upi--2020-11-25--Watch: Hammerhead shark circles oblivious swimmer in Florida

Nov. 25 ( UPI ) -- A Florida photographer captured drone footage of an oblivious swimmer 's close encounter with @ @ @ @ @ swam circles around the man .
Jason McIntosh posted a video to Instagram showing the @ @ @ @ @ in Miami Beach when the approximately 10-foot hammerhead shark approached a man who was swimming @ @ @ @ @ swimmer , unaware of the shark , gives the drone camera a thumbs-up while the @ @ @ @ @ swims circles around the man , who nearly strikes the predatory fish in the head @ @ @ @ @ point .
The hammerhead eventually loses interest and swims away , leaving the swimmer untouched @

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
Nov. 25 (UPI) -- A Florida photographer captured drone footage of an oblivious swimmer's close encounter with a huge hammerhead shark that swam circles around the man.
Jason McIntosh posted a video to Instagram showing the scene that unfolded just offshore in Miami Beach when the approximately 10-foot hammerhead shark approached a man who was swimming on his back.
Advertisement
The swimmer, unaware of the shark, gives the drone camera a thumbs-up while the hammerhead approaches.
The shark swims circles around the man, who nearly strikes the predatory fish in the head with his foot at one point.
The hammerhead eventually loses interest and swims away, leaving the swimmer untouched.


upi--2020-11-25--Later school start may reduce migraines for high school students, study says

Nov. 25 ( UPI ) -- Starting the school day later could aid high school students with migraine headaches , a study published Wednesday journal Headache : The Journal of Head and Face Pain .
Subjects whose school day started prior to 8:30a.m .
reported more migraines days -- averaging 7.7 per month -- than those who began later , who had nearly three fewer headache days , said researchers at the University of California , San Francisco .
The researchers attributed the results in part to the natural body clock of high school students , which tend to favor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggests that there is a relationship between sleep and migraine , '' said study lead author Dr. Amy Gelfand .
`` Getting adequate sleep and maintaining a regular sleep schedule may reduce the frequency of migraines , '' said Gelfand , a neurologist in the Pediatric Headache Program at UCSF Benioff Children 's Hospitals .
She noted that between 8 % and 12 % of adolescents suffer from migraines .
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that middle and high schools start school days no earlier than 8:30 a.m. , but the Centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that only 18 % of public middle and high schools follow the recommendation .
In 2019 , California was the first state to mandate that schools open no earlier than 8:30 a.m. , a schedule adjustment slated to begin in 2022 .
The test involved about 1,000 students with criteria-appropriate migraine headaches in local 9th through 12th grades , who submitted a brief survey .
It indicated that the average number of days with headaches was 7.7 per month for those whose school day started before 8:30 a.m. , and 4.8 days per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The magnitude of the effect size in this study is similar to that seen in studies of migraine prevention drugs , '' Gelfand said .
`` For example , in a trial of topiramate [ known as Topamax ] versus placebo in 12-to 17-year-olds with episodic migraine , those receiving the drug had an average of two migraine days in the last month , compared with 3.5 migraine days for those on placebo , a difference of 1.5 days , '' Gelfand said .

A study by University of California San Francisco researcher indicates that later starts to the school day could help high school-age migraine sufferers. Photo by congerdesign/pixabay
Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Starting the school day later could aid high school students with migraine headaches, a study published Wednesday journal Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain. Subjects whose school day started prior to 8:30a.m. reported more migraines days -- averaging 7.7 per month -- than those who began later, who had nearly three fewer headache days, said researchers at the University of California, San Francisco. Advertisement
The researchers attributed the results in part to the natural body clock of high school students, which tend to favor late-to-bed, early-to-rise habits.
"Evidence suggests that there is a relationship between sleep and migraine," said study lead author Dr. Amy Gelfand.
"Getting adequate sleep and maintaining a regular sleep schedule may reduce the frequency of migraines," said Gelfand, a neurologist in the Pediatric Headache Program at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals.
She noted that between 8% and 12% of adolescents suffer from migraines.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that middle and high schools start school days no earlier than 8:30 a.m., but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that only 18% of public middle and high schools follow the recommendation.
Advertisement
In 2019, California was the first state to mandate that schools open no earlier than 8:30 a.m., a schedule adjustment slated to begin in 2022.
The test involved about 1,000 students with criteria-appropriate migraine headaches in local 9th through 12th grades, who submitted a brief survey.
It indicated that the average number of days with headaches was 7.7 per month for those whose school day started before 8:30 a.m., and 4.8 days per month for the later-starting group.
"The magnitude of the effect size in this study is similar to that seen in studies of migraine prevention drugs," Gelfand said.
"For example, in a trial of topiramate [known as Topamax] versus placebo in 12-to 17-year-olds with episodic migraine, those receiving the drug had an average of two migraine days in the last month, compared with 3.5 migraine days for those on placebo, a difference of 1.5 days," Gelfand said.


upi--2020-11-25--Watch: Stray Kids share 'All In' dance practice video

Nov. 25 ( UPI ) -- South Korean boy band Stray Kids has released a dance practice video for the @ @ @ @ @ `` All In . ''
The K-pop group shared a video Wednesday that shows the @ @ @ @ @ Korean version of the song .
In the new video , the members of Stray @ @ @ @ @ The group dances to `` All In '' on an industrial-themed set .
Stray Kids @ @ @ @ @ `` All In '' in October .
The song appears on the group 's Japanese @ @ @ @ @ , released this month .
The music video for the Japanese version of `` All @ @ @ @ @ Kids on most wanted posters .
The group dances in front of a flaming billboard @ @ @ @ @ Stray Kids released In Life , a repackaged version of its debut Korean album , @ @ @ @ @ .
Stray Kids consists of Bang Chan , Lee Know , Changbin , Hyunjin , @ @ @ @ @ and I.N .
The group made its debut in 2018 .

Nov. 25 (UPI) -- South Korean boy band Stray Kids has released a dance practice video for the Korean version of its single "All In."
The K-pop group shared a video Wednesday that shows the members performing choreography to the Korean version of the song.
Advertisement
In the new video, the members of Stray Kids wear baseball-inspired uniforms. The group dances to "All In" on an industrial-themed set.
Stray Kids released the Japanese version of "All In" in October. The song appears on the group's Japanese album of the same name, released this month.
The music video for the Japanese version of "All In" shows the Stray Kids on most wanted posters. The group dances in front of a flaming billboard and in the street.
Stray Kids released In Life, a repackaged version of its debut Korean album, Go Live, in September.
Stray Kids consists of Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin and I.N. The group made its debut in 2018.


upi--2020-11-25--China’s COVID-19 vaccine developer denies filing for state approval

Nov. 25 ( UPI ) -- China 's coronavirus vaccine developer may not have filed for regulatory approval , despite Chinese state media reports suggesting that Sinopharm subsidiary China National Biotec Group was planning to bring its product to market .
The South China Morning Post reported Wednesday a CNBG executive said an earlier report from Chinese state-owned Xinhua Finance was `` inaccurate '' and no application was filed with the government .
CNBG has pushed aggressively for human trials and has developed two inactivated vaccines .
Inactivated vaccines , composed of dead or inactivated viruses , do not provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The firm has tested with human subjects in 10 countries across Latin America and the Middle East , and recruited about 50,000 people for phase three or final-stage trials , according to company chairman Yang Xiaoming .
In July China 's drug regulator , the National Medical Products Administration , allowed CNBG vaccines to be used on high-risk groups .
Recipients of the vaccine include construction workers , Chinese diplomats and students in more than 150 countries .
CNBG operates under Sinopharm , also known as China National Pharmaceutical Group , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million people in China , according to CNN last week .
Sinopharm chairman Liu Jingzhen said no incidents occurred during the trials .
`` In emergency use , we now have used it on nearly a million people .
We have not received any reports of serious adverse reaction , and only a few have some mild symptoms , '' Liu said .
Liu suggested Chinese citizens overseas were at higher risk for the novel coronavirus than in China , where the government previously claimed it had won the domestic fight against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to allow a team from the World Health Organization to deploy to the country to inspect the city of Wuhan , the epicenter of the first known outbreak of COVID-19 .

A Chinese vaccine developer has yet to file for regulatory approval after its parent company executives said the vaccine had been administered to 1 million people. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 25 (UPI) -- China's coronavirus vaccine developer may not have filed for regulatory approval, despite Chinese state media reports suggesting that Sinopharm subsidiary China National Biotec Group was planning to bring its product to market. The South China Morning Post reported Wednesday a CNBG executive said an earlier report from Chinese state-owned Xinhua Finance was "inaccurate" and no application was filed with the government. Advertisement
CNBG has pushed aggressively for human trials and has developed two inactivated vaccines. Inactivated vaccines, composed of dead or inactivated viruses, do not provide the protection of live but attenuated vaccines.
The firm has tested with human subjects in 10 countries across Latin America and the Middle East, and recruited about 50,000 people for phase three or final-stage trials, according to company chairman Yang Xiaoming.
In July China's drug regulator, the National Medical Products Administration, allowed CNBG vaccines to be used on high-risk groups. Recipients of the vaccine include construction workers, Chinese diplomats and students in more than 150 countries.
CNBG operates under Sinopharm, also known as China National Pharmaceutical Group, the state-owned enterprise behind the vaccination of 1 million people in China, according to CNN last week.
Advertisement
Sinopharm chairman Liu Jingzhen said no incidents occurred during the trials.
"In emergency use, we now have used it on nearly a million people. We have not received any reports of serious adverse reaction, and only a few have some mild symptoms," Liu said.
Liu suggested Chinese citizens overseas were at higher risk for the novel coronavirus than in China, where the government previously claimed it had won the domestic fight against the highly infectious disease.
China has yet to allow a team from the World Health Organization to deploy to the country to inspect the city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the first known outbreak of COVID-19.


