upi--2020-11-18--Humans simultaneously evolved the ability to use tools, teach tool usage

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- The ability to sustain technological improvement across multiple generations , a phenomenon called `` cumulative cultural evolution , '' was key to the success of the human species , but its origins remain a mystery .
New research suggests the human ability to teach was key to the process of cumulative cultural evolution .
In a new paper , published this week in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B , researchers at the University of Exeter contend that natural selection favored humans capable of both using complex tools and teaching others how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers , the two abilities , using tools and teaching tool usage , likely evolved simultaneously .
`` Humans have an unrivaled ability to pass knowledge down the generations , '' senior study author Alex Thornton said in a news release .
`` Traditional theories assumed that cumulative cultural evolution requires specialized processes , like teaching , to transmit information accurately , but this can not explain why these processes evolved in the first place , '' said Thornton , a researcher at Exeter 's Center for Ecology and Conservation in Cornwall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruited hundreds of participants to form creation `` chains . ''
Half of the creation chains produced a simple tool , a boat made of waterproof paper , while the other chains of participants created a more complex tool , a basket made of pipe cleaners .
Both tools were used to carry marbles -- the more marbles , the better .
Each chain yielded ten generations of technological improvements , or design iterations .
In each chain , participants were able to either look at the tool made by the previous generation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generation 's tool or talk to the maker of the previous design iteration .
The three different forms of communication allowed some level of teaching to inform subsequent design iterations .
`` Simple and complex tools generally improved down the generations , and for simple tools this improvement was about the same in all three study conditions , '' said study co-author Amanda Lucas , researcher at the University of Exeter .
`` With complex tools , teaching consistently led to more improvement compared to other conditions .
Teaching seemed to be particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be transmitted , '' said Lucas , a researcher at the University of Exeter .
Researchers say their creation chains involved a diverse range of people from the Cornwall community , from club sports captains and museum curators to librarians and community gardeners .
`` This meant that our study represented a diversity of ages , backgrounds and skills , which is important as many of these types of experiments , that intend to investigate something essential about being human , recruit a narrower sample of university students only , '' Lucas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something essentially human about not just technological innovation , but the act of teaching .
`` Our findings point to an evolutionary feedback loop between tool-making and teaching , '' Thornton said .
`` This suggests that our ancestors could have started to make modest cumulative improvements to simple tools without the need for teaching , but as tools became more complex , teaching started to become advantageous . ''
Researchers theorize that as humans got better at teaching technological skills , more efficiently passing knowledge from generation to generation , groups were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tools .

To understand the role of teaching in the development and improvement of tools, researchers recruited people to build paper boats and baskets made of pipe cleaners using different types of learning. Photo by University of Exeter
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- The ability to sustain technological improvement across multiple generations, a phenomenon called "cumulative cultural evolution," was key to the success of the human species, but its origins remain a mystery. New research suggests the human ability to teach was key to the process of cumulative cultural evolution. Advertisement
In a new paper, published this week in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, researchers at the University of Exeter contend that natural selection favored humans capable of both using complex tools and teaching others how to do the same.
According to researchers, the two abilities, using tools and teaching tool usage, likely evolved simultaneously.
"Humans have an unrivaled ability to pass knowledge down the generations," senior study author Alex Thornton said in a news release.
"Traditional theories assumed that cumulative cultural evolution requires specialized processes, like teaching, to transmit information accurately, but this cannot explain why these processes evolved in the first place," said Thornton, a researcher at Exeter's Center for Ecology and Conservation in Cornwall, England.
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For their study, scientists recruited hundreds of participants to form creation "chains."
Half of the creation chains produced a simple tool, a boat made of waterproof paper, while the other chains of participants created a more complex tool, a basket made of pipe cleaners. Both tools were used to carry marbles -- the more marbles, the better.
Each chain yielded ten generations of technological improvements, or design iterations.
In each chain, participants were able to either look at the tool made by the previous generation, watch the creation of the previous generation's tool or talk to the maker of the previous design iteration.
The three different forms of communication allowed some level of teaching to inform subsequent design iterations.
"Simple and complex tools generally improved down the generations, and for simple tools this improvement was about the same in all three study conditions," said study co-author Amanda Lucas, researcher at the University of Exeter.
"With complex tools, teaching consistently led to more improvement compared to other conditions. Teaching seemed to be particularly useful in allowing new, high-performing designs to be transmitted," said Lucas, a researcher at the University of Exeter.
Researchers say their creation chains involved a diverse range of people from the Cornwall community, from club sports captains and museum curators to librarians and community gardeners.
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"This meant that our study represented a diversity of ages, backgrounds and skills, which is important as many of these types of experiments, that intend to investigate something essential about being human, recruit a narrower sample of university students only," Lucas said.
The findings suggest there is something essentially human about not just technological innovation, but the act of teaching.
"Our findings point to an evolutionary feedback loop between tool-making and teaching," Thornton said. "This suggests that our ancestors could have started to make modest cumulative improvements to simple tools without the need for teaching, but as tools became more complex, teaching started to become advantageous."
Researchers theorize that as humans got better at teaching technological skills, more efficiently passing knowledge from generation to generation, groups were able to produce increasingly complex and effective tools.


upi--2020-11-18--Indian navy receives first of four P-8Is under 2016 deal with Boeing

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- India 's navy received its ninth P-8i surveillance aircraft on Wednesday , manufacturer Boeing Co. reported .
The plane is the first delivered under an option contract , signed in 2016 , for four additional aircraft , the remaining three of which are expected to arrive in 2021 .
The Indian navy was the first international customer to receive the plane , in 2013 .
The P-8i is modified from the Boeing 737-800ERX passenger plane and built originally for the U.S. Navy .
It is used in anti-submarine warfare , anti-surface warfare and shipping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harpoon anti-ship missiles and other weapons , it can drop and monitor sonobuoys , and can operate in combination with Northrop Grumman 's MQ-4C Triton maritime surveillance drone .
The new planes of the Indian navy will include electronic surveillance , reconnaissance and jamming capabilities .
They will also include encrypted communications systems , a feature available after India and the United States signed the Communications , Compatibility and Security Agreement of 2016 .
The encryption allows Indian and U. S. commanders so Indian and U.S. military commanders , and their aircraft and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The COMCASA agreement , one of several defense pacts between the two countries , facilitates interoperability between their military forces , as well as with other allies using the systems .

India received its latest Boeing P-8i surveillance plane on Monday, the company announced. Photo courtesy of Boeing Co.
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- India's navy received its ninth P-8i surveillance aircraft on Wednesday, manufacturer Boeing Co. reported. The plane is the first delivered under an option contract, signed in 2016, for four additional aircraft, the remaining three of which are expected to arrive in 2021. Advertisement
The Indian navy was the first international customer to receive the plane, in 2013.
The P-8i is modified from the Boeing 737-800ERX passenger plane and built originally for the U.S. Navy. It is used in anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and shipping interdiction roles.
Armed with torpedoes, Harpoon anti-ship missiles and other weapons, it can drop and monitor sonobuoys, and can operate in combination with Northrop Grumman's MQ-4C Triton maritime surveillance drone.
The new planes of the Indian navy will include electronic surveillance, reconnaissance and jamming capabilities. They will also include encrypted communications systems, a feature available after India and the United States signed the Communications, Compatibility and Security Agreement of 2016.
The encryption allows Indian and U. S. commanders so Indian and U.S. military commanders, and their aircraft and ships, can communicate through secure networks.
The COMCASA agreement, one of several defense pacts between the two countries, facilitates interoperability between their military forces, as well as with other allies using the systems.
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upi--2020-11-18--Study: Extreme losses in a few animal populations explain global vertebrate declines

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- The planet 's vertebrates are n't doing as poorly as previous surveys have suggested .
According to a new study , published Wednesday in the journal Nature , declines in global vertebrate numbers are largely driven by extreme losses among a handful of animal populations .
When biologists separated out the populations responsible for the most precipitous declines , they revealed a more positive portrait of global biodiversity .
Using historical wildlife monitoring data , researchers previously estimated that vertebrate populations have declined by roughly 50 percent over the last 50 years .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to model vertebrate populations , this estimate could arise from two very different scenarios : widespread systematic declines , or a few extreme declines , '' senior study author Brian Leung , an ecologist at McGill University in Canada , said in a news release .
Because populations are composed of individuals of the same species living in a specific location , severe population declines precede the loss of species and biodiversity declines .
For the study , researchers surveyed data for 14,000 vertebrate populations collected in the Living Planet Database .
Scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ populations have experienced extreme declines over the last half-century , including reptiles in tropical areas of the Americas and birds in the Indo-Pacific .
`` Extreme declines occur disproportionately in larger animals , '' researchers wrote in the paper .
When rapidly declining populations are taken out of the dataset , researchers found the absence of a general trend , positive or negative , among the remaining vertebrate populations .
`` We were surprised by how strong the effect of these extreme populations was in driving the previous estimate of average global decline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a professor of biology at McGill .
Though the research paints a more positive picture of vertebrate biodiversity than previous studies , the data , when broken down further , suggests many vertebrate populations are struggling .
`` Our results identify regions that need urgent action to ameliorate widespread biodiversity declines , but also reason to hope that our actions can make a difference , '' Hargreaves said .
Researchers identified steady population declines among vertebrates living throughout the Indo-Pacific , especially reptile and amphibian groups .
`` Some populations really are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are showing widespread systematic declines .
However , the image of a global 'biodiversity desert ' is not supported by the evidence . ''
says Leung .
`` This is good , as it would be very discouraging if all of our conservation efforts over the last five decades had little effect . ''

