upi--2020-12-15--Reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo signs extension with Bucks

Dec. 15 ( UPI ) -- Reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has signed a multiyear contract extension with the Milwaukee Bucks , the team announced Tuesday .
Antetokounmpo 's agent , Alex Saratsis , told ESPN that the extension will be for the full five-year , $ 228 million supermax .
The supermax deal , which also includes an opt-out after the fourth year , is the largest in NBA history .
`` This is my home , this is my city , '' Antetokounmpo posted on social media Tuesday .
`` I 'm blessed to be able to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next five years .
Let 's make these years count .
The show goes on , let 's get it . ''
If Antetokounmpo decided to pass on the supermax offer from the Bucks , the four-time All-Star selection would have become an unrestricted free agent next summer .
The 26-year-old Antetokounmpo is coming off a career year in which he became only the third player in league history to win MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season , joining Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan and Houston Rockets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career bests in points ( 29.5 ) and rebounds ( 13.6 ) to go with 5.6 assists per game .
`` This is a big moment for me and my family and I want to thank the Bucks organization for believing in us , '' Antetokounmpo said in a statement after the team confirmed the signing .
`` You took a chance on us eight years ago and now putting my signature on a contract like this is unreal . ''
The Bucks selected the two-time MVP winner with the No .
15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Antetokounmpo , who was born in Greece to Nigerian parents , was playing in Greece 's second division before jumping to Milwaukee .
This past season , Antetokounmpo joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James as the only players to win multiple MVP awards by age 25 .
The `` Greek Freak '' repeatedly expressed interest in remaining with the Bucks under the right circumstances .
`` I 've been encouraged my whole career in Milwaukee , '' Antetokounmpo said after winning his second MVP earlier this year .
`` I know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I know that Milwaukee has great people that view every year the same I do every year , which is to play well , improve and win it all . ''

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) averaged career highs in points and rebounds per game last season. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has signed a multiyear contract extension with the Milwaukee Bucks, the team announced Tuesday. Antetokounmpo's agent, Alex Saratsis, told ESPN that the extension will be for the full five-year, $228 million supermax. The supermax deal, which also includes an opt-out after the fourth year, is the largest in NBA history. Advertisement
"This is my home, this is my city," Antetokounmpo posted on social media Tuesday. "I'm blessed to be able to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next five years. Let's make these years count. The show goes on, let's get it."
If Antetokounmpo decided to pass on the supermax offer from the Bucks, the four-time All-Star selection would have become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
The 26-year-old Antetokounmpo is coming off a career year in which he became only the third player in league history to win MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season, joining Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan and Houston Rockets icon Hakeem Olajuwon.
Antetokounmpo also averaged career bests in points (29.5) and rebounds (13.6) to go with 5.6 assists per game.
"This is a big moment for me and my family and I want to thank the Bucks organization for believing in us," Antetokounmpo said in a statement after the team confirmed the signing. "You took a chance on us eight years ago and now putting my signature on a contract like this is unreal."
The Bucks selected the two-time MVP winner with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. Antetokounmpo, who was born in Greece to Nigerian parents, was playing in Greece's second division before jumping to Milwaukee.
This past season, Antetokounmpo joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James as the only players to win multiple MVP awards by age 25. The "Greek Freak" repeatedly expressed interest in remaining with the Bucks under the right circumstances.
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"I've been encouraged my whole career in Milwaukee," Antetokounmpo said after winning his second MVP earlier this year. "I know that we've gotten better each year, and I know that Milwaukee has great people that view every year the same I do every year, which is to play well, improve and win it all."


upi--2020-12-15--Hungary effectively bans same-sex couples from adopting children

Dec. 15 ( UPI ) -- Hungary on Tuesday altered its Constitution to effectively ban adoption by same-sex couples .
The constitutional change allows only married couples and single people who receive special permission from the government to adopt children .
Hungary does not permit same-sex marriage .
Previously , gay couples were able to adopt children by having one partner apply as a single person , but the change ended this practice .
`` This is a dark day for Hungary 's LGBTQ community and a dark day for human rights , '' said David Vig , director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Varga on Tuesday wrote in a Facebook post that the changes protect `` the institution of marriage as a cohabitation between a man and a woman . ''
`` The basis of the family relationship is the marriage and the parent-child relationship .
The mother is a woman , the father is a man , '' wrote Varga .
Under Prime Minister Viktor Orban and the ruling Fidesz Party , Hungary has made a number of legal changes limiting the rights of LGBTQ people , including banning transgender people from changing how they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved Tuesday changed an article of the Constitution focused on childhood development , adding new language that `` protects the right of children to self-identify according to their gender of birth . ''
`` These discriminatory , homophobic and transphobic new laws -- rushed through under the cover of the coronavirus pandemic -- are just the latest attack on LGBTQ people by Hungarian authorities , '' Vig said .

Participants march during the 22nd Budapest Pride LGBTQ Festival in Budapest in 2017. On Tuesday, Hungary altered its Constitution, effectively banning same-sex couples from adopting children. Photo by Zoltan Mathe/EPA-EFE
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Hungary on Tuesday altered its Constitution to effectively ban adoption by same-sex couples. The constitutional change allows only married couples and single people who receive special permission from the government to adopt children. Hungary does not permit same-sex marriage. Advertisement
Previously, gay couples were able to adopt children by having one partner apply as a single person, but the change ended this practice.
"This is a dark day for Hungary's LGBTQ community and a dark day for human rights," said David Vig, director of Amnesty International Hungary.
Justice Minister Judit Varga on Tuesday wrote in a Facebook post that the changes protect "the institution of marriage as a cohabitation between a man and a woman."
"The basis of the family relationship is the marriage and the parent-child relationship. The mother is a woman, the father is a man," wrote Varga.
Under Prime Minister Viktor Orban and the ruling Fidesz Party, Hungary has made a number of legal changes limiting the rights of LGBTQ people, including banning transgender people from changing how they were designated at birth.
Another amendment approved Tuesday changed an article of the Constitution focused on childhood development, adding new language that "protects the right of children to self-identify according to their gender of birth."
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"These discriminatory, homophobic and transphobic new laws -- rushed through under the cover of the coronavirus pandemic -- are just the latest attack on LGBTQ people by Hungarian authorities," Vig said.


upi--2020-12-15--Female Marine recruits to start training at San Diego in February

Dec. 15 ( UPI ) -- Female recruits will begin training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in California starting next February , the branch announced .
`` Beginning Feb. 12 , 2021 , an integrated company of male and female recruits is scheduled to begin their journey to become Marines at MCRD , after undergoing a two-week COVID-19 quarantine protocol , '' the Marine Corps said in a statement .
`` This initial opportunity for male and female recruits to train concurrently at MCRD San Diego will serve as a proof of concept '' as the Marine Corps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of separating recruits into male and female boot camps , Military.com , the Marine Corps Times and Task & Purpose reported .
Previously , female recruits only trained at Parris Island in South Carolina , which started experimenting with gender-integrated boot camp companies last year , but the branch is under a congressional mandate to make entry-level training at Parris Island and San Diego co-ed .
`` In an effort to forge Marines of the highest quality , we must give them every opportunity to succeed .
This is the first time we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from MCRD San Diego the same integrated experience that many of their peers at Parris Island have received already , '' said Brig .
Gen. Ryan P. Heritage in a press release .
`` The opportunity and experience these young men and women will get in terms of training and learning from one-another is immeasurably important to prepare all of our Marines for success , and this also will get us one step closer to understanding the facilities and personnel needed to make this a sustained reality . ''

U.S. Marines with Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, stand in formation before a celebration run at MCRD San Diego, Calif., in November 2016. Photo by Robert G. Gavaldon/U.S. Marine Corps
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Female recruits will begin training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in California starting next February, the branch announced. "Beginning Feb. 12, 2021, an integrated company of male and female recruits is scheduled to begin their journey to become Marines at MCRD, after undergoing a two-week COVID-19 quarantine protocol," the Marine Corps said in a statement. Advertisement
"This initial opportunity for male and female recruits to train concurrently at MCRD San Diego will serve as a proof of concept" as the Marine Corps experiments with ways to end the practice of separating recruits into male and female boot camps, Military.com, the Marine Corps Times and Task & Purpose reported.
Previously, female recruits only trained at Parris Island in South Carolina, which started experimenting with gender-integrated boot camp companies last year, but the branch is under a congressional mandate to make entry-level training at Parris Island and San Diego co-ed.
"In an effort to forge Marines of the highest quality, we must give them every opportunity to succeed. This is the first time we are able to give Marines who graduate from MCRD San Diego the same integrated experience that many of their peers at Parris Island have received already," said Brig. Gen. Ryan P. Heritage in a press release.
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"The opportunity and experience these young men and women will get in terms of training and learning from one-another is immeasurably important to prepare all of our Marines for success, and this also will get us one step closer to understanding the facilities and personnel needed to make this a sustained reality."


upi--2020-12-15--Launch company Astra reaches space for first time

Dec. 15 ( UPI ) -- California-based space company Astra launched a demonstration rocket into space for the first time Tuesday afternoon from Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska on Kodiak Island .
`` Karman Line passed , '' the company said on Twitter after the launch , referring to what many astronomers consider to be the boundary of space , about 62 miles high .
The vehicle , Rocket 3.2 , flew high enough to enter orbit , but fell just short of orbital velocity , according to the company .
The company is focused on building rockets quickly , in assembly-line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Astra co-founder Adam London has said .
It also has attempted to make the rocket and its launchpad equipment highly adaptable to climate and location variables .
As a startup , Astra previously conducted two launch tests with rockets that did n't reach space .
One of those ended abruptly , but the company did n't release information about it .
The company in May had been a finalist in a government-sponsored DARPA Launch Challenge , but failed to launch on time due to severe weather and so did not earn the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rocket is relatively small at just over 38 feet , compared to SpaceX 's Falcon 9 , which is more than 229 feet high .
The Electron rocket used by another small launch company , Rocket Lab , is 56 feet high .
Astra , based in Alameda , Calif. , near San Francisco , says it can carry up to 330 pounds into low orbit .
Astra includes former NASA and SpaceX executives , led by Chris Kemp , a former NASA chief technology officer .