upi--2020-11-25--Space worm tests show microgravity can alter genes

Nov. 25 ( UPI ) -- After a tour on the International Space Station , a group of nematode worms exhibited changes in nearly 1,000 genes .
The findings , published Wednesday in the journal iScience , suggests prolonged exposure to microgravity can influence cells at the genetic level .
Though most of the genetic changes identified by scientists were relatively subtle , researchers also observed a handful of more significant genetic alterations among nervous system cells , or neurons .
The study , a collaboration between the University of Exeter and NASA GeneLab , could help scientists identify the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space travel , highlighted by numerous previous studies .
`` We looked at levels of every gene in the worms ' genome and identified a clear pattern of genetic change , '' study co-author Timothy Etheridge said in a news release .
`` These changes might help explain why the body reacts badly to space flight .
It also gives us some therapy targets in terms of reducing these health effects , which are currently a major barrier to deep-space exploration , '' said Etheridge , a senior lecturer at Exeter .
Several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the volume and shape of different parts of the brain .
Other studies have shown microgravity exposure can affect muscles , heart cells and the intestines .
For the latest experiment , researchers sent several dozen Caenorhabditis elegans worms to the space station , where they were exposed to microgravity for several weeks .
Another group stayed on Earth and was exposed to high gravity inside centrifuges .
The high-gravity experiments helped accentuate the genetic effects of microgravity , while also offering scientists the chance to consider the potential of high-gravity interventions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overcoming any physiological condition is first understanding its underlying molecular mechanism , '' said lead author Craig Willis .
`` We have identified genes with roles in neuronal function and cellular metabolism that are affected by gravitational changes , '' said Willis , a doctoral student at Exeter .
The molecular and physiological changes observed in the space worms were similar to those previously observed in astronauts .
`` So our findings should provide foundations for a better understanding of spaceflight-induced health decline in mammals and , eventually , humans , '' Willis @ @

Subtle changes to thousands of genes in worms after a few weeks aboard the International Space Station is expected to help scientists better understand the physical effects of space travel. Photo by Caroline Davis2010/Flickr
Nov. 25 (UPI) -- After a tour on the International Space Station, a group of nematode worms exhibited changes in nearly 1,000 genes. The findings, published Wednesday in the journal iScience, suggests prolonged exposure to microgravity can influence cells at the genetic level. Advertisement
Though most of the genetic changes identified by scientists were relatively subtle, researchers also observed a handful of more significant genetic alterations among nervous system cells, or neurons.
The study, a collaboration between the University of Exeter and NASA GeneLab, could help scientists identify the genetic origins of the physiological effects of space travel, highlighted by numerous previous studies.
"We looked at levels of every gene in the worms' genome and identified a clear pattern of genetic change," study co-author Timothy Etheridge said in a news release.
"These changes might help explain why the body reacts badly to space flight. It also gives us some therapy targets in terms of reducing these health effects, which are currently a major barrier to deep-space exploration," said Etheridge, a senior lecturer at Exeter.
Several previous studies have found microgravity can alter the volume and shape of different parts of the brain. Other studies have shown microgravity exposure can affect muscles, heart cells and the intestines.
Advertisement
For the latest experiment, researchers sent several dozen Caenorhabditis elegans worms to the space station, where they were exposed to microgravity for several weeks. Another group stayed on Earth and was exposed to high gravity inside centrifuges.
The high-gravity experiments helped accentuate the genetic effects of microgravity, while also offering scientists the chance to consider the potential of high-gravity interventions in space.
"A crucial step towards overcoming any physiological condition is first understanding its underlying molecular mechanism," said lead author Craig Willis.
"We have identified genes with roles in neuronal function and cellular metabolism that are affected by gravitational changes," said Willis, a doctoral student at Exeter.
The molecular and physiological changes observed in the space worms were similar to those previously observed in astronauts.
"So our findings should provide foundations for a better understanding of spaceflight-induced health decline in mammals and, eventually, humans," Willis said.


upi--2020-11-26--Mads Mikkelsen replacing Johnny Depp in 'Fantastic Beasts'

Nov. 26 ( UPI ) -- Hannibal icon Mads Mikkelsen will replace Johnny Depp in the Fantastic Beasts film franchise @ @ @ @ @ the casting news to CNN and Deadline .
Depp said earlier this month he had @ @ @ @ @ from the role of Gellert Grindelwald after he lost a real-life libel lawsuit against a @ @ @ @ @ as an abusive husband during his marriage to actress Amber Heard .
The third movie @ @ @ @ @ is in production now in England .
It is set for release July 15 , @ @ @ @ @ the Harry Potter blockbusters also star Eddie Redmayne , Katherine Waterston , Dan Fogler and @ @ @

1/2
Mads Mikkelsen is set to star in the next "Fantastic Beasts" movie. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Hannibal icon Mads Mikkelsen will replace Johnny Depp in the Fantastic Beasts film franchise. Warner Bros Pictures confirmed the casting news to CNN and Deadline. Advertisement
Depp said earlier this month he had been asked to step down from the role of Gellert Grindelwald after he lost a real-life libel lawsuit against a British newspaper that described him as an abusive husband during his marriage to actress Amber Heard.
The third movie in the Fantastic Beasts series is in production now in England. It is set for release July 15, 2022.
The prequels to the Harry Potter blockbusters also star Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler and Ezra Miller.


upi--2020-11-26--'Goonies' cast to reunite for No Kid Hungry benefit

Nov. 26 ( UPI ) -- The stars of the 1985 adventure movie , The Goonies , are set to reunite for an online charity event next month .
`` Exciting news !
The cast of The Goonies will be reuniting for a LIVE virtual script read next Saturday , December 5 , at 8pm ET benefiting @ nokidhungry , '' No Kid Hungry tweeted .
Frozen actor Josh Gad , who was not in the film , announced on Twitter : `` Hey you guys !
!
!
So excited to announce I will be joining the OG cast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read . ''
Astin 's co-star Corey Feldman also took to Twitter to celebrate the news .
`` I TOLD U GUYS !
!
THIS IS THE REUNION OF ALL REUNIONS !
EVEN THOUGH I KNOW MANY R DISAPPOINTED ITS NOT A SEQUEL , MAYB THIS 'LL B THE SPARK THAT LIGHTS THE FLAME 4 THAT SEQUEL ?
!
SO LETS BREAK RECORDS ON VIEWS & SHOW  @ warnerbros HOW BAD U WANT # GOONIES2 , '' Feldman 's post said .
Produced by Steven Spielberg , The Goonies is about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a treasure hunt in the hopes of finding the money they need to save their homes from greedy real-estate developers .
The are all confirmed to participate in the table read .
Cast members John Matuszak and Anne Ramsey have died after the film 's release .
The No Kid Hungry website said : `` No child should grow up hungry in America , but 1 in 4 kids may face hunger this year due to the coronavirus .
`` When kids get the food they need , they do better in and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hungry uses practical solutions to end child hunger , '' the message continued .
`` Working together with local organizations around the country , we generate the will and skill to help communities feed children in need every day of the year .
Every $ 1 you donate can feed a child up to 10 meals ! ''

1/3
Josh Brolin is set to reunite with his "Goonies" co-stars for a charity event on Dec. 5. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 26 (UPI) -- The stars of the 1985 adventure movie, The Goonies, are set to reunite for an online charity event next month. "Exciting news! The cast of The Goonies will be reuniting for a LIVE virtual script read next Saturday, December 5, at 8pm ET benefiting @nokidhungry," No Kid Hungry tweeted. Advertisement
Frozen actor Josh Gad, who was not in the film, announced on Twitter: "Hey you guys!!! So excited to announce I will be joining the OG cast of Goonies for a LIVE virtual script read."
Goonies alum Sean Astin retweeted Gad's post, adding a series of clapping hand emojis.
Astin's co-star Corey Feldman also took to Twitter to celebrate the news.
"I TOLD U GUYS!! THIS IS THE REUNION OF ALL REUNIONS! EVEN THOUGH I KNOW MANY R DISAPPOINTED ITS NOT A SEQUEL, MAYB THIS'LL B THE SPARK THAT LIGHTS THE FLAME 4 THAT SEQUEL?! SO LETS BREAK RECORDS ON VIEWS & SHOW @warnerbros HOW BAD U WANT #GOONIES2," Feldman's post said.
Produced by Steven Spielberg, The Goonies is about a group of Oregon kids who go on a treasure hunt in the hopes of finding the money they need to save their homes from greedy real-estate developers.
Advertisement
It co-starred Josh Brolin, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, Jeff Cohen, Ke Huy Quan, Joe Pantoliano and Robert Davi.
The are all confirmed to participate in the table read.
Cast members John Matuszak and Anne Ramsey have died after the film's release.
The No Kid Hungry website said: "No child should grow up hungry in America, but 1 in 4 kids may face hunger this year due to the coronavirus.
"When kids get the food they need, they do better in and out of the classroom. No Kid Hungry uses practical solutions to end child hunger," the message continued. "Working together with local organizations around the country, we generate the will and skill to help communities feed children in need every day of the year. Every $1 you donate can feed a child up to 10 meals!"


upi--2020-11-26--Kings to sign center Hassan Whiteside

Kings to sign center Hassan Whiteside

Nov. 26 ( UPI ) -- The Sacramento Kings have agreed to a one-year contact with veteran center Hassan Whiteside @ @ @ @ @ The Athletic and the Sacramento Bee of the pact Wednesday .
Whiteside spent last season @ @ @ @ @ after he was traded from the Miami Heat before his 2019-2020 campaign .
The 7-foot @ @ @ @ @ points , 13.5 rebounds and a league-best 2.9 blocks per game in 67 appearances last @ @ @ @ @ 13.7 points , 11.7 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game for his career .
He @ @ @ @ @ rebounds per game in 2016-2017 and posted a league-best 3.7 blocks per game in 2015-2016 @ @ @ @ @ as a second-round pick by the Kings in the 2010 NBA Draft .
He was @ @ @ @ @ spent the 2014-2015 season with the Heat .
Whiteside emerged as a dominant defender before @ @ @ @ @ $ 98.4 million contract extension with Miami .
The Heat traded Whiteside to Portland as @ @ @ @ @ on July 6 , 2019 .

Hassan Whiteside (R) has agreed to a contract with the Sacramento Kings, the franchise that selected the center in the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft. File Photo by Mark Goldman/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 26 (UPI) -- The Sacramento Kings have agreed to a one-year contact with veteran center Hassan Whiteside. Sources informed ESPN, The Athletic and the Sacramento Bee of the pact Wednesday. Whiteside spent last season with the Portland Trail Blazers after he was traded from the Miami Heat before his 2019-2020 campaign. Advertisement
The 7-foot, 265-pound center averaged 15.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and a league-best 2.9 blocks per game in 67 appearances last season. Whiteside has averaged 13.7 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game for his career.
He led the NBA with 14.1 rebounds per game in 2016-2017 and posted a league-best 3.7 blocks per game in 2015-2016.
Whiteside entered the league as a second-round pick by the Kings in the 2010 NBA Draft. He was released in 2012 before he spent the 2014-2015 season with the Heat. Whiteside emerged as a dominant defender before he signed a four-year, $98.4 million contract extension with Miami.
The Heat traded Whiteside to Portland as part of a four-team deal on July 6, 2019.


upi--2020-11-26--Fantasy football: Allen, Wilson top Week 12 quarterback rankings

Russell Wilson , Patrick Mahomes , Justin Herbert and Kyler Murray round out my Top 5 options for Week 12 .
Tom Brady , Deshaun Watson , Derek Carr , Matt Ryan and Ben Roethlisberger also land in my Top 10 .
I also would consider starting Cam Newton , Carson Wentz or Tua Tagovailoa this week if you are desperate at the position .
Monitor the status for each of your players ' games this week as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the NFL schedule and player availability .
No teams have Week 12 byes , so you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to finding good defensive matchups for quarterbacks .
Check out my weekly waiver wire article for candidates to add to your roster before your Week 12 matchup .
Here are some of my favorite players in this week 's rankings : Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills is my top quarterback this week as he heads into a matchup against a Los Angeles Chargers defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to the position .
Allen has thrown at least two touchdown passes in two consecutive games as he heads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect the Bills quarterback to throw for at least 300 yards and three scores on Sunday in Orchard Park , N.Y .
He also has a good chance to score a rushing touchdown .
Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks is my No .
2 quarterback .
Wilson has thrown at least two touchdown passes in nine of his 10 games this season .
He also has five starts with at least 300 passing yards .
I expect him to have a great performance in Week 12 , when the Seahawks face the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this game behind the MVP candidate .
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is a great Week 12 streamer .
Carr just posted 275 yards and three scores in Week 11 against the Kansas City Chiefs .
I expect him to have an even better day on Sunday , when the Raiders face an Atlanta Falcons defense that has allowed the most passing touchdowns and most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks .
Carr is a near lock for at least 300 yards and two scores in this matchup .
He is my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the New England Patriots is another great option for your Week 12 lineup if you are streaming the quarterback position .
Newton has yet to throw more than one touchdown pass in a game this season , but has been airing it out a bit more as of late .
The Patriots quarterback passed for 365 yards in Week 11 and should throw a lot again in Week 12 when his faces an Arizona Cardinals defense that is tied for allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks .
He is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth a matchup-based start if your normal starter faces a good defense .
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz lands at No .
14 in my rankings and is a borderline QB1 in leagues with at least 14 teams .
Wentz threw for 235 yards and two scores in Week 11 and should have a more productive outing in Week 12 when the Eagles face a Seattle Seahawks defense that has allowed the most passing yards and second-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks .
I expect another two touchdown passes from Wentz in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance to score on the ground .
Miami Dolphins rookie Tua Tagovailoa took a step back and was benched in Week 11 , but he should have a rebound performance in Week 12 when he faces the struggling New York Jets .
The Jets have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks .
Tagovailoa is an only-start-if-you're-desperate option , but should have success against this defense .
I expect at least 250 passing yards and two scores from the Dolphins quarterback .
He lands at No .
16 in my weekly @ @

1/3
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen should give your fantasy football team a big advantage in Week 12 when he faces a struggling Los Angeles Chargers defense. File Photo by Corey Sipkin/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Josh Allen tops my Week 12 fantasy football quarterback rankings for 2020. Russell Wilson, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Kyler Murray round out my Top 5 options for Week 12. Tom Brady, Derek Carr, Matt Ryan, Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers also land in my Top 10. Advertisement
I also would consider starting Cam Newton, Carson Wentz or Tua Tagovailoa this week if you are desperate at the position.
Monitor the status for each of your players' games this week as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the NFL schedule and player availability. No teams have Week 12 byes, so you should have more options when it comes to finding good defensive matchups for quarterbacks.
Advertisement
Check out my weekly waiver wire article for candidates to add to your roster before your Week 12 matchup.
Here are some of my favorite players in this week's rankings:
TOP SHELF
Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills is my top quarterback this week as he heads into a matchup against a Los Angeles Chargers defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to the position.
Allen has thrown at least two touchdown passes in two consecutive games as he heads into his Week 12 matchup. I expect the Bills quarterback to throw for at least 300 yards and three scores on Sunday in Orchard Park, N.Y. He also has a good chance to score a rushing touchdown.
Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks is my No. 2 quarterback. Wilson has thrown at least two touchdown passes in nine of his 10 games this season. He also has five starts with at least 300 passing yards.
I expect him to have a great performance in Week 12, when the Seahawks face the Philadelphia Eagles. The Seahawks should dominate this game behind the MVP candidate.
Advertisement
SNEAKY PLAYS
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is a great Week 12 streamer. Carr just posted 275 yards and three scores in Week 11 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
I expect him to have an even better day on Sunday, when the Raiders face an Atlanta Falcons defense that has allowed the most passing touchdowns and most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
Carr is a near lock for at least 300 yards and two scores in this matchup. He is my No. 7 option.
Cam Newton of the New England Patriots is another great option for your Week 12 lineup if you are streaming the quarterback position.
Newton has yet to throw more than one touchdown pass in a game this season, but has been airing it out a bit more as of late.
The Patriots quarterback passed for 365 yards in Week 11 and should throw a lot again in Week 12 when his faces an Arizona Cardinals defense that is tied for allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
He is my No. 11 option and is worth a matchup-based start if your normal starter faces a good defense.
Advertisement
LONGSHOTS
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz lands at No. 14 in my rankings and is a borderline QB1 in leagues with at least 14 teams.
Wentz threw for 235 yards and two scores in Week 11 and should have a more productive outing in Week 12 when the Eagles face a Seattle Seahawks defense that has allowed the most passing yards and second-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
I expect another two touchdown passes from Wentz in this matchup. He also has a chance to score on the ground.
Miami Dolphins rookie Tua Tagovailoa took a step back and was benched in Week 11, but he should have a rebound performance in Week 12 when he faces the struggling New York Jets.
The Jets have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Tagovailoa is an only-start-if-you're-desperate option, but should have success against this defense.
I expect at least 250 passing yards and two scores from the Dolphins quarterback. He lands at No. 16 in my weekly rankings.
Week 12 fantasy football quarterback rankings
1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills vs. LAC
2. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks at PHI
3. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs at TB
Advertisement
4. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers at BUF
5. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals at NE
6. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. KC
7. Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders at ATL
8. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons vs. LV
9. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. BAL
10. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers vs. CHI
11. Cam Newton, New England Patriots vs. ARI
12. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings vs. CAR
13. Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints at DEN
14. Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles vs. SEA
15. Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams vs. SF
16. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins at NYJ
17. Daniel Jones, New York Giants at CIN
18. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans at IND
19. Robert Griffin III, Baltimore Ravens at PIT
20. Bakery Mayfield, Cleveland Browns at JAX
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-26--Ravens coach disciplined amid COVID-19 outbreak

Nov. 26 ( UPI ) -- The Baltimore Ravens have issued discipline to a coach in connection with the team 's recent increase in COVID-19 cases , which has affected players and staff members and resulted in a game postponement .
Baltimore announced the move Wednesday .
The decision came amid a COVID-19 outbreak within the team , which has led to several players and coaches testing positive for COVID-19 .
Seven Ravens players were added to the reserve/COVID-19 list from Monday through Wednesday .
Sources told NFL Network and CBS Sports that a Ravens strength and conditioning coach was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consistently wearing a mask or a tracking device .
`` The Baltimore Ravens have disciplined a staff member for conduct surrounding the recent COVID-19 cases that have affected players and staff at the Ravens , '' the team said Wednesday .
The Ravens ' scheduled Thanksgiving matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers also was moved to Sunday due to the outbreak .
`` This decision was made out of an abundance of caution to ensure the health and safety of players , coaches and game day personnel and in consultation with medical experts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday when they announced the postponement .
The Steelers-Ravens matchup is the 13th NFL game this season to be postponed or moved due to COVID-19-related issues .
It was the first game to be postponed since Week 5 .
The Steelers host the Ravens at 1:15 p.m. EST on Sunday at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh .

The Baltimore Ravens disciplined a staff member on Wednesday in connection to a team COVID-19 outbreak, which has resulted in seven players being added to the reserve/COVID-19 list. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 26 (UPI) -- The Baltimore Ravens have issued discipline to a coach in connection with the team's recent increase in COVID-19 cases, which has affected players and staff members and resulted in a game postponement. Baltimore announced the move Wednesday. The decision came amid a COVID-19 outbreak within the team, which has led to several players and coaches testing positive for COVID-19. Advertisement
Seven Ravens players were added to the reserve/COVID-19 list from Monday through Wednesday.
Sources told NFL Network and CBS Sports that a Ravens strength and conditioning coach was punished for not reporting symptoms and not consistently wearing a mask or a tracking device.
"The Baltimore Ravens have disciplined a staff member for conduct surrounding the recent COVID-19 cases that have affected players and staff at the Ravens," the team said Wednesday.
The Ravens' scheduled Thanksgiving matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers also was moved to Sunday due to the outbreak.
"This decision was made out of an abundance of caution to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches and game day personnel and in consultation with medical experts," the NFL said in a statement Wednesday when they announced the postponement.
Advertisement
The Steelers-Ravens matchup is the 13th NFL game this season to be postponed or moved due to COVID-19-related issues. It was the first game to be postponed since Week 5.
The Steelers host the Ravens at 1:15 p.m. EST on Sunday at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-26--Cowboys strength coach Markus Paul dies at 54

Nov. 26 ( UPI ) -- Dallas Cowboys strength and conditioning coordinator Markus Paul has died after he had a medical emergency while at the team facility .
He was 54 .
The Cowboys said Paul died Wednesday .
His cause of death was not disclosed .
Paul received emergency treatment from the Cowboys medical staff on Tuesday at the team headquarters in Frisco , Texas , before he was transported to a local hospital .
`` The loss of a family member is a tragedy , and Markus Paul was a loved and valued member of our family , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
`` He was a pleasant and calming influence in our strength room and throughout the Star . ''
Paul was in his first season as the Cowboys strength and conditioning coordinator .
He joined the team in 2018 and spent his first two seasons as an assistant strength coach .
He previously worked for the New Orleans Saints , New England Patriots , New York Giants and New York Jets .
Paul also was a fourth-round pick by the Chicago Bears in the 1989 NFL Draft .
He also played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- a Syracuse product -- appeared in 71 games during his five-year NFL tenure .
The Cowboys host the Washington Football Team at 4:30 p.m. EST on Thursday in Arlington , Texas .

The Dallas Cowboys said strength coach Markus Paul died on Wednesday after he had a medical emergency on Tuesday at the team's practice facility in Frisco, Texas. File Photo by Lori Shepler/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Dallas Cowboys strength and conditioning coordinator Markus Paul has died after he had a medical emergency while at the team facility. He was 54. The Cowboys said Paul died Wednesday. His cause of death was not disclosed. Advertisement
Paul received emergency treatment from the Cowboys medical staff on Tuesday at the team headquarters in Frisco, Texas, before he was transported to a local hospital.
Dallas later canceled Tuesday's practice and team activities.
"The loss of a family member is a tragedy, and Markus Paul was a loved and valued member of our family," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement.
"He was a pleasant and calming influence in our strength room and throughout the Star."
Paul was in his first season as the Cowboys strength and conditioning coordinator. He joined the team in 2018 and spent his first two seasons as an assistant strength coach. He previously worked for the New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, New York Giants and New York Jets.
Advertisement
Paul also was a fourth-round pick by the Chicago Bears in the 1989 NFL Draft. He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Paul -- a Syracuse product -- appeared in 71 games during his five-year NFL tenure.
The Cowboys host the Washington Football Team at 4:30 p.m. EST on Thursday in Arlington, Texas.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-11-26--Springsteen, Bon Jovi to NJ: 'Wear a friggin' mask!'

Nov. 26 ( UPI ) -- New Jersey rockers Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi , and comedian Jon Stewart @ @ @ @ @ a new billboard intended to promote safety in their home state amid the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ of it on social media Wednesday .
`` Teamed up with some fellow New Jerseyans @ @ @ @ @ season to wear a friggin ' mask .
Let 's all come together and # @ @ @ @ @ back to what we do best -- singing along and dancing together , '' Springsteen @ @

1/3
Bruce Springsteen can now be seen on a New Jersey billboard intended to promote face mask wearing during the coronavirus pandemic. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 26 (UPI) -- New Jersey rockers Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, and comedian Jon Stewart, wear face masks on a new billboard intended to promote safety in their home state amid the coronavirus pandemic. "Wear a friggin' mask!" the sign says. Advertisement
Springsteen shared a photo of it on social media Wednesday.
"Teamed up with some fellow New Jerseyans to encourage everyone this holiday season to wear a friggin' mask. Let's all come together and #MaskUpNJ so we can get back to what we do best -- singing along and dancing together," Springsteen tweeted.


upi--2020-11-26--Jason Bateman, Morgan Wallen set for Dec. 5 edition of 'SNL'

Nov. 26 ( UPI ) -- Ozark star Jason Bateman is set to guest host the Dec. 5 episode of @ @ @ @ @ announced .
Country singer Morgan Wallen is scheduled to perform that evening , too .
@ @ @ @ @ take the stage on SNL earlier this fall , but his appearance was scrapped after @ @ @ @ @ partying without a mask .
He later apologized for his actions .
Wallen 's next @ @ @ @ @ Double Album , is due out Jan. 8 .
On Dec. 12 , The French @ @ @ @ @ Chalamet will guest host SNL and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be @ @ @ @ @ SNL cast member and Wonder Woman 1984 actress Kristen Wiig will return to guest host @ @ @ @ @ Dua Lipa will provide the music .
She is up for six Grammy Awards , @ @ @ @ @ , for her newest release , Future Nostalgia .

1/3
Jason Bateman is set to guest host "Saturday Night Live" on Dec. 5. File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Ozark star Jason Bateman is set to guest host the Dec. 5 episode of Saturday Night Live, NBC announced. Country singer Morgan Wallen is scheduled to perform that evening, too. Advertisement
Wallen had been slated to take the stage on SNL earlier this fall, but his appearance was scrapped after he broke coronavirus protocols by partying without a mask.
He later apologized for his actions.
Wallen's next record, Dangerous: The Double Album, is due out Jan. 8.
On Dec. 12, The French Dispatch and Dune actor Timothée Chalamet will guest host SNL and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be the musical act.
Former SNL cast member and Wonder Woman 1984 actress Kristen Wiig will return to guest host on Dec. 19.
Rapper Dua Lipa will provide the music. She is up for six Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, for her newest release, Future Nostalgia.
 December shows  pic.twitter.com/iEVoNkJv3g— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) November 25, 2020


upi--2020-11-26--Doctors, officials raise alarm as S. Korean COVID-19 cases hit 8-month high

SEOUL , Nov. 26 ( UPI ) -- South Korea saw its highest daily number of COVID-19 infections in over eight months Thursday , recording 586 new cases in what officials are warning is the third and most dangerous wave yet to hit the country .
The daily total is the first time South Korea has exceeded 500 cases since early March , during a massive outbreak centered around a religious sect the southeastern city of Daegu .
`` South Korea is currently undergoing and fighting against a third major outbreak , '' said Lee Sang-won , a senior official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agency at a press briefing Thursday .
`` Right now , rather than one large cluster infection centering around a region , we have small cluster infections at various regions nationwide , '' he said .
`` We have seen more diverse sources of infection and have also identified that the younger generation is spreading the virus . ''
Hospitals have been recording rising numbers of positive cases , and doctors warn that the current spike is presenting new challenges for South Korean officials .
`` In the earlier outbreaks , the clusters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oh Seung-jin , director of policy at NHIS Ilsan Hospital outside of Seoul .
`` Now , [ the virus ] could be spreading from a neighbor in your building or the table next to you in the restaurant . ''
Oh told UPI that the methods that South Korea has been using to get the virus under control are not as effective with this new outbreak .
`` Until now , the government focused on tracing [ cases ] to contain the spread , '' he said .
`` But this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing many more untraceable cases .
Personal hygiene and distancing are more important than ever . ''
The Seoul metropolitan area implemented stricter social distancing guidelines earlier this week , raising one notch from Level 1.5 to Level 2 , the third-highest level on the country 's 5-tier scale .
Under the regulations , which will remain in place for two weeks , gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited .
High-risk venues such as bars and nightclubs must suspend operations and restaurants have to stop serving food indoors at 9 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and delivery .
Other restrictions include limiting capacity at schools , churches and other public facilities and reducing public transportation after 10 p.m. Seoul is planning to further tighten its antivirus restrictions after the city reported its new daily high of 213 cases Thursday , officials said .
`` There appear to be blind spots that require further attention in the recent ( coronavirus transmission ) trend , '' disease control officer Park Yoo-mi said during a virtual press briefing Thursday , according to news agency Yonhap .
`` We plan to talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with stronger measures . ''
South Korea 's military also decided Thursday to take tougher measures after 70 cases were tied to a boot camp in the town of Yeoncheon near the border with North Korea .
All troops are barred from taking vacations and making non-essential trips off of military installations Government officials have continued to express concern about the upcoming College Scholastic Aptitude Test , a grueling , make-or-break entrance exam that almost half a million South Korean high school seniors are poised to take Dec. 3 .
Education Minister Yoo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in containing the outbreak so the test can run smoothly .
`` With the hearts of the test takers ' parents in mind , we earnestly ask you pause your usual social activities unless they are vital , '' she said at a televised press briefing .
`` Please cancel dinner appointments and year-end parties and wear a mask . ''
The KDCA 's Lee said Thursday that health officials are anticipating daily cases would hover around the 400 to 600 range into early December .
However , he expressed optimism that South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus under control once again .
`` We believe if the social distancing measures are intensified and are practiced , starting from next week these numbers could subside , '' he said .
South Korea 's total COVID-19 caseload rose to 32,318 Thursday , according to the KDCA .
The country reported two additional deaths , bringing the total to 515 .

South Korea reported its highest number of daily COVID-19 cases since early March on Thursday amid a growing third wave of the virus. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo
SEOUL, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- South Korea saw its highest daily number of COVID-19 infections in over eight months Thursday, recording 586 new cases in what officials are warning is the third and most dangerous wave yet to hit the country. The daily total is the first time South Korea has exceeded 500 cases since early March, during a massive outbreak centered around a religious sect the southeastern city of Daegu. Advertisement
"South Korea is currently undergoing and fighting against a third major outbreak," said Lee Sang-won, a senior official with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency at a press briefing Thursday.
"Right now, rather than one large cluster infection centering around a region, we have small cluster infections at various regions nationwide," he said. "We have seen more diverse sources of infection and have also identified that the younger generation is spreading the virus."
Advertisement
Hospitals have been recording rising numbers of positive cases, and doctors warn that the current spike is presenting new challenges for South Korean officials.
"In the earlier outbreaks, the clusters were more focused," said Dr. Oh Seung-jin, director of policy at NHIS Ilsan Hospital outside of Seoul. "Now, [the virus] could be spreading from a neighbor in your building or the table next to you in the restaurant."
Oh told UPI that the methods that South Korea has been using to get the virus under control are not as effective with this new outbreak.
"Until now, the government focused on tracing [cases] to contain the spread," he said. "But this is a different situation. Now we are facing many more untraceable cases. Personal hygiene and distancing are more important than ever."
The Seoul metropolitan area implemented stricter social distancing guidelines earlier this week, raising one notch from Level 1.5 to Level 2, the third-highest level on the country's 5-tier scale.
Under the regulations, which will remain in place for two weeks, gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited.
High-risk venues such as bars and nightclubs must suspend operations and restaurants have to stop serving food indoors at 9 p.m. Cafes are only allowed to offer takeout and delivery.
Advertisement
Other restrictions include limiting capacity at schools, churches and other public facilities and reducing public transportation after 10 p.m.
Seoul is planning to further tighten its antivirus restrictions after the city reported its new daily high of 213 cases Thursday, officials said.
"There appear to be blind spots that require further attention in the recent (coronavirus transmission) trend," disease control officer Park Yoo-mi said during a virtual press briefing Thursday, according to news agency Yonhap. "We plan to talk to experts starting today to come up with stronger measures."
South Korea's military also decided Thursday to take tougher measures after 70 cases were tied to a boot camp in the town of Yeoncheon near the border with North Korea. All troops are barred from taking vacations and making non-essential trips off of military installations
Government officials have continued to express concern about the upcoming College Scholastic Aptitude Test, a grueling, make-or-break entrance exam that almost half a million South Korean high school seniors are poised to take Dec. 3.
Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae appealed to citizens Thursday for help in containing the outbreak so the test can run smoothly.
"With the hearts of the test takers' parents in mind, we earnestly ask you pause your usual social activities unless they are vital," she said at a televised press briefing. "Please cancel dinner appointments and year-end parties and wear a mask."
Advertisement
The KDCA's Lee said Thursday that health officials are anticipating daily cases would hover around the 400 to 600 range into early December.
However, he expressed optimism that South Korea would be able to get the virus under control once again.
"We believe if the social distancing measures are intensified and are practiced, starting from next week these numbers could subside," he said.
South Korea's total COVID-19 caseload rose to 32,318 Thursday, according to the KDCA. The country reported two additional deaths, bringing the total to 515.


upi--2020-11-26--Supreme Court rules against New York's COVID religious service limits

Nov. 26 ( UPI ) -- The Supreme Court late Wednesday ruled against occupancy limits for religious services in New York that Gov .
Andrew Cuomo had instituted to stymie the spread of the coronavirus .
In a 5-4 decision , the justices said the governor 's restrictions on the size of congregations at places of worshiped violated the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment .
Justice Amy Coney Barrett , who joined the court last month , was the decisive vote siding with the conservative judges on the bench while Justice John Roberts dissented along with Justices Stephen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The ruling on Wednesday came in response to complaints filed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and the Agudath Israel of America against the three-color coronavirus risk system Cuomo instituted through executive order in early October .
The system limits activities where the virus was spreading , with the most restrictive measures implemented in `` red '' zones that have the highest risk of infection followed by `` orange '' and `` yellow . ''
The religious institutions argued limiting capacity of places of worship to 10 people in `` red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orange '' zones violated their First Amendment rights , stating the restrictions are harsher for places of worship than secular facilities .
The court said in an unsigned opinion that stemming the spread of the deadly and infectious coronavirus is compelling public interest but that measures affecting places of worship are far more restrictive than measures seen in other cases that have come before the justices and tighter than those applied to worse hit areas .
It continued that less restrict measures have been implemented on places connected to known clusters while there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have contributed to the spread of COVID-19 . ''
It also said less restrictive measures could be enforced on the religious services to stop virus transmission , such as limiting services based on available capacity and not a hard cap .
`` It is time -- past time -- to make plain that while the pandemic poses many grave challenges , there is no world in which the Constitution tolerates color-coded executive edicts that re-open liquor stores and bike shops but shutter churches , synagogues and mosques , '' Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dissenting opinion , Roberts said there is no need to grant the injunction relief as following the two places of worship having filed their grievances the governor removed them from the restrictive zones due to dropping cases .
Roberts said the restrictions may violate the First Amendment but there is no reason for them to decide that .
`` The governor might reinstate the restrictions .
But he also might not .
And it is a signifiant matter to override determinations made by public health officials concerning what is necessary for public safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
`` If the governor does reinstate the numerical restrictions the applicants can return to this court , and we could act quickly on their renewed applications . ''

Supreme Court ruled against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's capacity limits for religious services amid the pandemic. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 26 (UPI) -- The Supreme Court late Wednesday ruled against occupancy limits for religious services in New York that Gov. Andrew Cuomo had instituted to stymie the spread of the coronavirus. In a 5-4 decision, the justices said the governor's restrictions on the size of congregations at places of worshiped violated the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. Advertisement
Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who joined the court last month, was the decisive vote siding with the conservative judges on the bench while Justice John Roberts dissented along with Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.
The ruling on Wednesday came in response to complaints filed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and the Agudath Israel of America against the three-color coronavirus risk system Cuomo instituted through executive order in early October.
Advertisement
The system limits activities where the virus was spreading, with the most restrictive measures implemented in "red" zones that have the highest risk of infection followed by "orange" and "yellow."
The religious institutions argued limiting capacity of places of worship to 10 people in "red" zones and 25 people in "orange" zones violated their First Amendment rights, stating the restrictions are harsher for places of worship than secular facilities.
The court said in an unsigned opinion that stemming the spread of the deadly and infectious coronavirus is compelling public interest but that measures affecting places of worship are far more restrictive than measures seen in other cases that have come before the justices and tighter than those applied to worse hit areas.
It continued that less restrict measures have been implemented on places connected to known clusters while there has been "no evidence the applicants have contributed to the spread of COVID-19." It also said less restrictive measures could be enforced on the religious services to stop virus transmission, such as limiting services based on available capacity and not a hard cap.
"It is time -- past time -- to make plain that while the pandemic poses many grave challenges, there is no world in which the Constitution tolerates color-coded executive edicts that re-open liquor stores and bike shops but shutter churches, synagogues and mosques," Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in a concurring opinion.
Advertisement
In a dissenting opinion, Roberts said there is no need to grant the injunction relief as following the two places of worship having filed their grievances the governor removed them from the restrictive zones due to dropping cases.
Roberts said the restrictions may violate the First Amendment but there is no reason for them to decide that.
"The governor might reinstate the restrictions. But he also might not. And it is a signifiant matter to override determinations made by public health officials concerning what is necessary for public safety in the midst of a deadly pandemic," he said. "If the governor does reinstate the numerical restrictions the applicants can return to this court, and we could act quickly on their renewed applications."
On Thursday, Cuomo reacted to the decision, saying it "doesn't have any practical effect" because restrictions have been eased in Brooklyn after positive test rates declined, the New York Times reported.
He said the decision reflects the court's political ideology after President Donald Trump nominated three conservative justices in the past four years.
"You have a different court, and I think that was the statement that the court was making," he said. "We know who he appointed to the court. We know their ideology."


upi--2020-11-26--Study: Simple move may improve spinal fusion outcomes

A new approach that could revolutionize spinal fusion surgery does away with the need to `` flip '' patients from their back or side onto their stomach midway through the operation -- a switch researchers say dramatically improves outcomes .
The new technique -- dubbed Single Position Lumbar Surgery , or SPLS -- lets surgeons complete the entire spinal fusion operation while the patient lies on his or her side .
Researchers looked at 244 patients with average age of 61 who had this procedure between 2012 and 2019 .
Spinal fusion is used to treat degenerative or deformity-related spinal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and spondylolisthesis .
The results were positive on many levels , investigators say .
Compared with 153 patients who had standard operations , SPLS patients lost less blood during surgery , and their risk for intestinal blockage after surgery also dropped , researchers reported .
Total surgery time was reduced by two-thirds , and post-op hospital stays were cut in half .
`` Spinal fusion surgery is a treatment option for severe cases of age-related changes to the spine , '' said study author Dr. Kimberly Ashayeri , a neurosurgery resident at NYU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The goal is to improve spinal alignment , relieve pressure on the nerves from discs or other material . ''
The surgery , she noted , involves `` placing screws connected by rods into the bones of the spine in order to hold the bones in place with good alignment .
Often , in addition to rods and screws , surgeons will have to remove the disc and replace it with a spacer . ''
Roughly 2,000 spinal fusions a year are performed at Langone alone .
Traditionally , the surgery is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The patient lies on the back or side as surgeons place the spacer .
Then , the patient is flipped to their stomach for placement of the rods and screws .
But the flip method is longer than SPLS , involves more anesthesia , more blood loss and an increased risk for post-op bowel blockages , she noted .
SPLS `` allows surgeons to work on both parts of the procedure at the same time , '' Ashayeri said .
That cuts surgery time from about five hours to about 90 minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably post-op pain , so fewer narcotic painkillers are needed , she said .
The fusion rate is also higher , she said .
Though the findings suggest SPLS is safe , effective and has advantages in the right patients , longer-term follow-up studies are necessary before it can be declared the new standard of care , Ashayeri said .
On that front , two experts who were not involved with the study reacted cautiously to the findings .
`` I think a lot more work would need to be done before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care , '' said Dr. Andrew Schoenfeld , an associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School in Boston .
Schoenfeld noted that not all hospitals nationwide are as well-positioned to embrace this approach as Langone , a major medical center with `` high-volume spine surgeons who have a lot of experience performing this technique . ''
There is a learning curve for these operations , he said , and it 's important to have experienced surgeons , radiology techs , nurses and support staff in the operating room .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinical environments , where there is less experience , '' Schoenfeld said .
Plus , not every spinal fusion patient will need -- or even be suited for -- this approach , said Dr. Daniel Park , an orthopedic spine surgeon at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak , Mich .
Some will fare just as well with a minimally invasive spinal fusion or traditional surgery , he said .
`` Minimally invasive fusion that is done with a person laying on their belly is probably still as successful as this method , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach will probably not be suitable for some patients .
`` This is not a new standard of care , '' he said .
Instead , the study shows that the SPLS approach is safe and can be done and it puts an extra `` option in the surgeon 's tool bag , '' Park added .
The findings were published this month online in The Spine Journal .
Learn more about spinal fusion surgery at the Mayo Clinic .

