upi--2020-02-18--Infants conceived using IVF have higher risk for early death, study says

Feb. 18 ( UPI ) -- Children conceived using in vitro fertilization , or IVF , have a slightly higher risk of dying during infancy than those conceived naturally , a study published Tuesday in the journal Sterility and Fertility suggests .
In an analysis of more than 7,000 children who died before turning one , researchers at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden noted that those conceived using IVF had a 45 percent higher risk of death during early life than others .
They linked this increased risk to the fact that a higher number of IVF children are born @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of infant mortality is still very small for both groups .
`` It is important to note that even if we on a group level can see a somewhat increased risk of infant mortality after IVF , the absolute risk for each individual is still very small , '' co-author Kenny Rodriguez-Wallberg , associate professor of oncology and pathology at Karolinska Institutet , said in a press release .
`` It is also reassuring to know that there is no increased risk of mortality in this group of children beyond the first year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of age , the risk of mortality was similar for all children regardless of conception method , she added .
Prior studies have shown that IVF-induced pregnancies come with an increased risk of low birth weight , premature birth and birth defects .
Although the reasons for this are still being studied , these risks have partly been linked to the increased probability of twin-births after IVF-treatment .
For this most recent study , the researchers selected only singleton children and compared mortality in children conceived through different types of assisted reproductive techniques @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They analyzed data from more than 2.8 million children born in Sweden over a period of 30 years -- approximately 43,500 of which were the result of assisted reproduction .
In all , 7,236 children died before turning one and , of these , only 114 were conceived using assisted reproductive techniques .
After adjusting for the mother 's age and earlier infertility , the researchers found that the children conceived using IVF had a 45 percent higher risk of death before one year of age than children conceived naturally .
The level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of assisted reproductive technique was used , and how many days had passed since birth -- and the risk gradually declined after the first weeks of life , the authors noted .
Overall , for example , during the first week of life , the children conceived following transfer of a frozen embryo had a more than two-fold higher risk of death than the children conceived naturally .
This was , however , based on a small sample of children conceived this way and , after one week , the risk dropped to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conceived children .
In addition , infants conceived from transfer of a fresh embryo or using an intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection -- where a single sperm is injected into the egg -- did not have a higher risk of death than naturally conceived children , regardless of the number of days had passed since birth .
The leading causes of infant mortality among children conceived with assisted reproductive techniques included respiratory distress , incomplete lung development , infections and neonatal hemorrhage , which are conditions often linked to premature birth .
`` Our results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technique used may make a difference , and therefore it is important to further investigate what causes or underlying mechanisms are behind the risks , '' said co-author Anastasia Nyman Iliadou , an associate professor medical epidemiology and biostatistics at Karolinska Institutet .
`` They also show the need for extra attention and care of children conceived with IVF , especially during the first week of life . ''

Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Children conceived using in vitro fertilization have a slightly higher risk of dying during infancy than those conceived naturally, a study published Tuesday in the journal Sterility and Fertility suggests.
In an analysis of more than 7,000 children who died before turning 1 year old, researchers at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden noted that those conceived using IVF had a 45 percent higher risk of death during early life than others.
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They linked this increased risk to the fact that a higher number of IVF children are born prematurely, and emphasized that the risk of infant mortality is still very small for both groups.
"It is important to note that even if we on a group level can see a somewhat increased risk of infant mortality after IVF, the absolute risk for each individual is still very small," co-author Kenny Rodriguez-Wallberg, associate professor of oncology and pathology at Karolinska Institutet, said in a press release. "It is also reassuring to know that there is no increased risk of mortality in this group of children beyond the first year of life."
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Beyond 1 year of age, the risk of mortality was similar for all children, regardless of conception method, she added.
Prior studies have shown that IVF-induced pregnancies come with an increased risk of low birth weight, premature birth and birth defects. Although the reasons for this are still being studied, these risks have partly been linked to the increased probability of twin births after IVF treatment.
For this most recent study, the researchers selected only singleton children and compared mortality in children conceived through different types of assisted reproductive techniques with children who were conceived naturally. They analyzed data from more than 2.8 million children born in Sweden over a period of 30 years -- about 43,500 of which were the result of assisted reproduction.
In all, 7,236 children died before turning 1 and, of these, only 114 were conceived using assisted reproductive techniques. After adjusting for the mother's age and earlier infertility, the researchers found that the children conceived using IVF had a 45 percent higher risk of death before 1 year of age than children conceived naturally.
The level of risk varied depending on which type of assisted reproductive technique was used, and how many days had passed since birth. The risk gradually declined after the first weeks of life, the authors noted.
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Overall, for example, during the first week of life, the children conceived following transfer of a frozen embryo had a more than two-fold higher risk of death than the children conceived naturally. This was, however, based on a small sample of children conceived this way and, after one week, the risk dropped to about the same level as the naturally conceived children.
In addition, infants conceived from transfer of a fresh embryo or using an intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection -- where a single sperm is injected into the egg -- did not have a higher risk of death than naturally conceived children, regardless of the number of days since birth.
The leading causes of infant mortality among children conceived with assisted reproductive techniques included respiratory distress, incomplete lung development, infections and neonatal hemorrhage, which are conditions often linked to premature birth.
"Our results indicate that the kind of assisted reproductive technique used may make a difference, and therefore it is important to further investigate what causes or underlying mechanisms are behind the risks," said co-author Anastasia Nyman Iliadou, an associate professor medical epidemiology and biostatistics at Karolinska Institutet. "They also show the need for extra attention and care of children conceived with IVF, especially during the first week of life."


upi--2020-02-17--Apple warns coronavirus is hurting business

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- Apple warned on Monday the outbreak of the coronavirus in China is hurting its bottom line .
In a statement to investors , Apple said the COVID-19 outbreak that has stifled China since it began in early December will cause the tech giant to fall short of previous profit forecasts for the current quarter .
The virus has hampered supply and has caused a drop in demand for products in China , Apple said , explaining that it why it wo n't achieve the sales expectations for the second quarter of 2020 it forecast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 28 quarterly guidance reflected the best information available at the time , calculating the pace of work following the extended Lunar New Year holiday on Feb. 10 .
However , COVID-19 , which has killed nearly 1,900 people and sickened more than 72,000 in China , has slowed the return to normal working conditions in the country where many of its products including the iPhone are made .
In its January guidance , it credited iPhone 11 sales for its strong returns during the first fiscal quarter of 2020 , during which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an increase of 9 percent compared to the same period last year .
For the second quarter , Apple said the worldwide supply of the iPhone will be `` temporarily constrained . ''
Its manufacturing partners of the iPhone do n't reside in Hubei province , the epicenter of the outbreak , but they , too , are `` ramping up more slowly than we had anticipated . ''
`` Work is starting to resume around the country , but we are experiencing a slower return to normal conditions that we had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus is also affecting demand within the Asian nation where it temporarily closed .
It said stores that have since reopened are operating under shortened hours and were seeing `` very low customer traffic . ''
`` We are gradually reopening our retail stores and will continue to do so as steadily and safely as we can , '' the company said .
It added that outside of China , demand for its products and services has been strong and in line with its previous forecast .
`` The situation is evolving , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our next earnings call in April , '' it said .
`` Apple is fundamentally strong , and this disruption to our business is only temporary . ''

A Chinese security guard wearing a protective face mask sits in Apple's flagship store, which is closed due to the coronavirus alert, in Beijing on Feb. 4. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Apple warned on Monday the outbreak of the coronavirus in China is hurting its bottom line. In a statement to investors, Apple said the COVID-19 outbreak that has stifled China since it began in early December will cause the tech giant to fall short of previous profit forecasts for the current quarter. Advertisement
The virus has hampered supply and has caused a drop in demand for products in China, Apple said, explaining that it why it won't achieve the sales expectations for the second quarter of 2020 it forecast late last month.
It said its Jan. 28 quarterly guidance reflected the best information available at the time, calculating the pace of work following the extended Lunar New Year holiday on Feb. 10.
However, COVID-19, which has killed nearly 1,900 people and sickened more than 72,000 in China, has slowed the return to normal working conditions in the country where many of its products including the iPhone are made.
In its January guidance, it credited iPhone 11 sales for its strong returns during the first fiscal quarter of 2020, during which it posted $91.8 billion in revenue, an increase of 9 percent compared to the same period last year.
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For the second quarter, Apple said the worldwide supply of the iPhone will be "temporarily constrained."
Its manufacturing partners of the iPhone don't reside in Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak, but they, too, are "ramping up more slowly than we had anticipated."
"Work is starting to resume around the country, but we are experiencing a slower return to normal conditions that we had anticipated," it said.
The coronavirus is also affecting demand within the Asian nation where it temporarily closed. It said stores that have since reopened are operating under shortened hours and were seeing "very low customer traffic."
"We are gradually reopening our retail stores and will continue to do so as steadily and safely as we can," the company said.
It added that outside of China, demand for its products and services has been strong and in line with its previous forecast.
"The situation is evolving, and we will provide more information during our next earnings call in April," it said. "Apple is fundamentally strong, and this disruption to our business is only temporary."


upi--2020-02-17--Silver Prospector moves up on Kentucky Derby list with Presidents' Day win