Scientists have previously estimated that vertebrate populations have declined by nearly 50 percent since 1970, but new research suggests those declines are largely driven by extreme losses among just 1 percent of the animal groups. Photo by pxhere /CC
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- The planet's vertebrates aren't doing as poorly as previous surveys have suggested. According to a new study, published Wednesday in the journal Nature, declines in global vertebrate numbers are largely driven by extreme losses among a handful of animal populations. Advertisement
When biologists separated out the populations responsible for the most precipitous declines, they revealed a more positive portrait of global biodiversity.
Using historical wildlife monitoring data, researchers previously estimated that vertebrate populations have declined by roughly 50 percent over the last 50 years.
"However, given previous mathematical methods used to model vertebrate populations, this estimate could arise from two very different scenarios: widespread systematic declines, or a few extreme declines," senior study author Brian Leung, an ecologist at McGill University in Canada, said in a news release.
Because populations are composed of individuals of the same species living in a specific location, severe population declines precede the loss of species and biodiversity declines.
For the study, researchers surveyed data for 14,000 vertebrate populations collected in the Living Planet Database. Scientists determined roughly 1 percent of the vertebrate populations have experienced extreme declines over the last half-century, including reptiles in tropical areas of the Americas and birds in the Indo-Pacific.
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"Extreme declines occur disproportionately in larger animals," researchers wrote in the paper.
When rapidly declining populations are taken out of the dataset, researchers found the absence of a general trend, positive or negative, among the remaining vertebrate populations.
"We were surprised by how strong the effect of these extreme populations was in driving the previous estimate of average global decline," said co-author Anna Hargreaves, a professor of biology at McGill.
Though the research paints a more positive picture of vertebrate biodiversity than previous studies, the data, when broken down further, suggests many vertebrate populations are struggling.
"Our results identify regions that need urgent action to ameliorate widespread biodiversity declines, but also reason to hope that our actions can make a difference," Hargreaves said.
Researchers identified steady population declines among vertebrates living throughout the Indo-Pacific, especially reptile and amphibian groups.
"Some populations really are in trouble and regions such as the Indo-Pacific are showing widespread systematic declines. However, the image of a global 'biodiversity desert' is not supported by the evidence." says Leung. "This is good, as it would be very discouraging if all of our conservation efforts over the last five decades had little effect."


upi--2020-11-18--NRA agrees to pay $2.5M to settle New York insurance investigation

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- The National Rifle Association on Wednesday agreed to pay $ 2.5 million and stop selling insurance in New York to resolve an investigation into whether it violated state insurance laws .
The NRA reached the agreement with the New York Department of Financial Services in which it will pay the fine and stop marketing insurance to its members in New York for five years in exchange for ending the three-year investigation .
`` The NRA operated as an unlicensed insurance producer and broke the New York Insurance Law by soliciting insurance products and receiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` Even worse , the NRA violated the New York Insurance Law by soliciting dangerous and impermissible insurance products , including those within its Carry Guard program that purported to insure intentional acts and criminal defense costs . ''
The DFS ' investigation found the NRA earned commission on more than 28,000 sales of insurance products to New York members , despite not having a proper insurance license .
These sales included the organization 's Carry Guard program , which pledged to cover legal fees and civil liability costs of policyholders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed they acted in self defense , which was deemed unlawful in New York .
Between April 1 , 2017 , and Nov. 17 , 2017 , the NRA marketed and sold Carry Guard throughout the country , selling about 680 policies to New Yorkers .
William Brewer an attorney for the NRA issued a statement saying the DFS investigation `` began with a roar '' and `` ends with a whimper . ''
`` The consent order contains no admissions by the NRA and no NRA member money will fund this settlement @ @ @ @ @

National Rifle Association Chief Executive Wayne LaPierre is seen speaking at the Political Action Conference on Feb. 29. On Wednesday, the NRA agreed to pay a $2.5 million fine and stop selling insurance in New York. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- The National Rifle Association on Wednesday agreed to pay $2.5 million and stop selling insurance in New York to resolve an investigation into whether it violated state insurance laws. The NRA reached the agreement with the New York Department of Financial Services in which it will pay the fine and stop marketing insurance to its members in New York for five years in exchange for ending the three-year investigation. Advertisement
"The NRA operated as an unlicensed insurance producer and broke the New York Insurance Law by soliciting insurance products and receiving compensation," DFS Superintendent Linda Lacewell said. "Even worse, the NRA violated the New York Insurance Law by soliciting dangerous and impermissible insurance products, including those within its Carry Guard program that purported to insure intentional acts and criminal defense costs."
The DFS' investigation found the NRA earned commission on more than 28,000 sales of insurance products to New York members, despite not having a proper insurance license.
These sales included the organization's Carry Guard program, which pledged to cover legal fees and civil liability costs of policyholders involved in firearm-related incidents in which they claimed they acted in self defense, which was deemed unlawful in New York.
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Between April 1, 2017, and Nov. 17, 2017, the NRA marketed and sold Carry Guard throughout the country, selling about 680 policies to New Yorkers.
William Brewer an attorney for the NRA issued a statement saying the DFS investigation "began with a roar" and "ends with a whimper."
"The consent order contains no admissions by the NRA and no NRA member money will fund this settlement," Brewer said.


upi--2020-11-18--Russian cosmonauts wrap up spacewalk

Russian cosmonauts wrap up spacewalk

ORLANDO , Fla. , Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- Two cosmonauts re-entered the International Space Station late Wednesday afternoon EST after a spacewalk that used an airlock on a Russian module for the first time .
NASA astronaut Kate Rubins helped the Russians don their spacesuits and monitored the spacewalk from inside the space station , which has the largest crew living on board in recent years .
Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov spent a little more than 30 minutes verifying pressure in the airlock on the space station 's Russian Poisk module .
They began the spacewalk at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later than scheduled , and spent 6 hours , 48 minutes on their chores .
During the walk , the spacewalkers helped to prepare another Russian section of the space station , the Pirs module , for retirement .
The Russian space agency , Roscosmos , plans in April to detach the Pirs module , which was launched into space in 2001 .
A Russian capsule will carry the module lower into the atmosphere until it burns up .
Besides repairs , the cosmonauts repositioned an instrument used to measure residue from thruster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardware that measures space debris impacts .
The two men used towels to wipe off their spacesuits following the recovery of the space debris instrument before re-entering the space station , and they threw those towels off into space .
The Russian spacewalkers used an airlock on the Russian Poisk module for the first time , and also inspected the airlock , according to NASA .
The duo salvaged an antenna from the Pirs module and reconnected it to the Poisk , among other tasks .
The cosmonauts were unable to install a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zarya module , the first section of the space station , which was launched in 1998 .
They are to try again at another time .
Decommissioning Pirs , which has an airlock and docking ports for cargo and crew vessels , will make way for the long-awaited Russian Multipurpose Laboratory Module , named Nauka -- Russian for science .
Roscosmos is preparing the Nauka lab for launch from Kazakhstan in spring 2021 .
The module includes its own thrusters , an activity area and crew resting space , in addition to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development and construction for over 20 years and will be the first major Russian addition to the space station in 10 years , according to Russian media .
The space community recently marked the 20th anniversary of people living aboard the orbiting space platform .
Seven people are living aboard the orbiting platform for the first time in years , prompting NASA to accelerate science and exploration aboard the laboratory .
Spacewalker Ryzhikov is the commander of the current space station crew , Expedition 64 , which includes Rubins .
The event was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for both cosmonauts .

1/5
Russian cosmonauts try to replace an old fluid flow regulator unit from outside their nation's portion of the International Space Station during a spacewalk Wednesday, but were unable to open the container because of a balky bolt. Photo courtesy of NASA
ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Two cosmonauts re-entered the International Space Station late Wednesday afternoon EST after a spacewalk that used an airlock on a Russian module for the first time. NASA astronaut Kate Rubins helped the Russians don their spacesuits and monitored the spacewalk from inside the space station, which has the largest crew living on board in recent years. Advertisement
Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov spent a little more than 30 minutes verifying pressure in the airlock on the space station's Russian Poisk module.
They began the spacewalk at 10:12 a.m. EST, about 42 minutes later than scheduled, and spent 6 hours, 48 minutes on their chores.
During the walk, the spacewalkers helped to prepare another Russian section of the space station, the Pirs module, for retirement. The Russian space agency, Roscosmos, plans in April to detach the Pirs module, which was launched into space in 2001.
A Russian capsule will carry the module lower into the atmosphere until it burns up.
Besides repairs, the cosmonauts repositioned an instrument used to measure residue from thruster firings. They also retrieved and replaced hardware that measures space debris impacts.
The two men used towels to wipe off their spacesuits following the recovery of the space debris instrument before re-entering the space station, and they threw those towels off into space.
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The Russian spacewalkers used an airlock on the Russian Poisk module for the first time, and also inspected the airlock, according to NASA. The duo salvaged an antenna from the Pirs module and reconnected it to the Poisk, among other tasks.
The cosmonauts were unable to install a new fluid flow regulator on the Russian Zarya module, the first section of the space station, which was launched in 1998. They are to try again at another time.
Decommissioning Pirs, which has an airlock and docking ports for cargo and crew vessels, will make way for the long-awaited Russian Multipurpose Laboratory Module, named Nauka -- Russian for science.
Roscosmos is preparing the Nauka lab for launch from Kazakhstan in spring 2021. The module includes its own thrusters, an activity area and crew resting space, in addition to a science laboratory.
Nauka has been under development and construction for over 20 years and will be the first major Russian addition to the space station in 10 years, according to Russian media. The space community recently marked the 20th anniversary of people living aboard the orbiting space platform.
Seven people are living aboard the orbiting platform for the first time in years, prompting NASA to accelerate science and exploration aboard the laboratory.
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Spacewalker Ryzhikov is the commander of the current space station crew, Expedition 64, which includes Rubins.
Crew-1 astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker and Soichi Noguchi arrived Monday night aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
The event was the 47th Russian spacewalk and the first for both cosmonauts.
20 years aboard the International Space Station
The International Space Station is photographed by Expedition 56 crew members from a Soyuz spacecraft after undocking on October 4, 2018. NASA astronauts Andrew Feustel and Ricky Arnold and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev executed a fly-around of the orbiting laboratory to take pictures of the space station before returning home after spending 197 days in space. Photo courtesy of NASA/Roscosmos


