upi--2020-01-22--Watch: Jonas Brothers, Seth Meyers go Day Drinking on 'Late Night'

Jan. 22 ( UPI ) -- The Jonas Brothers and Seth Meyers spent the day drinking inside an empty bar @ @ @ @ @ , not wanting to be outnumbered , invited his younger brother Josh and actor Jack @ @ @ @ @ the fun .
The group started things off on Tuesday by having a round of @ @ @ @ @ birth order such as The Firstborn which included Glenfiddich whisky , non-alcoholic beer O'Doul 's @ @ @ @ @ Brothers and Meyers ' group then played a number of drinking games .
Meyers ' @ @ @ @ @ different hairstyles to each Jonas Brother .
The last game involved each group penning a @ @ @ @ @ based on a phrase they randomly selected .
Meyers and his team first performed `` @ @ @ @ @ The Jonas Brothers who performed `` In Bed by Nine . ''
The Jonas Brothers @ @ @ @ @ video for their single `` What A Man Got ta Do '' that featured their @ @ @ @ @ Chopra and Danielle Jonas .

Jan. 22 (UPI) -- The Jonas Brothers and Seth Meyers spent the day drinking inside an empty bar on Late Night.
Meyers, not wanting to be outnumbered, invited his younger brother Josh and actor Jack McBrayer to join in on the fun.
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The group started things off on Tuesday by having a round of drinks based on brotherhood and birth order such as The Firstborn which included Glenfiddich whisky, non-alcoholic beer O'Doul's and Alka-Seltzer.
The Jonas Brothers and Meyers' group then played a number of drinking games. Meyers' group was challenged with matching different hairstyles to each Jonas Brother.
The last game involved each group penning a pop song in five minutes based on a phrase they randomly selected. Meyers and his team first performed "Drunk at Noon" followed The Jonas Brothers who performed "In Bed by Nine."
The Jonas Brothers recently released a new music video for their single "What A Man Gotta Do" that featured their spouses Sophie Turner, Priyanka Chopra and Danielle Jonas.


upi--2020-01-22--J.J. Watt, RuPaul to host 'SNL' this winter

Jan. 22 ( UPI ) -- Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is set to guest host Saturday Night Live @ @ @ @ @ SNL !
!
!
!
I ca n't even pretend to hide my excitement about @ @ @ @ @ something truly special and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity from Lorne and everyone @ @ @ @ @ York City let 's have some fun !
!
! ''
Watt tweeted Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ episode will be country star Luke Combs .
NBC also announced entertainer RuPaul will host @ @ @ @ @ Pop music star Justin Bieber will sing on the show that night .
Oscar nominee @ @ @ @ @ 's episode .
He is the star of The Report , Marriage Story and Star @ @ @ @ @ Skywalker .
Halsey will perform .

SNL!!!! I can't even pretend to hide my excitement about this haha! This is something truly special and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity from Lorne and everyone involved at @nbcsnl New York City let's have some fun!!! https://t.co/80WBtHS9Vv— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 21, 2020
Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is set to guest host Saturday Night Live on Feb. 1.
"SNL!!!!I can't even pretend to hide my excitement about this haha! This is something truly special and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity from Lorne and everyone involved at @nbcsnl New York City let's have some fun!!!" Watt tweeted Tuesday.
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The musical guest for the episode will be country star Luke Combs.
NBC also announced entertainer RuPaul will host SNL on Feb. 8. Pop music star Justin Bieber will sing on the show that night.
Oscar nominee Adam Driver is hosting Saturday's episode. He is the star of The Report, Marriage Story and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Halsey will perform.


upi--2020-01-22--Reports: Jeff Bezos' phone hack tied to Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman

Jan. 21 ( UPI ) -- A phone belonging to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was hacked by a WhatsApp account associated with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman , according to press reports Wednesday .
The New York Times , The Guardian and The Wall Street Journal reported that a forensic team hired by the billionaire businessman found it was `` highly probable '' a malicious file embedded in a video sent from bin Salman 's account in mid-2018 leaked large amounts of data from his phone .
Bezos , who owns The Washington Post , hired a cybersecurity team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year containing intimate details about his private life .
Tabloid owner American Media said it obtained the information from a relative of the woman involved , but the businessman 's security team found with `` high confidence '' Saudi actors hacked his phone and gained the private information .
Bezos ' head of security , Gavin de Becker , said in an article last year the Saudis hacked Bezos ' phone and noted a `` close relationship '' between bin Salman and American Media CEO David Pecker .
The Saudi Embassy in Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hacking reports `` absurd . ''
The hacking reports have raised questions about bin Salman 's role in the 2018 death of former Post writer Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey .
The Guardian cited analysts who said Bezos was probably targeted because his paper employed Khashoggi , a Saudi dissident writer critical of Riyadh 's royal family .
Bin Salman has denied direct involvement in Khashoggi 's death , but U.S. intelligence experts and special United Nations investigator Agnes Callamard concluded he likely knew of and approved the writer 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapporteur David Kaye said they would release a public statement Wednesday on `` these very serious hacking allegations . ''
Sen. Ron Wyden , D-Ore. , sent a letter to Bezos asking for information about the malware used to hack the phone , and said the cyberattack seems to be part of a `` growing trend , '' the Guardian report said .

A phone belonging to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was targeted by a social account linked to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. File Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 21 (UPI) -- The United Nations Human Rights Office recommended an investigation Wednesday into reports that hackers linked to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman broke into the phone of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said independent experts are "gravely concerned" about reports that said a WhatsApp account linked to the prince hacked Bezos' phone in 2018. Information about the cyberattack was reported earlier by The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. They said an analysis found it "highly probable" a malicious file embedded in a video sent to his phone from the WhatsApp account in mid-2018 leaked large amounts of data, and "high confidence" Saudi actors were behind it. Advertisement
The hacking reports raised questions about bin Mohammed's potential role in the 2018 death of former Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey.
"The information we have received suggests the possible involvement of the crown prince in surveillance of Mr. Bezos, in an effort to influence, if not silence, The Washington Post's reporting on Saudi Arabia," the experts said in a joint statement. "The allegations reinforce other reporting pointing to a pattern of targeted surveillance of perceived opponents and those of broader strategic importance to the Saudi authorities, including nationals and non-nationals.
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"These allegations are relevant as well to ongoing evaluation of claims about the crown prince's involvement in the 2018 murder of Saudi and Washington Post journalist, Jamal Khashoggi."
The Saudi Embassy in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday called the hacking reports "absurd."
"
We call for an investigation on these claims so that we can have all the facts out," the embassy said in a tweet.
The Guardian cited analysts who said Bezos was probably targeted because his newspaper, The Washington Post, employed Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident writer critical of Riyadh's royal family. Mohammed has denied direct involvement but U.S. intelligence experts concluded he likely knew of and approved the writer's death.
"At a time when Saudi Arabia was supposedly investigating the killing of Mr. Khashoggi, and prosecuting those it deemed responsible, it was clandestinely waging a massive online campaign against Mr. Bezos and Amazon targeting him principally as the owner of The Washington Post," the OHCHR added.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., earlier sent a letter to Bezos asking for information about the malware used to hack the phone, and said the cyberattack seems to be part of a "growing trend," the Guardian report said.


upi--2020-01-22--2019 Oscar winners confirmed as presenters for 2020

Jan. 22 ( UPI ) -- Last year 's actor and actress winners are confirmed as presenters for next month @ @ @ @ @ Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced .
Expected to help hand out awards @ @ @ @ @ Dolby Theatre are Mahershala Ali , Olivia Colman , Regina King and Rami Malek .
@ @ @ @ @ presenters announced for the ceremony , which will air live on ABC .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ the previous year 's Oscar-winning actors on stage to celebrate the achievements of their peers @ @ @ @ @ back these four great talents , '' producers Lynette Howell Taylor and Stephanie Allain said @ @ @ @ @ .
The event honoring excellence in film will be hostless for a second , consecutive @ @ @ @ @ the competition with a leading 11 nods .
It is followed by The Irishman , @ @ @ @ @ Hollywood and 1917 , which were each nominated for 10 awards , and Jojo Rabbit @ @ @ @ @ Story and Parasite , which are up for six prizes apiece .

Rami Malek, Olivia Colman, Regina King and Mahershala Ali will be presenters at next month's Oscars ceremony. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Last year's actor and actress winners are confirmed as presenters for next month's Oscars gala, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced. Expected to help hand out awards on Feb. 9 at the Dolby Theatre are Mahershala Ali, Olivia Colman, Regina King and Rami Malek. Advertisement
The stars were the first presenters announced for the ceremony, which will air live on ABC.
"We love the tradition of having the previous year's Oscar-winning actors on stage to celebrate the achievements of their peers and are thrilled to welcome back these four great talents," producers Lynette Howell Taylor and Stephanie Allain said in a joint statement Tuesday.
The event honoring excellence in film will be hostless for a second, consecutive year.
Joker goes into the competition with a leading 11 nods. It is followed by The Irishman, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and 1917, which were each nominated for 10 awards, and Jojo Rabbit, Little Women, Marriage Story and Parasite, which are up for six prizes apiece.


upi--2020-01-22--Democrats to make opening arguments on day 2 of impeachment trial of President Donald Trump

Jan. 22 ( UPI ) -- With the rules debate out of the way , opening statements are set to begin Wednesday in the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump .
The Democratic House managers have three days , beginning Wednesday , to wrap up their opening arguments and present their case against Trump -- which accuses the president of abusing his power in trying to pressure Ukraine to investigate Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son last year .
Trump is also charged with obstructing the House investigation that followed .
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed both Democrats and White House attorneys an extra day to lay out their case .
Both sides have three days to complete their allotted 24 hours of opening arguments .
Each of the first several days are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. EST and expected to last well into the night .
After both sides complete their arguments , the trial will move into the questioning stage , followed by an off-ramp period -- one of the trial 's most critical phases , during which senators will consider various motions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subpoena witnesses , as Senate Democrats have been fighting to do .
If the trial continues and witnesses and new evidence are allowed , the Senate would then stage an evidence vote and several days of witness testimony .
A few days of closing arguments , deliberations and a final verdict would then complete the trial .