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- Silver Prospector ran by pacesetting Wells Bayou in the stretch drive of Monday 's $ 750,000 Grade III Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park , winning by 1 length and earning 10 points toward a Kentucky Derby start .
The 1 1/16-mile race drew nine 3-year-olds to Hot Springs , Ark.
, but did little to resolve the still-unsettled Derby picture .
None of the Southwest participants is in the top rank -- at least yet -- for the first Saturday in May .
Still , Silver Prospector , a Declaration of War colt trained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Southwest .
After starting well off the pace , jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. urged his mount into contention on the stretch turn , hit the front a furlong out and edged clear .
Wells Bayou held second .
In a mark of the uncertainty surrounding this year 's 3-year-olds , the favorite , Answer In , had no answer when asked in the stretch and finished third , 5 1/2 lengths farther back .
`` The last two weeks the horse was training unbelievable , '' Santana said of Silver Prospector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rain so the track was just how he liked it .
He pulled me in a great spot the first quarter , and I just became his passenger . ''
Silver Prospector posted his third career win , finishing in a quite respectable 1:43.01 over a fast track .
The earlier victories include the Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs last November .
Asmussen said Silver Prospector is likely to stay at Oaklawn for the $ 1 million Grade II Rebel on March 14 and the $ 1 million Grade I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Absolutely , we 'll look at the Rebel and Arkansas Derby , '' the conditioner said .
`` This series is quite lucrative and the points are very important . ''
Silver Prospector is sixth on the points list for the Run for the Roses , which has a maximum field of 20 .
His standing will drop sharply in the next few weeks , however , as others accumulate points while he waits in the barn .
The Rebel offers 50 points to the winner ; the Arkansas Derby , 100 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arkansas spa city : Warrior 's Charge charged to the lead right out of the gate in the $ 500,000 Razorback Handicap , hooked up in a stretch duel with Bankit and prevailed by a head over that rival Snapper Sinclair was third , a further 4 1/2 lengths in arrears as Warrior 's Charge , a 4-year-old Munnings colt , finished 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.00 with Florent Geroux up .
Warrior 's Charge was fourth in last year 's Preakness Stakes , his only previous graded-stakes effort for trainer Brad Cox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stakes for fillies and mares , Go Google Yourself chased down the favorite , Whoa Nellie , in the closing strides to win by a neck .
Cairenn was third .
Go Google Yourself , a 5-year-old Into Mischief mare , ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.65 .

Silver Prospector, with Ricardo Santana Jr. riding, wins Monday's Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, earning 10 points toward a potential start in the Kentucky Derby. Photo courtesy of Oaklawn Park
Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Silver Prospector ran by pacesetting Wells Bayou in the stretch drive of Monday's $750,000 Grade III Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, winning by 1 length and earning 10 points toward a Kentucky Derby start. The 1 1/16-mile race drew nine 3-year-olds to Hot Springs, Ark., but did little to resolve the still-unsettled Derby picture. None of the Southwest participants is in the top rank -- at least yet -- for the first Saturday in May. Advertisement
Still, Silver Prospector, a Declaration of War colt trained by Steve Asmussen, looked the part in the Southwest. After starting well off the pace, jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. urged his mount into contention on the stretch turn, hit the front a furlong out and edged clear.
Wells Bayou held second. In a mark of the uncertainty surrounding this year's 3-year-olds, the favorite, Answer In, had no answer when asked in the stretch and finished third, 5 1/2 lengths farther back.
"The last two weeks the horse was training unbelievable," Santana said of Silver Prospector. "We didn't get any rain so the track was just how he liked it. He pulled me in a great spot the first quarter, and I just became his passenger."
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Silver Prospector posted his third career win, finishing in a quite respectable 1:43.01 over a fast track. The earlier victories include the Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs last November.
Asmussen said Silver Prospector is likely to stay at Oaklawn for the $1 million Grade II Rebel on March 14 and the $1 million Grade I Arkansas Derby on April 11.
"Absolutely, we'll look at the Rebel and Arkansas Derby," the conditioner said. "This series is quite lucrative and the points are very important."
Silver Prospector is sixth on the points list for the Run for the Roses, which has a maximum field of 20. His standing will drop sharply in the next few weeks, however, as others accumulate points while he waits in the barn. The Rebel offers 50 points to the winner; the Arkansas Derby, 100.
Also on Presidents' Day at the Arkansas spa city:
Warrior's Charge charged to the lead right out of the gate in the $500,000 Razorback Handicap, hooked up in a stretch duel with Bankit and prevailed by a head over that rival Snapper Sinclair was third, a further 4 1/2 lengths in arrears as Warrior's Charge, a 4-year-old Munnings colt, finished 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.00 with Florent Geroux up.
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Warrior's Charge was fourth in last year's Preakness Stakes, his only previous graded-stakes effort for trainer Brad Cox.
And in the $200,000 Bayakoa Stakes for fillies and mares, Go Google Yourself chased down the favorite, Whoa Nellie, in the closing strides to win by a neck. Cairenn was third. Go Google Yourself, a 5-year-old Into Mischief mare, ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.65.


upi--2020-02-17--Ryan Newman in serious condition after Daytona crash; injuries not life-threatening

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- Ryan Newman is in serious condition after a fiery crash at the conclusion of the Daytona 500 on Monday at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach , Fla. Newman is being treated at Halifax Medical Center , according to a statement released by Roush Fenway Racing on Monday night .
Doctors indicated that his injuries are not life-threatening .
`` We appreciate your thoughts and prayers and ask that you respect the privacy of Ryan and his family during this time , '' the statement said .
`` We appreciate your patience and cooperation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it becomes available . ''
Newman , 42 , was the race leader on the final lap of the Daytona 500 when he was bumped by Ryan Blaney just before the finish line , sending him into the outside wall and into an airborne spin while upside down .
Newman 's car flipped several times and was sliding on its side when Corey LaJoie , traveling at full speed , slammed into it .
His car crossed the finish line on its roof and in ninth place before coming to a stop .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newman was removed from the car and taken to the hospital by ambulance .
`` We pushed Newman there to the lead and then we got a push from [ Hamlin ] , '' Blaney said .
`` I was committed to just pushing [ Newman ] to the win and having a Ford win it and got the bumpers hooked up wrong .
It looked bad . ''
Denny Hamlin went on to win the race by a 0.014-second margin , the second-closest finish in Daytona 500 history .
It marked his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Race . ''

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David Ragan (36) maneuvers by the inverted car of Ryan Newman at the finish of the 62nd Daytona 500 on Monday in Daytona Beach, Fla. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Ryan Newman is in serious condition after a fiery crash at the conclusion of the Daytona 500 on Monday at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Newman is being treated at Halifax Medical Center, according to a statement released by Roush Fenway Racing on Monday night. Doctors indicated that his injuries are not life-threatening. Advertisement
"We appreciate your thoughts and prayers and ask that you respect the privacy of Ryan and his family during this time," the statement said. "We appreciate your patience and cooperation and we will provide more information as it becomes available."
Newman, 42, was the race leader on the final lap of the Daytona 500 when he was bumped by Ryan Blaney just before the finish line, sending him into the outside wall and into an airborne spin while upside down.
Newman's car flipped several times and was sliding on its side when Corey LaJoie, traveling at full speed, slammed into it. His car crossed the finish line on its roof and in ninth place before coming to a stop.
Advertisement Here is the final lap of the Daytona 500 in which Ryan Newman's car was flipped at the line. We will continue to keep you updated on his status as we learn more. pic.twitter.com/qkEwQBpoP0— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 18, 2020
According to the Fox Sports broadcast, Newman was removed from the car and taken to the hospital by ambulance.
"We pushed Newman there to the lead and then we got a push from [Hamlin]," Blaney said. "I was committed to just pushing [Newman] to the win and having a Ford win it and got the bumpers hooked up wrong. It looked bad."
Denny Hamlin went on to win the race by a 0.014-second margin, the second-closest finish in Daytona 500 history. It marked his third career win at the "Great American Race."


upi--2020-02-17--Dodgers' Justin Turner rips MLB commish Rob Manfred for 'piece of metal' comment