upi--2020-11-18--Clerk's mistake earns Missouri woman a $100,000 lottery jackpot

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- A Missouri woman who won a $ 100,000 jackpot from a scratch-off lottery ticket @ @ @ @ @ buying the winner because the clerk handed her the wrong ticket .
Paige Nelson of @ @ @ @ @ she had no intention of buying a Break the Bank scratch-off ticket when she visited @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I was trying to buy another ticket , '' Nelson said .
The @ @ @ @ @ her the ticket instead of the one she requested , and she decided to buy @ @ @ @ @ the Bank ticket ended up winning her a $ 100,000 top prize .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
`` I just started jumping up and down screaming . ''
@ @ @ @ @ are two top prizes remaining in the Break the Bank game .

Paige Nelson of Chesterfield, Mo., won $100,000 from a scratch-off lottery ticket that she only bought because the clerk handed her the wrong ticket at the store. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Nov. 18 (UPI) -- A Missouri woman who won a $100,000 jackpot from a scratch-off lottery ticket said she only ended up buying the winner because the clerk handed her the wrong ticket. Paige Nelson of Chesterfield told Missouri Lottery officials she had no intention of buying a Break the Bank scratch-off ticket when she visited the 7-Eleven store in Chesterfield. Advertisement
"I was trying to buy another ticket," Nelson said.
The woman said the clerk handed her the ticket instead of the one she requested, and she decided to buy it anyway. The Break the Bank ticket ended up winning her a $100,000 top prize.
"I didn't believe it," she said. "I just started jumping up and down screaming."
The Missouri Lottery said there are two top prizes remaining in the Break the Bank game.


upi--2020-11-18--University of Michigan to pay $9.25M to settle sexual misconduct allegations

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- The University of Michigan on Wednesday agreed to pay $ 9.25 million as part of a settlement with eight women who accused former Provost Martin Philbert of sexual misconduct .
The settlement , which was not the result of a court case and does not release Philbert from legal recourse , also requires the school to issue new guidance on sexual harassment .
The agreement came about as the result of an anonymous letter sent to President Mark Schlissel about Philbert 's alleged misconduct .
The school launched an investigation and temporarily suspended Philbert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philbert had a long history of harassing fellow female employees and graduate students , or having sexual relationships with them .
`` He directed his behavior toward women who worked in both the SPH Dean 's Office and in the Provost 's Office , including one woman he encouraged to move from the Dean 's Office to the Provost 's Office , '' a report by law firm WilmerHale said .
`` Among other sexual comments , he told three different women that he wanted to see below their tan lines ; told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her , and that they could have 'beautiful coffee-colored babies ' together , and told another woman that 'if I was n't married , I would really go after you . '
`` Philbert also continued to engage in multiple sexual relationships with university employees .
For nearly his entire tenure as provost , he was in simultaneous sexual relationships with at least two university employees , sometimes more . ''
Some staff members accused UM of failing to react to previous allegations against Philbert .
The school said it planned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture facilitating the reporting of such misconduct and to ensure appropriate action is taken .
UM spokesman Rick Fitzgerald offered an apology on behalf of the school .
`` The sexual misconduct of the former university provost that has been detailed in a report from the WilmerHale law firm is abhorrent and unacceptable , '' he said .
The University of Michigan failed on many levels , as this individual advanced through the administrative ranks .
`` We recognize how difficult it was for these eight women to come forward to share their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courage and we apologize to each one of them and to all survivors . ''
Sarah Prescott , an attorney representing the women , said she hoped the case puts other would-be harassers `` on notice . ''
`` My clients were indelibly harmed , but they also truly want the university to succeed and to be better , '' she said in an email to The Detroit News .
`` They want any future victims to have better recourse . ''

Nov. 18 (UPI) -- The University of Michigan on Wednesday agreed to pay $9.25 million as part of a settlement with eight women who accused former Provost Martin Philbert of sexual misconduct.
The settlement, which was not the result of a court case and does not release Philbert from legal recourse, also requires the school to issue new guidance on sexual harassment.
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The agreement came about as the result of an anonymous letter sent to President Mark Schlissel about Philbert's alleged misconduct. The school launched an investigation and temporarily suspended Philbert, then fired him.
Investigators said Philbert had a long history of harassing fellow female employees and graduate students, or having sexual relationships with them.
"He directed his behavior toward women who worked in both the SPH Dean's Office and in the Provost's Office, including one woman he encouraged to move from the Dean's Office to the Provost's Office," a report by law firm WilmerHale said.
"Among other sexual comments, he told three different women that he wanted to see below their tan lines; told one woman that he was 'aching' for her, and that they could have 'beautiful coffee-colored babies' together, and told another woman that 'if I wasn't married, I would really go after you.'
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"Philbert also continued to engage in multiple sexual relationships with university employees. For nearly his entire tenure as provost, he was in simultaneous sexual relationships with at least two university employees, sometimes more."
Some staff members accused UM of failing to react to previous allegations against Philbert. The school said it planned to hire outside experts to help create a culture facilitating the reporting of such misconduct and to ensure appropriate action is taken.
UM spokesman Rick Fitzgerald offered an apology on behalf of the school.
"The sexual misconduct of the former university provost that has been detailed in a report from the WilmerHale law firm is abhorrent and unacceptable," he said. The University of Michigan failed on many levels, as this individual advanced through the administrative ranks.
"We recognize how difficult it was for these eight women to come forward to share their experiences. We thank them for their courage and we apologize to each one of them and to all survivors."
Sarah Prescott, an attorney representing the women, said she hoped the case puts other would-be harassers "on notice."
"My clients were indelibly harmed, but they also truly want the university to succeed and to be better," she said in an email to The Detroit News. "They want any future victims to have better recourse."


upi--2020-11-18--Lake ice destabilized by climate change linked to increase in youth drownings

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- Wintertime drownings among children and young adults are on the rise in many parts of the world , and new research suggests climate change and the destabilization of ice in frozen lakes and ponds are to blame .
For the study , published Wednesday in the journal PLOS One , researchers compared temperature and precipitation patterns with the timing of 4,000 drownings in 10 different countries , including Canada , Russia , Finland , Germany , Sweden , and the United States .
`` We used statistical models to relate the winter drownings per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' lead study author Sapna Sharma told UPI in an email .
`` An exponential model was the best fit when analyzing all of the countries and years together , as we found that there were five-fold more winter drownings as mean winter air temperatures approached zero degrees Celsius , '' said Sharma , a professor in the biology department at York University in Toronto .
The data showed Canada , where many residents use frozen lakes for hunting , fishing , skating and other recreational activities , was home to the highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examination of the link between weather patterns and the risk of wintertime drownings in the Canadian territories showed drownings were most likely when air temperatures were between negative five and zero degrees Celsius .
When temperatures began climbing north of zero , researchers found the rate of drownings declines , most likely because ice instability became more obvious to users .
While air temperatures have the greatest influence on ice-on , ice-off , freeze-thaw events and ice thickness , Sharma said rain and heavy snows can also destabilize the ice on lakes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drownings .
The research showed that winters have become milder over the last 30 years , increasing the risk of wintertime drownings in many parts of the world .
Sharma said the increase in the risk of wintertime drowning is greatest `` in regions where ice is used a lot for recreation and subsistence , where winters are warming the fastest , and there are n't strong local regulations letting people know whether the ice is safe to use '' -- places like Canada , the United States , Latvia , Estonia and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate change , most places where people use ice for recreation and subsistence remain cold enough to host thick and stable ice throughout the heart of winter .
During winter 's shoulder months , in December or March , however , the risk of drowning increases .
Even as cold weather persists into the early spring , global warming has increased the odds of warm spells arriving earlier than usual .
It 's this variability , the mix of cold and warm weather , that can prove dangerous for ice-users .
`` A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weakens the structural integrity of the ice , '' Sharma said .
`` Warm temperatures and bright sunny days or rain events will even further decrease the stability of the ice . ''
Researchers hope policy makers will take note of their findings and take steps to inform citizens about the risks of wintertime drownings .
`` Understanding that climate change has had a large influence on ice through later ice-on , earlier ice-off , freeze-thaw events and thinner ice will hopefully help individuals when deciding whether the ice is safe for use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety components in swimming lessons for children and teens could help mitigate the risk . ''

Freeze-thaw events caused by warm spells during winter can increase the risk of drowning. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Wintertime drownings among children and young adults are on the rise in many parts of the world, and new research suggests climate change and the destabilization of ice in frozen lakes and ponds are to blame. For the study, published Wednesday in the journal PLOS One, researchers compared temperature and precipitation patterns with the timing of 4,000 drownings in 10 different countries, including Canada, Russia, Finland, Germany, Sweden, and the United States. Advertisement
The data showed warming winter air temperatures accurately predicted increases in wintertime drownings.
"We used statistical models to relate the winter drownings per capita to mean winter air temperature," lead study author Sapna Sharma told UPI in an email.
"An exponential model was the best fit when analyzing all of the countries and years together, as we found that there were five-fold more winter drownings as mean winter air temperatures approached zero degrees Celsius," said Sharma, a professor in the biology department at York University in Toronto.
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The data showed Canada, where many residents use frozen lakes for hunting, fishing, skating and other recreational activities, was home to the highest number of wintertime drownings.
A close examination of the link between weather patterns and the risk of wintertime drownings in the Canadian territories showed drownings were most likely when air temperatures were between negative five and zero degrees Celsius.
When temperatures began climbing north of zero, researchers found the rate of drownings declines, most likely because ice instability became more obvious to users.
While air temperatures have the greatest influence on ice-on, ice-off, freeze-thaw events and ice thickness, Sharma said rain and heavy snows can also destabilize the ice on lakes and ponds, increasing the risk of wintertime drownings.
The research showed that winters have become milder over the last 30 years, increasing the risk of wintertime drownings in many parts of the world.
Sharma said the increase in the risk of wintertime drowning is greatest "in regions where ice is used a lot for recreation and subsistence, where winters are warming the fastest, and there aren't strong local regulations letting people know whether the ice is safe to use" -- places like Canada, the United States, Latvia, Estonia and Sweden.
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Despite the warming effects of climate change, most places where people use ice for recreation and subsistence remain cold enough to host thick and stable ice throughout the heart of winter. During winter's shoulder months, in December or March, however, the risk of drowning increases.
Even as cold weather persists into the early spring, global warming has increased the odds of warm spells arriving earlier than usual. It's this variability, the mix of cold and warm weather, that can prove dangerous for ice-users.
"A warm spell in the middle of winter weakens the structural integrity of the ice," Sharma said. "Warm temperatures and bright sunny days or rain events will even further decrease the stability of the ice."
Researchers hope policy makers will take note of their findings and take steps to inform citizens about the risks of wintertime drownings.
"Understanding that climate change has had a large influence on ice through later ice-on, earlier ice-off, freeze-thaw events and thinner ice will hopefully help individuals when deciding whether the ice is safe for use," Sharma said. "Winter safety components in swimming lessons for children and teens could help mitigate the risk."


upi--2020-11-18--Couple find $25,000 worth of rare coins in new home, return them to owner

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- A South Carolina couple who recently moved into their home found a cache of rare coins worth about $ 25,000 -- and returned them to their owner .
James and Clarrisa Munford said they closed on their Columbia home in mid-October and were in the process of moving in when they discovered two cases of coins from the 1800s in a built-in closet drawer .
`` They looked real old , like they were really worth a lot of money , '' James Munford told CNN .
Munford said he took some photos of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the house 's former owner to see if he recognized them .
`` I was just thinking , you know , they 're not mine .
They 're probably a family heirloom , so I 'm gon na go ahead and make sure he gets them back , '' Munford said .
The couple said keeping the coins never crossed their minds , even though they would have been within their legal rights to claim ownership of them .
`` We really did n't know anything about the value of the coins .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be honest with you , we knew they were his , '' Clarrisa Munford said .
The home 's former owner , a coin collector , came by to pick up his forgotten property .
He said most of his collection is kept in a safe , but he had forgotten about the cases stashed in the drawer when he was moving out of the house .
He estimated the worth of the left-behind coins at about $ 25,000 .
`` He just thanked me because he said there 's not too many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Munford said .

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Nov. 18 (UPI) -- A South Carolina couple who recently moved into their home found a cache of rare coins worth about $25,000 -- and returned them to their owner.
James and Clarrisa Munford said they closed on their Columbia home in mid-October and were in the process of moving in when they discovered two cases of coins from the 1800s in a built-in closet drawer.
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The cache included 46 gold Liberty $5 coins and 18 Morgan silver dollars.
"They looked real old, like they were really worth a lot of money," James Munford told CNN.
Munford said he took some photos of the coins and texted the pictures to the house's former owner to see if he recognized them.
"I was just thinking, you know, they're not mine. They're probably a family heirloom, so I'm gonna go ahead and make sure he gets them back," Munford said.
The couple said keeping the coins never crossed their minds, even though they would have been within their legal rights to claim ownership of them.
"We really didn't know anything about the value of the coins. We really didn't care, to be honest with you, we knew they were his," Clarrisa Munford said.
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The home's former owner, a coin collector, came by to pick up his forgotten property. He said most of his collection is kept in a safe, but he had forgotten about the cases stashed in the drawer when he was moving out of the house. He estimated the worth of the left-behind coins at about $25,000.
"He just thanked me because he said there's not too many honest people out there," James Munford said.


upi--2020-11-18--Man sells meteorite that crashed through his roof for over $1 million

Nov. 18 ( UPI ) -- An Indonesian man turned an unusual bit of property damage into a fortune when he sold the meteorite that crashed through his roof for over $ 1 million .
Josua Hutagalung , 33 , said he was working outside his home in Sumatra when the meteorite crashed through the roof of the house and landed outside .
`` When I lifted it , the stone was still warm , and I brought it into the house , '' Hutagalung told news outlet Kompas .
Hutagalung posted a video to Facebook showing the spot where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tin roof .
The 4.5-pound chunk of CM1/2 carbonaceous chondrite , a rare variety of meteorite , was valued at $ 1,858,556 by experts and attracted the attention of U.S. expert Jared Collins , who purchased the meteorite and resold it to fellow U.S. collector Jay Piatek .
Hutagalung did not disclose the amount that he was paid for the meteorite , but he indicated it was over $ 1 million .
He said the money will allow his family to expand and he also plans to donate some toward the building of @ @ @ @

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
Nov. 18 (UPI) -- An Indonesian man turned an unusual bit of property damage into a fortune when he sold the meteorite that crashed through his roof for over $1 million.
Josua Hutagalung, 33, said he was working outside his home in Sumatra when the meteorite crashed through the roof of the house and landed outside.
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"When I lifted it, the stone was still warm, and I brought it into the house," Hutagalung told news outlet Kompas.
Hutagalung posted a video to Facebook showing the spot where the metallic object had crashed through his tin roof.
The 4.5-pound chunk of CM1/2 carbonaceous chondrite, a rare variety of meteorite, was valued at $1,858,556 by experts and attracted the attention of U.S. expert Jared Collins, who purchased the meteorite and resold it to fellow U.S. collector Jay Piatek.
Hutagalung did not disclose the amount that he was paid for the meteorite, but he indicated it was over $1 million. He said the money will allow his family to expand and he also plans to donate some toward the building of a local church.


upi--2020-11-19--Fantasy football: Hopkins, Metcalf top Week 11 wide receiver rankings

Nov. 17 ( UPI ) -- DeAndre Hopkins , D.K .
Metcalf , Will Fuller , Tyreek Hill and Chase Claypool top my Week 11 fantasy football wide receiver rankings for 2020 .
Davante Adams , Julio Jones , Keenan Allen , A.J .
Brown and Tyler Lockett round out my Top 10 options for Week 11 .
Marquise Brown , Jalen Reagor and Jakeem Grant also are among my favorite starts this week .
You should target players who have a good chance to score a touchdown and get a lot of looks from their respective quarterbacks when considering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monitor the status for each of your players ' games this week as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the NFL schedule .
San Francisco 49ers , New York Giants , Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills players should be removed from all starting lineups , as those teams have Week 11 byes .
Check out my weekly waiver wire article for candidates to add to your roster before your Week 11 matchup .
Here are some of my favorite players in this week 's rankings : Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Week 10 and should have another big time performance in Week 11 .
He has averaged 12.3 targets , 10.7 catches and 118.7 receiving yards per game over his last three starts .
I expect another score from Hopkins in Week 11 when the Cardinals face a Seattle Seahawks defense that has allowed the most fantasy points per game to wide receivers .
He is my No .
1 wide receiver for Week 11 and an elite option for the rest of the season .
Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the Seattle Seahawks wide receiver should dominate the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11 .
Metcalf already has eight touchdowns this season and is a near-lock to get into the end zone for a ninth time when he faces a Cardinals defense that has allowed the seventh-most receiving yards and ninth-most fantasy points per game to the position .
He is my No .
2 wide receiver .
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool had his second multi-touchdown game in Week 10 .
I expect the rookie to continue to see targets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers .
Claypool is my No .
5 wide receiver .
Marquise Brown has had a disappointing season so far , but will likely turn it around at some point .
Week 11 should provide the Baltimore Ravens wide receiver with a great opportunity to rebound as he faces a Tennessee Titans defense that has allowed the third-most receiving yards and sixth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers .
Brown -- my No .
13 option @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matchup .
I expect at least 100 yards and a touchdown from the Ravens speedster .
Philadelphia Eagles rookie Jalen Reagor is another wide receiver you should consider for your Week 11 lineup .
Reagor had a season-high seven targets in Week 10 and should see a good amount of looks again this week when the Eagles battle a Cleveland Browns defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers .
Reagor is my No .
31 wide receiver and can be used as a bye week fill in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receiver Jakeem Grant is another great bye week fill in option for Week 11 .
Grant stepped up big for the Dolphins last week in the team 's first game since they lost fellow wide receiver Preston Williams to a foot injury .
I expect him to follow that four-catch , 43-yard , one-score performance with another strong fantasy football stat line in Week 11 , when the Dolphins face the Denver Broncos .
The Broncos likely will try to take away Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker , which should create opportunities for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 34 option and can be plugged in this week as a WR3 in leagues with at least 14 teams .

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (top) had a lackluster performance in Week 10, but is my No. 2 fantasy football option in Week 11. File Photo by Jim Bryant/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 17 (UPI) -- DeAndre Hopkins, D.K. Metcalf, Will Fuller, Tyreek Hill and Chase Claypool top my Week 11 fantasy football wide receiver rankings for 2020. Davante Adams, Julio Jones, Keenan Allen, A.J. Brown and Tyler Lockett round out my Top 10 options for Week 11. Marquise Brown, Jalen Reagor and Jakeem Grant also are among my favorite starts this week. Advertisement
You should target players who have a good chance to score a touchdown and get a lot of looks from their respective quarterbacks when considering who to start at wide receiver.
Monitor the status for each of your players' games this week as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the NFL schedule. San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants, Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills players should be removed from all starting lineups, as those teams have Week 11 byes.
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Check out my weekly waiver wire article for candidates to add to your roster before your Week 11 matchup.
Here are some of my favorite players in this week's rankings:
TOP SHELF
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins had arguably the best catch of the season in Week 10 and should have another big time performance in Week 11. He has averaged 12.3 targets, 10.7 catches and 118.7 receiving yards per game over his last three starts.
I expect another score from Hopkins in Week 11 when the Cardinals face a Seattle Seahawks defense that has allowed the most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. He is my No. 1 wide receiver for Week 11 and an elite option for the rest of the season.
Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey shut down D.K. Metcalf in Week 10, but the Seattle Seahawks wide receiver should dominate the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11.
Metcalf already has eight touchdowns this season and is a near-lock to get into the end zone for a ninth time when he faces a Cardinals defense that has allowed the seventh-most receiving yards and ninth-most fantasy points per game to the position.
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He is my No. 2 wide receiver.
SNEAKY PLAYS
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool had his second multi-touchdown game in Week 10. I expect the rookie to continue to see targets in Week 11, when the Steelers face a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
Claypool is my No. 5 wide receiver.
Marquise Brown has had a disappointing season so far, but will likely turn it around at some point. Week 11 should provide the Baltimore Ravens wide receiver with a great opportunity to rebound as he faces a Tennessee Titans defense that has allowed the third-most receiving yards and sixth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
Brown -- my No. 13 option -- should provide WR2 value in this matchup. I expect at least 100 yards and a touchdown from the Ravens speedster.
LONGSHOTS
Philadelphia Eagles rookie Jalen Reagor is another wide receiver you should consider for your Week 11 lineup. Reagor had a season-high seven targets in Week 10 and should see a good amount of looks again this week when the Eagles battle a Cleveland Browns defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
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Reagor is my No. 31 wide receiver and can be used as a bye week fill in or a streamer.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jakeem Grant is another great bye week fill in option for Week 11. Grant stepped up big for the Dolphins last week in the team's first game since they lost fellow wide receiver Preston Williams to a foot injury.
I expect him to follow that four-catch, 43-yard, one-score performance with another strong fantasy football stat line in Week 11, when the Dolphins face the Denver Broncos. The Broncos likely will try to take away Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker, which should create opportunities for Grant.
Grant is my No. 34 option and can be plugged in this week as a WR3 in leagues with at least 14 teams.
Week 11 fantasy football wide receiver rankings
1. DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals at SEA
2. D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks vs. ARI
3. Will Fuller, Houston Texans vs. NE
4. Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs at LV
5. Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers at JAX
6. Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers at IND
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7. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons at NO
8. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers vs. NYJ
9. A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans at BAL
10. Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks vs. ARI
11. Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings vs. DAL
12. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints vs. ATL
13. Marquise Brown, Baltimore Ravens vs. TEN
14. Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals at WAS
15. Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team vs. CIN
16. Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals at SEA
17. Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys at MIN
18. Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans vs. NE
19. D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers vs. DET
20. DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins at DEN
21. Antonio Brown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. LAR
22. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. LAR
23. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers at JAX
24. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams at TB
25. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings vs. DAL
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26. Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots at HOU
27. Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers vs. NYJ
28. Jamison Crowder, New York Jets at LAC
29. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. LAR
30. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals at WAS
31. Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles at CLE
32. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers at IND
33. Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams at TB
34. Jakeem Grant, Miami Dolphins at DEN
35. Travis Fulgham, Philadelphia Eagles at CLE
36. D.J. Chark, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. PIT
37. Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos vs. MIA
38. Robby Anderson, Carolina Panthers vs. DET
39. Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans at BAL
40. Curtis Samuel, Carolina Panthers vs. DET
41. Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers at IND
42. Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos vs. MIA
43. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys at MIN
44. Nelson Agholor, Las Vegas Raiders vs. KC
45. Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers at JAX
46. Michael Pittman, Indianapolis Colts vs. GB
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47. Rashard Higgins, Cleveland Browns vs. PHI
48. Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns vs. PHI
49. Marvin Jones, Detroit Lions at CAR
50. Josh Reynolds, Los Angeles Rams at TB
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-19--HHS sends new rapid molecular COVID-19 test to 5 states

Nov. 19 ( UPI ) -- Federal health officials announced the rollout Thursday of a multi-state pilot program for a portable , molecular test that provides rapid results for COVID-19 .
The Health and Human Services Department said the new `` point-of-care '' diagnostic technology , developed by Cue Health , has been approved for use on trial basis in five states -- Florida , Louisiana , New Jersey , Texas and Alaska .
The nasal swab test generates results in about 20 minutes , Cue Health says .
Previously , molecular COVID-19 tests had to be sent to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
The new diagnostic test is the same one that was used by the National Basketball Association in Orlando , Fla. , over the summer to curb the virus ' spread in its `` bubble '' environment .
`` The Cue Health testing system will undoubtedly be a valuable addition to our testing ecosystem , '' HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir said in a statement .
`` Having a highly specific and sensitive POC molecular test could dramatically improve infection control at nursing homes and other institutional settings especially .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the test kits earlier this month , including 9,000 to Alaska and 4,000 each to the other four states .
The department has already approved various rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 that can give same-day results -- often within minutes .
Antigen tests , however , are considered a little less accurate and often must be verified by a molecular test .
In the interim , a person waiting for the second test would have to isolate .
`` With Cue 's COVID-19 Test , verifying the antigen test results can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Giroir added .
`` The pilot program will help us determine how well the Cue test will be adapted in institutions and communities . ''

Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir demonstrates a COVID-19 test during a briefing in the Rose Garden of the White House on September 28. File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Federal health officials announced the rollout Thursday of a multi-state pilot program for a portable, molecular test that provides rapid results for COVID-19. The Health and Human Services Department said the new "point-of-care" diagnostic technology, developed by Cue Health, has been approved for use on trial basis in five states -- Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, Texas and Alaska. Advertisement
The nasal swab test generates results in about 20 minutes, Cue Health says. Previously, molecular COVID-19 tests had to be sent to a laboratory for interpretation, which can take days.
The new diagnostic test is the same one that was used by the National Basketball Association in Orlando, Fla., over the summer to curb the virus' spread in its "bubble" environment.
"The Cue Health testing system will undoubtedly be a valuable addition to our testing ecosystem," HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Brett Giroir said in a statement.
"Having a highly specific and sensitive POC molecular test could dramatically improve infection control at nursing homes and other institutional settings especially."
The department said it shipped 27,000 of the test kits earlier this month, including 9,000 to Alaska and 4,000 each to the other four states.
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The department has already approved various rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 that can give same-day results -- often within minutes. Antigen tests, however, are considered a little less accurate and often must be verified by a molecular test. In the interim, a person waiting for the second test would have to isolate.
"With Cue's COVID-19 Test, verifying the antigen test results can be done on the spot in many cases," Giroir added. "The pilot program will help us determine how well the Cue test will be adapted in institutions and communities."


upi--2020-11-19--LaMelo, Lonzo Ball become first brothers taken in Top 3 of NBA Draft

Nov. 19 ( UPI ) -- The Ball family made history when LaMelo Ball was picked No .
3 overall in Wednesday 's 2020 NBA Draft , three years after Lonzo Ball was picked No .
2 overall .
They are the first brothers to go in the Top 3 of an NBA Draft .
LaMelo -- who came from the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League in Australia -- landed with the Charlotte Hornets at No .
3 overall on Wednesday .
The Los Angeles Lakers picked Lonzo out of UCLA with the No .
2 overall in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told you so , '' LaVar Ball , the father of brothers Lonzo , Lamelo and LiAngelo , posted on social media .
`` Proud of you 'Melo . '
'' The Ball brothers are the second set of brothers to be picked in the Top 10 of an NBA Draft .
Eugene Short was picked No .
9 overall in the 1975 NBA Draft before brother Purvis Short was picked No .
5 overall in the 1978 NBA Draft .
`` I just want to go out there and play basketball , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I feel like I was born to do this . ''
Lonzo , LiAngelo and LaMelo each attended Chino Hills High School in Chino Hills , Calif. Lonzo attended UCLA for one year before he went on to the NBA .
LiAngelo also committed to play at UCLA before he was suspended from the team and withdrew from the school in 2017 .
LaMelo also was committed to play for the Bruins , but signed with an agent in 2017 , which resulted in his decommitment .
He later opted to play overseas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LaVar and wife Christina also played college basketball .
LaVar played at Washington State while Tina played at California State Los Angeles .

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LaMelo Ball, LiAngelo Ball and Lonzo Ball (L-R) each committed to UCLA before LaMelo and Lonzo each were drafted into the NBA. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 19 (UPI) -- The Ball family made history when LaMelo Ball was picked No. 3 overall in Wednesday's 2020 NBA Draft, three years after Lonzo Ball was picked No. 2 overall. They are the first brothers to go in the Top 3 of an NBA Draft. LaMelo -- who came from the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League in Australia -- landed with the Charlotte Hornets at No. 3 overall on Wednesday. Advertisement
The Los Angeles Lakers picked Lonzo out of UCLA with the No. 2 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft.
"I told you so," LaVar Ball, the father of brothers Lonzo, Lamelo and LiAngelo, posted on social media. "Proud of you 'Melo.'"
The Ball brothers are the second set of brothers to be picked in the Top 10 of an NBA Draft. Eugene Short was picked No. 9 overall in the 1975 NBA Draft before brother Purvis Short was picked No. 5 overall in the 1978 NBA Draft.
"I just want to go out there and play basketball," LaMelo told reporters Wednesday. "I feel like I was born to do this."
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Lonzo, LiAngelo and LaMelo each attended Chino Hills High School in Chino Hills, Calif. Lonzo attended UCLA for one year before he went on to the NBA. LiAngelo also committed to play at UCLA before he was suspended from the team and withdrew from the school in 2017.
LaMelo also was committed to play for the Bruins, but signed with an agent in 2017, which resulted in his decommitment. He later opted to play overseas to prepare for the NBA Draft.
LaVar and wife Christina also played college basketball. LaVar played at Washington State while Tina played at California State Los Angeles.


upi--2020-11-19--Watch: Michael J. Fox recalls watching 'Back to the Future' with Princess Diana

Nov. 19 ( UPI ) -- Michael J .
Fox says watching Back to the Future with Princess Diana ended up being an agonizing experience .
The 59-year-old actor confirmed on Wednesday 's episode of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon that he was seated next to Diana at the Back to the Future London premiere .
Fox played Marty McFly in Back to the Future ( 1985 ) and its sequels .
On The Tonight Show , Fox explained why watching the movie with Diana turned into a `` nightmare . ''
`` She was sitting next to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movie starts and I realize I 'm one fake yawn and arm stretch away from being on a date with the Princess of Wales , '' Fox joked .
`` But then what happened is the movie started and all the sudden I had to go pee .
For the rest of the movie , I 'm sitting there dying , '' he recalled .
`` I ca n't say anything to her and I ca n't walk away from her because I ca n't turn my back on her , so it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` It could have been the greatest night of my life .
It was just a nightmare . ''
Fox said Diana nevertheless seemed `` ebullient '' and appeared to like the film .
`` She seemed to laugh a couple times , '' he said .
Fox shares other stories from his life in his memoir , No Time Like the Future : An Optimist Considers Mortality , released Tuesday .
The actor discusses how breaking his arm in 2018 led to his `` darkest moment '' and caused him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Fox underwent a surgery unrelated to his Parkinson 's disease battle to remove a noncancerous tumor from his spine .
Fox was recovering from his surgery when he ended up falling while alone in his apartment .
During Monday 's episode of Good Morning America , Fox said he 'd reached a sort of `` peace '' with Parkinson 's disease before the setback .
He said he blames himself for the `` careless '' accident that led to him breaking his arm .
`` It was so useless .
lt was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoidable , '' the actor said .
`` I did n't do anything to cause Parkinson 's .
I did n't do anything to cause the tumor in my spine .
But I did this . ''
Fox said he was ultimately able to reclaim his positive outlook , and shared advice from his late father-in-law .
`` He would always say , no matter what was going on , 'It gets better , kiddo .
It gets better .
The last thing you run out of is the future , ' '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day with gratitude and I realized , if there 's gratitude , then you have sustained optimism . ''

Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Michael J. Fox says watching Back to the Future with Princess Diana ended up being an agonizing experience.
The 59-year-old actor confirmed on Wednesday's episode of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon that he was seated next to Diana at the Back to the Future London premiere.
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Fox played Marty McFly in Back to the Future (1985) and its sequels. On The Tonight Show, Fox explained why watching the movie with Diana turned into a "nightmare."
"She was sitting next to me. The lights go down and the movie starts and I realize I'm one fake yawn and arm stretch away from being on a date with the Princess of Wales," Fox joked.
"But then what happened is the movie started and all the sudden I had to go pee. For the rest of the movie, I'm sitting there dying," he recalled.
"I can't say anything to her and I can't walk away from her because I can't turn my back on her, so it was just agony," the star said. "It could have been the greatest night of my life. It was just a nightmare."
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Fox said Diana nevertheless seemed "ebullient" and appeared to like the film.
"She seemed to laugh a couple times," he said.
Fox shares other stories from his life in his memoir, No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality, released Tuesday. The actor discusses how breaking his arm in 2018 led to his "darkest moment" and caused him to question his optimism.
In 2018, Fox underwent a surgery unrelated to his Parkinson's disease battle to remove a noncancerous tumor from his spine. Fox was recovering from his surgery when he ended up falling while alone in his apartment.
During Monday's episode of Good Morning America, Fox said he'd reached a sort of "peace" with Parkinson's disease before the setback. He said he blames himself for the "careless" accident that led to him breaking his arm.
"It was so useless. lt was so pointless and so stupid, so avoidable," the actor said. "I didn't do anything to cause Parkinson's. I didn't do anything to cause the tumor in my spine. But I did this."
Fox said he was ultimately able to reclaim his positive outlook, and shared advice from his late father-in-law.
"He would always say, no matter what was going on, 'It gets better, kiddo. It gets better. The last thing you run out of is the future,'" he said. "He lived every day with gratitude and I realized, if there's gratitude, then you have sustained optimism."


upi--2020-11-19--Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Israel boycott a 'cancer,' visits West Bank settlements

Nov. 19 ( UPI ) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday became the first top American official to visit settlements in the Israeli-controlled West Bank -- and vowed that the United States will cut funding over a boycott linked to what he said is an anti-Semitic movement .
Pompeo made the funding threat during a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who called the promise `` simply wonderful . ''
The Boycott , Disinvestment and Sanctions movement was started in 2005 and aims to use economic pressure to compel Israel to end its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disputed territories .
In his remarks Thursday , Pompeo labeled the BDS movement `` hateful '' and said groups or businesses associated with it will see an economic backlash .
`` We want to stand with all other nations that recognize the BDS movement for the cancer that it is , and we 're committed to combating it , '' Pompeo said .
`` Our record speaks for itself .
`` During the Trump administration , America stands with Israel like never before .
Indeed , the commitment we 've made , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jewish state , will continue . ''
Also Thursday , Pompeo also became the first U.S. secretary of state to visit an Israeli settlement in the West Bank .
He traveled to to Judea and Samaria and made a stop at the Psagot Winery and Shaar Binyamin Industrial Park .
`` Today the United States Department of State stands strongly to the recognition that settlements can be done in a way that are lawful and appropriate and proper , '' he said .
Israel 's building settlements in Palestinian areas of the West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the international community .
A year ago , Pompeo said the settlements do n't violate international laws -- a reversal of a long-held U.S. position .
Thursday , Netanyahu thanked Pompeo and the Trump administration for various decisions over the last four years that benefited Israel -- including moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem , helping to normalize relations with the United Arab Emirates and supporting Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights .
`` Thanks to President Trump , the United States proposed the first truly realistic plan for peace between Israelis and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And thanks to President Trump , Israel was able to forge peace with three Arab countries : the UAE , Bahrain and Sudan . ''
Both Netanyahu and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin have congratulated President-elect Joe Biden on his victory and invited him to meet in Jerusalem early next year .
Pompeo 's visit in Israel is part of a 10-day , seven-nation tour in Europe and the Middle East .
He will next visit the UAE , Qatar and Saudi Arabia before returning to the United States .

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U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu depart after a joint news conference in Jerusalem, Israel, on Thursday. Photo by Maya Alleruzzo/UPI/Pool | License Photo
Nov. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday became the first top American official to visit settlements in the Israeli-controlled West Bank -- and vowed that the United States will cut funding over a boycott linked to what he said is an anti-Semitic movement. Pompeo made the funding threat during a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called the promise "simply wonderful." Advertisement
The Boycott, Disinvestment and Sanctions movement was started in 2005 and aims to use economic pressure to compel Israel to end its control in the West Bank and other disputed territories.
In his remarks Thursday, Pompeo labeled the BDS movement "hateful" and said groups or businesses associated with it will see an economic backlash.
"We want to stand with all other nations that recognize the BDS movement for the cancer that it is, and we're committed to combating it," Pompeo said. "Our record speaks for itself.
"During the Trump administration, America stands with Israel like never before. Indeed, the commitment we've made, the ironclad commitment we've made to the Jewish state, will continue."
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Also Thursday, Pompeo also became the first U.S. secretary of state to visit an Israeli settlement in the West Bank. He traveled to to Judea and Samaria and made a stop at the Psagot Winery and Shaar Binyamin Industrial Park.
"Today the United States Department of State stands strongly to the recognition that settlements can be done in a way that are lawful and appropriate and proper," he said.
Israel's building settlements in Palestinian areas of the West Bank has been condemned by most of the international community. A year ago, Pompeo said the settlements don't violate international laws -- a reversal of a long-held U.S. position.
Thursday, Netanyahu thanked Pompeo and the Trump administration for various decisions over the last four years that benefited Israel -- including moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, helping to normalize relations with the United Arab Emirates and supporting Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights.
"Thanks to President Trump, the United States proposed the first truly realistic plan for peace between Israelis and Palestinians," Netanyahu said. "And thanks to President Trump, Israel was able to forge peace with three Arab countries: the UAE, Bahrain and Sudan."
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Both Netanyahu and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin have congratulated President-elect Joe Biden on his victory and invited him to meet in Jerusalem early next year.
Pompeo's visit in Israel is part of a 10-day, seven-nation tour in Europe and the Middle East. He will next visit the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia before returning to the United States.