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House impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff is joined Wednesday by other Democratic managers as he speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol about President Donald Trump's impeachment trial. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 22 (UPI) -- House managers began presenting their opening arguments in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on Wednesday. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., led the group of House managers as he called on senators to act as impartial jurors as he opened Day Two after a late night Tuesday. Advertisement
"It is up to you to be the tribunal Hamilton envisioned," Schiff said, quoting founding father Alexander Hamilton's Federalist Papers.
"It is up to you to show the American people and yourselves his confidence and those of the other founders was rightly placed. The Constitution entrusts you to the responsibility of acting as impartial jurors, have a fair trial and weigh the evidence before you, no matter what your party affiliation or vote in the previous election or the next. Our duty is to the Constitution and the rule of law."
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Schiff, D-Calif., accused Trump of using his power "to cheat" and said if he's not removed from office, he will "permanently alter the balance of power" between the branches of government.
"The president has shown that he believes that he is above the law and scornful of restraint," he said.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., took up the Democratic arguments next and reinforced Schiff's accusations that Trump's actions toward Ukraine -- including the ousting of U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch -- were primarily intended as a means to cheat in the 2020 election.
"Please remember that the object of the president's Ukraine scheme was to obtain a corrupt advantage for his re-election campaign," Nadler said. "As we will show, the president went to extraordinary lengths to cheat in the next election. That scheme begins with the attempt to get Ambassador Yovanovitch 'out of the way.'"
Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, focused on the involvement of Trump's personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, and his associates with Ukraine.
"For this campaign to be truly beneficial to his boss, President Trump, Giuliani needed access to the new government in Ukraine. He dispatched associates, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, to try to make inroads with the Zelensky team," Garcia said. "As Giuliani and his associates worked behind the scenes to get access to the new leadership in Ukraine, President Trump was publicly signaling his interest in the investigations."
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Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., said Trump's plan to withhold military aid to Ukraine was unlawful.
"Ukraine experts at DOD, the State Department and the White House emphasized that it was in the national security interests of the U.S. to continue to support Ukraine in its fight," Crow said. "But it wasn't just the national security concern, because many people thought that the hold was just outright illegal -- and they were right. It was."
Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., called for the presentation of evidence, specifically that concerning a White House meeting Trump withheld from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in part of the alleged plan to pressure him to investigate Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son last year.
"Senators, this body is entitled to see all of the evidence," Demings said. "And you know what? The American people are entitled to hear all of the evidence. ... It is important for the country to know that everyone was involved -- because we've heard that everyone was in the loop."
Opening statements began Wednesday afternoon, one day after senators debated the rules and timeline of the trial, ultimately voting down a number of proposed amendments by Democrats.
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Schiff on Wednesday evening rebuked Republicans for voting against the amendments seeking subpoenas of White House documents and testimony.
"In any courtroom in America holding a fair trial you would want to see contemporaneous notes," he said. "This Senate should be no different demand. Those notes demand to see the truth. We're not afraid of those notes. We haven't seen them. Maybe those notes say something completely different. Maybe those notes say no quid pro quo. Maybe those notes say it's a perfect call. I'd like to see them. I'm willing to trust ambassadors."
At the end of the proceedings, Chief Justice John Roberts announced that a single one-page classified document identified by House managers that concerns the testimony of Jennifer Williams, a national security aid to Vice President Mike Pence, will be made available to senators but will not be made part of the public record.
The Democratic House managers have three days, beginning Wednesday, to make their opening arguments and present their case against Trump -- which accuses the president of abusing his power in trying to pressure Ukraine to investigate the Bidens. Trump is also charged with obstructing the House investigation that followed.
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Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell passed his rules resolution on Tuesday, which allowed both Democrats and White House attorneys an extra day to lay out their case. Both sides have three days to complete their allotted 24 hours of opening arguments.
The trial will then move into the questioning stage, followed by an off-ramp period -- one of the trial's most critical phases, during which senators will consider various motions, like whether to dismiss the charges and subpoena witnesses, as Senate Democrats have been fighting to do.
If the trial continues and witnesses and new evidence are allowed, the Senate would then stage an evidence vote and several days of witness testimony. A few days of closing arguments, deliberations and a final verdict would then complete the trial.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said a deal to allow Republicans to call witnesses such as Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, in exchange for them allowing Democrats to seek testimony from witnesses such as former national security adviser John Bolton was "off the table."
"First of all, the Republicans have the right to bring in any witness they want," he said. "They haven't wanted to, and that trade is not on the table."
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Joe Biden said Wednesday he would not participate in such a swap.
"The reason I would not make the deal, the bottom line is, this is a constitutional issue," he said. "We're not going to turn it into a farce or political theater. I want no part of that."


upi--2020-01-22--Google honors actress Anna May Wong with new Doodle

Jan. 22 ( UPI ) -- Google is celebrating actress Anna May Wong on the 97th anniversary of her film The Toll of the Sea which was her first leading role .
Wong , born in 1905 in Los Angeles as Wong Liu Tsong , is the first-ever Chinese American movie star in Hollywood .
The actress would hang around movie studios asking for roles and came up with her stage name Anna May Wong at the age of 11 .
Wong moved to Europe in 1928 and starred in plays and movies such as Piccadilly , and The Flame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She then starred in one of her biggest films , 1932 's Shanghai Express .
Wong also became the first-ever Asian-American to land a leading role in a U.S. television series with the release of The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong .
Wong , who appeared in more than 50 movies , earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 .
She died in February 1961 at the age of 56 .
Google 's homepage features black and white artwork of Wong by Doodler Sophie Diao that chronicles her life and @ @

Google is paying homage to actress Anna May Wong with a new Doodle. Image courtesy of Google
Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Google is celebrating actress Anna May Wong on the 97th anniversary of her film The Toll of the Sea which was her first leading role. Wong, born in 1905 in Los Angeles as Wong Liu Tsong, is the first-ever Chinese American movie star in Hollywood. Advertisement
The actress would hang around movie studios asking for roles and came up with her stage name Anna May Wong at the age of 11.
Wong moved to Europe in 1928 and starred in plays and movies such as Piccadilly, and The Flame of Love before returning to the U.S.
She then starred in one of her biggest films, 1932's Shanghai Express. Wong also became the first-ever Asian-American to land a leading role in a U.S. television series with the release of The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong.
Wong, who appeared in more than 50 movies, earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. She died in February 1961 at the age of 56.
Google's homepage features black and white artwork of Wong by Doodler Sophie Diao that chronicles her life and career.


upi--2020-01-22--'68 Whiskey' explores the pressures combat medics face

LOS ANGELES , Jan. 22 ( UPI ) -- When CBS adapted MASH for television , the antics of a Korean War Army hospital captivated viewers for 11 seasons .
Paramount Network 's 68 Whiskey hopes to do the same for combat medics .
The show is called 68 Whiskey for 68W , the official military occupation specialty code for combat medics in 2006 .
Previously the signifier was 91B or 91A .
The drama premiered Jan. 15 and introduced a squad of medics .
The first one viewers met was Cpl .
Grace Durkin ( Gage Golightly ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earn extra money .
Durkin 's Instagram feed requires a little artistic license .
Golightly has an 18-year-old niece in the Marines , who told her aunt she would n't be allowed to post scantily clad military pictures .
`` When you 're in your fatigues , it 's all about business and you have to represent the military in a certain light , '' Golightly told UPI in an interview .
`` It has to be very positive .
My character obviously goes a little off the rails with that , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaker . ''
If Durkin 's social media persona raises red flags , there is an explanation for it within the show .
She works for Col. Harlan Austin ( Lamont Thompson ) , who gives her a pass on certain protocols .
`` Col. Austin loves Durkin , '' Golightly added .
`` So she could get away with murder if she wanted to just because Col. Austin loves her . ''
Viewers also met Sgt .
Cooper Roback ( Sam Keeley ) , who is having a physical relationship with Durkin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sense that working together in a war zone makes romantic relationships more common .
`` The one thing I 'll say about my perceived idea of a war zone is that it 's a pressure cooker environment , '' Keeley said in a separate interview .
`` If you 're in any way vulnerable , you 're vulnerable together .
If you experience death together like these people [ see ] on a daily basis , then that 's going to make your bond very , very strong . ''
Actress Cristina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alvarez , joined the Army to earn her citizenship .
In the premiere of 68 Whiskey , she found out the United States wants to deport her to Mexico after her service .
`` She 's like , 'Why am I fighting for this country when this country does n't even take me as a citizen ? '
'' Alvarez said .
Alvarez 's situation compounds the grief she felt after failing to save Cpl .
Buckley from a gunshot wound .
Roback and Staff Sgt .
Mekhi Davis ( Jeremy Tardy ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matt King advises the show 's technical procedures .
Tardy said King also helped to convey to the cast how real combat medics cope with the inevitable tragedies in the field .
`` So much of that process of grief has to be pushed away in order for the job to get done , '' Tardy said .
`` Oftentimes , they have to bury or watch their fellow service members die , but they do n't necessarily go through the full grieving process because of all that they still have in front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't really happen until they come home when they can then process all of the information that they have experienced . ''
The military advisers also helped shake the cast of bad habits that would n't fly in the military .
Rodlo , for example , was scolded a lot for putting her hands in her pockets , which violates Army Regulation 670-1 .
`` In a scene , I would do it and thank God there was a consultant [ saying ] , 'No , no , no , no , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' '' Rodlo said .
`` It 's great to have those people there for you all the time . ''
Tardy did his own homework , too .
He read books like Combat Medic and The 21st Century Combat Medic and watched documentaries .
`` Baghdad ER was probably my favorite , '' Tardy said .
`` It was the most graphic of any doc that I 'd ever seen about what these guys are dealing with and what they see on a day-to-day basis . ''
In addition to the medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Golightly said room exists for the show to address gender issues on combat bases .
Durkin might be provocative online , but she values her privacy on the base .
`` You ca n't even take a shower alone in the military , right ? ''
Golightly said .
`` As a woman , I think we really value our privacy and our time . ''
68 Whiskey has made Golightly appreciate the female soldiers who focus on the mission no matter what they may be going through each month .
`` When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to lie in bed and eat chocolate and cry , '' Golightly said .
`` Some people like to just crawl in a hole and maybe take a day off , but that does n't happen for those women .
Those women do n't get to do that .
They 're badasses . ''

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Sam Keeley (L) stars as Cooper Roback and Cristina Roldo stars as Rosa Alvarez in "68 Whiskey." Photo courtesy of Paramount Network
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- When CBS adapted MASH for television, the antics of a Korean War Army hospital captivated viewers for 11 seasons. Paramount Network's 68 Whiskey hopes to do the same for combat medics. The show is called 68 Whiskey for 68W, the official military occupation specialty code for combat medics in 2006. Previously the signifier was 91B or 91A. Advertisement
The drama premiered Jan. 15 and introduced a squad of medics. The first one viewers met was Cpl. Grace Durkin (Gage Golightly), who maintains a sexy Instagram account to earn extra money.
Durkin's Instagram feed requires a little artistic license. Golightly has an 18-year-old niece in the Marines, who told her aunt she wouldn't be allowed to post scantily clad military pictures.
"When you're in your fatigues, it's all about business and you have to represent the military in a certain light," Golightly told UPI in an interview. "It has to be very positive. My character obviously goes a little off the rails with that, so in that way she's a rule breaker."
Advertisement
If Durkin's social media persona raises red flags, there is an explanation for it within the show. She works for Col. Harlan Austin (Lamont Thompson), who gives her a pass on certain protocols.
"Col. Austin loves Durkin," Golightly added. "So she could get away with murder if she wanted to just because Col. Austin loves her."
Viewers also met Sgt. Cooper Roback (Sam Keeley), who is having a physical relationship with Durkin.
As an actor, Keeley gets the sense that working together in a war zone makes romantic relationships more common.
"The one thing I'll say about my perceived idea of a war zone is that it's a pressure cooker environment," Keeley said in a separate interview. "If you're in any way vulnerable, you're vulnerable together. If you experience death together like these people [see] on a daily basis, then that's going to make your bond very, very strong."
Actress Cristina Rodlo's character, Sgt. Rosa Alvarez, joined the Army to earn her citizenship. In the premiere of 68 Whiskey, she found out the United States wants to deport her to Mexico after her service.
"She's like, 'Why am I fighting for this country when this country doesn't even take me as a citizen?'" Alvarez said.
Advertisement
Alvarez's situation compounds the grief she felt after failing to save Cpl. Buckley from a gunshot wound. Roback and Staff Sgt. Mekhi Davis (Jeremy Tardy) try to comfort her.
Veteran medic Matt King advises the show's technical procedures. Tardy said King also helped to convey to the cast how real combat medics cope with the inevitable tragedies in the field.
"So much of that process of grief has to be pushed away in order for the job to get done," Tardy said. "Oftentimes, they have to bury or watch their fellow service members die, but they don't necessarily go through the full grieving process because of all that they still have in front of them.
"Oftentimes it doesn't really happen until they come home when they can then process all of the information that they have experienced."
The military advisers also helped shake the cast of bad habits that wouldn't fly in the military. Rodlo, for example, was scolded a lot for putting her hands in her pockets, which violates Army Regulation 670-1.
"In a scene, I would do it and thank God there was a consultant [saying], 'No, no, no, no, no. You can't do that,'" Rodlo said. "It's great to have those people there for you all the time."
Advertisement
Tardy did his own homework, too. He read books like Combat Medic and The 21st Century Combat Medic and watched documentaries.
"Baghdad ER was probably my favorite," Tardy said. "It was the most graphic of any doc that I'd ever seen about what these guys are dealing with and what they see on a day-to-day basis."
In addition to the medical and combat side of 68 Whiskey, Golightly said room exists for the show to address gender issues on combat bases. Durkin might be provocative online, but she values her privacy on the base.
"You can't even take a shower alone in the military, right?" Golightly said. "As a woman, I think we really value our privacy and our time."
68 Whiskey has made Golightly appreciate the female soldiers who focus on the mission no matter what they may be going through each month.
"When I have my period, I just want to lie in bed and eat chocolate and cry," Golightly said. "Some people like to just crawl in a hole and maybe take a day off, but that doesn't happen for those women. Those women don't get to do that. They're badasses."
68 Whiskey airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on Paramount Network.


upi--2020-01-22--Dear cadets Esper and Pompeo: Don't forget the honor code

You both are distinguished graduates of West Point , Class of 1986 .
Pompeo stood first in the class ; Esper won a leadership award .
You then went on to highly successful careers inside and out of government before assuming your critical Cabinet posts .
Yet , it must be very difficult to reconcile having lived by the West Point Honor code that `` no cadet shall lie , cheat or steal or tolerate those that do '' and now work for a president whose honesty and integrity are at best suspect .
As you know , the Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump was inaugurated , citing his misstatements , misleading comments and abuses of truth and fact , sometimes patently so .
Of course , the president could be guilty of supreme ignorance rather than telling outright lies .
But both characteristics are dangerous .
Despite Jimmy Carter 's promise that he would never lie to the American public , presidents have .
But none so frequently .
Dwight Eisenhower , the hero of World War II in Europe , lied in the immediate aftermath of the shoot-down of U-2 pilot Gary Francis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , denying that the United States was flying such missions .
Ronald Reagan admitted lying to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher , promising America had no intention of invading Grenada the night before the assault .
Bill Clinton was impeached for lying under oath about his affair with a White House intern .
As the Pentagon and later the Afghan Papers vividly showed , successive presidents concealed the truth over both conflicts and in some cases blatantly lied .
The Tonkin Gulf Resolution passed in August 1964 that trapped the United States in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the erroneous report of a second North Vietnamese PT boat attack against two Navy destroyers .
In the rush to war , the evidence was ignored .
No attack occurred .
Was this a lie ?
Did the George W. Bush administration lie over Iraqi weapons of mass destruction as Donald Trump claimed in 2006 in going to war against Saddam Hussein or cynically manipulate `` intelligence '' to make its case ?
Either way , that was dishonest or to a cadet , cheating .
As many rightly argue , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America 's greatest strategic disaster since the Civil War and the principal reason why the region remains in turmoil .
Of course , hypocrisy , exaggeration , bad judgment and ignorance are not always far from outright lying and knowingly making false statements .
Which of these was the reason for this president 's outright falsehood in claiming his inauguration had the largest turnout in history ?
But if it had been a cadet , that statement violated the honor code .
Similarly , the American assertion that Iran is the largest state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all , especially those in the Arab world who see Israel as implacably opposed to the Palestinians .
But perceptions that are seen as truthful in one place are not universally true .
Still , that is no excuse for premeditated lies .
The pernicious and destructive effects of hyper-partisanship and politicization have eviscerated truth and fact in the political dialogue , accelerated by social media that is often an ungovernable space regarding both .
Intense disagreement over whether `` imminence '' was an essential ingredient in the decision to assassinate Qassem Soleimani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aimed at killing Americans or an `` olive branch '' reflects this divisiveness .
After your briefing to Congress , Democrats saw no proof of imminence .
With two exceptions , Republicans seemed satisfied .
Utah Sen. Mike Lee , who called this the `` worst '' military-related briefing he had heard in nine years in Congress , was probably less worried about evidence of imminence and more about a briefer who demeaned senatorial responsibilities for debate on matters of war and peace .
When you return to your alma mater , how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what many cadets are thinking ( as well as at the other service academies ) ?
If I am required not to lie , cheat or steal , why should the commander-in-chief not be held to that standard ?
If moral behavior is essential to good order and discipline , how do I reconcile the conduct of this president with my oath ?
The same questions also would have pertained to Clinton .
I know your jobs are extremely difficult .
But I have no idea as to how you would respond to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that cadets are duty-bound to follow .
Harlan Ullman is a senior adviser at the Atlantic Council and served as a professor of military strategy at the National War College and the Naval War College .
A Naval Academy graduate , he conducted over 150 missions and operations during the Vietnam War in Swift Boats and commanded a destroyer in the Persian Gulf .
His latest book is `` Anatomy of Failure : Why America Has Lost Every War It Starts . ''
Follow him @ harlankullman .

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Defense Secretary Mark Esper won a leadership award in his time at West Point. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dear Secretaries Mark Esper and Mike Pompeo: You both are distinguished graduates of West Point, Class of 1986. Pompeo stood first in the class; Esper won a leadership award. You then went on to highly successful careers inside and out of government before assuming your critical Cabinet posts. Advertisement
Yet, it must be very difficult to reconcile having lived by the West Point Honor code that "no cadet shall lie, cheat or steal or tolerate those that do" and now work for a president whose honesty and integrity are at best suspect.
As you know, the Washington Post documented over 15,000 instances since President Donald Trump was inaugurated, citing his misstatements, misleading comments and abuses of truth and fact, sometimes patently so. Of course, the president could be guilty of supreme ignorance rather than telling outright lies. But both characteristics are dangerous.
Despite Jimmy Carter's promise that he would never lie to the American public, presidents have. But none so frequently. Dwight Eisenhower, the hero of World War II in Europe, lied in the immediate aftermath of the shoot-down of U-2 pilot Gary Francis Powers over the Soviet Union in 1961, denying that the United States was flying such missions.
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Ronald Reagan admitted lying to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, promising America had no intention of invading Grenada the night before the assault. Bill Clinton was impeached for lying under oath about his affair with a White House intern. As the Pentagon and later the Afghan Papers vividly showed, successive presidents concealed the truth over both conflicts and in some cases blatantly lied.
The Tonkin Gulf Resolution passed in August 1964 that trapped the United States in a war it would lose was based on the erroneous report of a second North Vietnamese PT boat attack against two Navy destroyers. In the rush to war, the evidence was ignored. No attack occurred. Was this a lie?
Did the George W. Bush administration lie over Iraqi weapons of mass destruction as Donald Trump claimed in 2006 in going to war against Saddam Hussein or cynically manipulate "intelligence" to make its case? Either way, that was dishonest or to a cadet, cheating. As many rightly argue, the March 2003 invasion turned out to be America's greatest strategic disaster since the Civil War and the principal reason why the region remains in turmoil.
Of course, hypocrisy, exaggeration, bad judgment and ignorance are not always far from outright lying and knowingly making false statements. Which of these was the reason for this president's outright falsehood in claiming his inauguration had the largest turnout in history? But if it had been a cadet, that statement violated the honor code.
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Similarly, the American assertion that Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism is not shared by all, especially those in the Arab world who see Israel as implacably opposed to the Palestinians. But perceptions that are seen as truthful in one place are not universally true. Still, that is no excuse for premeditated lies.
The pernicious and destructive effects of hyper-partisanship and politicization have eviscerated truth and fact in the political dialogue, accelerated by social media that is often an ungovernable space regarding both. Intense disagreement over whether "imminence" was an essential ingredient in the decision to assassinate Qassem Soleimani and whether Iran's missile attack was aimed at killing Americans or an "olive branch" reflects this divisiveness.
After your briefing to Congress, Democrats saw no proof of imminence. With two exceptions, Republicans seemed satisfied. Utah Sen. Mike Lee, who called this the "worst" military-related briefing he had heard in nine years in Congress, was probably less worried about evidence of imminence and more about a briefer who demeaned senatorial responsibilities for debate on matters of war and peace.
When you return to your alma mater, how do you or can you answer truthfully what many cadets are thinking (as well as at the other service academies)? If I am required not to lie, cheat or steal, why should the commander-in-chief not be held to that standard? If moral behavior is essential to good order and discipline, how do I reconcile the conduct of this president with my oath? The same questions also would have pertained to Clinton.
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I know your jobs are extremely difficult. But I have no idea as to how you would respond to these profound questions over the honor code that cadets are duty-bound to follow.
Harlan Ullman is a senior adviser at the Atlantic Council and served as a professor of military strategy at the National War College and the Naval War College. A Naval Academy graduate, he conducted over 150 missions and operations during the Vietnam War in Swift Boats and commanded a destroyer in the Persian Gulf. His latest book is "Anatomy of Failure: Why America Has Lost Every War It Starts." Follow him @harlankullman.


upi--2020-01-22--BTS announce new world tour, 'Map of the Soul,' to start in April

SEOUL , Jan. 22 ( UPI ) -- K-pop superstars BTS announced a new world tour on Wednesday that will kick off in April in Seoul and will bring them to North America , Europe and Japan .
The tour , called `` Map of the Soul , '' will consist of 37 dates in 17 cities for its first phase , according to Big Hit Entertainment , the management company for BTS .
After playing four dates in Seoul , on April 11-12 and 18-19 at Seoul Olympic Stadium , the tour will move to the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on April 25 .
North American stops will include Los Angeles , Dallas , Orlando , Atlanta , New Jersey , Washington , D.C. , Chicago and Toronto .
The septet will make a stop in Fukuoka , Japan , next , before traveling to Europe for dates in London , Berlin and Barcelona .
The `` Map of the Soul '' tour will wind up in Japan , with performances in Osaka , Saitama and Tokyo , where the final announced concert will be held at the Tokyo Dome on Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the release of the band 's upcoming album , `` Map of the Soul : 7 , '' slated for release on Feb. 21 .
Last week , the band released the album 's first single , `` Black Swan , '' along with a five-minute art film featuring the Slovenian MN Dance Company .
BTS finished its previous world tour , `` Love Yourself , '' at the end of October in Seoul , capping off a record-setting run of 62 shows across 23 cities for an audience that totaled more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of milestones , with BTS becoming the first Korean act to hold concerts at venues such as Citi Field in New York and Wembley Stadium in London .
Along the way , BTS emerged as global pop icons , rocketing to the tops of the Billboard 200 charts three times in less than 12 months , landing on TIME magazine 's 100 Most Influential People list and even addressing the United Nations General Assembly .
In November , BTS became the first K-pop act to win the Favorite Duo or Group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also picking up nods for Favorite Social Artist and Tour of the Year .
On New Year 's Eve , the boy band performed for a global televised audience in Times Square in New York City .

K-pop superstars BTS announced their upcoming world tour, "Map of the Soul," on Wednesday. They recently performed before a global television audience in Times Square, New York, on New Year's Eve. Photo by Corey Sipkin/UPI | License Photo
SEOUL, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- K-pop superstars BTS announced a new world tour on Wednesday that will kick off in April in Seoul and will bring them to North America, Europe and Japan. The tour, called "Map of the Soul," will consist of 37 dates in 17 cities for its first phase, according to Big Hit Entertainment, the management company for BTS. Advertisement
After playing four dates in Seoul, on April 11-12 and 18-19 at Seoul Olympic Stadium, the tour will move to the United States, kicking off in Santa Clara, Calif., on April 25. North American stops will include Los Angeles, Dallas, Orlando, Atlanta, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Chicago and Toronto.
The septet will make a stop in Fukuoka, Japan, next, before traveling to Europe for dates in London, Berlin and Barcelona.
The "Map of the Soul" tour will wind up in Japan, with performances in Osaka, Saitama and Tokyo, where the final announced concert will be held at the Tokyo Dome on Sept. 12.
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The concert tour will follow the release of the band's upcoming album, "Map of the Soul: 7," slated for release on Feb. 21. Last week, the band released the album's first single, "Black Swan," along with a five-minute art film featuring the Slovenian MN Dance Company.
BTS finished its previous world tour, "Love Yourself," at the end of October in Seoul, capping off a record-setting run of 62 shows across 23 cities for an audience that totaled more than 2 million.
That 14-month tour set a number of milestones, with BTS becoming the first Korean act to hold concerts at venues such as Citi Field in New York and Wembley Stadium in London.
Along the way, BTS emerged as global pop icons, rocketing to the tops of the Billboard 200 charts three times in less than 12 months, landing on TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People list and even addressing the United Nations General Assembly.
In November, BTS became the first K-pop act to win the Favorite Duo or Group award at the American Music Awards, also picking up nods for Favorite Social Artist and Tour of the Year. On New Year's Eve, the boy band performed for a global televised audience in Times Square in New York City.


upi--2020-01-22--Flame retardants, pesticides threat to U.S. health, study says

While health problems from childhood exposure to lead and mercury are on the decline , these and other toxic chemicals continue to take a toll , a new study reports .
The progress likely owes to decades of restrictions on use of heavy metals .
But researchers from NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York City said that exposure to other toxic chemicals -- especially flame retardants and pesticides -- led to more than 1 million cases of intellectual disability in the United States between 2001 and 2016 .
Unlike the heavily restricted metals , toxic chemicals are subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Our findings suggest that our efforts to reduce exposure to heavy metals are paying off , but that toxic exposures in general continue to represent a formidable risk to Americans ' physical , mental , and economic health , '' said lead investigator Abigail Gaylord , a doctoral student at NYU Langone Medical Center .
`` Unfortunately , the minimal policies in place to eliminate pesticides and flame retardants are clearly not enough , '' she added .
The study team reported that IQ loss from toxic chemicals dropped from 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million IQ points in 2015-2016 .
Though researchers called this sharp decline good news , they remain concerned about childhood toxin exposure .
Among children , the percentage of cognitive -- mental skills -- loss attributed to chemicals in flame retardants rose to 81 percent in 2015-2016 , up from 67 percent in 2001-2002 , the study found .
The substances analyzed are commonly found in household items and can build up in the body , damaging organs , the study authors explained in an NYU news release .
For example , lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can all interfere with the thyroid .
Exposing a young child to any of these substances can lead to learning , developmental and behavioral impairments , they said .
The researchers noted that childhood exposure to toxins has resulted in $ 7.5 trillion in lost productivity and other costs .
According to senior study author Dr. Leonardo Trasande , a professor of pediatrics , environmental medicine and population health at NYU Langone , `` Although people argue against costly regulations , unrestricted use of these chemicals is far more expensive in the long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest burden . ''
The findings were published in the Feb. 15 issue of the journal Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology .
More information The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about preventing childhood lead poisoning .

Increasing exposure to some chemicals -- the percentage of cognitive loss attributed to chemicals in flame retardants rose to 81 percent in 2015-2016, up from 67 percent in 2001-2002, for example -- has researchers concerned about looser regulations on their use. Photo by PublicDomainPictures /Pixabay
While health problems from childhood exposure to lead and mercury are on the decline, these and other toxic chemicals continue to take a toll, a new study reports. The progress likely owes to decades of restrictions on use of heavy metals. But researchers from NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York City said that exposure to other toxic chemicals -- especially flame retardants and pesticides -- led to more than 1 million cases of intellectual disability in the United States between 2001 and 2016. Advertisement
Unlike the heavily restricted metals, toxic chemicals are subject to fewer limits, the researchers noted.
"Our findings suggest that our efforts to reduce exposure to heavy metals are paying off, but that toxic exposures in general continue to represent a formidable risk to Americans' physical, mental, and economic health," said lead investigator Abigail Gaylord, a doctoral student at NYU Langone Medical Center.
"Unfortunately, the minimal policies in place to eliminate pesticides and flame retardants are clearly not enough," she added.
The study team reported that IQ loss from toxic chemicals dropped from 27 million IQ points in 2001-2002 to 9 million IQ points in 2015-2016. Though researchers called this sharp decline good news, they remain concerned about childhood toxin exposure.
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Among children, the percentage of cognitive -- mental skills -- loss attributed to chemicals in flame retardants rose to 81 percent in 2015-2016, up from 67 percent in 2001-2002, the study found.
The substances analyzed are commonly found in household items and can build up in the body, damaging organs, the study authors explained in an NYU news release. For example, lead, mercury, flame retardants and pesticides can all interfere with the thyroid. Exposing a young child to any of these substances can lead to learning, developmental and behavioral impairments, they said.
The researchers noted that childhood exposure to toxins has resulted in $7.5 trillion in lost productivity and other costs.
According to senior study author Dr. Leonardo Trasande, a professor of pediatrics, environmental medicine and population health at NYU Langone, "Although people argue against costly regulations, unrestricted use of these chemicals is far more expensive in the long run, with American children bearing the largest burden."
The findings were published in the Feb. 15 issue of the journal Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology.
More information The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about preventing childhood lead poisoning.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-01-22--Famous birthdays for Jan. 22: Steve Perry, Diane Lane

Jan. 22 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aquarius .
-- Russian @ @ @ @ @ as Ivan the Great , in 1440 -- Chief Justice of the United States Fred @ @ @

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Musician Steve Perry shakes hands with fans at the World Series Parade in San Francisco on October 31, 2014. He turns 71 on January 22. File Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aquarius. They include: Advertisement
-- Russian Czar Ivan III, known as Ivan the Great, in 1440
-- British writer/explorer Walter Raleigh in 1552
-- English philosopher/statesman Francis Bacon in 1561
-- British poet Lord George Byron in 1788
-- D.W. Griffith, silent film director in 1875
-- Chief Justice of the United States Fred Vinson in 1890
-- U.N. Secretary-General U Thant in 1909
-- Actor Ann Sothern in 1909
-- Soul singer Sam Cooke in 1931
-- Actor Piper Laurie in 1932 (age 88)
File Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI
-- Actor Bill Bixby in 1934
-- Television chef Graham Kerr in 1934 (age 86)
-- Author Joseph Wambaugh in 1937 (age 83)
-- Television chef Jeff Smith in 1939
-- Actor John Hurt in 1940
-- Journey lead singer Steve Perry in 1949 (age 71)
-- Filmmaker Jim Jarmusch in 1953 (age 67)
-- Actor Linda Blair in 1959 (age 61)
File Photo by Russ Einhorn/UPI
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-- Singer Michael Hutchence in 1960
-- Actor Diane Lane in 1965 (age 55)
-- Actor/producer DJ Jazzy Jeff in 1965 (age 55)
-- Restaurateur Guy Fieri in 1968 (age 52)
-- Actor Olivia d'Abo in 1969 (age 51)
-- Actor Matt Iseman in 1971 (age 49)
-- Actor Gabriel Macht in 1972 (age 48)
-- Actor Balthazar Getty in 1975 (age 45)
-- Actor Beverley Mitchell in 1981 (age 39)


upi--2020-01-22--On This Day, Jan. 22: Allied troops invade Italy in Battle of Anzio

Jan. 22 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1771 , Spain ceded the Falkland Islands to Britain .
In 1901 , Queen Victoria of Britain died at age 82 after a reign of 64 years .
She was succeeded by her son , Edward VII .
In 1914 , attorneys for world heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson , an African-American prizefighter , filed a brief for a new trial with the U.S. Court of Appeals , challenging Johnson 's conviction under the Mann Act .
In 1924 , senators investigating the Teapot Dome lease scandal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers of the government to get to the truth .
In 1943 , U.S. and Australian troops took New Guinea in the first land victory over the Japanese in World War II .
In 1944 , U.S. troops invaded Italy , landing at Anzio beach in a move to outflank German defensive positions .
In 1973 , in its historic Roe vs. Wade decision , the U.S. Supreme Court struck down state bans and made abortion legal .
In 1987 , Glen Tremml , 27 , pedaled the ultralight aircraft Eagle over Edwards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a human-powered flight record of 37.2 miles .
In 1998 , Theodore Kaczynski , known as the `` Unabomber , '' accused of sending bombs that killed and wounded people , pleaded guilty to all counts against him in California and New Jersey .
He was sentenced to life in prison .
In 2003 , the U.S. Senate approved the nomination of former Pennsylvania Gov .
Tom Ridge to be the first secretary of Homeland Security by a 94-0 vote .
In 2008 , Heath Ledger , star of Brokeback Mountain , A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , died of a drug overdose .
He was 28 .
In 2012 , Joe Paterno , the former Penn State football coach who won a record 409 games in his storied six-decade career but was forced out amid a sex scandal involving an ex-assistant coach , died of lung cancer .
He was 85 .
In 2014 , the New York Yankees agreed to a seven-year , $ 155 million contract with right-handed pitcher Masahiro Tanaka of Japan .
In 2018 , Congress passed a funding bill to reopen the government after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigration issue that led to the temporary stoppage .

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U.S. Army troops land at Anzio, Italy, in Operation Shingle on January 22, 1944. File Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army
Jan. 22 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1771, Spain ceded the Falkland Islands to Britain. Advertisement
In 1901, Queen Victoria of Britain died at age 82 after a reign of 64 years. She was succeeded by her son, Edward VII.
In 1914, attorneys for world heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson, an African-American prizefighter, filed a brief for a new trial with the U.S. Court of Appeals, challenging Johnson's conviction under the Mann Act.
File Photo by Library of Congress/UPI
In 1924, senators investigating the Teapot Dome lease scandal declared they would use all the legal powers of the government to get to the truth.
In 1943, U.S. and Australian troops took New Guinea in the first land victory over the Japanese in World War II.
In 1944, U.S. troops invaded Italy, landing at Anzio beach in a move to outflank German defensive positions.
In 1973, in its historic Roe vs. Wade decision, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down state bans and made abortion legal.
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In 1987, Glen Tremml, 27, pedaled the ultralight aircraft Eagle over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for a human-powered flight record of 37.2 miles.
In 1991, Iraq launched a Scud missile attack against Israel, injuring 98 people.
In 1998, Theodore Kaczynski, known as the "Unabomber," accused of sending bombs that killed and wounded people, pleaded guilty to all counts against him in California and New Jersey. He was sentenced to life in prison.
In 2003, the U.S. Senate approved the nomination of former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge to be the first secretary of Homeland Security by a 94-0 vote.
In 2008, Heath Ledger, star of Brokeback Mountain, A Knight's Tale and The Dark Knight, died of a drug overdose. He was 28.
File Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI
In 2012, Joe Paterno, the former Penn State football coach who won a record 409 games in his storied six-decade career but was forced out amid a sex scandal involving an ex-assistant coach, died of lung cancer. He was 85.
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In 2014, the New York Yankees agreed to a seven-year, $155 million contract with right-handed pitcher Masahiro Tanaka of Japan.
In 2018, Congress passed a funding bill to reopen the government after a three-day shutdown but without resolving an immigration issue that led to the temporary stoppage.


upi--2020-01-22--Lawsuits seek to halt new federal hog slaughter inspection system

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, Jan. 22 ( UPI ) -- At least three lawsuits seek to stop a new federal system for inspecting hog slaughter on the grounds that it could endanger workers and lead to more foodborne illnesses .
`` It poses a significant risk to the public , '' said Ryan Talbott , a staff attorney for the Washington D.C.-based Center for Food Safety , one of the groups involved in a suit .
Part of his group 's concern , Talbott said , is that the new system will reduce the number of federal inspectors directly supervising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the animals are killed and butchered .
Under the previous system , inspectors were placed at various stages of the slaughter process to monitor for disease and contamination .
But the new system gives the inspectors other responsibilities in the plant .
The USDA adopted the system Oct. 1 in an amendment to federal meat inspection regulations .
The new system is optional for commercial slaughter establishments .
Plants that want to implement it have until March 30 to sign up .
The USDA has said the change `` modernizes '' the inspection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make slaughter safer .
The new system requires slaughterhouses to conduct microbial testing for pathogens and develop written plans for sanitation .
Inspectors removed from the slaughter line will instead monitor and review implementation of those sanitary plans and microbial testing , according to the USDA .
`` This regulatory change allows us to ensure food safety while eliminating outdated rules and allowing for companies to innovate , '' Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said in a statement in September .
`` The final rule is the culmination of a science-based and data-driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that removing inspectors from the line will undermine the USDA 's ability to spot and prevent diseased animals or contaminated meat from making it through the plant and into stores .
`` It 's stopping inspectors from being able to do the critical appraisal and inspection of the animals , '' said Zach Corrigan , senior staff attorney at Food & Water Watch , based in Washington , D.C. , another group that is suing USDA .
In addition , the new system also eliminates federally imposed `` maximum line speeds , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals and carcasses move through the plant , Corrigan said .
`` Raising the line speeds is going to put a lot of pressure on poorly trained individuals who are not going to be able to conduct adequate inspections , '' said Sarah Sorspher , deputy director of regional affairs at the Center for Science in the Public Interest , which is not part of the current lawsuits .
More than a dozen organizations are involved in federal lawsuits asking the courts to overturn the system .
One suit , brought the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that pulling inspectors from the line and eliminating line speed caps will put workers in danger .
`` There is no doubt that increasing line speed will increase laceration injuries to workers , '' according to the lawsuit , which was filed in October in the U.S. District Court in Minnesota .
The union has asked the court to set aside a new rule through which USDA established the revamped inspection system .
The USDA has moved to dismiss the union workers ' suit .
Judge Joan N. Ericksen has yet to rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , filed in December in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York by a handful of animal welfare and environmental groups , contends that increasing line speeds will inhibit a plant 's ability to humanely handle and kill the animals .
The suit also asks that the new inspection rule be set aside .
And the most recent suit , filed Jan. 13 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California-San Francisco by the Center for Food Safety and Food & Water Watch , alleges that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumers ' `` health and welfare '' at risk .
It asks the court to not only vacate the rule , but also declare it illegal .
The USDA 's Food Safety and Inspection Service declined to comment on the pending litigation .
The agency has about two months to respond to the consumer safety suit .
It has about a month to respond to a suit that was filed by multiple animal rights groups Dec. 18 .
`` Part of what makes this such an interesting issue is the way it brings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns , '' said Lori Ann Burd , the environmental health director and senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity , one of several nonprofits that filed a suit that challenges the new system based on the impact to animal welfare and the environment .
`` These changes are bad for the pigs , they 're bad for the workers , they 're bad for the people living around the slaughterhouses and they 're bad for consumers , '' Burd said .
Various meat industry groups have defended the new system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember is the USDA is still inspecting 100 percent of the live animals and carcasses , '' said Sarah Little , a spokeswoman for the North American Meat Institute , which supports the new system .

Three lawsuits have been filed challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture's new swine slaughter inspection system. Photo courtesy of Pixabay
EVANSVILLE, Ind., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- At least three lawsuits seek to stop a new federal system for inspecting hog slaughter on the grounds that it could endanger workers and lead to more foodborne illnesses. "It poses a significant risk to the public," said Ryan Talbott, a staff attorney for the Washington D.C.-based Center for Food Safety, one of the groups involved in a suit. Advertisement
Part of his group's concern, Talbott said, is that the new system will reduce the number of federal inspectors directly supervising the plant "line," where the animals are killed and butchered.
Under the previous system, inspectors were placed at various stages of the slaughter process to monitor for disease and contamination. But the new system gives the inspectors other responsibilities in the plant.
The USDA adopted the system Oct. 1 in an amendment to federal meat inspection regulations. The new system is optional for commercial slaughter establishments. Plants that want to implement it have until March 30 to sign up.
Advertisement
The USDA has said the change "modernizes" the inspection process by using current science and technology to make slaughter safer.
The new system requires slaughterhouses to conduct microbial testing for pathogens and develop written plans for sanitation. Inspectors removed from the slaughter line will instead monitor and review implementation of those sanitary plans and microbial testing, according to the USDA.
"This regulatory change allows us to ensure food safety while eliminating outdated rules and allowing for companies to innovate," Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said in a statement in September. "The final rule is the culmination of a science-based and data-driving rule making process."
But critics say that removing inspectors from the line will undermine the USDA's ability to spot and prevent diseased animals or contaminated meat from making it through the plant and into stores.
"It's stopping inspectors from being able to do the critical appraisal and inspection of the animals," said Zach Corrigan, senior staff attorney at Food & Water Watch, based in Washington, D.C., another group that is suing USDA.
In addition, the new system also eliminates federally imposed "maximum line speeds," which cap the rate at which animals and carcasses move through the plant, Corrigan said.
"Raising the line speeds is going to put a lot of pressure on poorly trained individuals who are not going to be able to conduct adequate inspections," said Sarah Sorspher, deputy director of regional affairs at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which is not part of the current lawsuits.
Advertisement
More than a dozen organizations are involved in federal lawsuits asking the courts to overturn the system.
One suit, brought the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, alleges that pulling inspectors from the line and eliminating line speed caps will put workers in danger.
"There is no doubt that increasing line speed will increase laceration injuries to workers," according to the lawsuit, which was filed in October in the U.S. District Court in Minnesota. The union has asked the court to set aside a new rule through which USDA established the revamped inspection system.
The USDA has moved to dismiss the union workers' suit. Judge Joan N. Ericksen has yet to rule on that motion.
A second suit, filed in December in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York by a handful of animal welfare and environmental groups, contends that increasing line speeds will inhibit a plant's ability to humanely handle and kill the animals. The suit also asks that the new inspection rule be set aside.
And the most recent suit, filed Jan. 13 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California-San Francisco by the Center for Food Safety and Food & Water Watch, alleges that having fewer inspectors on the line puts consumers' "health and welfare" at risk. It asks the court to not only vacate the rule, but also declare it illegal.
Advertisement
The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service declined to comment on the pending litigation.
The agency has about two months to respond to the consumer safety suit. It has about a month to respond to a suit that was filed by multiple animal rights groups Dec. 18.
"Part of what makes this such an interesting issue is the way it brings together all these different groups with different concerns," said Lori Ann Burd, the environmental health director and senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, one of several nonprofits that filed a suit that challenges the new system based on the impact to animal welfare and the environment.
"These changes are bad for the pigs, they're bad for the workers, they're bad for the people living around the slaughterhouses and they're bad for consumers," Burd said.
Various meat industry groups have defended the new system, however.
"The important thing to remember is the USDA is still inspecting 100 percent of the live animals and carcasses," said Sarah Little, a spokeswoman for the North American Meat Institute, which supports the new system.


upi--2020-01-22--China: 9 dead, 440 infected with Wuhan coronavirus

Jan. 22 ( UPI ) -- A recently identified coronavirus has killed nine people in the central Chinese city of Wuhan and infected 440 others nationwide , Chinese health officials said Wednesday as they attempt to clamp down on an outbreak that has spread past its borders .
China 's National Health Commission Deputy Director Li Bin increased the death count to nine after three people died since Tuesday , stating in a televised address that all the deaths occurred in Hubei province where the coronavirus was first detected late last month in the city of Wuhan .
The nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovered in 13 provinces and more than 300 patients are currently under medical watch , he said .
`` Our experts believe the cases are mostly linked to Wuhan , '' he said .
Cases have also been reported in Japan , Thailand and South Korea with the majority of the patients connected to the outbreak city of Wuhan .
The United States confirmed its first case of the disease on Tuesday .
Health officials in Wuhan first confirmed patients were falling ill with pneumonia caused by a mysterious virus on Dec. 31 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week later as a coronavirus similar to the one behind severe acute respiratory syndrome , or SARS , which killed hundreds of people in China between 2002 and 2003 .
The disease is believed to have originated from a now-closed Wuhan seafood market and it was originally thought only transferable by animals .
However , human-to-human transmission has been observed , raising fears of it spreading .
Li said medical workers in Wuhan have contracted the disease suggesting `` community-based transmission '' is possible but evidence shows that the disease is mainly transmitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disease may mutate , he said , `` and there is risk of further spread . ''
The National Health Commission has upgraded the new strain of the coronavirus to a Class B infectious disease but Li said it will be treated as a Class A disease , which allows health officials to quarantine suspected cases and lockdown areas .
However , with Lunar New Year celebrations on Saturday with millions expected to travel throughout the country , China will be taking additional stringent measures to contain the disease including quarantine of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with and additional body temperature screenings at bus stops , airports and other populous venues , he said .
`` We must not let down our guard and we must be highly vigilant , '' he said .
The Wolrd Health Organization said the disease is a new coronavirus strain that has not been previously identified in humans and has called an emergency meeting for Wednesday to decide whether the outbreak meets the criteria of a public health emergency .

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A Chinese citizen wears a protective respiratory mask in Beijing, China, on Wednesday to guard against the spread of a coronavirus. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 22 (UPI) -- China on Wednesday issued a travel ban for all residents of Wuhan, the epicenter of a coronavirus outbreak that's killed at least 17 people. The ban comes as millions of people in mainland China are expected to travel long distances to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Advertisement
The city is shutting down all public transportation, including buses, subways and ferries, beginning 10 a.m. Thursday. Officials also canceled all flights and trains departing from the city in central Hubei province.
Transportation officials didn't ban travel by private vehicles, but warned that "citizens should not leave the city unless there are special conditions."
Health officials are attempting to contain the coronavirus outbreak, which likely began in Wuhan seafood market, which has since closed. The virus was initially thought only transferable by animals. Experts now know it can be spread by humans.
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The death toll rose Wednesday after eight new deaths were confirmed in Hubei province, and the number of cases has risen to to 509 across mainland China, officials said.
Two new cases were reported in Hong Kong on Wednesday. One involved a Wuhan resident and both were moved to an infectious disease facility at Princess Margaret Hospital. Another possible case was reported in Mexico and that patient was under observation. Cases have also been reported in Japan, Thailand and South Korea and most are connected to the Wuhan outbreak. The United States confirmed its first case of the disease Tuesday, leading federal officials to screen travelers and distribute a quicker coronavirus test.
Researchers at Imperial College London estimated Wednesday there may be more than 4,000 cases of the novel Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, a figure based partly on the total volume of international travel from Wuhan in the last two months.
The World Health Organization said the disease is a new coronavirus strain not previously identified in humans. After an emergency meeting Wednesday to decide whether the outbreak meets the criteria of a public health emergency, WHO officials said they would meet again on Thursday to make a decision.
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WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters after the meeting that the situation is "evolving and complex" and said more research is needed before the organization mobilizes the global public health infrastructure.
"The decision about whether or not to declare a public health emergency of international concern is one I take extremely seriously, and one I am only prepared to make with appropriate consideration of all the evidence," Ghebreyesus said.
Chinese National Health Commission Deputy Director Li Bin said in a televised address the coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan last month.
"Our experts believe the cases are mostly linked to Wuhan," he said.
Health officials in Wuhan first learned on Dec. 31 that patients were ill with pneumonia caused by a mysterious virus. It was identified a week later as a coronavirus similar to the one behind severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS.
Li said some medical workers in Wuhan have contracted the virus, suggesting "community-based transmission" is possible, and suggested it could mutate and spread further.
The National Health Commission has upgraded the new coronavirus strain to a Class B infectious disease, but Li said it will be treated in Class A, which allows health officials to quarantine suspected cases and lock down areas.
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With Lunar New Year celebrations scheduled for Saturday and millions expected to travel, Li said China is taking stringent measures to contain the virus -- including quarantines for patients and persons they are in contact with. They will also screen at bus stops, airports and other populous venues.
"We must not let down our guard and we must be highly vigilant," he said.


upi--2020-01-22--4 in 10 gun owners leave one unlocked at home

Four in 10 gun owners have at least one gun at home that is n't locked up , even if there are children in the home , a new survey suggests .
To come to that conclusion , researchers questioned nearly 3,000 people while they waited for a free gun storage device -- lockbox or trigger lock -- at public gun safety events in 10 cities in Washington state between 2015 and 2018 .
While many of the participants emphasized the need for such gun safety events , 40 percent reported having at least one gun at home that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they kept a loaded gun at home , and 14 percent stored all of their guns loaded and unlocked .
The presence of children in the home did not make a difference in how people stored their guns , the findings showed .
`` Even in this population , which clearly had some interest in or awareness of firearm safety , there was a high prevalence of unlocked firearms , '' said study author Aisha King , who conducted the study while a graduate student at the University of Washington 's School of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center 's INSIGHT summer research program .
The study was published in the February issue of the journal Preventive Medicine .
Storing guns locked and unloaded is associated with a more than 70 percent reduction in the risk of accidental and self-inflicted gun injuries among young people , the researchers noted .
The study did find that nearly all of the participants said they planned to use the free gun safety device within the following week .
Some gun owners believe that younger children do n't know where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , but that 's not always the case , according to King , currently a project coordinator at Columbia University .
`` A lot of times , the kids do know , '' King said in a university news release .
`` Also , guardians might think that training adolescents or older children is enough to keep them safe , that training means they do n't have to lock their guns .
Unfortunately , a lot of adolescents are at high risk of suicide , and unlocked guns add to that risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Academy of Pediatrics has more on guns in the home .

Four in 10 gun owners have at least one gun at home that isn't locked up, even if there are children in the home, a new survey suggests.
To come to that conclusion, researchers questioned nearly 3,000 people while they waited for a free gun storage device -- lockbox or trigger lock -- at public gun safety events in 10 cities in Washington state between 2015 and 2018.
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While many of the participants emphasized the need for such gun safety events, 40 percent reported having at least one gun at home that wasn't locked up, 39 percent said they kept a loaded gun at home, and 14 percent stored all of their guns loaded and unlocked.
The presence of children in the home did not make a difference in how people stored their guns, the findings showed.
"Even in this population, which clearly had some interest in or awareness of firearm safety, there was a high prevalence of unlocked firearms," said study author Aisha King, who conducted the study while a graduate student at the University of Washington's School of Public Health and as an intern with Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center's INSIGHT summer research program.
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The study was published in the February issue of the journal Preventive Medicine.
Storing guns locked and unloaded is associated with a more than 70 percent reduction in the risk of accidental and self-inflicted gun injuries among young people, the researchers noted.
The study did find that nearly all of the participants said they planned to use the free gun safety device within the following week.
Some gun owners believe that younger children don't know where guns are stored or how to access them, but that's not always the case, according to King, currently a project coordinator at Columbia University.
"A lot of times, the kids do know," King said in a university news release. "Also, guardians might think that training adolescents or older children is enough to keep them safe, that training means they don't have to lock their guns. Unfortunately, a lot of adolescents are at high risk of suicide, and unlocked guns add to that risk -- regardless of training."
More information
The American Academy of Pediatrics has more on guns in the home.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-01-22--2 inmates killed during fight in Mississippi prison

Jan. 22 ( UPI ) -- Two inmates were killed in a fight at a Mississippi prison , officials said , increasing the number of violent deaths within the state 's correctional facilities to seven in less than a month .
The Mississippi Department of Corrections said in a statement Tuesday the two inmates died from injuries sustained during a fight Monday night at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman , located about 130 miles north of Jackson , the latest in a string of deaths that have occurred under the state 's penal care .
Prison officials said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have determined they are unrelated to the recent series of killings in the prison system .
`` The safety of staff and prisoners at Parchman is our immediate priority , and we are working hard to restore and maintain order , '' said Tommy Taylor , interim commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections .
`` We believe that the motivation behind this latest altercation is limited to this new tragic circumstance .
The environment that makes such violence possible must be addressed quickly , and we are committed to making changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the victims from Monday 's fight was identified as Timothy Hudspeth , 35 , who was sentenced to 10 years for possession of a firearm by a felon in April 2018 .
The identity of the second victim was withheld pending notification of next of kin , the state 's department of corrections said .
The two victims are the sixth and seventh violent deaths to occur at a Mississippi correctional facility since Dec. 29 , WJTV reported .
They also follow the death of inmate Gabriel Carmen , 31 , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
The most recent deaths also come in the wake of a lawsuit filed Wednesday by musician Jay-Z against Mississippi prison officials for failing to stem violence within their facilities .
Mississippi Gov .
Tate Reeves said in a statement Tuesday that he is working `` around the clock '' with local officials to prevent future deaths within the prison system .
`` There is much more to be done here , '' he said .
`` We have asked [ the Department of Corrections ] to provide as much information to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible .
Transparency is the first step . ''

There have been at least seven violent deaths at Mississippi correctional facilities in the past month. Photo courtesy of Mississippi Department of Corrections/ Twitter
Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Two inmates were killed in a fight at a Mississippi prison, officials said, increasing the number of violent deaths within the state's correctional facilities to seven in less than a month. The Mississippi Department of Corrections said in a statement Tuesday the two inmates died from injuries sustained during a fight Monday night at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, located about 130 miles north of Jackson, the latest in a string of deaths that have occurred under the state's penal care. Advertisement
Prison officials said they have launched an investigation into the deaths and have determined they are unrelated to the recent series of killings in the prison system.
"The safety of staff and prisoners at Parchman is our immediate priority, and we are working hard to restore and maintain order," said Tommy Taylor, interim commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. "We believe that the motivation behind this latest altercation is limited to this new tragic circumstance. The environment that makes such violence possible must be addressed quickly, and we are committed to making changes to do so."
Two inmates were killed in Parchman last night. At this moment, it appears to be an isolated incident-not a continuation of the recent retaliatory killings. The Parchman chaplain has reached out to the next of kin.— MDOC (@MS_MDOC) January 21, 2020 Advertisement
One of the victims from Monday's fight was identified as Timothy Hudspeth, 35, who was sentenced to 10 years for possession of a firearm by a felon in April 2018. The identity of the second victim was withheld pending notification of next of kin, the state's department of corrections said.
The two victims are the sixth and seventh violent deaths to occur at a Mississippi correctional facility since Dec. 29, WJTV reported. They also follow the death of inmate Gabriel Carmen, 31, who was found hanged at the Parchman facility on Saturday.
The most recent deaths also come in the wake of a lawsuit filed Wednesday by musician Jay-Z against Mississippi prison officials for failing to stem violence within their facilities.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said in a statement Tuesday that he is working "around the clock" with local officials to prevent future deaths within the prison system.
"There is much more to be done here," he said. "We have asked [the Department of Corrections] to provide as much information to the public as possible as quickly as possible. Transparency is the first step."


upi--2020-01-21--Atlanta Braves sign OF Marcell Ozuna to one-year, $18 million contract

Jan. 21 ( UPI ) -- The Atlanta Braves signed former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Marcell Ozuna to a one-year deal , the team announced Tuesday .
Ozuna , who helped the Cardinals beat the Braves in the playoffs last October , signed a one-year contract worth $ 18 million , according to the club .
The Braves now have 40 players on the team 's 40-man roster .
Ozuna posted a .429 average with two home runs for the Cardinals in their five-game victory over the Braves in the National League Division Series last year .
The two-time All-Star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Miami Marlins before he was traded to the Cardinals .
He spent two seasons in St. Louis , recording a .241 average with 29 home runs and 89 RBIs in 2019 .
In 932 career games between the Marlins and Cardinals , Ozuna has a .272 average with 148 homers and 538 RBIs .
He had a career-high 12 stolen bases with the Cardinals last season .
The Braves have been active this off-season , recently signing former AL Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez to a minor league deal with an @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Marcell Ozuna had a .241 batting average with 29 home runs and 89 RBIs last season. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 21 (UPI) -- The Atlanta Braves signed former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Marcell Ozuna to a one-year deal, the team announced Tuesday. Ozuna, who helped the Cardinals beat the Braves in the playoffs last October, signed a one-year contract worth $18 million, according to the club. The Braves now have 40 players on the team's 40-man roster. Advertisement
Ozuna posted a .429 average with two home runs for the Cardinals in their five-game victory over the Braves in the National League Division Series last year.
The two-time All-Star choice spent his first five seasons with the Miami Marlins before he was traded to the Cardinals. He spent two seasons in St. Louis, recording a .241 average with 29 home runs and 89 RBIs in 2019.
In 932 career games between the Marlins and Cardinals, Ozuna has a .272 average with 148 homers and 538 RBIs. He had a career-high 12 stolen bases with the Cardinals last season.
The Braves have been active this off-season, recently signing former AL Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez to a minor league deal with an invite to big league spring training.


upi--2020-01-21--Trump administration blacklists Venezuelan aircraft as it ups the pressure on Maduro

Jan. 21 ( UPI ) -- The United States on Tuesday blacklisted over a dozen aircraft used by the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as the Trump administration continues to ratchet up the pressure on the embattled president .
The U.S. Treasury Department announced in a statement that it was blocking 15 aircraft of the state-run oil and gas company Petroleos de Venezuela known as PDVSA for having transported senior members of the Maduro government .
According to the Treasury , Venezuelan Oil Minister Manuel Salvador Quevedo Fernandez flew upon one of the aircraft to an Organization of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United Arab Emirates while a different aircraft shuttled senior Maduro officials throughout 2019 while they misappropriated PDVSA assets .
Fernandez , who heads PDVSA , was listed by the United States as a Specially Designated National in February for being aligned with Maduro .
The aircraft have also been operated in an `` unsafe and unprofessional manner '' near U.S. military aircraft in international air space , the federal agency added .
`` Several of these aircraft have been involved in the harassment of U.S. military flights in Caribbean airspace or have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the illegitimate Maduro regime , which continues to subject the people of Venezuela to brutal and dictatorial practices , '' U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement .
`` As a result of this action , U.S. persons are on notice that they may not transact with these aircraft . ''
The sanctions are the latest imposed under Executive Order 13884 , which U.S. President Donald Trump signed in August permitting the U.S. to block the property and assets of Venezuelan officials .
`` This action furthers U.S. efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end Maduro 's attempts to usurp power , and to support a Venezuelan transition to democracy , including free and fair presidential elections , '' Pompeo said .
The Trump administration has been applying increasing pressure on Maduro to step down after his 2018 re-election was deemed illegitimate early last year and opposition leader and National Assembly head Juan Guaido appointed himself interim president .
Nearly 60 countries have backed Guaido 's claim to the country 's helm but Maduro has continued to cling to power despite international pressure and sanctions in part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement of sanctions comes a day after Guaido made a surprise visit to neighboring Colombia in defiance of a pro-Maduro supreme court-imposed travel ban .
While in the capital Bogota , he met with Pompeo , who reiterated the United State 's support for his presidency .
During the meeting , Pompeo also told reporters that more sanctions were coming .

YV2739 Bombardier Learjet 45 is one of 15 aircraft owned by Venezuelan state-run oil and gas company Petroleos de Venezuela that the Trump administration blacklisted on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of U.S. Treasury Department/ Website
Jan. 21 (UPI) -- The United States on Tuesday blacklisted over a dozen aircraft used by the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as the Trump administration continues to ratchet up the pressure on the embattled president. The U.S. Treasury Department announced in a statement that it was blocking 15 aircraft of the state-run oil and gas company Petroleos de Venezuela known as PDVSA for having transported senior members of the Maduro government. Advertisement
According to the Treasury, Venezuelan Oil Minister Manuel Salvador Quevedo Fernandez flew upon one of the aircraft to an Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries meeting last year in the United Arab Emirates while a different aircraft shuttled senior Maduro officials throughout 2019 while they misappropriated PDVSA assets.
Fernandez, who heads PDVSA, was listed by the United States as a Specially Designated National in February for being aligned with Maduro.
The aircraft have also been operated in an "unsafe and unprofessional manner" near U.S. military aircraft in international air space, the federal agency added.
"Several of these aircraft have been involved in the harassment of U.S. military flights in Caribbean airspace or have been used to transport senior member of the illegitimate Maduro regime, which continues to subject the people of Venezuela to brutal and dictatorial practices," U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. "As a result of this action, U.S. persons are on notice that they may not transact with these aircraft."
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The sanctions are the latest imposed under Executive Order 13884, which U.S. President Donald Trump signed in August permitting the U.S. to block the property and assets of Venezuelan officials.
"This action furthers U.S. efforts to use targeted sanctions and steady diplomacy to end Maduro's attempts to usurp power, and to support a Venezuelan transition to democracy, including free and fair presidential elections," Pompeo said.
The Trump administration has been applying increasing pressure on Maduro to step down after his 2018 re-election was deemed illegitimate early last year and opposition leader and National Assembly head Juan Guaido appointed himself interim president.
Nearly 60 countries have backed Guaido's claim to the country's helm but Maduro has continued to cling to power despite international pressure and sanctions in part due to support from Russia.
The announcement of sanctions comes a day after Guaido made a surprise visit to neighboring Colombia in defiance of a pro-Maduro supreme court-imposed travel ban.
While in the capital Bogota, he met with Pompeo, who reiterated the United State's support for his presidency.
During the meeting, Pompeo also told reporters that more sanctions were coming.


upi--2020-01-21--2020 census kicks off in rural Alaskan town of Toksook Bay

Jan. 21 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. 2020 census officially kicked off Tuesday in the tiny western Alaskan town of Toksook Bay , which is closer to Russia via the Bering Straight than it is to the state 's capital of Juneau by plane .
The decennial gargantuan effort to count every living person in the United States was initiated Tuesday by Steven Dillingham , head of the U.S. Census Bureau , who conducted the first interview of Lizzie Chimiugak , 90 , a local tribal leader .
`` It is a very exciting time and it is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a video published hours before the count began on the bureau 's website .
The town of some 661 people as of 2017 , an increase from 590 by the 2010 census , was chosen to kick off the enumeration in 2018 , continuing the 20-year tradition of picking a sole Alaskan location to start the count .
`` Alaska 's vast , sparsely settled areas traditionally are the first to be counted .
Local census takers must get a head start while the frozen ground allows easier access to the remote areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bureau said in a press release .
Toksook Bay with its some 130 housing units and a 2017 median income of $ 53,750 was selected for the honor as it is accessible from the hub city of Bethel , which is in an area of approximately one-third of Alaska 's native villages , the bureau said .
Though Census Day when the majority of U.S. homes will receive an invitation to participate in the counting effort comes April 1 , the counting effort began Tuesday as the spring poses challenges for tabulating those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Wendy Hawley , the 2010 area census manager for Alaska .
`` The March-April timeframe is right around what they call the 'breakup , ' which is when the snow begins to melt and the rivers that froze during the winter begin to thaw and break up .
It 's really a hard time to travel in rural Alaska , '' she said , as many of the communities can only be accessed by land or air and the land becomes dangerous during the thaw of spring .
She said the dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months that are safe to travel but do not match with the census ' timetable as the count needs to be on the president 's desk by Dec. 31 .
The census count is mandated by the Constitution and provides data that determines the number of seats each state is allocated in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as the disbursement of federal funds , according to the bureau .

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Since 2000, a small Alaskan town has been chosen to kick off the decennial census as the region poses difficulties to access in the spring when the rest of the country is counted. Photo courtesy U.S. Census Bureau/ Facebook
Jan. 21 (UPI) -- The U.S. 2020 census officially kicked off Tuesday in the tiny western Alaskan town of Toksook Bay, which is closer to Russia via the Bering Straight than it is to the state's capital of Juneau by plane. The decennial gargantuan effort to count every living person in the United States was initiated Tuesday by Steven Dillingham, head of the U.S. Census Bureau, who conducted the first interview of Lizzie Chimiugak, 90, a local tribal leader. Advertisement
"It is a very exciting time and it is a historical time," Dillingham said in a video published hours before the count began on the bureau's website.
The town of some 661 people as of 2017, an increase from 590 by the 2010 census, was chosen to kick off the enumeration in 2018, continuing the 20-year tradition of picking a sole Alaskan location to start the count.
"Alaska's vast, sparsely settled areas traditionally are the first to be counted. Local census takers must get a head start while the frozen ground allows easier access to the remote areas with unique accessibility challenges," the bureau said in a press release.
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Toksook Bay with its some 130 housing units and a 2017 median income of $53,750 was selected for the honor as it is accessible from the hub city of Bethel, which is in an area of approximately one-third of Alaska's native villages, the bureau said.
Though Census Day when the majority of U.S. homes will receive an invitation to participate in the counting effort comes April 1, the counting effort began Tuesday as the spring poses challenges for tabulating those in some 220 remote Alaskan villages, said Wendy Hawley, the 2010 area census manager for Alaska.
"The March-April timeframe is right around what they call the 'breakup,' which is when the snow begins to melt and the rivers that froze during the winter begin to thaw and break up. It's really a hard time to travel in rural Alaska," she said, as many of the communities can only be accessed by land or air and the land becomes dangerous during the thaw of spring.
She said the dead of winter or June through July are months that are safe to travel but do not match with the census' timetable as the count needs to be on the president's desk by Dec. 31.
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The census count is mandated by the Constitution and provides data that determines the number of seats each state is allocated in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as the disbursement of federal funds, according to the bureau.