upi--2020-01-09--Canadian PM Justin Trudeau: Intelligence suggests Iran shot down airliner

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that the country has intelligence indicating a Ukrainian airliner that crashed in Tehran this week was shot down by an Iranian missile .
He made the statement during a televised news conference about the crash , in which 63 people carrying Canadian passports died .
None of the 176 people on board the plane survived .
`` We have intelligence from multiple sources , including our allies and our own intelligence , '' Trudeau said .
`` The evidence indicates that the plane was shot down by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well have been unintentional . ''
The prime minister did n't offer any details about the evidence , but said he and the families of the victims want answers about what happened .
`` That means closure , transparency , accountability and justice , '' he said .
`` This government will not rest until we get that . ''
U.S. intelligence officials also disputed Iranian investigators ' claim , that a technical failure is most likely to blame .
CNN , CBS News , NBC News and Newsweek all reported Thursday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downed by an Iranian missile .
After analyzing satellite and radar data , U.S. officials said a `` working theory '' indicates Ukraine Airlines Flight PS752 was mistakenly attacked by Iranian forces .
The crash occurred shortly after Iran launched two missile attacks at a pair of U.S. bases in Iraq .
U.S. satellites detected two surface-to-air missile launches shortly before the plane went down , the CBS News report said .
The New York Times also obtained footage purporting to show an Iranian missile hitting the plane near the airport .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the video .
In the video , a missile appears to strike the aircraft , causing a small explosion .
The plane continued to fly and attempted to turn back toward the airport before experiencing a larger explosion and crashing .
Speaking at a White House event Thursday , U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters he is n't so sure the crash resulted from mechanical trouble .
`` I have my suspicions , '' he said .
`` Somebody could have made a mistake on the other side .
... Something very terrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was flying in a `` rough neighborhood . ''
Iranian officials immediately rejected U.S. suspicions .
Tehran 's chief civil aviation chief called the U.S. suspicions `` illogical rumors . ''
What is certain is the jetliner crashed a few minutes after departing Khomeini International Airport , about 35 miles southwest of Tehran .
The Iranian Civil Aviation Organization said in a preliminary report earlier Thursday the plane was attempting a return to the airport when it crashed , and that witnesses saw the 737 on fire .
Immediately following the crash on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure on board was likely responsible .
The agency said the plane climbed to an altitude of 8,000 feet before disappearing from radar .
However , it noted , neither of the pilots on board reported trouble to ground controllers .
Investigators have recovered the `` black boxes '' -- the plane 's flight data and cockpit voice recorders -- and said both were damaged , but usable .
Iran has refused to turn the recorders over to U.S.-based Boeing .
The Ukrainian airline and officials in Kiev have dismissed the possibility the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Given the crew 's experience , error probability is minimal .
We do not even consider such a chance , '' UIA Vice President of Operations Ihor Sosnovsky said in a statement , adding that the pilots ' experience on the aircraft ranged from 7,600 to 12,000 hours .
`` We will surely find out the truth , '' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said .
`` For this purpose , a thorough and independent investigation will be conducted in accordance with international law . ''
Forty-five specialists from Ukraine are working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We expect that they will all be included in the work of the commission , in particular , the decoding of the 'black box ' records , '' Zelensky said .
Ukrainian officials are also looking into the possibility the plane was downed by a missile .
Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danylov said investigators are eyeing several possible causes -- including an anti-aircraft missile , like the Russian-made Tor -- after reports of potential missile fragments found at the crash site .
Other scenarios being discussed , Danylov said , included a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure of an engine or terrorist sabotage .
Boeing , which for nearly a year has been dealing with the crashes of two 737 Max 8s that grounded the model worldwide , said in a statement it 's `` ready to assist in any way needed . ''
Officials said 82 Iranians , 63 Canadians , 11 Ukrainians , 10 Swedes , four Afghans , three Germans and three Britons all died in Wednesday 's crash .
Ukraine declared Thursday a day of mourning .
Swedish and British officials said they are actively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoot down .
The crash comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States .
Last week , Trump ordered the airstrike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani , for which Tehran retaliated by firing at least a dozen missiles at two U.S. military bases in Iraq .

An official walks amid wreckage from a Ukrainian Boeing 737 about 30 miles south of Tehran on Wednesday. Photo by Morteza Nikoubazi/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that the country has intelligence indicating a Ukrainian airliner that crashed in Tehran this week was shot down by an Iranian missile. He made the statement during a televised news conference about the crash, in which 63 people carrying Canadian passports died. None of the 176 people on board the plane survived. Advertisement
"We have intelligence from multiple sources, including our allies and our own intelligence," Trudeau said. "The evidence indicates that the plane was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile. This may well have been unintentional."
The prime minister didn't offer any details about the evidence, but said he and the families of the victims want answers about what happened.
"That means closure, transparency, accountability and justice," he said. "This government will not rest until we get that."
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U.S. intelligence officials also disputed Iranian investigators' claim, that a technical failure is most likely to blame. CNN, CBS News, NBC News and Newsweek all reported Thursday that intelligence officials believe the airliner was accidentally downed by an Iranian missile.
After analyzing satellite and radar data, U.S. officials said a "working theory" indicates Ukraine Airlines Flight PS752 was mistakenly attacked by Iranian forces. The crash occurred shortly after Iran launched two missile attacks at a pair of U.S. bases in Iraq.
U.S. satellites detected two surface-to-air missile launches shortly before the plane went down, the CBS News report said.
The New York Times also obtained footage purporting to show an Iranian missile hitting the plane near the airport. The newspaper said it verified the authenticity of the video.
In the video, a missile appears to strike the aircraft, causing a small explosion. The plane continued to fly and attempted to turn back toward the airport before experiencing a larger explosion and crashing.
Speaking at a White House event Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters he isn't so sure the crash resulted from mechanical trouble.
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"I have my suspicions," he said. "Somebody could have made a mistake on the other side. ... Something very terrible happened."
Trump noted the plane was flying in a "rough neighborhood."
Iranian officials immediately rejected U.S. suspicions. Tehran's chief civil aviation chief called the U.S. suspicions "illogical rumors."
What is certain is the jetliner crashed a few minutes after departing Khomeini International Airport, about 35 miles southwest of Tehran.
The Iranian Civil Aviation Organization said in a preliminary report earlier Thursday the plane was attempting a return to the airport when it crashed, and that witnesses saw the 737 on fire. Immediately following the crash on Wednesday, Iranian officials said a technical failure on board was likely responsible.
The agency said the plane climbed to an altitude of 8,000 feet before disappearing from radar. However, it noted, neither of the pilots on board reported trouble to ground controllers.
Investigators have recovered the "black boxes" -- the plane's flight data and cockpit voice recorders -- and said both were damaged, but usable. Iran has refused to turn the recorders over to U.S.-based Boeing.
The Ukrainian airline and officials in Kiev have dismissed the possibility the crash was the result of pilot error.
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"Given the crew's experience, error probability is minimal. We do not even consider such a chance," UIA Vice President of Operations Ihor Sosnovsky said in a statement, adding that the pilots' experience on the aircraft ranged from 7,600 to 12,000 hours.
"We will surely find out the truth," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. "For this purpose, a thorough and independent investigation will be conducted in accordance with international law."
Forty-five specialists from Ukraine are working with Iranian investigators at the site.
"We expect that they will all be included in the work of the commission, in particular, the decoding of the 'black box' records," Zelensky said.
Ukrainian officials are also looking into the possibility the plane was downed by a missile. Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danylov said investigators are eyeing several possible causes -- including an anti-aircraft missile, like the Russian-made Tor -- after reports of potential missile fragments found at the crash site.
Other scenarios being discussed, Danylov said, included a collision with a drone, the technical failure of an engine or terrorist sabotage.
Boeing, which for nearly a year has been dealing with the crashes of two 737 Max 8s that grounded the model worldwide, said in a statement it's "ready to assist in any way needed."
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Officials said 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans and three Britons all died in Wednesday's crash. Ukraine declared Thursday a day of mourning. Swedish and British officials said they are actively looking into the possibility of a missile shoot down.
The crash comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. Last week, Trump ordered the airstrike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, for which Tehran retaliated by firing at least a dozen missiles at two U.S. military bases in Iraq.


upi--2020-01-09--E-scooter injuries up 222 percent in last four years

Jan. 9 -- Electric scooter accidents are sending droves to emergency rooms -- especially young adults , a new study finds .
As e-scooters ' popularity has exploded , so have injuries -- skyrocketing 222 percent between 2014 and 2018 to more than 39,000 .
Hospital admissions also soared -- 365 percent to nearly 3,300 .
Head injuries made up about a third of the injuries -- twice the rate seen in bicycle accidents , researchers said .
Men suffered about two-thirds of the injuries .
Most riders hurt for the first time were between 18 and 34 years old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fast and convenient form of transportation and help to lessen traffic congestion , especially in dense , high-traffic areas , '' said senior author Dr. Benjamin Breyer , a urologist at the University of California , San Francisco .
`` But we 're very concerned about the significant increase in injuries and hospital admissions that we documented , particularly during the last year , and especially with young people , where the proportion of hospital admissions increased 354 percent , '' he added in a university news release .
Health officials nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dislocations and head injuries showing up in trauma centers from e-scooter accidents , researchers noted .
A likely reason : Few regulations for e-scooter use exist , particularly about the need to wear a helmet .
Only 2 percent to 5 percent of injured riders wore helmets , the study found .
Researchers think mandatory helmet use would dramatically reduce the number of head injuries from e-scooter accidents .
For the study , they reviewed data from a nationwide injury reporting system .
Between 2014 and 2018 , almost 40,000 injuries from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study found .
The accident rate more than tripled over that period -- from 6 per 100,000 people in 2014 to 19 in 2018 .
The most common injuries were fractures , at 27 percent , scrapes and bruises at 23 percent , and cuts at 14 percent .
In all , 78 percent of injuries happened in cities .
But researchers said the figures may underestimate the true size of the problem as some injured e-scooter riders do n't seek emergency room care .
The report was published online Jan. 8 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about electric scooter safety from Cedars Sinai , Los Angeles .