California-based launch company Astra's Rocket 3.2 is shown on the launch pad in Alaska before liftoff Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Astra
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- California-based space company Astra launched a demonstration rocket into space for the first time Tuesday afternoon from Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska on Kodiak Island. "Karman Line passed," the company said on Twitter after the launch, referring to what many astronomers consider to be the boundary of space, about 62 miles high. Advertisement
The vehicle, Rocket 3.2, flew high enough to enter orbit, but fell just short of orbital velocity, according to the company.
The company is focused on building rockets quickly, in assembly-line fashion "like people build cars," Astra co-founder Adam London has said. It also has attempted to make the rocket and its launchpad equipment highly adaptable to climate and location variables.
As a startup, Astra previously conducted two launch tests with rockets that didn't reach space. One of those ended abruptly, but the company didn't release information about it.
The company in May had been a finalist in a government-sponsored DARPA Launch Challenge, but failed to launch on time due to severe weather and so did not earn the $12 million prize.
Astra's rocket is relatively small at just over 38 feet, compared to SpaceX's Falcon 9, which is more than 229 feet high. The Electron rocket used by another small launch company, Rocket Lab, is 56 feet high.
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Astra, based in Alameda, Calif., near San Francisco, says it can carry up to 330 pounds into low orbit. Astra includes former NASA and SpaceX executives, led by Chris Kemp, a former NASA chief technology officer.
NASA, SpaceX complete historic first mission to space station
Support teams work around the SpaceX Crew Dragon Resilience spacecraft shortly after it landed with NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins, Shannon Walker and Victor Glover and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Soichi Noguchi aboard in the Gulf of Mexico off Panama City, Fla., on Sunday. Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA | License Photo


upi--2020-12-15--Joe Biden urges Georgians to vote for Democratic 'doers' in Senate runoff

Dec. 15 ( UPI ) -- President-elect Joe Biden traveled to Atlanta on Tuesday , pushing Georgia Democrats to vote in next month 's Senate runoffs by highlighting the importance of evening the partisan split in the chamber .
During the drive-in rally at Pratt-Pullman Yard in the Kirkwood neighborhood , Biden characterized Democratic Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock as allies who will help to implement his policy plans .
`` I need two senators from this state who want to get something done , not two senators who are just going to get in the way , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their Republican opponents .
`` Are you ready to vote for two senators who are doers and not road-blocks ? ''
Biden 's stop came as early voting for the election began Monday , pitting Ossof and Warnock against Republican incumbents Sens .
Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue .
Majority control of the Senate is at stake in the runoff -- if Democrats win both races , the chamber will have a 50-50 split , with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris acting as a tie-breaker .
If Republicans win one or both races @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate .
Biden said that Ossof and Warnock would support a COVID-19 stimulus package that will provide funding for state and local governments -- which many Republicans have opposed -- and support other efforts from his administration addressing racial injustice and climate change .
`` There 's so much more we can get done , '' Biden said .
Republican Sen. David Perdue had a 1.8 % lead over Ossoff in the Nov. 3 election , but did n't earn more than 50 % of the votes , which was needed to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the special Senate election , Warnock had 32.9 % of the vote and Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler had 25.9 % -- and again , neither had a majority .
Biden on Tuesday also criticized the two Republican senators for backing a Texas lawsuit seeking to block the certification of his election win in Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin .
`` Maybe your senators were just confused .
Maybe they think they represent Texas .
Well , if you want to do the bidding of Texas , you should be running in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know what ?
You 've got a couple of folks running for the United States Senate in this state who are n't confused at all , '' he said .

This will be President-elect Joe Biden's first campaign event since the November 3 election. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- President-elect Joe Biden traveled to Atlanta on Tuesday, pushing Georgia Democrats to vote in next month's Senate runoffs by highlighting the importance of evening the partisan split in the chamber. During the drive-in rally at Pratt-Pullman Yard in the Kirkwood neighborhood, Biden characterized Democratic Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock as allies who will help to implement his policy plans. Advertisement
"I need two senators from this state who want to get something done, not two senators who are just going to get in the way," he said comparing the Democratic candidates to their Republican opponents. "Are you ready to vote for two senators who are doers and not road-blocks?"
Biden's stop came as early voting for the election began Monday, pitting Ossof and Warnock against Republican incumbents Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue.
Majority control of the Senate is at stake in the runoff -- if Democrats win both races, the chamber will have a 50-50 split, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris acting as a tie-breaker. If Republicans win one or both races, they will maintain control of the Senate.
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Biden said that Ossof and Warnock would support a COVID-19 stimulus package that will provide funding for state and local governments -- which many Republicans have opposed -- and support other efforts from his administration addressing racial injustice and climate change.
"There's so much more we can get done," Biden said.
Republican Sen. David Perdue had a 1.8% lead over Ossoff in the Nov. 3 election, but didn't earn more than 50% of the votes, which was needed to win the race outright. Meanwhile, in the special Senate election, Warnock had 32.9% of the vote and Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler had 25.9% -- and again, neither had a majority.
Biden on Tuesday also criticized the two Republican senators for backing a Texas lawsuit seeking to block the certification of his election win in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
"Maybe your senators were just confused. Maybe they think they represent Texas. Well, if you want to do the bidding of Texas, you should be running in Texas! Not in Georgia. Because you know what? You've got a couple of folks running for the United States Senate in this state who aren't confused at all," he said.


upi--2020-12-15--Shared nursing home staffs account for COVID-19 spread, study shows

Dec. 15 ( UPI ) -- COVID-19 spread at nursing homes is at least partially driven by people who work at more than one facility , according to an analysis of cellphone data for more than 50 million users .
The study , published Tuesday by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , found that 5 % of people who visited U.S. nursing homes for more than an hour during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic this spring also spent time in other facilities over the same period .
These shared connections continued to visit the facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Control and Prevention suggested they restrict visitor access on March , with the agency linking staff members as a likely source of spread .
Based on cellphone location-tracking data , nursing homes share connections -- primarily staff and outside contractors -- with an estimated 7.1 other facilities , on average .
`` We document substantial connections among nursing homes after nationwide visitor restrictions were enacted in March , '' the researchers , from UCLA 's Anderson School of Management , wrote .
`` Our network measures suggest that staff linkages between nursing homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] infections , '' they said .
Since the start of the pandemic in March , nursing homes in the United States have accounted for up 40 % of all deaths caused by the virus nationally , according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation .
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services effectively restricted visitor access to long-term care facilities to residents , staff and contractors on March 13 .
However , disease spread remained an issue .
For example , the agency estimates that more than 30 % of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connecticut and Massachusetts had contracted COVID-19 as of June 28 .
For this study , the UCLA researchers analyzed geolocation data from 50 million smartphones across the United States between March 13 and May 28 .
Of the cellphone users included in the analysis , 501,503 visited nursing homes at least once during the study period , the researchers said .
Just over 5 % of the cellphone users visited more than one facility over the 11-week timeframe , they said .
The findings reinforce those of a CDC analysis , released in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that sickened 81 people and killed 23 , in part , to `` staff members working in multiple facilities , '' according to the researchers .
`` These results provide evidence for a policy recommendation of compensating nursing home workers to work at only one home and limit cross-traffic across homes , '' the UCLA researchers wrote .

Shared staff members among nursing homes may fuel COVID-19 spread in these facilities, a new study suggests. Photo by Sgt. Michael Baltz/Flickr
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- COVID-19 spread at nursing homes is at least partially driven by people who work at more than one facility, according to an analysis of cellphone data for more than 50 million users. The study, published Tuesday by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that 5% of people who visited U.S. nursing homes for more than an hour during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic this spring also spent time in other facilities over the same period. Advertisement
These shared connections continued to visit the facilities even after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested they restrict visitor access on March, with the agency linking staff members as a likely source of spread.
Based on cellphone location-tracking data, nursing homes share connections -- primarily staff and outside contractors -- with an estimated 7.1 other facilities, on average.
"[While] in the U.S. we're prioritizing vaccines for full-time nursing home workers ... many states haven't prioritized temp workers and staffing agencies that send workers across multiple nursing homes," study co-author Keith Chen told UPI.
"Our study suggests this has it exactly backwards, [that] it's the workers that are most likely to link across nursing homes that are crucial to vaccinate first," said Chen, professor of behavioral economics at the UCLA Anderson School of Management.
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Since the start of the pandemic in March, nursing homes in the United States have accounted for up 40% of all deaths caused by the virus nationally, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services effectively restricted visitor access to long-term care facilities to residents, staff and contractors on March 13.
However, disease spread remained an issue. For example, the agency estimates that more than 30% of all nursing home residents in New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts had contracted COVID-19 as of June 28.
For this study, the UCLA researchers analyzed geolocation data from 50 million smartphones across the United States between March 13 and May 28.
Of the cellphone users included in the analysis, 501,503 visited nursing homes at least once during the study period, the researchers said.
Just over 5% of the cellphone users visited more than one facility over the 11-week timeframe, they said.
The findings reinforce those of a CDC analysis, released in March, that attributed a COVID-19 outbreak that sickened 81 people and killed 23, in part, to "staff members working in multiple facilities," according to the researchers.
There are currently eight states nationally in which at least 40% of the nursing home population has been infected with COVID-19, based on data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
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"These facts, plus our mapping of just how connected homes are, suggest that workers who work in other homes are by far more likely to contract COVID-19 at their other place of work than through general community exposure," Chen said.
"Until we have every nursing home resident vaccinated, we need to protect our most vulnerable by vaccinating everyone who they might come in contact with," he said.


upi--2020-12-15--Disaster awaits if aging Red Sea oil tanker isn't emptied soon, scientists warn

Dec. 15 ( UPI ) -- It 's been five years since Safer , a Red Sea oil tanker with a regrettable name , was decommissioned and abandoned , but calls to empty the tanker have failed to spur action .
The situation is precarious and time sensitive -- and likely a disaster waiting to happen -- according to scientists .
New research -- published Tuesday in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science -- suggests such a disaster would be especially catastrophic if it were to occur during the winter months ahead .
`` The reasons for the five-year delay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear , '' lead study author Karine Kleinhaus told UPI in an email .
`` One reason is certainly the unwillingness of the Houthis to allow United Nations and other groups access to the tanker that is under their control , '' said Kleinhaus , an expert on coral reefs and an associate professor of marine sciences at Stony Brook University in New York .
What is clear , however , are the tremendous stakes .
`` A spill will have disastrous environmental and humanitarian consequences , especially if it occurs during winter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the new paper .
Over the weekend , a group of terrorists drove a boat loaded with explosives into the side of a fuel transport ship off the coast of Saudi Arabia .
Saudi officials blamed Yemen 's Houthi rebels .
Kleinhaus suggests the Houthis may be preventing access to the Red Sea oil storage and offloading tanker for political reasons .
`` Oil seems like it is being weaponized on the Safer , and generally , in a new way , '' she said .
To highlight the threat posed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ model to predict the scope of a potential Safer spill .
If disaster were to strike during the winter , the model showed , currents would disperse oil in all directions -- the east and west sides of the Red Sea within 30 days .
Wintertime currents would also carry oil farther north than summertime currents .
`` The reach and the damage from the oil will be extensive , as it is approximately 1 million barrels , which is four times the volume of the infamous Exxon Valdez , '' Kleinhaus said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harm the Red Sea 's coral reefs , home to rich biodiversity and fish stocks vital to coastal communities .
The corals living in the Red Sea are uniquely adapted to warm water , making them of particular interest to scientists working to understand how reefs around the world will respond to global warming .
`` Fish , shellfish , dolphins , birds and many other animals when exposed to oil sicken or die and fish that survive can become unsafe to eat , '' Kleinhaus said .
`` The spill will destroy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beaches for many miles of coastline disrupting tourism .
It will also foul desalination plants working in the region . ''
Earlier this year , researchers reported evidence that seawater had infiltrated the tanker 's engine .
Scientists have previously observed oil spots next to the tanker , which suggests Safer is already leaking .
The authors of the newly published paper said they hope their findings will make it clear that all of the countries surrounding the Red Sea are put at risk by the failure to empty the Safer tanker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the International Maritime Organization will do whatever needs to be done to access this tanker , and the countries in the region , '' Kleinhaus said .
`` My co-authors and I continue to advocate for immediate action on the Safer , and hope the oil is pumped off before the destruction of a spill .
That is first priority . ''

The Red Sea's Gulf of Aqaba is home to coral reefs and rich marine biodiversity. Photo by Maoz Fine
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- It's been five years since Safer, a Red Sea oil tanker with a regrettable name, was decommissioned and abandoned, but calls to empty the tanker have failed to spur action. The situation is precarious and time sensitive -- and likely a disaster waiting to happen -- according to scientists. Advertisement
New research -- published Tuesday in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science -- suggests such a disaster would be especially catastrophic if it were to occur during the winter months ahead.
"The reasons for the five-year delay in emptying this tanker are not all clear," lead study author Karine Kleinhaus told UPI in an email.
"One reason is certainly the unwillingness of the Houthis to allow United Nations and other groups access to the tanker that is under their control," said Kleinhaus, an expert on coral reefs and an associate professor of marine sciences at Stony Brook University in New York.
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What is clear, however, are the tremendous stakes.
"A spill will have disastrous environmental and humanitarian consequences, especially if it occurs during winter," Kleinhaus and her colleagues write in the new paper.
Over the weekend, a group of terrorists drove a boat loaded with explosives into the side of a fuel transport ship off the coast of Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials blamed Yemen's Houthi rebels.
Kleinhaus suggests the Houthis may be preventing access to the Red Sea oil storage and offloading tanker for political reasons.
"Oil seems like it is being weaponized on the Safer, and generally, in a new way," she said.
To highlight the threat posed by the aging tanker, researchers developed a model to predict the scope of a potential Safer spill.
If disaster were to strike during the winter, the model showed, currents would disperse oil in all directions -- the east and west sides of the Red Sea within 30 days. Wintertime currents would also carry oil farther north than summertime currents.
"The reach and the damage from the oil will be extensive, as it is approximately 1 million barrels, which is four times the volume of the infamous Exxon Valdez," Kleinhaus said.
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Such a calamitous spill would severely harm the Red Sea's coral reefs, home to rich biodiversity and fish stocks vital to coastal communities.
The corals living in the Red Sea are uniquely adapted to warm water, making them of particular interest to scientists working to understand how reefs around the world will respond to global warming.
"Fish, shellfish, dolphins, birds and many other animals when exposed to oil sicken or die and fish that survive can become unsafe to eat," Kleinhaus said. "The spill will destroy the livelihoods of fisherman and will spoil the beaches for many miles of coastline disrupting tourism. It will also foul desalination plants working in the region."
Earlier this year, researchers reported evidence that seawater had infiltrated the tanker's engine. Scientists have previously observed oil spots next to the tanker, which suggests Safer is already leaking.
The authors of the newly published paper said they hope their findings will make it clear that all of the countries surrounding the Red Sea are put at risk by the failure to empty the Safer tanker.
"We hope that the UN and the International Maritime Organization will do whatever needs to be done to access this tanker, and the countries in the region," Kleinhaus said. "My co-authors and I continue to advocate for immediate action on the Safer, and hope the oil is pumped off before the destruction of a spill. That is first priority."


upi--2020-12-15--Dow rises 337 points amid hopes of Congress nearing stimulus deal

Dec. 15 ( UPI ) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed more than 330 points on Tuesday as U.S. markets rebounded amid renewed hope for another round of COVID-19 stimulus .
The blue-chip index rose 337.76 points , or 1.13 % , while the S & P 500 gained 1.29 % and the Nasdaq Composite closed up 1.25 % in the first day of trading after a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced their latest stimulus proposal .
The version of the bill released Monday included a $ 748 billion package focused on funding for education , vaccines and transportation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the most contentious provisions such as state and local funding and a short-term liability shield for employers .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi invited Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell to discuss a relief deal on Tuesday and McConnell said he would keep lawmakers in Washington , D.C. , until a deal is reached .
Tuesday 's gains came after the Dow and S & P gave up early gains fueled by the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine and ended the day with losses after the U.S. surpassed the grim milestone of 300,000 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There 's been a tug of war between the vaccine news and the virus news .
The only tiebreaker that 's kept the averages on their way higher seems to be the potential for getting stimulus out of gridlock , '' Art Hogan , chief market strategist at National Securities , said .
`` It certainly feels like one of the proposals that 's on the table ... can go through . ''
Lindsey Bell , chief investment strategist for Ally Invest , told Bloomberg that the market views stimulus as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distribution .
`` Market participants would like to see a deal sooner rather than later given the expectation for economic data to slow near term , '' Bell said .
`` In the absence of a deal , turbulence could pick up . ''

The Dow Jones Industrial Average grew 330 points on Tuesday amid optimism about the prospects of another round of COVID-19 stimulus as bipartisan lawmakers unveiled a $908 billion package. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed more than 330 points on Tuesday as U.S. markets rebounded amid renewed hope for another round of COVID-19 stimulus. The blue-chip index rose 337.76 points, or 1.13%, while the S&P 500 gained 1.29% and the Nasdaq Composite closed up 1.25% in the first day of trading after a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced their latest stimulus proposal. Advertisement
The version of the bill released Monday included a $748 billion package focused on funding for education, vaccines and transportation, alongside a $160 billion add-on including the most contentious provisions such as state and local funding and a short-term liability shield for employers.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi invited Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell to discuss a relief deal on Tuesday and McConnell said he would keep lawmakers in Washington, D.C., until a deal is reached.
Tuesday's gains came after the Dow and S&P gave up early gains fueled by the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine and ended the day with losses after the U.S. surpassed the grim milestone of 300,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
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"There's been a tug of war between the vaccine news and the virus news. The only tiebreaker that's kept the averages on their way higher seems to be the potential for getting stimulus out of gridlock," Art Hogan, chief market strategist at National Securities, said. "It certainly feels like one of the proposals that's on the table ... can go through."
Lindsey Bell, chief investment strategist for Ally Invest, told Bloomberg that the market views stimulus as a "necessary bridge" to expansive vaccine distribution.
"Market participants would like to see a deal sooner rather than later given the expectation for economic data to slow near term," Bell said. "In the absence of a deal, turbulence could pick up."


upi--2020-12-15--NATO: U.N. anti-nuke treaty 'at odds' with existing non-proliferation, disarmament efforts

Dec. 15 ( UPI ) -- NATO released a statement Tuesday explaining its opposition to the United Nations ' new treaty banning nuclear weapons .
The alliance said it is committed to the preservation and strengthening of arms control , disarmament and non-profileration , but that the treaty `` is at odds with the existing non-proliferation and disarmament architecture . ''
`` NATO is a defensive alliance , '' the statement said .
`` The fundamental purpose of NATO 's nuclear capability is to preserve peace , prevent coercion and deter aggression . ''
`` A world where the states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear weapons , but NATO does not , is not a safer world .
As long as nuclear weapons exist , NATO will remain a nuclear alliance , '' the alliance said .
Representatives from 122 of the 192 United Nations member countries U.N. formally adopted the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in 2017 .
No nuclear-armed state has backed the treaty , which is set to go into effect in January , and when it was adopted then-ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley said it was n't realistic .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made similar comments last month at the alliance 's annual weapons of mass destruction conference .
`` Giving up our deterrent without any guarantees that others will do the same is a dangerous option , '' Stoltenberg said .
`` A world where Russia , China , North Korea and others have nuclear weapons , but NATO does not , is not a safer world . ''
NATO 's Tuesday statement argues that the agreement would weaken the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons , which the U.N. adopted in 1970 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ path to nuclear disarmament , '' NATO 's statement said .
`` The ban treaty lacks any rigorous or clear mechanisms for verification , '' the alliance said , adding that it `` has not been signed by any state that possesses nuclear weapons , and thus will not result in the elimination of a single nuclear weapon . ''

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg gives a press conference at the 70th Anniversary NATO Summit at the Grove in Hertfordshire in December 2019. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- NATO released a statement Tuesday explaining its opposition to the United Nations' new treaty banning nuclear weapons. The alliance said it is committed to the preservation and strengthening of arms control, disarmament and non-profileration, but that the treaty "is at odds with the existing non-proliferation and disarmament architecture." Advertisement
"NATO is a defensive alliance," the statement said. "The fundamental purpose of NATO's nuclear capability is to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression."
"A world where the states that challenge the international rules-based order have nuclear weapons, but NATO does not, is not a safer world. As long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance," the alliance said.
Representatives from 122 of the 192 United Nations member countries U.N. formally adopted the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in 2017.
No nuclear-armed state has backed the treaty, which is set to go into effect in January, and when it was adopted then-ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley said it wasn't realistic.
Last month, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg made similar comments last month at the alliance's annual weapons of mass destruction conference.
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"Giving up our deterrent without any guarantees that others will do the same is a dangerous option," Stoltenberg said. "A world where Russia, China, North Korea and others have nuclear weapons, but NATO does not, is not a safer world."
NATO's Tuesday statement argues that the agreement would weaken the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which the U.N. adopted in 1970.
"The NPT remains the only credible path to nuclear disarmament," NATO's statement said.
"The ban treaty lacks any rigorous or clear mechanisms for verification," the alliance said, adding that it "has not been signed by any state that possesses nuclear weapons, and thus will not result in the elimination of a single nuclear weapon."


upi--2020-12-15--Biden inauguration team asks Americans to watch ceremony from home

Dec. 15 ( UPI ) -- President-elect Joe Biden 's inaugural committee on Tuesday urged Americans not to travel to Washington , D.C. , for the ceremony , citing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are set to be sworn into office Jan. 20 in an outdoor ceremony typically attended by hundreds of thousands of spectators , including congressional lawmakers , past presidents and family members .
The event traditionally takes place on the U.S. Capitol steps .
The inaugural committee said that though Biden and Harris will be sworn into office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our country , '' they will honor tradition by having an outdoor ceremony .
`` It is their top priority to protect the health and safety of Americans , while demonstrating the strength and resilience of our country , '' the committee said in a series of tweets .
`` We 're inviting all Americans to be a part of this inauguration by watching from home , rather than traveling to Washington , D.C. , in accordance with public health guidelines . ''
The committee said Jan. 20 will also include community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parade and `` virtual celebrations that bring the country together . ''
It 's unclear if the capital city will also play host to the several balls that typically take place the night of the inauguration .
The committee said it plans to announce more details on Inauguration day at a future time .

Joe Biden is sworn in as vice president on January 21, 2013. There may be fewer people at his presidential inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2021, after his inaugural team asked people to watch the ceremony from home. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- President-elect Joe Biden's inaugural committee on Tuesday urged Americans not to travel to Washington, D.C., for the ceremony, citing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are set to be sworn into office Jan. 20 in an outdoor ceremony typically attended by hundreds of thousands of spectators, including congressional lawmakers, past presidents and family members. The event traditionally takes place on the U.S. Capitol steps. Advertisement
The inaugural committee said that though Biden and Harris will be sworn into office "during a time of unprecedented crisis for our country," they will honor tradition by having an outdoor ceremony.
"It is their top priority to protect the health and safety of Americans, while demonstrating the strength and resilience of our country," the committee said in a series of tweets.
"We're inviting all Americans to be a part of this inauguration by watching from home, rather than traveling to Washington, D.C., in accordance with public health guidelines."
The committee said Jan. 20 will also include community service events, a "reimagined" parade and "virtual celebrations that bring the country together." It's unclear if the capital city will also play host to the several balls that typically take place the night of the inauguration.
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The committee said it plans to announce more details on Inauguration day at a future time.
The Electoral College confirmed Biden and Harris' win Monday.


upi--2020-12-15--Woman learns of lottery jackpot and new grandchild on the same day

Dec. 15 ( UPI ) -- An Australian woman said she found two reasons for celebration in a single day when she found out she has a grandchild on the way just hours before discovering she won a $ 150,000 lottery jackpot .
The Tweeds Head , New South Wales , resident bought two tickets for Monday 's Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot on The Lott 's website .
The woman told The Lott officials she was shocked to receive a phone call Tuesday informing her that she had won a jackpot totaling $ 151,183.01 .
The winner said the call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day .
`` You know , I have a lot of reasons to be celebrating today , '' she said .
`` I have actually been walking around all day in shock already .
I just found out I am going to have another grandchild ! ''
`` It was a huge shock and now this is a huge shock !
What an incredible day , '' she said .
The woman said she will discuss what to do with the money with her husband .
`` We will pop a bottle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this and then make some plans for our prize , '' she said .

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Dec. 15 (UPI) -- An Australian woman said she found two reasons for celebration in a single day when she found out she has a grandchild on the way just hours before discovering she won a $150,000 lottery jackpot.
The Tweeds Head, New South Wales, resident bought two tickets for Monday's Lucky Lotteries Mega Jackpot on The Lott's website.
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The woman told The Lott officials she was shocked to receive a phone call Tuesday informing her that she had won a jackpot totaling $151,183.01.
The winner said the call wasn't her first happy surprise of the day.
"You know, I have a lot of reasons to be celebrating today," she said. "I have actually been walking around all day in shock already. I just found out I am going to have another grandchild!"
"It was a huge shock and now this is a huge shock! What an incredible day," she said.
The woman said she will discuss what to do with the money with her husband.
"We will pop a bottle of champagne, get over the shock of this and then make some plans for our prize," she said.


upi--2020-12-15--Watch: Cat rescued after nearly 24 hours atop utility pole

Dec. 15 ( UPI ) -- Firefighters in Ireland came to the rescue of a cat that climbed to the @ @ @ @ @ and ended up stranded for nearly 24 hours .
Limerick Animal Welfare said in a @ @ @ @ @ residents reported the cat had been at the top of the tall utility pole for @ @ @ @ @ to be unable to climb down on its own .
The charity posted an update @ @ @ @ @ Brigade was on its way to the scene .
The fire brigade posted a photo @ @ @ @ @ a bucket truck to reach the stranded feline .
Limerick Animal Welfare later shared a @ @ @ @ @ which only took about a minute .
`` Thank you to the Limerick Fire Brigade @ @ @ @ @ poor cat that was stuck on top of a very high pole this afternoon , @ @ @ @ @ .

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Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Ireland came to the rescue of a cat that climbed to the top of a utility pole and ended up stranded for nearly 24 hours.
Limerick Animal Welfare said in a Facebook post Monday evening that residents reported the cat had been at the top of the tall utility pole for nearly 24 hours and appeared to be unable to climb down on its own.
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The charity posted an update later saying the Limerick Fire Brigade was on its way to the scene.
The fire brigade posted a photo to Facebook showing firefighters using a bucket truck to reach the stranded feline.
Limerick Animal Welfare later shared a video of the rescue, which only took about a minute.
"Thank you to the Limerick Fire Brigade for responding and rescuing a poor cat that was stuck on top of a very high pole this afternoon," the video post said.


upi--2020-12-15--Look: Coyote wanders into Florida fire station

Dec. 15 ( UPI ) -- Firefighters at a Florida station said they woke up to find an unusual visitor @ @ @ @ @ wandering coyote .
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said firefighters at Firehouse 29 awoke Sunday morning @ @ @ @ @ through the station .
A firefighter snapped a photo of the canine before it ran @ @ @ @ @ .
The department said the visit was particularly surprising since the station is located in @ @ @ @ @ about a mile from the beach . ''

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Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Firefighters at a Florida station said they woke up to find an unusual visitor to their firehouse -- a wandering coyote.
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said firefighters at Firehouse 29 awoke Sunday morning to find a coyote strolling through the station.
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A firefighter snapped a photo of the canine before it ran back out of the station.
The department said the visit was particularly surprising since the station is located in a "dense urban neighborhood about a mile from the beach."


upi--2020-12-15--Customer leaves $5,600 tip for Ohio restaurant employees

Dec. 15 ( UPI ) -- Employees at an Ohio restaurant have an extra reason to be jolly this holiday season after a customer left a $ 5,600 tip without even ordering any food .
Souk Mediterranean Kitchen & Bar said a customer came in during the weekend and requested to be rung up for a penny .
An employee complied , and the customer , identified only as Billy , left a $ 5,600 tip that he requested be split among all of the eatery 's employees .
`` What an amazing gesture of kindness to my employees , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook post .
`` This is not an ordinary December .
Normally this is a month when our employees work extra and guests tip generously .
December is a month for them to earn money to buy family gifts , put a bit into savings and take care of bills or repairs that have been lingering , '' Salloukh wrote .
`` With Covid restrictions and guidelines , that was not going to happen for them this year .
So this heartfelt generosity was deeply needed and very appreciated , '' the chef @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurant 's 28 employees received $ 200 .