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner took aim at MLB commissioner Rob Manfred on Monday , calling him `` out of touch '' with the league 's players .
Turner voiced his anger with Manfred 's characterization of the World Series trophy .
In a wide-ranging interview with ESPN on Sunday , the baseball commissioner called the trophy a `` piece of metal '' when discussing whether Major League Baseball considered stripping the Houston Astros of the 2017 championship .
`` I do n't know if the commissioner has ever won anything in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Maybe he has n't .
But the reason every guy is in this room , the reason every guy is working out all off-season , and showing up to camp early and putting in all the time and effort is specifically for that trophy , which , by the way , is called the Commissioner 's Trophy .
`` So , for him to devalue it the way he did [ Sunday ] just tells me how out of touch he is with the players in this game .
At this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that it says 'commissioner ' on it . ''
Turner said he was displeased with the punishment handed down by the league in the Astros ' sign-stealing scandal .
Former Houston manager A.J .
Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended for one year and subsequently fired by the organization .
The Astros also were fined a record $ 5 million and had multiple draft picks taken away , but no active players were fined or suspended .
`` Now anyone who goes forward and cheats to win a World Series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can live with themselves knowing that , 'Oh , it 's OK. ... We 'll cheat in the World Series and bring the title back to L.A. Screw [ manager ] Dave Roberts and screw [ general manager ] Andrew [ Friedman ] .
It 's just those guys losing their jobs .
I still get to be called a champion the rest of my life . '
`` So the precedent was set by [ Manfred ] yesterday in this case . ''
Major League Baseball announced last month that a league @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular season and postseason of their World Series-winning 2017 campaign .
According to Manfred , the Astros used a camera-based system to steal signs of opposing teams during the 2017 season and parts of the 2018 campaign .
Despite the league 's findings , Turner said that he does n't believe Manfred did enough to uncover other things the Astros may have been doing in their sign-stealing operation .
`` I think it all comes down to everyone keeps saying , 'The facts , the facts .
You do n't know the facts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Turner said .
`` I do n't think anyone knows the facts .
I think everyone just wants to hear all the facts .
And I think that the commissioner did n't do a good job of revealing all the facts to us .
I still think there 's some stuff we do n't know . ''
Turner became the latest member of the Dodgers to sound off about Manfred and the Astros ' sign-stealing scheme .
Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen called the Astros ' scandal `` worse than steroids , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would `` lean toward yes '' when asked whether he would intentionally throw at an Astros batter this season .
Dodgers star outfielder Cody Bellinger went even further , saying the Astros stole the 2017 World Series from the Dodgers and Houston second baseman Jose Altuve stole the AL MVP Award that year from New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge .

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (pictured) said MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is "out of touch" with current players in the league. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner took aim at MLB commissioner Rob Manfred on Monday, calling him "out of touch" with the league's players. Turner voiced his anger with Manfred's characterization of the World Series trophy. In a wide-ranging interview with ESPN on Sunday, the baseball commissioner called the trophy a "piece of metal" when discussing whether Major League Baseball considered stripping the Houston Astros of the 2017 championship. Advertisement
"I don't know if the commissioner has ever won anything in his life," Turner told reporters. "Maybe he hasn't. But the reason every guy is in this room, the reason every guy is working out all off-season, and showing up to camp early and putting in all the time and effort is specifically for that trophy, which, by the way, is called the Commissioner's Trophy.
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"So, for him to devalue it the way he did [Sunday] just tells me how out of touch he is with the players in this game. At this point the only thing devaluing that trophy is that it says 'commissioner' on it."
Turner said he was displeased with the punishment handed down by the league in the Astros' sign-stealing scandal. Former Houston manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended for one year and subsequently fired by the organization.
The Astros also were fined a record $5 million and had multiple draft picks taken away, but no active players were fined or suspended.
"Now anyone who goes forward and cheats to win a World Series," Turner said, "they can live with themselves knowing that, 'Oh, it's OK. ... We'll cheat in the World Series and bring the title back to L.A. Screw [manager] Dave Roberts and screw [general manager] Andrew [Friedman]. It's just those guys losing their jobs. I still get to be called a champion the rest of my life.'
"So the precedent was set by [Manfred] yesterday in this case."
Major League Baseball announced last month that a league investigation confirmed the Astros cheated during the regular season and postseason of their World Series-winning 2017 campaign.
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According to Manfred, the Astros used a camera-based system to steal signs of opposing teams during the 2017 season and parts of the 2018 campaign.
Despite the league's findings, Turner said that he doesn't believe Manfred did enough to uncover other things the Astros may have been doing in their sign-stealing operation.
"I think it all comes down to everyone keeps saying, 'The facts, the facts. You don't know the facts. These are the facts,'" Turner said. "I don't think anyone knows the facts. I think everyone just wants to hear all the facts. And I think that the commissioner didn't do a good job of revealing all the facts to us. I still think there's some stuff we don't know."
Turner became the latest member of the Dodgers to sound off about Manfred and the Astros' sign-stealing scheme.
Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen called the Astros' scandal "worse than steroids," while right-handed pitcher Ross Stripling said he would "lean toward yes" when asked whether he would intentionally throw at an Astros batter this season.
Dodgers star outfielder Cody Bellinger went even further, saying the Astros stole the 2017 World Series from the Dodgers and Houston second baseman Jose Altuve stole the AL MVP Award that year from New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge.


upi--2020-02-17--Denny Hamlin wins second consecutive Daytona 500 in tight finish

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- Defending champion Denny Hamlin captured his second straight victory in double overtime at the Daytona 500 on Monday night at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach , Fla. Hamlin 's win came after a devastating crash involving Ryan Newman on the last lap .
Newman was the race leader when he was bumped by Ryan Blaney just before the finish line , sending him into the outside wall and into an airborne spin while upside down .
Newman 's car flipped several times and crossed the finish line on its roof and in ninth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the Fox Sports broadcast , he was removed from the car and taken to the hospital by ambulance .
Newman is being treated at Halifax Medical Center , according to a statement released by Roush Fenway Racing on Monday night .
Doctors indicated that his injuries were serious but not life-threatening .
`` We pushed Newman there to the lead and then we got a push from [ Hamlin ] , '' Blaney said .
`` I was committed to just pushing [ Newman ] to the win and having a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hooked up wrong .
It looked bad . ''
Hamlin 's 0.014-second margin of victory marked the second-closest finish in Daytona 500 history .
His win came after only the second rain postponement in 62 years , two red flag stoppages and two overtimes .
With the victory , Hamlin earned his third career win at the `` Great American Race . ''
He joined six Hall of Fame drivers as winners of three or more races at Daytona .
Hamlin also became the fourth driver in NASCAR history to earn back-to-back wins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Petty ( 1973-74 ) , Cale Yarborough ( 1983-84 ) and Sterling Marlin ( 1994-95 ) .
However , Hamlin 's celebration in victory lane was subdued because of the fiery crash late in the final lap .
`` I think we take for granted sometimes how safe the cars are and number one , we are praying for Ryan , '' Hamlin said .
Blaney finished in second place , followed by Chris Buescher , David Ragan and Kevin Harvick .

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Denny Hamlin celebrates with his crew after winning the 62nd annual Daytona 500 on Monday night at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. It marked his third win at the race. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Defending champion Denny Hamlin captured his second straight victory in double overtime at the Daytona 500 on Monday night at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Hamlin's win came after a devastating crash involving Ryan Newman on the last lap. Newman was the race leader when he was bumped by Ryan Blaney just before the finish line, sending him into the outside wall and into an airborne spin while upside down. Advertisement
Newman's car flipped several times and crossed the finish line on its roof and in ninth place before coming to a stop. According to the Fox Sports broadcast, he was removed from the car and taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Newman is being treated at Halifax Medical Center, according to a statement released by Roush Fenway Racing on Monday night. Doctors indicated that his injuries were serious but not life-threatening.
"We pushed Newman there to the lead and then we got a push from [Hamlin]," Blaney said. "I was committed to just pushing [Newman] to the win and having a Ford win it and got the bumpers hooked up wrong. It looked bad."
Advertisement Here is the final lap of the Daytona 500 in which Ryan Newman's car was flipped at the line. We will continue to keep you updated on his status as we learn more. pic.twitter.com/qkEwQBpoP0— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 18, 2020
Hamlin's 0.014-second margin of victory marked the second-closest finish in Daytona 500 history. His win came after only the second rain postponement in 62 years, two red flag stoppages and two overtimes.
With the victory, Hamlin earned his third career win at the "Great American Race." He joined six Hall of Fame drivers as winners of three or more races at Daytona.
Hamlin also became the fourth driver in NASCAR history to earn back-to-back wins at the Daytona 500, joining Richard Petty (1973-74), Cale Yarborough (1983-84) and Sterling Marlin (1994-95).
However, Hamlin's celebration in victory lane was subdued because of the fiery crash late in the final lap.
"I think we take for granted sometimes how safe the cars are and number one, we are praying for Ryan," Hamlin said.
Blaney finished in second place, followed by Chris Buescher, David Ragan and Kevin Harvick.
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Highlights from the 62nd running of the Daytona 500


upi--2020-02-17--Plymouth Rock, other Massachusetts landmarks vandalized

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- Plymouth Rock and several other landmarks in the Massachusetts town were vandalized ahead of @ @ @ @ @ arriving at the site on the Mayflower .
Crews cleaned up the rock and other @ @ @ @ @ Plymouth town manager Melissa Arrighi said police are investigating the incident .
`` We are @ @ @ @ @ recent vandalism in our historic town , '' she wrote .
Plymouth Rock , a @ @ @ @ @ anniversary , the Pilgrim Maiden statue and the National Monument to the Forefathers were among @ @ @ @ @ with red paint .
Photos of the rock showed `` 508 '' and `` MOF @ @ @ @ @ 's `` 1620 inscription .
Lea Filson , executive director of tourism organization See Plymouth @ @ @ @ @ the community for coming together in response .
`` Seeing this type of disrespect for @ @ @ @ @ Mayflower story is both sad and unsettling , '' Filson said .
`` The outpouring @ @ @ @ @ the incident has been a positive ending to a thoughtless gesture . ''

Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Plymouth Rock and several other landmarks in the Massachusetts town were vandalized ahead of the 400th anniversary of Pilgrims arriving at the site on the Mayflower.
Crews cleaned up the rock and other landmarks late Monday morning and Plymouth town manager Melissa Arrighi said police are investigating the incident.
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"We are saddened and sickened by the recent vandalism in our historic town," she wrote.
We are saddened and sickened by the recent vandalism in our historic town. This is just one of our historic monuments that was hit. We will begin clean up as soon as possible and the police are investigating. pic.twitter.com/kQeTxO7sor— Melissa Arrighi (@MelissaArrighi) February 17, 2020
Plymouth Rock, a seashell-shaped sign celebrating the 400th anniversary, the Pilgrim Maiden statue and the National Monument to the Forefathers were among the monuments that were sprayed with red paint.
Photos of the rock showed "508" and "MOF" painted over Plymouth Rock's "1620 inscription.
Lea Filson, executive director of tourism organization See Plymouth condemned the vandalism but praised the community for coming together in response.
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"Seeing this type of disrespect for the historic reminders of the Mayflower story is both sad and unsettling," Filson said. "The outpouring of concern and anger over the incident has been a positive ending to a thoughtless gesture."


upi--2020-02-18--Lakers' LeBron James calls out MLB commish Rob Manfred: 'Listen to your players'

Feb. 18 ( UPI ) -- Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James slammed MLB commissioner Rob Manfred for the league 's handling of the Houston Astros ' sign-stealing scandal .
In a pair of tweets posted Tuesday , James urged Manfred to listen to players from around Major League Baseball and `` fix this for the sake of sports . ''
`` Listen I know I do n't play baseball but I am in sports and I know if someone cheated me out of winning the title and I found out about it I would be [ expletive ] irate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I mean like uncontrollable about what I would/could do !
Listen here baseball commissioner listen to your players speaking today about how disgusted , mad , hurt , broken , etc .
etc .
about this .
`` Literally the ball is in your court [ or should I say field ] and you need to fix this for the sake of sports ! ''
James joined a growing list of athletes who have called out Manfred and the Astros in recent days .
Los Angeles Dodgers stars Cody Bellinger and Justin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Series to the Astros in seven games , voiced their displeasure with the punishment handed down on the Astros organization .
Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout and New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge also took aim at Manfred 's handling of the case .
Major League Baseball announced last month that a league investigation confirmed the Astros cheated during the regular season and postseason of their World Series-winning 2017 campaign .
According to Manfred , the Astros used a camera-based system to steal signs of opposing teams during the 2017 season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The sign-stealing scandal led to the suspension and subsequent firing of former Astros manager A.J .
Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow last month .
The Astros organization was also fined a record $ 5 million and had multiple draft picks taken away .
But none of the Astros players involved with the operation were suspended or fined , and Manfred previously indicated that MLB had no plans to strip the Astros of their 2017 World Series championship .
Those decisions have drawn widespread criticism from players and managers from around the league @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manfred has defended his punishment of the Astros this week , but came under fire for his characterization of the World Series trophy .
The baseball executive called the Commissioner 's Trophy a `` piece of metal '' during a wide-ranging interview with ESPN .
Manfred later apologized for referring to the trophy `` in a disrespectful way . ''
`` I 've awarded five World Series trophies , '' Manfred said Tuesday .
`` There is no greater pleasure in this job than awarding that trophy .
I understand what it means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mistake to say what I said . ''

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (pictured) became the latest athlete to weigh in on the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has been criticized for his handling of the case. File Photo by Rhona Wise/EPA-EFE
Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James slammed MLB commissioner Rob Manfred for the league's handling of the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal. In a pair of tweets posted Tuesday, James urged Manfred to listen to players from around Major League Baseball and "fix this for the sake of sports." Advertisement
"Listen I know I don't play baseball but I am in sports and I know if someone cheated me out of winning the title and I found out about it I would be [expletive] irate!" James wrote on Twitter. "I mean like uncontrollable about what I would/could do! Listen here baseball commissioner listen to your players speaking today about how disgusted, mad, hurt, broken, etc. etc. about this.
"Literally the ball is in your court[or should I say field] and you need to fix this for the sake of sports!"
players speaking today about how disgusted, mad, hurt, broken, etc etc about this. Literally the ball() is in your court(or should I say field) and you need to fix this for the sake of Sports! #JustMyThoughtsComingFromASportsJunkieRegardlessMyOwnSportIPlay— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 18, 2020
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James joined a growing list of athletes who have called out Manfred and the Astros in recent days.
Los Angeles Dodgers stars Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner, whose Dodgers lost the 2017 World Series to the Astros in seven games, voiced their displeasure with the punishment handed down on the Astros organization. Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout and New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge also took aim at Manfred's handling of the case.
Major League Baseball announced last month that a league investigation confirmed the Astros cheated during the regular season and postseason of their World Series-winning 2017 campaign.
According to Manfred, the Astros used a camera-based system to steal signs of opposing teams during the 2017 season and parts of the 2018 campaign.
The sign-stealing scandal led to the suspension and subsequent firing of former Astros manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow last month. The Astros organization was also fined a record $5 million and had multiple draft picks taken away.
But none of the Astros players involved with the operation were suspended or fined, and Manfred previously indicated that MLB had no plans to strip the Astros of their 2017 World Series championship. Those decisions have drawn widespread criticism from players and managers from around the league, including athletes outside of baseball.
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Manfred has defended his punishment of the Astros this week, but came under fire for his characterization of the World Series trophy. The baseball executive called the Commissioner's Trophy a "piece of metal" during a wide-ranging interview with ESPN.
Manfred later apologized for referring to the trophy "in a disrespectful way."
"I've awarded five World Series trophies," Manfred said Tuesday. "There is no greater pleasure in this job than awarding that trophy. I understand what it means. And again, it was a mistake to say what I said."


upi--2020-02-18--Judge dismisses case challenging U.S. ban on Huawei products

Feb. 18 ( UPI ) -- A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit by Chinese electronics company Huawei arguing that a 2018 law banning U.S. federal employees from purchasing its products is unconstitutional .
Judge Amos Mazzant of the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Texas ruled that Congress has the ability to bar federal agencies from purchasing the company 's products as outlined in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act .
Additionally , the court determined that Congress did not prevent Huawei from doing business in the United States , but instead was exercising its power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Contracting with the federal government is a privilege , not a constitutionally guaranteed right -- at least not as far as the court is aware , '' he wrote .
In February 2018 , U.S. intelligence officials advised Americans against using cellphones by Huawei and ZTE , another Chinese telecom company , warning that they may pose security risks , including allowing spying by the Chinese government .
In May of the same year , the Pentagon announced it would ban the sale of all smartphones made by Huawei and ZTE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act then included a provision that prevented federal agencies and contractors from buying certain products from the companies .
Huawei has repeatedly denied any risks and in the lawsuit said the ban is based on `` numerous false , unproven and untested propositions '' and that the U.S. government failed to provide evidence Huawei products pose a security risk .
The company said on Tuesday that it will seek further legal action .
`` Huawei is disappointed in Today 's ruling and while we understand the paramount significance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the U.S. Government in the 2019 NDAA provides a false sense of protection while undermining Huawei 's constitutional rights , '' a representative said .

A U.S. federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Chinese telecom company Huawei, disputing a ban on federal employees using its products. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 18 (UPI) -- A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit by Chinese electronics company Huawei arguing that a 2018 law banning U.S. federal employees from purchasing its products is unconstitutional. Judge Amos Mazzant of the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Texas ruled that Congress has the ability to bar federal agencies from purchasing the company's products as outlined in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. Advertisement
Additionally, the court determined that Congress did not prevent Huawei from doing business in the United States, but instead was exercising its power to control the use of federal funds.
"Contracting with the federal government is a privilege, not a constitutionally guaranteed right -- at least not as far as the court is aware," he wrote.
In February 2018, U.S. intelligence officials advised Americans against using cellphones by Huawei and ZTE, another Chinese telecom company, warning that they may pose security risks, including allowing spying by the Chinese government.
In May of the same year, the Pentagon announced it would ban the sale of all smartphones made by Huawei and ZTE from all U.S. military bases worldwide.
The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act then included a provision that prevented federal agencies and contractors from buying certain products from the companies.
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Huawei has repeatedly denied any risks and in the lawsuit said the ban is based on "numerous false, unproven and untested propositions" and that the U.S. government failed to provide evidence Huawei products pose a security risk.
The company said on Tuesday that it will seek further legal action.
"Huawei is disappointed in Today's ruling and while we understand the paramount significance of national security, the approach taken by the U.S. Government in the 2019 NDAA provides a false sense of protection while undermining Huawei's constitutional rights," a representative said.


upi--2020-02-18--Study: Fluoride good for teeth, but over-exposure may damage enamel