upi--2020-11-19--South Korea missing from U.N. North Korea rights resolution

Nov. 19 ( UPI ) -- South Korea has opted out of co-sponsoring a North Korean human rights bill at the United Nations as the top North Korean diplomat in New York condemned the resolution as a fabrication .
Seoul has chosen again to not participate in a resolution on North Korean rights abuses at the General Assembly , but has said it conceptually supports global cooperation on rights protection , South Korean newspaper Donga Ilbo reported Thursday .
`` The principal position of the [ South Korean ] government is to work together with the international community to substantially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Seoul 's foreign ministry said .
South Korea is distancing itself from the resolution , which condemns North Korean practices of forced labor , abductions and arbitrary detention .
This year North Korea raised tensions with statements against defectors and by demolishing the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong .
North Korea has declined to cooperate with the South , and has not responded to the South 's offer of joint investigation into the death of a South Korean civil servant in North Korean territory .
Lee Rae-jin , the older brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donga Seoul 's refusal to co-sponsor the U.N. bill is unacceptable .
`` In a country where the president was a former human rights lawyer and a citizen was killed in the hands of North Korean troops , does it make sense to not participate ? ''
Lee said .
Kim Song , the North Korean ambassador to the U.N. , said Wednesday the bill makes baseless claims , Radio Free Asia 's Korean service reported .
The resolution is a `` political ploy '' that has `` nothing to do with improving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The North Korean diplomat also described North Korean defectors in the South as `` human garbage '' whose `` fabrications '' are the basis for the rights abuse allegations .
U.N. Special Rapporteur Tomás Ojea Quintana has previously said defectors play an important role in delivering information into and out of the Kim Jong Un regime .
Quintana has sent a letter to the North expressing concern about the death of the South Korean officer this week , according to RFA .

Seoul has not co-sponsored a resolution on North Korean rights abuses at the United Nations General Assembly. File Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 19 (UPI) -- South Korea has opted out of co-sponsoring a North Korean human rights bill at the United Nations as the top North Korean diplomat in New York condemned the resolution as a fabrication. Seoul has chosen again to not participate in a resolution on North Korean rights abuses at the General Assembly, but has said it conceptually supports global cooperation on rights protection, South Korean newspaper Donga Ilbo reported Thursday. Advertisement
"The principal position of the [South Korean] government is to work together with the international community to substantially improve the human rights of North Koreans," Seoul's foreign ministry said.
South Korea is distancing itself from the resolution, which condemns North Korean practices of forced labor, abductions and arbitrary detention. This year North Korea raised tensions with statements against defectors and by demolishing the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong.
North Korea has declined to cooperate with the South, and has not responded to the South's offer of joint investigation into the death of a South Korean civil servant in North Korean territory.
Lee Rae-jin, the older brother of the slain man, told the Donga Seoul's refusal to co-sponsor the U.N. bill is unacceptable.
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"In a country where the president was a former human rights lawyer and a citizen was killed in the hands of North Korean troops, does it make sense to not participate?" Lee said.
North Korea has slammed the resolution.
Kim Song, the North Korean ambassador to the U.N., said Wednesday the bill makes baseless claims, Radio Free Asia's Korean service reported.
The resolution is a "political ploy" that has "nothing to do with improving human rights," Kim said. The North Korean diplomat also described North Korean defectors in the South as "human garbage" whose "fabrications" are the basis for the rights abuse allegations.
U.N. Special Rapporteur Tomás Ojea Quintana has previously said defectors play an important role in delivering information into and out of the Kim Jong Un regime.
Quintana has sent a letter to the North expressing concern about the death of the South Korean officer this week, according to RFA.


upi--2020-11-19--WWE NXT: Finn Balor returns, Undisputed Era heads to war

Nov. 19 ( UPI ) -- NXT Champion Finn Balor returned from an injury and The Undisputed Era targeted their rival Pat McAfee and his new group on WWE NXT .
Balor has been missing in action since October when he successfully defend his title against Undisputed Era 's Kyle O'Reilly .
Balor said he won the match with a jaw that was broken in two places .
The Prince , before he could announce what his next plans are , was interrupted by McAfee and his team which consists of NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the NXT stars that he and his group have taken down , including his rival Adam Cole and teammates in The Undisputed Era .
McAfee demanded that Balor relinquish his title or risk also getting attacked .
Balor instead introduced Cole , O'Reilly , Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish of Undisputed Era who rushed the ring and started a massive brawl as NXT went off the air .
NXT general manager William Regal , in a moment posted onto WWE 's social media channels , then announced that The Undisputed Era will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a War Games match on Dec. 6 .
War Games is a violent contest between two teams who battle it out inside of a giant steel cage that covers two rings .
Shotzi Blackheart and Candice LeRae will also be captaining two teams that will be competing in a War Games match .
NXT Women 's Champion Io Shirai defended her title against Rhea Ripley in the main event of the night .
Shirai used her speed in order to stay competitive against the bigger and stronger Ripley .
Ripley 's ear was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Shirai targeted Ripley 's left arm and was able to land a German Suplex from the second rope .
Shirai impressively dived through the ropes and Powerbombed Ripley from the ring apron through the announcer 's desk .
Shirai then nailed Ripley with an immediate Moonsault after Ripley re-entered the ring , in order to win the match and remain NXT Women 's Champion .
Newly crowned North American Champion Leon Ruff defended his title against Johnny Gargano .
Ruff upset Gargano last week to become champion after he received help from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Priest got involved again and actually punched Ruff in order to end the match in a disqualification .
Priest attacked Ruff to ensure that Gargano would not become champion .
Ruff , backstage , later slapped Priest for the incident .
Ruff was also able to hold his own in the ring against Priest and Gargano during a brawl .
Other moments from WWE NXT included Dexter Lumis and Cameron Grimes fighting to a no contest in a Blindfold match ; LeRae and her new partner Indi Hartwell defeating Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Toni Storm and Ember Moon defeating Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez ; and Timothy Thatcher defeating August Grey until he was confronted by Tommaso Ciampa .

Nov. 19 (UPI) -- NXT Champion Finn Balor returned from an injury and The Undisputed Era targeted their rival Pat McAfee and his new group on WWE NXT.
Balor has been missing in action since October when he successfully defend his title against Undisputed Era's Kyle O'Reilly. Balor said he won the match with a jaw that was broken in two places.
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The Prince, before he could announce what his next plans are, was interrupted by McAfee and his team which consists of NXT Tag Team Champions Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch and Pete Dunne.
McAfee bragged about all the NXT stars that he and his group have taken down, including his rival Adam Cole and teammates in The Undisputed Era. McAfee demanded that Balor relinquish his title or risk also getting attacked.
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Balor instead introduced Cole, O'Reilly, Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish of Undisputed Era who rushed the ring and started a massive brawl as NXT went off the air.
NXT general manager William Regal, in a moment posted onto WWE's social media channels, then announced that The Undisputed Era will take on McAfee and his team in a War Games match on Dec. 6.
War Games is a violent contest between two teams who battle it out inside of a giant steel cage that covers two rings. Shotzi Blackheart and Candice LeRae will also be captaining two teams that will be competing in a War Games match.
NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai defended her title against Rhea Ripley in the main event of the night. Shirai used her speed in order to stay competitive against the bigger and stronger Ripley.
Ripley's ear was damaged during the contest and started bleeding. Shirai targeted Ripley's left arm and was able to land a German Suplex from the second rope.
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Shirai impressively dived through the ropes and Powerbombed Ripley from the ring apron through the announcer's desk. Shirai then nailed Ripley with an immediate Moonsault after Ripley re-entered the ring, in order to win the match and remain NXT Women's Champion.
Newly crowned North American Champion Leon Ruff defended his title against Johnny Gargano. Ruff upset Gargano last week to become champion after he received help from Gargano's rival Damian Priest.
Damian Priest got involved again and actually punched Ruff in order to end the match in a disqualification. Priest attacked Ruff to ensure that Gargano would not become champion.
Ruff, backstage, later slapped Priest for the incident. Ruff was also able to hold his own in the ring against Priest and Gargano during a brawl.
Other moments from WWE NXT included Dexter Lumis and Cameron Grimes fighting to a no contest in a Blindfold match; LeRae and her new partner Indi Hartwell defeating Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter; Kushida defeating Arturo Ruas; Toni Storm and Ember Moon defeating Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez; and Timothy Thatcher defeating August Grey until he was confronted by Tommaso Ciampa.


upi--2020-11-19--Another 740K in U.S. file for unemployment; more than analysts expected

Nov. 19 ( UPI ) -- Another 740,000 U.S. workers have filed for new unemployment benefits , the Labor Department @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
The report listed 742,000 new claims for the week ending Nov. 14 , @ @ @ @ @ the previous week .
It listed the unemployment rate at 4.3 % .
Thursday 's @ @ @ @ @ week 's claims by 2,000 .
Most economists expected about 700,000 new claims .
The @ @ @ @ @ 6.4 million continuing claims , which lag initial claims by a week .

Empty sidewalk tables are seen outside a diner in University City, Mo., on Tuesday. Due to rising COVID-19 cases, St. Louis County has ordered all restaurants closed for indoor seating, but limited outdoor seating is permitted. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Another 740,000 U.S. workers have filed for new unemployment benefits, the Labor Department said in its weekly report Thursday. The report listed 742,000 new claims for the week ending Nov. 14, an increase of 31,000 from the previous week. It listed the unemployment rate at 4.3%. Advertisement
Thursday's report also revised up last week's claims by 2,000.
Most economists expected about 700,000 new claims.
The department said there are almost 6.4 million continuing claims, which lag initial claims by a week.


upi--2020-11-19--49ers awarded DE Takk McKinley on waivers

Nov. 19 ( UPI ) -- The San Francisco 49ers have been awarded defensive end Takk McKinley on waivers , @ @ @ @ @ first-round pick was claimed by the Cincinnati Bengals , but did not join the team @ @ @ @ @ .
The Atlanta Falcons waived McKinley on Nov. 9 .
He was claimed by the @ @ @ @ @ he was waived on Tuesday after he failed a physical .
McKinley must now complete @ @ @ @ @ physical before he is allowed to join the 49ers .
`` 49ers , I 'm @ @ @ @ @ , '' McKinley tweeted Wednesday .
The 6-foot-2 , 265-pound defensive lineman had eight total @ @ @ @ @ a pass defensed in four starts this season for Atlanta .
He had a career-high @ @ @ @ @ The No .
26 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft has 17.5 sacks in @ @ @ @ @ 25 starts during his four-year NFL tenure .
The 49ers have a Week 11 bye @ @ @ @ @ Angeles Rams at 4:05 p.m. EST on Nov. 29 in Inglewood , Calif .

Former Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takk McKinley (98) must pass a physical and complete the league's COVID-19 protocol before he joins the San Francisco 49ers. File Photo by Art Foxall/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 19 (UPI) -- The San Francisco 49ers have been awarded defensive end Takk McKinley on waivers, a week after the former first-round pick was claimed by the Cincinnati Bengals, but did not join the team due to a failed physical. San Francisco announced the acquisition on Wednesday. Advertisement
The Atlanta Falcons waived McKinley on Nov. 9. He was claimed by the Bengals two days later before he was waived on Tuesday after he failed a physical.
McKinley must now complete COVID-19 protocols and pass another physical before he is allowed to join the 49ers.
"49ers, I'm ready to get to work," McKinley tweeted Wednesday.
The 6-foot-2, 265-pound defensive lineman had eight total tackles, a sack and a pass defensed in four starts this season for Atlanta. He had a career-high seven sacks in 2018.
The No. 26 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft has 17.5 sacks in 49 appearances. He has 25 starts during his four-year NFL tenure.
The 49ers have a Week 11 bye before they face the Los Angeles Rams at 4:05 p.m. EST on Nov. 29 in Inglewood, Calif.
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This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-19--Georgia to announce results of hand recount ahead of certification

A voter drops her absentee ballot in a lock box on Election Day, November 3, at Shorty Howell Park in Lawrenceville, Ga. Photo by Tami Chappell/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Georgia announced Thursday that its manual recount of ballots reaffirmed President-elect Joe Biden as the first Democrat to win the state in nearly 30 years. The audit results showed Biden won the state with 2,475,141 votes to President Donald Trump's 2,462,857, a 12,284-vote margin. Under the initial count, Biden won by a 12,780 margin, giving Trump a gain of 496 votes in the recount. Advertisement
Most electoral recounts typically vary by a few hundred votes, experts say.
"Georgia's historic first statewide audit reaffirmed that the state's new secure paper ballot voting system accurately counted and reported results," Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said. "This is a credit to the hard work of our county and local elections officials who moved quickly to undertake and complete such a momentous task in a short period of time."
Raffensperger ordered the recount last week, saying it was necessary because the margin between Biden and Trump was less than a half-percent.
Close to 5 million Georgians voted in the 2020 election.
Included in the new tally were about 5,800 uncounted votes that were discovered on memory cards in a few counties -- about 3,600 for Trump and 2,200 for Biden.
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"I don't believe at the end of the day it will change the total results," Raffensperger told CNN on Wednesday, adding that no evidence of voter fraud has been uncovered.
Biden was projected as the winner in Georgia by most major news outlets. He is the first Democrat to win in the state since then-candidate Bill Clinton in 1992. The state awards 16 electoral votes.
State law calls for Raffensperger to certify the election results by Friday. Once he does so, the certified results will be sent to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature. The Trump campaign can then request a machine recount of the ballots using high-capacity scanners.
The announcement came as judges in three states rejected lawsuits filed by the Trump campaign and the Republican Party while Trump's re-election campaign also rescinded a case in Michigan.
The suits are part of a litigious effort by the Trump campaign to challenge election results in the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, Nevada and Arizona. Many have been dismissed or withdrawn.
Repeated claims of fraud by the campaign have been consistently refuted by experts and election officials, many of whom say they are a clear and direct threat to American democracy.
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"There's nothing inherently legitimate about filing these lawsuits," Harvard University law professor Nicholas Stephanopoulos told the Harvard Crimson Thursday. "There's simply no evidence to support the allegations of fraud, non-compliance with state law, faulty software or glitches, etc."
"A fair number of lawsuits are frivolous, in the quite technical sense that it would [be] appropriate for a judge to impose sanctions such as fines on the [attorneys] who filed them," added Harvard Professor Emeritus Mark Tushnet.
U.S. Election 2020


upi--2020-11-19--NFL to move all teams into intensive COVID-19 protocol

Nov. 19 ( UPI ) -- The NFL will move all 32 teams into its intensive protocol for COVID-19 starting Saturday .
Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the move Wednesday in a memo issued to NFL teams .
Intensive protocol had been reserved for teams that had positive tests or were exposed to a team with positive tests .
Twenty-eight teams have been in the protocol at some point this season .
`` These measures are not meant to be punitive , but are intended to mitigate the risk of further transmission among the team and to offer as much protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the NFL said in a news release .
`` Full implementation of these measures will allow the club to continue football activities while keeping everyone as safe as possible . ''
Starting Saturday , through the end of the season , players and staff from teams must have a negative test from the previous day before they enter their respective facilities , in addition to regular daily testing .
All meetings will be held virtually , unless they can be held outside or inside with a pre-approved plan .
Face masks must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and on practice fields .
The protocol also mandates that meals must be served takeout style to prevent congregation .
Team and player gatherings away from the facility are prohibited .
The protocol was introduced on Oct. 1 .
The league found that teams that moved into the protocol had more than a 50 % reduction in overall close contacts with others at their facilities , compared to teams that were not following the protocol .
The lower number of contacts -- or fewer people at facilities -- helped to limit the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in buildings more space between each other in locker rooms , meeting rooms , treatment rooms and on practice fields .
`` The upcoming holidays , beginning with Thanksgiving next week , will introduce new risks of exposure that we need to address now , '' Goodell wrote in the memo .
`` Because we have a highly sophisticated program of daily testing , we know when the virus enters our facilities , which underscores the importance of contact tracing and other steps to minimize close contacts within a facility .
No NFL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have experienced a spread of the virus during that time .
`` Recent experience has highlighted the importance of minimizing high-risk close contacts ; on multiple occasions , we have seen individuals identified on that basis test positive within a short time , '' Goodell said .
`` We have also seen many instances in which effective action by clubs to minimize these close contacts prevented the virus from spreading within the club , and avoided players or coaches being ruled out of practice or games . ''
Twenty-two players from active rosters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through Wednesday , according to the NFL 's transaction wire .

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell cited potential increased COVID-19 risk from the upcoming holidays in a memo he sent to teams Wednesday, saying the league will move into intensive protocol for the rest of the season. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 19 (UPI) -- The NFL will move all 32 teams into its intensive protocol for COVID-19 starting Saturday. Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the move Wednesday in a memo issued to NFL teams. Intensive protocol had been reserved for teams that had positive tests or were exposed to a team with positive tests. Advertisement
Twenty-eight teams have been in the protocol at some point this season.
"These measures are not meant to be punitive, but are intended to mitigate the risk of further transmission among the team and to offer as much protection as possible to players and staff," the NFL said in a news release.
"Full implementation of these measures will allow the club to continue football activities while keeping everyone as safe as possible."
Starting Saturday, through the end of the season, players and staff from teams must have a negative test from the previous day before they enter their respective facilities, in addition to regular daily testing.
All meetings will be held virtually, unless they can be held outside or inside with a pre-approved plan. Face masks must be worn at all times in facilities and on practice fields.
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The protocol also mandates that meals must be served takeout style to prevent congregation. Team and player gatherings away from the facility are prohibited.
The protocol was introduced on Oct. 1. The league found that teams that moved into the protocol had more than a 50% reduction in overall close contacts with others at their facilities, compared to teams that were not following the protocol.
The lower number of contacts -- or fewer people at facilities -- helped to limit the risk of virus spread as it gave those in buildings more space between each other in locker rooms, meeting rooms, treatment rooms and on practice fields.
"The upcoming holidays, beginning with Thanksgiving next week, will introduce new risks of exposure that we need to address now," Goodell wrote in the memo.
"Because we have a highly sophisticated program of daily testing, we know when the virus enters our facilities, which underscores the importance of contact tracing and other steps to minimize close contacts within a facility.
No NFL clubs that have been in the protocol have experienced a spread of the virus during that time.
"Recent experience has highlighted the importance of minimizing high-risk close contacts; on multiple occasions, we have seen individuals identified on that basis test positive within a short time," Goodell said.
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"We have also seen many instances in which effective action by clubs to minimize these close contacts prevented the virus from spreading within the club, and avoided players or coaches being ruled out of practice or games."
Twenty-two players from active rosters were added to reserve/COVID-19 lists from Monday through Wednesday, according to the NFL's transaction wire.
This week in the National Football League