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Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Employees at an Ohio restaurant have an extra reason to be jolly this holiday season after a customer left a $5,600 tip without even ordering any food.
Souk Mediterranean Kitchen & Bar said a customer came in during the weekend and requested to be rung up for a penny.
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An employee complied, and the customer, identified only as Billy, left a $5,600 tip that he requested be split among all of the eatery's employees.
"What an amazing gesture of kindness to my employees," Chef Moussa Salloukh wrote in a Facebook post.
"This is not an ordinary December. Normally this is a month when our employees work extra and guests tip generously. December is a month for them to earn money to buy family gifts, put a bit into savings and take care of bills or repairs that have been lingering," Salloukh wrote.
"With Covid restrictions and guidelines, that was not going to happen for them this year. So this heartfelt generosity was deeply needed and very appreciated," the chef wrote.
Salloukh said each of the restaurant's 28 employees received $200.


upi--2020-12-15--First 7 Space Force direct enlistees graduate from basic training

Dec. 15 ( UPI ) -- The first seven people to enlist directly into the U.S. Space Force have graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland .
The five men and two women , who graduated Dec. 10 , were among 414 recruits who completed seven and a half weeks of training , according to an Air Force announcement .
Training began Oct. 20 following the recruits ' swearing-in at Fort George G. Meade Military Entrance Processing Station in Fort Meade , Md .
The new Space Professionals are Amy Biggers , Virginia Beach , Va. ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Delvano Brown , Gaithersburg , Md .
; Benjamin Nevoraski , Virginia Beach , Va. ; Shane Brown , Elijah Engelby , Colorado Springs , Colo. ; and Nathan Ramage , Falcon , Colo. At the graduation ceremony , Air Force Secretary Barbara M. Barrett spoke about three Airmen who represent the Air Force 's ideals of integrity , service and excellence , including Lt. Gen. Susan Helms , who flew more than 30 different types of aircraft as an Air Force test pilot and then served 12 years as an astronaut .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ military woman in space .
She still holds the world record for the longest spacewalk - 8 hours and 56 minutes , '' Barrett said .
Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. `` Jay '' Raymond '' also spoke to the graduates before administering the Oath of Enlistment .
`` I need you to be bold , '' Raymond said .
`` You will help us build this service from the ground up .
You will help us define our warfighting culture .
You will build the Space Force as the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the foundation of a service that is innovative and can go fast in order to stay ahead of a significant and growing threat , and you , if deterrence fails , will fight and win the battle for space superiority which is so vital to our nation , our allies and our joint and coalition forces , '' Raymond said , adding that `` the nation expects you to deliver dominant Spacepower . ''
The seven Space Force Professionals will attend Space Systems Operations technical training at California 's Vandenberg Air Force Base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including detecting ballistic missiles and tracking satellites to assisting in rocket launches and space flight operations .
According to the Air Force , the number of Space Force trainees will continue to increase over time , and the force will recruit about 300 enlisted members through the end of the fiscal year .
There are currently another 13 trainees in basic training , with more scheduled to arrive this month .

Basic military training trainees take the Oath of Enlistment during their graduation ceremony, Dec. 10 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Photo by Sarayuth Pinthong/U.S. Air Force
Dec. 15 (UPI) -- The first seven people to enlist directly into the U.S. Space Force have graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The five men and two women, who graduated Dec. 10, were among 414 recruits who completed seven and a half weeks of training, according to an Air Force announcement. Advertisement
Training began Oct. 20 following the recruits' swearing-in at Fort George G. Meade Military Entrance Processing Station in Fort Meade, Md.
The new Space Professionals are Amy Biggers, Virginia Beach, Va.; Giahna Brown, Woodbridge, Va.; Delvano Brown, Gaithersburg, Md.; Benjamin Nevoraski, Virginia Beach, Va.; Shane Brown, Elijah Engelby, Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Nathan Ramage, Falcon, Colo.
At the graduation ceremony, Air Force Secretary Barbara M. Barrett spoke about three Airmen who represent the Air Force's ideals of integrity, service and excellence, including Lt. Gen. Susan Helms, who flew more than 30 different types of aircraft as an Air Force test pilot and then served 12 years as an astronaut.
"General Helms was the first U.S. military woman in space. She still holds the world record for the longest spacewalk - 8 hours and 56 minutes," Barrett said.
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Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. "Jay" Raymond" also spoke to the graduates before administering the Oath of Enlistment.
"I need you to be bold," Raymond said. "You will help us build this service from the ground up. You will help us define our warfighting culture. You will build the Space Force as the first digital service."
You will lay the foundation of a service that is innovative and can go fast in order to stay ahead of a significant and growing threat, and you, if deterrence fails, will fight and win the battle for space superiority which is so vital to our nation, our allies and our joint and coalition forces," Raymond said, adding that "the nation expects you to deliver dominant Spacepower."
The seven Space Force Professionals will attend Space Systems Operations technical training at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base, then perform a range of duties including detecting ballistic missiles and tracking satellites to assisting in rocket launches and space flight operations.
According to the Air Force, the number of Space Force trainees will continue to increase over time, and the force will recruit about 300 enlisted members through the end of the fiscal year.
There are currently another 13 trainees in basic training, with more scheduled to arrive this month.
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upi--2020-12-15--In photos: Meet President-elect Joe Biden's top adviser picks

The former Federal Reserve chairwoman , seen here receiving the Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ woman to head the treasury .
Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

Marcia Fudge
Housing and Urban Development Secretary. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki (L) looks on as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Fudge, the first Black woman to lead the department in decades, speaks at a news conference in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House. Photo by Michael Reynolds/UPI


upi--2020-12-15--NGOs, international aid support Lebanon, press for reform

BEIRUT , Lebanon , Dec. 15 ( UPI ) -- More than four months after the blast at the port in Beirut , Lebanon , inhabitants of the devastated areas are still recovering , finding comfort in relentless support by local groups and renewed international aid .
While active non-governmental groups have taken the lead in helping those affected , the country 's politicians are still fighting over the formation of a new government , ignoring international calls to implement reforms that would speed up economic recovery and avoid total collapse .
But the international community seems not yet ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on its politicians .
A new aid package was approved during a virtual conference hosted Dec. 2 by French President Emmanuel Macron and attended by representatives of 32 nations and 12 international organizations .
The 18-month Reform , Recovery and Reconstruction Framework ( 3RF ) was prepared and supported by the World Bank , the United Nations and the European Union to provide the Lebanese people with food , healthcare and education , as well as the reconstruction of the port .
The 3RF not only includes essential reforms to facilitate recovery and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the root causes of the crisis , according to U.N. statements .
Under the new fund , aid will be distributed directly to the Lebanese people and businesses that have been impacted by the port explosion , bypassing the government .
The costs for reconstruction and recovery needs for one year were estimated at $ 2 billion .
But support for the reconstruction will not materialize unless `` a mission-driven , credible and accountable government , able to implement the necessary reforms , '' is formed in Lebanon , according to a report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Dec. 7 .
The requested reforms include the forensic audit of the central bank , banking sector reform , capital control , exchange rate unification and creation of a credible and sustainable path to fiscal sustainability .
A long list of urgent measures , including a `` transparent investigation '' into the port blast and a new port sector law , was also requested by the World Bank , the U.N. and the EU .
In a dramatic move last Thursday , Lebanon 's caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab and three former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ port explosion .
Diab 's government resigned days after the Aug. 4 blast , caused by the ignition of a large depository of ammonium nitrate , which had been unsafely stored in a port warehouse since 2014 .
More than 200 people were killed , 6,500 wounded and some 200,000 homes were affected .
`` We are in a catch-22 situation .
The international community supporting the French initiative is asking the political leaders to form a government of mission made of experts and specialized ministers to adopt the reforms while they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Antoine Haddad , an academic and political activist , told UPI .
`` Those leaders are the cause of the problem and reforms are not in their interests . ''
The ruling elite has turned a deaf ear to popular and international urgent requests to quickly adopt reforms to allow Lebanon to receive needed financial assistance .
Despite the Beirut port tragedy , mounting international pressures and U.S. sanctions targeting senior officials , the political leaders remained disengaged .
`` What needs to change is the attitude and behavior of the ruling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in changing that attitude is purely criminal , '' Ayman Mhanna , the executive director of the Beirut-based Samir Kassir Foundation 's SKeyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom , told UPI .
Mhanna , who participated in the Paris conference as civil society representative , referred to the `` huge and painful disconnect '' between the Lebanese authorities on one hand and the NGOs and the international community on the other .
`` While NGOs ' representatives were talking about the plight and pain of the Lebanese people , the increasing hunger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Lebanese authorities to take the right steps , Lebanese representatives were either completely absent or silent -- and worse -- totally disconnected , '' he said .
The distrust and dismay of the international community with the Lebanese leaders were clearly reflected at the Paris conference , when Lebanese civil society representatives were given the floor to express themselves before Lebanese President Michel Aoun delivered his speech .
In fact , it was those NGOs , assisted by thousands of volunteers , who helped most the blast-stricken neighborhoods and the 300,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started with evacuating the wounded , removing the rubble , distributing food , providing necessities and ended up repairing damaged properties and securing moral and emotional support to the traumatized inhabitants .
`` What we have seen was quite an inspiration in the Beirut streets ... a lot of youngsters , women and even elderly cleaning the streets , helping each other ...
These were people who genuinely wanted to help their communities , '' said Bujar Hoxha , country director of CARE International in Lebanon , who survived the blast .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we built our responses via local and national NGOs . ''
Besides his first concern to help evacuate the wounded , Hoxha rallied immediate support from all of CARE International 's 14 global members and received `` quite a lot generous donations '' from different private citizens and institutions .
`` I have never seen such a devastation , which came at a time the Lebanese people were already having difficulties in accessing basic needs , like food and heath , '' he told UPI .
Nusaned , one of the active and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ port explosion , has so far received $ 1.4 million out of $ 3.4 million pledged that it used to support more than 12,000 families and rehabilitate 1,000 out of 2,089 residential and commercial units it assessed .
`` If it was n't for the NGOs , the situation could have been worse , '' Nusaned President Ghida Itani Nawam told UPI .
`` It is already winter and those people need to return to their homes . ''
The most shocking for Nawam was that none of the political leaders came to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traumatized homeless inhabitants .
`` They did n't make the effort to help them and instead they keep on hurting them ... That 's so surreal . ''
Without Nusaned 's help , Janine Njeim could have never been able to fix her badly-hit family apartment .
`` They quickly assessed the damage and started reconstruction .
Our house came up more beautiful than before , '' Njeim , who has been working as a saleswoman at a computer company for 20 years , told UPI .
However , she still lives with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How she carried her injured mother on her back and rushed her to hospital on a motorbike .
The screams of injured people in the next building .
Searching for her father , who was badly hurt as the blast destroyed his hairdresser shop .

1/5
Bujar Hoxha (L), country director of CARE International in Lebanon, said he was inspired by how people came together to help each other in the wake of the Beirut port blast. Photo courtesy of Care International
BEIRUT, Lebanon, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- More than four months after the blast at the port in Beirut, Lebanon, inhabitants of the devastated areas are still recovering, finding comfort in relentless support by local groups and renewed international aid. While active non-governmental groups have taken the lead in helping those affected, the country's politicians are still fighting over the formation of a new government, ignoring international calls to implement reforms that would speed up economic recovery and avoid total collapse. Advertisement
But the international community seems not yet ready to abandon Lebanon or ease the pressure on its politicians. A new aid package was approved during a virtual conference hosted Dec. 2 by French President Emmanuel Macron and attended by representatives of 32 nations and 12 international organizations.
The 18-month Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) was prepared and supported by the World Bank, the United Nations and the European Union to provide the Lebanese people with food, healthcare and education, as well as the reconstruction of the port. The 3RF not only includes essential reforms to facilitate recovery and reconstruction but is also meant to address the root causes of the crisis, according to U.N. statements.
Advertisement
Under the new fund, aid will be distributed directly to the Lebanese people and businesses that have been impacted by the port explosion, bypassing the government. The costs for reconstruction and recovery needs for one year were estimated at $2 billion.
But support for the reconstruction will not materialize unless "a mission-driven, credible and accountable government, able to implement the necessary reforms," is formed in Lebanon, according to a report by the Council of the European Union on Dec. 7. The requested reforms include the forensic audit of the central bank, banking sector reform, capital control, exchange rate unification and creation of a credible and sustainable path to fiscal sustainability.
A long list of urgent measures, including a "transparent investigation" into the port blast and a new port sector law, was also requested by the World Bank, the U.N. and the EU.
In a dramatic move last Thursday, Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab and three former ministers were charged with negligence over the port explosion. Diab's government resigned days after the Aug. 4 blast, caused by the ignition of a large depository of ammonium nitrate, which had been unsafely stored in a port warehouse since 2014.
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More than 200 people were killed, 6,500 wounded and some 200,000 homes were affected.
"We are in a catch-22 situation. The international community supporting the French initiative is asking the political leaders to form a government of mission made of experts and specialized ministers to adopt the reforms while they are the last ones to want that," Antoine Haddad, an academic and political activist, told UPI. "Those leaders are the cause of the problem and reforms are not in their interests."
The ruling elite has turned a deaf ear to popular and international urgent requests to quickly adopt reforms to allow Lebanon to receive needed financial assistance. Despite the Beirut port tragedy, mounting international pressures and U.S. sanctions targeting senior officials, the political leaders remained disengaged.
"What needs to change is the attitude and behavior of the ruling parties in Lebanon, and every delay in changing that attitude is purely criminal," Ayman Mhanna, the executive director of the Beirut-based Samir Kassir Foundation's SKeyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom, told UPI.
Mhanna, who participated in the Paris conference as civil society representative, referred to the "huge and painful disconnect" between the Lebanese authorities on one hand and the NGOs and the international community on the other.
Advertisement
"While NGOs' representatives were talking about the plight and pain of the Lebanese people, the increasing hunger and poverty and the international community urging the Lebanese authorities to take the right steps, Lebanese representatives were either completely absent or silent -- and worse -- totally disconnected," he said.
The distrust and dismay of the international community with the Lebanese leaders were clearly reflected at the Paris conference, when Lebanese civil society representatives were given the floor to express themselves before Lebanese President Michel Aoun delivered his speech.
In fact, it was those NGOs, assisted by thousands of volunteers, who helped most the blast-stricken neighborhoods and the 300,000 people left homeless by the explosion. They started with evacuating the wounded, removing the rubble, distributing food, providing necessities and ended up repairing damaged properties and securing moral and emotional support to the traumatized inhabitants.
"What we have seen was quite an inspiration in the Beirut streets...a lot of youngsters, women and even elderly cleaning the streets, helping each other...These were people who genuinely wanted to help their communities," said Bujar Hoxha, country director of CARE International in Lebanon, who survived the blast. "We were encouraged as international NGOs and we built our responses via local and national NGOs."
Advertisement
Besides his first concern to help evacuate the wounded, Hoxha rallied immediate support from all of CARE International's 14 global members and received "quite a lot generous donations" from different private citizens and institutions.
"I have never seen such a devastation, which came at a time the Lebanese people were already having difficulties in accessing basic needs, like food and heath," he told UPI.
Nusaned, one of the active and trusted NGOs operating with transparency since the port explosion, has so far received $1.4 million out of $3.4 million pledged that it used to support more than 12,000 families and rehabilitate 1,000 out of 2,089 residential and commercial units it assessed.
"If it wasn't for the NGOs, the situation could have been worse," Nusaned President Ghida Itani Nawam told UPI. "It is already winter and those people need to return to their homes."
The most shocking for Nawam was that none of the political leaders came to check on the devastated areas and the traumatized homeless inhabitants. "They didn't make the effort to help them and instead they keep on hurting them...That's so surreal."
Without Nusaned's help, Janine Njeim could have never been able to fix her badly-hit family apartment.
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"They quickly assessed the damage and started reconstruction. Our house came up more beautiful than before," Njeim, who has been working as a saleswoman at a computer company for 20 years, told UPI.
However, she still lives with the tragic memories of that day. How she carried her injured mother on her back and rushed her to hospital on a motorbike. The screams of injured people in the next building. Searching for her father, who was badly hurt as the blast destroyed his hairdresser shop.


upi--2020-12-15--Watch: Two dogs rescued from septic tank in Florida

Dec. 15 ( UPI ) -- An animal services officer in Florida came to the rescue of two dogs that escaped from their owner 's yard and ended up swimming in a neighbor 's septic tank .
Miami-Dade Animal Services Officer Yureisy Hernandez said she responded to a resident 's home where two dogs had found their way into a septic tank and were almost completely submerged in sewage with no way to climb out .
`` I 'm not used to dealing with septic tanks , '' Hernandez told WFOR-TV .
Hernandez said she used a ladder to lift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Luckily I was able to find the ladder that was there and use that to lever them out because if not I would have jumped in there to try to get them out , '' she said .
The canines , named Brenda and Bianca , turned out to have escaped from neighbor Vanessa Cruz 's home .
The dogs were not microchipped or wearing collars , but Cruz 's brother saw photos of the pets posted on Miami-Dade Animal Services ' website .
`` Once I saw them and they saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! '
They were so happy to see me , '' Cruz said .

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Dec. 15 (UPI) -- An animal services officer in Florida came to the rescue of two dogs that escaped from their owner's yard and ended up swimming in a neighbor's septic tank.
Miami-Dade Animal Services Officer Yureisy Hernandez said she responded to a resident's home where two dogs had found their way into a septic tank and were almost completely submerged in sewage with no way to climb out.
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"I'm not used to dealing with septic tanks," Hernandez told WFOR-TV.
Hernandez said she used a ladder to lift the dogs out of the tank.
"Luckily I was able to find the ladder that was there and use that to lever them out because if not I would have jumped in there to try to get them out," she said.
The canines, named Brenda and Bianca, turned out to have escaped from neighbor Vanessa Cruz's home. The dogs were not microchipped or wearing collars, but Cruz's brother saw photos of the pets posted on Miami-Dade Animal Services' website.
"Once I saw them and they saw me, they were like, 'Mom!' They were so happy to see me," Cruz said.


upi--2020-12-16--Listen: Taylor Swift releases 'Moonlit Witch' version of single 'Willow'

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- Taylor Swift has released a new , `` Moonlit Witch '' version of her latest single `` Willow . ''
Swift released the remix on YouTube and music streaming services Spotify , Apple Music , Amazon Music , Tidal and Soundcloud on Tuesday .
`` Ever find yourself waiting for the signal & meeting someone after dark & happening upon a majestic coven in the woods ?
Me neither but do you want your [ music note emoji ] to make you FEEL like that ?
Then the 'Willow Moonlit Witch Version ' is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the track on Twitter .
The `` Moonlit Witch '' version of `` Willow '' offers a more upbeat take on the single , which appears on Swift 's ninth studio album titled Evermore , which was released Friday .
Evermore is the surprise sister album to Folklore .
A music video for `` Willow '' features the singer following a gold string to find a love interest , portrayed by Taeok Lee .
Swift recently appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and denied fan theories that her next album will be titled Woodvale @

Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Taylor Swift has released a new, "Moonlit Witch" version of her latest single "Willow."
Swift released the remix on YouTube and music streaming services Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal and Soundcloud on Tuesday.
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"Ever find yourself waiting for the signal & meeting someone after dark & happening upon a majestic coven in the woods? Me neither but do you want your [music note emoji] to make you FEEL like that? Then the 'Willow Moonlit Witch Version' is for you," Swift said about the track on Twitter.
The "Moonlit Witch" version of "Willow" offers a more upbeat take on the single, which appears on Swift's ninth studio album titled Evermore, which was released Friday.
Evermore is the surprise sister album to Folklore. A music video for "Willow" features the singer following a gold string to find a love interest, portrayed by Taeok Lee.
Swift recently appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and denied fan theories that her next album will be titled Woodvale.
Taylor Swift's career: awards, No. 1 hits and red carpets


upi--2020-12-16--Naomi Ackie to play Whitney Houston in new biopic

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- Naomi Ackie will play late singer Whitney Houston in a new biopic from Sony/TriStar .
The 28-year-old actress will portray Houston in the upcoming film I Wan na Dance with Somebody , directed by Stella Meghie .
`` We spent the better part of the last year in an exhaustive search for an actress who could embody Whitney Houston , '' Meghie said in a statement .
`` Naomi Ackie impressed us at every stage of the process .
I was moved by her ability to capture the stage presence of a global icon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Anthony McCarten , who wrote the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody , will write the screenplay .
Pat Houston , Houston 's longtime manager and sister-in-law , will produce the film on behalf of Houston 's estate , along with McCarten , Clive Davis and Larry Mestel .
`` All Whitney fans have an appetite for perfection when it comes to Whitney and her legacy , '' Pat Houston said .
`` To transform someone into a matchless icon is virtually impossible .
But with careful consideration , Naomi Ackie was selected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep commitment to emerging into the woman that we all loved .
We look forward to taking this journey with her . ''
I Wan na Dance with Somebody explores Houston 's life and career .
Houston was a Grammy-winning singer who made her acting debut in the 1992 film The Bodyguard .
She died at age 48 in 2012 .
The new film will use Houston 's catalog , including her vocals , with the backing of Houston 's estate and Davis .
`` Naomi Ackie 's screen test was so powerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Davis said .
`` Although Whitney 's incomparable vocals are used for all the songs , Naomi 's extraordinary acting range enables her to masterfully capture Whitney 's unique charm , star power , and , of course , her personal struggles .
Naomi is the real deal and I ca n't imagine a better choice for this iconic role . ''
I Wan na Dance with Somebody is slated for a Thanksgiving 2022 release .
Ackie is a British actress who played Jannah in Star Wars : The Rise of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Netflix series The End of the [ Expletive ] World .

Naomi Ackie will portray Whitney Houston in the new film "I Wanna Dance with Somebody." File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Naomi Ackie will play late singer Whitney Houston in a new biopic from Sony/TriStar. The 28-year-old actress will portray Houston in the upcoming film I Wanna Dance with Somebody, directed by Stella Meghie. Advertisement
"We spent the better part of the last year in an exhaustive search for an actress who could embody Whitney Houston," Meghie said in a statement. "Naomi Ackie impressed us at every stage of the process. I was moved by her ability to capture the stage presence of a global icon while bringing humanity to her interior life."
Anthony McCarten, who wrote the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, will write the screenplay. Pat Houston, Houston's longtime manager and sister-in-law, will produce the film on behalf of Houston's estate, along with McCarten, Clive Davis and Larry Mestel.
"All Whitney fans have an appetite for perfection when it comes to Whitney and her legacy," Pat Houston said. "To transform someone into a matchless icon is virtually impossible. But with careful consideration, Naomi Ackie was selected based on her quality performances and her deep commitment to emerging into the woman that we all loved. We look forward to taking this journey with her."
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I Wanna Dance with Somebody explores Houston's life and career. Houston was a Grammy-winning singer who made her acting debut in the 1992 film The Bodyguard. She died at age 48 in 2012.
The new film will use Houston's catalog, including her vocals, with the backing of Houston's estate and Davis.
"Naomi Ackie's screen test was so powerful, it sent shivers up my spine," Davis said. "Although Whitney's incomparable vocals are used for all the songs, Naomi's extraordinary acting range enables her to masterfully capture Whitney's unique charm, star power, and, of course, her personal struggles. Naomi is the real deal and I can't imagine a better choice for this iconic role."
I Wanna Dance with Somebody is slated for a Thanksgiving 2022 release.
Ackie is a British actress who played Jannah in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. She also portrayed Bonnie in the Netflix series The End of the [Expletive] World.


upi--2020-12-16--MBA report says applications to refinance homes in U.S. up 105% over last year

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- With new record lows for mortgage rates in the United States , an industry report on Wednesday said the level of homeowners applying to refinance is now more than 100 % higher than it was just a year ago .
The report from the Mortgage Bankers Association said total applications to refinance have risen by 1.1 % and mortgage rates fell to a record low for the 15th time this year .
The MBA Refinance Index is 105 % higher than this time in 2019 .
Refinancings are typically most sensitive to mortgage rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to buy a home are up 2 % for the week and 26 % year-to-year .
`` Rates stayed low last week , in part due to uncertainty over the prospects of additional pandemic-related government stimulus , as well as concerns about the continued rise in COVID-19 cases across the country , '' Joel Kan , MBA associate vice president of economic and industry forecasting , said in a statement .
`` Mortgage rates as a result fell to another survey low , with the 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropping five basis points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acted on the decline in rates , with refinance activity rising for the second straight week . ''
The MBA said on Tuesday that mortgage applications for new homes in November rose about 35 % over 2019 , but fell 16 % from October .

Applications to buy a home are 26% higher than they were at this time last year, Wednesday's report said. File Photo by Alexis C. Glenn/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- With new record lows for mortgage rates in the United States, an industry report on Wednesday said the level of homeowners applying to refinance is now more than 100% higher than it was just a year ago. The report from the Mortgage Bankers Association said total applications to refinance have risen by 1.1% and mortgage rates fell to a record low for the 15th time this year. Advertisement
The MBA Refinance Index is 105% higher than this time in 2019. Refinancings are typically most sensitive to mortgage rate fluctuations, experts say.
Total applications to buy a home are up 2% for the week and 26% year-to-year.
"Rates stayed low last week, in part due to uncertainty over the prospects of additional pandemic-related government stimulus, as well as concerns about the continued rise in COVID-19 cases across the country," Joel Kan, MBA associate vice president of economic and industry forecasting, said in a statement.
"Mortgage rates as a result fell to another survey low, with the 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropping five basis points to 2.85 percent. Homeowners once again acted on the decline in rates, with refinance activity rising for the second straight week."
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The MBA said on Tuesday that mortgage applications for new homes in November rose about 35% over 2019, but fell 16% from October.


upi--2020-12-16--Lily James, Sebastian Stan to play Pamela Anderson, Tommy Lee in Hulu series

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- Lily James and Sebastian Stan will play former couple Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee in a new Hulu series .
The 31-year-old actress and 38-year-old actor will star in a limited series about Anderson and Lee 's relationship , including the scandal surrounding their leaked sex tape .
The eight-episode project is currently titled Pam & Tommy and will recount the relationship between Anderson and Lee , who married days after they met in 1995 .
After their honeymoon sex tape was stolen from their home and shared online , Anderson and Lee sued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Seth Rogen will co-star as the man who stole Anderson and Lee 's tape and will executive produce the series .
Anderson and Lee had two children , sons Brandon and Dylan , before splitting in 1998 .
During the marriage , Lee was arrested for spousal abuse and was sentenced to six months in jail .
The new series hails from Rogen and Evan Goldberg 's Point Grey Pictures and Annapurna Television .
Rob Siegel will write the series , with Craig Gillespie ( I , Tonya ) to direct .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are aware of the series but not involved with the project .
The show will begin production in the spring .
James is known for playing Lady Rose on Downton Abbey and recently starred in Netflix 's Rebecca .
She will next appear in the Netflix film The Dig , starring Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes .
Stan plays Bucky Barnes , aka The Winter Soldier , in Avengers : Endgame and other films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe .
He will reprise the character in the new Disney+ series The Falcon and @ @ @ @