Feb. 18 ( UPI ) -- Fluoride helps prevent tooth day -- but too much of it can actually negatively affect oral hygiene , a new analysis has suggested .
In findings published Tuesday in Science Signaling , researchers have expanded their understanding of how a condition called fluorosis develops .
Fluorosis , or over-exposure to fluoride in childhood , can result in damage to tooth enamel , the coating that protects teeth from chemicals in food and drinks that cause decay and , ultimately , cavities .
In general , the risk for fluoride over-exposure in the United Stats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlled and in some regions is in fact de-fluoridated because the naturally available water can contain high levels of fluoride , '' study co-author Rodrigo Lacruz , associate professor of basic science and craniofacial biology at New York University College of Dentistry , told UPI .
He added , however , that `` consumers should make sure they follow the recommendations established by health organizations and dental professionals because when used under these guidelines , fluoride has many positive effects . ''
Fluoride , often a main ingredient in toothpastes , works to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- which causes the residual chemicals in food and drinks that remain on teeth to break down , preventing decay -- and making the enamel on teeth more resistant to acid .
As Lacruz noted , the mineral is added to drinking water in the United States and elsewhere , but usually at controlled levels -- typically targeted to 0.7 milligrams per liter , as recommended by the federal Public Health Service .
While low levels of fluoride are beneficial , too much of the mineral can cause fluorosis , a discoloring -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The condition occurs when children between birth and around nine years of age -- the age at which teeth are forming -- are exposed to high levels fluoride .
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , approximately one in four Americans between 6 and 49 years of age has some degree of fluorosis .
Lacruz and his colleagues analyzed the effects of exposing tooth enamel cells taken from rodents to fluoride at levels on the higher end of the range found in most American drinking water -- 1.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels they used matched those found in areas where fluorosis is more common .
In general , the researchers report that exposing enamel cells to higher amounts of fluoride disrupted their ability to take in and store calcium , which is necessary to strengthen teeth and bones .
The researchers also noted that excessive fluoride slows the development of enamel cells , adversely affecting enamel 's ability to rejuvenate and strengthen itself .
The researchers repeated their experiment using early-stage kidney cells from humans , but they did not observe the same effects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This indicates that enamel cells are different from cells forming tissue in other parts of the body , they said .
`` More research should be encouraged on how dental enamel cells handle high fluoride and how do they differ from other cells of the body in coping with the stresses imposed by fluoride as fluoridation is so common , '' Lacruz said .
In the meantime , he added , `` parents should monitor the amount of fluoridated toothpaste used by young children and not let them swallow toothpaste when brushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fashion rather than along the length of the toothbrush helps , but a pea size amount of toothpaste is what should be aimed for in children . ''

Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Fluoride helps prevent tooth day -- but too much of it can actually negatively affect oral hygiene, a new analysis has suggested.
In findings published Tuesday in Science Signaling, researchers have expanded their understanding of how a condition called fluorosis develops.
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Fluorosis, or over-exposure to fluoride in childhood, can result in damage to tooth enamel, the coating that protects teeth from chemicals in food and drinks that cause decay and, ultimately, cavities.
In general, the risk for fluoride over-exposure in the United Stats "is low because water fluoridation is controlled and in some regions is in fact de-fluoridated because the naturally available water can contain high levels of fluoride," study co-author Rodrigo Lacruz, associate professor of basic science and craniofacial biology at New York University College of Dentistry, told UPI.
He added, however, that "consumers should make sure they follow the recommendations established by health organizations and dental professionals because when used under these guidelines, fluoride has many positive effects."
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Fluoride, often a main ingredient in toothpastes, works to prevent cavities by promoting "mineralization" -- which causes the residual chemicals in food and drinks that remain on teeth to break down, preventing decay -- and making the enamel on teeth more resistant to acid.
As Lacruz noted, the mineral is added to drinking water in the United States and elsewhere, but usually at controlled levels -- typically targeted to 0.7 milligrams per liter, as recommended by the federal Public Health Service.
While low levels of fluoride are beneficial, too much of the mineral can cause fluorosis, a discoloring -- usually yellowing -- of the tooth enamel. The condition occurs when children between birth and around nine years of age -- the age at which teeth are forming -- are exposed to high levels fluoride.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in four Americans between 6 and 49 years of age has some degree of fluorosis.
Lacruz and his colleagues analyzed the effects of exposing tooth enamel cells taken from rodents to fluoride at levels on the higher end of the range found in most American drinking water -- 1.2 milligrams per liter and above. The levels they used matched those found in areas where fluorosis is more common.
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In general, the researchers report that exposing enamel cells to higher amounts of fluoride disrupted their ability to take in and store calcium, which is necessary to strengthen teeth and bones. The researchers also noted that excessive fluoride slows the development of enamel cells, adversely affecting enamel's ability to rejuvenate and strengthen itself.
The researchers repeated their experiment using early-stage kidney cells from humans, but they did not observe the same effects when kidney cells were exposed to fluoride. This indicates that enamel cells are different from cells forming tissue in other parts of the body, they said.
"More research should be encouraged on how dental enamel cells handle high fluoride and how do they differ from other cells of the body in coping with the stresses imposed by fluoride as fluoridation is so common," Lacruz said.
In the meantime, he added, "parents should monitor the amount of fluoridated toothpaste used by young children and not let them swallow toothpaste when brushing teeth. Dispensing toothpaste in a transverse fashion rather than along the length of the toothbrush helps, but a pea size amount of toothpaste is what should be aimed for in children."


upi--2020-02-18--General Atomics nabs two deals totaling $35.M for work on EMALs

Feb. 18 ( UPI ) -- General Atomics received two contracts totaling $ 35.6 million for work on the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System for the Navy , the Pentagon announced Thursday .
The larger of the two deals is a $ 25.2 million delivery order funding planning efforts for EMALS , including logistics support , engineering support , maintenance planning , reliability maintenance and technical manual development for the USS Gerald Ford and the USS John F. Kennedy .
More than 99 percent of the work on this contract will be performed in San Diego , with one-tenth of one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place in Tupelo , Miss.
, with an expected completion date of February 2022 .
The second deal , for $ 10.4 million , modifies an earlier contract for work on the USS Enterprise , which will be the third Ford-class ship after the the first-in-class Ford and the Kennedy .
This contract funds procurement of hardware and installation support services for EMALS , with the bulk of work -- 95 percent -- also taking place in San Diego , and the rest in Tupelo .
Work on the second contract is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In January the Ford left port in Norfolk , Va. , to begin aircraft compatibility testing off the East Coast .
The test is intended in part to see how well the ship -- which has been troubled by delays and cost overruns , including problems with its electromagnetic elevators -- operates with EMALS integrated .

The future USS Gerald R. Ford sails on its own power for the first time out of Newport News, Va., in this April 2017 file photo. On Tuesday General Atomic received two contracts for work on the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System for the Ford ships. Photo by Ridge Leoni/U.S. Navy | License Photo
Feb. 18 (UPI) -- General Atomics received two contracts totaling $35.6 million for work on the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System for the Navy, the Pentagon announced Wednesday. The larger of the two deals is a $25.2 million delivery order funding planning efforts for EMALS, including logistics support, engineering support, maintenance planning, reliability maintenance and technical manual development for the USS Gerald Ford and the USS John F. Kennedy. Advertisement
More than 99 percent of the work on this contract will be performed in San Diego, with one-tenth of one percent of work on the contract taking place in Tupelo, Miss., with an expected completion date of February 2022.
The second deal, for $10.4 million, modifies an earlier contract for work on the USS Enterprise, which will be the third Ford-class ship after the the first-in-class Ford and the Kennedy.
This contract funds procurement of hardware and installation support services for EMALS, with the bulk of work -- 95 percent -- also taking place in San Diego, and the rest in Tupelo.
Work on the second contract is expected to be complete in December 2021.
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In January the Ford left port in Norfolk, Va., to begin aircraft compatibility testing off the East Coast.
The test is intended in part to see how well the ship -- which has been troubled by delays and cost overruns, including problems with its electromagnetic elevators -- operates with EMALS integrated.


upi--2020-02-18--Ryan Newman awake, speaking with family after Daytona 500 crash

Feb. 18 ( UPI ) -- NASCAR driver Ryan Newman is awake and speaking with family and doctors a day after being involved in a devastating crash on the final lap of the Daytona 500 .
Roush Fenway Racing issued a statement Tuesday on the condition of its driver , less than 24 hours after Newman sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash that occurred at the end of Monday night 's `` Great American Race . ''
Doctors indicated that his injuries were not considered life-threatening .
`` Ryan and his family have expressed their appreciation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country , '' the statement said .
`` They are grateful for the unwavering support of the NASCAR community and beyond .
We will continue to provide information as it becomes available . ''
Newman , 42 , was the race leader on the final lap of the Daytona 500 when he was bumped by Ryan Blaney just before the finish line , sending him into the outside wall and into an airborne spin while upside down .
Newman 's car flipped several times and was sliding on its side when Corey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slammed into it .
His car crossed the finish line on its roof and in ninth place before coming to a stop .
Newman was removed from the car and taken to the hospital by an ambulance .
As of Tuesday , he remains hospitalized at Halifax Medical Center .
There has n't been a fatality in NASCAR 's Cup Series since Dale Earnhardt died in a crash on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 .
Denny Hamlin went on to win Monday 's race by a 0.014-second margin , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It marked his third career victory at Daytona .

Ryan Newman's inverted car is hit by Corey LaJoie (32) as Kevin Harvick (4) tries to avoid contact during the 62nd annual Daytona 500 on Monday at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 18 (UPI) -- NASCAR driver Ryan Newman is awake and speaking with family and doctors a day after being involved in a devastating crash on the final lap of the Daytona 500. Roush Fenway Racing issued a statement Tuesday on the condition of its driver, less than 24 hours after Newman sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash that occurred at the end of Monday night's "Great American Race." Doctors indicated that his injuries were not considered life-threatening. Advertisement
"Ryan and his family have expressed their appreciation for the concern and heartfelt messages from across the country," the statement said. "They are grateful for the unwavering support of the NASCAR community and beyond. We will continue to provide information as it becomes available."
Newman, 42, was the race leader on the final lap of the Daytona 500 when he was bumped by Ryan Blaney just before the finish line, sending him into the outside wall and into an airborne spin while upside down.
Newman's car flipped several times and was sliding on its side when Corey LaJoie, traveling at full speed, slammed into it. His car crossed the finish line on its roof and in ninth place before coming to a stop.
Advertisement Here is the final lap of the Daytona 500 in which Ryan Newman's car was flipped at the line. We will continue to keep you updated on his status as we learn more. pic.twitter.com/qkEwQBpoP0— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 18, 2020
Newman was removed from the car and taken to the hospital by an ambulance. As of Tuesday, he remains hospitalized at Halifax Medical Center.
There hasn't been a fatality in NASCAR's Cup Series since Dale Earnhardt died in a crash on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.
Denny Hamlin went on to win Monday's race by a 0.014-second margin, the second-closest finish in Daytona 500 history. It marked his third career victory at Daytona.


upi--2020-02-18--Countries rush to evacuate citizens from coronavirus-stricken ship

Feb. 18 ( UPI ) -- South Korea , Canada , Australia and Britain are rushing to evacuate citizens from a cruise ship that is quarantined off Japan 's coast amid a drastic increase of coronavirus infections among its passengers .
The Diamond Princess , anchored in Japan 's Yokohama Port with 2,666 passengers and 1,045 crew , is the world 's largest cluster of confirmed COVID-19 cases outside China , with more than 500 passengers infected with the disease since it was placed under a 14-day quarantine on Feb. 3 .
On Tuesday , Princess Cruises , which operates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of COVID-19 aboard the ship in the past 48 hours .
Japan 's Ministry of Health said passengers who test negative for the coronavirus will be able to leave starting Wednesday , when the quarantine expires .
However , at Haneda Airport in nearby Tokyo , a South Korean presidential plane landed Tuesday to evacuate four nationals and a Japanese spouse from the ship with plans to return to Gimpo in western Seoul by Wednesday morning , Yonhap reported .
Britain also issued a statement Tuesday stating it was coordinating a flight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Canada and Australia have been arranging evacuation efforts over the past few days .
News of the evacuations follows two chartered flights returning to the United States with 328 American evacuees from the cruise ship late Sunday and early Monday .
Among the passengers were 14 who tested positive for COVID-19 , nearly doubling the number of confirmed cases in the United States to 29 .
Ninety-two Americans remain under quarantine on the ship .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday that all people currently on board the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the United States .
They must wait at least 14 days after leaving the cruise ship before traveling to the United States .
`` After disembarkation from the Diamond Princess , these passengers and crew will be required to wait 14 days without having symptoms or a positive coronavirus test result before they are permitted to board flights to the United States , '' the CDC said in a statement .
If someone who had been on the cruise ship travels to the United States within the 14-day time period , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States until the two weeks is up .
Meanwhile , China 's National Health Commission increased its death toll on Tuesday to 1,868 after 98 people died in the previous 24 hours .
Ninety-three of the deaths occurred in the epicenter of Hubei province , including 72 in the city of Wuhan , where the disease is believed to have emerged .
Globally , the death toll stood at 1,873 as France , the Philippines , Japan , Hong Kong and Taiwan have each reported a death outside mainland China .
China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 1,886 over Monday to 72,436 .
World Health Organization officials said Tuesday there have been 92 cases of person-to-person transmission in 12 countries outside of China , but the agency does n't have sufficient data from many of these countries to make `` meaningful comparisons . ''
`` We have not seen sustained local transmission of coronavirus except in specific circumstances like the Diamond Princess cruise ship , '' WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a news briefing in Geneva .
Mike Ryan , director of WHO 's Health Emergencies Program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to quarantine passengers on the Diamond Princess , where they could be `` kept together '' and monitored , but that `` clearly , there has been more transmission than expected . ''
WHO and other experts plan to study what led to such widespread and rapid transmission on the Diamond Princess , but Ryan urged the public to keep the `` event in perspective . ''
`` The vast majority of people on the ship do n't have COVID-19 , '' he said , adding that many of the cases seem to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of its global COVID-19 response efforts , WHO has shipped personal protective equipment , or PPE , to 21 member countries , and will provide the gear to another 106 countries in the coming weeks .
The agency has also provided COVID-19 testing kits to 40 countries in Africa and 29 in the Americas , which means they will have their own testing capacity by the end of this week .
According to Tedros , these countries -- most of them low-income -- had been sending samples to other countries for testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thanks to these initiatives , `` we still have a chance of preventing a broader global catastrophe , '' he said .
Meanwhile , Chinese health officials announced the death of a doctor at ground zero of the widening epidemic after he contracted the deadly coronavirus while caring for infected patients .
Liu Zhiming , director of the Wuchang Hospital in Wuhan , died Tuesday at age of 51 , the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said .
`` Since the outbreak , comrade Liu Zhiming , regardless of his personal safety , led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight the epidemic and made important contributions to the prevention and control of new-type coronavirus pneumonia in our city , '' the commission said in a statement .
Liu 's death is the latest among health professionals fighting the disease in China 's Hubei province with officials stating last week more than 1,700 front-line medics had been infected , six of whom had died .
Among the dead is 34-year-old Li Wenliang -- an ophthalmologist at Wuhan who was punished by police for attempting to inform friends and family online in December when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widespread anger , forcing the government to initiate an investigation .

1/3
Passengers of The Diamond Princess cruise ship who test negative for the virus will start to disembark starting Wednesday. Photo by Jiji Press/EPA-EFE
Feb. 18 (UPI) -- The death toll from an outbreak of the coronavirus has topped 2,000, health officials said Wednesday as South Korea, Canada, Australia and Britain rush to evacuate citizens from a cruise ship that is quarantined off Japan's coast amid a drastic increase of COVID-19 infections among its passengers. The Diamond Princess, anchored in Japan's Yokohama Port with 2,666 passengers and 1,045 crew, is the world's largest cluster of confirmed COVID-19 cases outside China, with 88 new cases confirmed Tuesday that raised the total to 542 passengers infected with the disease since it was placed under a 14-day quarantine in early this month. Advertisement
Japan's Ministry of Health said passengers who test negative for the coronavirus will be able to leave starting Wednesday, when the quarantine expires.
However, a South Korean presidential plane touched down early Wednesday at Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul with six nationals and a Japanese spouse on board who were evacuated from the ship, Yonhap reported.
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The plane landed at Haneda Airport in nearby Tokyo Tuesday night for the repatriation mission, departing Japan in the early hours of Wednesday.
It was originally reported that of the 14 South Koreans who are aboard the Diamond Princess, four would be evacuated along with the Japanese spouse. The remaining South Koreans are to disembark the vessel later this week if they test negative for COVID-19.
Britain also issued a statement Tuesday stating it was coordinating a flight "as soon as possible," and Australia is planning to evacuate more than 200 nationals on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Canada also said an aircraft it charted earlier in the week was in the air heading to Japan and was to return to the North American country on Thursday.
"The departure date will be confirmed once final arrangements with the government of Japan and Princess Cruises are in place," the Canadian government said in a statement.
It did not state how many of the 256 Canadian passengers of the Diamond Princess would be evacuated, though the 43 who have tested positive for the virus will remain in the hospital in Japan.
News of the evacuations follows two chartered flights returning to the United States with 328 American evacuees from the cruise ship late Sunday and early Monday.
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Among the passengers were 14 who tested positive for COVID-19, nearly doubling the number of confirmed cases in the United States to 29. Ninety-two Americans remain under quarantine on the ship.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday that all people currently on board the Diamond Princess will be under travel restrictions to the United States. They must wait at least 14 days after leaving the cruise ship before traveling to the United States.
"After disembarkation from the Diamond Princess, these passengers and crew will be required to wait 14 days without having symptoms or a positive coronavirus test result before they are permitted to board flights to the United States," the CDC said in a statement.
If someone who had been on the cruise ship travels to the United States within the 14-day time period, they must undergo a mandatory quarantine in the United States until the two weeks is up.
Meanwhile, China's National Health Commission increased its death toll on Wednesday to 2,004 after 136 people died in the previous 24 hours. Among the newly recorded deaths, 132 occurred in the epicenter of Hubei province, including 116 in the city of Wuhan, where the disease is believed to have emerged.
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Globally, the death toll stood at 2,009 as France, the Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan have each reported a death outside mainland China.
China also said the number of infections increased by 1,749 over Monday to 74,185.
World Health Organization officials said Tuesday there have been 92 cases of person-to-person transmission in 12 countries outside of China, but the agency doesn't have sufficient data from many of these countries to make "meaningful comparisons."
"We have not seen sustained local transmission of coronavirus except in specific circumstances like the Diamond Princess cruise ship," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a news briefing in Geneva.
Mike Ryan, director of WHO's Health Emergencies Program, said officials in Japan initially decided to quarantine passengers on the Diamond Princess, where they could be "kept together" and monitored, but that "clearly, there has been more transmission than expected."
WHO and other experts plan to study what led to such widespread and rapid transmission on the Diamond Princess, but Ryan urged the public to keep the "event in perspective."
"The vast majority of people on the ship don't have COVID-19," he said, adding that many of the cases seem to be "mild disease."
As part of its global COVID-19 response efforts, WHO has shipped personal protective equipment, or PPE, to 21 member countries, and will provide the gear to another 106 countries in the coming weeks.
Advertisement
The agency has also provided COVID-19 testing kits to 40 countries in Africa and 29 in the Americas, which means they will have their own testing capacity by the end of this week.
According to Tedros, these countries -- most of them low-income -- had been sending samples to other countries for testing and waiting several days for results. Thanks to these initiatives, "we still have a chance of preventing a broader global catastrophe," he said.
Meanwhile, Chinese health officials announced the death of a doctor at ground zero of the widening epidemic after he contracted the deadly coronavirus while caring for infected patients.
Liu Zhiming, director of the Wuchang Hospital in Wuhan, died Tuesday at age of 51, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said.
"Since the outbreak, comrade Liu Zhiming, regardless of his personal safety, led the medical staff of Wuchang Hospital to fight the epidemic and made important contributions to the prevention and control of new-type coronavirus pneumonia in our city," the commission said in a statement.
Liu's death is the latest among health professionals fighting the disease in China's Hubei province with officials stating last week more than 1,700 front-line medics had been infected, six of whom had died.
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Among the dead is 34-year-old Li Wenliang -- an ophthalmologist at Wuhan who was punished by police for attempting to inform friends and family online in December when the outbreak began. His death attracted widespread anger, forcing the government to initiate an investigation.


upi--2020-02-18--Audit: U.S. failed to account for nearly $715M in arms to fight ISIS

Feb. 18 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. military did not properly account for nearly $ 715 million in weapons and equipment intended for Syrian partners fighting ISIS , according to a Department of Defense report released Tuesday .
According to the DoD Inspector General 's report , Special Operations Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve did not maintain a list of all equipment purchased and received , and instead allowed `` multiple entities '' involved with Syrian forces to store records in numerous locations .
In addition , military equipment was not always properly secured or stored .
For example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stored at a Kuwait warehouse was stored outside in metal shipping containers , exposing the equipment to heat and humidity -- in part because outdated equipment had not been disposed of , which led to overcrowding at the facility .
The IG 's office closed the report with recommendations that SOJT-OIR develop a central repository for all documentation required to support equipment for the Syria effort , and that SOJTF-OIR 's commander develop guidance for the proper disposal of unserviceable equipment stored in Kuwait .
The IG also recommended that the commander of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security inspections of the facility and `` ensure corrective action is taken to fix new and existing security issues identified . ''
The report does not address the possibility that arms intended to fight terrorists in Syria have fallen into the wrong hands .
But that has happened in the recent past : A 2017 report showed that 90 percent of 40,000 ISIS firearms and ammo caches , documented by the arms control group Conflict Armament Research , were originally supplied to Syrian Democratic Forces by the U.S. and allies .
And a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Iraq found that officials only had records for 700,000 firearms -- just under half -- of guns sold in 14 years to fight the War on Terror .

Syrian army units advance to the Aleppo Ghazi Aintab International Highway and the northern countryside of Aleppo, Syria, Monday. A DoD audit released Tuesday said the U.S has failed to account for nearly $715 million in weapons sold to Syria to fight ISIS. Photo by Hajj Ahmad/EPA-EFE
Feb. 18 (UPI) -- The U.S. military did not properly account for nearly $715 million in weapons and equipment intended for Syrian partners fighting ISIS, according to a Department of Defense report released Tuesday. According to the DoD Inspector General's report, Special Operations Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve did not maintain a list of all equipment purchased and received, and instead allowed "multiple entities" involved with Syrian forces to store records in numerous locations. Advertisement
In addition, military equipment was not always properly secured or stored.
For example, according to the report, equipment stored at a Kuwait warehouse was stored outside in metal shipping containers, exposing the equipment to heat and humidity -- in part because outdated equipment had not been disposed of, which led to overcrowding at the facility.
The IG's office closed the report with recommendations that SOJT-OIR develop a central repository for all documentation required to support equipment for the Syria effort, and that SOJTF-OIR's commander develop guidance for the proper disposal of unserviceable equipment stored in Kuwait.
The IG also recommended that the commander of 1st Theater Sustainment Command regularly perform physical security inspections of the facility and "ensure corrective action is taken to fix new and existing security issues identified."
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The report does not address the possibility that arms intended to fight terrorists in Syria have fallen into the wrong hands.
But that has happened in the recent past: A 2017 report showed that 90 percent of 40,000 ISIS firearms and ammo caches, documented by the arms control group Conflict Armament Research, were originally supplied to Syrian Democratic Forces by the U.S. and allies.
And a 2016 investigation into arms sales to Afghanistan and Iraq found that officials only had records for 700,000 firearms -- just under half -- of guns sold in 14 years to fight the War on Terror.


upi--2020-02-18--U.S., Boeing send 3 Super Hornets to Finland for aircraft upgrade

Feb. 18 ( UPI ) -- Three Super Hornet aircraft arrived in Helsinki Tuesday as Boeing launched the flight evaluation phase for Finland 's HX fighter replacement program .
A single-seat F/A-18E , a twin-seat F/A-18F and an EA-18G arrived at Tampere-Pirkkala Airbase for Boeing 's HX Challenge evaluation , following stints from the Eurofighter Typhoon earlier this year .
Evaluation of the Super Hornet and Growler will conclude Feb. 26 .
In February 2019 , the Department of Defense approved an offer for Boeing and the Navy to provide the EA-18G Growler fighter plane to Finland , in response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replace its F/A-18 C/D Hornet fleet .
Finland is also considering Dassault 's Rafale , the Eurofighter Typhoon , Lockheed Martin 's F-35A and Saab 's Gripen E as it 's future fighter aircraft as part of the HX program .
According to the Finnish Defense Ministry , Finland 's fighter fleet currently consists of Hornets that were commissioned between 1995 and are expected to complete their service life in 2030 .
`` Extending the service life of the Hornet fleet would be neither a cost-effective solution nor sufficient in terms of Finland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ministry 's statement on the program upgrade .
`` The Hornets ' service life can not be extended as it is limited by the aircraft 's weakening comparative capabilities and structural fatigue . ''
The Finnish government estimates the program will take 10 to 15 years to complete .

Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Three Super Hornet aircraft arrived in Helsinki Tuesday as Boeing launched the flight evaluation phase for Finland's HX fighter replacement program.
A single-seat F/A-18E, a twin-seat F/A-18F and an EA-18G arrived at Tampere-Pirkkala Airbase for Boeing's HX Challenge evaluation, following stints from the Eurofighter Typhoon earlier this year.
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Evaluation of the Super Hornet and Growler will conclude Feb. 26.
In February 2019, the Department of Defense approved an offer for Boeing and the Navy to provide the EA-18G Growler fighter plane to Finland, in response to a 2018 request for bids to replace its F/A-18 C/D Hornet fleet.
Finland is also considering Dassault's Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin's F-35A and Saab's Gripen E as it's future fighter aircraft as part of the HX program.
According to the Finnish Defense Ministry, Finland's fighter fleet currently consists of Hornets that were commissioned between 1995 and are expected to complete their service life in 2030.
"Extending the service life of the Hornet fleet would be neither a cost-effective solution nor sufficient in terms of Finland's defense," said the Defense Ministry's statement on the program upgrade. "The Hornets' service life cannot be extended as it is limited by the aircraft's weakening comparative capabilities and structural fatigue."
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The Finnish government estimates the program will take 10 to 15 years to complete.


upi--2020-02-18--Kickstarter employees successfully vote to form union

Feb. 18 ( UPI ) -- Kickstarter employees successfully formed a union Tuesday , becoming one of the first groups of tech employees to unionize .
The Kickstarter employee union effort , Kickstarter United , announced it voted to form a union with the Office and Professional Employees International Union certified by the National Labor Relations Board .
`` It 's been a long journey , but now the real work is ahead of us ! ''
Kickstarter United wrote .
`` And to all tech and creative workers looking to fight for your rights , this is only just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initial organizing committee , the 85 engineers , directors , analysts , designers , coordinators , customer support specialists and other Kickstarter employees chose to partner with the New York-based OPEIU Local 153 .
`` We believe unionizing provides a path toward furthering all of our goals , '' KSRU representative Oriana Leckert said .
`` It was truly an honor to get to have deep conversations with so many of my colleagues around these issues .
Utilizing our collective power to improve our workplace and our professional lives will increase Kickstarter 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact on society by allowing us all to advocate for workers ' rights , which is a core pillar of the fight against inequality . ''
Last year , Kickstarter wrote that unionization was not `` the right tool '' to fix the company 's issues and two employees who spearheaded organizational efforts were fired , although the company said it was unrelated to the union .
Kickstarter CEO Aziz Hasan issued a statement to Mashable saying he and company leadership `` support and respect '' the decision to unionize .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to build a different kind of company , one that measures its success by how well it achieves its mission : helping to bring creative projects to life , '' said Hasan .
`` Our mission has been common ground for everyone here during this process and it will continue to guide us as we enter this new phase together . ''

#KickstarterUnited has now been certified by the NLRB: We Are A Union!!! pic.twitter.com/l6W91lILKU— Kickstarter United (@ksr_united) February 18, 2020
Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Kickstarter employees successfully formed a union Tuesday, becoming one of the first groups of tech employees to unionize.
The Kickstarter employee union effort, Kickstarter United, announced it voted to form a union with the Office and Professional Employees International Union certified by the National Labor Relations Board.
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"It's been a long journey, but now the real work is ahead of us!" Kickstarter United wrote. "And to all tech and creative workers looking to fight for your rights, this is only just the beginning."
After forming an initial organizing committee, the 85 engineers, directors, analysts, designers, coordinators, customer support specialists and other Kickstarter employees chose to partner with the New York-based OPEIU Local 153.
"We believe unionizing provides a path toward furthering all of our goals," KSRU representative Oriana Leckert said. "It was truly an honor to get to have deep conversations with so many of my colleagues around these issues. Utilizing our collective power to improve our workplace and our professional lives will increase Kickstarter's ability to have a radical, positive impact on society by allowing us all to advocate for workers' rights, which is a core pillar of the fight against inequality."
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Last year, Kickstarter wrote that unionization was not "the right tool" to fix the company's issues and two employees who spearheaded organizational efforts were fired, although the company said it was unrelated to the union.
Kickstarter CEO Aziz Hasan issued a statement to Mashable saying he and company leadership "support and respect" the decision to unionize.
"We've worked hard over the last decade to build a different kind of company, one that measures its success by how well it achieves its mission: helping to bring creative projects to life," said Hasan. "Our mission has been common ground for everyone here during this process and it will continue to guide us as we enter this new phase together."


upi--2020-02-18--Pony rescued from flooded field amid stormy weather in England

Feb. 18 ( UPI ) -- Animal rescuers in Britain said a water rescue team was dispatched to save a pony that was stranded in a flooded field .
The RSPCA said a specialist water rescue team responded to a field next to the River Wey in Guildford , England , when stormy weather caused the area to flood and residents reported a stranded pony .
`` We believe the young mare -- a trotter type -- had been trapped on a very small wooded area of higher ground , between the A3 and the river , for a day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her had continued to rise and forced her further and further into the undergrowth , '' RSPCA animal welfare officer Carl Hone said .
`` When we arrived we waded across the water -- which was extremely deep in places -- and could see that she 'd been there for some time as she 'd eaten the bark off all of the trees in the vicinity .
We managed to carry some hay over for her and she devoured it ; she was clearly hungry , '' he said .
Hone said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the water and attached one end to the pony 's head collar .
`` Thankfully , the pony was young and active and easily managed the short swim across the deepest section before finding her footing on the ground our side of the flood water , '' he said .
The equine was taken to a nearby boarding yard to dry off and rest from its ordeal .
The pony was nicknamed Jemima Puddle Duck .
The RSPCA said the pony will be taken to a rehoming center if it is not claimed @ @ @ @ @ @

An RSPCA specialist water rescue team was dispatched to save a pony spotted stranded in a flooded field in England. Photo courtesy of the RSPCA
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Animal rescuers in Britain said a water rescue team was dispatched to save a pony that was stranded in a flooded field. The RSPCA said a specialist water rescue team responded to a field next to the River Wey in Guildford, England, when stormy weather caused the area to flood and residents reported a stranded pony. Advertisement
"We believe the young mare -- a trotter type -- had been trapped on a very small wooded area of higher ground, between the A3 and the river, for a day or two as the flood water around her had continued to rise and forced her further and further into the undergrowth," RSPCA animal welfare officer Carl Hone said.
"When we arrived we waded across the water -- which was extremely deep in places -- and could see that she'd been there for some time as she'd eaten the bark off all of the trees in the vicinity. We managed to carry some hay over for her and she devoured it; she was clearly hungry," he said.
Hone said the rescue team put a guide line across the water and attached one end to the pony's head collar.
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"Thankfully, the pony was young and active and easily managed the short swim across the deepest section before finding her footing on the ground our side of the flood water," he said.
The equine was taken to a nearby boarding yard to dry off and rest from its ordeal. The pony was nicknamed Jemima Puddle Duck.
The RSPCA said the pony will be taken to a rehoming center if it is not claimed by owners within 14 days.


upi--2020-02-18--Radio telescope measures aurorae in distant planetary system

Feb. 18 ( UPI ) -- With the help of a powerful radio telescope in the Netherlands , scientists have developed a new way to study the environment around exoplanets .
Using the Low Frequency Array radio telescope , scientists for the first time detected and analyzed radio emissions produced by interactions between a star and one of its planets .
Scientists used observations captured by the HARPS-N telescope in Spain to confirm the emissions were n't caused by interactions between the star and a stellar companion .
The radio signatures detected by the LOFAR telescope are similar to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earth .
The research , described this week in both Nature Astronomy and Astrophysical Journal Letters , focused on red dwarfs .
In addition to being the most abundant stars in the universe , red dwarfs also produce particularly powerful magnetic fields .
As a result , exoplanets circling red dwarfs are exposed to intense magnetic activity .
The magnetic fields of red dwarfs are strong enough to erode the atmospheres of exoplanets .
The erosion process produces heat , which yields radio signals .
`` The motion of the planet through a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like an electric engine much in the same way a bicycle dynamo works , '' Harish Vedantham , researcher at the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy , said in a news release .
`` This generates a huge current that powers aurorae and radio emission on the star . ''
The sun 's magnetic field is too weak and its planets too far away to generate such radio emissions , but interactions between Jupiter 's moon Io and the gas giant 's magnetic field does produce a bright radio emission .
LOFAR spotted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounding the red dwarf star GJ 1151 , which is located some 25 light-years from Earth .
Scientists confirmed there are not any stellar , brown dwarf or giant planet companions within a close enough orbit to account for the radio emissions detected by LOFAR .
`` Our data are consistent with detected radio emission emerging from a magnetic interaction between a short-period terrestrial-mass planet and GJ 1151 , '' scientists wrote in their paper .
Researchers are now looking for similar signatures in neighboring red dwarf planetary systems , with hopes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interactions to study the habitability of alien worlds .
`` The long-term aim is to determine what impact the star 's magnetic activity has on an exoplanet 's habitability , and radio emissions are a big piece of that puzzle , '' said Vedantham .
`` Our work has shown that this is viable with the new generation of radio telescopes and put us on an exciting path . ''

An illustration shows a red dwarf star orbited by a hypothetical exoplanet. Scientists have developed a new way to study the environment around exoplanets, which could make it easier to study their potential habitability. Photo by G. Bacon/STScl/ESA/NASA
Feb. 18 (UPI) -- With the help of a powerful radio telescope in the Netherlands, scientists have developed a new way to study the environment around exoplanets. Using the Low Frequency Array radio telescope, scientists for the first time detected and analyzed radio emissions produced by interactions between a star and one of its planets. Advertisement
Scientists used observations captured by the HARPS-N telescope in Spain to confirm the emissions weren't caused by interactions between the star and a stellar companion.
The radio signatures detected by the LOFAR telescope are similar to the electromagnetic signatures produced by an aurora on Earth.
The research, described this week in both Nature Astronomy and Astrophysical Journal Letters, focused on red dwarfs. In addition to being the most abundant stars in the universe, red dwarfs also produce particularly powerful magnetic fields. As a result, exoplanets circling red dwarfs are exposed to intense magnetic activity.
The magnetic fields of red dwarfs are strong enough to erode the atmospheres of exoplanets. The erosion process produces heat, which yields radio signals.
"The motion of the planet through a red dwarf's strong magnetic field acts like an electric engine much in the same way a bicycle dynamo works," Harish Vedantham, researcher at the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, said in a news release. "This generates a huge current that powers aurorae and radio emission on the star."
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The sun's magnetic field is too weak and its planets too far away to generate such radio emissions, but interactions between Jupiter's moon Io and the gas giant's magnetic field does produce a bright radio emission.
LOFAR spotted the radio signature within the planetary system surrounding the red dwarf star GJ 1151, which is located some 25 light-years from Earth.
Scientists confirmed there are not any stellar, brown dwarf or giant planet companions within a close enough orbit to account for the radio emissions detected by LOFAR.
"Our data are consistent with detected radio emission emerging from a magnetic interaction between a short-period terrestrial-mass planet and GJ 1151," scientists wrote in their paper.
Researchers are now looking for similar signatures in neighboring red dwarf planetary systems, with hopes of developing new ways of using these star-exoplanet interactions to study the habitability of alien worlds.
"The long-term aim is to determine what impact the star's magnetic activity has on an exoplanet's habitability, and radio emissions are a big piece of that puzzle," said Vedantham. "Our work has shown that this is viable with the new generation of radio telescopes and put us on an exciting path."