A new approach that could revolutionize spinal fusion surgery does away with the need to "flip" patients from their back or side onto their stomach midway through the operation -- a switch researchers say dramatically improves outcomes.
The new technique -- dubbed Single Position Lumbar Surgery, or SPLS -- lets surgeons complete the entire spinal fusion operation while the patient lies on his or her side. Researchers looked at 244 patients with average age of 61 who had this procedure between 2012 and 2019.
Advertisement
Spinal fusion is used to treat degenerative or deformity-related spinal conditions, including spinal stenosis, scoliosis and spondylolisthesis.
The results were positive on many levels, investigators say. Compared with 153 patients who had standard operations, SPLS patients lost less blood during surgery, and their risk for intestinal blockage after surgery also dropped, researchers reported. Total surgery time was reduced by two-thirds, and post-op hospital stays were cut in half.
Advertisement
"Spinal fusion surgery is a treatment option for severe cases of age-related changes to the spine," said study author Dr. Kimberly Ashayeri, a neurosurgery resident at NYU Langone Health in New York City. "The goal is to improve spinal alignment, relieve pressure on the nerves from discs or other material."
The surgery, she noted, involves "placing screws connected by rods into the bones of the spine in order to hold the bones in place with good alignment. Often, in addition to rods and screws, surgeons will have to remove the disc and replace it with a spacer." Roughly 2,000 spinal fusions a year are performed at Langone alone.
Traditionally, the surgery is performed in two parts, Ashayeri said. The patient lies on the back or side as surgeons place the spacer. Then, the patient is flipped to their stomach for placement of the rods and screws.
But the flip method is longer than SPLS, involves more anesthesia, more blood loss and an increased risk for post-op bowel blockages, she noted.
SPLS "allows surgeons to work on both parts of the procedure at the same time," Ashayeri said.
That cuts surgery time from about five hours to about 90 minutes, reducing anesthesia, blood loss and probably post-op pain, so fewer narcotic painkillers are needed, she said. The fusion rate is also higher, she said.
Advertisement
Though the findings suggest SPLS is safe, effective and has advantages in the right patients, longer-term follow-up studies are necessary before it can be declared the new standard of care, Ashayeri said.
On that front, two experts who were not involved with the study reacted cautiously to the findings.
"I think a lot more work would need to be done before the SPLS is considered the new standard of care," said Dr. Andrew Schoenfeld, an associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
Schoenfeld noted that not all hospitals nationwide are as well-positioned to embrace this approach as Langone, a major medical center with "high-volume spine surgeons who have a lot of experience performing this technique." There is a learning curve for these operations, he said, and it's important to have experienced surgeons, radiology techs, nurses and support staff in the operating room.
"The outcomes could be very different in other clinical environments, where there is less experience," Schoenfeld said.
Plus, not every spinal fusion patient will need -- or even be suited for -- this approach, said Dr. Daniel Park, an orthopedic spine surgeon at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich.
Some will fare just as well with a minimally invasive spinal fusion or traditional surgery, he said.
Advertisement
"Minimally invasive fusion that is done with a person laying on their belly is probably still as successful as this method," Park said. And the SPLS approach will probably not be suitable for some patients.
"This is not a new standard of care," he said. Instead, the study shows that the SPLS approach is safe and can be done and it puts an extra "option in the surgeon's tool bag," Park added.
The findings were published this month online in The Spine Journal.
Learn more about spinal fusion surgery at the Mayo Clinic.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-11-26--Famous birthdays for Nov. 26: Rita Ora, John McVie

Nov. 26 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius .
-- Rock @ @ @ @ @ member Tina Turner in 1939 ( age 81 ) -- Rock and Roll Hall of @ @ @ @ @ 1945 ( age 75 )

1/2
Rita Ora attends the Fashion Awards at Royal Albert Hall in London on December 2. The singer turns 30 on November 26. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Sagittarius. They include: Advertisement
-- German composer Johannes Bach in 1604
-- English clergyman/college benefactor John Harvard in 1607
-- Surgeon/women's rights leader Mary Walker Edwards in 1832
-- Air conditioning engineer Willis Carrier in 1876
-- Baseball Hall of Fame member Lefty Gomez in 1908
-- French playwright Eugene Ionesco in 1909
-- TV journalist Eric Sevareid in 1912
-- Cartoonist Charles Schulz in 1922
-- Argentine pacifist/Nobel Peace Prize laureate Adolfo Perez Esquivel in 1931 (age 89)
File Photo by Gary C. Caskey/UPI
-- Impressionist Rich Little in 1938 (age 82)
-- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Tina Turner in 1939 (age 81)
-- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member John McVie in 1945 (age 75)
File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
-- Football Hall of Fame member Art Shell in 1946 (age 74)
-- Author James Dashner in 1972 (age 48)
Advertisement
-- Actor Peter Facinelli in 1973 (age 47)
-- DJ Khaled in 1975 (age 45)
-- Singer Natasha Bedingfield in 1981 (age 39)
-- Actor Robert Raco in 1989 (age 31)
-- Singer/actor Rita Ora in 1990 (age 30)
-- Actor Luka Sabbat in 1997 (age 23)


upi--2020-11-26--On This Day, Nov. 26: First Polaroid camera sold

Nov. 26 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1789 , U.S. President George Washington declared Nov. 26 , 1789 , to be Thanksgiving Day .
It was the first U.S. holiday by presidential proclamation .
In 1842 , the University of Notre Dame was founded in South Bend , Ind .
In 1922 , in Egypt 's Valley of the Kings , British archaeologists Howard Carter and George Carnarvon became the first humans to enter King Tutankhamen 's treasure-laden tomb in more than 3,000 years .
In 1941 , U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Washington .
In 1948 , the first commercial Polaroid camera was sold .
The inventor of the device and founder of Polaroid Corp. , Edwin H. Land , obtained some 533 patents before his death in 1991 .
In 1956 , bandleader Tommy Dorsey died at age 51 .
His records sold more than 110 million copies .
In 1965 , France launched a satellite into space , becoming the world 's third space power after the United States and the Soviet Union .
In 1984 , the United States and Iraq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break .
In 2001 , a three-day Afghanistan prison revolt claimed the life of a CIA operative , Johnny Michael Spann , 32 , a former U.S. Marine captain .
His was the first U.S. combat death in the war .
In 2005 , a 67-year-old textile tycoon in India , Vijaypat Singhania , set the world record for the highest flight in a hot-air balloon , reaching 69,852 feet over Mumbai .
In 2008 , militants launched a series of coordinated attacks on Mumbai landmarks and commercial hubs popular with foreign tourists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 300 were injured in the three-day siege .
In 2011 , the United States launched an Atlas V rocket to look for life on Mars .
Aboard was the rover Curiosity , which would explore the planet , searching for signs of life .
In 2019 , a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Albanian city of Durres , killing more than 50 people and injuring thousands .

1/3
An attendee poses in front of a giant model of a Polaroid instant camera during the 2018 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 9. On November26, 1948, the first commercial Polaroid camera was sold. The inventor of the device and founder of Polaroid Corp., Edwin H. Land, obtained some 533 patents before his death in 1991. File Photo by James Atoa/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 26 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1789, U.S. President George Washington declared Nov. 26, 1789, to be Thanksgiving Day. It was the first U.S. holiday by presidential proclamation. Advertisement
In 1842, the University of Notre Dame was founded in South Bend, Ind.
In 1922, in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, British archaeologists Howard Carter and George Carnarvon became the first humans to enter King Tutankhamen's treasure-laden tomb in more than 3,000 years.
UPI File Photo
In 1941, U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull submitted U.S. proposals to Japanese peace envoys in Washington.
In 1948, the first commercial Polaroid camera was sold. The inventor of the device and founder of Polaroid Corp., Edwin H. Land, obtained some 533 patents before his death in 1991.
In 1956, bandleader Tommy Dorsey died at age 51. His records sold more than 110 million copies.
In 1965, France launched a satellite into space, becoming the world's third space power after the United States and the Soviet Union.
Advertisement
In 1984, the United States and Iraq restored diplomatic relations, ending a 17-year break.
In 2001, a three-day Afghanistan prison revolt claimed the life of a CIA operative, Johnny Michael Spann, 32, a former U.S. Marine captain. His was the first U.S. combat death in the war.
File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI
In 2005, a 67-year-old textile tycoon in India, Vijaypat Singhania, set the world record for the highest flight in a hot-air balloon, reaching 69,852 feet over Mumbai.
In 2008, militants launched a series of coordinated attacks on Mumbai landmarks and commercial hubs popular with foreign tourists. More than 170 people died and about 300 were injured in the three-day siege.
In 2011, the United States launched an Atlas V rocket to look for life on Mars. Aboard was the rover Curiosity, which would explore the planet, searching for signs of life.
In 2019, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Albanian city of Durres, killing more than 50 people and injuring thousands.
File Photo by Malton Dibra/EPA-EFE


upi--2020-11-26--Melissa McCarthy: 'Superintelligence' will 'shine a light on the good guys'