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Lily James will star in a Hulu limited series about Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee's relationship, including the scandal surrounding their sex tape. File Photo by Paul Treadway/ UPI | License Photo
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Lily James and Sebastian Stan will play former couple Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee in a new Hulu series. The 31-year-old actress and 38-year-old actor will star in a limited series about Anderson and Lee's relationship, including the scandal surrounding their leaked sex tape. Advertisement
The eight-episode project is currently titled Pam & Tommy and will recount the relationship between Anderson and Lee, who married days after they met in 1995. After their honeymoon sex tape was stolen from their home and shared online, Anderson and Lee sued the distributor and eventually reached a settlement.
Seth Rogen will co-star as the man who stole Anderson and Lee's tape and will executive produce the series.
Anderson and Lee had two children, sons Brandon and Dylan, before splitting in 1998. During the marriage, Lee was arrested for spousal abuse and was sentenced to six months in jail.
The new series hails from Rogen and Evan Goldberg's Point Grey Pictures and Annapurna Television. Rob Siegel will write the series, with Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya) to direct.
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Sources told Deadline that Anderson and Lee are aware of the series but not involved with the project. The show will begin production in the spring.
James is known for playing Lady Rose on Downton Abbey and recently starred in Netflix's Rebecca. She will next appear in the Netflix film The Dig, starring Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes.
Stan plays Bucky Barnes, aka The Winter Soldier, in Avengers: Endgame and other films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He will reprise the character in the new Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.


upi--2020-12-16--North Korea building up weapons amid economic shortfall, Seoul says

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- North Korea is struggling economically but continues to build up its military ahead of Pyongyang 's Eighth Party Congress in January , according to Seoul .
South Korean Defense Minister Suh Wook said Wednesday at a year-end meeting of military commanders the Kim Jong-un regime is pushing forward with state goals that must be met before the Party Congress , as it nears the final stages of its `` 80-day battle '' or productivity campaign , Newsis reported .
Suh said the North displayed at the Oct. 10 anniversary parade `` new missiles and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Pyongyang `` continues to increase military power , '' the minister said , according to the report .
Seoul 's military chief called for `` mental preparedness '' in the South , including the strengthening of education and training in the army .
But Suh also said commanders should continue to support the `` peace process '' and the implementation of the inter-Korean Comprehensive Military Agreement , signed on Sept. 19 , 2018 , in Pyongyang .
South Korean claims of economic hardship in the North are being refuted among supporters of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its borders in January in response to COVID-19 and trade has decline significantly with China , its biggest trading partner .
Choson Sinbo , the pro-Pyongyang newspaper of the Japan-based General Association of Korean Residents , said Wednesday claims about a collapse of the North Korean economy are a `` bare-faced lie . ''
Sanctions , the coronavirus pandemic and natural disasters have not destroyed the North , the newspaper claimed .
`` All is accomplished using domestic [ North Korean ] resources and technology , '' the Choson Sinbo said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the North Korean currency is in circulation , over and over again . ''
The paper also said Pyongyang has achieved goals outlined in a five-year plan , such as completions of units at the Sangwon Cement Complex .
The plant was built in partnership with French cement company Lafarge SA , according to Daily NK .

South Korea's military raised concerns about North Korea's new missiles and conventional weapons on Wednesday. File Photo by KCNA/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- North Korea is struggling economically but continues to build up its military ahead of Pyongyang's Eighth Party Congress in January, according to Seoul. South Korean Defense Minister Suh Wook said Wednesday at a year-end meeting of military commanders the Kim Jong-un regime is pushing forward with state goals that must be met before the Party Congress, as it nears the final stages of its "80-day battle" or productivity campaign, Newsis reported. Advertisement
Suh said the North displayed at the Oct. 10 anniversary parade "new missiles and conventional weapons on a large scale." Pyongyang "continues to increase military power," the minister said, according to the report.
Seoul's military chief called for "mental preparedness" in the South, including the strengthening of education and training in the army. But Suh also said commanders should continue to support the "peace process" and the implementation of the inter-Korean Comprehensive Military Agreement, signed on Sept. 19, 2018, in Pyongyang.
South Korean claims of economic hardship in the North are being refuted among supporters of the North Korean regime. Pyongyang sealed its borders in January in response to COVID-19 and trade has decline significantly with China, its biggest trading partner.
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Choson Sinbo, the pro-Pyongyang newspaper of the Japan-based General Association of Korean Residents, said Wednesday claims about a collapse of the North Korean economy are a "bare-faced lie."
Sanctions, the coronavirus pandemic and natural disasters have not destroyed the North, the newspaper claimed.
"All is accomplished using domestic [North Korean] resources and technology," the Choson Sinbo said. "As blood flows throughout the body, the North Korean currency is in circulation, over and over again."
The paper also said Pyongyang has achieved goals outlined in a five-year plan, such as completions of units at the Sangwon Cement Complex.
The plant was built in partnership with French cement company Lafarge SA, according to Daily NK.


upi--2020-12-16--Rosie O'Donnell, Donald Faison to guest star on 'L Word: Generation Q'

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- Rosie O'Donnell , Donald Faison and Griffin Dunne have landed recurring roles in Season @ @ @ @ @ The L Word : Generation Q .
Season 1 cast member Jordan Hull also has @ @ @ @ @ , the cable network said Tuesday .
Season 2 is in production in Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ in 2021 .
The show is a sequel to the popular 2004-09 series The L @ @ @ @ @ Beals , Katherine Moennig and Leisha Hailey , and explored the lives of a group @ @ @ @ @ their families , friends and lovers .
The actresses reprise their roles in Generation Q @ @ @ @ @ Chaiken returned as an executive producer for the sequel , while Marja-Lewis Ryan is serving @ @ @ @ @ .

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Rosie O'Donnell has joined the ensemble of "The L Word: Generation Q." File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Rosie O'Donnell, Donald Faison and Griffin Dunne have landed recurring roles in Season 2 of the Showtime drama The L Word: Generation Q. Season 1 cast member Jordan Hull also has been promoted to series regular, the cable network said Tuesday. Advertisement
Season 2 is in production in Los Angeles, slated to be released in 2021.
The show is a sequel to the popular 2004-09 series The L Word, which starred Jennifer Beals, Katherine Moennig and Leisha Hailey, and explored the lives of a group of West Hollywood lesbians and their families, friends and lovers.
The actresses reprise their roles in Generation Q.
Original series creator Ilene Chaiken returned as an executive producer for the sequel, while Marja-Lewis Ryan is serving as show-runner and executive producer.


upi--2020-12-16--Watch: Keegan-Michael Key says musicals was 'not part of the plan' on 'Late Late Show'

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- Keegan-Michael Key appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden and discussed recently starring in two Netflix musicals and his experience working with Meryl Streep .
Key , best known for his comedic roles , currently appears in musicals Jingle Jangle : A Christmas Journey and The Prom .
The actor has also wrapped up production on another musical for Apple TV+ .
`` This was not part of the plan at all , '' Key told Corden while speaking with the late night host virtually on Tuesday .
The 49-year-old said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was always more interested in portraying characters and diving into their motivations .
`` I always just wanted to get into the character part .
That 's what I always wanted to do .
I was like , 'So what is the second gambler on the left in Guy and Dolls thinking though ?
What 's his motivation ? ''
Key said .
`` I was almost immediately going to go in a different direction and so the fact that it 's come full circle like this is really fantastic .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Key stars as Streep 's love interest in The Prom , a film about Broadway actors who try to help a lesbian student banned from bringing her girlfriend to prom .
Corden , Nicole Kidman , Andrew Rannells , Kerry Washington and Tracey Ullman also star in the musical , from Ryan Murphy .
Key praised Streep and explained how easy it was to work with her in developing a scene .
`` All of sudden she 's not Meryl Streep anymore .
She 's just like a really fantastic acting partner and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes an effort to make you feel comfortable .
She wants you to be able to open up and be as brave and fearless as you can , '' Key said .

Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Keegan-Michael Key appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden and discussed recently starring in two Netflix musicals and his experience working with Meryl Streep.
Key, best known for his comedic roles, currently appears in musicals Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey and The Prom. The actor has also wrapped up production on another musical for Apple TV+.
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"This was not part of the plan at all," Key told Corden while speaking with the late night host virtually on Tuesday.
The 49-year-old said he performed in musicals in high school but was always more interested in portraying characters and diving into their motivations.
"I always just wanted to get into the character part. That's what I always wanted to do. I was like, 'So what is the second gambler on the left in Guy and Dolls thinking though? What's his motivation?'' Key said.
"I was almost immediately going to go in a different direction and so the fact that it's come full circle like this is really fantastic. It's really fun," he continued.
Key stars as Streep's love interest in The Prom, a film about Broadway actors who try to help a lesbian student banned from bringing her girlfriend to prom. Corden, Nicole Kidman, Andrew Rannells, Kerry Washington and Tracey Ullman also star in the musical, from Ryan Murphy.
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Key praised Streep and explained how easy it was to work with her in developing a scene.
"All of sudden she's not Meryl Streep anymore. She's just like a really fantastic acting partner and that's kudos to her because she makes an effort to make you feel comfortable. She wants you to be able to open up and be as brave and fearless as you can," Key said.


upi--2020-12-16--In photos: Scenes from 'The Nutcracker/Cracked' in NYC

Scenes from 'The Nutcracker/Cracked ' in NYC Choreographer Keith Michael of The New York Theatre Ballet and choreographer and founder @ @ @ @ @ Group are presenting a live presentation of `` The Nutcracker/Cracked '' at Art on Site @ @ @ @ @ Many of the traditional live holiday shows are restricted this year , due to the @ @ @ @ @ is limiting the audience and following safety guidelines .
Here 's a look at a @ @ @ @ @ photographer John Angelillo .

The performance is an excerpt from "The Nutcracker" party scene. as well as excerpts from "Nut/Cracked" danced by the Bang Group. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI