upi--2020-12-09--NASA, Pence name 18 astronauts who will train for lunar missions

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- NASA on Wednesday named the 18 astronauts who will train to fly to the moon , the word coming at an event in Florida whose guests included Vice President Mike Pence .
The Artemis astronaut corps willincludes nine women and nine men .
The women are Kayla Barron , Christina Koch , Nicole Mann , Anne McClain , Jessica Meir , Jasmin Moghbeli , Kate Rubins , Jessica Watkins and Stephanie Wilson .
The men are Raja Chari , Matthew Dominick , Victor Glover , Woody Hoburg , Jonny Kim , Joe Acaba , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tingle .
Rubins and Glover are currently working on the International Space Station , along with five other astronauts and cosmonauts .
`` All of those that were just named that are part of the Artemis generation , '' Pence said at a meeting of the National Space Council at Kennedy Space Center .
`` It really is amazing to think that the next man and the first woman on the moon are among the names that we just read , and they may be standing in the room with us right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been on the lunar surface since Apollo 17 at the end of 1972 .
Pence 's visit marked the last time he will chair the National Space Council , which President Donald Trump re-established in 2017 .
Pence also visited the U.S. Space Force 's 45th Space Wing , where he announced that Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station are now officially renamed to use the Space Force name instead .
They are the first military bases to be renamed for the Space Force .
Pence has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program .
The administration set the 2024 goal for returning astronauts to the moon , while NASA named the new lunar program Artemis after the Greek goddess of hunting and the moon .
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine told Congress in September that NASA needs $ 7 billion in funding in the current fiscal year to meet the deadline .
The agency 's fiscal 2021 budget is still under review .

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NASA astronauts Christina Koch (R) and Jessica Meir, shown in space together in 2019, are among the astronauts who will train for NASA's Artemis lunar missions. Photo courtesy of NASA | License Photo
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- NASA on Wednesday named the 18 astronauts who will train to fly to the moon, the word coming at an event in Florida whose guests included Vice President Mike Pence. The Artemis astronaut corps willincludes nine women and nine men. Advertisement
The women are Kayla Barron, Christina Koch, Nicole Mann, Anne McClain, Jessica Meir, Jasmin Moghbeli, Kate Rubins, Jessica Watkins and Stephanie Wilson.
The men are Raja Chari, Matthew Dominick, Victor Glover, Woody Hoburg, Jonny Kim, Joe Acaba, Kjell Lindgren, Frank Rubio and Scott Tingle.
Rubins and Glover are currently working on the International Space Station, along with five other astronauts and cosmonauts.
It is part of the human spirit to explore. Today, we'd like to introduce you to our @NASAArtemis team - the initial team of @NASA_Astronauts who will help pave the way for our next human missions on and around the Moon: https://t.co/AiXfUyP6zl pic.twitter.com/LMJ0nNlE2N— NASA (@NASA) December 9, 2020
"All of those that were just named that are part of the Artemis generation," Pence said at a meeting of the National Space Council at Kennedy Space Center.
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"It really is amazing to think that the next man and the first woman on the moon are among the names that we just read ,and they may be standing in the room with us right now," Pence said.
No human has been on the lunar surface since Apollo 17 at the end of 1972.
Pence's visit marked the last time he will chair the National Space Council, which President Donald Trump re-established in 2017.
Pence also visited the U.S. Space Force's 45th Space Wing, where he announced that Patrick Air Force Base and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station are now officially renamed to use the Space Force name instead. They are the first military bases to be renamed for the Space Force.
Pence has been Trump's point person for the space program. The administration set the 2024 goal for returning astronauts to the moon, while NASA named the new lunar program Artemis after the Greek goddess of hunting and the moon.
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine told Congress in September that NASA needs $7 billion in funding in the current fiscal year to meet the deadline. The agency's fiscal 2021 budget is still under review.
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NASA's women astronauts -- at least one likely to walk on moon


upi--2020-12-09--Watch: Raccoon rescued from building ledge in New York

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- Police were called to a building in New York to rescue a raccoon that @ @ @ @ @ about 20 feet over the ground .
A video of the rescue in Tribeca , @ @ @ @ @ a tarp on the ground while a person climbing the building nudges the raccoon with @ @ @ @ @ raccoon falls from its perch , eliciting screams from onlookers , and lands on the @ @ @ @ @ The animal , which did not appear to be injured , was able to run @ @ @ @ @ returning to the ground .
Witnesses said the raccoon was on the ledge for about @ @ @ @ @ .

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Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Police were called to a building in New York to rescue a raccoon that was stranded on a ledge about 20 feet over the ground.
A video of the rescue in Tribeca, Manhattan, shows police holding a tarp on the ground while a person climbing the building nudges the raccoon with a plastic bin.
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The raccoon falls from its perch, eliciting screams from onlookers, and lands on the tarp being held below.
The animal, which did not appear to be injured, was able to run away from the scene after returning to the ground.
Witnesses said the raccoon was on the ledge for about 30 minutes before police arrived.


upi--2020-12-09--Marines to join U.S., British military branches for video game tournament

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Marine Corps announced it will compete against other U.S. and British service branches this Friday in a `` Call of Duty '' video game tournament .
Six members of the Marines ' Quick Reaction Force , chosen from 70 volunteers , will participate against U.S. Amy , Navy , Air Force and Space Force personnel , as well as volunteer teams representing Britain 's Royal Navy , Army and Air Force , in a virtual competition involving the popular military video game `` Call of Duty , '' the Corps said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bowl is sponsored by the Call of Duty Endowment , a non-profit organization serving unemployed U.S. and British veterans .
The tournament begins on Friday , Dec. 11 , at 1 p.m. EDT and will be livestreamed on the endowment 's Twitch and YouTube video channels , the group 's Facebook page announced on Wednesday .
While the Marine Corps encourages video game participation , it does not maintain a formal esports team , although it sent a team to an online tournament in Texas in July .
The QRF will be demobilized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ branch stresses that the competitors are volunteers who enjoy gaming in their off-hours .
The Marines ' participants , chosen from across the spectrum of military specialties , include SSgt .
Anthony Benson , SSgt .
Bradly Pittenger , Sgt .
Gerardo Infante , Sgt .
Brian Kunst , SSgt .
James McNeil and Sgt .
Nicholas Lubchenko .
The C.O.D.E .
Bowl was initiated in 2019 by the U.S. Army Esports Team , and was won by a team of two Army members and one civilian gaming enthusiast .

A weekend tournament using the "Call of Duty" video game will include participants from The U.S. Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force and Space Force, as well as Britain's Royal Army, Navy and Air Force. Photo by LCpl. Christopher O'Quin/U.S. Marine Corps
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. Marine Corps announced it will compete against other U.S. and British service branches this Friday in a "Call of Duty" video game tournament. Six members of the Marines' Quick Reaction Force, chosen from 70 volunteers, will participate against U.S. Amy, Navy, Air Force and Space Force personnel, as well as volunteer teams representing Britain's Royal Navy, Army and Air Force, in a virtual competition involving the popular military video game "Call of Duty," the Corps said in a press release. Advertisement
The C.O.D.E. Bowl is sponsored by the Call of Duty Endowment, a non-profit organization serving unemployed U.S. and British veterans.
The tournament begins on Friday, Dec. 11, at 1 p.m. EDT and will be livestreamed on the endowment's Twitch and YouTube video channels, the group's Facebook page announced on Wednesday.
While the Marine Corps encourages video game participation, it does not maintain a formal esports team, although it sent a team to an online tournament in Texas in July.
The QRF will be demobilized after the event, and each service branch stresses that the competitors are volunteers who enjoy gaming in their off-hours.
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The Marines' participants, chosen from across the spectrum of military specialties, include SSgt. Anthony Benson, SSgt. Bradly Pittenger, Sgt. Gerardo Infante, Sgt. Brian Kunst, SSgt. James McNeil and Sgt. Nicholas Lubchenko.
The C.O.D.E. Bowl was initiated in 2019 by the U.S. Army Esports Team, and was won by a team of two Army members and one civilian gaming enthusiast.


upi--2020-12-10--Study: High-dose flu shot may not carry extra benefit for heart patients

Getting a high-dose flu shot instead of a regular dose does n't further reduce the risk of serious flu-complications , hospitalization or death in people with heart disease , new research shows .
The findings do n't change established guidelines .
Heart disease patients and other people with chronic illnesses do benefit from flu shots and should get one every year , according to the authors of the U.S. National Heart , Lung , and Blood Institute-funded study .
`` Getting a vaccine is even more critical than usual this year , as people with COVID-19 who get the flu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complications , '' said study co-author Dr. Lawton Cooper of the institute 's division of cardiovascular sciences .
`` People should follow the guidance of their health care provider as to which flu vaccine , high or low dose , is better for them , but getting the flu shot is more important than which dose , '' Cooper said in an NHLBI news release .
The study was conducted over three flu seasons .
It included more than 5,200 patients at 157 medical centers in the United States and Canada .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart problem , including heart attack within the previous year or heart failure within the previous two years .
All of the patients had at least one additional risk factor for heart disease , such as being 65 or older , smoking , type 2 diabetes , obesity or kidney disease .
Peripheral artery disease or a history of stroke were other known risk factors .
The patients received either regular or high-dose flu shots .
At the end of the study , the two groups did not have statistically significant differences in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 92 deaths in the high-dose group ; and 846 such hospitalizations and 78 deaths in the regular-dose group .
Many high-risk cardiovascular patients do n't get vaccinated at all , said study co-leader Dr. Scott Solomon , a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School .
`` For reducing hospitalizations due to heart and lung complications , just getting vaccinated with any influenza vaccine may substantially lower risk in our high-risk patients , '' Solomon said .
The study was published online this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Prevention has more on heart disease patients and the flu .

U.S. health guidelines recommend a high-dose flu shot for heart patients, but a new study suggests the higher dose does not have any greater protective effect than a regular-dose shot. File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo
Getting a high-dose flu shot instead of a regular dose doesn't further reduce the risk of serious flu-complications, hospitalization or death in people with heart disease, new research shows. The findings don't change established guidelines. Heart disease patients and other people with chronic illnesses do benefit from flu shots and should get one every year, according to the authors of the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-funded study. Advertisement
"Getting a vaccine is even more critical than usual this year, as people with COVID-19 who get the flu are at higher risk for more serious complications," said study co-author Dr. Lawton Cooper of the institute's division of cardiovascular sciences.
"People should follow the guidance of their health care provider as to which flu vaccine, high or low dose, is better for them, but getting the flu shot is more important than which dose," Cooper said in an NHLBI news release.
The study was conducted over three flu seasons. It included more than 5,200 patients at 157 medical centers in the United States and Canada.
All patients had recently been hospitalized for a heart problem, including heart attack within the previous year or heart failure within the previous two years.
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All of the patients had at least one additional risk factor for heart disease, such as being 65 or older, smoking, type 2 diabetes, obesity or kidney disease. Peripheral artery disease or a history of stroke were other known risk factors.
The patients received either regular or high-dose flu shots.
At the end of the study, the two groups did not have statistically significant differences in hospitalizations and deaths: 883 heart/lung-related hospitalizations and 92 deaths in the high-dose group; and 846 such hospitalizations and 78 deaths in the regular-dose group.
Many high-risk cardiovascular patients don't get vaccinated at all, said study co-leader Dr. Scott Solomon, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
"For reducing hospitalizations due to heart and lung complications, just getting vaccinated with any influenza vaccine may substantially lower risk in our high-risk patients," Solomon said.
The study was published online this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on heart disease patients and the flu.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-12-10--Megan Thee Stallion wrote 'Body' after gaining 'the quarantine 15'

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- Megan Thee Stallion says she wrote her hit single `` Body '' after gaining `` the quarantine 15 . ''
The 25-year-old rapper discussed the inspiration behind the song and the # bodyodychallenge during Wednesday 's episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert .
Since its release in November , `` Body '' has inspired people of all shapes and sizes to take part in the viral `` Body '' dance challenge .
On The Late Show , Megan Thee Stallion said she wrote the song after noticing she had gained weight during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so , first of all , in the beginning of quarantine , I felt like I definitely gained the quarantine 15 , '' the star said .
`` And I was literally in the living room looking at myself like , 'Wow , girl .
What you even eating ?
Like , why are you baking so much ?
How many honey buns can we eat ? '
'' `` You know , so I was looking at myself in the mirror , and I was like , 'You know what ?
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know , we should dance about it , ' '' she added .
`` So I wrote all the verses to the song .
It took me a minute to figure out exactly what I wanted to say in the hook .
The hook literally came from me dancing in the mirror admiring my fluff . ''
Megan Thee Stallion said the song is `` definitely about people just celebrating their bodies . ''
Megan Thee Stallion also discussed her friendship with celebrity couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z .
The rapper released a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Beyoncé in April .
When asked if Beyoncé or Jay-Z gives better advice , Megan Thee Stallion said Jay-Z gives `` the fun advice . ''
`` Say if I 'm having a bad day , he 'll be like , 'Megan .
Girl , you need to be somewhere dropping a boat .
Turn up , have a good time . '
He gives me the more 'hot girl ' advice . ''
`` Beyoncé 's like , 'Look , queen .
Look queen , just rise above . '
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives it to me the turnt up way , '' she added .
`` Body '' appears on Megan Thee Stallion 's debut studio album , Good News , released in November .
The music video for `` Body '' features actress Taraji P. Henson , who discussed her friendship with Megan Thee Stallion during Tuesday 's episode of The Tonight Show .

Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Megan Thee Stallion says she wrote her hit single "Body" after gaining "the quarantine 15."
The 25-year-old rapper discussed the inspiration behind the song and the #bodyodychallenge during Wednesday's episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
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Since its release in November, "Body" has inspired people of all shapes and sizes to take part in the viral "Body" dance challenge. On The Late Show, Megan Thee Stallion said she wrote the song after noticing she had gained weight during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Okay, so, first of all, in the beginning of quarantine, I felt like I definitely gained the quarantine 15," the star said. "And I was literally in the living room looking at myself like, 'Wow, girl. What you even eating? Like, why are you baking so much? How many honey buns can we eat?'"
"You know, so I was looking at myself in the mirror, and I was like, 'You know what? You look good, though. So, you know, we should dance about it,'" she added. "So I wrote all the verses to the song. It took me a minute to figure out exactly what I wanted to say in the hook. The hook literally came from me dancing in the mirror admiring my fluff."
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Megan Thee Stallion said the song is "definitely about people just celebrating their bodies."
Megan Thee Stallion also discussed her friendship with celebrity couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z. The rapper released a remix of her song "Savage" with Beyoncé in April.
When asked if Beyoncé or Jay-Z gives better advice, Megan Thee Stallion said Jay-Z gives "the fun advice."
"Say if I'm having a bad day, he'll be like, 'Megan. Girl, you need to be somewhere dropping a boat. Turn up, have a good time.' He gives me the more 'hot girl' advice."
"Beyoncé's like, 'Look, queen. Look queen, just rise above.' She says it the nicer way and Jay-Z gives it to me the turnt up way," she added.
"Body" appears on Megan Thee Stallion's debut studio album, Good News, released in November. The music video for "Body" features actress Taraji P. Henson, who discussed her friendship with Megan Thee Stallion during Tuesday's episode of The Tonight Show.


upi--2020-12-10--South Korea parliament approves contentious anti-corruption bill

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- South Korea 's parliament passed a bill that would expedite the creation of a new corruption investigation agency , a move that was welcomed by President Moon Jae-in but drew protest from conservatives .
The bill , an amendment to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials Act , passed in Seoul 's National Assembly , with 187 lawmakers voting in favor and 99 opposed , Hankyoreh and JoongAng Daily reported Thursday .
The revision curtails the veto power of the two seats held by the main opposition People Power Party .
The new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the prosecutors ' office .
Opposition lawmakers condemned the bill 's passage on Thursday , calling the Moon administration a `` dictatorship '' and claiming democracy has died in the South .
The bill brings other changes , including standards for candidates .
Prosecuting attorneys at the existing anti-corruption agency are currently required to have at least 10 years of experience , but the revision would lower that requirement to seven years , according to the Hankyoreh .
On Thursday the main opposition said the ruling party had `` trampled on 70 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to establish the corruption investigation office . ''
Leading conservatives , including Joo Ho-young , a former judge , and Ahn Cheol-soo , a center-right politician and physician , said they will form an `` emergency coalition '' that is `` anti-Moon Jae-in '' to `` end tyranny '' in South Korean politics .
Moon welcomed the passage of the bill Thursday , and said it would `` open a path toward the rapid launch '' of the agency after a period of delays .
Opposition lawmakers say other revisions are controversial because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pass bills without building consensus .
Lee Chul-gyu , a lawmaker with the People Power Party , said Thursday a revision to the National Intelligence Service Act , which punishes anti-state espionage , would severely reduce Seoul 's capacity to investigate spies , Asia Business reported .
Lee also said it is `` not true '' Seoul 's National Police Agency is to handle investigations into anti-state or pro-North Korean activities , and the National Intelligence Service 's function of catching spies has been `` erased . ''
The revision passed unilaterally in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers .

South Korea’s parliament passed a bill that would expedite the creation of a new corruption investigation agency. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- South Korea's parliament passed a bill that would expedite the creation of a new corruption investigation agency, a move that was welcomed by President Moon Jae-in but drew protest from conservatives. The bill, an amendment to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials Act, passed in Seoul's National Assembly, with 187 lawmakers voting in favor and 99 opposed, Hankyoreh and JoongAng Daily reported Thursday. Advertisement
The revision curtails the veto power of the two seats held by the main opposition People Power Party. The new agency would also take over some powers of the prosecutors' office. Opposition lawmakers condemned the bill's passage on Thursday, calling the Moon administration a "dictatorship" and claiming democracy has died in the South.
The bill brings other changes, including standards for candidates. Prosecuting attorneys at the existing anti-corruption agency are currently required to have at least 10 years of experience, but the revision would lower that requirement to seven years, according to the Hankyoreh.
On Thursday the main opposition said the ruling party had "trampled on 70 years of tradition and ethics in order to establish the corruption investigation office." Leading conservatives, including Joo Ho-young, a former judge, and Ahn Cheol-soo, a center-right politician and physician, said they will form an "emergency coalition" that is "anti-Moon Jae-in" to "end tyranny" in South Korean politics.
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Moon welcomed the passage of the bill Thursday, and said it would "open a path toward the rapid launch" of the agency after a period of delays.
Opposition lawmakers say other revisions are controversial because of the ruling party's decision to pass bills without building consensus.
Lee Chul-gyu, a lawmaker with the People Power Party, said Thursday a revision to the National Intelligence Service Act, which punishes anti-state espionage, would severely reduce Seoul's capacity to investigate spies, Asia Business reported.
Lee also said it is "not true" Seoul's National Police Agency is to handle investigations into anti-state or pro-North Korean activities, and the National Intelligence Service's function of catching spies has been "erased."
The revision passed unilaterally in November by a committee of ruling party lawmakers.


upi--2020-12-10--Watch live: Officials testify in Senate about shipping COVID-19 vaccine in U.S.

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- Senate lawmakers will convene a hearing on Capitol Hill on Thursday to examine federal plans for transporting millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines nationwide .
A transportation subcommittee of the Senate commerce committee will start the hearing , titled `` The Logistics of Transporting a COVID-19 Vaccine , '' at 9:30 a.m. EST .
The panel will hear testimony from Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine , FedEx Executive Vice President Richard Smith and United Parcel Service President of Global Healthcare Wesley Wheeler .
No vaccine has yet been approved for use against COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expected to change Thursday afternoon when regulators vote on the vaccine developed jointly by Pfizer and BioNTech .
Approval may also be given for a vaccine from Moderna next week .
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has already been approved for use in Britain and Canada , and is awaiting similar approval in Israel .
Britain began inoculating people on Tuesday .
Both vaccines have proven in late-stage clinical trials to be about 95 % effective in blocking the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 , the companies say .
Health and Human Services Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to have 40 million doses distributed by the end of December .
Subcommittee chairman Sen. Deb Fischer , R-Neb.
, said Thursday 's hearing will examine `` supply chain issues within the transportation network and ongoing coordination in preparation to distribute the vaccine '' and `` near and long-term outlooks '' for distributing a vaccine .

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Wesley Wheeler, president of Global Healthcare at United Parcel Service, displays a sample COVID-19 vaccine vial during a Senate hearing Thursday. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI/Pool | License Photo
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Test runs for quickly distributing millions of doses of a new COVID-19 vaccine exposed some problems and showed "varying levels of success," a state health official warned Senate lawmakers Thursday. Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine, who is president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers, told a Senate subcommittee hearing that dry runs conducted to test vaccine shipment logistics revealed "at least one significant issue" with on-time performance in a quarter of states where the tests were run. Advertisement
"In recent mock shipments of vaccine to train and test the transportation/logistics planning that has been done by [Operation Warp Speed], there have been varying levels of success," Levine said in prepared remarks.
Some states, she said, saw a two-day gap between the arrival of the mock vaccine and ancillary supplies required to administer the doses, such as syringes and protective gear.
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If not addressed, she said, those types of problems will "delay the vaccination of key prioritized populations."
The Trump administration has so far allocated just $340 million to states and territories to help with distribution. The billions required to vaccinate most Americans has been held up in congressional deadlock over COVID-19 funding.
"The $340 million allocated for states, territories and big cities to date is simply not enough," Levine, who testified remotely, added. "If you break it down, that's about $1 per American to mount an immunization enterprise that is unparalleled in scale and complication."
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officers is requesting that Congress provide $8.4 billion in emergency funding for the vaccination campaign, which includes money for staffers, infrastructure and cold supply chain management.
The Senate committee also heard, in person, from United Parcel Service President of Global Healthcare Wesley Wheeler and FedEx Executive Vice President Richard Smith.
Wheeler, who said UPS Healthcare was a logistics partner in Pfizer's vaccine clinical trials, voiced confidence that the shipping company is up to the task to deliver vaccines.
During a recent visit by Operation Warp Speed leaders to UPS health facilities in Kentucky, he said, officials examined "ultra-low temperature shipments" and "dry ice replenishment."
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"I believe they left feeling confident with our degree of readiness," he said.
Smith said because FedEx has been working with drugmakers for years, it's familiar with what will be needed.
"We know them well, we know their business well, we work well together," he said. "And we plan for these things every year."
No vaccine has yet been approved for use against COVID-19 in the United States, but that is expected to change Thursday afternoon when regulators vote on the vaccine developed jointly by Pfizer and BioNTech. Approval may also be given for a vaccine from Moderna next week.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has already been approved for use in Britain and Canada, and is awaiting similar approval in Israel. Britain began inoculating people on Tuesday.
Both vaccines have proven in late-stage clinical trials to be about 95% effective in blocking the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the companies say.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said last month the goal is to have 40 million doses distributed by the end of December.


upi--2020-12-10--In Photos: Scenes from the holiday season

The world heads into a holiday season like no other , with the COVID-19 pandemic resurging in many areas .
@ @ @ @ @ withstanding the disruption .
Here 's look at people preparing for the holidays in the @ @ @ @ @ world .

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


upi--2020-12-10--France fines Google, Amazon $160M for using 'cookies' without consent

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- France 's data protection agency said Thursday it has fined U.S. tech giants Google and Amazon a combined $ 160 million for using tracking `` cookies '' without users ' consent .
France 's National Commission on Informatics and Liberty ( CNIL ) announced a fine of $ 120 million for Google and $ 42.4 million for Amazon .
The commission said investigators found over the past year that both companies automatically deployed cookies -- small pieces of tracking data that are stored on a user 's computer when they visit a website -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Data Protection Act .
CNIL said it found that Google committed three violations and Amazon two .
It also said notifications that were given to users about the cookies , as required by law , failed to provide sufficient information about the tracking data that were used .
French and EU law both mandate that tech companies thoroughly inform users about cookies and receive consent before they can be imposed .
A year ago , the Court of Justice of the European Union clarified strict rules concerning cookies that have been followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNIL found that both Google and Amazon had used cookies without consent , the commission also determined that Google continued to store them on users ' computers even if they 'd opted to deactivate ad personalization .
Google and Amazon have both disputed the French findings .
`` People who use Google expect us to respect their privacy , whether they have a Google account or not , '' a representative said .
`` We stand by our record of providing upfront information and clear controls , strong internal data governance , secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` We continuously update our privacy practices to ensure that we meet the evolving needs and expectations of customers and regulators and fully comply with all applicable laws in every country in which we operate , '' Amazon said .

"We stand by our record of providing upfront information and clear controls, strong internal data governance, secure infrastructure and above all, helpful products," Google said in a response to its fine. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- France's data protection agency said Thursday it has fined U.S. tech giants Google and Amazon a combined $160 million for using tracking "cookies" without users' consent. France's National Commission on Informatics and Liberty (CNIL) announced a fine of $120 million for Google and $42.4 million for Amazon. Advertisement
The commission said investigators found over the past year that both companies automatically deployed cookies -- small pieces of tracking data that are stored on a user's computer when they visit a website -- without consent, a violation of France's Data Protection Act.
CNIL said it found that Google committed three violations and Amazon two. It also said notifications that were given to users about the cookies, as required by law, failed to provide sufficient information about the tracking data that were used.
French and EU law both mandate that tech companies thoroughly inform users about cookies and receive consent before they can be imposed. A year ago, the Court of Justice of the European Union clarified strict rules concerning cookies that have been followed by European countries for years.
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While CNIL found that both Google and Amazon had used cookies without consent, the commission also determined that Google continued to store them on users' computers even if they'd opted to deactivate ad personalization.
Google and Amazon have both disputed the French findings.
"People who use Google expect us to respect their privacy, whether they have a Google account or not," a representative said. "We stand by our record of providing upfront information and clear controls, strong internal data governance, secure infrastructure and above all, helpful products."
"We continuously update our privacy practices to ensure that we meet the evolving needs and expectations of customers and regulators and fully comply with all applicable laws in every country in which we operate," Amazon said.


upi--2020-12-10--Taylor Swift announces new album, 'Evermore,' out Friday

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- Taylor Swift 's ninth studio album , titled Evermore , will be out at midnight on Friday .
`` I 'm elated to tell you that my 9th studio album , and Folklore 's sister record , will be out tonight at midnight eastern .
It 's called Evermore , '' Swift tweeted on Thursday , alongside an image of her backside that shows off her braided ponytail .
Evermore comes after Swift released Folklore in July .
The new project arrives just in time for her 31st birthday on Sunday .
`` Ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been excited about turning 31 because it 's my lucky number backwards , which is why I wanted to surprise you with this now .
You 've all been so caring , supportive and thoughtful on my birthdays and so this time I thought I would give you something ! ''
Swift tweeted alongside the project 's track listing .
Evermore will contain 15 tracks on the standard edition of the album , with a deluxe physical edition containing two bonus tracks , `` Right Where You Left Me '' and `` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digital downloads of the album will come with an exclusive digital booklet containing 16 photos .
Haim appears on the track `` No Body , No Crime , '' The National on `` Coney Island '' and Bon Iver on the album 's title track .
Swift also announced she will release a music video for new single `` Willow '' at midnight .
The singer hinted that she directed the `` Willow '' video after thanking a number of creatives for helping her be able to helm her own music videos .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ just could n't stop writing songs .
To try and put it more poetically , it feels like we were standing on the edge of the folklorian woods and had a choice : to turn and go back or to travel further into the forest of this music .
We chose to wander deeper in , '' she said about Evermore .
`` I 've never done this before .
In the past I 've always treated albums as one-off eras and moved onto planning the next one after an album was released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In making it , I felt less like I was departing and more like I was returning .
I loved the escapism I found in these imaginary/not imaginary tales .
I loved the ways you welcomed the dreamscapes and tragedies and epic tales of love lost and found into your lives .
So I just kept writing them , '' Swift continued .
Swift said she created the new music with Aaron Dessner , Jack Antonoff , WB and Justin Vernon along with some new and longtime collaborators .

I'm elated to tell you that my 9th studio album, and folklore's sister record, will be out tonight at midnight eastern. It's called evermore. : Beth Garrabrant pic.twitter.com/xdej7AzJRW— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) December 10, 2020
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Taylor Swift's ninth studio album, titled Evermore, will be out at midnight on Thursday.
"I'm elated to tell you that my 9th studio album, and Folklore's sister record, will be out tonight at midnight eastern. It's called Evermore," Swift tweeted on Thursday, alongside an image of her back that shows off her braided ponytail.
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Evermore comes after Swift released Folklore in July. The new project arrives just in time for her 31st birthday on Sunday.
"Ever since I was 13, I've been excited about turning 31 because it's my lucky number backwards, which is why I wanted to surprise you with this now. You've all been so caring, supportive and thoughtful on my birthdays and so this time I thought I would give you something!" Swift tweeted alongside the project's track listing.
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Evermore will contain 15 tracks on the standard edition of the album, with a deluxe physical edition containing two bonus tracks, "Right Where You Left Me" and "It's Time to Go." All digital downloads of the album will come with an exclusive digital booklet containing 16 photos.
Haim appears on the track "No Body, No Crime," The National on "Coney Island" and Bon Iver on the album's title track.
Ever since I was 13, I've been excited about turning 31 because it's my lucky number backwards, which is why I wanted to surprise you with this now. You've all been so caring, supportive and thoughtful on my birthdays and so this time I thought I would give you something! pic.twitter.com/wATiVSTpuV— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) December 10, 2020
Swift also announced she will release a music video for new single "Willow" at midnight. The singer hinted that she directed the "Willow" video after thanking a number of creatives for helping her be able to helm her own music videos.
Tonight the story continues, as the music video for "willow" drops at midnight eastern. pic.twitter.com/T3o0nsANpY— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) December 10, 2020 Advertisement
"To put it plainly, we just couldn't stop writing songs. To try and put it more poetically, it feels like we were standing on the edge of the folklorian woods and had a choice: to turn and go back or to travel further into the forest of this music. We chose to wander deeper in," she said about Evermore.
"I've never done this before. In the past I've always treated albums as one-off eras and moved onto planning the next one after an album was released. There was something different with Folklore. In making it, I felt less like I was departing and more like I was returning. I loved the escapism I found in these imaginary/not imaginary tales. I loved the ways you welcomed the dreamscapes and tragedies and epic tales of love lost and found into your lives. So I just kept writing them," Swift continued.
Swift said she created the new music with Aaron Dessner, Jack Antonoff, WB and Justin Vernon along with some new and longtime collaborators.
Taylor Swift's career: awards, No. 1 hits and red carpets


upi--2020-12-10--In photos: NASA's women astronauts -- one likely to walk on moon

Expedition 59 astronaut McClain is helped out of the Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft just minutes after she landed in a remote @ @ @ @ @ Zhezkazgan , Kazakhstan , on June 25 , 2019 .
She will train for the @ @ @ @ @ Bill Ingalls/NASA

Jasmin Moghbeli
Moghbeli poses for a portrait in the Systems Engineering Simulator for the International Space Station and advanced spaceflight programs at the Johnson Space Center on July 9, 2019. She will train for the moon mission. Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA


upi--2020-12-10--Minneapolis City Council shifts $8M away from police, but declines to reduce force

An activist calls for the abolishing of police departments at a protest opposing the the killing of George Floyd, in downtown Los Angeles, Calif., on May 29. Floyd's death spurred calls nationwide for substantial police reforms. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday approved shifting nearly $8 million away from the city's police department, but declined to reduce the size of the force, in its first budget since the death of George Floyd became a flashpoint for reform six months ago. The council voted 7-6 to cut $7.7 million from the police budget proposal submitted by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, reducing its total funding to $172 million. The reallocated funds, instead, will be spent on violence prevention and efforts to create a mental health crisis response team. Advertisement
But in a late turnaround, the council opted to reject a proposal that would have reduced the Minneapolis Police Department to 750 officers, starting in 2022.
Frey had sought to keep a target level of 888 officers and threatened to veto the budget if cuts to police staff were approved.
The council's vote early Thursday followed hours of emotional testimony on Wednesday from Minneapolis residents and political leaders, who debated how the city should respond to widespread calls for police reform after the death of Floyd -- a Black man who was killed by white Minneapolis police officers on May 25.
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Video of Floyd's arrest and death, caused by one officer pressing his knee down on Floyd's neck for close to 10 minutes, fueled outrage and led to demonstrations nationwide that called for immediate and substantial reforms.
In Minneapolis alone, hundreds of businesses were damaged during the protests at an estimated cost of $500 million.
"I urge you to fund profound change in how we run our city and care for each other," one resident said during the virtual hearing. "Put money where your mouth is.
"If you [council members] can't commit to funding real solutions to the many crises Minneapolis faces, why are you even representing us?"
The decision to retain current police staffing levels was a defeat for Council President Lisa Bender, who had promised to "end our city's toxic relationship with the Minneapolis Police Department."
However, she lauded the decision to shift funding from the police force to violence prevention.
"The budget makes important investments in affordable housing, health and economic recovery," she tweeted.
"My colleagues were right to leave the targeted staffing level unchanged ... and continue moving forward with our shared priorities," Frey said in a statement.
Protesters demand justice in police killing of George Floyd
Demonstrators hold a sign in Los Angeles on June 14 for Breonna Taylor, a black woman who was shot by police in her home while she was sleeping. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo


upi--2020-12-10--AEW Dynamite: Sting speaks, Orange Cassidy battles MJF

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- Professional wrestling icon Sting spoke for the first time on AEW Dynamite as the living legend commented on his surprise return to the squared circle .
Sting arrived onto the scene Wednesday by suddenly cutting off Cody Rhodes with his entrance .
Sting interacted with Rhodes ' coach Arn Anderson and gave a hug to announcer Tony Schiavone , thanking him for all their years spent together in WCW .
Cody Rhodes stated that he has wanted to share a ring with Sting for a very long time .
`` Cody I 'm not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now .
There 's something really familiar about this place , '' Sting said while pointing to the rafters where TNT Champion Darby Allin was located .
Sting famously would sit silently in the rafters during his heyday .
`` The only thing that 's for sure about Sting is nothing is for sure .
Except this .
I am signed with AEW and I plan on being close to the AEW fans and in this promotion for a long time , '' Sting continued before he bid farewell to Cody Rhodes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Also on Dynamite , Chris Jericho held a meeting with the Inner Circle to determine if the group will still continue after in-fighting erupted last week .
MJF , his bodyguard Wardlow , Sammy Guevara , Jake Hager and Ortiz were present .
Ortiz spoke after MJF and Guevara started to not get along , stating that the faction is stronger together .
Ortiz demanded that Guevara shake MJF 's hand despite MJF causing friction in the first place .
Guevara relunctly shook MJF 's hand but told Jericho he would quit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of line again .
Jericho had each member stick out their middle finger as a show of solidarity and agreed to accompany MJF to the ring in his main event match against Orange Cassidy for the Dynamite Diamond Ring .
Cassidy and MJF earned their place in the match by being the final two competitors in the Dynamite Battle Royale last week .
MJF won the ring last year and has used it as a weapon to win matches .
The Inner Circle worked as a team to give MJF an advantage over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Trent of Best Friends brought out reinforcements in the form of Top Flight , Brandon Cutler and The Varsity Blondes .
Both groups started to brawl outside the ring after Wardlow placed MJF 's foot on the ropes to stop Cassidy from winning .
Miro , who has been feuding with Cassidy and Best Friends , then entered the ring and laid out Cassidy with a vicious Clothesline .
Miro placed MJF over Cassidy 's body , allowing MJF to win the match and once again obtain the Dynamite Diamond Ring .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ guards at the top of the entrance ramp as Dynamite went off the air .
Former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal had a sit down interview with Schiavone and Brandi Rhodes , who has been in conflict with O'Neal 's associate Jade Cargill .
Brandi Rhodes ' arm was in a sling after Cargill attacked her previously on Dynamite .
O'Neal said he had no issues with her husband Cody Rhodes but said he would be present to see Brandi Rhodes take on Jade .
`` And Brandi , while your arm is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch Jade .
Maybe you 'll get some pointers , '' O'Neal said before Brandi threw a cup of water onto the basketball great .
Newly crowned AEW World Champion Kenny Omega addressed his controversial win over Jon Moxley last week with his new manager Don Callis , who is an executive at Impact Wrestling .
Omega and Callis arrived to the arena in a helicopter .
Callis helped Omega win the title from Moxley by giving him a microphone that he used as a weapon .
The duo had also appeared on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to start collecting World Championships from other professional wrestling promotions .
`` You thought last week was a big surprise .
You thought Tuesday was a big surprise .
We 're just getting started , '' Omega said .
Other moments from Dynamite included AEW World Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks defeating Angelico and Jack Evans of Hybrid 2 ; Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood of FTR defeating Brian Pillman Jr. and Griff Garrison of The Varsity Blondes ; Dustin Rhodes defeating 10 of the Dark Order ; Dustin Rhodes declining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kingston , The Butcher and The Blade defeating Lance Archer , Rey Fenix and Penta El Zero Mideo after Penta El Zero Mideo was taken out of the match due to being slammed into a table ; and Abadon defeating Tesha Price in convincing fashion .
AEW Women 's World Champion Shida confronted Abadon and hit her with a kendo stick but Adadon was able to quickly recover from the attack .

Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Professional wrestling icon Sting spoke for the first time on AEW Dynamite as the living legend commented on his surprise return to the squared circle.
Sting arrived onto the scene Wednesday by suddenly cutting off Cody Rhodes with his entrance. Sting interacted with Rhodes' coach Arn Anderson and gave a hug to announcer Tony Schiavone, thanking him for all their years spent together in WCW.
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Cody Rhodes stated that he has wanted to share a ring with Sting for a very long time.
"Cody I'm not here for you, at least not right now. There's something really familiar about this place," Sting said while pointing to the rafters where TNT Champion Darby Allin was located. Sting famously would sit silently in the rafters during his heyday.
"The only thing that's for sure about Sting is nothing is for sure. Except this. I am signed with AEW and I plan on being close to the AEW fans and in this promotion for a long time," Sting continued before he bid farewell to Cody Rhodes, leaving him alone in the ring.
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Also on Dynamite, Chris Jericho held a meeting with the Inner Circle to determine if the group will still continue after in-fighting erupted last week. MJF, his bodyguard Wardlow, Sammy Guevara, Jake Hager and Ortiz were present.
Ortiz spoke after MJF and Guevara started to not get along, stating that the faction is stronger together. Ortiz demanded that Guevara shake MJF's hand despite MJF causing friction in the first place. Guevara relunctly shook MJF's hand but told Jericho he would quit the Inner Circle if MJF steps out of line again.
Jericho had each member stick out their middle finger as a show of solidarity and agreed to accompany MJF to the ring in his main event match against Orange Cassidy for the Dynamite Diamond Ring.
Cassidy and MJF earned their place in the match by being the final two competitors in the Dynamite Battle Royale last week. MJF won the ring last year and has used it as a weapon to win matches.
The Inner Circle worked as a team to give MJF an advantage over Cassidy until Cassidy's partners Chuck Taylor and Trent of Best Friends brought out reinforcements in the form of Top Flight, Brandon Cutler and The Varsity Blondes.
Both groups started to brawl outside the ring after Wardlow placed MJF's foot on the ropes to stop Cassidy from winning. Miro, who has been feuding with Cassidy and Best Friends, then entered the ring and laid out Cassidy with a vicious Clothesline.
Miro placed MJF over Cassidy's body, allowing MJF to win the match and once again obtain the Dynamite Diamond Ring. Miro then obliterated a number of security guards at the top of the entrance ramp as Dynamite went off the air.
Former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal had a sit down interview with Schiavone and Brandi Rhodes, who has been in conflict with O'Neal's associate Jade Cargill. Brandi Rhodes' arm was in a sling after Cargill attacked her previously on Dynamite.
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O'Neal said he had no issues with her husband Cody Rhodes but said he would be present to see Brandi Rhodes take on Jade.
"And Brandi, while your arm is in a sling, I think you should watch Jade. Maybe you'll get some pointers," O'Neal said before Brandi threw a cup of water onto the basketball great.
Newly crowned AEW World Champion Kenny Omega addressed his controversial win over Jon Moxley last week with his new manager Don Callis, who is an executive at Impact Wrestling. Omega and Callis arrived to the arena in a helicopter.
Callis helped Omega win the title from Moxley by giving him a microphone that he used as a weapon. The duo had also appeared on Impact Wrestling Tuesday where Omega said he wanted to start collecting World Championships from other professional wrestling promotions.
"You thought last week was a big surprise. You thought Tuesday was a big surprise. We're just getting started," Omega said.
Other moments from Dynamite included AEW World Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks defeating Angelico and Jack Evans of Hybrid 2; Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood of FTR defeating Brian Pillman Jr. and Griff Garrison of The Varsity Blondes; Dustin Rhodes defeating 10 of the Dark Order; Dustin Rhodes declining to join the Dark Order; Eddie Kingston, The Butcher and The Blade defeating Lance Archer, Rey Fenix and Penta El Zero Mideo after Penta El Zero Mideo was taken out of the match due to being slammed into a table; and Abadon defeating Tesha Price in convincing fashion.
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AEW Women's World Champion Shida confronted Abadon and hit her with a kendo stick but Adadon was able to quickly recover from the attack.


upi--2020-12-10--EU proposes mini-deals to keep industries going if Brexit pact fails

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- With exactly three weeks left to reach a post-Brexit trade agreement , a prospect that 's still deadlocked , the European Union proposed several individual short-term deals to British negotiators on Thursday .
Talks in recent weeks and months have produced little progress and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with EU leader Ursula von der Leyen in Belgium on Wednesday night to discuss the main sticking points .
The short-term mini-deals proposed by the EU would affect air connectivity , aviation safety , basic road connectivity and fisheries in the event no deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period ends on Jan. 1 .
The proposed short-term mini-deals deals would allow planes to keep flying , lorries moving and EU fishing boats working in British waters -- in case no trade deal is reached before the Jan. 1 deadline .
Von der Leyen said at her meeting with Johnson that there 's also no guarantee a deal could even be ratified by Jan. 1 , if they succeed in the coming weeks .
Leyen said after the meeting that she and Johnson had a `` lively and interesting discussion '' on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gained a clear understanding of each other 's positions .
They remain far apart , '' she said in a statement .
Before the meeting , Johnson said Britain would not accept any terms that seek to keep it tied to EU trade rules .
Teams of negotiators will reconvene to try and resolve the outstanding issues .
Von der Leyen said there should be a clearer decision in the next few days .
`` We agreed that the teams should immediately reconvene to try to resolve these essential issues .
We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the weekend , '' von der Leyen said .
Britain officially left the EU in February , but the two agreed to a transition period for both sides to iron out their complex future relationship , particularly as it relates to trade .
Negotiations were initially delayed and have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic .
The EU is expected to publicly release its strategy for trade involving the United Kingdom , in the event of no deal , in the coming days .
Negotiators arrived at a breakthrough this week on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Northern Ireland , which had been a key obstacle .
British negotiators agreed , in principle , to drop its controversial `` Internal Market Bill , '' which would have allowed London to modify parts of last year 's exit deal -- something the EU said would have violated international law .

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson meets Wednesday with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen before a round of post-Brexit trade talks, in Brussels, Belgium. Photo by Olivier Hoslet/EPA-EFE/Pool
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned the country Thursday it should prepare for a no-deal Brexit come Jan. 1, saying what the European Union is offering in negotiations "isn't right," for Britain. During a brief interview from Downing Street, Johnson said he will "go the extra mile" to get a deal but did not sound optimistic beyond that about the prospects of coming to an agreement. Johnson said fishing rights and the EU's insistence of a "level playing field" in business competition remain the biggest hurdles. Advertisement
"[Britain] has been incredibly flexible," Johnson said. "We tried very hard to make progress on all sorts of things. I do think that we need to be very, very clear.
"That doesn't mean it's a bad thing, there are plenty of ways that we can turn that to the advantage of both sides. Now is the time for the public and for businesses to get ready for [Jan. 1] because believe me there's going to be change either way."
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Earlier Thursday, the European Union proposed several individual short-term deals to British negotiators in case no deal emerges.
Talks in recent weeks and months have produced little progress and Johnson met with EU leader Ursula von der Leyen in Belgium on Wednesday night to discuss the main sticking points.
The short-term mini-deals proposed by the EU would affect air connectivity, aviation safety, basic road connectivity and fisheries in the event no deal is reached before Britain's post-Brexit transition period ends on Jan. 1.
The proposed short-term deals would allow planes to keep flying, lorries moving and EU fishing boats working in British waters -- in case no trade deal is reached before the Jan. 1 deadline.
Von der Leyen said at her meeting with Johnson that there's also no guarantee a deal could even be ratified by Jan. 1, if they succeed in the coming weeks.
Leyen said after the meeting that she and Johnson had a "lively and interesting discussion" on the remaining outstanding issues.
"We gained a clear understanding of each other's positions. They remain far apart," she said in a statement.
Before the meeting, Johnson said Britain would not accept any terms that seek to keep it tied to EU trade rules.
Advertisement
Teams of negotiators will reconvene to try to resolve the outstanding issues. Von der Leyen said there should be a clearer decision in the next few days.
"We agreed that the teams should immediately reconvene to try to resolve these essential issues. We will come to a decision by the end of the weekend," von der Leyen said.
Britain officially left the EU in February, but the two agreed to a transition period for both sides to iron out their complex future relationship, particularly as it relates to trade. Negotiations were initially delayed and have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The EU is expected to publicly release its strategy for trade involving the United Kingdom, in the event of no deal, in the coming days.
Negotiators arrived at a breakthrough this week on the issue of a post-Brexit trade protocol for Northern Ireland, which had been a key obstacle. British negotiators agreed, in principle, to drop its controversial "Internal Market Bill," which would have allowed London to modify parts of last year's exit deal -- something the EU said would have violated international law.


upi--2020-12-10--Megarich Taliban get funds to wage war from drugs, mining, extortion

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- The Taliban militants of Afghanistan have grown richer and more powerful since their fundamentalist Islamic regime was toppled by U.S. forces in 2001 .
In the fiscal year that ended in March 2020 , the Taliban reportedly brought in $ 1.6 billion , according to Mullah Yaqoob , son of the late Taliban spiritual leader Mullah Mohammad Omar , who revealed the Taliban 's income sources in a confidential report commissioned by NATO and later obtained by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty .
In comparison , the Afghan government brought in $ 5.55 billion during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in peace talks with the Taliban , seeking to end their 19-year insurgency .
I study the Taliban 's finances as an economic policy analyst at the Center for Afghanistan Studies .
Here 's where their money comes from .
Afghanistan accounted for about 84 % of global opium production over the past five years , according to the United Nation 's World Drug Report 2020 .
Much of those illicit drug profits go to the Taliban , which manage opium in areas under their control .
The group imposes a 10 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production chain , according to a 2008 report from the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit , an independent research organization in Kabul .
That includes the Afghan farmers who cultivate poppy , the main ingredient in opium , the labs that convert it into a drug and the traders who move the final product out of country .
Mining iron ore , marble , copper , gold , zinc and other metals and rare-earth minerals in mountainous Afghanistan is an increasingly lucrative business for the Taliban .
Both small-scale mineral-extraction operations and big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow them to keep their businesses running .
Those who do n't pay have faced death threats .
According to the Taliban 's Stones and Mines Commission , or Da Dabaro Comisyoon , the group earns $ 400 million a year from mining .
NATO estimates that figure higher , at $ 464 million -- - up from just $ 35 million in 2016 .
Like a government , the Taliban tax people and industries in the growing swath of Afghanistan under their control .
They even issue official receipts of tax payment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations , media , telecommunications and development projects funded by international aid .
Drivers are also charged for using highways in Taliban-controlled regions , and shopkeepers pay the Taliban for the right to do business .
The group also imposes a traditional Islamic form of taxation called `` ushr '' -- which is a 10 % tax on a farmer 's harvest -- and `` zakat , '' a 2.5 % wealth tax .
According to Mullah Yaqoob , tax revenues -- which may also be considered extortion -- bring in around $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those taxed are poppy growers , there could be some financial overlap between tax revenue and drug revenue .
The Taliban receive covert financial contributions from private donors and international institutions across the globe .
Many Taliban donations are from charities and private trusts located in Persian Gulf countries , a region historically sympathetic to the group 's religious insurgency .
Those donations add up to about $ 150 million to $ 200 million each year , according to the Afghanistan Center for Research and Policy Studies .
These charities are on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that finance terrorism .
Private citizens from Saudi Arabia , Pakistan , Iran and some Persian Gulf nations also help finance the Taliban , contributing another $ 60 million annually to the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network , according to American counterterrorism agencies .
In part to launder illicit money , the Taliban import and export various everyday consumer goods , according to the United Nations Security Council .
Known business affiliates include the multinational Noorzai Brothers Ltd. , which imports auto parts and sells reassembled vehicles and spare automobile parts .
The Taliban 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be around $ 240 million a year .
This figure includes the export of poppy and looted minerals , so there may be financial overlap with drug revenue and mining revenue .
The Taliban own real estate in Afghanistan , Pakistan and potentially other countries , according to Mullah Yaqoob and the Pakistani TV Channel SAMAA .
Yaqoob told NATO annual real estate revenue is around $ 80 million .
According to BBC reporting , a classified CIA report estimated in 2008 that the Taliban had received $ 106 million from foreign sources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Today , the governments of Russia , Iran , Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are all believed to bankroll the Taliban , according to numerous U.S. and international sources .
Experts say these funds could amount to as much as $ 500 million a year , but it is difficult to put an exact figure on this income stream .
For nearly 20 years , the Taliban 's great wealth has financed mayhem , destruction and death in Afghanistan .
To battle its insurgency , the Afghan government also spends heavily on war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public services and economic development .
A peace agreement in Afghanistan would allow the government to redirect its scarce resources .
The government might also see substantial new revenue flow in from legal sectors now dominated by the Taliban , such as mining .
Stability is additionally expected to attract foreign investment in the country , helping the government end its dependence on donors like the United States and the European Union .
There are many reasons to root for peace in war-scarred Afghanistan .
Its financial health is one of them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordinator at the University of Nebraska Omaha .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi, a representative of the Afghan Taliban movement, attends the the opening session of the peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, on September 12. File Photo by EPA-EFE
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The Taliban militants of Afghanistan have grown richer and more powerful since their fundamentalist Islamic regime was toppled by U.S. forces in 2001. In the fiscal year that ended in March 2020, the Taliban reportedly brought in $1.6 billion, according to Mullah Yaqoob, son of the late Taliban spiritual leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, who revealed the Taliban's income sources in a confidential report commissioned by NATO and later obtained by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Advertisement
In comparison, the Afghan government brought in $5.55 billion during the same period. The government is in peace talks with the Taliban, seeking to end their 19-year insurgency.
I study the Taliban's finances as an economic policy analyst at the Center for Afghanistan Studies. Here's where their money comes from.
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1. Drugs -- $416 million
Afghanistan accounted for about 84% of global opium production over the past five years, according to the United Nation's World Drug Report 2020.
Much of those illicit drug profits go to the Taliban, which manage opium in areas under their control. The group imposes a 10% tax on every link in the drug production chain, according to a 2008 report from the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit, an independent research organization in Kabul. That includes the Afghan farmers who cultivate poppy, the main ingredient in opium, the labs that convert it into a drug and the traders who move the final product out of country.
2. Mining -- $400 million to $464 million
Mining iron ore, marble, copper, gold, zinc and other metals and rare-earth minerals in mountainous Afghanistan is an increasingly lucrative business for the Taliban. Both small-scale mineral-extraction operations and big Afghan mining companies pay Taliban militants to allow them to keep their businesses running. Those who don't pay have faced death threats.
According to the Taliban's Stones and Mines Commission, or Da Dabaro Comisyoon, the group earns $400 million a year from mining. NATO estimates that figure higher, at $464 million --- up from just $35 million in 2016.
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3. Extortion and taxes -- $160 million
Like a government, the Taliban tax people and industries in the growing swath of Afghanistan under their control. They even issue official receipts of tax payment.
"Taxed" industries include mining operations, media, telecommunications and development projects funded by international aid. Drivers are also charged for using highways in Taliban-controlled regions, and shopkeepers pay the Taliban for the right to do business.
The group also imposes a traditional Islamic form of taxation called "ushr" -- which is a 10% tax on a farmer's harvest -- and "zakat," a 2.5% wealth tax.
According to Mullah Yaqoob, tax revenues -- which may also be considered extortion -- bring in around $160 million annually.
Since some of those taxed are poppy growers, there could be some financial overlap between tax revenue and drug revenue.
4. Charitable donations -- $240 million
The Taliban receive covert financial contributions from private donors and international institutions across the globe.
Many Taliban donations are from charities and private trusts located in Persian Gulf countries, a region historically sympathetic to the group's religious insurgency. Those donations add up to about $150 million to $200 million each year, according to the Afghanistan Center for Research and Policy Studies. These charities are on the U.S. Treasury Department's list of groups that finance terrorism.
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Private citizens from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran and some Persian Gulf nations also help finance the Taliban, contributing another $60 million annually to the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network, according to American counterterrorism agencies.
5. Exports -- $240 million
In part to launder illicit money, the Taliban import and export various everyday consumer goods, according to the United Nations Security Council. Known business affiliates include the multinational Noorzai Brothers Ltd., which imports auto parts and sells reassembled vehicles and spare automobile parts.
The Taliban's net income from exports is thought to be around $240 million a year. This figure includes the export of poppy and looted minerals, so there may be financial overlap with drug revenue and mining revenue.
6. Real estate -- $80 million
The Taliban own real estate in Afghanistan, Pakistan and potentially other countries, according to Mullah Yaqoob and the Pakistani TV Channel SAMAA. Yaqoob told NATO annual real estate revenue is around $80 million.
7. Specific countries
According to BBC reporting, a classified CIA report estimated in 2008 that the Taliban had received $106 million from foreign sources, in particular from the Gulf states.
Today, the governments of Russia, Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are all believed to bankroll the Taliban, according to numerous U.S. and international sources. Experts say these funds could amount to as much as $500 million a year, but it is difficult to put an exact figure on this income stream.
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Building a peacetime budget
For nearly 20 years, the Taliban's great wealth has financed mayhem, destruction and death in Afghanistan. To battle its insurgency, the Afghan government also spends heavily on war, often at the expense of basic public services and economic development.
A peace agreement in Afghanistan would allow the government to redirect its scarce resources. The government might also see substantial new revenue flow in from legal sectors now dominated by the Taliban, such as mining.
Stability is additionally expected to attract foreign investment in the country, helping the government end its dependence on donors like the United States and the European Union.
There are many reasons to root for peace in war-scarred Afghanistan. Its financial health is one of them.
Hanif Sufizada is education and outreach program coordinator at the University of Nebraska Omaha.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


upi--2020-12-10--Hackers target EU regulatory documents for Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- European Union regulatory documents relating to the COVID-19 vaccine candidate made by Pfizer were `` unlawfully accessed '' by hackers , the pharma company 's German biotech partner says .
BioNTech , which has been developing the vaccine with Pfizer , said it was informed by the European Medicines Agency that cyberattackers targeted regulatory documents that were submitted to the agency for the vaccine .
Pfizer and BioNTech are seeking EU approval for their BNT162b2 coronavirus vaccine candidate , which this week won approvals for use in Britain and Canada .
U.S. regulators are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine in the next few days .
`` At this time , we await further information about EMA 's investigation and will respond appropriately and in accordance with EU law , '' BioNTech said in a statement late Wednesday .
`` EMA has assured us that the cyber attack will have no impact on the timeline for its review . ''
The EMA said only that it had been the subject of a cyberattack .
`` The Agency has swiftly launched a full investigation , in close cooperation with law enforcement and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
BioNTech said the hacked documents had been stored on an EMA server and stressed that no BioNTech or Pfizer systems were breached and no data about the volunteers involved in clinical trials for the vaccine have been compromised .
`` Our focus remains steadfast on working in close partnership with governments and regulators to bring our COVID-19 vaccine to people around the globe as safely and as efficiently as possible to help bring an end to this devastating pandemic , '' BioNTech added .
The hack is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providers struggling to cope with the pandemic .
In a Digital Defense Report released in September , Microsoft warned that more than a dozen `` nation-state actors '' have targeted global COVID-19 response efforts or leveraged the crisis to expand their credential theft and malware delivery tactics .
The attacks targeted prominent government healthcare organizations to monitor their networks or people , Microsoft 's report said .
Security researchers at IBM said last week that hackers had launched a global `` phishing campaign '' to target organizations associated with cold supply chains for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensures safe preservation of the vaccines in temperature-controlled environments during storage and transportation .
IBM 's experts said the attack had the `` potential hallmarks of nation-state tradecraft . ''

The BioNTech hack is the latest to target COVID-19 researchers and healthcare providers who are working to control the coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by Ronald Wittek/Andrew Gombert/EPA-EFE
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- European Union regulatory documents relating to the COVID-19 vaccine candidate made by Pfizer were "unlawfully accessed" by hackers, the pharma company's German biotech partner says. BioNTech, which has been developing the vaccine with Pfizer, said it was informed by the European Medicines Agency that cyberattackers targeted regulatory documents that were submitted to the agency for the vaccine. Advertisement
Pfizer and BioNTech are seeking EU approval for their BNT162b2 coronavirus vaccine candidate, which this week won approvals for use in Britain and Canada.
U.S. regulators are also expected to give emergency approval for the vaccine in the next few days.
"At this time, we await further information about EMA's investigation and will respond appropriately and in accordance with EU law," BioNTech said in a statement late Wednesday. "EMA has assured us that the cyber attack will have no impact on the timeline for its review."
The EMA said only that it had been the subject of a cyberattack.
"The Agency has swiftly launched a full investigation, in close cooperation with law enforcement and other relevant entities," the agency said in a statement.
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BioNTech said the hacked documents had been stored on an EMA server and stressed that no BioNTech or Pfizer systems were breached and no data about the volunteers involved in clinical trials for the vaccine have been compromised.
"Our focus remains steadfast on working in close partnership with governments and regulators to bring our COVID-19 vaccine to people around the globe as safely and as efficiently as possible to help bring an end to this devastating pandemic," BioNTech added.
The hack is the latest to target COVID-19 researchers and healthcare providers struggling to cope with the pandemic.
In a Digital Defense Report released in September, Microsoft warned that more than a dozen "nation-state actors" have targeted global COVID-19 response efforts or leveraged the crisis to expand their credential theft and malware delivery tactics.
The attacks targeted prominent government healthcare organizations to monitor their networks or people, Microsoft's report said.
Security researchers at IBM said last week that hackers had launched a global "phishing campaign" to target organizations associated with cold supply chains for COVID-19 vaccines -- a vital component that ensures safe preservation of the vaccines in temperature-controlled environments during storage and transportation.
IBM's experts said the attack had the "potential hallmarks of nation-state tradecraft."


upi--2020-12-10--Google honors economist William Arthur Lewis with a new Doodle

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- Google is celebrating economist , professor and author William Arthur Lewis with a new Doodle .
Google 's homepage features artwork of Lewis by Manchester-based guest artist Camilla Ru , which features the economist standing in front of a chalkboard .
Lewis was honored on this day in 1979 with the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics for his work on modeling economic forces that impact developing countries .
Lewis , born in 1915 in Castries located on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia , won a government scholarship in 1932 to study at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discrimination .
Lewis became a full professor by the age of 33 and published his article titled Economic Development with Unlimited Supplies of Labour in 1954 .
He worked with the United Nations , was an adviser to governments in Africa , Asia and The Caribbean and served as the first president of the Caribbean Development Bank .
Lewis was knighted by the British government in 1963 and is regarded as the first Black faculty member at the London School of Economics , first Black person to hold a chair at a British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to receive full professorship at Princeton .
`` I hope the artwork and Sir Arthur Lewis ' story help people understand the importance of sharing knowledge and how this can inspire others and aid in their growth , '' Doodle artist Ru said in an interview with Google .

Google is paying homage to economist William Arthur Lewis with a new Doodle. Image courtesy of Google
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Google is celebrating economist, professor and author William Arthur Lewis with a new Doodle. Google's homepage features artwork of Lewis by Manchester-based guest artist Camilla Ru, which features the economist standing in front of a chalkboard. Advertisement
Lewis was honored on this day in 1979 with the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics for his work on modeling economic forces that impact developing countries.
Lewis, born in 1915 in Castries located on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, won a government scholarship in 1932 to study at the London School of Economics despite facing racial discrimination.
Lewis became a full professor by the age of 33 and published his article titled Economic Development with Unlimited Supplies of Labour in 1954. He worked with the United Nations, was an adviser to governments in Africa, Asia and The Caribbean and served as the first president of the Caribbean Development Bank.
Lewis was knighted by the British government in 1963 and is regarded as the first Black faculty member at the London School of Economics, first Black person to hold a chair at a British University and is the first Black teacher to receive full professorship at Princeton.
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"I hope the artwork and Sir Arthur Lewis' story help people understand the importance of sharing knowledge and how this can inspire others and aid in their growth," Doodle artist Ru said in an interview with Google.


upi--2020-12-10--Killer Brandon Bernard set to die Thursday in 9th federal execution of 2020

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. government on Thursday is set to execute a man convicted of killing a Texas couple two decades ago -- the second such execution of the lame-duck presidency of Donald Trump .
Brandon Bernard will be given the lethal injection at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute , Ind.
, for the 1999 deaths of Todd and Stacie Bagley , married youth ministers .
If his execution is carried out , it 'll be the 9th by the federal government and 16th overall in the United States this year .
Bernard , 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals on his application for a stay of execution .
His attorneys filed a motion for the stay Wednesday , seeking time to appeal his case based on allegations that prosecutors withheld evidence that may have spared their client the death penalty .
Two lower courts have declined to stay the execution , one saying the case is out of its jurisdiction and the other that Bernard has n't shown a `` strong likelihood '' of succeeding in his appeal .
Defense attorneys said they discovered evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the crime and the gang that perpetrated the killings .
They argue that knowledge `` almost certainly '' would have persuaded at least one juror to vote for life in prison over the death penalty .
Bernard 's lawyers accuse the government of withholding the evidence , which they say was found while reviewing court documents for the resentencing of one of Bernard 's co-defendants , showing the information was in the government 's possession .
Bernard and accomplice Christopher Vialva were sentenced to death in 2000 for the murders .
Prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vialva and two other accomplices in the case a ride before the men held them at gunpoint and locked them in the trunk of their vehicle .
They also stole the couple 's money and a wedding ring .
Bernard 's attorneys said he was not with those three accomplices when they kidnapped the Bagleys , but was called to join later in his own vehicle .
The four then drove the Bagleys and the two vehicles to Fort Hood Army base , where prosecutors said Vialva shot the couple in the head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Todd Bagley died instantly but Stacie Bagley , unconscious from a gunshot wound , died of smoke inhalation , federal prosecutors said .
Defense lawyers said Bernard believed he was called to help dispose of the Bagleys ' vehicle and let them go free .
Police arrested the four men after their vehicle slid off the road into a ditch near the Bagleys ' burning vehicle .
Because the murders took place on a military reservation , they were considered federal offenses .
Vialva was executed for his role in September .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including jurors from Bernard 's trial -- signed a clemency petition asking Trump to commute his death sentence .
The petition asks Trump to consider that Bernard was just 18 at the time of the crime , has a clean prison record , showed remorse and conducted outreach work while incarcerated .
They ask for his death sentence to be commuted to life in prison .
U.S. Attorney General William Barr resumed federal executions in July after a 17-year hiatus .
Daniel Lewis Lee , Wesley Purkey and Dustin Honken were executed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nelson in August ; William LeCroy and Vialva in September ; and Orlando Hall in November .
Hall 's execution was the first to be carried out during a lame-duck presidency since President Grover Cleveland 's administration in 1880 , according to the Death Penalty Information Center .
Some critics , including Democrats in Congress , have called for the Trump administration to halt the executions scheduled for the remainder of his term and leave them for President-elect Joe Biden 's administration to handle .
`` These executions are a further illustration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this government 's conduct has been during the entire course of this execution spree , '' DPIC Executive Director Robert Dunham told UPI in November .
`` No lame-duck president has attempted to carry out an execution in more than a century .
And to cavalierly do so , as infections from a virus that has killed a quarter-million Americans are exploding across the country , exhibits a pathological lack of concern for public health and safety . ''

Demonstrators with the group Death Penalty Action participate in a protest Thursday against the death penalty at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., where the group is calling on ending the death penalty and asking President Trump to stop the five death penalty executions scheduled before he leaves office. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. government on Thursday executed a man convicted of killing a Texas couple two decades ago -- the second such execution of the lame-duck presidency of Donald Trump. Brandon Bernard, 40, was given the lethal injection just before 9 p.m. at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Ind., for the 1999 deaths of Todd and Stacie Bagley, married youth ministers. His was the 9th execution carried out by the federal government and 16th overall in the United States this year. Advertisement
Robert Owen, Bernard's attorney, said his client's loved ones were "full of righteous anger and deep sadness."
"Many things went wrong to put Brandon on death row, including egregious government misconduct in concealing evidence and misleading the jury, which the courts refused to remedy," he said. "Before Brandon's execution, five of the jurors who sentenced him to death said they no longer stood by that verdict. They joined the lead appellate prosecutor on Brandon's case in urging President Trump to commute his death sentence to life without parole."
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"Brandon's execution is a stain on America's criminal justice system."
The execution came shortly after the Supreme Court denied Bernard's application for a stay of execution. His attorneys sought to appeal his case based on allegations that prosecutors withheld evidence they said may have spared their client the death penalty.
The defense team asked the Supreme Court for a 14-day delay so new attorneys added to the team Thursday -- Alan Dershowitz and former U.S. Solicitor General Ken Starr -- could have time to review the case.
Defense attorneys said they discovered evidence showing their client had a lesser role in the crime and the gang that perpetrated the killings. They argue that knowledge "almost certainly" would have persuaded at least one juror to vote for life in prison over the death penalty.
Bernard's lawyers accuse the government of withholding the evidence, which they say was found while reviewing court documents for the resentencing of one of Bernard's co-defendants, showing the information was in the government's possession.
Bernard and accomplice Christopher Vialva were sentenced to death in 2000 for the murders.
Prosecutors argued at trial that the Bagleys gave Vialva and two other accomplices in the case a ride before the men held them at gunpoint and locked them in the trunk of their vehicle. They also stole the couple's money and a wedding ring.
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Bernard's attorneys said he was not with those three accomplices when they kidnapped the Bagleys, but was called to join later in his own vehicle. The four then drove the Bagleys and the two vehicles to Fort Hood Army base, where prosecutors said Vialva shot the couple in the head and set the car on fire.
Todd Bagley died instantly but Stacie Bagley, unconscious from a gunshot wound, died of smoke inhalation, federal prosecutors said.
Defense lawyers said Bernard believed he was called to help dispose of the Bagleys' vehicle and let them go free. Police arrested the four men after their vehicle slid off the road into a ditch near the Bagleys' burning vehicle.
Because the murders took place on a military reservation, they were considered federal offenses.
Vialva was executed for his role in September.
Earlier this month, dozens of people -- including jurors from Bernard's trial -- signed a clemency petition asking Trump to commute his death sentence. The petition asked Trump to consider that Bernard was just 18 at the time of the crime, had a clean prison record, showed remorse and conducted outreach work while incarcerated. They ask for his death sentence to be commuted to life in prison.
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U.S. Attorney General William Barr resumed federal executions in July after a 17-year hiatus. Daniel Lewis Lee, Wesley Purkey and Dustin Honken were executed in July; Lezmond Mitchell and Keith Dwayne Nelson in August; William LeCroy and Vialva in September; and Orlando Hall in November.
Hall's execution was the first to be carried out during a lame-duck presidency since President Grover Cleveland's administration in 1880, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Some critics, including Democrats in Congress, have called for the Trump administration to halt the executions scheduled for the remainder of his term and leave them for President-elect Joe Biden's administration to handle.
"These executions are a further illustration of how deviant and dangerously out of touch this government's conduct has been during the entire course of this execution spree," DPIC Executive Director Robert Dunham told UPI in November.
"No lame-duck president has attempted to carry out an execution in more than a century. And to cavalierly do so, as infections from a virus that has killed a quarter-million Americans are exploding across the country, exhibits a pathological lack of concern for public health and safety."


upi--2020-12-10--WHO: Heart disease, stroke leading causes of death in 2019

Dec. 10 ( UPI ) -- Noncommunicable diseases accounted for seven of the world 's 10 leading causes of death in 2019 , according to the World Health Organization , with heart disease continuing to top the list .
Published Wednesday , the WHO 's 2019 Global Health Estimates said noncommunicable diseases , such as stroke , Alzheimer 's disease and cancers , made up seven of the 10 leading causes of death last year , accounting for 44 % of all lives lost .
This represents an increase from 2000 when noncommunicable diseases only took up four of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ghebreyesus said these estimates highlight the need to intensify global focus on preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases , cancer , diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases .
`` They highlight the urgency of drastically improving primary healthcare equitably and holistically , '' he said in a statement .
`` Strong primary healthcare is clearly the foundation on which everything rests , from combatting noncommunicable diseases to managing a global pandemic . ''
Heart disease was by far the leading cause of death last year , accounting for 16 % of the world 's total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to a summary of the report , which includes the updates on health trends from 2000 to 2019 .
Heart disease has been the leading cause of death for at least two decades but it has also experienced the largest increase in deaths in that timespan compared to the other causes on the list .
Since 2000 , its death toll has climbed by an additional 2 million lives , it said .
Stroke came second on the list followed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in third , accounting for 11 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In fourth was lower respiratory infections , such as pneumonia , bronchitis and tuberculosis , making it the deadliest communicable disease last year .
However , according to the report , lower respiratory infections claimed fewer lives last year compared to two decades ago with deaths falling by 460,000 to 2.6 million in 2019 .
`` This reduction is in line with a general global decline in the percentage of deaths caused by communicable diseases , '' the WHO said , explaining that HIV/AIDS dropped from the eighth-leading cause of death in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to prevent infection and improved testing and treatment .
In Africa , HIV/AIDS remained the fourth-leading cause of death , but its death toll has halved in the past 20 years from 1 million lives lost to 435,000 , the report said .
In fifth was neonatal conditions , such as birth asphyxia and trauma and neonatal sepsis and infections , but the report said such issues have seen the largest improvement from 2000 when they claimed the lives of 2 million newborns and young children .
Last year , neonatal conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the repot .
Trachea , bronchus and lung cancers came in at sixth followed by Alzheimer 's disease at seventh , which disproportionally affects women who account for 65 % of all such deaths , it said .
`` Alzheimer 's disease and other forms of dementia are now among the top 10 causes of death worldwide , ranking third in both the Americas and Europe in 2019 , '' the WHO said .
Diarrhoeal diseases was eight on the list followed by diabetes at ninth and Kidney diseases in 10th .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ low-income nations are far more likely to die from a communicable disease than an Noncommunicable .
A trend the report found was that people on average were living six years longer compared to 2000 , with the global average climbing from 67 two decades ago to 73 in 2019 .
However , the report said that due to an increase in disability , only five of those additional years were lived in good health .
`` To a large extent , the diseases and health conditions that are causing the most deaths are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of health life-years lost , '' the WHO explained .
`` Heart disease , diabetes , stroke , lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were collectively responsible for nearly 100 million additional healthy life-years lost in 2019 compared to 2000 . ''

Heart disease has been the world's leading cause of death for at least the last 20 years, the World Health Organization said. Photo by hamiltonpaviana/Pixabay
Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Noncommunicable diseases accounted for seven of the world's 10 leading causes of death in 2019, according to the World Health Organization, with heart disease continuing to top the list. Published Wednesday, the WHO's 2019 Global Health Estimates said noncommunicable diseases, such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease and cancers, made up seven of the 10 leading causes of death last year, accounting for 44% of all lives lost. Advertisement
This represents an increase from 2000 when noncommunicable diseases only took up four of the 10 spots.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said these estimates highlight the need to intensify global focus on preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases.
"They highlight the urgency of drastically improving primary healthcare equitably and holistically," he said in a statement. "Strong primary healthcare is clearly the foundation on which everything rests, from combatting noncommunicable diseases to managing a global pandemic."
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Heart disease was by far the leading cause of death last year, accounting for 16% of the world's total deaths, or 8.9 million lives, according to a summary of the report, which includes the updates on health trends from 2000 to 2019.
Heart disease has been the leading cause of death for at least two decades but it has also experienced the largest increase in deaths in that timespan compared to the other causes on the list.
Since 2000, its death toll has climbed by an additional 2 million lives, it said.
Stroke came second on the list followed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in third, accounting for 11% and 6% of all deaths respectively.
In fourth was lower respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, bronchitis and tuberculosis, making it the deadliest communicable disease last year.
However, according to the report, lower respiratory infections claimed fewer lives last year compared to two decades ago with deaths falling by 460,000 to 2.6 million in 2019.
"This reduction is in line with a general global decline in the percentage of deaths caused by communicable diseases," the WHO said, explaining that HIV/AIDS dropped from the eighth-leading cause of death in 2000 to 19th last year due to efforts to prevent infection and improved testing and treatment.
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In Africa, HIV/AIDS remained the fourth-leading cause of death, but its death toll has halved in the past 20 years from 1 million lives lost to 435,000, the report said.
In fifth was neonatal conditions, such as birth asphyxia and trauma and neonatal sepsis and infections, but the report said such issues have seen the largest improvement from 2000 when they claimed the lives of 2 million newborns and young children. Last year, neonatal conditions accounted for only about 800,000, according to the repot.
Trachea, bronchus and lung cancers came in at sixth followed by Alzheimer's disease at seventh, which disproportionally affects women who account for 65% of all such deaths, it said.
"Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are now among the top 10 causes of death worldwide, ranking third in both the Americas and Europe in 2019," the WHO said.
Diarrhoeal diseases was eight on the list followed by diabetes at ninth and Kidney diseases in 10th.
The report noted that people living in low-income nations are far more likely to die from a communicable disease than an Noncommunicable.
A trend the report found was that people on average were living six years longer compared to 2000, with the global average climbing from 67 two decades ago to 73 in 2019.
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However, the report said that due to an increase in disability, only five of those additional years were lived in good health.
"To a large extent, the diseases and health conditions that are causing the most deaths are those that are responsible for the greatest number of health life-years lost," the WHO explained. "Heart disease, diabetes, stroke, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were collectively responsible for nearly 100 million additional healthy life-years lost in 2019 compared to 2000."