upi--2020-02-20--Knowledge may increase American interest in plant-based diets

A new poll suggests that education is all that stops most Americans from embracing plant-based diets that are better for the planet .
The poll , of just over 1,000 adults nationwide , found that 51 percent said they would eat more plant-based foods if they knew more about the environmental impacts of their eating habits , but 70 percent said they rarely or never discuss this issue with friends or family .
Nearly two-thirds said they 'd never been asked to eat more plant-based foods , and more than half rarely or never hear about the topic in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half said they 're willing to eat more vegetables and plant-based alternatives or less red meat .
Even though only 4 percent self-identified as vegan or vegetarian , 20 percent said they chose plant-based dairy alternatives two to five times a week or more often , and about the same percentage said they did n't buy products from food companies that are n't taking measures to reduce their environmental impact .
Along with a lack of information , other barriers to eating more plant-based foods include perceived cost , taste and accessibility , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and the Earth Day Network .
For example , 49 percent of respondents believed a meal with a plant-based main course is more expensive than a meal with a meat-based main course .
Additionally , 63 percent said they would eat more plant-based foods if they cost less than meat products , while 67 percent said they 'd eat more of the foods if they tasted better .
`` Many American consumers are interested in eating a more healthy and climate-friendly diet , '' Anthony Leiserowitz , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Change Communication , said in a Yale news release .
`` However , many simply do n't know yet which products are better or worse -- a huge communication opportunity for food producers , distributors and sellers , '' Leiserowitz explained .
According to Jillian Semaan , food and environment director for Earth Day Network , `` This data is a wake-up call for the climate movement .
Animal agriculture is one of the major drivers of our climate crisis .
We need to provide people with the relevant information that connects food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The U.S. National Institutes of Health has more on plant-based eating .

A new poll suggests that education is all that stops most Americans from embracing plant-based diets that are better for the planet.
The poll, of just over 1,000 adults nationwide, found that 51 percent said they would eat more plant-based foods if they knew more about the environmental impacts of their eating habits, but 70 percent said they rarely or never discuss this issue with friends or family.
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Nearly two-thirds said they'd never been asked to eat more plant-based foods, and more than half rarely or never hear about the topic in the media.
In addition, more than half said they're willing to eat more vegetables and plant-based alternatives or less red meat.
Even though only 4 percent self-identified as vegan or vegetarian, 20 percent said they chose plant-based dairy alternatives two to five times a week or more often, and about the same percentage said they didn't buy products from food companies that aren't taking measures to reduce their environmental impact.
Along with a lack of information, other barriers to eating more plant-based foods include perceived cost, taste and accessibility, according to the survey findings from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and the Earth Day Network.
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For example, 49 percent of respondents believed a meal with a plant-based main course is more expensive than a meal with a meat-based main course. Additionally, 63 percent said they would eat more plant-based foods if they cost less than meat products, while 67 percent said they'd eat more of the foods if they tasted better.
"Many American consumers are interested in eating a more healthy and climate-friendly diet," Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, said in a Yale news release.
"However, many simply don't know yet which products are better or worse -- a huge communication opportunity for food producers, distributors and sellers," Leiserowitz explained.
According to Jillian Semaan, food and environment director for Earth Day Network, "This data is a wake-up call for the climate movement. Animal agriculture is one of the major drivers of our climate crisis. We need to provide people with the relevant information that connects food choices, animal agriculture and climate change."
More information
The U.S. National Institutes of Health has more on plant-based eating.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-02-20--Watch: Moose runs down crowded ski slope in Sweden

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- A skier at a Swedish resort captured video when an apparently confused moose ran @ @ @ @ @ missing skiers on the crowded slope .
The video , recorded Tuesday , shows multiple @ @ @ @ @ at a resort in Jamtland .
A moose comes running down the slope in the @ @ @ @ @ quickly swerve to avoid being trampled .
`` I had to stop to allow the @ @ @ @ @ '' the filmer wrote .

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Feb. 20 (UPI) -- A skier at a Swedish resort captured video when an apparently confused moose ran through the snow, narrowly missing skiers on the crowded slope.
The video, recorded Tuesday, shows multiple skiers taking on the slope at a resort in Jamtland.
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A moose comes running down the slope in the footage, causing skiers to quickly swerve to avoid being trampled.
"I had to stop to allow the moose to overtake me," the filmer wrote.


upi--2020-02-20--Look: Grandfather's advice leads woman to $100,000 lottery jackpot

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- A woman visiting her grandfather in North Carolina took her elder 's advice and @ @ @ @ @ 100,000 lottery jackpot .
Kaitlen Raney told North Carolina Education Lottery officials she traveled from @ @ @ @ @ Va. , to visit her grandpa in Mebane .
She said she usually only buys @ @ @ @ @ , but during a trip to Hawfields General Store in Mebane her grandfather urged her @ @ @ @ @ a $ 20 ticket .
Raney selected a $ 20 Ruby Red 7 's ticket @ @ @ @ @ 's home , where they both scratched off lottery tickets and she discovered she had @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Maybe he 's not so crazy for playing the lottery after all , @ @ @ @ @ lottery headquarters Wednesday in Raleigh .
`` I guess I owe him dinner .
Good @ @ @ @ @ The winner said her prize money will go toward staring a college fund for her @ @ @ @ @ buy a home .

A North Carolina woman collected a $100,000 lottery jackpot thanks to some advice from her granddad. Photo courtesy of the North Carolina Education Lottery
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Feb. 20 (UPI) -- A woman visiting her grandfather in North Carolina took her elder's advice and ended up winning a $100,000 lottery jackpot. Kaitlen Raney told North Carolina Education Lottery officials she traveled from her home in Saluda, Va., to visit her grandpa in Mebane. Advertisement
She said she usually only buys $1 scratch-off lottery tickets, but during a trip to Hawfields General Store in Mebane her grandfather urged her to take a chance on a $20 ticket.
Raney selected a $20 Ruby Red 7's ticket and returned to her grandfather's home, where they both scratched off lottery tickets and she discovered she had won a $100,000 prize.
"Maybe he's not so crazy for playing the lottery after all," Raney said while visiting lottery headquarters Wednesday in Raleigh. "I guess I owe him dinner. Good job, granddad."
The winner said her prize money will go toward staring a college fund for her son and saving up to buy a home.


upi--2020-02-20--USC makes tuition free to students of families making $80,000 or less

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- The University of Southern California said Thursday tuition will be free to students whose families make $ 80,000 or less .
The announcement was part of a financial aid expansion to benefit low- and middle-income families , a university statement said .
Along with offering tuition free to students whose families have an annual income of $ 80,000 or less , owning a home will not be counted in determination of a student 's financial need .
The change will be phased in with new entering classes beginning in the fall of 2020 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're opening the door wider to make USC education possible for talented students from all walks of life , '' USC President Carol Folt said in the statement .
`` This significant step we are taking today is by no means the end of our affordability journey .
We are committed to increasing USC 's population of innovators , leaders and creators regardless of their financial circumstances .
Investing in the talent and diversity of our student body is essential to our educational mission . ''
Folt was named USC president last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecutors said dozens of wealthy parents bribed exam administrators and school officials to get their children into prestigious schools .
USC was among those schools , along with some others such as Yale , Georgetown , Stanford , and the University of Texas though none of the schools were accused of complicity in the case .
The financial aid expansion will increase undergraduate aid by more than $ 30 million annually , allowing the university to provide more financial assistance to over 4,000 students a year once fully implemented , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one-third of the fall 2020 and spring 2021 classes will benefit from the financial assistance .
The Los Angeles Times said that the changes will place the private USC on par with the public University of California as far as generous aid .
Other elite private universities like Harvard and Stanford provide tuition-free educations to families earning as much as $ 150,000 annually , but their endowments are much larger .
Harvard 's endowment is $ 40.9 billion and Stanford 's is $ 27.7 billion , compared to USC 's $ 5.7 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of college education .
Tuition alone at USC cost $ 57,256 in 2019-20 .
With housing , food , books and other costs such as transportation included it was $ 77,459 the same year .
`` USC is committed to educating the strongest minds , independent of background or ability to pay , '' USC Provost Charles Zukoski said in a statement .

Feb. 20 (UPI) -- The University of Southern California said Thursday tuition will be free to students whose families make $80,000 or less.
The announcement was part of a financial aid expansion to benefit low- and middle-income families, a university statement said. Along with offering tuition free to students whose families have an annual income of $80,000 or less, owning a home will not be counted in determination of a student's financial need.
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The change will be phased in with new entering classes beginning in the fall of 2020 and the spring of 2021.
"We're opening the door wider to make USC education possible for talented students from all walks of life," USC President Carol Folt said in the statement. "This significant step we are taking today is by no means the end of our affordability journey. We are committed to increasing USC's population of innovators, leaders and creators regardless of their financial circumstances. Investing in the talent and diversity of our student body is essential to our educational mission."
Folt was named USC president last year amid an admissions bribery scandal in which prosecutors said dozens of wealthy parents bribed exam administrators and school officials to get their children into prestigious schools. USC was among those schools, along with some others such as Yale, Georgetown, Stanford, and the University of Texas though none of the schools were accused of complicity in the case.
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The financial aid expansion will increase undergraduate aid by more than $30 million annually, allowing the university to provide more financial assistance to over 4,000 students a year once fully implemented, according to the statement. It is estimated that approximately one-third of the fall 2020 and spring 2021 classes will benefit from the financial assistance.
The Los Angeles Times said that the changes will place the private USC on par with the public University of California as far as generous aid. Other elite private universities like Harvard and Stanford provide tuition-free educations to families earning as much as $150,000 annually, but their endowments are much larger. Harvard's endowment is $40.9 billion and Stanford's is $27.7 billion, compared to USC's $5.7 billion.
The announcement comes amid rising costs of college education. Tuition alone at USC cost $57,256 in 2019-20. With housing, food, books and other costs such as transportation included it was $77,459 the same year.
"USC is committed to educating the strongest minds, independent of background or ability to pay," USC Provost Charles Zukoski said in a statement.


upi--2020-02-20--Democrats talk healthcare, climate change in Nevada debate

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- Democratic presidential candidates laid out their plans for the future of healthcare and climate action in America during a debate in Nevada on Wednesday .
A field of six -- Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ; former South Bend , Ind.
, Mayor Pete Buttigieg ; Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren ; Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar ; former Vice President Joe Biden and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg -- faced off ahead of the state 's caucus on Saturday .
The winner of the eventual Democratic primary will face GOP President Donald Trump in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadcast was the most-watched Democratic debate in television history , NBC News said , with nearly 20 million people watching on NBC or MSNBC .
Sanders faced criticism from the Nevada culinary union that his Medicare for All plan would end their healthcare coverage .
During the debate , Sanders pledged that he would never sign a bill that would reduce healthcare plans for union workers and will `` only expand '' healthcare for union members and other American workers .
`` Somehow or another , Canada can provide universal healthcare to all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.K. can do it .
France can do it .
Germany could .
All of Europe can do it , '' he said .
`` Somehow or another , we are the only major country on earth that ca n't do it .
Why is that ? ''
Warren took aim at the healthcare plans put forward by Sanders , Buttigieg and Klobuchar , calling for an incremental approach to secure universal healthcare .
`` Healthcare is a crisis in this country , '' she said .
`` We need as much help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible and to bring in as many supporters as we can .
If we do n't get it all the first time , take the win and come back into the fight to ask for more . ''
Klobuchar called for a health plan that would allow a public healthcare option to compete with private plans , saying that Medicare for All does not have enough support in Congress to be implemented .
`` Since we 're in Vegas , when it comes to your plan , Elizabeth and Bernie , for Medicare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money on a number that 's not even on the wheel , '' she said .
Buttigieg said it was important to put forth a candidate against Trump who is `` actually positioned to win '' in order to bring about policies to combat climate change as quickly as possible .
`` Let 's be real about the deadline .
It 's not 2040 .
It 's not 2030 .
It 's 2020 , '' he said .
`` Because if we do n't elect a president who actually believes in climate science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the other scientific or policy deadlines that we need . ''
Biden said he would focus on transmitting wind and solar energy across the electrical grid , invest in highway charging stations for electric vehicles and high-speed rail .
He also pledged to roll back some of the Trump administration 's efforts against regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency .
`` I would immediately reinstate all of what Trump has eliminated in terms of the EPA , '' Biden said .
`` I would once again make sure that we get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have saved over 12 billion barrels of oil had he not walked away from it . ''
Warren called for an end to offshore drilling as well as all new drilling and mining on public land but said she would be open to exceptions providing sustainable practices to harvest certain minerals rather than plans that benefit large corporations .
`` We can not continue to let public lands be used by those who do n't care about our environment and are not making it better , '' she said .
Bloomberg said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as China and India to end the climate crisis .
`` You 're not going to go to war with them , you have to negotiate with them .
We 've seen how well that works with tariffs that are hurting us , '' he said .
`` You have to convince the Chinese that it is in their interest as well .
Their people are going to die as well as our people are going to die and we work together . ''

Six presidential candidates took the stage in Las Vegas on Wednesday for a debate ahead of the Nevada caucuses on Saturday. Photo by Etienne Laurent/EPA-EFE
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential candidates laid out their plans for the future of healthcare and climate action in America during a debate in Nevada on Wednesday. A field of six -- Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders; former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg; Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren; Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar; former Vice President Joe Biden and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg -- faced off ahead of the state's caucus on Saturday. Advertisement
The winner of the eventual Democratic primary will face GOP President Donald Trump in the Nov. 3 general election.
The broadcast was the most-watched Democratic debate in television history, NBC News said, with nearly 20 million people watching on NBC or MSNBC.
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Healthcare
Sanders faced criticism from the Nevada culinary union that his Medicare for All plan would end their healthcare coverage.
During the debate, Sanders pledged that he would never sign a bill that would reduce healthcare plans for union workers and will "only expand" healthcare for union members and other American workers.
"Somehow or another, Canada can provide universal healthcare to all their people at half the cost. U.K. can do it. France can do it. Germany could. All of Europe can do it," he said. "Somehow or another, we are the only major country on earth that can't do it. Why is that?"
Warren took aim at the healthcare plans put forward by Sanders, Buttigieg and Klobuchar, calling for an incremental approach to secure universal healthcare.
"Healthcare is a crisis in this country," she said. "We need as much help for as many people as quickly as possible and to bring in as many supporters as we can. If we don't get it all the first time, take the win and come back into the fight to ask for more."
Klobuchar called for a health plan that would allow a public healthcare option to compete with private plans, saying that Medicare for All does not have enough support in Congress to be implemented.
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"Since we're in Vegas, when it comes to your plan, Elizabeth and Bernie, for Medicare for All you don't put your money on a number that's not even on the wheel," she said.
Climate change
Buttigieg said it was important to put forth a candidate against Trump who is "actually positioned to win" in order to bring about policies to combat climate change as quickly as possible.
"Let's be real about the deadline. It's not 2040. It's not 2030. It's 2020," he said. "Because if we don't elect a president who actually believes in climate science now, we will never meet any of the other scientific or policy deadlines that we need."
Biden said he would focus on transmitting wind and solar energy across the electrical grid, invest in highway charging stations for electric vehicles and high-speed rail. He also pledged to roll back some of the Trump administration's efforts against regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency.
"I would immediately reinstate all of what Trump has eliminated in terms of the EPA," Biden said. "I would once again make sure that we get the mileage standards back up, which would have saved over 12 billion barrels of oil had he not walked away from it."
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Warren called for an end to offshore drilling as well as all new drilling and mining on public land but said she would be open to exceptions providing sustainable practices to harvest certain minerals rather than plans that benefit large corporations.
"We cannot continue to let public lands be used by those who don't care about our environment and are not making it better," she said.
Bloomberg said the United States must work with countries such as China and India to end the climate crisis.
"You're not going to go to war with them, you have to negotiate with them. We've seen how well that works with tariffs that are hurting us," he said. "You have to convince the Chinese that it is in their interest as well. Their people are going to die as well as our people are going to die and we work together."


upi--2020-02-20--Environmental groups accuse Defense Department of improperly burning firefighting foam

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- A group of environmental and community organizations sued the Trump administration Thursday , accusing the government of improperly burning stockpiles of so-called `` forever chemicals , '' which could cause cancer and other deadly illnesses .
Earthjustice , which filed the lawsuit in federal court in California , said the Department of Defense should have considered the environmental and health impacts of incinerating the substances before doing so .
The organization is representing concerned groups in several communities , including East Liverpool , Ohio ; Port Arthur , Texas ; and St. Louis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The lawsuit concerns the incineration of foam firefighters used to use to battle blazes .
The foam contains a class of chemicals known as PFAS , which have been shown to cause cancer , liver disease , infertility and other health problems .
The government stopped using the foam after facing multiple lawsuits over the safety of the substance .
The Department of Defense then decided to incinerate the unused foam .
But Earthjustice said defense officials should conduct an environmental review before doing so to ensure that particles released in the incineration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Incineration does not solve the Defense Department 's PFAS problems ; it just pawns them off on already overburdened communities , '' said Earthjustice attorney Jonathan Kalmuss-Katz .
`` PFAS chemicals are used in firefighting foam precisely because they do n't burn .
Instead of destroying those chemicals , incinerating the foam releases PFAS and other toxins into the air .
DOD 's decision to authorize large-scale PFAS incineration without considering the health impacts is shortsighted and illegal . ''
The organization said it obtained government documents indicating the government has already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and El Dorado , Ark .
; and Cohoes , N.Y. ; and plans to begin doing so in Port Arthur and Sauget , Ill. '' It is critical for local communities to be informed of potentially dangerous chemical operations that could impact the health of the residents , '' said Hilton Kelley , founder and director of Community In-Power and Development Association in Port Arthur .
`` It 's not just the families living near the incinerator , we do n't even understand how many people living in this area could potentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from burning PFAS might travel .
We have a right to know what 's in the air we are breathing , in order to decide what 's best for ourselves and our families . ''
The lawsuit says the Department of Defense 's decision to incinerate the firefighting foam violates the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Defense Authorization Act .
The Department of Defense told UPI it ca n't comment on pending litigation .