LOS ANGELES , Nov. 26 ( UPI ) -- Melissa McCarthy 's last two movies , The Kitchen and Can You Ever Forgive Me ?
, showed she was as capable at drama as she is at comedy .
McCarthy 's new HBO Max movie , Superintelligence , is a return to her comedic forte , but she still wanted it to have a poignant message .
McCarthy plays Carol Peters , who left the corporate world eight years ago to work in charity .
A powerful artificial intelligence with the voice of James Corden interrupts Carol 's life , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humanity .
It ultimately falls upon Carol to convince Superintelligence not to eliminate humanity , despite human beings ' flaws .
`` Kindness matters , love wins and people are worth saving , '' McCarthy said at a recent Zoom Q & A .
Superintelligence is not , however , a message movie , McCarthy said .
The actor hopes viewers get lost in the relationship between Carol and Superintelligence , and the theme could come through subtly .
`` It has a point , but it 's not trying to teach you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There 's nothing wrong with saying we 're not perfect . ''
For example , the film introduces Carol working in pet adoption to show how committed she is to selfless causes .
McCarthy added to the scripted comedy by putting a dog in a BabyBjorn , against the wishes of her director and husband Ben Falcone .
Falcone worried that the canine would not cooperate and make scene continuity difficult .
`` Four minutes later , Ben turned around and I had the dog in a BabyBjorn , '' McCarthey said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is A-OK. ' '' Superintelligence is McCarthy 's fourth movie directed by Falcone , who previously directed her in Tammy , The Boss and Life of the Party .
The couple met in the comedy group The Groundlings in 1998 , and Falcone has appeared , as well , in cameos in McCarthy films he did not direct .
One element missing on the set of Superintelligence was Superintelligence himself .
McCarthy would have to wait to hear her Superintelligence scenes with Cordon 's voice because the actor , singer and talk show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scenes .
McCarthy said she knew she needed to be able to form a relationship with Superintelligence or the movie would not work .
She enlisted screenwriter Steve Mallory to read Superintelligence 's lines off camera for her , rather than using a different assistant every day .
`` It really did make a huge difference , '' McCarthy said .
`` Just to have a random person reading it differently every day would have been very disjointed . ''
Ultimately , Superintelligence needs to learn about human relationships .
So , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ex-boyfriend , George ( Bobby Cannavale ) , intending to observe their courtship .
During one of McCarthy 's romantic scenes with Cannavale , McCarthy said , she made a distracting mistake .
While Cannavale drank water in each take , McCarthy used real coffee , and her stomach started growling after several takes .
`` It literally seemed like I swallowed two muskrats and they were fighting their way out of my stomach , '' McCarthy said .
With the release of Superintelligence , McCarthy said she wanted to follow through on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Falcone and HBO Max teamed up to launch a 20 Days of Kindness campaign Nov. 10 .
The streaming service is giving $ 20,000 to a different charity each day until Nov. 30 , and parent company AT & T donated $ 1 million to Girls Who Code on Day 1 .
In addition to the companies ' donations , 20 Days of Kindness encourages others to contribute .
It was important to McCarthy to highlight real-life organizations doing good for the world .
`` We just wanted to shine the light on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get noticed when you 're doing the right thing , '' McCarthy said .
`` It 's much easier if you 're screaming and yelling and being bananas , but it 's hard when you 're just being kind to get noticed . ''
Superintelligence premieres Thursday on HBO Max , and you can see daily charities at 20daysofkindness.com .

1/3
Melissa McCarthy stars in the new HBO Max movie "Superintelligence." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Melissa McCarthy's last two movies, The Kitchen and Can You Ever Forgive Me?, showed she was as capable at drama as she is at comedy. McCarthy's new HBO Max movie, Superintelligence, is a return to her comedic forte, but she still wanted it to have a poignant message. McCarthy plays Carol Peters, who left the corporate world eight years ago to work in charity. A powerful artificial intelligence with the voice of James Corden interrupts Carol's life, asking to study her to learn about humanity. It ultimately falls upon Carol to convince Superintelligence not to eliminate humanity, despite human beings' flaws. Advertisement
"Kindness matters, love wins and people are worth saving," McCarthy said at a recent Zoom Q&A.
Superintelligence is not, however, a message movie, McCarthy said. The actor hopes viewers get lost in the relationship between Carol and Superintelligence, and the theme could come through subtly.
Advertisement
"It has a point, but it's not trying to teach you something," McCarthy said. "There's nothing wrong with saying we're not perfect."
For example, the film introduces Carol working in pet adoption to show how committed she is to selfless causes. McCarthy added to the scripted comedy by putting a dog in a BabyBjorn, against the wishes of her director and husband Ben Falcone. Falcone worried that the canine would not cooperate and make scene continuity difficult.
"Four minutes later, Ben turned around and I had the dog in a BabyBjorn," McCarthey said. "That dog was like, 'This is A-OK.'"
Superintelligence is McCarthy's fourth movie directed by Falcone, who previously directed her in Tammy, The Boss and Life of the Party. The couple met in the comedy group The Groundlings in 1998, and Falcone has appeared, as well, in cameos in McCarthy films he did not direct.
One element missing on the set of Superintelligence was Superintelligence himself. McCarthy would have to wait to hear her Superintelligence scenes with Cordon's voice because the actor, singer and talk show host recorded his dialogue after McCarthy filmed the scenes.
McCarthy said she knew she needed to be able to form a relationship with Superintelligence or the movie would not work. She enlisted screenwriter Steve Mallory to read Superintelligence's lines off camera for her, rather than using a different assistant every day.
Advertisement
"It really did make a huge difference," McCarthy said. "Just to have a random person reading it differently every day would have been very disjointed."
Ultimately, Superintelligence needs to learn about human relationships. So, he pushes Carol to reconnect with an ex-boyfriend, George (Bobby Cannavale), intending to observe their courtship.
During one of McCarthy's romantic scenes with Cannavale, McCarthy said, she made a distracting mistake. While Cannavale drank water in each take, McCarthy used real coffee, and her stomach started growling after several takes.
"It literally seemed like I swallowed two muskrats and they were fighting their way out of my stomach," McCarthy said.
With the release of Superintelligence, McCarthy said she wanted to follow through on the film's message. McCarthy, Falcone and HBO Max teamed up to launch a 20 Days of Kindness campaign Nov. 10.
The streaming service is giving $20,000 to a different charity each day until Nov. 30, and parent company AT&T donated $1 million to Girls Who Code on Day 1. In addition to the companies' donations, 20 Days of Kindness encourages others to contribute. It was important to McCarthy to highlight real-life organizations doing good for the world.
"We just wanted to shine the light on the good guys because it's harder to get noticed when you're doing the right thing," McCarthy said. "It's much easier if you're screaming and yelling and being bananas, but it's hard when you're just being kind to get noticed."
Advertisement
Superintelligence premieres Thursday on HBO Max, and you can see daily charities at 20daysofkindness.com.


upi--2020-11-26--Australian academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert released from Iranian jail

Nov. 26 ( UPI ) -- Kylie Moore-Gilbert , a British-Australian academic who has been jailed in Iran for more than two years , has been released .
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed to reporters during a press conference Wednesday that they have secured Gilbert 's release and that she would soon return home .
`` Kylie Moore-Gilbert is coming home , '' he said .
`` She was facing another eight years in an Iranian prison , wrongfully imprisoned there and wrongfully convicted , and it is incredibly essential that we did the work that was done to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home . ''
Gilbert , an Islamic scholar , was arrested in 2018 while in Iran to attend a conference and was convicted to 10 years in prison on espionage charges that she and the Australian government vehemently deny .
In a statement on Wednesday , Gilbert thanked the Australian government and its embassy in Iran for working to secure her release during the 804 days she was detained in the Middle Eastern country .
She said despite the injustices she has been subjected to , she leaves the country with `` nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the great nation of Iran and its warm-hearted , generous and brave people . ''
`` It is with bittersweet feelings that I depart your country , '' she said .
`` I came to Iran as a friend and with my friendly intentions , and depart Iran with those sentiments not only still intact but strengthened . ''
Iranian state-run news agency MEHR reported that Australia secured her release through a prisoner swap for three Iranian men jailed abroad .
Morrison told reporters that he can not comment on how they secured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person detained in Australia has been released as part of it .
`` We do n't confirm or make any comment on any of the suggestions that surround her release or the others , '' he said , adding , `` If other people have been released in other places , they are the decision of the sovereign government in those places . ''
Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said in a statement that her release was achieved `` through diplomatic engagement '' with Tehran .
`` This outcome demonstrates that value of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most appropriate way for each case , to resolve complex and sensitive consular cases , '' she said .
`` I wish Dr. Moore-Gilbert well in her recovery and her return to life in Australia . ''
Friends and colleagues of Gilbert who have been fighting for her release said in a statement that they are `` over the moon '' that she is coming home but condemned Iran for arresting her in the first place .
`` This should never have happened , '' the statement said .
`` Kylie was held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which saw fit to take an innocent Australian woman hostage in order to bring its own convicted prisoners abroad home .
It 's a despicable business model with incalculable human consequences . ''
Amnesty International Australia said it was `` a relief to hear of her release , '' calling for Gilbert 's allegations of prolonged solitary confinement , torture and other ill-treatment at the hands of the Iranian regime to be investigated .
`` The Australian government has been working hard on Kylie 's case , and we urge Foreign Minister Marise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Australians in other countries imprisoned on what appear to be politically motivated charges , '' Rose Kula , the organization 's Individuals at Risk campaigner , said in a statement .

A handout screen shot taken from a video shot by Iranian state-run IRIB shows dual British-Australian citizen Kylie Moore-Gilbert during what is believed to be a prisoner swap at the Mehr-Abad airport in Tehran, Iran, on Wednesday. Photo by IRIB/EPA-EFE
Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Kylie Moore-Gilbert, a British-Australian academic who has been jailed in Iran for more than two years, has been released. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed to reporters during a press conference Wednesday that they have secured Gilbert's release and that she would soon return home. Advertisement
"Kylie Moore-Gilbert is coming home," he said. "She was facing another eight years in an Iranian prison, wrongfully imprisoned there and wrongfully convicted, and it is incredibly essential that we did the work that was done to secure her release and see her coming home."
Gilbert, an Islamic scholar, was arrested in 2018 while in Iran to attend a conference and was convicted to 10 years in prison on espionage charges that she and the Australian government vehemently deny.
In a statement on Wednesday, Gilbert thanked the Australian government and its embassy in Iran for working to secure her release during the 804 days she was detained in the Middle Eastern country.
Advertisement
She said despite the injustices she has been subjected to, she leaves the country with "nothing but respect, love and admiration for the great nation of Iran and its warm-hearted, generous and brave people."
"It is with bittersweet feelings that I depart your country," she said. "I came to Iran as a friend and with my friendly intentions, and depart Iran with those sentiments not only still intact but strengthened."
Iranian state-run news agency MEHR reported that Australia secured her release through a prisoner swap for three Iranian men jailed abroad.
Morrison told reporters that he can not comment on how they secured her exit from prison but said no person detained in Australia has been released as part of it.
"We don't confirm or make any comment on any of the suggestions that surround her release or the others," he said, adding, "If other people have been released in other places, they are the decision of the sovereign government in those places."
Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said in a statement that her release was achieved "through diplomatic engagement" with Tehran.
"This outcome demonstrates that value of professional and determined work, in the most appropriate way for each case, to resolve complex and sensitive consular cases," she said. "I wish Dr. Moore-Gilbert well in her recovery and her return to life in Australia."
Advertisement
Friends and colleagues of Gilbert who have been fighting for her release said in a statement that they are "over the moon" that she is coming home but condemned Iran for arresting her in the first place.
"This should never have happened," the statement said. "Kylie was held to ransom by the Iranian regime, which saw fit to take an innocent Australian woman hostage in order to bring its own convicted prisoners abroad home. It's a despicable business model with incalculable human consequences."
Amnesty International Australia said it was "a relief to hear of her release," calling for Gilbert's allegations of prolonged solitary confinement, torture and other ill-treatment at the hands of the Iranian regime to be investigated.
"The Australian government has been working hard on Kylie's case, and we urge Foreign Minister Marise Payne to keep up the diplomatic efforts for Australians in other countries imprisoned on what appear to be politically motivated charges," Rose Kula, the organization's Individuals at Risk campaigner, said in a statement.


upi--2020-11-26--MS has mixed impact on risk for cancer, study says

How does having multiple sclerosis affect a person 's odds for cancer ?
The answer may depend on the type of cancer , new research shows .
The study found that MS patients do have much greater odds of developing bladder cancer compared to people without the illness .
But there was good news , too : Their risk of breast and colon cancer is no higher than for people who do n't have MS , according to the Canadian researchers .
Why MS patients are prone to bladder cancer is n't clear .
`` We can only speculate about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said lead researcher Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie , a professor of medicine and community health sciences at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg .
She pointed out that people with MS have an increased rate of urinary tract infections and are more likely to use indwelling , or Foley , catheters , which remain in the bladder , than people without MS. '' These factors may increase the risk of bladder cancer , '' Marrie said .
Bruce Bebo , executive vice president for research programs at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the increased bladder cancer risk .
`` People with MS tend to have urinary symptoms and treatments that themselves can be risk factors for bladder cancer , '' he said .
For the study , Marrie and her team compared nearly 54,000 people with MS to nearly 267,000 without MS .
They used cancer registries to estimate numbers of 15 cancers among these groups .
They found that between 2008 and 2017 , the chance of developing bladder cancer was 72 % higher among MS patients .
Their odds of developing colon or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greater for those with MS than for others .
One limitation of the study is that researchers did n't account for differences in lifestyle behaviors such as smoking , diet and physical activity .
Nor did the study account for MS treatments , which might affect cancer risk .
Dr. Asaff Harel , a neurologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City who specializes in MS treatment , reviewed the findings .
`` Further research should be aimed at elucidating this potential but unproven connection between MS and bladder cancer risk , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account potential confounders , '' he said .
Dr. Wasif Saif , deputy physician-in-chief and medical director of Northwell Health Cancer Institute in Lake Success , N.Y. , also looked over the study and said MS patients need to be educated about their risk for bladder cancer .
`` Physicians caring for MS patients should follow all recommended cancer screening guidelines for their age , '' he said .
If the increased risk of bladder cancer is confirmed , these patients may need a cystoscopy to detect bladder tumors early , Saif said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bladder lining and the urethra , the tube that carries urine out of the body .
Saif said it 's important that MS patients avoid tobacco , because smoking aggravates MS symptoms and is a known cancer risk .
They should follow a diet rich in fruit and vegetables , and sparse in animal fat , he added .
The findings were published online this week in the journal Neurology .
For more on multiple sclerosis , see the National Multiple Sclerosis Society .

How does having multiple sclerosis affect a person's odds for cancer? The answer may depend on the type of cancer, new research shows.
The study found that MS patients do have much greater odds of developing bladder cancer compared to people without the illness. But there was good news, too: Their risk of breast and colon cancer is no higher than for people who don't have MS, according to the Canadian researchers.
Advertisement
Why MS patients are prone to bladder cancer isn't clear.
"We can only speculate about the reason for this finding," said lead researcher Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie, a professor of medicine and community health sciences at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.
She pointed out that people with MS have an increased rate of urinary tract infections and are more likely to use indwelling, or Foley, catheters, which remain in the bladder, than people without MS.
Advertisement
"These factors may increase the risk of bladder cancer," Marrie said.
Bruce Bebo, executive vice president for research programs at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, said more research is needed to confirm the increased bladder cancer risk.
"People with MS tend to have urinary symptoms and treatments that themselves can be risk factors for bladder cancer," he said.
For the study, Marrie and her team compared nearly 54,000 people with MS to nearly 267,000 without MS. They used cancer registries to estimate numbers of 15 cancers among these groups.
They found that between 2008 and 2017, the chance of developing bladder cancer was 72% higher among MS patients. Their odds of developing colon or breast cancer, however, were no greater for those with MS than for others.
One limitation of the study is that researchers didn't account for differences in lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, diet and physical activity. Nor did the study account for MS treatments, which might affect cancer risk.
Dr. Asaff Harel, a neurologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City who specializes in MS treatment, reviewed the findings.
"Further research should be aimed at elucidating this potential but unproven connection between MS and bladder cancer risk, while at the same time taking into account potential confounders," he said.
Advertisement
Dr. Wasif Saif, deputy physician-in-chief and medical director of Northwell Health Cancer Institute in Lake Success, N.Y., also looked over the study and said MS patients need to be educated about their risk for bladder cancer.
"Physicians caring for MS patients should follow all recommended cancer screening guidelines for their age," he said.
If the increased risk of bladder cancer is confirmed, these patients may need a cystoscopy to detect bladder tumors early, Saif said. The procedure allows doctors to examine the bladder lining and the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body.
Saif said it's important that MS patients avoid tobacco, because smoking aggravates MS symptoms and is a known cancer risk. They should follow a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, and sparse in animal fat, he added.
The findings were published online this week in the journal Neurology.
For more on multiple sclerosis, see the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-11-25--Justice Dept. appeals ruling barring it from Trump defamation case

Nov. 25 ( UPI ) -- The Justice Department on Wednesday appealed a court 's decision to block it from interfering in a defamation case brought against President Donald Trump by E. Jean Carroll , who said the president raped her in the 1990s .
Lawyers with the Justice Department 's Civil Division filed the notice of appeal Wednesday afternoon .
The Justice Department attempted to protect Trump from prosecution by stepping into the case , arguing it had the right to do so as the defamation allegations were made during his presidency .
Judge Lewis Kaplan of the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York ruled against the department last month , writing in his opinion that Trump is not an employee of the United States and even if he were his statements concerning Carroll do not fall within the scope of his employment .
`` The longer [ Trump ] delays , the harder he will fall , '' Carroll tweeted in response to the Justice Department 's appeal .
Carroll filed the lawsuit against Trump last year after the president said he had never met the former Elle magazine columnist and suggested she invented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ books .
In her memoir published in the summer of 2019 , Carroll wrote that Trump had sexually assaulted her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the mid-1990s .
Trump responded to the accusation saying he had never met her and that `` she is trying to sell a book -- that should indicate her motivation . ''
Roberta Kaplan , Carroll 's attorney , said in a statement to ABC News that they are n't surprised by the Justice Department 's appeal .
`` From the very start of this case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been to avoid discovery and cause delay , '' wrote Kaplan , who has no relation to Judge Kaplan .
`` It remains to be seen whether the new attorney general will agree that Trump was acting within the scope of his employment as president when he defamed our client .
In any event , we are confident that the second circuit will affirm the district court 's comprehensive and well-reasoned opinion . ''

E. Jean Carroll has accused President Donald Trump of defamation by denying her accusations that he sexually assaulted her and that she invented the alleged attack in order to sell books. EPA-EFE/JUSTIN LANE
Nov. 25 (UPI) -- The Justice Department on Wednesday appealed a court's decision to block it from interfering in a defamation case brought against President Donald Trump by E. Jean Carroll, who said the president raped her in the 1990s. Lawyers with the Justice Department's Civil Division filed the notice of appeal Wednesday afternoon. Advertisement
The Justice Department attempted to protect Trump from prosecution by stepping into the case, arguing it had the right to do so as the defamation allegations were made during his presidency.
Judge Lewis Kaplan of the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York ruled against the department last month, writing in his opinion that Trump is not an employee of the United States and even if he were his statements concerning Carroll do not fall within the scope of his employment.
"The longer [Trump] delays, the harder he will fall," Carroll tweeted in response to the Justice Department's appeal.
Carroll filed the lawsuit against Trump last year after the president said he had never met the former Elle magazine columnist and suggested she invented the rape scene in order to sell books.
Advertisement
In her memoir published in the summer of 2019, Carroll wrote that Trump had sexually assaulted her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the mid-1990s. Trump responded to the accusation saying he had never met her and that "she is trying to sell a book -- that should indicate her motivation."
Roberta Kaplan, Carroll's attorney, said in a statement to ABC News that they aren't surprised by the Justice Department's appeal.
"From the very start of this case, Donald Trump's number one goal has been to avoid discovery and cause delay," wrote Kaplan, who has no relation to Judge Kaplan. "It remains to be seen whether the new attorney general will agree that Trump was acting within the scope of his employment as president when he defamed our client. In any event, we are confident that the second circuit will affirm the district court's comprehensive and well-reasoned opinion."