing."
The Air Wing is one of the most diverse expeditionary wings in the Air Force, and provides air cover and support from the Middle East to the Horn of Africa.
It operates over 100 aircraft, including the B-1B and B-52 bombers, the P-3C Orion surveillance plane, and KC-135, C-17and C-130 tanker and cargo planes.
"There always has to be a first, and in my case that is being a reservist and a female command chief of the largest expeditionary wing in the world," said Capaldi.
"I never saw me at the table when I first joined the Air Force, but we've grown a lot as a military and continue to grow. The unique experiences of my career allow me to be two firsts in this instance, and what I hope many other Airmen take from this moment is that they have the potential to be at the table in the future," she said.
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Capaldi joined the Air Force in 1990, and was deployed numerous times in support of Operations Desert Storm, Deny Flight -- a 1993 NATO mission enforcing a no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina -- Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.


Notable deaths of 2020

ATL97100702-8 OCTOBER 1997-ATLANTA , GEORGIA , USA : Phil Niekro tosses the ceremonial first pitch prior to game one of @ @ @ @ @ between the Florida Marlins and the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field in Atlanta on October @ @ @ @ @ former Braves pitcher , known for his signature knuckleball , died on December 26 at @ @ @ @ @ a long battle with cancer .
Photo by Jim Middleton/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--2020-12-30--Dawn Wells, Mary Ann of 'Gilligan's Island,' dead of COVID-19 at 82

Dec. 30 ( UPI ) -- Dawn Wells , an actress best known for her role as Mary Ann in 1960s sitcom Gilligan 's Island , died Wednesday in Los Angeles of causes related to COVID-19 , her publicist announced .
She was 82 .
Wells , who played Mary Ann in the 1964-67 show and three made-for-TV sequel movies that aired between 1978 and 1982 , represented Nevada in the 1959 Miss America pageant and also had roles in 77 Sunset Strip , Maverick , Bonanza , The Joey Bishop Show , Hawaiian Eye , The Wild Wild West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wells Collections in the early 2000s to create clothes for elderly people with limited mobility .
Wells founded the nonprofit Idaho Film and Television Institute and was an active member of The Denver Foundation , which was founded by Bob Denver , the actor who played the titular Gilligan on the classic sitcom .
Publicist Harlan Boll said donations can be made in Wells ' name to The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald , Tenn. , the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum or The Shambala Preserve outside Los Angeles .
Wells is survived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her death leaves Tina Louise , 86 , who played Ginger on Gilligan 's Island , as the last surviving member of the original cast .

Dawn Wells, the actress who played Mary Ann on 1960s sitcom "Gilligan's Island," died Wednesday at age 82 from causes related to COVID-19, her publicist said. File Photo by Heinz Ruckemann/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Dawn Wells, an actress best known for her role as Mary Ann in 1960s sitcom Gilligan's Island, died Wednesday in Los Angeles of causes related to COVID-19, her publicist announced. She was 82. Wells, who played Mary Ann in the 1964-67 show and three made-for-TV sequel movies that aired between 1978 and 1982, represented Nevada in the 1959 Miss America pageant and also had roles in 77 Sunset Strip, Maverick, Bonanza, The Joey Bishop Show, Hawaiian Eye, The Wild Wild West and ALF. Advertisement
The actress created Wishing Wells Collections in the early 2000s to create clothes for elderly people with limited mobility. Wells founded the nonprofit Idaho Film and Television Institute and was an active member of The Denver Foundation, which was founded by Bob Denver, the actor who played the titular Gilligan on the classic sitcom.
Publicist Harlan Boll said donations can be made in Wells' name to The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tenn., the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum or The Shambala Preserve outside Los Angeles.
Wells is survived by her stepsister, Weslee Wells. Her death leaves Tina Louise, 86, who played Ginger on Gilligan's Island, as the last surviving member of the original cast.
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Notable deaths of 2020


upi--2020-12-31--Look: Tina Louise and other stars react to Dawn Wells' death

Dec. 31 ( UPI ) -- Celebrities are paying tribute to Dawn Wells on social media in the wake of her death .
Wells , an actress best known for playing Mary Ann Summers on the 1960s sitcom Gilligan 's Island , died Wednesday of causes related to COVID-19 .
She was 82 .
Wells ' former Gilligan 's Island co-star Tina Louise was among those to mourn the actress ' death online .
Louise , who played Ginger Grant on Gilligan 's Island , is the last surviving cast member .
`` I will always remember Dawn 's kindness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cultural landmark that has continued to bring comfort and smiles to people during this difficult time .
I hope that people will remember her the way that I do -- always with a smile on her face , '' Louise tweeted .
Former I Dream of Jeannie star Barbara Eden remembered Wells as a dear friend .
`` Oh Dawn , it is never easy to hear that a happy , charming friend has passed .
You were always great fun and loved to laugh .
Decades of laughter and good times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the island , but forever in our hearts , '' she wrote .
Former Two and a Half Men star Jon Cryer recalled how Wells once visited the set of the CBS series .
`` It was such a thrill for me to meet Dawn Wells when she came to see Two and a Half Men , '' the actor said .
`` She could not have been more lovely and gracious .
I 'm so grateful that I got to enjoy the work she loved doing .
# RIPDawnWells . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Bruce Campbell also honored Wells on social media .
`` Hate to hear this !
I met her many times and she was always so charming and kind .
Such a loss !
# RIPDawnWells , '' Fairchild tweeted .
`` So sorry to learn of the passing of Dawn Wells .
I was totally Team Maryann on Gilligan 's Island , '' Alexander wrote , referencing the friendly rivalry between Mary Ann and Ginger .
`` That show was a treasured part of my life as a kid .
I hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well . ''
`` It was my honor at a recent Saturn awards to acknowledge that Dawn , as her character Mary Ann , was WAY hotter than Ginger .
You are an icon , Dawn .
Live on , '' Campbell said .
Wells played Mary Ann on Gilligan 's Island , which had a three-season run on CBS from 1964 to 1967 , and reprised the role in three made-for-TV sequel movies that aired between 1978 and 1982 .
She also had roles in 77 Sunset Strip , Maverick , Bonanza @ @ @

Tina Louise, Barbara Eden and other celebrities mourned the death of former "Gilligan's Island" star Dawn Wells. File Photo by Heinz Ruckemann/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Celebrities are paying tribute to Dawn Wells on social media in the wake of her death. Wells, an actress best known for playing Mary Ann Summers on the 1960s sitcom Gilligan's Island, died Wednesday of causes related to COVID-19. She was 82. Advertisement
Wells' former Gilligan's Island co-star Tina Louise was among those to mourn the actress' death online. Louise, who played Ginger Grant on Gilligan's Island, is the last surviving cast member.
"I will always remember Dawn's kindness to me. We shared in creating a cultural landmark that has continued to bring comfort and smiles to people during this difficult time. I hope that people will remember her the way that I do -- always with a smile on her face," Louise tweeted.
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Former I Dream of Jeannie star Barbara Eden remembered Wells as a dear friend.
"Oh Dawn, it is never easy to hear that a happy, charming friend has passed. You were always great fun and loved to laugh. Decades of laughter and good times together will remain with me always. off the island, but forever in our hearts," she wrote.
Oh Dawn, it is never easy to hear that a happy, charming friend has passed. You were always great fun and loved to laugh. Decades of laughter and good times together will remain with me always. Off the island, but forever in our hearts. -Barbara Eden #RIPDawnWells #RipMaryAnn pic.twitter.com/5kFLTynApj— Barbara Eden (@Barbara_Eden) December 30, 2020
Former Two and a Half Men star Jon Cryer recalled how Wells once visited the set of the CBS series.
"It was such a thrill for me to meet Dawn Wells when she came to see Two and a Half Men," the actor said. "She could not have been more lovely and gracious. I'm so grateful that I got to enjoy the work she loved doing. #RIPDawnWells."
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Actress Morgan Fairchild and actors Jason Alexander and Bruce Campbell also honored Wells on social media.
"Hate to hear this! I met her many times and she was always so charming and kind. Such a loss! #RIPDawnWells," Fairchild tweeted.
"So sorry to learn of the passing of Dawn Wells. I was totally Team Maryann on Gilligan's Island," Alexander wrote, referencing the friendly rivalry between Mary Ann and Ginger. "That show was a treasured part of my life as a kid. I hope she had a happy life. Rest well."
"It was my honor at a recent Saturn awards to acknowledge that Dawn, as her character Mary Ann, was WAY hotter than Ginger. You are an icon, Dawn. Live on," Campbell said.
So sorry to learn of the passing of Dawn Wells. I was totally Team Maryann on Gilligan's Island. That show was a treasured part of my life as a kid. I hope she had a happy life. Rest well.#RIPDawnWells— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) December 31, 2020
Wells played Mary Ann on Gilligan's Island, which had a three-season run on CBS from 1964 to 1967, and reprised the role in three made-for-TV sequel movies that aired between 1978 and 1982. She also had roles in 77 Sunset Strip, Maverick, Bonanza and Alf.


upi--2020-12-31--FBI investigating worker who ruined over 500 doses of COVID-19 vaccine

Dec. 31 ( UPI ) -- Wisconsin health officials say they were forced to throw out hundreds of doses of a coronavirus vaccine recently after a health worker intentionally spoiled them .
Advocate Aurora Health in Milwaukee said it had to discard more than 500 doses of Moderna 's COVID-19 vaccine after they were left unrefrigerated at a hospital in suburban Grafton .
Initially , officials thought they were spoiled due to `` inadvertent human error , '' but further investigation found that the health worker intentionally destroyed the doses .
Aurora said the unidentified worker removed 57 vials of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Each vial contains about 10 doses and must be kept at constant temperatures between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit to remain stable .
The vaccine becomes unstable if it remains at room temperature for 12 hours .
`` We continue to believe that vaccination is our way out of the pandemic , '' the health provider said .
`` We are more than disappointed that this individual 's action will result in a delay of more than 500 people receiving their vaccine . ''
Aurora immediately fired the health worker , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local authorities , the FBI and the Food and Drug Administration .
A motive for destroying the vaccine was not initially specified , but Aurora said no other employees were involved .
When refrigerated , the Moderna vaccine can be stored for as long as 30 days -- or for six months if it 's kept in a freezer .
Once thawed , it can not be refrozen .
Moderna 's is one of two coronavirus vaccines that have been approved for inoculations in the United States .
The other was developed by @ @ @ @ @

A pharmacist holds a vial of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine on Monday at the Cottages of Lake St. Louis Retirement Center in Lake St. Louis, Mo. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Wisconsin health officials say they were forced to throw out hundreds of doses of a coronavirus vaccine recently after a health worker intentionally spoiled them. Advocate Aurora Health in Milwaukee said it had to discard more than 500 doses of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine after they were left unrefrigerated at a hospital in suburban Grafton. Advertisement
Initially, officials thought they were spoiled due to "inadvertent human error," but further investigation found that the health worker intentionally destroyed the doses.
Aurora said the unidentified worker removed 57 vials of the vaccine from a refrigerator last weekend.
Each vial contains about 10 doses and must be kept at constant temperatures between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit to remain stable. The vaccine becomes unstable if it remains at room temperature for 12 hours.
"We continue to believe that vaccination is our way out of the pandemic," the health provider said. "We are more than disappointed that this individual's action will result in a delay of more than 500 people receiving their vaccine."
Aurora immediately fired the health worker, and the act is now being investigated by local authorities, the FBI and the Food and Drug Administration.
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A motive for destroying the vaccine was not initially specified, but Aurora said no other employees were involved.
When refrigerated, the Moderna vaccine can be stored for as long as 30 days -- or for six months if it's kept in a freezer. Once thawed, it cannot be refrozen.
Moderna's is one of two coronavirus vaccines that have been approved for inoculations in the United States. The other was developed by Pfizer and partner BioNTech.
Pictures of the Year: top U.S. news images for 2020


upi--2020-12-31--Group exercise has more benefits than solo workouts

Dec. 31 ( UPI ) -- Group exercise is very popular : Nearly 40 % of regular exercisers participate in group fitness classes .
In advance of the coronavirus pandemic , the American College of Sports Medicine predicted that group fitness would be one of the top three fitness industry trends in 2020 -- for good reason .
Exercise has clear benefits for your health and well-being , and the side effects -- think lowered blood pressure , improved glycemic control , better sleep -- are overwhelmingly positive .
And exercising in groups may have particularly beneficial effects .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group class -- or been encouraged to by others -- here are some research-based reasons why that might be a great idea .
Everyone else is doing it , why not you ?
Other people influence your attitudes and emotional responses to exercise .
That is , they can affect how you feel about exercising , which is critical for determining whether you do it or not .
If you get to know others who exercise regularly , you start to perceive exercise as more positive , common , desirable and doable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that people are influenced by those around them in a few different ways .
Knowing other people who lift weights or take a spin class influences your explicit and implicit attitudes -- your thoughts and feelings -- about exercise .
It also molds what are called social norms : your perceptions about whether other people exercise and if you think you should .
Even if you 've already decided exercising is something you want to do and intend to do , there are different kinds of motivation that can determine if you are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Exercising with others can boost those motivations .
The highest quality or type of motivation is called intrinsic motivation -- you 're doing something because the behavior itself is enjoyable , satisfying or both .
If you enjoy exercise and not just the positive feelings you get after you 've worked out , you are more likely to stick with it .
Exercising with other people can supply that enjoyment , even if the activity itself is difficult or otherwise not something you love .
Group exercise can turn working out into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to you continuing to do it .
Exercising with others can also satisfy some basic psychological needs .
Any kind of exercise can help someone feel in control of their choices , but the social support from a group can reinforce a sense of autonomy .
Similarly , group exercise can increase feelings of mastery -- thanks to growing competence , for example , at spinning or step aerobics .
And it will certainly increase your connectedness with others .
People naturally choose to keep up fulfilling behaviors in the long term and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In contrast , exercise feels less compelling if your motivation is extrinsic -- for instance , someone else is telling you to exercise , or you 're primarily doing it to lose weight .
In this case , sticking to a fitness regimen becomes less likely and less rewarding .
Similarly , if the extrinsic factors go away -- maybe you lose weight or decide you do n't care anymore about the number on your scale -- then the motivation to exercise likely disappears as well .
Exercising with others can make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Friends can be your cue as well as your reward for exercising .
First , you look to other people to learn how to do things , and it 's a human tendency to model your behavior after those you see around you .
When you observe others breaking a sweat , it can start to build your confidence in your own ability to exercise -- psychologists call this belief in yourself self-efficacy .
You may then tend to model your behavior after others ' , too .
This is very important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because how much you believe in your own ability to take on that yoga class or try some new equipment at the gym will predict whether you give it a shot .
Second , friends can remove some of the barriers to exercising .
A workout buddy can provide reminders and encouragement to exercise , hold you accountable and even help with tangible logistics , like giving you a ride or sending links for Zoom class opportunities .
And do n't discount the competitive urge .
A little friendly competition provided by your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your effort .
Habits are automatic behaviors that you do n't have to spend a lot of energy forcing yourself to do -- they 're your default , preferred behavior .
You do them consistently and frequently without using up all your willpower .
Exercise pals can help here , too .
Habits need a cue to trigger the behavior , and a friend regularly texting that she 'll see you at the pool on your usual day to get together could do the trick .
Habits also require a reward to maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercising with others can be the payoff that keeps exercise part of your daily routine .
Sticking with each other and exercise Group exercise appears to hold some benefits that individual exercise may not .
Getting engaged in group exercise may also lead to a more consistent and resilient exercise experience .
Past research has shown that people who feel more connected in their exercise class attend more sessions , arrive on time , are less likely to drop out , are more resistant to disruption and are more likely to have greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quitting exercise programs is common and disruptions may easily throw people off their exercise routine , getting involved with a group exercise class might be a particularly good way to head off these problems .
When choosing an exercise group to join , consider how similar the other participants are to you -- think about age , gender , interests .
You 're likely to form a more cohesive group with people you identify with , and these interconnected groups are more likely to stick together and continue exercising .
So exercising with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a successful , enjoyable and active lifestyle .
Especially if you 're feeling isolated by the pandemic and its effects , now could be the perfect time for you to give remote group exercise a try .
If the weather works , maybe you can find a yoga class that meets outdoors with plenty of space between participants , or a running club whose members stay masked .
Virtual classes may function as a substitute for in-person group exercise classes .
Yes , they may take a little more motivation to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you do n't already have at home .
But remote classes have additional potential benefits , including flexibility in schedule , diversity in activities and exercise types , and connecting with others who are physically distant .
L. Alison Phillips is an associate professor of psychology at Iowa State University and Jacob Meyer is an assistant professor of kinesiology at Iowa State University .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

A couple exercise at Will Roger memorial Park in Beverly Hills, California on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Group exercise is very popular: Nearly 40% of regular exercisers participate in group fitness classes. In advance of the coronavirus pandemic, the American College of Sports Medicine predicted that group fitness would be one of the top three fitness industry trends in 2020 -- for good reason. Exercise has clear benefits for your health and well-being, and the side effects -- think lowered blood pressure, improved glycemic control, better sleep -- are overwhelmingly positive. And exercising in groups may have particularly beneficial effects. Advertisement
If you've been considering joining an online group class -- or been encouraged to by others -- here are some research-based reasons why that might be a great idea.
Everyone else is doing it, why not you?
Other people influence your attitudes and emotional responses to exercise. That is, they can affect how you feel about exercising, which is critical for determining whether you do it or not. If you get to know others who exercise regularly, you start to perceive exercise as more positive, common, desirable and doable.
Advertisement
Psychology and exercise researchers like us know that people are influenced by those around them in a few different ways. Knowing other people who lift weights or take a spin class influences your explicit and implicit attitudes -- your thoughts and feelings -- about exercise.
It also molds what are called social norms: your perceptions about whether other people exercise and if you think you should.
Fun with friends is motivating
Even if you've already decided exercising is something you want to do and intend to do, there are different kinds of motivation that can determine if you are successful at beginning and maintaining exercise. Exercising with others can boost those motivations.
The highest quality or type of motivation is called intrinsic motivation -- you're doing something because the behavior itself is enjoyable, satisfying or both. If you enjoy exercise and not just the positive feelings you get after you've worked out, you are more likely to stick with it. Exercising with other people can supply that enjoyment, even if the activity itself is difficult or otherwise not something you love. Group exercise can turn working out into a fun social activity, which could lead to you continuing to do it.
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Exercising with others can also satisfy some basic psychological needs. Any kind of exercise can help someone feel in control of their choices, but the social support from a group can reinforce a sense of autonomy. Similarly, group exercise can increase feelings of mastery -- thanks to growing competence, for example, at spinning or step aerobics. And it will certainly increase your connectedness with others. People naturally choose to keep up fulfilling behaviors in the long term and they promote mental health -- a win-win.
In contrast, exercise feels less compelling if your motivation is extrinsic -- for instance, someone else is telling you to exercise, or you're primarily doing it to lose weight. In this case, sticking to a fitness regimen becomes less likely and less rewarding. Similarly, if the extrinsic factors go away -- maybe you lose weight or decide you don't care anymore about the number on your scale -- then the motivation to exercise likely disappears as well.
Buddies help make it a habit
Exercising with others can make the whole process easier and more habitual. Friends can be your cue as well as your reward for exercising.
First, you look to other people to learn how to do things, and it's a human tendency to model your behavior after those you see around you. When you observe others breaking a sweat, it can start to build your confidence in your own ability to exercise -- psychologists call this belief in yourself self-efficacy. You may then tend to model your behavior after others', too. This is very important for starting a new exercise routine, because how much you believe in your own ability to take on that yoga class or try some new equipment at the gym will predict whether you give it a shot.
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Second, friends can remove some of the barriers to exercising. A workout buddy can provide reminders and encouragement to exercise, hold you accountable and even help with tangible logistics, like giving you a ride or sending links for Zoom class opportunities.
And don't discount the competitive urge. A little friendly competition provided by your group can also boost the intensity of your effort.
Habits are automatic behaviors that you don't have to spend a lot of energy forcing yourself to do -- they're your default, preferred behavior. You do them consistently and frequently without using up all your willpower. Exercise pals can help here, too. Habits need a cue to trigger the behavior, and a friend regularly texting that she'll see you at the pool on your usual day to get together could do the trick.
Habits also require a reward to maintain, and intrinsic motivation that comes from exercising with others can be the payoff that keeps exercise part of your daily routine.
Sticking with each other and exercise
Group exercise appears to hold some benefits that individual exercise may not.
Getting engaged in group exercise may also lead to a more consistent and resilient exercise experience. Past research has shown that people who feel more connected in their exercise class attend more sessions, arrive on time, are less likely to drop out, are more resistant to disruption and are more likely to have greater mental benefits from the exercise. Since quitting exercise programs is common and disruptions may easily throw people off their exercise routine, getting involved with a group exercise class might be a particularly good way to head off these problems.
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When choosing an exercise group to join, consider how similar the other participants are to you -- think about age, gender, interests. You're likely to form a more cohesive group with people you identify with, and these interconnected groups are more likely to stick together and continue exercising.
Group support while safely distant
So exercising with others can provide all the elements needed for a successful, enjoyable and active lifestyle. Especially if you're feeling isolated by the pandemic and its effects, now could be the perfect time for you to give remote group exercise a try. If the weather works, maybe you can find a yoga class that meets outdoors with plenty of space between participants, or a running club whose members stay masked.
Virtual classes may function as a substitute for in-person group exercise classes. Yes, they may take a little more motivation to find and access, or call for equipment you don't already have at home. But remote classes have additional potential benefits, including flexibility in schedule, diversity in activities and exercise types, and connecting with others who are physically distant.
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L. Alison Phillips is an associate professor of psychology at Iowa State University and Jacob Meyer is an assistant professor of kinesiology at Iowa State University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


upi--2020-12-31--Stanford, Pepperdine among latest basketball COVID-19 postponements

Dec. 31 ( UPI ) -- Positive COVID-19 tests continue to infiltrate college basketball programs , with Pepperdine , Stanford and Oregon State among the latest men 's teams to have postponements due to the pandemic .
Pepperdine on Wednesday announced a pause for its basketball program after a positive COVID-19 test surfaced from within the program .
The school did not specify if the test came from a player or coach .
The Waves ' scheduled games against BYU and Saint Mary 's -- planned Thursday and Saturday -- have been postponed .
Pepperdine 's next scheduled game is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pepperdine 's announcement came less than 24 hours after the Iona men 's basketball team -- coached by Rick Pitino -- also put its program on pause due to a positive COVID-19 test .
The American Athletic Conference on Wednesday also postponed a game between UCF and Tulane due to COVID-19 related issues .
Oregon State also announced on Wednesday that its game against Stanford -- scheduled for Thursday -- has been postponed due to COVID-19 testing results from in its program and contact tracing protocols .
Arizona State-Washington State , Pittsburgh-Duke , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other men 's basketball matchups postponed earlier this week due to COVID-19 related issues .

Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Positive COVID-19 tests continue to infiltrate college basketball programs, with Pepperdine, Stanford and Oregon State among the latest men's teams to have postponements due to the pandemic.
Pepperdine on Wednesday announced a pause for its basketball program after a positive COVID-19 test surfaced from within the program. The school did not specify if the test came from a player or coach.
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The Waves' scheduled games against BYU and Saint Mary's -- planned Thursday and Saturday -- have been postponed. Pepperdine's next scheduled game is now Jan. 7 at San Francisco.
Pepperdine's announcement came less than 24 hours after the Iona men's basketball team -- coached by Rick Pitino -- also put its program on pause due to a positive COVID-19 test.
The American Athletic Conference on Wednesday also postponed a game between UCF and Tulane due to COVID-19 related issues.
NEWS | Due to a positive COVID-19 test that came back today, the Pepperdine men's basketball team will go on pause and this week's #WCChoops games against BYU and Saint Mary's will be postponed.#WavesUp | #UNITY pic.twitter.com/4e4GSCAc09— Pepperdine Men's Basketball (@PeppBasketball) December 30, 2020
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Oregon State also announced on Wednesday that its game against Stanford -- scheduled for Thursday -- has been postponed due to COVID-19 testing results from in its program and contact tracing protocols.
Arizona State-Washington State, Pittsburgh-Duke, East Carolina-Wichita State and Villanova-Xavier were among the other men's basketball matchups postponed earlier this week due to COVID-19 related issues.


upi--2020-12-31--Algeria, Bolivia opt to use Russia's 'Sputnik V' vaccine to fight COVID-19

Dec. 31 ( UPI ) -- Russia has agreed to distribute its locally developed `` Sputnik V '' coronavirus vaccine to millions of people in Algeria and Bolivia .
The Algerian government said it opted to receive the Russian vaccine after a meeting involving Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad and Moscow officials .
`` [ The Pasteur Institute of Algeria ] carried out consultations with the Russian producer of the Sputnik V vaccine , '' Algerian government spokesman Ammar Belhimer said .
Health minister Abderrahmane Benbouzid said earlier this month that whichever COVID-19 vaccine the government decided to use would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Russian Direct Investment Fund , the developer of the vaccine , said Wednesday it also had an agreement to supply 2.6 million doses to the government of Bolivia .
`` Russia is proactively developing cooperation with Bolivia in the field of combating the new coronavirus infection , '' RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev said .
`` We look forward to expanding vaccine cooperation with other Latin American countries further on . ''
Russia 's vaccine is already being administered in Argentina and Belarus .
Officials in Belarus first began inoculating healthcare professionals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have common contact with the public .
Officials said the first vaccines were delivered to Argentina on Monday .
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the vaccine in August .
Moscow says it is 91 % to 95 % effective in blocking the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 .
It is one of multiple vaccines worldwide that have been approved for use .

Russian officials have said the vaccine is 91% to 95% effective in blocking the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. File Photo by RDIF/EPA-EFE
Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Russia has agreed to distribute its locally developed "Sputnik V" coronavirus vaccine to millions of people in Algeria and Bolivia. The Algerian government said it opted to receive the Russian vaccine after a meeting involving Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad and Moscow officials. Advertisement
"[The Pasteur Institute of Algeria] carried out consultations with the Russian producer of the Sputnik V vaccine," Algerian government spokesman Ammar Belhimer said.
Health minister Abderrahmane Benbouzid said earlier this month that whichever COVID-19 vaccine the government decided to use would be distributed in Algeria at no cost.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund, the developer of the vaccine, said Wednesday it also had an agreement to supply 2.6 million doses to the government of Bolivia.
"Russia is proactively developing cooperation with Bolivia in the field of combating the new coronavirus infection," RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev said. "We look forward to expanding vaccine cooperation with other Latin American countries further on."
Russia's vaccine is already being administered in Argentina and Belarus. Officials in Belarus first began inoculating healthcare professionals, then teachers, retail workers and others who have common contact with the public.
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Officials said the first vaccines were delivered to Argentina on Monday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the vaccine in August. Moscow says it is 91% to 95% effective in blocking the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. It is one of multiple vaccines worldwide that have been approved for use.
Pictures of the Year: Top images from 2020


upi--2020-12-31--Nicki Minaj shares details about pregnancy, son's birth

Dec. 31 ( UPI ) -- New mom Nicki Minaj is sharing more details about her pregnancy and her son 's birth .
The 38-year-old rapper discussed her pregnancy and shared her birthing story in a series of tweets Wednesday after welcoming a baby boy with her husband , Kenneth Petty , in September .
In one post , Minaj said her son had `` a full personality '' while she was still pregnant .
`` He used to kick me so hard every night at the same time if I did n't get up & walk with him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full personality in my tummy & knew how to get his way .
It was so intriguing to me .
He does the same thing now . ''
Minaj said her water broke at home after she had just gotten out of the shower .
She said she was `` weirdly calm '' afterward but that Petty was `` very scared . ''
`` Yes .
I was butt naked .
Just got out of the shower & I asked [ Petty ] to rub my back .
As soon as I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bed I just felt the water start coming out .
I was weirdly calm & I quietly said 'omg , I 'm about to be in labor , ' '' Minaj recalled .
`` He was very scared & I was laughing @ him . ''
Minaj said she had a `` natural vaginal birth '' with an epidural after being in labor `` all night . ''
`` I pushed for 2 1/2 hours .
Only b/c first the epidural did n't wear off enough for me to feel myself pushing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pain I pushed him on out , '' the star said .
`` Well I was actually in labor all night but all they did was let me sleep until I dilated far enough to push .
The epidural did n't hurt either .
They numbed me up real good , '' she added .
Minaj said her son had no problem breastfeeding but said breastfeeding has been a painful experience .
She voiced her admiration for other moms .
`` He latched on in the hospital which was very surprising to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't .
But breast feeding is very painful .
Pumping is too .
Women make this stuff look way too easy .
Moms r really superheroes , '' Minaj said .
News broke in October that Minaj gave birth to her first child Sept. 30 .
Minaj later told fans the child is a boy .
`` I am so grateful & in love with my son .
Madly in love , '' she said on Instagram .
`` My favorite liddo boy in the whole wide world . ''
Minaj will share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's birth in her forthcoming HBO Max docuseries .
HBO Max announced in November that it is developing a six-part series about the rapper .
Minaj released her fourth studio album , Queen , in 2018 .
She last released the single `` What That Speed Bout !
? ''
with Mike Will Made It and YoungBoy Never Broke Again in November .

1/3
Nicki Minaj discussed her pregnancy and shared her birthing story after welcoming a baby boy in September. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 31 (UPI) -- New mom Nicki Minaj is sharing more details about her pregnancy and her son's birth. The 38-year-old rapper discussed her pregnancy and shared her birthing story in a series of tweets Wednesday after welcoming a baby boy with her husband, Kenneth Petty, in September. Advertisement
In one post, Minaj said her son had "a full personality" while she was still pregnant.
"He used to kick me so hard every night at the same time if I didn't get up & walk with him," she wrote. "He had a full personality in my tummy & knew how to get his way. It was so intriguing to me. He does the same thing now."
Minaj said her water broke at home after she had just gotten out of the shower. She said she was "weirdly calm" afterward but that Petty was "very scared."
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"Yes. I was butt naked. Just got out of the shower & I asked [Petty] to rub my back. As soon as I started scooting over to him in the bed I just felt the water start coming out. I was weirdly calm & I quietly said 'omg, I'm about to be in labor,'" Minaj recalled. "He was very scared & I was laughing @ him."
Yes. I was butt naked. Just got out the shower & I asked him to rub my back. As soon as I started scooting over to him in the bed I just felt the water start coming out. I was weirdly calm & I quietly said "omg, I'm about to be in labor" He was very scared & I was laughing @ him. https://t.co/2FGBnQOp3T— Mrs. Petty (@NICKIMINAJ) December 30, 2020
Minaj said she had a "natural vaginal birth" with an epidural after being in labor "all night."
"I pushed for 2 1/2 hours. Only b/c first the epidural didn't wear off enough for me to feel myself pushing. Once I was able to feel the pain I pushed him on out," the star said.
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"Well I was actually in labor all night but all they did was let me sleep until I dilated far enough to push. The epidural didn't hurt either. They numbed me up real good," she added.
Yes, natural vaginal birth w/epidural. I pushed for 2 1/2 hours. Only b/c first the epidural didn't wear off enough for me to feel myself pushing. Once I was able to feel the pain I pushed him on out. https://t.co/gzN45j6V6z— Mrs. Petty (@NICKIMINAJ) December 30, 2020
Minaj said her son had no problem breastfeeding but said breastfeeding has been a painful experience. She voiced her admiration for other moms.
"He latched on in the hospital which was very surprising to me. I was afraid maybe he wouldn't. But breast feeding is very painful. Pumping is too. Women make this stuff look way too easy. Moms r really superheroes," Minaj said.
He had no problem breastfeeding. He latched on in the hospital which was very surprising to me. I was afraid maybe he wouldn't. But breast feeding is very painful. Pumping is too. Women make this stuff look way too easy. Moms r really superheroes https://t.co/SdF9CXMdF3— Mrs. Petty (@NICKIMINAJ) December 30, 2020
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News broke in October that Minaj gave birth to her first child Sept. 30. Minaj later told fans the child is a boy.
"I am so grateful & in love with my son. Madly in love," she said on Instagram. "My favorite liddo boy in the whole wide world."
Minaj will share more details about her pregnancy and son's birth in her forthcoming HBO Max docuseries. HBO Max announced in November that it is developing a six-part series about the rapper.
Minaj released her fourth studio album, Queen, in 2018. She last released the single "What That Speed Bout!?" with Mike Will Made It and YoungBoy Never Broke Again in November.


upi--2020-12-31--North Korea 'ready' for Eighth Party Congress, state media says

Dec. 31 ( UPI ) -- North Korea could hold its much-anticipated Eighth Party Congress as early as New Year 's Day , as top North Korean officials arrived in Pyongyang to receive their credentials ahead of the rare meeting .
Pyongyang 's Korea Central Television reported Thursday North Korea 's most powerful politicians received their certificates from Kim Jae Ryong , the head of North Korea 's Organization Administrative Department , including Choe Ryong Hae , president of the presidium of the Supreme People 's Assembly ; North Korean Premier Kim Tok Hun ; and Pak Pong Ju , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers ' Party .
`` Amid high political enthusiasm , [ attendees ] were full of determination to actively participate in the Party Congress , '' KCTV said .
North Korea has not made public a date for the event , which is to be presided over by Kim Jong Un , but the meeting could take place as early as Friday , according to South Korean television network SBS .
Pyongyang 's state media also reported fireworks are planned for New Year 's Eve in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been held during major anniversaries .
During the Party Congress , North Korea is expected to reveal its policies toward the United States and South Korea after months of silence .
Speculation is rising the country could hold a parade in Pyongyang .
Earlier this month , analysts writing for 38 North said a `` mystery structure '' had appeared in Kim Il Sung Square .
Over the weekend , commercial satellite imagery showed `` thousands of people '' at the square .
A South Korean unification ministry official said Thursday the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developments .
The COVID-19 pandemic and North Korean wariness about a highly contagious mutation of the coronavirus means the Eighth Party Congress could be `` reduced in scale , '' the ministry said , according to local news service Seoul Pyongyang News on Thursday .
The South Korean ministry source also said the Party Congress could be held in the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang .
In 2016 , the Seventh Party Congress included 3,667 politicians in participation and 1,387 audience members , according to the report .

North Korea is preparing for the country’s Eighth Party Congress, but the event could be downscaled amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to South Korean government sources on Thursday. File Photo by KCNA/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 31 (UPI) -- North Korea could hold its much-anticipated Eighth Party Congress as early as New Year's Day, as top North Korean officials arrived in Pyongyang to receive their credentials ahead of the rare meeting. Pyongyang's Korea Central Television reported Thursday North Korea's most powerful politicians received their certificates from Kim Jae Ryong, the head of North Korea's Organization Administrative Department, including Choe Ryong Hae, president of the presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly; North Korean Premier Kim Tok Hun; and Pak Pong Ju, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party. Advertisement
"Amid high political enthusiasm, [attendees] were full of determination to actively participate in the Party Congress," KCTV said.
North Korea has not made public a date for the event, which is to be presided over by Kim Jong Un, but the meeting could take place as early as Friday, according to South Korean television network SBS.
Pyongyang's state media also reported fireworks are planned for New Year's Eve in Kim Il Sung Square, where parades have been held during major anniversaries. During the Party Congress, North Korea is expected to reveal its policies toward the United States and South Korea after months of silence.
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Speculation is rising the country could hold a parade in Pyongyang. Earlier this month, analysts writing for 38 North said a "mystery structure" had appeared in Kim Il Sung Square. Over the weekend, commercial satellite imagery showed "thousands of people" at the square.
A South Korean unification ministry official said Thursday the government is keeping a close eye on developments. The COVID-19 pandemic and North Korean wariness about a highly contagious mutation of the coronavirus means the Eighth Party Congress could be "reduced in scale," the ministry said, according to local news service Seoul Pyongyang News on Thursday.
The South Korean ministry source also said the Party Congress could be held in the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang. In 2016, the Seventh Party Congress included 3,667 politicians in participation and 1,387 audience members, according to the report.


upi--2020-12-31--Samuel Little, one of most notorious U.S. serial killers, dead at 80

Dec. 31 ( UPI ) -- Samuel Little , the man regarded by many in law enforcement as the deadliest serial killer in U.S. history , has died at a California hospital at the age of 80 .
Little , who confessed to at least 93 murders nationwide , had been serving three consecutive life sentences when he died early Wednesday at a hospital outside the prison system , the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said .
The cause of Little 's death will soon be determined by the Los Angeles County medical examiner .
Little was convicted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the late 1980s -- Carol Alford , 41 , in 1987 and Audrey Nelson , 35 , and Guadalupe Apodaca , 46 , in 1989 .
He was linked to the deaths by forensic DNA evidence and arrested in Kentucky in 2013 .
Authorities believe that Little 's claims that he killed almost 100 people are credible .
The FBI says his staggering victim count makes Little the most deadly serial killer in U.S. history .
Investigators have so far verified 50 of his admitted victims , and many others are pending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Little confessed to strangling his victims , who were all women , between 1970 and 2005 .
Many of the deaths were originally ruled overdoses or attributed to accidental or undetermined causes .
Authorities say he preyed on marginalized and vulnerable women who were often involved in prostitution and addicted to drugs .
For years , many of the bodies went unidentified and the women 's deaths uninvestigated .
Little was also charged with killing women in Mississippi and Florida in the early 1980s , but was not indicted by Mississippi prosecutors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He had earlier served time for assaulting a woman in Missouri and attacking and holding another woman in San Diego against her will , the FBI said .

Samuel Little was linked to the deaths of three women several years ago and told authorities that he killed a total of almost 100 women. Photo courtesy California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Samuel Little, the man regarded by many in law enforcement as the deadliest serial killer in U.S. history, has died at a California hospital at the age of 80. Little, who confessed to at least 93 murders nationwide, had been serving three consecutive life sentences when he died early Wednesday at a hospital outside the prison system, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said. Advertisement
The cause of Little's death will soon be determined by the Los Angeles County medical examiner.
Little was convicted in 2014 for the murders of three women in the late 1980s -- Carol Alford, 41, in 1987 and Audrey Nelson, 35, and Guadalupe Apodaca, 46, in 1989.
He was linked to the deaths by forensic DNA evidence and arrested in Kentucky in 2013.
Authorities believe that Little's claims that he killed almost 100 people are credible. The FBI says his staggering victim count makes Little the most deadly serial killer in U.S. history.
Investigators have so far verified 50 of his admitted victims, and many others are pending final confirmation.
After his apprehension, Little confessed to strangling his victims, who were all women, between 1970 and 2005. Many of the deaths were originally ruled overdoses or attributed to accidental or undetermined causes.
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Authorities say he preyed on marginalized and vulnerable women who were often involved in prostitution and addicted to drugs. For years, many of the bodies went unidentified and the women's deaths uninvestigated.
Little was also charged with killing women in Mississippi and Florida in the early 1980s, but was not indicted by Mississippi prosecutors and was acquitted by a Florida jury. He had earlier served time for assaulting a woman in Missouri and attacking and holding another woman in San Diego against her will, the FBI said.
Pictures of the Year: top U.S. news images for 2020