A man rides a scooter past the U.S. Capitol Building as fog settles in over Capitol Hill in December 2019 in Washington, D.C. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 9 -- Electric scooter accidents are sending droves to emergency rooms -- especially young adults, a new study finds. As e-scooters' popularity has exploded, so have injuries -- skyrocketing 222 percent between 2014 and 2018 to more than 39,000. Hospital admissions also soared -- 365 percent to nearly 3,300. Advertisement
Head injuries made up about a third of the injuries -- twice the rate seen in bicycle accidents, researchers said.
Men suffered about two-thirds of the injuries. Most riders hurt for the first time were between 18 and 34 years old, researchers found.
"E-scooters are a fast and convenient form of transportation and help to lessen traffic congestion, especially in dense, high-traffic areas," said senior author Dr. Benjamin Breyer, a urologist at the University of California, San Francisco.
"But we're very concerned about the significant increase in injuries and hospital admissions that we documented, particularly during the last year, and especially with young people, where the proportion of hospital admissions increased 354 percent," he added in a university news release.
Health officials nationwide are alarmed by the number of fractures, dislocations and head injuries showing up in trauma centers from e-scooter accidents, researchers noted.
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A likely reason: Few regulations for e-scooter use exist, particularly about the need to wear a helmet. Only 2 percent to 5 percent of injured riders wore helmets, the study found.
Researchers think mandatory helmet use would dramatically reduce the number of head injuries from e-scooter accidents.
For the study, they reviewed data from a nationwide injury reporting system.
Between 2014 and 2018, almost 40,000 injuries from powered scooters were reported nationwide, the study found. The accident rate more than tripled over that period -- from 6 per 100,000 people in 2014 to 19 in 2018. The most common injuries were fractures, at 27 percent, scrapes and bruises at 23 percent, and cuts at 14 percent.
In all, 78 percent of injuries happened in cities.
But researchers said the figures may underestimate the true size of the problem as some injured e-scooter riders don't seek emergency room care.
The report was published online Jan. 8 in the journal JAMA Surgery.
More information
Learn more about electric scooter safety from Cedars Sinai, Los Angeles.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-01-09--House of Commons votes to pass Boris Johnson's Brexit deal

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- The lower house of Parliament voted Thursday to pass British Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's Brexit deal , moving Britain closer to leaving the the European Union after 47 years of membership .
Parliament members voted 330-231 to pass the Withdrawal Agreement Bill on its third reading after several amendments were defeated after three days of debate and disputes dating back to the 2016 Brexit referendum .
The bill will now go to the upper house of Parliament next week and could progress to be put into legislation if it goes through without any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave the European Union later this month as planned and helping Johnson to fulfill his promise to finish the transition by the end of this year .
Johnson has warned members of the House of Lords to not make any changes , which could slow progress since the House of Commons would have to consider them as amendments .
Though Johnson has succeeded where his predecessor Theresa May failed in getting Brexit legislation through Commons , he does not have the same advantage in the upper house .
Still , his spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant positive step , '' toward his goal to `` get Brexit done . ''
Johnson 's plan is similar to May 's , but replaces her backstop mechanism that would have kept Northern Ireland aligned with the European Union customs union in the absence of a formal trade deal in the post-Brexit transition with a de facto customs border in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom .
The deal was expected to pass the House of Commons after Johnson 's Conservative Party won a majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month .
Britain will remain under the European Union 's rule of trade until the end of the year under the deal and Johnson said he expects to reach a trade deal in that time .
However , European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the timeline was too short and there were potential trade barriers if Britain leaves the European Union without a trade deal .

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson moved closer Thursday to his plan to "get Brexit done" as the House of Commons voted to pass a Withdrawal Agreement Bill. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 9 (UPI) -- The lower house of Parliament voted Thursday to pass British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit deal, moving Britain closer to leaving the the European Union after 47 years of membership. Parliament members voted 330-231 to pass the Withdrawal Agreement Bill on its third reading after several amendments were defeated after three days of debate and disputes dating back to the 2016 Brexit referendum. Advertisement
The bill will now go to the upper house of Parliament next week and could progress to be put into legislation if it goes through without any changes, paving the way for Britain to leave the European Union later this month as planned and helping Johnson to fulfill his promise to finish the transition by the end of this year.
Johnson has warned members of the House of Lords to not make any changes, which could slow progress since the House of Commons would have to consider them as amendments.
Though Johnson has succeeded where his predecessor Theresa May failed in getting Brexit legislation through Commons, he does not have the same advantage in the upper house.
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Still, his spokesman said Thursday's vote was a "significant positive step," toward his goal to "get Brexit done."
Johnson's plan is similar to May's, but replaces her backstop mechanism that would have kept Northern Ireland aligned with the European Union customs union in the absence of a formal trade deal in the post-Brexit transition with a de facto customs border in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.
The deal was expected to pass the House of Commons after Johnson's Conservative Party won a majority of seats there in a snap election last month.
Britain will remain under the European Union's rule of trade until the end of the year under the deal and Johnson said he expects to reach a trade deal in that time.
However, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the timeline was too short and there were potential trade barriers if Britain leaves the European Union without a trade deal.


upi--2020-01-09--Man collects his third top prize jackpot from scratch-off lottery tickets

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- A Maryland man who won a $ 100,000 jackpot from a scratch-off lottery ticket @ @ @ @ @ trip to lottery headquarters to collect a top prize .
The 53-year-old Nottingham construction worker @ @ @ @ @ stopped at Dash In # 18322 in Ellicott City while driving between work sitesMonday and @ @ @ @ @ 10 Gold Rush X50 scratch-off .
The man scratched off a stack of cash symbol @ @ @ @ @ win , and the prize amount was the $ 100,000 top prize .
The winner @ @ @ @ @ as handy with scratch-off tickets due to winning two top prize wins from instant games @ @ @ @ @ He said people often ask him to divulge his secrets .
`` I just tell @ @ @ @ @ , really , '' said the winner .
`` I also tell them not to @ @ @ @ @ n't afford to lose . ''
The man said he plans to pay down his @ @ @ @ @ of the money into savings .

A Maryland man visited state lottery headquarters for a third time to collect a top prize from a scratch-off ticket. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Jan. 9 (UPI) -- A Maryland man who won a $100,000 jackpot from a scratch-off lottery ticket said it was his third trip to lottery headquarters to collect a top prize. The 53-year-old Nottingham construction worker told Maryland Lottery officials he stopped at Dash In #18322 in Ellicott City while driving between work sitesMonday and decided to buy a $10 Gold Rush X50 scratch-off. Advertisement
The man scratched off a stack of cash symbol, which signifies an instant win, and the prize amount was the $100,000 top prize.
The winner said he has a reputation as handy with scratch-off tickets due to winning two top prize wins from instant games nearly a decade ago. He said people often ask him to divulge his secrets.
"I just tell them it's dumb luck, really," said the winner. "I also tell them not to play with money you can't afford to lose."
The man said he plans to pay down his debts and put the rest of the money into savings.


upi--2020-01-09--Look: Rescuers save skunk with aluminum can stuck on its head

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- Animal rescuers in California shared photos from the rescue of a skunk found running @ @ @ @ @ stuck over its head .
The San Diego Humane Society said officers responded Wednesday to @ @ @ @ @ skunk with its head stuck inside a discarded food can .
The officers captured the @ @ @ @ @ , removed the can and released the uninjured animal .
A humane society spokesman said @ @ @ @ @ call for the group .

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Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Animal rescuers in California shared photos from the rescue of a skunk found running around with an aluminum can stuck over its head.
The San Diego Humane Society said officers responded Wednesday to a report of a distressed skunk with its head stuck inside a discarded food can.
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The officers captured the skunk in a cardboard box, removed the can and released the uninjured animal.
A humane society spokesman said the incident was an unusual call for the group.


upi--2020-01-09--Watch: Firefighters break through ice to rescue deer in frozen lake

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- Firefighters in Pennsylvania donned thermal protection suits and forced their way through the ice @ @ @ @ @ rescue a deer that fell through .
The Scranton Fire Department said a woman walking @ @ @ @ @ report a deer had fallen through the ice of a frozen lake and was struggling @ @ @ @ @ frigid water .
Firefighters dressed in thermal protection suits set about breaking their way through @ @ @ @ @ deer .
`` I had to use my forearm to pound my way through , @ @ @ @ @ I got to the deer and then when I got to him , I scooped @ @ @ @ @ , '' firefighter Bill Walsh told WHP-TV .
The department said the deer was cold @ @ @ @ @ than an hour in the water , but did not appear to be injured .
@ @ @ @ @ into the nearby woods .

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Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Pennsylvania donned thermal protection suits and forced their way through the ice of a frozen lake to rescue a deer that fell through.
The Scranton Fire Department said a woman walking her dog called 911 to report a deer had fallen through the ice of a frozen lake and was struggling to get out of the frigid water.
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Firefighters dressed in thermal protection suits set about breaking their way through the ice to reach the deer.
"I had to use my forearm to pound my way through, probably about 150 feet before I got to the deer and then when I got to him, I scooped him up onto the ice," firefighter Bill Walsh told WHP-TV.
The department said the deer was cold and weak from spending more than an hour in the water, but did not appear to be injured. It was last seen running into the nearby woods.


upi--2020-01-09--Watch: Suga raps in 'Interlude: Shadow' comeback trailer

The video shows Suga perform the new song `` Interlude : Shadow , '' which samples the BTS track `` Intro : O !
RUL8,2 ? ''
The song appears on the group 's debut EP , O !
RUL8,2 ?
( 2013 ) .
Suga raps about wanting to be a `` rock star '' and `` the king . ''
He is seen performing on stage and walking through a sea of people holding up phones , with recurring images of broken mirrors .
BTS announced plans Tuesday to release a new album , Map of the Soul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The album follows the EP Map of the Soul : Persona , released in April .
`` Global fans are eager to discover how the story will continue on from the previous installment , which explored the message of finding joy in love and reaching out to the world , '' a rep said .
BTS had teased new music in an interview with Paper magazine in November .
`` We are currently practicing and working on new songs so we can show you the best sides of ourselves .
Please look forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Jan. 9 (UPI) -- BTS member Suga takes center stage in a new comeback trailer.
The K-pop group shared a video, titled "Interlude: Shadow," featuring Suga, 26, on Thursday.
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The video shows Suga perform the new song "Interlude: Shadow," which samples the BTS track "Intro: O!RUL8,2?" The song appears on the group's debut EP, O!RUL8,2? (2013).
Suga raps about wanting to be a "rock star" and "the king." He is seen performing on stage and walking through a sea of people holding up phones, with recurring images of broken mirrors.
BTS announced plans Tuesday to release a new album, Map of the Soul: 7, on Feb. 21. The album follows the EP Map of the Soul: Persona, released in April.
"Global fans are eager to discover how the story will continue on from the previous installment, which explored the message of finding joy in love and reaching out to the world," a rep said.
BTS had teased new music in an interview with Paper magazine in November.
"We are currently practicing and working on new songs so we can show you the best sides of ourselves. Please look forward to it," the group said.


upi--2020-01-09--President Donald Trump pitches major environmental rule changes to aid private projects

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- Aiming to `` modernize '' U.S. environmental law , President Donald Trump proposed sweeping rule changes on Thursday for the National Environmental Policy Act , in an effort to greenlight private infrastructure projects like oil and gas pipelines at a quicker pace .
Trump detailed the changes at the White House , with economic adviser Larry Kudlow , Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt .
He said the changes are necessary because existing requirements under the 1970 law create an `` outrageously slow and burdensome federal approval process '' that stifles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a nation of builders , '' Trump said , adding that existing law shows `` big government at its absolute worst . ''
Regulations of the environmental law , which are considered by supporters a bedrock environmental statute , require detailed environmental reviews for major private projects seeking federal funding , such new oil and gas pipelines .
Those reviews must include environmental impact assessments for how they will affect air quality and wildlife habitats .
Under Trump 's proposal , NEPA regulations would be narrowed to establish a two-year limit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for environmental assessments .
Perhaps the most controversial change would eliminate a requirement for public agencies to consider the `` cumulative '' consequences of new projects , or how they impact climate change .
In his remarks Thursday , Trump blamed existing rules for the lack new infrastructure and termed the current legal environmental landscape a `` regulatory nightmare . ''
Republican proponents applauded the move , saying NEPA has repeatedly been used by environmentalists to block `` critical infrastructure projects . ''
`` Fringe-left special interest groups will continue to scream bloody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump will ensure the government works better for all , '' said Rep .
Rob Bishop of Utah , chairman of House Republicans ' Western Caucus .
Democratic lawmakers and environmentalists say Trump 's proposal is an `` assault on environmental justice , '' and vowed to fight it in Congress .
`` [ NEPA ] is one of the only laws that allows impacted communities to voice their concerns about projects that could harm their health , environment and future , '' Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts tweeted .
`` This attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous front yet in the Trump administration 's assault on environmental justice . ''

1/4
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce his administration's proposed new environmental policies on Thursday. Photo by Alex Edelman/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Aiming to "modernize" U.S. environmental law, President Donald Trump proposed sweeping rule changes on Thursday for the National Environmental Policy Act, in an effort to greenlight private infrastructure projects like oil and gas pipelines at a quicker pace. Trump detailed the changes at the White House, with economic adviser Larry Kudlow, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt. He said the changes are necessary because existing requirements under the 1970 law create an "outrageously slow and burdensome federal approval process" that stifles new private infrastructure projects. Advertisement
"America is a nation of builders," Trump said, adding that existing law shows "big government at its absolute worst."
Regulations of the environmental law, which are considered by supporters a bedrock environmental statute, require detailed environmental reviews for major private projects seeking federal funding, such new oil and gas pipelines. Those reviews must include environmental impact assessments for how they will affect air quality and wildlife habitats.
Under Trump's proposal, NEPA regulations would be narrowed to establish a two-year limit to finish impact statements and a one-year limit for environmental assessments.
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Perhaps the most controversial change would eliminate a requirement for public agencies to consider the "cumulative" consequences of new projects, or how they impact climate change.
In his remarks Thursday, Trump blamed existing rules for the lack new infrastructure and termed the current legal environmental landscape a "regulatory nightmare."
Republican proponents applauded the move, saying NEPA has repeatedly been used by environmentalists to block "critical infrastructure projects."
"Fringe-left special interest groups will continue to scream bloody murder, but these actions by President Trump will ensure the government works better for all," said Rep. Rob Bishop of Utah, chairman of House Republicans' Western Caucus.
Democratic lawmakers and environmentalists say Trump's proposal is an "assault on environmental justice," and vowed to fight it in Congress.
"[NEPA] is one of the only laws that allows impacted communities to voice their concerns about projects that could harm their health, environment and future," Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts tweeted. "This attack on NEPA is the latest and most dangerous front yet in the Trump administration's assault on environmental justice."


upi--2020-01-09--Air Force to cancel Raytheon deal for 3DELRR ground-based radar system

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- The Air Force is planning to cancel its contract with Raytheon for next-generation , ground-based radar .
The Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long Range Radar , or 3DELRR , system was to be a gallium nitride-based radar that operated on the C-band .
It was intended to replace the AN/TPS-75 ground-based radar used to track airborne targets .
According to a statement sent to UPI by Air Force spokeswoman Patty Welsh , the branch will start looking for options to replace the radar and will `` take actions to conclude '' its current contract with Raytheon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technical and supplier challenges in the development of their radar that extended the schedule , '' Welsh said .
`` Current market research shows that due to advancements in technology , other alternatives are now available that can deliver the capability faster . ''
According to Welsh , the Air Force 's program office at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts will hold an industry day Feb. 4 and will release a solicitation shortly after .
`` We are aware of the Air Force 's position and share their concerns with the challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raytheon spokeswoman Jackie Gutmann told UPI in a statement .
`` We have been working closely with the Air Force to resolve these issues , and continue to support them with their efforts . ''
Raytheon received an initial contract for three-dimensional long-range expeditionary radar in 2014 , but Northrup Grumman and Lockheed Martin lodged protests with the Government Accountability Office .
That prompted the Air Force to announce it would re-evaluate the contract process , prompting a lawsuit from Raytheon .
In the end Raytheon , beat out Lockheed Martin and Northrop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal .

66th Logistics Readiness Squadron employees coordinate the unloading of a testing trailer in January 2019 at Hanscom Air Force Base to test loading and delivery of parts of the 3DELRR. Photo by Linda LaBonte Britt/U.S. Air Force
Jan. 9 (UPI) -- The Air Force is planning to cancel its contract with Raytheon for next-generation, ground-based radar. The Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long Range Radar, or 3DELRR, system was to be a gallium nitride-based radar that operated on the C-band. It was intended to replace the AN/TPS-75 ground-based radar used to track airborne targets. Advertisement
According to a statement sent to UPI by Air Force spokeswoman Patty Welsh, the branch will start looking for options to replace the radar and will "take actions to conclude" its current contract with Raytheon.
"The current contractor experienced numerous technical and supplier challenges in the development of their radar that extended the schedule," Welsh said. "Current market research shows that due to advancements in technology, other alternatives are now available that can deliver the capability faster."
According to Welsh, the Air Force's program office at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts will hold an industry day Feb. 4 and will release a solicitation shortly after.
"We are aware of the Air Force's position and share their concerns with the challenges facing the 3DELRR program," said Raytheon spokeswoman Jackie Gutmann told UPI in a statement. "We have been working closely with the Air Force to resolve these issues, and continue to support them with their efforts."
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Inside Defense first reported the cancellation.
Raytheon received an initial contract for three-dimensional long-range expeditionary radar in 2014, but Northrup Grumman and Lockheed Martin lodged protests with the Government Accountability Office.
That prompted the Air Force to announce it would re-evaluate the contract process, prompting a lawsuit from Raytheon.
In the end Raytheon, beat out Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to land the $52.7 million deal.


upi--2020-01-09--Underwater robot becomes first to autonomously collect an ocean sample

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- For the first time , an underwater robot has autonomously collected an ocean sample , according to scientists with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution .
The robot , named Nereid Under Ice , or NUI , was designed by WHOI engineers as part of NASA 's Planetary Science and Technology from Analog Research program .
NUI collected the sample while surveying Kolumbo , an active submarine volcano off the Greek island of Santorini .
`` For a vehicle to take a sample without a pilot driving it was a huge step forward , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHOI and lead reasearcher on the PSTAR program , said in a news release .
`` One of our goals was to toss out the joystick , and we were able to do just that . ''
NIU is quite large -- only slightly smaller than a smart car -- and its decision making process is powered by unique artificial intelligence software .
For the latest feat , scientists supplied the software with code developed by Gideon Billings , a student from the University of Michigan currently conducting research at WHOI .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seafloor for a prime sample-collecting location .
Automating scientific exploration can free up scientists to interpret the data robot 's collect .
What 's more , the technologies used to help NIU navigate ocean environs could help spacecraft explore faraway watery worlds .
`` If we have this grand vision of sending robots to places like Europa and Enceladus [ the moons of Jupiter and Saturn , respectively ] , they will ultimately need to work independently like this and without the assistance of a pilot , '' Billings said .
The team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue perfecting the robot 's artificial intelligence .
Researchers hope to integrate an algorithmic component called `` gaze tracking '' to help the robotic vehicle see and interpret its surroundings like an ROV pilot .
Scientists also plan to develop a human-language interface that will allow scientists to verbally instruct the robotic vehicle as it works .
The researchers want to be able to simply dictate high-level goals , and have the submersible calculate the most efficient path forward .
The technology being developed by Billings , Camilli and others is similar to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in self-driving cars -- key in the destination and the car can navigate its way there , communicating with other cars and negotiating obstacles like stoplights , sharp turns and changes in the weather .
Scientists also aim to develop software that allows multiple underwater vehicles to communicate easily with both scientists and each other .
`` We can eventually see having a network of cognitive ocean robots where there 's a shared intelligence spanning an entire fleet , with each vehicle working cooperatively like bees in a hive , '' Camilli said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing the joystick . ''

NUI collected the sample while surveying Kolumbo, an active submarine volcano off the Greek island of Santorini. Photo by Evan Lubofsky/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Jan. 9 (UPI) -- For the first time, an underwater robot has autonomously collected an ocean sample, according to scientists with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The robot, named Nereid Under Ice, or NUI, was designed by WHOI engineers as part of NASA's Planetary Science and Technology from Analog Research program. NUI collected the sample while surveying Kolumbo, an active submarine volcano off the Greek island of Santorini. Advertisement
"For a vehicle to take a sample without a pilot driving it was a huge step forward," Rich Camilli, an associate scientist at WHOI and lead reasearcher on the PSTAR program, said in a news release. "One of our goals was to toss out the joystick, and we were able to do just that."
NIU is quite large -- only slightly smaller than a smart car -- and its decision making process is powered by unique artificial intelligence software.
For the latest feat, scientists supplied the software with code developed by Gideon Billings, a student from the University of Michigan currently conducting research at WHOI. The code helped NIU scan Kolumbo's mineral-rich seafloor for a prime sample-collecting location.
Automating scientific exploration can free up scientists to interpret the data robot's collect. What's more, the technologies used to help NIU navigate ocean environs could help spacecraft explore faraway watery worlds.
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"If we have this grand vision of sending robots to places like Europa and Enceladus [the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, respectively], they will ultimately need to work independently like this and without the assistance of a pilot," Billings said.
The team of scientists working on NIU plans to continue perfecting the robot's artificial intelligence.
Researchers hope to integrate an algorithmic component called "gaze tracking" to help the robotic vehicle see and interpret its surroundings like an ROV pilot. Scientists also plan to develop a human-language interface that will allow scientists to verbally instruct the robotic vehicle as it works.
The researchers want to be able to simply dictate high-level goals, and have the submersible calculate the most efficient path forward.
The technology being developed by Billings, Camilli and others is similar to the kinds of cognition researchers are implementing in self-driving cars -- key in the destination and the car can navigate its way there, communicating with other cars and negotiating obstacles like stoplights, sharp turns and changes in the weather.
Scientists also aim to develop software that allows multiple underwater vehicles to communicate easily with both scientists and each other.
"We can eventually see having a network of cognitive ocean robots where there's a shared intelligence spanning an entire fleet, with each vehicle working cooperatively like bees in a hive," Camilli said. "It will go well beyond losing the joystick."


upi--2020-01-09--THC-linked vaping illness deaths rise again, CDC says

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- The number of THC-linked vaping related lung illness cases reported by federal health officials continues to rise , although the nationwide outbreak is slowing .
Two more deaths were tallied for e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury ( EVALI ) this week , bringing the national total to 57 deaths in multiple states , up from the 55 reported Dec. 27 , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday .
More deaths are under investigation .
The number of cases of hospitalized patients across the United States rose by 41 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dec. 27 , CDC said .
The CDC and U.S. Food and Drug Administration have said that the outbreak has been closely linked to the use of the cutting ingredient vitamin E acetate in black-market THC vapes sold across the country .
Last Thursday , the FDA ordered a ban on most nicotine pod-based e-cigarette flavors , including mint and fruit flavors favored by children .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said federal health officials considered the vaping lung illness a separate issue that did not apply to the banning of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flavors except tobacco and menthol were ordered to be removed from manufacture , distribution and sale supply chains .
Meanwhile , a new study released this week links vaping to a higher risk of strokes among young adults .
Those who used both vaping and tobacco were nearly twice as likely to have a stroke as those who smoked only tobacco .
The danger was three times higher than those who did n't use tobacco products , researchers from George Mason University in Fairfax , Va. , said .
Vitamin E acetate appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an adulterant in illicit THC vaping cartridges .
The substance was found in biopsy lung tissue from more than 50 patients in multiple states , federal health researchers said .
The CDC and the FDA continue to recommend that people not smoke THC-vapes obtained on the black market or over the internet .
EVALI patients showed symptoms of shortness of breath , coughing , chest pain and gastrointestinal ailments including abdominal pain , nausea , vomiting , and diarrhea .
Other patients exhibited fever , chills and weight loss .

Cases of THC-vaping related lung injury have been reported in all 50 states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Map courtesy of CDC.
Jan. 9 (UPI) -- The number of THC-linked vaping related lung illness cases reported by federal health officials continues to rise, although the nationwide outbreak is slowing. Two more deaths were tallied for e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) this week, bringing the national total to 57 deaths in multiple states, up from the 55 reported Dec. 27, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. More deaths are under investigation. Advertisement
The number of cases of hospitalized patients across the United States rose by 41, up to 2,602 from 2,561 reported Dec. 27, CDC said.
The CDC and U.S. Food and Drug Administration have said that the outbreak has been closely linked to the use of the cutting ingredient vitamin E acetate in black-market THC vapes sold across the country.
Last Thursday, the FDA ordered a ban on most nicotine pod-based e-cigarette flavors, including mint and fruit flavors favored by children.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said federal health officials considered the vaping lung illness a separate issue that did not apply to the banning of flavored nicotine vape cartridges.
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All nicotine flavors except tobacco and menthol were ordered to be removed from manufacture, distribution and sale supply chains.
Meanwhile, a new study released this week links vaping to a higher risk of strokes among young adults.
Those who used both vaping and tobacco were nearly twice as likely to have a stroke as those who smoked only tobacco. The danger was three times higher than those who didn't use tobacco products, researchers from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., said.
Vitamin E acetate appeared on the scene in spring 2019 as an adulterant in illicit THC vaping cartridges. The substance was found in biopsy lung tissue from more than 50 patients in multiple states, federal health researchers said.
The CDC and the FDA continue to recommend that people not smoke THC-vapes obtained on the black market or over the internet.
EVALI patients showed symptoms of shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain and gastrointestinal ailments including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Other patients exhibited fever, chills and weight loss.


upi--2020-01-10--Watch: Will Smith gives rap recap of his life with Jimmy Fallon on 'Tonight Show'

Jan. 10 ( UPI ) -- Will Smith performed a rap recap of his life and career alongside Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show .
The performance , on Thursday , touched on Smith 's music career before he became an actor starting with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air .
Smith also made references to marrying his wife Jada Pinkett Smith , his kids and some of his most popular movies including Bad Boys , Independence Day , Men in Black , Ali , Hitch , The Pursuit of Happyness , I Am Legend and Suicide Squad , among others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when you hear the siren noise/ Me and Martin a couple of Bad Boys/ Independence Day , aliens on my turf/ You invading us , nah welcome to earth , '' Smith rapped .
Smith is teaming up with Martin Lawrence once again in Bad Boys for Life , which arrives in theaters on Jan. 17 .
Smith , while speaking with Fallon , said he initially set out to do all of his own stunts in Bad Boys for Life , similar to what Tom Cruise does in his films .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was like , ' I 'm not better than Tom Cruise , '' Smith said .

Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Will Smith performed a rap recap of his life and career alongside Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show.
The performance, on Thursday, touched on Smith's music career before he became an actor starting with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
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Smith also made references to marrying his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, his kids and some of his most popular movies including Bad Boys, Independence Day, Men in Black, Ali, Hitch, The Pursuit of Happyness, I Am Legend and Suicide Squad, among others.
"What you gonna do when you hear the siren noise/ Me and Martin a couple of Bad Boys/ Independence Day, aliens on my turf/ You invading us, nah welcome to earth," Smith rapped.
Smith is teaming up with Martin Lawrence once again in Bad Boys for Life, which arrives in theaters on Jan. 17.
Smith, while speaking with Fallon, said he initially set out to do all of his own stunts in Bad Boys for Life, similar to what Tom Cruise does in his films.
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"I did like two stunts and I was like, 'I'm not better than Tom Cruise," Smith said.


upi--2020-01-10--Analysts expect Friday's U.S. labor report to show 160,000 new jobs

Jan. 10 ( UPI ) -- Analysts expect the government 's monthly jobs report Friday to show a strong finish to 2019 , two days after a private assessment showed more than 200,000 new jobs were added in December .
According to a Dow Jones survey , experts project about 160,000 new jobs for the month .
It also predicts wage growth of 3.1 percent and steady unemployment at 3.5 percent .
The unemployment rate is now at a 50-year low , and a 3 percent rise in wages would match the figure from November but continue a gradual slowdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ projection of 160,000 new jobs , the figure would bring the 2019 monthly average to 178,000 -- nearly 50,000 lower than the growth median in 2018 .
Experts say about 100,000 new jobs per month are needed to keep pace with growth in the working-age population .
A growth of 160,000 jobs , while significant , would be substantially fewer than the expansion of 266,000 recorded in November .
Experts say November 's figure , however , was padded by the return of General Motors workers from a 40-day strike .
But even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underlying job growth for November was above the one-year trend .
ADP and Moody 's Analytics , which typically reports U.S. job gains two days before the Labor Department , reported Wednesday the domestic economy added 202,000 jobs in December .
However , there have been substantial discrepancies between ADP-Moody 's and government figures this year .
`` I think it 's going to be better than the market is looking for , '' MetLife Investment Management strategist Drew Matus told CNBC .
`` It 's going to continue to show the consumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keel , even if businesses are worried about a downturn . ''
`` Until businesses start firing people , I do n't see growth in the U.S. faltering much , '' he added .
`` We 're still at the stage where we 're hiring a lot of people .
Even if it 's as forecast , that 's still a lot of people . ''

The construction, retail and healthcare sectors contributed to December's job growth, the department said. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. economy added 145,000 jobs last month, the Labor Department said in its monthly update Friday -- a figure that fell short of most analysts' projections. The department said the unemployment rate remained at 3.5 percent, or 5.8 million persons, which is the lowest level in 50 years. Advertisement
The gain of 145,000 jobs was led by growth in the retail (41,000 jobs) and healthcare (28,000) sectors, the department's report said. The leisure and hospitality industry added about 40,000 positions and construction about 20,000.
Friday's report cited a decline last month of 8,000 mining jobs, wrapping an overall decline of 24,000 positions for the industry in 2019 -- after a growth of more than 60,000 the year before. Losses were also seen in the transportation and manufacturing industries.
Analysts had expected a growth of 160,000 new jobs for December and a steady unemployment rate.
December's expansion, while short of expectations, reflects a strong finish to 2019. Experts say about 100,000 new jobs per month are needed to keep pace with growth in the working-age population.
The figure for last month is a substantial step down from the addition of 256,000 jobs in November, which the department revised down by 10,000 on Friday. It also updated October's expansion with 4,000 fewer jobs.
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"With these revisions, employment gains in October and November combined were 14,000 lower than previously reported," the report said.
Experts say November's figure, however, was padded by the return of General Motors workers from a 40-day strike. But even excluding those 41,000 GM jobs, the underlying job growth for November was above the one-year trend.
ADP and Moody's Analytics, which typically reports U.S. job gains two days before the government does, said Wednesday the domestic economy added 202,000 jobs in December. As further evidenced by Friday's report, there have been substantial discrepancies between ADP-Moody's and government figures this year.
The Labor Department said hourly wages in December rose by 3 cents, to an average of $28.32. For 2019, the average hourly wage grew by 2.9 percent.


upi--2020-01-10--Iranian officials say it's 'impossible' Ukrainian jetliner was downed by missile

Jan. 10 ( UPI ) -- Authorities in Iran on Friday rejected out of hand the suspicions by U.S. intelligence officials that a Ukrainian jetliner that crashed this week was shot down by an Iranian missile .
Ali Abedzadeh , head of the Iran Civil Aviation Organization , told semi-official Press TV that `` from a scientific viewpoint '' it 's `` impossible that a missile hit the Ukrainian plane . ''
`` We can say that the airplane , considering the kind of the crash and the pilot 's efforts to return it to Imam Khomeini airport , did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` So , the allegation that it was hit by missiles is totally ruled out . ''
Abedzadeh on Thursday dismissed the U.S. suspicions as `` illogical rumors . ''
Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 , a Boeing 737-800 , crashed shortly after leaving the airport in Tehran early Wednesday , killing all 176 people on board -- mostly Iranian and Canadian citizens .
Iranian investigators said in a preliminary report Thursday the plane was attempting to return to the airport and its pilots did not report an emergency to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported the jetliner was on fire before it crashed .
Officials in Tehran also said earlier a technical malfunction was the most likely cause .
Iranian officials are examining the plane 's flight data and cockpit voice recorders .
`` The plane caught fire three minutes into the flight , according to what the witnesses have reported and the data collected from the parts of the airplane , '' Abedzadeh said .
`` The pilot tried to return the airplane at the altitude of 8,000 feet , but due to the fire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday intelligence indicates the airliner was shot down , possibly by accident , by the Iranian military -- a conclusion shared by several U.S. intelligence officials .
Ali Rabiei , a spokesman for the Iranian government , called reports the plane was shot down `` a big lie . ''
`` It is unfortunate that the psychological operation of the U.S. government , and those supporting it knowingly and unknowingly , are adding insult to the injury of the bereaved families and victimizing them for certain goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raad on Friday warned British nationals against traveling to Iran and called for `` a full and transparent '' investigation .
The travel warning is based on the possibility of a shootdown and escalating tensions , he said .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his government has not yet ruled out a missile strike , and called on Canada , Britain and the United States to submit all data they have concerning the crash .
`` Our goal is to establish the undeniable truth , '' Zelensky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider it a responsibility of the entire international community to the families of the victims and the memory of the victims of the disaster .
The value of human life is superior to any political motive . ''
Multiple U.S. news outlets reported Thursday intelligence officials suspect a missile downed the plane , based on satellite and radar data .
The plane crashed around the same time Iran launched missile attacks against two U.S. military bases in Iraq -- retaliation for the U.S. airstrike last week that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House Thursday he is n't sure the crash was the result of mechanical trouble .
`` I have my suspicions , '' he said .
`` Somebody could have made a mistake on the other side .
... Something very terrible happened . ''
Trump also added that the plane was flying in a `` rough neighborhood '' when it went down .

1/2
An official handles what Iranian authorities say is one of the "black boxes" from a Ukrainian commercial flight that crashed near the airport in Tehran, Iran, this week. Photo by Iran Press/EPA-EFE
Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Authorities in Iran on Friday rejected out of hand the suspicions by U.S. intelligence officials that a Ukrainian jetliner that crashed this week was shot down by an Iranian missile. Ali Abedzadeh, head of the Iran Civil Aviation Organization, told semi-official Press TV that "from a scientific viewpoint" it's "impossible that a missile hit the Ukrainian plane." Advertisement
"We can say that the airplane, considering the kind of the crash and the pilot's efforts to return it to Imam Khomeini airport, didn't explode in the air," he said. "So, the allegation that it was hit by missiles is totally ruled out."
Abedzadeh on Thursday dismissed the U.S. suspicions as "illogical rumors."
Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752, a Boeing 737-800, crashed shortly after leaving the airport in Tehran early Wednesday, killing all 176 people on board -- mostly Iranian and Canadian citizens.
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Iranian investigators said in a preliminary report Thursday the plane was attempting to return to the airport and its pilots did not report an emergency to ground controllers. It also said witnesses reported the jetliner was on fire before it crashed. Officials in Tehran also said earlier a technical malfunction was the most likely cause.
Iranian officials are examining the plane's flight data and cockpit voice recorders.
"The plane caught fire three minutes into the flight, according to what the witnesses have reported and the data collected from the parts of the airplane," Abedzadeh said. "The pilot tried to return the airplane at the altitude of 8,000 feet, but due to the fire, the airplane crashed and exploded."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday intelligence indicates the airliner was shot down, possibly by accident, by the Iranian military -- a conclusion shared by several U.S. intelligence officials.
Ali Rabiei, a spokesman for the Iranian government, called reports the plane was shot down "a big lie."
"It is unfortunate that the psychological operation of the U.S. government, and those supporting it knowingly and unknowingly, are adding insult to the injury of the bereaved families and victimizing them for certain goals by propagating such fallacies," he said.
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British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raad on Friday warned British nationals against traveling to Iran and called for "a full and transparent" investigation. The travel warning is based on the possibility of a shootdown and escalating tensions, he said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his government has not yet ruled out a missile strike, and called on Canada, Britain and the United States to submit all data they have concerning the crash.
"Our goal is to establish the undeniable truth," Zelensky said in a statement. "We consider it a responsibility of the entire international community to the families of the victims and the memory of the victims of the disaster. The value of human life is superior to any political motive."
Multiple U.S. news outlets reported Thursday intelligence officials suspect a missile downed the plane, based on satellite and radar data. The plane crashed around the same time Iran launched missile attacks against two U.S. military bases in Iraq -- retaliation for the U.S. airstrike last week that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani.
U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House Thursday he isn't sure the crash was the result of mechanical trouble.
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"I have my suspicions," he said. "Somebody could have made a mistake on the other side. ... Something very terrible happened."
Trump also added that the plane was flying in a "rough neighborhood" when it went down.


upi--2020-01-10--Golfer Michelle Wie pregnant with baby girl

Wie , 30 , announced she was expecting Thursday on Instagram .
She married West in August .
West is the son of NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West .
`` Baby girl , we love you so much already and we just ca n't wait to meet you this summer , '' Wie wrote for her Instagram caption .
Wie also posted photos of baby shoes , her sheepdog wearing a `` big brother '' shirt and a Nike onesie .
Her message had comments from several athletes and celebrities , including Michelle Kwan , Morgan Pressel and Andre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break from the LPGA Tour , which she began in June in an effort to get healthy .
She has five career LPGA victories .
She competed in five events last season before deciding to take the rest of the year off from competitive golf .
She worked as an analyst for the Golf Channel during the Solheim Cup and is scheduled to work for CBS during the Masters .
Wie is ranked No .
221 in the Rolex Women 's World Golf Rankings .
She ranked No .
32 at the end @ @ @ @ @

Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Golfer Michelle Wie is expecting a baby girl with husband Jonnie West.
Wie, 30, announced she was expecting Thursday on Instagram. She married West in August. West is the son of NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West.
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"Baby girl, we love you so much already and we just can't wait to meet you this summer," Wie wrote for her Instagram caption.
Wie also posted photos of baby shoes, her sheepdog wearing a "big brother" shirt and a Nike onesie. Her message had comments from several athletes and celebrities, including Michelle Kwan, Morgan Pressel and Andre Iguodala.
Wie is on an extended break from the LPGA Tour, which she began in June in an effort to get healthy. She has five career LPGA victories. She competed in five events last season before deciding to take the rest of the year off from competitive golf.
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She worked as an analyst for the Golf Channel during the Solheim Cup and is scheduled to work for CBS during the Masters. Wie is ranked No. 221 in the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings. She ranked No. 32 at the end of the 2018 season.


upi--2020-01-10--Watch: 'Apex Legends': New modes are announced in Grand Soiree Aracde trailer

Jan. 10 ( UPI ) -- A number of new gameplay modes are coming to free-to-play battle royale title Apex Legends as part of the upcoming Grand Soiree Arcade event .
A gameplay trailer , released on Thursday , features Pathfinder introducing the seven new modes which will be available for two days each from Jan. 14 - 28 .
The new modes include Gold Rush Duos where only gold weapons are used amongst teams of two , Third Person Mode in which a match will be played entirely from a third-person viewpoint , Armed and Dangerous where only shotguns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Canyon After Dark where the King 's Canyon map will return , Dummies Big Day where the map is filled with colorful dummies , Live Die Live where dead teammates will be be automatically respawned when the ring closes and Always Be Closing where the ring is constantly moving forward to engulf your team .
The Grand Soiree Arcade event will also offer a number of new outfits for characters Pathfinder , Octane , Bangalore , Caustic , Wattson and Crypto that will be rotated through the Apex Legends shop and can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developer Respawn Entertainment , was released in February for the PlayStation 4 , Xbox One and PC .

Jan. 10 (UPI) -- A number of new gameplay modes are coming to free-to-play battle royale title Apex Legends as part of the upcoming Grand Soiree Arcade event.
A gameplay trailer, released on Thursday, features Pathfinder introducing the seven new modes which will be available for two days each from Jan. 14 - 28.
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The new modes include Gold Rush Duos where only gold weapons are used amongst teams of two, Third Person Mode in which a match will be played entirely from a third-person viewpoint, Armed and Dangerous where only shotguns and snipers can be used, King's Canyon After Dark where the King's Canyon map will return, Dummies Big Day where the map is filled with colorful dummies, Live Die Live where dead teammates will be be automatically respawned when the ring closes and Always Be Closing where the ring is constantly moving forward to engulf your team.
The Grand Soiree Arcade event will also offer a number of new outfits for characters Pathfinder, Octane, Bangalore, Caustic, Wattson and Crypto that will be rotated through the Apex Legends shop and can be purchased.
Apex Legends, from developer Respawn Entertainment, was released in February for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.


upi--2020-01-10--Cheap processed foods making Americans obese, unhealthy

Jan. 10 -- The convenience and lower cost of processed foods is hard to resist .
But ready-to-eat meals and snacks are making Americans obese and unhealthy , a new study suggests .
As more people eat cheaper processed foods , they are getting fatter , said researcher Leigh Frame , from George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences , in Washington , D.C. Frame and a colleague analyzed food trends in the United States , looking beyond calories to the impact of processing .
`` When comparing the U.S. diet to the diet of those who live in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living to age 100 without chronic disease -- the differences are stark , '' she said in a university news release .
`` Many of the food trends we reviewed are tied directly to a fast-paced U.S. lifestyle that contributes to the obesity epidemic we are now facing , '' added Frame , executive director of the university 's Office of Integrative Medicine and Health .
The foods most tied to weight gain ?
They include potato chips , sugar-sweetened beverages , sweets and desserts , refined grains , red meats and processed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weight gain and weight loss are associated with whole grains , fruits and vegetables .
Americans are getting too little fiber , and more food additives like emulsifiers and gums , the researchers determined .
In animal studies , emulsifiers in processed foods have been shown to alter the microbiome -- the community of microorganisms in the body -- increase blood sugar , cause excessive hunger , increase weight and damage the liver , the study authors said .
Human trials have found that ultra-processed foods decrease the feeling of fullness , cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cholesterol , and lead to weight gain , the team added .
On the other hand , people who eat less meat and more high-fiber and minimally processed foods suffer from fewer chronic diseases and obesity .
They also tend to live healthier longer , investigators have found .
`` Rather than solely treating the symptoms of obesity and related diseases with medication , we need to include efforts to use food as medicine , '' Frame said .
Chronic disease in older age is heavily influenced by lifestyle and diet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chronic disease in the U.S. will require limiting processed foods and increasing intake of whole vegetables , legumes , nuts , fruits and water , '' Frame said .
`` Health care providers must also emphasize lifestyle medicine , moving beyond ' a pill for an ill. ' '' The report was published recently in the journal Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology .
For more on obesity , head to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

As more people eat cheaper processed foods, they are getting fatter. Photo by Engin_Akyurt/Pixabay
Jan. 10 -- The convenience and lower cost of processed foods is hard to resist. But ready-to-eat meals and snacks are making Americans obese and unhealthy, a new study suggests. As more people eat cheaper processed foods, they are getting fatter, said researcher Leigh Frame, from George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, in Washington, D.C. Advertisement
Frame and a colleague analyzed food trends in the United States, looking beyond calories to the impact of processing.
"When comparing the U.S. diet to the diet of those who live in 'blue zones' -- areas with populations living to age 100 without chronic disease -- the differences are stark," she said in a university news release.
"Many of the food trends we reviewed are tied directly to a fast-paced U.S. lifestyle that contributes to the obesity epidemic we are now facing," added Frame, executive director of the university's Office of Integrative Medicine and Health.
The foods most tied to weight gain? They include potato chips, sugar-sweetened beverages, sweets and desserts, refined grains, red meats and processed meats, the researchers said. Lower weight gain and weight loss are associated with whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
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Americans are getting too little fiber, and more food additives like emulsifiers and gums, the researchers determined.
In animal studies, emulsifiers in processed foods have been shown to alter the microbiome -- the community of microorganisms in the body -- increase blood sugar, cause excessive hunger, increase weight and damage the liver, the study authors said.
Human trials have found that ultra-processed foods decrease the feeling of fullness, cause you to eat faster, worsen inflammation and cholesterol, and lead to weight gain, the team added.
On the other hand, people who eat less meat and more high-fiber and minimally processed foods suffer from fewer chronic diseases and obesity. They also tend to live healthier longer, investigators have found.
"Rather than solely treating the symptoms of obesity and related diseases with medication, we need to include efforts to use food as medicine," Frame said.
Chronic disease in older age is heavily influenced by lifestyle and diet, she explained.
"Decreasing obesity and chronic disease in the U.S. will require limiting processed foods and increasing intake of whole vegetables, legumes, nuts, fruits and water," Frame said. "Health care providers must also emphasize lifestyle medicine, moving beyond 'a pill for an ill.'"
The report was published recently in the journal Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology.
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More information
For more on obesity, head to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-01-10--HIV triggers 'amnesia' to smallpox in immune system, study says

Jan. 10 -- HIV infection causes a loss of immunity to smallpox , even in people who were vaccinated as kids and are taking antiretroviral drugs to restore their immune system , a new study finds .
Such `` HIV-associated immune amnesia '' could explain why people with HIV who are on antiretroviral therapy still have shorter lives on average than people without HIV , according to the researchers .
The new study included 100 HIV-positive and HIV-negative women who were vaccinated against smallpox in their youth .
Their blood was exposed to the vaccinia virus , which is used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to assess T-cell and antibody responses .
Smallpox was chosen because the last known U.S. case was in 1949 , so participants could n't have had recent exposure to the virus , which would have triggered new immune responses .
Normally , a person vaccinated against smallpox has CD4 T-cells that remember the virus and respond in large numbers when the person is exposed to it again .
But the immune systems of HIV-positive women on antiretroviral therapy had a limited response to the vaccinia virus .
Antiretroviral therapy works by boosting CD4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These findings suggest that while antiretroviral therapy may increase total T-cell counts , it ca n't recover virus-specific T-cells created by childhood vaccinations , said study leader Mark Slifka .
He 's a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine , in Portland .
The study was recently published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases .
The researchers now plan to evaluate whether the loss of smallpox immunity also occurs in HIV-infected men , and if people with HIV also lose immune memory to other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the immune systems of children who contracted measles similarly `` forgot '' their immunity against other illnesses , such as the flu .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on HIV .

Jan. 10 -- HIV infection causes a loss of immunity to smallpox, even in people who were vaccinated as kids and are taking antiretroviral drugs to restore their immune system, a new study finds.
Such "HIV-associated immune amnesia" could explain why people with HIV who are on antiretroviral therapy still have shorter lives on average than people without HIV, according to the researchers.
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The new study included 100 HIV-positive and HIV-negative women who were vaccinated against smallpox in their youth. Their blood was exposed to the vaccinia virus, which is used in the smallpox vaccine, in order to assess T-cell and antibody responses.
Smallpox was chosen because the last known U.S. case was in 1949, so participants couldn't have had recent exposure to the virus, which would have triggered new immune responses.
Normally, a person vaccinated against smallpox has CD4 T-cells that remember the virus and respond in large numbers when the person is exposed to it again. But the immune systems of HIV-positive women on antiretroviral therapy had a limited response to the vaccinia virus.
Antiretroviral therapy works by boosting CD4 T-cell counts in people with HIV. These findings suggest that while antiretroviral therapy may increase total T-cell counts, it can't recover virus-specific T-cells created by childhood vaccinations, said study leader Mark Slifka. He's a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine, in Portland.
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The study was recently published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.
The researchers now plan to evaluate whether the loss of smallpox immunity also occurs in HIV-infected men, and if people with HIV also lose immune memory to other diseases.
Other recent studies found that the immune systems of children who contracted measles similarly "forgot" their immunity against other illnesses, such as the flu.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on HIV.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-01-10--L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti endorses Joe Biden for president

Jan. 10 ( UPI ) -- Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination .
`` We need Joe Biden to bring our nation and world together during these most divided and dangerous times , '' Garcetti said in a letter distributed by the Biden campaign on Thursday .
`` I know that from Day One , he will heal our nation , repair our relationships abroad and get things done -- and will be a true partner in solving the national homelessness crisis . ''
Garcetti 's endorsement was announced as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Biden toured a $ 1.5 billion bridge replacement project in Southern California 's Long Beach before an Irvine fundraiser .
Biden is in a tight race for the Democratic nomination to take on President Donald Trump in November that includes big names such as Sens .
Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders , and his camp hopes Garcetti 's nomination will help him to secure California on March 3 when it holds its primary .
In the letter , Garcetti called Biden `` a close personal friend who has been an incredible partner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He came to L.A. and stood shoulder to shoulder with me to make us the first big city to enact a $ 15 minimum wage , and he brought leaders from all over the world to our city to forge the most sweeping climate agreement prior to the Paris accords , '' he said .
Biden also received the endorsements of several California congressmen , U.S .
Senator Dianne Feinstein and Garcia , who previously endorsed Sen. Kamila Harris before she ended her campaign last month .
`` Joe is a candidate that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to build a broad-based coalition needed to beat Donald Trump -- not just here in California , but across the country , '' Garcia said in a statement .
`` We 've seen Joe bring people together time and time again to deliver results for working families , including right here in California . ''

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (R) endorsed Joe Biden for president on Thursday while the former vice president was in California for a campaign fundraiser. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination. "We need Joe Biden to bring our nation and world together during these most divided and dangerous times," Garcetti said in a letter distributed by the Biden campaign on Thursday. "I know that from Day One, he will heal our nation, repair our relationships abroad and get things done -- and will be a true partner in solving the national homelessness crisis." Advertisement
Garcetti's endorsement was announced as he, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia and Biden toured a $1.5 billion bridge replacement project in Southern California's Long Beach before an Irvine fundraiser.
Biden is in a tight race for the Democratic nomination to take on President Donald Trump in November that includes big names such as Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. His camp hopes Garcetti's endorsement will help him to secure California on March 3 when it holds its primary.
In the letter, Garcetti called Biden "a close personal friend who has been an incredible partner in delivering progress for LA."
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"He came to LA and stood shoulder to shoulder with me to make us the first big city to enact a $15 minimum wage, and he brought leaders from all over the world to our city to forge the most sweeping climate agreement prior to the Paris accords," he said.
Biden also received the endorsements of several California congressmen, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Garcia, who previously endorsed Sen. Kamala Harris before she ended her campaign last month.
"Joe is a candidate that has both the experience and the ability to build a broad-based coalition needed to beat Donald Trump -- not just here in California, but across the country," Garcia said in a statement. "We've seen Joe bring people together time and time again to deliver results for working families, including right here in California."
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upi--2020-01-10--On This Day, Jan. 10: League of Nations founded

Jan. 10 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1789 , the first nationwide U.S. presidential election was conducted .
Electors chosen by the voters unanimously picked George Washington as president and John Adams as vice president .
In 1861 , Florida seceded from the United States .
In 1878 , a constitutional amendment that would give women the right to vote was introduced into the U.S. Senate .
It was n't until 42 years later that the amendment was enacted .
In 1901 , oil was discovered at the Spindletop claim near Beaumont , Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 1920 , the League of Nations came into being as the Treaty of Versailles went into effect .
In 1946 , the first meeting of the U.N. General Assembly convened in London .
In 1957 , Six dynamite blasts heavily damaged four black churches in Montgomery , Ala. , and the homes of two ministers .
No one was injured .
In 1984 , the United States established full diplomatic relations with the Vatican for the first time in 116 years .
In 1994 , Lorena Bobbitt went on trial for cutting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Wayne Bobbitt .
She was found innocent by reason of insanity less than two weeks later .
In 2003 , North Korea announced it was withdrawing from the 1979 nuclear non-proliferation treaty .
In 2008 , Edmund Hillary , who gained international fame as a member of the first climbing party to scale Mount Everest , died in Auckland , New Zealand , at age 88 .
In 2017 , a federal jury sentenced self-avowed white supremacist Dylann Roof to death for shooting to death nine people at a historic black church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , missing Wisconsin teenager Jayme Close was found alive three months after she was abducted and her parents killed .
The 13-year-old escaped her captor , who kept her in his home during her abduction .

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On January 10, 1920, the League of Nations came into being as the Treaty of Versailles went into effect. File Photo courtesy United Nations
Jan. 10 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1789, the first nationwide U.S. presidential election was conducted. Electors chosen by the voters unanimously picked George Washington as president and John Adams as vice president. Advertisement
In 1861, Florida seceded from the United States.
In 1878, a constitutional amendment that would give women the right to vote was introduced into the U.S. Senate. It wasn't until 42 years later that the amendment was enacted.
More than 25,000 women take to New York City's Fifth Avenue on October 23, 1915, advocating for women’s voting rights. File Photo by Library of Congress/UPI
In 1901, oil was discovered at the Spindletop claim near Beaumont, Texas, launching the Southwest oil boom.
In 1920, the League of Nations came into being as the Treaty of Versailles went into effect.
In 1946, the first meeting of the U.N. General Assembly convened in London.
In 1957, Six dynamite blasts heavily damaged four black churches in Montgomery, Ala., and the homes of two ministers. No one was injured.
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In 1984, the United States established full diplomatic relations with the Vatican for the first time in 116 years.
UPI File Photo
In 1994, Lorena Bobbitt went on trial for cutting off the penis of her husband, John Wayne Bobbitt. She was found innocent by reason of insanity less than two weeks later.
In 2003, North Korea announced it was withdrawing from the 1979 nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
In 2008, Edmund Hillary, who gained international fame as a member of the first climbing party to scale Mount Everest, died in Auckland, New Zealand, at age 88.
In 2017, a federal jury sentenced self-avowed white supremacist Dylann Roof to death for shooting to death nine people at a historic black church in Charleston, S.C.
In 2019, missing Wisconsin teenager Jayme Close was found alive three months after she was abducted and her parents killed. The 13-year-old escaped her captor, who kept her in his home during her abduction.
File Photo courtesy FBI


