upi--2020-12-16--Kroger shooter Gregory Bush sentenced to life in prison

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- Gregory Bush was sentenced to life in prison for shooting and killing two Black people at a Kentucky grocery store in 2018 .
Bush pleaded guilty but mentally ill to charges of murder , attempted murder and wanton endangerment in the shooting deaths of Maurice Stallard and Vickie Jones at a Kroger in Jeffersontown , Ky .
He will spend life in prison without the possibility of parole and will receive treatment and medication for mental illness while incarcerated .
An attorney for Bush , Angela Ellman , said that his schizophrenia was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he was `` tortured by voices that threatened to kill him and his family . ''
`` He acted out of psychosis and his illness , while at the very same time his elderly parents were downtown seeking a mental inquest warrant to hospitalize him for everyone 's safety , '' Ellman said .
Bush is still scheduled to plead guilty in U.S. District Court in February to federal hate crime charges that he targeted Stallard and Jones because of their race .
Prior to carrying out the shooting at the grocery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baptist Church of Jeffersontown , where the congregation is predominantly Black , and witnesses said he told another man at the scene `` Whites do n't kill Whites '' before he was arrested .

Gregory Bush was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty but mentally ill in the 2018 shooting deaths of Maurice Stallard and Vickie Jones at a Kroger in Jeffersontown, Ky. Photo courtesy Louisville Department of Corrections
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Gregory Bush was sentenced to life in prison for shooting and killing two Black people at a Kentucky grocery store in 2018. Bush pleaded guilty but mentally ill to charges of murder, attempted murder and wanton endangerment in the shooting deaths of Maurice Stallard and Vickie Jones at a Kroger in Jeffersontown, Ky. Advertisement
He will spend life in prison without the possibility of parole and will receive treatment and medication for mental illness while incarcerated.
An attorney for Bush, Angela Ellman, said that his schizophrenia was not medicated on the day of the shootings and he was "tortured by voices that threatened to kill him and his family."
"He acted out of psychosis and his illness, while at the very same time his elderly parents were downtown seeking a mental inquest warrant to hospitalize him for everyone's safety," Ellman said.
Bush is still scheduled to plead guilty in U.S. District Court in February to federal hate crime charges that he targeted Stallard and Jones because of their race.
Prior to carrying out the shooting at the grocery store Bush attempted to enter the First Baptist Church of Jeffersontown, where the congregation is predominantly Black, and witnesses said he told another man at the scene "Whites don't kill Whites" before he was arrested.


upi--2020-12-16--China returns moon samples from Chang'e 5 spacecraft

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- China on Wednesday became the third nation in history to return a space probe to Earth with samples from the moon .
The Chang ' e 5 spacecraft landed in China 's Inner Mongolia region early Wednesday .
It launched from the island of Hainan on Nov. 24 and touched down on a site on the moon known as the Ocean of Storms earlier this month .
The China National Space Administration said the lander used a drill and robotic arm to retrieve samples from the moon 's surface and more than 6 feet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ samples could provide insight into the formation and history of the moon .
On Wednesday , China joined the United States and the former Soviet Union in returning such samples to earth .
The United States returned 842 pounds of moon rocks in the Apollo program from 1969 to 1972 and the Soviet Union deployed three robotic sample return missions in the 1970s .
While China has arrived late to space exploration , the nation plans to send astronauts to the moon by 2030 and eventually set up a permanent research station on @ @ @ @

Dec. 16 (UPI) -- China on Wednesday became the third nation in history to return a space probe to Earth with samples from the moon.
The Chang'e 5 spacecraft landed in China's Inner Mongolia region early Wednesday. It launched from the island of Hainan on Nov. 24 and touched down on a site on the moon known as the Ocean of Storms earlier this month.
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The China National Space Administration said the lander used a drill and robotic arm to retrieve samples from the moon's surface and more than 6 feet underground.
Scientists said that the lunar samples could provide insight into the formation and history of the moon.
On Wednesday, China joined the United States and the former Soviet Union in returning such samples to earth.
The United States returned 842 pounds of moon rocks in the Apollo program from 1969 to 1972 and the Soviet Union deployed three robotic sample return missions in the 1970s.
While China has arrived late to space exploration, the nation plans to send astronauts to the moon by 2030 and eventually set up a permanent research station on the lunar surface.


upi--2020-12-16--Vice President Mike Pence to receive COVID-19 vaccine publicly Friday

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- Vice President Mike Pence and his wife , second lady Karen Pence , will publicly receive a COVID-19 vaccine in what his office said Wednesday was an effort to `` build confidence among Americans . ''
The couple , along with Surgeon General Jerome Adams , will receive the vaccine Friday `` to promote the safety and efficacy of the vaccine , '' the office of the vice president said .
The inoculation is expected to take place at the White House .
The announcement comes a week after a Gallup poll indicated 37 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to receive a coronavirus vaccine .
But the percentage of people who say they are willing to be inoculated is a majority and has been growing since September .
Politically , the divide is stark .
The survey found that three in four Democrats , 61 % of independents and 50 % of Republicans said they 're willing to be inoculated .
Meanwhile , President-elect Joe Biden said Wednesday he also plans to receive a vaccine publicly when he 's able to get one .
`` I do n't want to get ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure we demonstrate to the American people that it is safe to take , '' he said .
Sources told CNN that Biden likely will receive the vaccine next week .
Healthcare workers began receiving the first Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines this week in the United States .

Vice President Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence are expected to receive the vaccine Friday. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, second lady Karen Pence, will publicly receive a COVID-19 vaccine in what his office said Wednesday was an effort to "build confidence among Americans." The couple, along with Surgeon General Jerome Adams, will receive the vaccine Friday "to promote the safety and efficacy of the vaccine," the office of the vice president said. Advertisement
The inoculation is expected to take place at the White House.
The announcement comes a week after a Gallup poll indicated 37% of Americans say they're unwilling to receive a coronavirus vaccine. But the percentage of people who say they are willing to be inoculated is a majority and has been growing since September.
Politically, the divide is stark. The survey found that three in four Democrats, 61% of independents and 50% of Republicans said they're willing to be inoculated.
Meanwhile, President-elect Joe Biden said Wednesday he also plans to receive a vaccine publicly when he's able to get one.
"I don't want to get ahead of the line, but I want to make sure we demonstrate to the American people that it is safe to take," he said.
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Sources told CNN that Biden likely will receive the vaccine next week.
Healthcare workers began receiving the first Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines this week in the United States.


upi--2020-12-16--Lions center Frank Ragnow played through fractured throat against Packers

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow suffered a fractured throat and played through the injury during Sunday 's loss to the Green Bay Packers .
Ragnow , who could barely talk during the game due to the ailment , injured his throat in the first quarter against the division rival Packers , but the former first-round pick remained in the game .
Because of the injury , quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Chase Daniel were forced to make the line calls for the rest of the contest .
`` It 's pretty impressive what he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporters Wednesday .
`` It was the guards relaying the calls to the running backs , and obviously when I came in it was all passes , so that was easy for us to do as quarterbacks while I was making all the calls and relaying it .
`` We did n't really seem to miss a beat , and it 's pretty incredible when your throat is fractured and you 're used to making all the calls . ''
League sources told ESPN and the Detroit Free Press that Ragnow 's airway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breathing is unobstructed .
The center , however , is not able to speak right now so the injury can heal .
`` Pretty crazy that he was able to finish the game with that , '' said Stafford , who injured his ribs during the matchup against the Packers .
Stafford told reporters he had never heard of someone experiencing an injury like that before , although former Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman Henry Anderson suffered a fractured larynx in 2017 .
The National Institute of Health says `` 80 to 90 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separation usually result from significant high-velocity blunt trauma . ''
According to the organization , car accidents and sports are the most common causes , but `` laryngeal trauma is rare . ''
Ragnow did n't allow a sack or pressure during Sunday 's game against the Packers .
He played every snap following the injury .

Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) didn't allow a sack or pressure during Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers. He played every snap following the throat injury. Photo by Mark Black/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow suffered a fractured throat and played through the injury during Sunday's loss to the Green Bay Packers. Ragnow, who could barely talk during the game due to the ailment, injured his throat in the first quarter against the division rival Packers, but the former first-round pick remained in the game. Because of the injury, quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Chase Daniel were forced to make the line calls for the rest of the contest. Advertisement
"It's pretty impressive what he was able to do," Daniel told reporters Wednesday. "It was the guards relaying the calls to the running backs, and obviously when I came in it was all passes, so that was easy for us to do as quarterbacks while I was making all the calls and relaying it.
"We didn't really seem to miss a beat, and it's pretty incredible when your throat is fractured and you're used to making all the calls."
League sources told ESPN and the Detroit Free Press that Ragnow's airway is fine, meaning his eating and breathing is unobstructed. The center, however, is not able to speak right now so the injury can heal.
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"Pretty crazy that he was able to finish the game with that," said Stafford, who injured his ribs during the matchup against the Packers.
Stafford told reporters he had never heard of someone experiencing an injury like that before, although former Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman Henry Anderson suffered a fractured larynx in 2017.
The National Institute of Health says "80 to 90% of laryngeal injuries, fracture/dislocations, and separation usually result from significant high-velocity blunt trauma." According to the organization, car accidents and sports are the most common causes, but "laryngeal trauma is rare."
Ragnow didn't allow a sack or pressure during Sunday's game against the Packers. He played every snap following the injury.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-16--British coroner lists pollution as cause of 9-year-old's death in landmark ruling

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- A coroner in Britain cited air pollution as a cause of death of a 9-year-old girl who died of an asthma attack in a landmark ruling Wednesday .
The Charites Asthma U.K. and the British Lung Foundation said Ella Kissi-Debrah was the first person to have air pollution listed as a cause of death on their death certificate .
Ella , who had severe asthma that caused episodes of cardiac and respiratory arrest , died in a hospital in February 2013 after experiencing cardiac arrest from which she could n't be resuscitated , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pollution was a significant contributory factor to both the induction and exacerbation of her asthma , '' said assistant coroner Philip Barlow .
Barlow added that Ella was exposed to levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter in excess of World Health Organization guidelines .
Ella 's cause of death was determined to be a severe asthma attack leading to respiratory failure .
A report by Stephen Holgate , former chair of the British government 's advisory committee on air pollution , found that Ella 's asthma attacks coincided with high air pollution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The principal source of her exposure was traffic emissions , '' he said .
`` The whole of Ella 's life was lived in close proximity to highly polluting roads .
I have no difficulty in concluding that her personal exposure to nitrogen dioxide and PM [ particulate matter ] was very high . ''
Ella 's mother , Rosamund Kissi-Debrah , said that her family received `` the justice for her which she so deserved . ''
`` Also it 's about other children still as we walk around our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
`` Her legacy would be to bring in a new Clean Air Act and for governments -- I 'm not just talking about the U.K. government -- governments around the world to take this matter seriously . ''

Smog surrounds St Paul's Cathedral in London in 2014. A coroner in Britain made the landmark decision to list air pollution as the cause of death for 9-year-old Ella Kissi-Debrah. File Photo by Facundo Arrizabalag/EPA-EFE
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A coroner in Britain cited air pollution as a cause of death of a 9-year-old girl who died of an asthma attack in a landmark ruling Wednesday. The Charites Asthma U.K. and the British Lung Foundation said Ella Kissi-Debrah was the first person to have air pollution listed as a cause of death on their death certificate. Advertisement
Ella, who had severe asthma that caused episodes of cardiac and respiratory arrest, died in a hospital in February 2013 after experiencing cardiac arrest from which she couldn't be resuscitated, the coroner's report said.
"Air pollution was a significant contributory factor to both the induction and exacerbation of her asthma," said assistant coroner Philip Barlow.
Barlow added that Ella was exposed to levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter in excess of World Health Organization guidelines.
Ella's cause of death was determined to be a severe asthma attack leading to respiratory failure. A report by Stephen Holgate, former chair of the British government's advisory committee on air pollution, found that Ella's asthma attacks coincided with high air pollution on the busy street near her home.
"The principal source of her exposure was traffic emissions," he said.
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"The whole of Ella's life was lived in close proximity to highly polluting roads. I have no difficulty in concluding that her personal exposure to nitrogen dioxide and PM [particulate matter] was very high."
Ella's mother, Rosamund Kissi-Debrah, said that her family received "the justice for her which she so deserved."
"Also it's about other children still as we walk around our city of high levels of air pollution," she said. "Her legacy would be to bring in a new Clean Air Act and for governments -- I'm not just talking about the U.K. government -- governments around the world to take this matter seriously."


upi--2020-12-16--Possible design flaw in littoral combat ships under investigation

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- A potential major design flaw recently discovered on the U.S. Navy 's 10 active littoral combat ships could prompt expensive repairs and leave the ships in port .
The Navy disclosed problems with propulsion systems on the USS Detroit and USS Little Rock , The National Interest reported .
Clutch bearings within combining gear , which connects gas turbine and diesel engines to the propulsion shafts allowing the ships to travel through the water , may be fundamentally faulty , according to officials .
`` The government is investigating a material defect with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Little Rock , both Freedom-variant littoral combat ships , '' the U.S. Navy Seas Systems Command told Defense News on Wednesday .
`` A joint Navy and Lockheed Martin team with RENK AG , the original equipment manufacturer , are conducting a root cause analysis of this defect , '' Navy officials said .
The two ships have recently seen repeated failures linked to the bearings in the transmission .
All littoral combat ships could be affected by the flaw .
The Navy has 10 Freedom-class LCS at sea , with six more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes after numerous problems were reported in the LCS fleet .
Three required engine overhauls after seawater penetrated their engines and ruined gaskets , and one had driveshaft damage .
Both the Freedom- and Independence-classes of ships have also seen major cost overruns .
LCS ships , which are 378 feet long and are required to operate in a variety of shallow water and open sea situation , have stringent design requirements , notably the ability to travel at 40 knots [ 46 miles ] per hour in open seas .
The high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the subject of the most recent reported problem .

A potential class-wide design flaw in Freedom-class littoral combat ships was revealed by the U.S. Navy this week. Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A potential major design flaw recently discovered on the U.S. Navy's 10 active littoral combat ships could prompt expensive repairs and leave the ships in port. The Navy disclosed problems with propulsion systems on the USS Detroit and USS Little Rock, The National Interest reported. Advertisement
Clutch bearings within combining gear, which connects gas turbine and diesel engines to the propulsion shafts allowing the ships to travel through the water, may be fundamentally faulty, according to officials.
"The government is investigating a material defect with the combining gear of USS Detroit and USS Little Rock, both Freedom-variant littoral combat ships," the U.S. Navy Seas Systems Command told Defense News on Wednesday.
"A joint Navy and Lockheed Martin team with RENK AG, the original equipment manufacturer, are conducting a root cause analysis of this defect," Navy officials said.
The two ships have recently seen repeated failures linked to the bearings in the transmission. All littoral combat ships could be affected by the flaw. The Navy has 10 Freedom-class LCS at sea, with six more planned or under construction.
The information comes after numerous problems were reported in the LCS fleet.
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Three required engine overhauls after seawater penetrated their engines and ruined gaskets, and one had driveshaft damage. Both the Freedom- and Independence-classes of ships have also seen major cost overruns.
LCS ships, which are 378 feet long and are required to operate in a variety of shallow water and open sea situation, have stringent design requirements, notably the ability to travel at 40 knots [46 miles] per hour in open seas.
The high speed requires sturdy and complex transmissions, the subject of the most recent reported problem.


upi--2020-12-16--Man waits almost an entire year to collect lottery jackpot

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- A Canadian man said he was in no rush to collect his nearly $ @ @ @ @ @ he waited almost an entire year to visit lottery headquarters .
John Michalski of Gladstone @ @ @ @ @ Canada Lottery Corp. officials he found out the day after the drawing that the Extra @ @ @ @ @ Max ticket for the Dec. 17 , 2019 , had matched all seven of the @ @ @ @ @ until this month to collect his winnings , just a couple of weeks before the @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I wanted to sit back and think , '' Michalski said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ in a rush to get the money . ''
He collected a jackpot of $ @ @ @ @ @ said he still has n't decided what to do with his winnings .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` I 'm going slow . ''

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Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A Canadian man said he was in no rush to collect his nearly $200,000 lottery jackpot, so he waited almost an entire year to visit lottery headquarters.
John Michalski of Gladstone, Manitoba, told Western Canada Lottery Corp. officials he found out the day after the drawing that the Extra he added to his Lotto Max ticket for the Dec. 17, 2019, had matched all seven of the numbers drawn.
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Michalski waited until this month to collect his winnings, just a couple of weeks before the ticket was set to expire.
"I wanted to sit back and think," Michalski said. "[I'm] not in a rush to get the money."
He collected a jackpot of $196,165, but the winner said he still hasn't decided what to do with his winnings.
"I'm still thinking," he said. "I'm going slow."


upi--2020-12-16--Army talent management program a success, director says

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- The director of the U.S. Army Talent Management Task Force this week called 2020 a success , citing innovations in finding and retaining officers .
The office was elevated in prominence in 2019 after Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville called for making Army personnel a greater priority , with talent management a special interest .
Since Fiscal Year 2020 began in September 2019 , the Army found preferred assignments for over 30,000 active-duty officers with the Army Talent Alignment Process , a system designed to match the needs of soldiers and incoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` 2020 has been a rough year for everyone , but when you look at the Talent Management Task Force you see how we 've taken the chief 's No .
1priority and made it a reality , '' Maj. Gen. J.P. McGee , ATAP director , said Tuesday in a press release .
`` We 're able to show that the Army can run a system based on officers ' preferences [ and ] the needs of the Army .
This has been an effective way to get officers where they want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ATAP employs a computer process that allows officers to interact with Army units and express their interest in transfers .
Use of the data from interested officers and the units better identify where skills are needed , and who is eager to fill the available positions .
A version of the system for enlisted personnel , the Sergeants Major Assessment Program , began in November at Fort Knox , Ky .
In October , the Army announced it reached its recruiting and retention goals for fiscal year 2020 , citing the enlistment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sept. 30 , and bringing its total enlistment , mandated by Congress , to its goal of 485,383 .
On Tuesday , the U.S. Navy announced eligibility requirements for its Enlisted Early Transition Program , which will allow Navy personnel in certain overmanned ratings groups to depart the service before their contractual obligations .
The Navy seeks to offer releases to 714 sailors across 23 rating classifications .

The Army Management Task Force this week announced that a program mounted this year to find and retain talent a success. File Photo by J. Elise van Pool/U.S. Army
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- The director of the U.S. Army Talent Management Task Force this week called 2020 a success, citing innovations in finding and retaining officers. The office was elevated in prominence in 2019 after Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville called for making Army personnel a greater priority, with talent management a special interest. Advertisement
Since Fiscal Year 2020 began in September 2019, the Army found preferred assignments for over 30,000 active-duty officers with the Army Talent Alignment Process, a system designed to match the needs of soldiers and incoming units, according to the Army.
"2020 has been a rough year for everyone, but when you look at the Talent Management Task Force you see how we've taken the chief's No. 1priority and made it a reality," Maj. Gen. J.P. McGee, ATAP director, said Tuesday in a press release.
"We're able to show that the Army can run a system based on officers' preferences [and] the needs of the Army. This has been an effective way to get officers where they want to be," McGee said.
ATAP employs a computer process that allows officers to interact with Army units and express their interest in transfers. Use of the data from interested officers and the units better identify where skills are needed, and who is eager to fill the available positions.
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A version of the system for enlisted personnel, the Sergeants Major Assessment Program, began in November at Fort Knox, Ky.
In October, the Army announced it reached its recruiting and retention goals for fiscal year 2020, citing the enlistment of 62,150 new soldiers in the year ending Sept. 30, and bringing its total enlistment, mandated by Congress, to its goal of 485,383.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Navy announced eligibility requirements for its Enlisted Early Transition Program, which will allow Navy personnel in certain overmanned ratings groups to depart the service before their contractual obligations.
The Navy seeks to offer releases to 714 sailors across 23 rating classifications.


upi--2020-12-16--S&P 500, Nasdaq near record highs as lawmakers optimistic about stimulus deal

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- The S & P 500 and Nasdaq Composite brushed with record highs Wednesday amid optimism surrounding a stimulus deal .
The S & P climbed 0.18 % to rise just below a closing high , while the Nasdaq gained 0.5 % , hitting intraday and closing all-time highs .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average , however , fell 44.77 points , or 0.15 % .
Microsoft climbed 2.41 % to help lead the Nasdaq higher .
The markets also responded to ongoing stimulus talks as Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said he was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach a deal sometime soon , while Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said leaders were `` making progress . ''
`` Stimulus remains a key focus for the market , as it is the necessary bridge to expansive vaccinations , '' said Lindsey Bell , chief investment strategist for Ally Invest .
`` Market participants would like to see a deal sooner rather than later given the expectation for economic data to slow near term .
In the absence of a deal , turbulence could pick up . ''
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiscal stimulus is `` very , very strong '' as the Fed left interest rates at 0 % to 0.25 % , the same level since March .
The Fed also committed to continue buying at least $ 120 billion worth of bonds each month until the United States reaches full employment and inflation remains at 2 % .
`` Investors have clearly applauded recent news that legislation is imminent before Congress recesses for the holiday break knowing the Fed will buy every last Treasury that is issued to fund the relief package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief executive officer of Quill intelligence said , according to Bloomberg .

The S&P 500 neared a record closing high and the Nasdaq Composite hit intraday and closing all-time highs as lawmakers expressed optimism about nearing a COVID-19 stimulus deal. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite brushed with record highs Wednesday amid optimism surrounding a stimulus deal. The S&P climbed 0.18% to rise just below a closing high, while the Nasdaq gained 0.5%, hitting intraday and closing all-time highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, however, fell 44.77 points, or 0.15%. Advertisement
Microsoft climbed 2.41% to help lead the Nasdaq higher.
The markets also responded to ongoing stimulus talks as Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said he was "optimistic" Congress would be able to reach a deal sometime soon, while Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said leaders were "making progress."
"Stimulus remains a key focus for the market, as it is the necessary bridge to expansive vaccinations," said Lindsey Bell, chief investment strategist for Ally Invest. "Market participants would like to see a deal sooner rather than later given the expectation for economic data to slow near term. In the absence of a deal, turbulence could pick up."
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Wednesday said the case for fiscal stimulus is "very, very strong" as the Fed left interest rates at 0% to 0.25%, the same level since March.
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The Fed also committed to continue buying at least $120 billion worth of bonds each month until the United States reaches full employment and inflation remains at 2%.
"Investors have clearly applauded recent news that legislation is imminent before Congress recesses for the holiday break knowing the Fed will buy every last Treasury that is issued to fund the relief package," Danielle Di Martino Booth, chief executive officer of Quill intelligence said, according to Bloomberg.


upi--2020-12-16--Watch: Xbox game projected on side of mountain breaks Guinness record

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- Xbox celebrated an update to popular game Destiny 2 for the Xbox Series X @ @ @ @ @ the side of a Colorado mountain and breaking a Guinness World Record .
Guinness said @ @ @ @ @ on the side of Copper Mountain in Frisco for snowboarder Grant Giller to play Destiny @ @ @ @ @ a newly released expansion to the 2017 game .
The projection broke the record for @ @ @ @ @ video game display .
Xbox released a video showing Giller sitting on a couch placed @ @ @ @ @ the mountain while playing .

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Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Xbox celebrated an update to popular game Destiny 2 for the Xbox Series X by projecting the game on the side of a Colorado mountain and breaking a Guinness World Record.
Guinness said Xbox projected a 19,090-square-foot screen on the side of Copper Mountain in Frisco for snowboarder Grant Giller to play Destiny 2: Beyond Light, a newly released expansion to the 2017 game.
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The projection broke the record for the world's largest projected video game display.
Xbox released a video showing Giller sitting on a couch placed to face the side of the mountain while playing.


upi--2020-12-16--Older adults with Parkinson's disease face twice the risk for suicide

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- Older adults with Parkinson 's disease are twice as likely to die by suicide than those without the disease , according to an analysis published Wednesday by JAMA Psychiatry .
Among nearly 36,000 people with the neuromuscular condition included in the study , 10 % of those who died by suicide also had been diagnosed with depression , the data showed .
`` The suicide risk elevation in [ Parkinson 's disease ] was only partially explained by comorbidity with depression and other mental disorders , '' wrote the authors , from Taipei City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease in itself markedly escalated the risk of suicide , '' they said .
Parkinson 's disease is a progressive brain disorder that leads to muscle shaking and stiffness .
Symptoms can include difficulty with walking , balance and coordination , as well as cognitive issues and problems talking , according to the U.S. National Institute on Aging .
Roughly 60,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson 's disease in the United States each year , the Parkinson 's Foundation estimates .
Anxiety and depression are common in people with the disease , due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggests .
For this study , the Taiwan-based researchers tracked 35,891 older adults in the country who had been diagnosed with Parkinson 's disease over a period of 11 years and compared suicide rates within this population to those for 143,557 older adults without the disease .
A total of 151 people with Parkinson 's died by suicide , compared with 300 people in the non-Parkinson 's group , the researchers said .
People with Parkinson 's who died by suicide in the study group were also younger , with an average age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age of 76 in participants without the disease who died by suicide .
Of the 151 people with Parkinson 's who died by suicide , 15 , or about 10 % , had been diagnosed with depression , compared with 5 % in the non-Parkinson 's group , the data showed .
`` Over and above identifying and treating mental disorders in Parkinson 's disease , integrating mental healthcare into primary care , geriatric healthcare and ... specialty care might be helpful , '' the researchers wrote .
`` Furthermore , socio-environmental interventions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connectedness and home safety assessment to prevent suicide ... are all potential intervention measures , '' they said .

Older adults with Parkinson's disease are twice as likely to die by suicide than the general population, according to a new study. Photo by zeevveez/Flickr
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Older adults with Parkinson's disease are twice as likely to die by suicide than those without the disease, according to an analysis published Wednesday by JAMA Psychiatry. Among nearly 36,000 people with the neuromuscular condition included in the study, 10% of those who died by suicide also had been diagnosed with depression, the data showed. Advertisement
"The suicide risk elevation in [Parkinson's disease] was only partially explained by comorbidity with depression and other mental disorders," wrote the authors, from Taipei City Hospital in Taiwan.
"Parkinson's disease in itself markedly escalated the risk of suicide," they said.
Parkinson's disease is a progressive brain disorder that leads to muscle shaking and stiffness. Symptoms can include difficulty with walking, balance and coordination, as well as cognitive issues and problems talking, according to the U.S. National Institute on Aging.
Roughly 60,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in the United States each year, the Parkinson's Foundation estimates.
Anxiety and depression are common in people with the disease, due to its debilitating symptoms, research also suggests.
For this study, the Taiwan-based researchers tracked 35,891 older adults in the country who had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease over a period of 11 years and compared suicide rates within this population to those for 143,557 older adults without the disease.
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A total of 151 people with Parkinson's died by suicide, compared with 300 people in the non-Parkinson's group, the researchers said.
People with Parkinson's who died by suicide in the study group were also younger, with an average age of 74, compared with an average age of 76 in participants without the disease who died by suicide.
Of the 151 people with Parkinson's who died by suicide, 15, or about 10%, had been diagnosed with depression, compared with 5% in the non-Parkinson's group, the data showed.
"Over and above identifying and treating mental disorders in Parkinson's disease, integrating mental healthcare into primary care, geriatric healthcare and ... specialty care might be helpful," the researchers wrote.
"Furthermore, socio-environmental interventions, such as enhancing family and community connectedness and home safety assessment to prevent suicide ... are all potential intervention measures," they said.


upi--2020-12-16--Federal Reserve keeps interest rates unchanged

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- The Federal Reserve left its benchmark lending rate unchanged Wednesday and indicated it 's likely to remain near zero as the United States recovers from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic .
The agency said that though the pandemic has caused `` tremendous human and economic hardship '' across the country , economic activity and employment have continued to recover .
Still , they remain `` well below '' levels at the beginning of 2020 .
Interest rates will remain at 0 % to 0.25 % , the same level since March .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least $ 120 billion worth of bonds each month until the United States reaches full employment and inflation remains at 2 % .
`` Together , these measures will ensure that monetary policy will continue to deliver powerful support to the economy until the recovery is complete , '' Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said in a news conference .
He added that disinflationary pressures globally , including weaker demand and declines in oil prices , have kept consumer price inflation down .
Going forward , the Fed said the economic recovery will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus .
Public health officials began rolling out a COVID-19 vaccine in the United States , but it will take months for enough vaccines to become available for everyone who wants one .

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said interest rates will remain at 0% to 0.25%. Pool Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- The Federal Reserve left its benchmark lending rate unchanged Wednesday and indicated it's likely to remain near zero as the United States recovers from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency said that though the pandemic has caused "tremendous human and economic hardship" across the country, economic activity and employment have continued to recover. Still, they remain "well below" levels at the beginning of 2020. Advertisement
Interest rates will remain at 0% to 0.25%, the same level since March.
The Fed also committed to continue buying at least $120 billion worth of bonds each month until the United States reaches full employment and inflation remains at 2%.
"Together, these measures will ensure that monetary policy will continue to deliver powerful support to the economy until the recovery is complete," Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said in a news conference.
He added that disinflationary pressures globally, including weaker demand and declines in oil prices, have kept consumer price inflation down.
Going forward, the Fed said the economic recovery will "depend significantly" on the future spread of the virus.
Public health officials began rolling out a COVID-19 vaccine in the United States, but it will take months for enough vaccines to become available for everyone who wants one.


upi--2020-12-16--Look: Hawk flies into home, perches on Christmas tree

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- Police in Scotland responded to a home to remove an unusual intruder -- a @ @ @ @ @ an open door and perched on the family 's Christmas tree .
The North East @ @ @ @ @ from the North East Wildlife and Animal Rescue Center , or New Arc , when @ @ @ @ @ had flown into their home and was perched on their Christmas tree .
New Arc @ @ @ @ @ examined and determined to not be injured .
The bird of prey was released outside @ @ @ @ @ assisted the Police this afternoon when they apprehended an intruder suspected of stealing X-Mas fairies @ @ @ @ @ search she was released without charge , '' the rescue group said in a Facebook @ @

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Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Police in Scotland responded to a home to remove an unusual intruder -- a hawk that flew in through an open door and perched on the family's Christmas tree.
The North East Police Division responded alongside personnel from the North East Wildlife and Animal Rescue Center, or New Arc, when a family reported a sparrowhawk had flown into their home and was perched on their Christmas tree.
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New Arc officials said the hawk was examined and determined to not be injured. The bird of prey was released outside.
"The New Arc assisted the Police this afternoon when they apprehended an intruder suspected of stealing X-Mas fairies. After a full body search she was released without charge," the rescue group said in a Facebook post.


upi--2020-12-16--Watch: Missing Chihuahua reunited with California family after 5 years

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- A California family 's missing Chihuahua is back at home after turning up five @ @ @ @ @ from her family 's home .
The Inland Valley Humane Society said a female Chihuahua @ @ @ @ @ Covina , and the canine was scanned for a microchip .
The dog was identified @ @ @ @ @ beloved pet who went missing from her family 's Compton home five years earlier .
@ @ @ @ @ family , and she was reunited with her owner later in the same day .
@ @ @ @ @ `` there was not a dry eye in the house '' during Sweet Pea 's @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Officials said they do not know where Sweet Pea has been for the @ @ @ @ @ she appeared to be healthy and well-fed .

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Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A California family's missing Chihuahua is back at home after turning up five years later about 30 miles from her family's home.
The Inland Valley Humane Society said a female Chihuahua was picked up Tuesday in Covina, and the canine was scanned for a microchip.
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The dog was identified as Sweet Pea, a beloved pet who went missing from her family's Compton home five years earlier.
Volunteers contacted Sweet Pea's family, and she was reunited with her owner later in the same day.
The humane society tweeted that "there was not a dry eye in the house" during Sweet Pea's reunion with her "mother."
Officials said they do not know where Sweet Pea has been for the past five years, but she appeared to be healthy and well-fed.


upi--2020-12-16--U.S. criticizes Russian attempt to 'weaponize space' after latest test

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Space Command rebuked Russia on Wednesday for testing a direct-ascent anti-satellite missile , saying that Russia is continuing to `` weaponize space . ''
The missile system , called DA-ASAT , travels from Earth to destroy satellites in low-Earth orbit , and is one of two Russia has tested , according to Space Command officials .
The DA-ASAT has been tested multiple times , they said .
The other system , a co-orbital ASAT , has twice previously demonstrated an on-orbit kinetic weapon that can also be used to destroy satellites .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2017 and earlier this year .
`` Russia 's persistent testing of these systems demonstrates threats to U.S. and allied space systems are rapidly advancing , '' Gen. James Dickinson , commander of the U.S. Space Command , said Wednesday in a press release China , Russia , the United States and India are also among countries also involved in development of procedures to disable satellites .
India conducted an anti-satellite weapon demonstration in 2019 , destroying a satellite of its own and producing a debris field which could threaten other objects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is working to prevent the transformation of outer space into a battlefield , '' Dickinson said .
`` Yet at the same time Moscow continues to weaponize space by developing and fielding on-orbit and ground-based capabilities that seek to exploit U.S. reliance on space-based systems , '' he said .
In February , Gen. John Raymond said that the U.S. Space Force was aware of two Russian satellites that appeared to be observing a U.S. satellite at close range .
Kosmos 2542 , launched in November 2019 , and is in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretive satellite launched in 2013 by the National Reconnaissance Office .
On Jan. 20 , 2019 , the two spacecraft came within 100 miles of each other .

U.S. Space Command is concerned Russia has been testing weapons designed to take out satellites, such as the one this Delta IV Heavy rocket delivered to orbit on Dec. 10. Photo courtesy of United Launch Alliance /Flickr
Dec. 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. Space Command rebuked Russia on Wednesday for testing a direct-ascent anti-satellite missile, saying that Russia is continuing to "weaponize space." The missile system, called DA-ASAT, travels from Earth to destroy satellites in low-Earth orbit, and is one of two Russia has tested, according to Space Command officials. Advertisement
The DA-ASAT has been tested multiple times, they said.
The other system, a co-orbital ASAT, has twice previously demonstrated an on-orbit kinetic weapon that can also be used to destroy satellites. Space Command said that system was tested in 2017 and earlier this year.
"Russia's persistent testing of these systems demonstrates threats to U.S. and allied space systems are rapidly advancing," Gen. James Dickinson, commander of the U.S. Space Command, said Wednesday in a press release
China, Russia, the United States and India are also among countries also involved in development of procedures to disable satellites.
India conducted an anti-satellite weapon demonstration in 2019, destroying a satellite of its own and producing a debris field which could threaten other objects in space.
"Russia publicly claims it is working to prevent the transformation of outer space into a battlefield," Dickinson said.
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"Yet at the same time Moscow continues to weaponize space by developing and fielding on-orbit and ground-based capabilities that seek to exploit U.S. reliance on space-based systems," he said.
In February, Gen. John Raymond said that the U.S. Space Force was aware of two Russian satellites that appeared to be observing a U.S. satellite at close range.
Kosmos 2542, launched in November 2019, and is in the same plane as USA 245, a secretive satellite launched in 2013 by the National Reconnaissance Office. On Jan. 20, 2019, the two spacecraft came within 100 miles of each other.


upi--2020-12-16--Watch: Iz*One shares 'Panorama' dance practice video

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- South Korean girl group Iz*One has released a dance practice video for its new @ @ @ @ @ The K-pop stars shared a video Wednesday that gives a behind-the-scenes look at a rehearsal @ @ @ @ @ music video .
The video shows the members of Iz*One performing the `` Panorama '' @ @ @ @ @ The members wear coordinating red , black and white athleisure wear .
Iz*One released the @ @ @ @ @ Panorama '' last week .
The group also shared a performance version of the music @ @ @ @ @ Panorama '' is the title track from Iz*One 's EP One-reeler Act IV , released @ @ @ @ @ also features the songs `` Mise-en-scène , '' `` Island , '' `` Sequence , @ @ @ @ @ '' and `` Slow Journey . ''
Iz*One consists of Kwon Eun-bi , Sakura Miyawaki @ @ @ @ @ Ye-na , Lee Chae-yeon , Kim Chae-won , Kim Min-ju , Nako Yabuki , Hitomi @ @ @ @ @ An Yu-jin and Jang Won-young .
The group made its debut in 2018 .

Dec. 16 (UPI) -- South Korean girl group Iz*One has released a dance practice video for its new single "Panorama."
The K-pop stars shared a video Wednesday that gives a behind-the-scenes look at a rehearsal for the "Panorama" music video.
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The video shows the members of Iz*One performing the "Panorama" choreography in a studio. The members wear coordinating red, black and white athleisure wear.
Iz*One released the official music video for "Panorama" last week. The group also shared a performance version of the music video on Monday.
"Panorama" is the title track from Iz*One's EP One-reeler Act IV, released last week. The EP also features the songs "Mise-en-scène," "Island," "Sequence," "O Sole Mio" and "Slow Journey."
Iz*One consists of Kwon Eun-bi, Sakura Miyawaki, Kang Hye-won, Choi Ye-na, Lee Chae-yeon, Kim Chae-won, Kim Min-ju, Nako Yabuki, Hitomi Honda, Jo Yu-ri, An Yu-jin and Jang Won-young. The group made its debut in 2018.


upi--2020-12-16--Chance the Rapper to hold 'Chi-Town Christmas' virtual concert Friday

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- Chance the Rapper will perform during a holiday virtual concert this week .
Chi-Town Christmas will stream Friday on Chance the Rapper 's YouTube and Instagram accounts , as well as in VR in Oculus Quest 's Venues app .
`` Chance the Rapper gifts the world a performance for the holidays showcasing the Grammy-winning performer moving through generations of television , culminating with a live band performance for the holidays , '' Oculus said .
Chance the Rapper shared a teaser on Instagram that shows him in a home decorated for the holidays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that I am finally doing another Virtual Concert this Friday , this one a whole movie , '' he said .
Chance the Rapper released the holiday mixtape Merry Christmas Lil ' Mama with Jeremih in 2016 .
He released his debut studio album , The Big Day , in July 2019 .
In September , Chance the Rapper released the song `` Holy '' with Justin Bieber .
He played `` Kid Raps , '' a game where he performed rap lyrics written by children , on The Tonight Show starring @ @ @ @ @

Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Chance the Rapper will perform during a holiday virtual concert this week.
The 27-year-old rapper shared plans Wednesday for Chi-Town Christmas, a virtual concert film.
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Chi-Town Christmas will stream Friday on Chance the Rapper's YouTube and Instagram accounts, as well as in VR in Oculus Quest's Venues app.
"Chance the Rapper gifts the world a performance for the holidays showcasing the Grammy-winning performer moving through generations of television, culminating with a live band performance for the holidays," Oculus said.
Chance the Rapper shared a teaser on Instagram that shows him in a home decorated for the holidays.
"Ayo I'm proud to say that I am finally doing another Virtual Concert this Friday, this one a whole movie," he said.
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Chance the Rapper released the holiday mixtape Merry Christmas Lil' Mama with Jeremih in 2016. He released his debut studio album, The Big Day, in July 2019.
In September, Chance the Rapper released the song "Holy" with Justin Bieber. He played "Kid Raps," a game where he performed rap lyrics written by children, on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon in October.


upi--2020-12-16--1 in 7 studies in nutrition journals have food industry ties

It 's common for studies in leading nutrition journals to have ties with the food industry , and such studies are more likely to have findings that support industry interests , researchers report .
They reviewed all peer-reviewed studies published in 2018 in the 10 most-cited nutrition and diet-related academic journals .
The researchers found that 13.4 % of the more than 1,400 studies reported that they had connections with the food industry , such as funding from food makers or authors linked with food companies .
Compared to a random sample of 196 studies without food industry involvement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five times more likely to report results that favored food industry interests ( 55.6 % vs. 9.7 % ) , according to the study published Dec. 16 in the journal PLOS ONE .
`` This study found that the food industry is commonly involved in published research from leading nutrition journals , '' said author Gary Sacks , an associate professor at Deakin University , in Melbourne , Australia .
`` Where the food industry is involved , research findings are nearly six times more likely to be favorable to their interests than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said in a journal news release .
Food companies might become involved in nutrition research to help generate new knowledge .
For example , they might provide funding for academic research or lend employees to research teams .
But these findings add to mounting evidence that food industry involvement in studies could tilt research agendas or findings towards benefiting the industry , and potentially exclude topics that are more important to public health .
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more on nutrition .

It's common for studies in leading nutrition journals to have ties with the food industry, and such studies are more likely to have findings that support industry interests, researchers report.
They reviewed all peer-reviewed studies published in 2018 in the 10 most-cited nutrition and diet-related academic journals.
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The researchers found that 13.4% of the more than 1,400 studies reported that they had connections with the food industry, such as funding from food makers or authors linked with food companies.
Compared to a random sample of 196 studies without food industry involvement, those with industry ties were more than five times more likely to report results that favored food industry interests (55.6% vs. 9.7%), according to the study published Dec. 16 in the journal PLOS ONE.
"This study found that the food industry is commonly involved in published research from leading nutrition journals," said author Gary Sacks, an associate professor at Deakin University, in Melbourne, Australia.
"Where the food industry is involved, research findings are nearly six times more likely to be favorable to their interests than when there is no food industry involvement," he said in a journal news release.
Food companies might become involved in nutrition research to help generate new knowledge. For example, they might provide funding for academic research or lend employees to research teams.
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But these findings add to mounting evidence that food industry involvement in studies could tilt research agendas or findings towards benefiting the industry, and potentially exclude topics that are more important to public health.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more on nutrition.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-12-16--Watch: Illinois couple recaptures dining out experience in modified van

Dec. 16 ( UPI ) -- An Illinois couple found a unique way to continue their tradition of dining out amid the COVID-19 pandemic -- converting their transit van into a mobile dining room for two .
Doug and Kim White , of Lombard , said they missed the experience of eating out when the coronavirus led to dining rooms being closed , and getting take-out just did n't offer the same experience .
`` You can get the take-out .
It puts it in a little box , and you bring it home , you 're eating out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in that ? ''
Kim White told WLS-TV .
The couple returned to eating out in October , when they converted the back of their transit van into a miniature dining room .
`` We went , bought this little table at Menards and put some folding chairs and carpet in there , '' Kim White said .
Doug White said the dining room cost less than $ 100 to assemble .
The couple has since been visiting their favorite area restaurants and having plated food delivered to the back door of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that little teeny tiny bit of normalcy , '' Kim White told the Chicago Tribune .
The couple has been chronicling their dining experiences on Facebook and Instagram pages .

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Dec. 16 (UPI) -- An Illinois couple found a unique way to continue their tradition of dining out amid the COVID-19 pandemic -- converting their transit van into a mobile dining room for two.
Doug and Kim White, of Lombard, said they missed the experience of eating out when the coronavirus led to dining rooms being closed, and getting take-out just didn't offer the same experience.
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"You can get the take-out. It puts it in a little box, and you bring it home, you're eating out of the box, where's the spirit in that?" Kim White told WLS-TV.
The couple returned to eating out in October, when they converted the back of their transit van into a miniature dining room.
"We went, bought this little table at Menards and put some folding chairs and carpet in there," Kim White said.
Doug White said the dining room cost less than $100 to assemble.
The couple has since been visiting their favorite area restaurants and having plated food delivered to the back door of the van.
"Eating out for us is that little teeny tiny bit of normalcy," Kim White told the Chicago Tribune.
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The couple has been chronicling their dining experiences on Facebook and Instagram pages.


upi--2020-12-17--Chris Tomlin celebrates daughter Elle's birth: 'She is precious'

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- Christian music singer Chris Tomlin is a dad of three .
The 48-year-old recording artist recently welcomed his third child , daughter Elle Grace , with his wife , Lauren Tomlin .
Tomlin confirmed the news in an Instagram post Wednesday .
`` Is n't she lovely ... Is n't she wonderful ... Elle Grace Tomlin has arrived to our world and we could n't be more grateful .
She is precious and beautiful , '' the star wrote .
`` Babies are miracles ... Lauren and I are counting our blessings and soaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' '' he added .
`` Time seems to stand still at the moment . ''
Country music group Lady A and singers RaeLynn and Jason Ingram were among those to congratulate Tomlin in the comments .
`` OMGGGGGGG come to aunt raerae !
!
! ''
RaeLynn said .
Tomlin told People that Lauren Tomlin gave birth to Elle on Monday .
The couple have two other daughters , Ashlyn , 9 , and Madison , 6 .
Tomlin announced Lauren Tomlin 's pregnancy in October and celebrated the news in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I got the news today / I heard that you were coming / It took my breath away / and the tears filled up my eyes / Surely you 'd change some things / the way that I was living / I hit my knees to pray / so grateful for new life , '' he sings .
Tomlin released his 12th studio album , Holy Roar , in 2018 , and the duets album Chris Tomlin & Friends in July .
He is known for the songs `` How Great is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and `` Whom Shall I Fear ( God of Angel Armies ) . ''

Chris Tomlin welcomed his third child, a baby girl, with his wife, Lauren Tomlin. File Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Christian music singer Chris Tomlin is a dad of three. The 48-year-old recording artist recently welcomed his third child, daughter Elle Grace, with his wife, Lauren Tomlin. Advertisement
Tomlin confirmed the news in an Instagram post Wednesday.
"Isn't she lovely... Isn't she wonderful... Elle Grace Tomlin has arrived to our world and we couldn't be more grateful. She is precious and beautiful," the star wrote.
"Babies are miracles... Lauren and I are counting our blessings and soaking up our little 'miracle of love,'" he added. "Time seems to stand still at the moment."
Country music group Lady A and singers RaeLynn and Jason Ingram were among those to congratulate Tomlin in the comments.
"Precious!" Lady A wrote.
"OMGGGGGGG come to aunt raerae!!!" RaeLynn said.
Tomlin told People that Lauren Tomlin gave birth to Elle on Monday. The couple have two other daughters, Ashlyn, 9, and Madison, 6.
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Tomlin announced Lauren Tomlin's pregnancy in October and celebrated the news in the song "Miracle of Love."
"I got the news today / I heard that you were coming / It took my breath away / and the tears filled up my eyes / Surely you'd change some things / the way that I was living / I hit my knees to pray / so grateful for new life," he sings.
Tomlin released his 12th studio album, Holy Roar, in 2018, and the duets album Chris Tomlin & Friends in July. He is known for the songs "How Great is Our God," "Our God" and "Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)."


upi--2020-12-17--Watch: Tom Hanks recounts meeting Jimmy Stewart on 'Late Show'

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- Tom Hanks appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and recalled meeting late actor Jimmy Stewart while discussing his new film , a Western titled News of the World .
Hanks described to Colbert on Wednesday how actors would ride the same horse across Western films and how he learned about the horse Stewart would ride while visiting the Hollywood legend 's house during a photoshoot for Life magazine .
`` So he 's showing me around his living room , his parlor , and there is no sign of Jimmy Stewart the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Hanks said about Stewart .
Hanks said he discovered a painting of a horse hanging up in Stewart 's house and asked him about it .
`` That was my horse Pie and I rode that horse in all my Westerns .
The wranglers would keep it out by Griffith Park .
That 's where we all had our horses , '' Hanks said , recounting what Stewart told him while giving his best impersonation of the Hollywood legend .
Stewart told Hanks that Henry Fonda made the painting of Pie as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a week after .
News of the World is coming to theaters on Christmas Day .
Hanks is also set to portray Elvis Presley 's manager Colonel Tom Parker in biopic Elvis .
Austin Butler stars as the music icon .
Hanks was bald for the interview , stating that he had to wear multiple wigs for Elvis .
`` Let me put it this way , Elvis is as big as he ever has been and much of that credit goes to the guy I played in this movie , '' @ @ @ @ @

Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Tom Hanks appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and recalled meeting late actor Jimmy Stewart while discussing his new film, a Western titled News of the World.
Hanks described to Colbert on Wednesday how actors would ride the same horse across Western films and how he learned about the horse Stewart would ride while visiting the Hollywood legend's house during a photoshoot for Life magazine.
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"So he's showing me around his living room, his parlor, and there is no sign of Jimmy Stewart the movie star anywhere in this thing," Hanks said about Stewart.
Hanks said he discovered a painting of a horse hanging up in Stewart's house and asked him about it.
"That was my horse Pie and I rode that horse in all my Westerns. The wranglers would keep it out by Griffith Park. That's where we all had our horses," Hanks said, recounting what Stewart told him while giving his best impersonation of the Hollywood legend.
Stewart told Hanks that Henry Fonda made the painting of Pie as a gift, however, Pie died just a week after.
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News of the World is coming to theaters on Christmas Day. Hanks is also set to portray Elvis Presley's manager Colonel Tom Parker in biopic Elvis. Austin Butler stars as the music icon.
Hanks was bald for the interview, stating that he had to wear multiple wigs for Elvis.
"Let me put it this way, Elvis is as big as he ever has been and much of that credit goes to the guy I played in this movie," Hanks said about Parker.


upi--2020-12-17--Look: Anna Kournikova shares rare photos of twins on their 3rd birthday

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- Anna Kournikova gave a rare glimpse of her twins while celebrating their third birthday .
The 39-year-old former professional tennis player posted new photos of Nicholas and Lucy , her twin son and daughter with her partner , singer Enrique Iglesias , while celebrating their birthday Wednesday .
Kournikova 's photo of Nicholas shows the toddler wearing a white polo shirt with blue trim and a blue backward baseball cap .
The photo of Lucy shows her wearing a blue print top and pants while playing outdoors .
Iglesias commented with a heart emoji @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also have an 11-month-old daughter , Mary .
Kournikova shared a photo of the infant in September .
`` Wimbledon , here I come ... '' she captioned the post .
Kournikova and Iglesias largely keep their kids out of the spotlight .
Iglesias shared a video in 2018 of himself making Nicholas and Lucy laugh .
Iglesias expressed his love for his children during a concert in March 2018 .
`` I became a father about 12 weeks ago and I can absolutely tell you two things , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ them so much . ''
Iglesias and Luis Fonsi were honored at the Billboard Latin Music Awards in October .
During the ceremony , Iglesias was honored as the Billboard Top Latin Artist of All Time .
Iglesias last released the single `` Después Que Te Perdí '' with Jon Z in March 2019 .
Latin American boy band CNCO performed its cover of Iglesias ' song `` Hero '' on Good Morning America this week .

Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Anna Kournikova gave a rare glimpse of her twins while celebrating their third birthday.
The 39-year-old former professional tennis player posted new photos of Nicholas and Lucy, her twin son and daughter with her partner, singer Enrique Iglesias, while celebrating their birthday Wednesday.
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Kournikova's photo of Nicholas shows the toddler wearing a white polo shirt with blue trim and a blue backward baseball cap.
"3!" Kournikova captioned the post.
The photo of Lucy shows her wearing a blue print top and pants while playing outdoors.
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Iglesias commented with a heart emoji on both photos.
Kournikova and Iglesias also have an 11-month-old daughter, Mary. Kournikova shared a photo of the infant in September.
"Wimbledon, here I come..." she captioned the post.
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Kournikova and Iglesias largely keep their kids out of the spotlight. Iglesias shared a video in 2018 of himself making Nicholas and Lucy laugh.
Iglesias expressed his love for his children during a concert in March 2018.
"I became a father about 12 weeks ago and I can absolutely tell you two things," he said. "Love my babies! I love them so much."
Iglesias and Luis Fonsi were honored at the Billboard Latin Music Awards in October. During the ceremony, Iglesias was honored as the Billboard Top Latin Artist of All Time.
Iglesias last released the single "Después Que Te Perdí" with Jon Z in March 2019. Latin American boy band CNCO performed its cover of Iglesias' song "Hero" on Good Morning America this week.


upi--2020-12-17--South Korea defends anti-leafleting bill amid mounting criticism

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- South Korea expressed `` regret '' after a U.N. investigator raised concerns regarding the passage of a bill that could lead to a prison sentence of up to three years for anti-Pyongyang leafleting at the DMZ .
A South Korean unification ministry official issued an unprecedented statement on Thursday , directly addressing the comments from U.N. official Tomás Ojea Quintana , while defending the law that could also fine activists up to $ 27,000 for sending balloons containing pamphlets , Oh My News and Hankyoreh reported .
`` We express our regret for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review of democratic institutions ' by U.N. Special Rapporteur for North Korean Human Rights Tomás Ojea Quintana , regarding the democratic discussions and deliberations held in accordance with the procedures set by the [ South Korean ] Constitution and laws of the National Assembly , a body that is representative of public opinion , '' the unification ministry said in its statement .
Seoul also said the anti-leafleting bill , which passed Monday , `` protects lives and maintains security of the people in the border region , '' while safeguarding freedom of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Free Asia 's Korean service the South Korean amendment included too-severe penalties for defectors who send information on flash drives and DVDs at the border .
`` This penalty of imprisonment seems to be excessive for actions which are based on the exercise of the freedom of expression , a cornerstone for a democratic society , '' Quintana said .
`` Under international human rights law , to which South Korea is obliged , restrictions on freedom of expression must be ... justified by a concrete necessity . ''
In November , Quintana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution on North Korea human rights .
South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha fought back criticism of the law in an interview with CNN .
The leafleting is `` happening in a very sensitive area -- the most militarized zone in the whole world -- with people living right next to the border area , '' Kang said .
`` Freedom of expression , I think , is absolutely vital to human rights .
But it 's not absolute . ''
South Korea moved to ban leaflet activism after North Korean politician Kim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` human scum . ''

Seoul responded to comments from the United Nations Thursday regarding a new bill that bans anti-Pyongyang leafleting at the border with North Korea. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- South Korea expressed "regret" after a U.N. investigator raised concerns regarding the passage of a bill that could lead to a prison sentence of up to three years for anti-Pyongyang leafleting at the DMZ. A South Korean unification ministry official issued an unprecedented statement on Thursday, directly addressing the comments from U.N. official Tomás Ojea Quintana, while defending the law that could also fine activists up to $27,000 for sending balloons containing pamphlets, Oh My News and Hankyoreh reported. Advertisement
"We express our regret for the mention of a 'need for an appropriate review of democratic institutions' by U.N. Special Rapporteur for North Korean Human Rights Tomás Ojea Quintana, regarding the democratic discussions and deliberations held in accordance with the procedures set by the [South Korean] Constitution and laws of the National Assembly, a body that is representative of public opinion," the unification ministry said in its statement.
Seoul also said the anti-leafleting bill, which passed Monday, "protects lives and maintains security of the people in the border region," while safeguarding freedom of expression.
On Wednesday Quintana told Radio Free Asia's Korean service the South Korean amendment included too-severe penalties for defectors who send information on flash drives and DVDs at the border.
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"This penalty of imprisonment seems to be excessive for actions which are based on the exercise of the freedom of expression, a cornerstone for a democratic society," Quintana said.
"Under international human rights law, to which South Korea is obliged, restrictions on freedom of expression must be ... justified by a concrete necessity."
In November, Quintana criticized Seoul for not co-sponsoring a U.N. resolution on North Korea human rights.
South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha fought back criticism of the law in an interview with CNN.
The leafleting is "happening in a very sensitive area -- the most militarized zone in the whole world -- with people living right next to the border area," Kang said.
"Freedom of expression, I think, is absolutely vital to human rights. But it's not absolute."
South Korea moved to ban leaflet activism after North Korean politician Kim Yo-jong criticized defectors and described them as "human scum."


upi--2020-12-17--New unemployment claims in U.S. at highest level in more than 3 months

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- Close to 900,000 American workers have filed new unemployment claims , the Labor Department @ @ @ @ @ report .
The department said 885,000 workers filed new claims for the week ending Dec. @ @ @ @ @ early September .
It also revised up last week 's figure by 9,000 claims .
@ @ @ @ @ than most experts predicted .
The bulk of economists had expected about 815,000 new jobless @ @ @ @ @ which lag initial claims by one week , declined to about 5.5 million , the @ @ @ @ @ assessment also noted more than 9 million continuing claims for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits and @ @ @ @ @ Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation .
Without an extension from Congress , both programs will expire @ @ @ @ @ month .
`` [ The new claims ] really highlight the fragility of the labor @ @ @ @ @ the second resurgence of the coronavirus [ is ] leading to further business closures and @ @ @ @ @ economist Lindsey Piegza told CNBC .

Masked pedestrians walk past the famous Charging Bull statue on Wall Street in New York City on December 4. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Close to 900,000 American workers have filed new unemployment claims, the Labor Department said Thursday in its weekly report. The department said 885,000 workers filed new claims for the week ending Dec. 12, the most since early September. It also revised up last week's figure by 9,000 claims. Advertisement
The new figure is more than most experts predicted. The bulk of economists had expected about 815,000 new jobless claims.
Continuing claims, which lag initial claims by one week, declined to about 5.5 million, the department said.
Thursday's assessment also noted more than 9 million continuing claims for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits and 5 million for those under Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation.
Without an extension from Congress, both programs will expire at the end of the month.
"[The new claims] really highlight the fragility of the labor market, particularly now as the second resurgence of the coronavirus [is] leading to further business closures and additional job losses, " economist Lindsey Piegza told CNBC.


upi--2020-12-17--FDA approves genetically modified pigs for food, therapies in U.S.

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- Federal regulators have approved genetically modified pigs for food and medical uses in the United States , marking just the second time they have signed off on a biologically modified animal for a consumer purpose .
The Food and Drug Administration gave approval this week to pigs that have been engineered to cut out `` alpha-gal '' sugar in their cells that can cause severe allergic reactions in humans if eaten .
The sugar is also found in red meat like beef and lamb .
The FDA determined that the domestic line of `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said the absence of alpha-gal sugar in their tissues and organs would lead to lower rejection rates in patients receiving xenotransplants .
It 's the second time the FDA has approved a biologically modified animal for consumption , after Salmon five years ago , but it 's the first time the agency has approved a genetically altered animal for therapeutic use .
`` Today 's first ever approval of an animal biotechnology product for both food and as a potential source for biomedical use represents a tremendous milestone for scientific innovation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement Monday .
`` [ This ] underscores the success of the FDA in modernizing our scientific processes to optimize a risk-based approach that advances cutting-edge innovations in which consumers can have confidence . ''
The FDA said products made from the pigs -- like the blood thinner heparin and tissue or organ transplant materials -- are safe for use in people with alpha-gal syndrome .
The regulatory approval , however , has met with some concern in the scientific community .
Walter Sanchez-Suarez , a veterinary scientist and animal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision brings ethical and practical concerns .
`` Unfortunately , this is another example of how sentient non-humans are systematically exploited in the U.S. , '' said Sanchez-Suarez of the non-profit Mercy for Animals .
The FDA approved genetically modified salmon for consumption in 2015 but blocked the imports until just last year .
The first imported eggs to produce genetically modified salmon for consumption arrived in the United States 19 months ago .
United Therapeutics , a developer of biologically engineered pigs , said it has no plans yet to sell genetically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're looking at the potential for partnering with meat producers , but we have no plans to sell any meat ourselves , '' company spokesman Dewey Steadman said .
`` [ The ] size of the GalSafe herd is limited to one farm and 1,000 head along with one abattoir . ''
Revivicor , a subsidiary of United Therapautics , is a spinoff of PPL Therapeutics -- which famously produced the first mammal clone , Dolly the sheep , in 1996 .

Pixabay The biologically altered pigs have been engineered without a naturally produced sugar in their cells that can cause severe allergic reactions in humans, when eaten. File Photo by by Jai79
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Federal regulators have approved genetically modified pigs for food and medical uses in the United States, marking just the second time they have signed off on a biologically modified animal for a consumer purpose. The Food and Drug Administration gave approval this week to pigs that have been engineered to cut out "alpha-gal" sugar in their cells that can cause severe allergic reactions in humans if eaten. The sugar is also found in red meat like beef and lamb. Advertisement
The FDA determined that the domestic line of "GalSafe" pigs are safe to eat and said the absence of alpha-gal sugar in their tissues and organs would lead to lower rejection rates in patients receiving xenotransplants.
It's the second time the FDA has approved a biologically modified animal for consumption, after Salmon five years ago, but it's the first time the agency has approved a genetically altered animal for therapeutic use.
"Today's first ever approval of an animal biotechnology product for both food and as a potential source for biomedical use represents a tremendous milestone for scientific innovation," FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen M. Hahn said in a statement Monday.
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"[This] underscores the success of the FDA in modernizing our scientific processes to optimize a risk-based approach that advances cutting-edge innovations in which consumers can have confidence."
The FDA said products made from the pigs -- like the blood thinner heparin and tissue or organ transplant materials -- are safe for use in people with alpha-gal syndrome.
The regulatory approval, however, has met with some concern in the scientific community.
Walter Sanchez-Suarez, a veterinary scientist and animal welfare expert, warned that the FDA decision brings ethical and practical concerns.
"Unfortunately, this is another example of how sentient non-humans are systematically exploited in the U.S.," said Sanchez-Suarez of the non-profit Mercy for Animals.
The FDA approved genetically modified salmon for consumption in 2015 but blocked the imports until just last year. The first imported eggs to produce genetically modified salmon for consumption arrived in the United States 19 months ago.
United Therapeutics, a developer of biologically engineered pigs, said it has no plans yet to sell genetically modified pork products directly.
"We're looking at the potential for partnering with meat producers, but we have no plans to sell any meat ourselves," company spokesman Dewey Steadman said. "[The] size of the GalSafe herd is limited to one farm and 1,000 head along with one abattoir."
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Revivicor, a subsidiary of United Therapautics, is a spinoff of PPL Therapeutics -- which famously produced the first mammal clone, Dolly the sheep, in 1996.


upi--2020-12-17--Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of Joint Chiefs, makes surprise trip to Afghanistan

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan on Thursday to meet with President Ashraf Ghani .
Afghan officials said the meeting at the presidential palace in Kabul included Ghani , Milley , Afghan national security adviser Hamdullah Mohib and chief of the Afghan army Mohammad Yasin Zia .
Ghani 's office announced the meeting after it had concluded and Milley 's trip to Afghanistan was not previously announced .
Milley 's surprise visit came at a time of growing violence in Afghanistan between Taliban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preceded the start of talks for a cease-fire agreement -- the first step in moving forward with a U.S.-brokered peace deal to end the Afghan conflict and remove American forces from the Middle Eastern nation .
`` Both sides expressed their concerns over the escalation of violence in Afghanistan and discussed the Afghan peace process and the immediate need for a cease-fire in the country , '' Ghani 's office said .
Peace negotiations arrived at a breakthrough level this month when Taliban and government negotiators made a preliminary agreement to procedural rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two decades of fighting .
Violence , however , has only risen since then .
The Afghan government says at least 25 military personnel have been killed in targeted attacks so far in December .
At least three people were killed in Kabul in attacks this week , authorities said .
The peace talks are scheduled to resume in Qatar on Jan. 5 .

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley is seen during a congressional hearing in Washington, D.C., on July 9. Thursday, he made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan to meet with President Ashraf Ghani. File Photo by Michael Reynolds/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan on Thursday to meet with President Ashraf Ghani. Afghan officials said the meeting at the presidential palace in Kabul included Ghani, Milley, Afghan national security adviser Hamdullah Mohib and chief of the Afghan army Mohammad Yasin Zia. Advertisement
Ghani's office announced the meeting after it had concluded and Milley's trip to Afghanistan was not previously announced.
Milley's surprise visit came at a time of growing violence in Afghanistan between Taliban insurgents and government forces, and it preceded the start of talks for a cease-fire agreement -- the first step in moving forward with a U.S.-brokered peace deal to end the Afghan conflict and remove American forces from the Middle Eastern nation.
"Both sides expressed their concerns over the escalation of violence in Afghanistan and discussed the Afghan peace process and the immediate need for a cease-fire in the country," Ghani's office said.
Peace negotiations arrived at a breakthrough level this month when Taliban and government negotiators made a preliminary agreement to procedural rules, the first written agreement in nearly two decades of fighting. Violence, however, has only risen since then.
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The Afghan government says at least 25 military personnel have been killed in targeted attacks so far in December. At least three people were killed in Kabul in attacks this week, authorities said.
The peace talks are scheduled to resume in Qatar on Jan. 5.


upi--2020-12-17--Demand for meat driving deforestation in Brazil

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- Soy may have a pretty innocuous reputation thanks to its association with vegan food and meat alternatives .
But do n't be fooled -- crops of this pale legume are behind much of Brazil 's epidemic of deforestation .
Since 2000 , Brazil has doubled its total area of soy plantation to 36 million hectares and become the world 's largest producer .
This expansion has erased vast swathes of forest and other habitats in some of the country 's most biodiverse regions .
About 75 % of the soy produced globally is used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proportion of soy imported to Europe goes to chicken and pig farms .
As a result , the future of the rainforest and savannas of Brazil -- not to mention the biodiversity and carbon storage they support -- depend on the contents of dinner tables worldwide .
The connection between meat , soy and deforestation might be invisible to consumers , but that link is well known by those in the business of producing and trading both products .
Together with colleagues , we investigated this supply chain to find out what 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cerrado of Brazil , a tropical savanna where soy agriculture is making inroads .
The savannas of the Cerrado surround the westerly borders of the Amazon rainforest .
Much of the ongoing deforestation and habitat clearing here is legal -- landholders are permitted to deforest up to 80 % of their land for agriculture .
Clearly , solving this problem is n't a matter of weeding out offenders .
When we spoke with a local association of soy producers , they said that regulation compels them to reserve between 20 % and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but that it 's hard to achieve .
Asking them to improve on this without compensation would apparently only elicit complaints and could make landholders more likely to clear habitats from their property while the law still allowed them .
Making demands on Brazilian producers to stop deforesting their land because it troubles European consumers evoked Brazil 's colonial past , some argued , and threatened their rights .
Soy is seen as a path to national development .
Any rules imposed from abroad that threaten this are likely to make matters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cerrado for producing soy without deforestation ?
Well , it 's not clear who should pay for it .
Separating deforestation-free soy from other products would increase the cost for companies sourcing and exporting the soy .
While European retailers sign agreements to end deforestation in their supply chains , implementing them depends on producers and traders cooperating .
Retailers argue that passing the cost onto consumers by increasing the price of products like pork is a dead end , too .
Soy 's role in the meat industry is unfamiliar to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how can consumers be convinced to pay more for a sustainable product they might not understand the benefit of ?
Growing soy on deforested land is a very profitable business for those involved , from land speculators looking for cheaper plots at the forest frontier , to the growers and distributors of soy , to the banks financing it .
The indigenous communities displaced by expanding farmland are the clear losers .
If they fight back , they might be killed .
Such a lucrative business can only be made sustainable if there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Right now , there is n't .
Soy producers are well organized with political clout , and they demand equal partnership in the transition to sustainability , rather than having green rules imposed on them .
Commodities pass between countries and markets in a dense web of exchanges .
Data tools are getting better at separating these to reveal the companies and consumer countries linked to deforestation .
This recently helped France to reject Brazilian soy , a move that increases pressure on Jair Bolsonaro 's government but might mean producers simply supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soy producers comply with national laws , such as preserving habitats on at least 20 % of their property , could help build trust between producers and the people and organizations demanding deforestation-free soy .
This might not sound very ambitious , but even small improvements have been difficult in Brazilian soy agriculture .
The Bolsonaro government has slashed the budget for environmental inspectors and signaled to some producers that it 's reluctant to enforce national laws .
Supporting partnerships between national and state government , and local and international organizations who want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create the necessary trust for enabling bigger changes .
Another option is encouraging farmers to produce on degraded land , rather than seek to convert new forest .
Research shows that the amount of land where forest has been cleared could be used to double current soy production .
But growing crops on degraded land is actually more expensive than starting it on forested land .
This is where international initiatives can help .
The U.N .
Environment Program and other partners have launched the Responsible Commodities Facility to provide low-interest credit lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commit to using degraded pasture and avoid clearing forests and native grassland for agriculture .
Solutions like this require people in Europe to think beyond their needs -- a juicy chicken leg produced without the guilt of deforestation -- to consider the values and priorities of people who work to put that chicken on the table in the first place .
Angela Guerrero is a postdoctoral researcher in environmental governance at Stockholm University .
Malika Virah-Sawmy is a visiting scientist at Humboldt University of Berlin .
This article is republished from The Conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the original article .

The Cerrado features tropical savanna replete with wildlife. Photo by Angela Guerrero/The Conversation
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Soy may have a pretty innocuous reputation thanks to its association with vegan food and meat alternatives. But don't be fooled -- crops of this pale legume are behind much of Brazil's epidemic of deforestation. Since 2000, Brazil has doubled its total area of soy plantation to 36 million hectares and become the world's largest producer. This expansion has erased vast swathes of forest and other habitats in some of the country's most biodiverse regions. Advertisement
About 75% of the soy produced globally is used as animal feed, and a large proportion of soy imported to Europe goes to chicken and pig farms. As a result, the future of the rainforest and savannas of Brazil -- not to mention the biodiversity and carbon storage they support -- depend on the contents of dinner tables worldwide.
Advertisement
The connection between meat, soy and deforestation might be invisible to consumers, but that link is well known by those in the business of producing and trading both products. Together with colleagues, we investigated this supply chain to find out what's preventing businesses from halting habitat destruction in the Cerrado of Brazil, a tropical savanna where soy agriculture is making inroads.
Lucrative industry
The savannas of the Cerrado surround the westerly borders of the Amazon rainforest. Much of the ongoing deforestation and habitat clearing here is legal -- landholders are permitted to deforest up to 80% of their land for agriculture. Clearly, solving this problem isn't a matter of weeding out offenders.
When we spoke with a local association of soy producers, they said that regulation compels them to reserve between 20% and 35% of the Cerrado for nature, but that it's hard to achieve. Asking them to improve on this without compensation would apparently only elicit complaints and could make landholders more likely to clear habitats from their property while the law still allowed them.
Making demands on Brazilian producers to stop deforesting their land because it troubles European consumers evoked Brazil's colonial past, some argued, and threatened their rights. Soy is seen as a path to national development. Any rules imposed from abroad that threaten this are likely to make matters worse.
Advertisement
Why not compensate people in the Cerrado for producing soy without deforestation? Well, it's not clear who should pay for it. Separating deforestation-free soy from other products would increase the cost for companies sourcing and exporting the soy.
While European retailers sign agreements to end deforestation in their supply chains, implementing them depends on producers and traders cooperating. Retailers argue that passing the cost onto consumers by increasing the price of products like pork is a dead end, too. Soy's role in the meat industry is unfamiliar to most people browsing supermarket aisles, so how can consumers be convinced to pay more for a sustainable product they might not understand the benefit of?
Growing soy on deforested land is a very profitable business for those involved, from land speculators looking for cheaper plots at the forest frontier, to the growers and distributors of soy, to the banks financing it. The indigenous communities displaced by expanding farmland are the clear losers. If they fight back, they might be killed.
Such a lucrative business can only be made sustainable if there is a financial case for it. Right now, there isn't. Soy producers are well organized with political clout, and they demand equal partnership in the transition to sustainability, rather than having green rules imposed on them.
Advertisement
Global cooperation
Commodities pass between countries and markets in a dense web of exchanges. Data tools are getting better at separating these to reveal the companies and consumer countries linked to deforestation. This recently helped France to reject Brazilian soy, a move that increases pressure on Jair Bolsonaro's government but might mean producers simply supply other markets with lower standards.
Helping soy producers comply with national laws, such as preserving habitats on at least 20% of their property, could help build trust between producers and the people and organizations demanding deforestation-free soy.
This might not sound very ambitious, but even small improvements have been difficult in Brazilian soy agriculture. The Bolsonaro government has slashed the budget for environmental inspectors and signaled to some producers that it's reluctant to enforce national laws. Supporting partnerships between national and state government, and local and international organizations who want to uphold Brazil's own standard could create the necessary trust for enabling bigger changes.
Another option is encouraging farmers to produce on degraded land, rather than seek to convert new forest. Research shows that the amount of land where forest has been cleared could be used to double current soy production. But growing crops on degraded land is actually more expensive than starting it on forested land.
Advertisement
This is where international initiatives can help. The U.N. Environment Program and other partners have launched the Responsible Commodities Facility to provide low-interest credit lines to Brazilian soy and corn farmers who commit to using degraded pasture and avoid clearing forests and native grassland for agriculture.
Solutions like this require people in Europe to think beyond their needs -- a juicy chicken leg produced without the guilt of deforestation -- to consider the values and priorities of people who work to put that chicken on the table in the first place.
Angela Guerrero is a postdoctoral researcher in environmental governance at Stockholm University. Malika Virah-Sawmy is a visiting scientist at Humboldt University of Berlin.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


upi--2020-12-17--WWE NXT: Kyle O'Reilly wins big, Rhea Ripley faces Toni Storm

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- Kyle O'Reilly and Pete Dunne clashed to determine who will get to face WWE NXT Champion Finn Balor for his title .
O'Reilly of The Undisputed Era and Dunne had a highly-competitive match on Wednesday that featured multiple reversals and submission holds .
O'Reilly was able to counter an X-Plex attempt by Dunne on the ring apron .
He then performed a Suplex that sent Dunne crashing to the ringside floor .
O'Reilly tossed Dunne back into the ring and went to the top rope , where he connected with a knee strike to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to win the hard-fought battle .
Balor will be defending his NXT Championship against O'Reilly on the Jan. 6 edition of WWE NXT , which is titled New Year 's Evil .
Balor and O'Reilly fought before at NXT TakeOver 31 in October .
The first contest left Balor injured with a broken jaw .
Also on WWE NXT , Rhea Ripley faced Toni Storm in the main event of the night .
Ripley scored three consecutive leg drops on Storm , however , Storm was still able to escape from Ripley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raquel Gonzalez then entered the ringside area and tried to help Storm .
Ripley kicked Storm into Gonzalez , which sent her over the ringside guardrail .
Gonzalez quickly recovered and picked up Ripley to send her directly into the ring 's steel post .
Storm took advantage of the situation and blasted Ripley with the Storm Zero to pick up the victory .
Gonzalez smiled and laughed at the outcome while Storm celebrated in the ring .
Former NXT Champion Karrion Kross , who made his return from injury last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he took on Desmond Troy .
Kross dominated the match and made quick work of Troy .
Kross won the match in convincing fashion by delivering the Doomsday Saito before he applied the Kross Jacket submission hold , which caused Troy to tap out .
Kross , who was joined by his partner Scarlett , looked into the camera after the contest and challenged Damien Priest to a match at New Year 's Evil .
Other moments from WWE NXT included NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory of The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tommaso Ciampa defeating Tyler Rust ; Shotzi Blackheart defeating Indi Hartwell via disqualification ; and Candice LeRae attacking Blackheart afterward .

Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Kyle O'Reilly and Pete Dunne clashed to determine who will get to face WWE NXT Champion Finn Balor for his title.
O'Reilly of The Undisputed Era and Dunne had a highly-competitive match on Wednesday that featured multiple reversals and submission holds.
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O'Reilly was able to counter an X-Plex attempt by Dunne on the ring apron. He then performed a Suplex that sent Dunne crashing to the ringside floor.
O'Reilly tossed Dunne back into the ring and went to the top rope, where he connected with a knee strike to the back of Dunne's neck in order to win the hard-fought battle.
Balor will be defending his NXT Championship against O'Reilly on the Jan. 6 edition of WWE NXT, which is titled New Year's Evil. Balor and O'Reilly fought before at NXT TakeOver 31 in October. The first contest left Balor injured with a broken jaw.
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Also on WWE NXT, Rhea Ripley faced Toni Storm in the main event of the night.
Ripley scored three consecutive leg drops on Storm, however, Storm was still able to escape from Ripley's Riptide attack. Ripley's rival Raquel Gonzalez then entered the ringside area and tried to help Storm.
Ripley kicked Storm into Gonzalez, which sent her over the ringside guardrail. Gonzalez quickly recovered and picked up Ripley to send her directly into the ring's steel post.
Storm took advantage of the situation and blasted Ripley with the Storm Zero to pick up the victory. Gonzalez smiled and laughed at the outcome while Storm celebrated in the ring.
Former NXT Champion Karrion Kross, who made his return from injury last week, had his first match since August, when he took on Desmond Troy.
Kross dominated the match and made quick work of Troy. Kross won the match in convincing fashion by delivering the Doomsday Saito before he applied the Kross Jacket submission hold, which caused Troy to tap out.
Kross, who was joined by his partner Scarlett, looked into the camera after the contest and challenged Damien Priest to a match at New Year's Evil.
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Other moments from WWE NXT included NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano and Austin Theory of The Way defeating Leon Ruff and Kushida; Tommaso Ciampa defeating Tyler Rust; Shotzi Blackheart defeating Indi Hartwell via disqualification; and Candice LeRae attacking Blackheart afterward.