A St. Louis fireman sprays foam on the underside of a fire truck October 10, 2008. The U.S. government developed a plan to incinerate stocks of firefighting foam, which contains cancer-causing chemicals. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- A group of environmental and community organizations sued the Trump administration Thursday, accusing the government of improperly burning stockpiles of so-called "forever chemicals," which could cause cancer and other deadly illnesses. Earthjustice, which filed the lawsuit in federal court in California, said the Department of Defense should have considered the environmental and health impacts of incinerating the substances before doing so. The organization is representing concerned groups in several communities, including East Liverpool, Ohio; Port Arthur, Texas; and St. Louis, as well as the Sierra Club. Advertisement
The lawsuit concerns the incineration of foam firefighters used to use to battle blazes. The foam contains a class of chemicals known as PFAS, which have been shown to cause cancer, liver disease, infertility and other health problems.
The government stopped using the foam after facing multiple lawsuits over the safety of the substance. The Department of Defense then decided to incinerate the unused foam.
But Earthjustice said defense officials should conduct an environmental review before doing so to ensure that particles released in the incineration process can't harm local communities.
"Incineration does not solve the Defense Department's PFAS problems; it just pawns them off on already overburdened communities," said Earthjustice attorney Jonathan Kalmuss-Katz. "PFAS chemicals are used in firefighting foam precisely because they don't burn. Instead of destroying those chemicals, incinerating the foam releases PFAS and other toxins into the air. DOD's decision to authorize large-scale PFAS incineration without considering the health impacts is shortsighted and illegal."
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The organization said it obtained government documents indicating the government has already begun incineration in East Liverpool; Arkadelphia and El Dorado, Ark.; and Cohoes, N.Y.; and plans to begin doing so in Port Arthur and Sauget, Ill.
"It is critical for local communities to be informed of potentially dangerous chemical operations that could impact the health of the residents," said Hilton Kelley, founder and director of Community In-Power and Development Association in Port Arthur.
"It's not just the families living near the incinerator, we don't even understand how many people living in this area could potentially be impacted or how far the emissions from burning PFAS might travel. We have a right to know what's in the air we are breathing, in order to decide what's best for ourselves and our families."
The lawsuit says the Department of Defense's decision to incinerate the firefighting foam violates the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Defense Authorization Act.
The Department of Defense told UPI it can't comment on pending litigation.


upi--2020-02-20--Watch: Monsta X shares performance videos for 'All About Luv'

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- Monsta X fans can watch the South Korean boy band perform tracks from All About Luv in a series of videos .
The K-pop group released performance videos Thursday featuring footage of Monsta X performing and promoting the English-language album .
The video for `` Got My Number '' shows Monsta X performing for a huge crowd .
It also shows the group backstage and on the red carpet .
The video for `` Misbehave '' features similar footage of Monsta X performing for their adoring fans , known as Monbebe .
The video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ featuring French Montana shows Monsta X giving an interview ahead of their performance at the B96 Jingle Bash concert .
Monsta X released All About Luv Feb. 14 on Valentine 's Day .
The group will kick off the North American leg of its 2020 world tour June 2 in Minneapolis , Minn. Monsta X consists of Shownu , Minhyuk , Kihyun , Hyungwon , Joohoney and I.M , and debuted as a group in 2015 .
The group is known for the singles `` Beautiful , '' `` Shoot Out , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and `` Follow . ''

Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Monsta X fans can watch the South Korean boy band perform tracks from All About Luv in a series of videos.
The K-pop group released performance videos Thursday featuring footage of Monsta X performing and promoting the English-language album.
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The video for "Got My Number" shows Monsta X performing for a huge crowd. It also shows the group backstage and on the red carpet.
The video for "Misbehave" features similar footage of Monsta X performing for their adoring fans, known as Monbebe.
The video for "Who Do U Love" featuring French Montana shows Monsta X giving an interview ahead of their performance at the B96 Jingle Bash concert.
Monsta X released All About Luv Feb. 14 on Valentine's Day. The group will kick off the North American leg of its 2020 world tour June 2 in Minneapolis, Minn.
Monsta X consists of Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney and I.M, and debuted as a group in 2015. The group is known for the singles "Beautiful," "Shoot Out," "Alligator," "Find You" and "Follow."


upi--2020-02-21--Watch: Justin Bieber plays 'Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts' with James Corden on 'Late Late Show'

Feb. 21 ( UPI ) -- Justin Bieber was forced to eat from a selection of disgusting foods during a game of Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts with James Corden on The Late Late Show .
The game , on Thursday , involved Bieber and Corden asking each other personal questions that if not answered , would result in them having to eat one of the disgusting foods .
The food available included cow blood and pork tongue jelly , bird saliva , cow tongue , ant yogurt with a scorpion garnish , cod sperm , beetle jello @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bull penis .
Bieber was noticeable grossed out throughout the segment and could n't stand the smell of the food .
Corden started things off by drinking bird saliva after he would n't answer who was more talented between Bieber and Harry Styles .
The pop star drank from the shrimp and chili pepper smoothie when he did n't answer which country has the worst fans .
Bieber avoided eating bull penis by ranking his wife Hailey Baldwin 's friends from best to worst , naming in order Kendall Jenner , Gigi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Jenner was only first because he knew her the best .
The segment ended with Corden eating a cow tongue after refusing to rank his fellow late night hosts and Bieber was forced to eat ant yogurt when he refused to have his mustache shaved off .
Bieber has been featured on The Late Late Show throughout the week , appearing with Corden on Carpool Karaoke and Toddlerography , among other segments .

Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Justin Bieber was forced to eat from a selection of disgusting foods during a game of Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts with James Corden on The Late Late Show.
The game, on Thursday, involved Bieber and Corden asking each other personal questions that if not answered, would result in them having to eat one of the disgusting foods.
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The food available included cow blood and pork tongue jelly, bird saliva, cow tongue, ant yogurt with a scorpion garnish, cod sperm, beetle jello shot, shrimp and chili pepper smoothie and bull penis.
Bieber was noticeable grossed out throughout the segment and couldn't stand the smell of the food.
Corden started things off by drinking bird saliva after he wouldn't answer who was more talented between Bieber and Harry Styles. The pop star drank from the shrimp and chili pepper smoothie when he didn't answer which country has the worst fans.
Bieber avoided eating bull penis by ranking his wife Hailey Baldwin's friends from best to worst, naming in order Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Cara Delevingne. The singer said Jenner was only first because he knew her the best.
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The segment ended with Corden eating a cow tongue after refusing to rank his fellow late night hosts and Bieber was forced to eat ant yogurt when he refused to have his mustache shaved off.
Bieber has been featured on The Late Late Show throughout the week, appearing with Corden on Carpool Karaoke and Toddlerography, among other segments.


upi--2020-02-21--China suspends import tariffs for dozens of U.S. products

Feb. 21 ( UPI ) -- The Chinese government announced Friday it will suspend import tariffs on dozens of U.S. products , including medical devices and scientific equipment that 's needed to counter the deadly coronavirus outbreak .
Beijing 's Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said the tariffs will be eliminated for one year beginning Feb. 28 on a variety of 65 U.S. imports , including vital diagnostic equipment used in radiography such as magnetic resonance imaging parts and X-ray tubes .
MRI has been an essential tool in diagnosing cases of COVID-19 .
To date there have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 2,000 deaths in China and 1,100 cases outside the country .
Importers who have been paying tariffs on 55 of the covered U.S. items can seek refunds for the taxes paid , for a six-month period , Beijing said .
Tariffs on the 10 remaining items will also be postponed but no refunds will be given for taxes paid on those .
The latter group includes scientific instruments like gene sequencers .
Along with taxes for the medical devices , China said it will also suspend tariffs on a range of engine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signaled that China is willing to stick to the terms of the `` phase one '' trade agreement signed with the United States last month despite new economic pressures that have been brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak .
Under the deal , China agrees to increase purchases of U.S. goods and services by at least $ 200 billion over the next two years .
As part of the phase one framework , China announced earlier this week that about 700 items imported from the United States will be exempted from new tariffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soybeans and liquefied natural gas .

A major Chinese government import-export company is in Beijing, China, on January 18. The government said Friday it will suspend import tariffs on more than 60 U.S. products. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 21 (UPI) -- The Chinese government announced Friday it will suspend import tariffs on dozens of U.S. products, including medical devices and scientific equipment that's needed to counter the deadly coronavirus outbreak. Beijing's Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said the tariffs will be eliminated for one year beginning Feb. 28 on a variety of 65 U.S. imports, including vital diagnostic equipment used in radiography such as magnetic resonance imaging parts and X-ray tubes. Advertisement
MRI has been an essential tool in diagnosing cases of COVID-19. To date there have been nearly 75,000 cases of the disease and 2,000 deaths in China and 1,100 cases outside the country.
Importers who have been paying tariffs on 55 of the covered U.S. items can seek refunds for the taxes paid, for a six-month period, Beijing said. Tariffs on the 10 remaining items will also be postponed but no refunds will be given for taxes paid on those. The latter group includes scientific instruments like gene sequencers.
Along with taxes for the medical devices, China said it will also suspend tariffs on a range of engine components and timber products.
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The move signaled that China is willing to stick to the terms of the "phase one" trade agreement signed with the United States last month despite new economic pressures that have been brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak. Under the deal, China agrees to increase purchases of U.S. goods and services by at least $200 billion over the next two years.
As part of the phase one framework, China announced earlier this week that about 700 items imported from the United States will be exempted from new tariffs for one year, including pork, soybeans and liquefied natural gas.


upi--2020-02-21--Red Sox icon David Ortiz: Mike Fiers a 'snitch' for exposing Astros' sign stealing

Feb. 21 ( UPI ) -- Boston Red Sox icon David Ortiz called Oakland Athletics pitcher Mike Fiers a `` snitch '' for reporting information that resulted in the Houston Astros being caught for illegal sign stealing .
Ortiz commented on the Astros ' sign-stealing scandal at Red Sox spring training Thursday at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers , Fla. '' I 'm mad at this guy , the pitcher [ Fiers ] who came out talking about it , '' Ortiz told reporters .
`` And let me tell you why .
Oh , after you make your money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you decide to talk about it .
Why do n't you talk about it during the season when it was going on ?
Why did n't you say , ' I do n't want to be no part of it ?
So you look like you 're a snitch .
Why you got ta talk about it after ?
That 's my problem .
Why nobody said anything while it was going on ? ''
Fiers played for the Astros from 2015 through 2017 .
A Major League Baseball investigation found in January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 season , the Astros began using a camera-based system to steal signs from opposing teams , allowing their players to know which pitches were coming during at-bats .
MLB took four draft picks from the Astros , suspended the team 's manager and general manager and fined the franchise a record $ 5 million .
Fiers left the team in 2018 to join the Detroit Tigers .
He was later traded to the Athletics .
The MLB investigation began after Fiers did an interview with The Athletic , providing information on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs from other teams .
The article was published in November .
MLB later suspended Astros manager A.J .
Hinch and general manager Jeff Lunhow , before they were fired the same day .
Red Sox manager Alex Cora and New York Mets manager Carlos Beltran were also fired after they were named in the investigation .
Cora was a former Astros bench coach .
Beltran was a former Astros center fielder .
Ortiz also defended MLB commissioner Rob Manfred , who has been criticized for his handling of the illegal practice .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been disciplined for their roles in the sign stealing operation .
`` To be honest with you , I 've been watching the whole thing and the commissioner has been getting so much heat like it was him that made that mistake , '' Ortiz said .
`` I do n't agree with him getting all the heat and the reality is that not one player came through and was like , 'Hey , it was me that started this up . '
Everyone is passing the ball like when you 're playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is have the team investigate what is going on and do what he knows how to do . ''
Ortiz , 44 , played for the Red Sox for 14 of his 20 seasons during his decorated MLB tenure .
He won three World Series titles and was a 10-time All-Star .
He is now a special assistant for the Red Sox .

Former Houston Astros starting pitcher Mike Fiers called out his former teammates for illegally stealing signs in an interview with The Athletic, sparking a Major League Baseball investigation. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Boston Red Sox icon David Ortiz called Oakland Athletics pitcher Mike Fiers a "snitch" for reporting information that resulted in the Houston Astros being caught for illegal sign stealing. Ortiz commented on the Astros' sign-stealing scandal at Red Sox spring training Thursday at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla. Advertisement
"I'm mad at this guy, the pitcher [Fiers] who came out talking about it," Ortiz told reporters. "And let me tell you why. Oh, after you make your money, after you get your ring, you decide to talk about it. Why don't you talk about it during the season when it was going on? Why didn't you say, 'I don't want to be no part of it? So you look like you're a snitch. Why you gotta talk about it after? That's my problem. Why nobody said anything while it was going on?"
Fiers played for the Astros from 2015 through 2017. A Major League Baseball investigation found in January that, at the start of the 2017 season, the Astros began using a camera-based system to steal signs from opposing teams, allowing their players to know which pitches were coming during at-bats. MLB took four draft picks from the Astros, suspended the team's manager and general manager and fined the franchise a record $5 million.
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Fiers left the team in 2018 to join the Detroit Tigers. He was later traded to the Athletics. The MLB investigation began after Fiers did an interview with The Athletic, providing information on the methods Astros players used to illegal steal signs from other teams. The article was published in November. MLB later suspended Astros manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Lunhow, before they were fired the same day.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora and New York Mets manager Carlos Beltran were also fired after they were named in the investigation. Cora was a former Astros bench coach. Beltran was a former Astros center fielder.
Ortiz also defended MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, who has been criticized for his handling of the illegal practice. No former or current Astros players have been disciplined for their roles in the sign stealing operation.
"To be honest with you, I've been watching the whole thing and the commissioner has been getting so much heat like it was him that made that mistake," Ortiz said. "I don't agree with him getting all the heat and the reality is that not one player came through and was like, 'Hey, it was me that started this up.' Everyone is passing the ball like when you're playing basketball. All the commissioner can do is have the team investigate what is going on and do what he knows how to do."
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Ortiz, 44, played for the Red Sox for 14 of his 20 seasons during his decorated MLB tenure. He won three World Series titles and was a 10-time All-Star. He is now a special assistant for the Red Sox.


upi--2020-02-21--Google honors entertainer Chespirito with new Doodle

Feb. 21 ( UPI ) -- Google is celebrating Mexican comedian , entertainer , writer , composer and director Chespirito @ @ @ @ @ what would have been his 91st birthday .
Chespirito , real name Robert Gomez Bolanos @ @ @ @ @ City in 1929 .
He became a television writer after studying engineering , finding early @ @ @ @ @ of Mexico 's most popular television and radio shows .
The entertainer earned the nickname @ @ @ @ @ , a name he used throughout the rest of his career .
Chespirito , in @ @ @ @ @ sketch comedy series where he brought to life two of most famous characters .
Satirical @ @ @ @ @ The Crimson Grasshopper and 8-year-old orphan El Chavo del Ocho or The Boy From No @ @ @ @ @ would go on to receive their own television programs .
Chespirito 's work , which @ @ @ @ @ plays , have been translated into over 50 languages .
Chespirito died on Nov. 28 @ @ @ @ @ Mexico .

Google is paying homage to comedian and entertainer Chespirito with a new Doodle. Image courtesy of Google
Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Google is celebrating Mexican comedian, entertainer, writer, composer and director Chespirito with a new Doodle on what would have been his 91st birthday. Chespirito, real name Robert Gomez Bolanos, was born in Mexico City in 1929. He became a television writer after studying engineering, finding early success by working on some of Mexico's most popular television and radio shows. Advertisement
The entertainer earned the nickname Chespirito which means Little Shakespeare, a name he used throughout the rest of his career.
Chespirito, in 1970, started an hour-long sketch comedy series where he brought to life two of most famous characters. Satirical superhero El Chapulin Colorado or The Crimson Grasshopper and 8-year-old orphan El Chavo del Ocho or The Boy From No. Eight.
Both characters would go on to receive their own television programs.
Chespirito's work, which also included films and stage plays, have been translated into over 50 languages. Chespirito died on Nov. 28, 2014 in Cancun, Mexico.
Google's homepage features artwork depicting a smiling Chespirito by artist Helene Leroux.


upi--2020-02-21--'Brain stimulator' may boost stroke recovery

A noninvasive magnetic brain stimulation device worn less than an hour a day can increase activity near stroke-injured areas of the brain , a small , preliminary study suggests .
Those improvements in brain activity might then lead to increased motor function in people who have had a stroke , the researchers said .
`` We were excited to see a strong hint of improved motor function even in this small study .
There is hope for stroke survivors with chronic motor impairment , '' said study senior author Dr. David Chiu , director of Houston Methodist Hospital 's Eddy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 ischemic stroke survivors .
An ischemic stroke is one in which a blood vessel becomes blocked , preventing blood flow to the brain .
If blood flow is n't quickly restored , brain damage occurs .
The study volunteers all had some brain damage , and as result , had weakness on one side of their body .
Chiu said researchers chose people who were at least three months post-stroke because spontaneous improvements generally do n't happen after that .
That means any improvements seen could be attributed to the device .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a smartphone , looks like a swim cap with multiple magnetic microstimulators attached .
Study volunteers wore it for 40 minutes per session , and completed 20 sessions over four weeks .
Past studies have shown that magnetic stimulation of the brain may promote recovery of motor function after stroke , the researchers said .
What 's new here is that the therapy can be done at home .
Magnetic stimulation activates nerve cells in the brain and may induce changes in them , Chiu explained .
Half of the patients were treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a placebo treatment .
The study team measured brain activity with functional MRI before , immediately after , and one month after treatment with the device .
The active treatment yielded significantly greater increases in brain activity -- nearly nine times higher than the placebo treatment .
Researchers also saw some improvements in things such as grip strength and walking speed .
These changes continued over the three-month follow-up .
But the study was n't large enough to prove that transcranial stimulation therapy improved motor function , according to Chiu .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a larger study , he said .
Dr. Salman Azhar , director of the stroke program at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City , reviewed the findings .
`` Magnetic stimulation has been shown to enhance neuroplasticity [ the ability of nerve cells to adapt ] , but has been very cumbersome to deliver to the patient , '' he said .
`` This device has found a way to do it as a wearable , and may allow improved recovery after stroke in a subset of patients . ''
Azhar said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients , it could likely be used earlier than three months after a stroke .
But , he said , patients would need to see an improvement in their function , such as better walking ability , for it to be useful .
Dr. Mitchell Elkind , president-elect of the American Heart Association , also reviewed the findings , and said a device patients could use at home would be beneficial .
`` They do n't necessarily have to come in to the clinic or to the academic medical center to have this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Elkind said , adding that transcranial magnetic stimulation is an `` exciting potential approach '' for helping people in stroke recovery .
The findings were scheduled to be presented today at the American Stroke Association 's International Stroke Conference , in Los Angeles .
Findings presented at meetings are typically viewed as preliminary until they 've been published in a peer-reviewed journal .
The study was funded by Houston Methodist Research Institute Translational Research Initiative and Seraya Medical , LLC , the company developing the device .
Seraya is planning a larger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about how stroke effects the brain from the American Stroke Association .

Researchers say that a device controlled with a smartphone that looks like a swim cap -- with multiple magnetic microstimulators attached -- may help increase motor function in people who have had a stroke. Photo by Blessy John/HealthDay News
A noninvasive magnetic brain stimulation device worn less than an hour a day can increase activity near stroke-injured areas of the brain, a small, preliminary study suggests. Those improvements in brain activity might then lead to increased motor function in people who have had a stroke, the researchers said. Advertisement
"We were excited to see a strong hint of improved motor function even in this small study. There is hope for stroke survivors with chronic motor impairment," said study senior author Dr. David Chiu, director of Houston Methodist Hospital's Eddy Scurlock Stroke Center.
The study included 30 ischemic stroke survivors. An ischemic stroke is one in which a blood vessel becomes blocked, preventing blood flow to the brain. If blood flow isn't quickly restored, brain damage occurs.
The study volunteers all had some brain damage, and as result, had weakness on one side of their body.
Advertisement
Chiu said researchers chose people who were at least three months post-stroke because spontaneous improvements generally don't happen after that. That means any improvements seen could be attributed to the device.
The device, which is controlled with a smartphone, looks like a swim cap with multiple magnetic microstimulators attached. Study volunteers wore it for 40 minutes per session, and completed 20 sessions over four weeks.
Past studies have shown that magnetic stimulation of the brain may promote recovery of motor function after stroke, the researchers said. What's new here is that the therapy can be done at home. Magnetic stimulation activates nerve cells in the brain and may induce changes in them, Chiu explained.
Half of the patients were treated with brain stimulation. The other half had a placebo treatment.
The study team measured brain activity with functional MRI before, immediately after, and one month after treatment with the device.
The active treatment yielded significantly greater increases in brain activity -- nearly nine times higher than the placebo treatment. Researchers also saw some improvements in things such as grip strength and walking speed. These changes continued over the three-month follow-up.
But the study wasn't large enough to prove that transcranial stimulation therapy improved motor function, according to Chiu. The findings will need to be confirmed in a larger study, he said.
Advertisement
No device-related complications were reported.
Dr. Salman Azhar, director of the stroke program at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, reviewed the findings. "Magnetic stimulation has been shown to enhance neuroplasticity [the ability of nerve cells to adapt], but has been very cumbersome to deliver to the patient," he said. "This device has found a way to do it as a wearable, and may allow improved recovery after stroke in a subset of patients."
Azhar said if this treatment were approved for stroke patients, it could likely be used earlier than three months after a stroke. But, he said, patients would need to see an improvement in their function, such as better walking ability, for it to be useful.
Dr. Mitchell Elkind, president-elect of the American Heart Association, also reviewed the findings, and said a device patients could use at home would be beneficial. "They don't necessarily have to come in to the clinic or to the academic medical center to have this sort of treatment applied to them," Elkind said, adding that transcranial magnetic stimulation is an "exciting potential approach" for helping people in stroke recovery.
The findings were scheduled to be presented today at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference, in Los Angeles. Findings presented at meetings are typically viewed as preliminary until they've been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Advertisement
The study was funded by Houston Methodist Research Institute Translational Research Initiative and Seraya Medical, LLC, the company developing the device. Seraya is planning a larger trial of the device.
More information
Learn more about how stroke effects the brain from the American Stroke Association.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-02-21--On This Day, Feb. 21: Nicaraguan rebel leader Sandino killed

Feb. 21 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1848 , The Communist Manifesto was published by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels .
In 1878 , the New Haven , Conn. , Telephone Co. published the first phone directory .
It listed 50 subscribers .
In 1885 , the Washington Monument , a 555-foot-high marble obelisk built in honor of America 's revolutionary hero and first president , was dedicated in Washington .
In 1916 , Germans launched the Battle of Verdun .
More than 1 million soldiers in the German and French armies were killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was the longest battle of World War I .
In 1925 , the first issue of The New Yorker was published .
In 1934 , Nicaraguan guerrilla leader Cesar Augusto Sandino was killed by members of the country 's national guard .
In 1953 , Francis Crick and James D. Watson discovered the double helix structure of the DNA molecule .
It took another three decades for scientists to produce a clear , direct picture of the DNA molecule .
In 1965 , Black Muslim leader Malcolm X was assassinated at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Richard Nixon became the first U.S. president to visit the People 's Republic of China .
In 1994 , longtime CIA counterintelligence officer Aldrich Ames and his wife , Maria , were arrested and charged with selling information to the Soviet Union and Russia .
Ames was sentenced to life in prison ; his wife got a five-year term .
In 1995 , a Russian commission estimated up to 24,400 civilians died in a two-month uprising in the separatist republic of Chechnya .
In 2007 , nuclear neighbors India and Pakistan signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preventing the accidental use of atomic weapons .
In 2014 , U.S. President Barack Obama met the Dalai Lama , Tibet 's exiled spiritual leader , at the White House after the Chinese government warned the meeting would damage U.S.-China relations .
A White House statement said Obama `` reiterated the U.S. position that Tibet is part of the People 's Republic of China and that the United States does not support Tibet independence . ''
In 2019 , the Japanese Space Agency 's Hayabusa-2 probe touched down on asteroid Ryugu .

1/5
On February 21, 1934, Nicaraguan guerrilla leader Cesar Augusto Sandino was killed by members of the country's national guard. File Photo courtesy of Underwood & Underwood/Wikimedia
Feb. 21 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1848, The Communist Manifesto was published by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Advertisement
In 1878, the New Haven, Conn., Telephone Co. published the first phone directory. It listed 50 subscribers.
In 1885, the Washington Monument, a 555-foot-high marble obelisk built in honor of America's revolutionary hero and first president, was dedicated in Washington.
File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI
In 1916, Germans launched the Battle of Verdun. More than 1 million soldiers in the German and French armies were killed in nearly 10 months of fighting. It was the longest battle of World War I.
In 1925, the first issue of The New Yorker was published.
In 1934, Nicaraguan guerrilla leader Cesar Augusto Sandino was killed by members of the country's national guard.
In 1953, Francis Crick and James D. Watson discovered the double helix structure of the DNA molecule. It took another three decades for scientists to produce a clear, direct picture of the DNA molecule.
Advertisement
In 1965, Black Muslim leader Malcolm X was assassinated at a rally in New York.
In 1972, Richard Nixon became the first U.S. president to visit the People's Republic of China.
File Photo by Dirck Halstead/UPI
In 1994, longtime CIA counterintelligence officer Aldrich Ames and his wife, Maria, were arrested and charged with selling information to the Soviet Union and Russia. Ames was sentenced to life in prison; his wife got a five-year term.
In 1995, a Russian commission estimated up to 24,400 civilians died in a two-month uprising in the separatist republic of Chechnya.
In 2007, nuclear neighbors India and Pakistan signed a treaty in New Delhi aimed at preventing the accidental use of atomic weapons.
In 2014, U.S. President Barack Obama met the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, at the White House after the Chinese government warned the meeting would damage U.S.-China relations. A White House statement said Obama "reiterated the U.S. position that Tibet is part of the People's Republic of China and that the United States does not support Tibet independence."
Advertisement
In 2019, the Japanese Space Agency's Hayabusa-2 probe touched down on asteroid Ryugu.


upi--2020-02-21--Jared Kushner inspired 'The Boy II,' director says

LOS ANGELES , Feb. 21 ( UPI ) -- The Brahms doll is back to terrorize new victims in Brahms : The Boy II , but he has more than box office grosses to thank for his sequel .
Director William Brent Bell says it was Ivanka Trump 's husband , Jared Kushner , who generated interest in a Boy sequel .
`` The doll became kind of an Internet meme with Jared Kushner , '' Bell told UPI in a phone interview .
`` Everybody was comparing him to Jared Kushner . ''
The Brahms doll is an inanimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original film .
Bell said Internet users became creative by inserting Brahms over photographs of Kushner .
`` A couple months ago , [ Kushner ] was on the cover of Time , '' Bell said .
`` Then there were a lot of memes with the doll on the cover of Time .
It was perfect . ''
It was n't Bell 's idea to capitalize on the Kushner memes .
Producer Gary Lucchesi saw the phenomenon as a form of viral premarketing .
`` After about six months of that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the doll is really living a new life of his own without the movie , ' '' Bell said .
`` So I got together with the producers and we kind of cracked the basic storyline .
Stacey Menear , the writer , came in and filled in the gaps . ''
The Boy II does not mention Kushner .
`` No , we did n't , '' Bell said .
`` We let the story stay in its lane . ''
With or without Kushner , Bell said there was more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first film suggested additional questions when the twist was revealed .
In the original film , a grown-up Brahms Heelshire ( James Russell ) was living in the walls of Heelshire Manor and moving the doll to drive Greta ( Lauren Cohan ) crazy .
`` It kind of opened up ideas of what happened to him , '' Bell said .
`` How did he end up there ?
Of course , the doll is really the crux of it all , so we put our focus on the doll again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first film , but like Freddy Krueger and Jason Vorhees before him , death never stopped a movie monster .
`` In the first movie , he gets his head smashed and he 's just left lying on the ground , '' Bell said .
`` We never really come back to him .
So the question became how do we introduce the doll in the sequel ? ''
Bell rejected the suggestion that Brahms ended up on a toy store shelf .
He opted to bring a new family to Heelshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) digs Brahms out of the ground .
`` I love the visual of unburying this doll , '' Bell said .
`` Then the question is why was the doll buried ?
That 's a great question .
I do n't know the answer yet , back then .
It 's provocative .
What 's going on here ?
That 's not normal .
So then we let that play into the mythology . ''
Liza ( Katie Holmes ) moves her son , Jude , and her husband , Sean ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a home invasion traumatizes them .
`` From that point forward , the boy does n't speak anymore , '' Bell said .
`` He 's having nightmares .
So they had the idea of let 's get out of the city and let 's rent a house .
The husband can work remotely and just spend some time away to heal .
`` Unfortunately , the guest house that they move into is Heelshire Manor from the first film and they do n't realize that until it 's too late .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same twist as the first movie .
Bell said the sequel is more supernatural than the original .
`` This time around , let 's explore the supernatural side of it and almost explain the reason the guy in the walls was evil to begin with is because that doll , indeed , had an evil to it , '' Bell said .
`` It possesses somebody to turn in on themselves . ''
Bell still leaves a few mysteries for Brahms : The Boy II viewers to experience .
Liza may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while her back is turned .
One of Jude 's playmates may have a tragic accident .
Bell suggests the horrific events of the film could have many possible explanations .
`` Is the kid doing it ? ''
Bell said .
`` Is his doll doing it ?
Is mom going crazy and imagining things ?
It becomes a question of is the doll causing these things to happen ?
Is the son indeed scarred for life from that experience and he 's starting to become a madman on his own ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been possible without Brahms fans ' observations about Jared Kushner .
`` It just kind of clicked , certainly in Gary 's head , '' Bell said .
`` The doll did n't go away with the movie .
The doll is still hanging around , so we have something that interested people . ''
Brahms : The Boy II is in theaters Friday .

1/3
Jude (Christopher Convery) found a new friend in Brahms. Courtesy of STX
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- The Brahms doll is back to terrorize new victims in Brahms: The Boy II, but he has more than box office grosses to thank for his sequel. Director William Brent Bell says it was Ivanka Trump's husband, Jared Kushner, who generated interest in a Boy sequel. "The doll became kind of an Internet meme with Jared Kushner," Bell told UPI in a phone interview. "Everybody was comparing him to Jared Kushner." Advertisement
The Brahms doll is an inanimate figure that terrorizes a nanny in the original film. Bell said Internet users became creative by inserting Brahms over photographs of Kushner.
"A couple months ago, [Kushner] was on the cover of Time," Bell said. "Then there were a lot of memes with the doll on the cover of Time. It was perfect."
It wasn't Bell's idea to capitalize on the Kushner memes. Producer Gary Lucchesi saw the phenomenon as a form of viral premarketing.
Advertisement
"After about six months of that, Gary called me and said, 'Listen, the doll is really living a new life of his own without the movie,'" Bell said. "So I got together with the producers and we kind of cracked the basic storyline. Stacey Menear, the writer, came in and filled in the gaps."
The Boy II does not mention Kushner. "No, we didn't," Bell said. "We let the story stay in its lane."
With or without Kushner, Bell said there was more story to tell with The Boy. The first film suggested additional questions when the twist was revealed. In the original film, a grown-up Brahms Heelshire (James Russell) was living in the walls of Heelshire Manor and moving the doll to drive Greta (Lauren Cohan) crazy.
"It kind of opened up ideas of what happened to him," Bell said. "How did he end up there? Of course, the doll is really the crux of it all, so we put our focus on the doll again."
The doll does not survive the first film, but like Freddy Krueger and Jason Vorhees before him, death never stopped a movie monster.
"In the first movie, he gets his head smashed and he's just left lying on the ground," Bell said. "We never really come back to him. So the question became how do we introduce the doll in the sequel?"
Advertisement
Bell rejected the suggestion that Brahms ended up on a toy store shelf. He opted to bring a new family to Heelshire Manor. Young Jude (Christopher Convery) digs Brahms out of the ground.
"I love the visual of unburying this doll," Bell said. "Then the question is why was the doll buried? That's a great question. I don't know the answer yet, back then. It's provocative. What's going on here? That's not normal. So then we let that play into the mythology."
Liza (Katie Holmes) moves her son, Jude, and her husband, Sean (Owain Yeoman), to Heelshire Manor after a home invasion traumatizes them.
"From that point forward, the boy doesn't speak anymore," Bell said. "He's having nightmares. So they had the idea of let's get out of the city and let's rent a house. The husband can work remotely and just spend some time away to heal.
"Unfortunately, the guest house that they move into is Heelshire Manor from the first film and they don't realize that until it's too late."
The Boy II can't pull the same twist as the first movie. Bell said the sequel is more supernatural than the original.
"This time around, let's explore the supernatural side of it and almost explain the reason the guy in the walls was evil to begin with is because that doll, indeed, had an evil to it," Bell said. "It possesses somebody to turn in on themselves."
Advertisement
Bell still leaves a few mysteries for Brahms: The Boy II viewers to experience. Liza may find the dining room table flipped over while her back is turned. One of Jude's playmates may have a tragic accident. Bell suggests the horrific events of the film could have many possible explanations.
"Is the kid doing it?" Bell said. "Is his doll doing it? Is mom going crazy and imagining things? It becomes a question of is the doll causing these things to happen? Is the son indeed scarred for life from that experience and he's starting to become a madman on his own?"
Still, none of this would have been possible without Brahms fans' observations about Jared Kushner.
"It just kind of clicked, certainly in Gary's head," Bell said. "The doll didn't go away with the movie. The doll is still hanging around, so we have something that interested people."
Brahms: The Boy II is in theaters Friday.


upi--2020-02-21--Famous birthdays for Feb. 21: Rep. John Lewis, Sophie Turner

Feb. 21 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Pisces .
-- Mexican @ @ @ @ @ Santa Anna ( conqueror of the Alamo ) in 1794 -- Tricia Nixon Cox , @ @ @ @ @ Richard Nixon , in 1946 ( age 74 )

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Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., prepares to pay his respects to Rep. Elijah Cummings during a memorial ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on October 24. Lewis turns 80 on February 21. File Photo by Melina Mara/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Pisces. They include: Advertisement
-- Mexican revolutionary/military commander Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (conqueror of the Alamo) in 1794
-- Roman Catholic Cardinal John Henry Newman in 1801
-- Classical guitarist Andres Segovia in 1893
-- Writer Anais Nin in 1903
-- Poet/author W.H. Auden in 1907
-- Humorist Erma Bombeck in 1927
-- Singer Nina Simone in 1933
-- King Harald V of Norway in 1937 (age 83)
File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI
-- Actor Rue McClanahan in 1934
-- Actor Gary Lockwood in 1937 (age 83)
-- Civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., in 1940 (age 80)
-- Film/record executive David Geffen in 1943 (age 77)
-- Actor Tyne Daly in 1946 (age 74)
-- Tricia Nixon Cox, daughter of former U.S. President Richard Nixon, in 1946 (age 74)
-- Actor Anthony Daniels in 1946 (age 74)
-- Actor Alan Rickman in 1946
File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI
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-- Author Jeffrey Shaara in 1952 (age 68)
-- Actor Kelsey Grammer in 1955 (age 65)
-- Singer Mary Chapin Carpenter in 1958 (age 62)
-- Actor Christopher Atkins in 1961 (age 59)
-- Author David Foster Wallace in 1962
-- Actor William Baldwin in 1963 (age 57)
-- Filmmaker Jordan Peele in 1979 (age 41)
-- Actor Jennifer Love Hewitt in 1979 (age 41)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Singer Charlotte Church in 1986 (age 34)
-- Actor Ellen Page in 1987 (age 33)
-- Actor Ashley Greene in 1987 (age 33)
-- Actor Corbin Bleu in 1989 (age 31)
-- Actor Joe Alwyn in 1991 (age 29)
-- Actor Hayley Orrantia in 1994 (age 26)
-- Actor Sophie Turner in 1996 (age 24)


upi--2020-02-21--As low-end wine prices fall, premium varieties likely won't budge

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, Feb. 21 ( UPI ) -- If you 're a connoisseur of fine wine , do n't expect to get the same price breaks that are starting to appear among cheaper varieties .
A surplus of grapes in California is driving down the prices for lower-end wines , industry experts say .
But the price for premium bottles , which is influenced by many other factors besides grape production , is unlikely to be impacted .
`` Where you will probably see the biggest impact from the glut or oversupply is in the lower-end wines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rocky Menge , the owner of Palmetto Wine Sellers in Columbia , S.C. `` For the more expensive wines from California , Oregon and Washington , I suspect we wo n't see an impact on price . ''
The price of wine grapes plummeted between 20 and 40 percent last year , said Rob McMillan , the founder of Silicon Valley Bank 's Wine Division , who authors an annual State of the Wine Industry report .
The demand was so low that vineyards across the state went unharvested , prompting farmers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already seeing quite a few vineyards being removed over the winter , '' said Jeff Bitter , the president of Allied Grape Growers , who grows grapes near Fresno , Calif. `` Even in my own vineyard , I removed a third of it this year . ''
In his 2020 report , McMillan predicts the falling grape prices will drag wine prices down in the coming year .
It 's already starting to happen , he said .
In California , Charles Shaw wine -- known colloquially as `` Two Buck Chuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2 a bottle again .
Its price rose to $ 3 nearly a decade ago , McMillan said .
`` It all starts with grape price , '' McMillan said .
`` When the price drops for grapes , that works its way into every bottle . ''
Higher-end wines can take years to make , so it will be years before these grape prices show up in premium bottles .
That time gap softens the impact , said Ryan Moses , director of marketing analytics and management at K & L @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Calif. What 's more , Moses said , fine wines are priced based on factors like branding , quality and international competition more than on the cost of grapes .
`` We 're not seeing a direct impact right now , '' Moses said .
`` We 'll have to wait and see if it impacts us . ''
But other long term issues might eventually pull down the price for even the highest quality wines , Moses said , because wine consumption around the country is beginning to decrease .
That 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in drinking wine as previous generations .
Wine had been a favorite among the Baby Boomer Generation -- and also Generation X -- since the early 1990s , when it was linked to numerous health benefits .
Wine 's rise to stardom started with something called the `` French Paradox . ''
Scientists had found that although they ate diets high in fats , French people were generally healthier than Americans .
Wine was identified as the possible reason .
And as one result , Boomers ' appetite for wine grew steadily for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a good run , '' Bitter said .
`` But , that population is drinking less now because they 're aging , and they 're starting to die .
The next generation behind them is Generation X , and they 're great customers , but that generation is much smaller . ''
And millennials have n't inherited the same penchant for wine as their parents and grandparents .
Part of the issue is marketing , McMillan said .
Wine producers have made few changes in how they package and market wine since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Millennial consumers have different tastes , he said .
That generation is interested in environmentally sustainable products , with a growing demand for more plant-based items .
And many young adults are looking for lower-calorie beverages .
`` The odd thing is , if we just start explaining what wine is , and how it 's made , they 're going to realize it is exactly what they 've been looking for , '' McMillian said .
`` It is healthy , it is plant-based , it is made in a totally natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is a very traditional industry and it is slow to change .
But , once we start doing that , I 'm confident that young consumers will discover wine and we will turn this around . ''

The price for wine grapes plummeted in 2019, but it is not expected to impact the price of premium wines, which are priced based on brand, quality and international competition. Photo courtesy of Pixabay
EVANSVILLE, Ind., Feb. 21 (UPI) -- If you're a connoisseur of fine wine, don't expect to get the same price breaks that are starting to appear among cheaper varieties. A surplus of grapes in California is driving down the prices for lower-end wines, industry experts say. But the price for premium bottles, which is influenced by many other factors besides grape production, is unlikely to be impacted. Advertisement
"Where you will probably see the biggest impact from the glut or oversupply is in the lower-end wines, the grocery store wines," said Rocky Menge, the owner of Palmetto Wine Sellers in Columbia, S.C. "For the more expensive wines from California, Oregon and Washington, I suspect we won't see an impact on price."
The price of wine grapes plummeted between 20 and 40 percent last year, said Rob McMillan, the founder of Silicon Valley Bank's Wine Division, who authors an annual State of the Wine Industry report.
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The demand was so low that vineyards across the state went unharvested, prompting farmers to scale back production.
"We're already seeing quite a few vineyards being removed over the winter," said Jeff Bitter, the president of Allied Grape Growers, who grows grapes near Fresno, Calif. "Even in my own vineyard, I removed a third of it this year."
In his 2020 report, McMillan predicts the falling grape prices will drag wine prices down in the coming year. It's already starting to happen, he said.
In California, Charles Shaw wine -- known colloquially as "Two Buck Chuck" -- now is being sold for $2 a bottle again. Its price rose to $3 nearly a decade ago, McMillan said.
"It all starts with grape price," McMillan said. "When the price drops for grapes, that works its way into every bottle."
It doesn't happen evenly, though.
Higher-end wines can take years to make, so it will be years before these grape prices show up in premium bottles. That time gap softens the impact, said Ryan Moses, director of marketing analytics and management at K&L Wine Merchants, in San Francisco, Calif.
What's more, Moses said, fine wines are priced based on factors like branding, quality and international competition more than on the cost of grapes.
Advertisement
"We're not seeing a direct impact right now," Moses said. "We'll have to wait and see if it impacts us."
But other long term issues might eventually pull down the price for even the highest quality wines, Moses said, because wine consumption around the country is beginning to decrease.
That's largely because millennials aren't as interested in drinking wine as previous generations.
Wine had been a favorite among the Baby Boomer Generation -- and also Generation X -- since the early 1990s, when it was linked to numerous health benefits.
Wine's rise to stardom started with something called the "French Paradox." Scientists had found that although they ate diets high in fats, French people were generally healthier than Americans. Wine was identified as the possible reason.
And as one result, Boomers' appetite for wine grew steadily for nearly 30 years.
"We've had a good run," Bitter said. "But, that population is drinking less now because they're aging, and they're starting to die. The next generation behind them is Generation X, and they're great customers, but that generation is much smaller."
And millennials haven't inherited the same penchant for wine as their parents and grandparents.
Part of the issue is marketing, McMillan said. Wine producers have made few changes in how they package and market wine since its popularity exploded three decades ago.
Advertisement
Millennial consumers have different tastes, he said. That generation is interested in environmentally sustainable products, with a growing demand for more plant-based items. And many young adults are looking for lower-calorie beverages.
"The odd thing is, if we just start explaining what wine is, and how it's made, they're going to realize it is exactly what they've been looking for," McMillian said.
"It is healthy, it is plant-based, it is made in a totally natural way, it's usually gluten-free. This is a very traditional industry and it is slow to change. But, once we start doing that, I'm confident that young consumers will discover wine and we will turn this around."


upi--2020-02-21--Al Pacino brings his theater experience to 'Hunters'

LOS ANGELES , Feb. 21 ( UPI ) -- Amazon 's series Hunters , premiering Friday , marks Al Pacino 's first role in an ongoing television series .
As opposed to the limited series Angels in America , or his standalone HBO movies , Hunters is 10 episodes and could continue for multiple seasons .
Pacino plays Meyer Offerman , the leader of a covert squad that is hunting Nazis living in New York in the 1970s .
The Oscar-winning actor compared the cast and creators to a theater company .
`` We liked the atmosphere that we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Television Critics Association panel .
`` Everyone was creating this kind of ease in which we went into things and talked about the scenes themselves . ''
Filming 10 episodes , Pacino lamented that no time was allotted for rehearsals like in a play .
He said his co-stars found ways to rehearse with him , anyway .
`` We kind of did it when we could , '' Pacino said .
`` We would find time on the weekend or something to get together .
We would get there and we would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The collaboration extended to filming days , Pacino said .
`` The set had that kind of malleable feeling to it , '' Pacino said .
`` If somebody had an issue or a problem with something or did n't understand something , or just wanted to go over it , we would all do it together . ''
One adjustment episodic television required was adapting to a new director every week .
A play does n't normally turn over the director .
However , Pacino recalled a play in which his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to new directors was easy .
`` As [ the play ] got more and more terrible notices , the less the actors were showing up , '' Pacino said .
`` So they had to replace each other .
If someone was playing Lord Something , the other night he 'd be playing a slave of some sort .
So it was confusing , but that was n't happening here . ''
Previous experiences playing different characters fed into Pacino 's latest creation , he said .
The 79-year-old suggested playing various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , makes one a better actor later .
`` I was in a repertoire , '' Pacino said .
`` The plays that I thought I would excel in , I did n't .
And the play that I did n't want to do was the one I excelled in .
So , you never know what 's there .
The more you do , the more you find out . ''
Where Hunters differs from theater or film work , Pacino appreciates what the unorthodox style of Hunters can add to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive produces and showruns with Nikki Toscano , presents some scenes as '70s-era movies or TV shows and then returns to the narrative of the show .
`` There 's a kind of an originality in this show and it 's somewhat eccentric , '' Pacino said .
`` All of a sudden , you 'll see it from certain angles .
There are a lot of elements in it that catch you off guard .
It holds your interest because you never know when a joke is going to come . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an ensemble .
Logan Lerman plays Jonah Heidelbaum , a young man who joins Offerman 's gang after someone kills his grandmother .
Many scenes focus on Jonah or gang members Roxy Jones ( Tiffany Boone ) , Murray and Mindy Markowitz ( Saul Rubinek and Carol Kane ) , Lonny Flash ( Josh Radnor ) , Joe ( Louis Ozawa ) or Sister Harriet ( Kate Mulvaney ) .
`` I 'm there watching this wonderful , great acting going on in scenes I never read really , '' Pacino said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprise to see it .
It takes a load off , really .
And yet , it 's still intense work . ''

1/4
Al Pacino stars in "Hunters." File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Amazon's series Hunters, premiering Friday, marks Al Pacino's first role in an ongoing television series. As opposed to the limited series Angels in America, or his standalone HBO movies, Hunters is 10 episodes and could continue for multiple seasons. Pacino plays Meyer Offerman, the leader of a covert squad that is hunting Nazis living in New York in the 1970s. The Oscar-winning actor compared the cast and creators to a theater company. Advertisement
"We liked the atmosphere that we were in," Pacino said during a Television Critics Association panel. "Everyone was creating this kind of ease in which we went into things and talked about the scenes themselves."
Filming 10 episodes, Pacino lamented that no time was allotted for rehearsals like in a play. He said his co-stars found ways to rehearse with him, anyway.
"We kind of did it when we could," Pacino said. "We would find time on the weekend or something to get together. We would get there and we would talk about it a little bit."
Advertisement
The collaboration extended to filming days, Pacino said.
"The set had that kind of malleable feeling to it," Pacino said. "If somebody had an issue or a problem with something or didn't understand something, or just wanted to go over it, we would all do it together."
One adjustment episodic television required was adapting to a new director every week. A play doesn't normally turn over the director. However, Pacino recalled a play in which his co-stars turned over rapidly, so adjusting to new directors was easy.
"As [the play] got more and more terrible notices, the less the actors were showing up," Pacino said. "So they had to replace each other. If someone was playing Lord Something, the other night he'd be playing a slave of some sort. So it was confusing, but that wasn't happening here."
Previous experiences playing different characters fed into Pacino's latest creation, he said. The 79-year-old suggested playing various roles on stage, as he did, makes one a better actor later.
"I was in a repertoire," Pacino said. "The plays that I thought I would excel in, I didn't. And the play that I didn't want to do was the one I excelled in. So, you never know what's there. The more you do, the more you find out."
Advertisement
Where Hunters differs from theater or film work, Pacino appreciates what the unorthodox style of Hunters can add to the drama. Creator David Weil, who executive produces and showruns with Nikki Toscano, presents some scenes as '70s-era movies or TV shows and then returns to the narrative of the show.
"There's a kind of an originality in this show and it's somewhat eccentric," Pacino said. "All of a sudden, you'll see it from certain angles. There are a lot of elements in it that catch you off guard. It holds your interest because you never know when a joke is going to come."
Another benefit to Pacino is that Hunters is an ensemble. Logan Lerman plays Jonah Heidelbaum, a young man who joins Offerman's gang after someone kills his grandmother. Many scenes focus on Jonah or gang members Roxy Jones (Tiffany Boone), Murray and Mindy Markowitz (Saul Rubinek and Carol Kane), Lonny Flash (Josh Radnor), Joe (Louis Ozawa) or Sister Harriet (Kate Mulvaney).
"I'm there watching this wonderful, great acting going on in scenes I never read really," Pacino said. "So it's such a surprise to see it. It takes a load off, really. And yet, it's still intense work."
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upi--2020-02-21--Gay men underestimate HPV risk, researchers say

Young men who have sex with other men do n't fully grasp their risk for human papillomavirus , or HPV , infection , due to a lack of information from health care providers , researchers say .
Interviews with men in their early 20s who are gay , bisexual or who identify as straight but have sex with men found that they knew little about HPV , including how it is transmitted , its symptoms and how it contributes to cancer risk .
These men also placed little importance on HPV vaccination , mistakenly believing that HPV mainly or only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published recently in the Journal of Community Health .
HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause several types of cancer , including cancers of the anus and penis .
It 's of particular concern for gay and bisexual men due to their high rates of smoking and HIV , the virus that causes AIDS , and the overall low HPV vaccination rates among men , the researchers explained .
The study also found that health care providers rarely discuss HPV and the HPV vaccine with young men .
Even when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explain the potential risks of HPV and the benefits of vaccination .
`` Particularly in light of the decades-long focus on gay men 's health care as HIV care , there is a missed opportunity for HPV prevention in the community , '' said study co-author Caleb LoSchiavo , a doctoral research assistant at the School of Public Health at Rutgers University in Piscataway , N.J .
According to lead study author Jessica Jaiswal , `` Clinicians have a direct role in expanding the availability of LGBTQ-competent health care . ''
Jaiswal is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center for Health , Identity , Behavior and Prevention Studies , or CHIBPS .
`` By learning about sexual minority men 's diverse health needs and routinely offering the HPV vaccine , we can move toward a health promotion model and not only a disease prevention model , '' she added in a Rutgers news release .
About 79 million Americans have HPV , with about 14 million new cases each year , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Perry Halkitis , director of CHIBPS , said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HPV .
`` Everyone who is sexually active -- regardless of gender , sexual orientation , partners ' genders , relationship or marital status -- should talk to their doctor about receiving the HPV vaccine to prevent a future generation who may develop HPV-related cancers , such as cervical , oral and anal cancer , as we have seen emerging in baby boomers and Gen-Xers , '' he said .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on HPV .

Young men who have sex with other men don't fully grasp their risk for human papillomavirus, or HPV, infection, due to a lack of information from health care providers, researchers say.
Interviews with men in their early 20s who are gay, bisexual or who identify as straight but have sex with men found that they knew little about HPV, including how it is transmitted, its symptoms and how it contributes to cancer risk.
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These men also placed little importance on HPV vaccination, mistakenly believing that HPV mainly or only affects women, according to the study published recently in the Journal of Community Health.
HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause several types of cancer, including cancers of the anus and penis. It's of particular concern for gay and bisexual men due to their high rates of smoking and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and the overall low HPV vaccination rates among men, the researchers explained.
The study also found that health care providers rarely discuss HPV and the HPV vaccine with young men. Even when they do, providers often fail to adequately explain the potential risks of HPV and the benefits of vaccination.
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"Particularly in light of the decades-long focus on gay men's health care as HIV care, there is a missed opportunity for HPV prevention in the community," said study co-author Caleb LoSchiavo, a doctoral research assistant at the School of Public Health at Rutgers University in Piscataway, N.J.
According to lead study author Jessica Jaiswal, "Clinicians have a direct role in expanding the availability of LGBTQ-competent health care." Jaiswal is a postdoctoral fellow affiliated with Rutgers' Center for Health, Identity, Behavior and Prevention Studies, or CHIBPS.
"By learning about sexual minority men's diverse health needs and routinely offering the HPV vaccine, we can move toward a health promotion model and not only a disease prevention model," she added in a Rutgers news release.
About 79 million Americans have HPV, with about 14 million new cases each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Perry Halkitis, director of CHIBPS, said it's important for everyone to learn about HPV.
"Everyone who is sexually active -- regardless of gender, sexual orientation, partners' genders, relationship or marital status -- should talk to their doctor about receiving the HPV vaccine to prevent a future generation who may develop HPV-related cancers, such as cervical, oral and anal cancer, as we have seen emerging in baby boomers and Gen-Xers," he said.
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More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on HPV.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-02-20--2 passengers of coronavirus-infected ship die in Japan

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- Two passengers of a quarantined cruise ship in Japan have died after contracting a deadly coronavirus that has infected more than 600 people on the vessel , Japanese government officials said .
The 87-year-old man and 84-year-old woman , both Japanese nationals , died Thursday , Japanese broadcaster NHK reported .
They are the second and third people to die from the disease in Japan , which has at least 60 confirmed cases of the virus .
The man was removed from the ship to an onshore medical facility Feb. 11 after testing positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transferred the day after , the officials said .
The Diamond Princess , with 2,666 passengers and 1,045 crew , has been anchored in Yokohama Port since early this month after a former passenger was confirmed infected with COVID-19 , which has killed more than 2,100 people worldwide and has spread to over two dozen countries since it emerged in China early December .
Since the ship was placed under a two-week quarantine , the virus spread among its passengers , infecting at least 621 people as of late Wednesday .
The deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ship were expected to disembark Thursday as part of an operation that began the day prior with some 600 people who tested negative for COVID-19 exiting the ship following the end of the 14-day quarantine , the cruise operator Princess Cruise said in an update .
However , the two deaths follow at least four others that have occurred in the past two days outside the Chinese mainland , which is where a great majority of the deaths have been located so far .
In an emailed statement to UPI on Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 70-year-old patient infected with COVID-19 died the day prior at Princess Margaret Hospital .
Of Hong Kong 's 68 confirmed cases , he was listed as case number 55 .
According to an earlier press release from the government , he suffered from `` underlying illnesses '' and lived alone but was admitted to Princess Margaret Feb. 12 after suffering a fall though he had been exhibiting symptoms of the infection since Feb. 2 .
Iran also reported that its first two patients infected with the coronavirus died in the city of Qom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea also confirmed its first death , according to its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The country also reported 52 new cases of the virus , bringing the total in the country up to 156 , the highest outside of China .
Outside of mainland China , France , the Philippines and Taiwan have each recorded a death while Hong Kong and Iran now have two and Japan has three .
In mainland China , the death toll continued to climb on Thursday as the number of infected continued to gradually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their daily update with 118 deaths and 889 new confirmed cases reported Hubei province , the epicenter of the outbreak , recorded 115 of those deaths and 631 of the new confirmed cases .
The new figures increase the death toll to 2,236 for mainland China and 2,245 worldwide .

Medical personnel prepare to help unload passengers form Diamond Princess at the Daikoku Pier in Yokohama, Kanagawa-Prefecture, Japan, on Wednesday. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Two passengers of a quarantined cruise ship in Japan have died after contracting a deadly coronavirus that has infected more than 600 people on the vessel, Japanese government officials said. The 87-year-old man and 84-year-old woman, both Japanese nationals, died Thursday, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported. Advertisement
They are the second and third people to die from the disease in Japan, which has at least 60 confirmed cases of the virus.
The man was removed from the ship to an onshore medical facility Feb. 11 after testing positive for the virus and the woman was transferred the day after, the officials said.
The Diamond Princess, with 2,666 passengers and 1,045 crew, has been anchored in Yokohama Port since early this month after a former passenger was confirmed infected with COVID-19, which has killed more than 2,100 people worldwide and has spread to over two dozen countries since it emerged in China early December.
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Since the ship was placed under a two-week quarantine, the virus spread among its passengers, infecting at least 621 people as of late Wednesday.
The deaths come as several hundred passengers of the ship were expected to disembark Thursday as part of an operation that began the day prior with some 600 people who tested negative for COVID-19 exiting the ship following the end of the 14-day quarantine, the cruise operator Princess Cruise said in an update.
However, the two deaths follow at least four others that have occurred in the past two days outside the Chinese mainland, which is where a great majority of the deaths have been located so far.
In an emailed statement to UPI on Thursday, Hong Kong's Hospital Authority said a 70-year-old patient infected with COVID-19 died the day prior at Princess Margaret Hospital.
Of Hong Kong's 68 confirmed cases, he was listed as case number 55. According to an earlier press release from the government, he suffered from "underlying illnesses" and lived alone but was admitted to Princess Margaret Feb. 12 after suffering a fall though he had been exhibiting symptoms of the infection since Feb. 2.
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Iran also reported that its first two patients infected with the coronavirus died in the city of Qom on Wednesday.
On Thursday, South Korea also confirmed its first death, according to its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The country also reported 52 new cases of the virus, bringing the total in the country up to 156, the highest outside of China.
Outside of mainland China, France, the Philippines and Taiwan have each recorded a death while Hong Kong and Iran now have two and Japan has three.
In mainland China, the death toll continued to climb on Thursday as the number of infected continued to gradually drop, Chinese health officials said in their daily update with 118 deaths and 889 new confirmed cases reported
Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak, recorded 115 of those deaths and 631 of the new confirmed cases.
The new figures increase the death toll to 2,236 for mainland China and 2,245 worldwide.