upi--2020-01-10--Reintroducing wolves to appear on Colorado ballots

DENVER , Jan. 10 ( UPI ) -- Voters in Colorado will decide this year whether to reintroduce gray wolves to the state now that a proposed ballot initiative with more than 200,000 signatures has been approved .
The last wolves in the state were eradicated in the 1940s after a federal government campaign on behalf of the livestock industry that involved poisonings and shootings .
Since the U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service reintroduced wolves in the 1990s in Yellowstone National Park and western Idaho , a wolf-reintroduction movement has advocated bringing gray wolves back to Colorado .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost 30 Colorado counties have opposed the reintroduction of the predator , fearing attacks on pets , livestock and people in a state with 5.7 million people .
`` We 've worked on reintroducing wolves for 25 years , trying to get the federal and state government to engage , '' said Rob Edward , president of Rocky Mountain Wolf Action Fund .
`` Colorado needs wolves to restore the balance of nature .
The eradication of wolves was a mistake that we can correct .
Direct democracy is an awesome way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submitted an adequate number of signatures for the `` Restoration of Gray Wolves '' Initiative to the secretary of state .
It will appear on the 2020 ballot .
About 70 percent of the land west of the Continental Divide in Colorado is federally controlled by the U.S. Forest Service , National Park Service or Bureau of Land Management .
But residents who live on the state 's western slope do n't want Front Range and Denver voters on the other side of the Rockies to decide whether to bring in wolves that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denny Behrens , co-chair of the Grand Junction-based Colorado Stop the Wolf Coalition .
`` It 's not fair to the wolf , '' Behrens , who is a big-game hunter , said .
`` Within two to three years , you 're going to start shooting them .
Why bring the gray wolf from Canada and think you 're not going to have conflict from Day 1 ? ''
Wolves can travel 30 miles a day to hunt and territories that range from 50 square miles to more than 1,000 square miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season , according to the Fish and Wildlife Service .
Gray wolves no longer are federally listed as an endangered species in the northern Rockies , but in Colorado , they are classified as endangered and protected by both federal and state laws .
Including the smaller Mexican gray wolves that live in experimental packs in Arizona and New Mexico , restoring wolves to western Colorado would connect Rocky Mountain wolf territory from Canada to Mexico , conservationists say .
If passed , the new initiative would instruct the state wildlife agency to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science-based plan '' for reintroducing wolves to western Colorado by 2023 , the organization said .
The initiative also directs the Colorado General Assembly to develop a means to compensate ranchers for livestock lost to wolves each year .
`` We know that there will be a small amount of livestock depredation , '' Edward said , asserting that a majority of surveyed Colorado residents have consistently approved of the reintroduction of wolves .
But some Colorado wildlife officials have called reintroduction a terrible idea .
`` Wildlife experts ought to manage wildlife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Greg Walcher , former executive director of state 's department of natural resources , who lives on the western slope .
Walcher said he 's proud the state has reintroduced other endangered species such as the linx , moose , river otter and peregrine falcon .
But reintroducing wolves has been discussed for years by Colorado wildlife experts who have nixed the plan , he said .
`` Colorado has over 700 wildlife biologists on staff , and we ought to be proud of the expertise our state has and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Just recently , he said , a pack of at least six wolves was reported near the Wyoming border by Colorado Parks and Wildlife .
The agency has a policy not to interfere with wolves who wander into the state .
`` Wolves who migrate here naturally are in a different category than forced reintroduction by ballot initiative , '' Walcher said .
After the introduction of about 60 gray wolves in remote Idaho mountains in the 1990s , the gray wolf population in the state has exploded to about 1,000 animals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a culture of wolf hunting is aggressively practiced , about 80 wolves roam Yellowstone National Park and about 206 exist in the areas outside the park , including the Wind River Reservation , according to Wyoming 's Game and Fish 's 2019 numbers .
Wolves also roam in Michigan 's Upper Peninsula , Wisconsin , Minnesota , Montana , Oregon and Washington .
Witnessing a lone black wolf in northwest Colorado when he was elk hunting was a life-changing moment for big-game hunter Eric Washburn , of Steamboat Springs .
`` It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a field .
I never felt scared .
I just felt awed . ''
Washburn said he then became an advocate for wolves , and was especially interested in how wolves could help reduce chronic wasting disease among deer and elk .
`` Wolves go after injured and sick animals in herds , and they could be a part of the solution for chronic wasting disease , especially here in Colorado where [ the disease ] is in so many herds , '' he said .
Washburn said he hoped Colorado voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would listen respectfully to each other .
`` Fear of wolves goes back hundreds of years and is woven into the fabric of our culture culture and literature , '' Washburn said .
`` Look at the three little pigs and the big bad wolf .
But 25 years of research from the northern Rockies can cut through that myth and show a much more scientifically grounded and accurate picture of the wolf . ''

Colorado voters will decide this year whether to reintroduce gray wolves into the state's western slope. Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
DENVER, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Voters in Colorado will decide this year whether to reintroduce gray wolves to the state now that a proposed ballot initiative with more than 200,000 signatures has been approved. The last wolves in the state were eradicated in the 1940s after a federal government campaign on behalf of the livestock industry that involved poisonings and shootings. Advertisement
Since the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reintroduced wolves in the 1990s in Yellowstone National Park and western Idaho, a wolf-reintroduction movement has advocated bringing gray wolves back to Colorado.
Wildlife agencies, ranchers, farmers and almost 30 Colorado counties have opposed the reintroduction of the predator, fearing attacks on pets, livestock and people in a state with 5.7 million people.
"We've worked on reintroducing wolves for 25 years, trying to get the federal and state government to engage," said Rob Edward, president of Rocky Mountain Wolf Action Fund. "Colorado needs wolves to restore the balance of nature. The eradication of wolves was a mistake that we can correct. Direct democracy is an awesome way to do that."
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Edward's group submitted an adequate number of signatures for the "Restoration of Gray Wolves" initiative to the secretary of state. It will appear on the 2020 ballot.
About 70 percent of the land west of the Continental Divide in Colorado is federally controlled by the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service or Bureau of Land Management.
But residents who live on the state's western slope don't want Front Range and Denver voters on the other side of the Rockies to decide whether to bring in wolves that could attack people and pets, said Denny Behrens, co-chairman of the Grand Junction-based Colorado Stop the Wolf Coalition.
Conflict predicted
"It's not fair to the wolf," Behrens, who is a big-game hunter, said. "Within two to three years, you're going to start shooting them. Why bring the gray wolf from Canada and think you're not going to have conflict from Day 1?"
Wolves can travel 30 miles a day to hunt and have territories that range from 50 square miles to more than 1,000 square miles, depending on the prey and the season, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Gray wolves no longer are federally listed as an endangered species in the northern Rockies, but in Colorado they are classified as endangered and protected by both federal and state laws.
Advertisement
Including the smaller Mexican gray wolves that live in experimental packs in Arizona and New Mexico, restoring wolves to western Colorado would connect Rocky Mountain wolf territory from Canada to Mexico, conservationists say.
If passed, the new initiative would instruct the state wildlife agency to use public input to develop a "science-based plan" for reintroducing wolves to western Colorado by 2023, the organization said.
The initiative also directs the Colorado General Assembly to develop a means to compensate ranchers for livestock lost to wolves each year.
"We know that there will be a small amount of livestock depredation," Edward said, asserting that a majority of surveyed Colorado residents have consistently approved of the reintroduction of wolves.
Terrible idea
Some Colorado wildlife officials have called reintroduction a terrible idea.
"Wildlife experts ought to manage wildlife in the state, not ballot initiatives," said Greg Walcher, former executive director of the state's department of natural resources who lives on the western slope.
Walcher said he's proud the state has reintroduced other endangered species such as the linx, moose, river otter and peregrine falcon. But reintroducing wolves has been discussed for years by Colorado wildlife experts who have nixed the plan, he said.
"Colorado has over 700 wildlife biologists on staff, and we ought to be proud of the expertise our state has and trust their judgment," Walcher said.
Advertisement
Just recently, he said, a pack of at least six wolves was reported near the Wyoming border by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The agency has a policy not to interfere with wolves who wander into the state.
"Wolves who migrate here naturally are in a different category than forced reintroduction by ballot initiative," Walcher said.
Population explodes
After the introduction of about 60 gray wolves in remote Idaho mountains in the 1990s, the gray wolf population in the state has exploded to about 1,000 animals today.
In neighboring Wyoming, where a culture of wolf hunting is aggressively practiced, about 80 wolves roam Yellowstone National Park and about 206 exist in the areas outside the park, including the Wind River Reservation, according to Wyoming Game and Fish's 2019 numbers.
Wolves also roam in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon and Washington.
Witnessing a lone black wolf in northwest Colorado when he was elk hunting was a life-changing moment for big-game hunter Eric Washburn, of Steamboat Springs.
"It was about 250 yards away in the middle of a field. I never felt scared. I just felt awed."
Washburn said he then became an advocate for wolves and was especially interested in how wolves could help reduce chronic wasting disease among deer and elk.
Advertisement
"Wolves go after injured and sick animals in herds, and they could be a part of the solution for chronic wasting disease, especially here in Colorado where [the disease] is in so many herds," he said.
Washburn said he hoped Colorado voters on both sides of the wolf issue would listen respectfully to each other.
"Fear of wolves goes back hundreds of years and is woven into the fabric of our culture and literature," Washburn said. "Look at the three little pigs and the big bad wolf. But 25 years of research from the northern Rockies can cut through that myth and show a much more scientifically grounded and accurate picture of the wolf."


upi--2020-01-10--Famous birthdays for Jan. 10: Pat Benatar, Rod Stewart

Jan. 10 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Capricorn .
-- Ajit @ @ @ @ @ Federal Communications Commission , in 1973 ( age 47 )

Pat Benatar performs at the 35th annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning in Readington, N.J., on July 29, 2017. The rocker turns 67 on January 10. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Capricorn. They include: Advertisement
-- Poet Robinson Jeffers in 1887
-- Musician Ronnie Hawkins in 1935 (age 85)
-- Historian Stephen Ambrose in 1936
-- Olympic decathlon champion Bill Toomey in 1939 (age 81)
-- Singer Jim Croce in 1943
-- Singer Frank Sinatra Jr. in 1944
-- Singer/songwriter Rod Stewart in 1945 (age 75)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Musician Donald Fagen in 1948 (age 72)
-- Actor William Sanderson in 1944 (age 76)
-- X-rated film actor Linda Lovelace in 1949
-- Boxer George Foreman in 1949 (age 71)
-- Singer Pat Benatar in 1953 (age 67)
-- Singer Shawn Colvin in 1956 (age 64)
-- New Zealand screenwriter Fran Walsh in 1959 (age 61)
-- Ajit Pai, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, in 1973 (age 47)
File Photo by Alex Edelman/UPI
-- Actor Jemaine Clement in 1974 (age 46)
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-- Rapper Chris Smith in 1979 (age 41)
-- Model Keyshia Ka'oir in 1985 (age 35)
File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI