upi--2020-12-21--Study: COVID-19 rates low among those who have head, neck cancer surgery

Dec. 21 ( UPI ) -- Three percent of patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer in 26 countries worldwide last spring tested positive for COVID-19 within 30 days of their procedures , a study published Monday by the journal Cancer found .
Roughly the same percentage of members of the surgical teams in these cases also were sickened with the new coronavirus , the data showed .
The findings suggest `` failures '' may have existed in measures intended to limit the spread of the infection in these hospitals , including the use of personal protective equipment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the researchers said .
However , the relatively low rate of infection among patients and staff members adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests interrupting or postponing treatment , particularly in life-threatening illnesses , is not necessary , even during the pandemic , they said .
`` The early consensus was that head and neck surgery was very risky for patients , particularly less fit or elderly patients , or those who required complex procedures or reconstructive surgery , '' study co-author Dr. Richard J. Shaw , said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this regard , showing that there is no additional risk of COVID-19 for these groups , '' said Shaw , a professor at the University of Liverpool Cancer Research Center in England .
Head and neck cancers , such as throat and thyroid cancer , account for about 4 % of all cancer diagnoses in the United States , according to the American Cancer Society .
Many of those diagnosed with these often-severe cancers opted to stop or delay treatment as the pandemic hit the nation last spring , fearing that visits to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposure to COVID-19 , despite advisories against doing so .
For this study , Shaw and his colleagues tracked 1,137 adults with head and neck cancers who underwent surgery for their disease between March and June .
Just over 1 % of the patients in the study died , either from cancer or complications related to the disease -- a normal rate of death for people with these cancers , with or without the pandemic , the researchers said .
Of the patients in the study , 29 , or just under 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 days of undergoing surgery , according to the researchers .
Among those infected , 13 developed severe illness and four died from the virus , the data showed .
In addition , members of the surgical team tested positive for COVID-19 within 30 days of surgery in 40 cases , the researchers said .
Patients were more likely to test positive for COVID-19 when they lived in communities with high levels of virus spread , when they had oral tumors and when they underwent a tracheostomy , a procedure in which surgeons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilitate placing a tube into the windpipe , '' according to the researchers .
Risk for infection among patients with head and neck cancers undergoing treatment can be `` minimized with precautions such as staff testing , infection control measures and vaccination , '' Shaw said .
`` For patients with head and neck cancer , the tumors present a much greater threat to life than the risk of developing COVID-19 , assuming precautions are taken , '' he said .

Rates of COVID-19 infection among patients who undergo surgery for head and neck cancer are relatively low, according to a new study. Photo by Tech Sgt. Scott Johnson/U.S. Air Force
Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Three percent of patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer in 26 countries worldwide last spring tested positive for COVID-19 within 30 days of their procedures, a study published Monday by the journal Cancer found. Roughly the same percentage of members of the surgical teams in these cases also were sickened with the new coronavirus, the data showed. Advertisement
The findings suggest "failures" may have existed in measures intended to limit the spread of the infection in these hospitals, including the use of personal protective equipment, or PPE, by the staff, the researchers said.
However, the relatively low rate of infection among patients and staff members adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests interrupting or postponing treatment, particularly in life-threatening illnesses, is not necessary, even during the pandemic, they said.
"The early consensus was that head and neck surgery was very risky for patients, particularly less fit or elderly patients, or those who required complex procedures or reconstructive surgery," study co-author Dr. Richard J. Shaw, said in a statement.
"Our data are reassuring in this regard, showing that there is no additional risk of COVID-19 for these groups," said Shaw, a professor at the University of Liverpool Cancer Research Center in England.
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Head and neck cancers, such as throat and thyroid cancer, account for about 4% of all cancer diagnoses in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.
Many of those diagnosed with these often-severe cancers opted to stop or delay treatment as the pandemic hit the nation last spring, fearing that visits to medical facilities would increase their risk for exposure to COVID-19, despite advisories against doing so.
For this study, Shaw and his colleagues tracked 1,137 adults with head and neck cancers who underwent surgery for their disease between March and June.
Just over 1% of the patients in the study died, either from cancer or complications related to the disease -- a normal rate of death for people with these cancers, with or without the pandemic, the researchers said.
Of the patients in the study, 29, or just under 3%, were diagnosed with COVID-19 within 30 days of undergoing surgery, according to the researchers. Among those infected, 13 developed severe illness and four died from the virus, the data showed.
In addition, members of the surgical team tested positive for COVID-19 within 30 days of surgery in 40 cases, the researchers said.
Patients were more likely to test positive for COVID-19 when they lived in communities with high levels of virus spread, when they had oral tumors and when they underwent a tracheostomy, a procedure in which surgeons create an opening in the neck to facilitate placing a tube into the windpipe," according to the researchers.
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Risk for infection among patients with head and neck cancers undergoing treatment can be "minimized with precautions such as staff testing, infection control measures and vaccination," Shaw said.
"For patients with head and neck cancer, the tumors present a much greater threat to life than the risk of developing COVID-19, assuming precautions are taken," he said.


upi--2020-12-21--Watch: Kilauea volcano erupts in Hawaii; residents advised to stay indoors

Dec. 21 ( UPI ) -- Authorities asked residents on Hawaii 's Big Island to stay indoors after the Kilauea volcano erupted late on Sunday .
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported an eruption at Kilauea 's Halemaumau Crater Sunday night and Hawaii County Civil Defense authorities issued an emergency message warning residents to stay inside to avoid ash exposure .
Officials said prevailing trade winds would push any embedded ash toward the Kau District in Wood Valley , Pahala , Naalehu and Ocean View .
About three hours after the initial eruption , the National Weather Service reported the eruption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downwind .
The eruption might have been composed primarily of steam , they said .
The event was accompanied by a magnitude-4.4 earthquake located beneath Kīlauea 's south flank , the U.S. Geological Survey 's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said .
The quake was centered about 9 miles south of Fern Forest , near the Holei Pali area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park , at a depth of 4 miles .
Weak to light shaking was reported across the Big Island .
Kīlauea 's south flank has been the site of dozens of earthquakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past 20 years .
During Sunday 's eruption , lava cascaded into a lake at Kilauea 's summit , which was quickly boiled off as a new lava lake was formed , the USGS said .
The tallest lava fountain observed during the eruption was about 160 feet .
All the lava was contained within the Halemaumau Crater .

Lava is seen flowing from the Halemaumau Crater of the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island after an eruption late Sunday. Photo courtesy U.S. Geological Survey
Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Authorities asked residents on Hawaii's Big Island to stay indoors after the Kilauea volcano erupted late on Sunday. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported an eruption at Kilauea's Halemaumau Crater Sunday night and Hawaii County Civil Defense authorities issued an emergency message warning residents to stay inside to avoid ash exposure. Advertisement
Officials said prevailing trade winds would push any embedded ash toward the Kau District in Wood Valley, Pahala, Naalehu and Ocean View.
About three hours after the initial eruption, the National Weather Service reported the eruption was easing and no ashfall was reported downwind.
Video of the eruption from Jaggar Overlook at about 11:30 PM HST. pic.twitter.com/7CgZJMNn1R— USGS Volcanoes (@USGSVolcanoes) December 21, 2020
The eruption might have been composed primarily of steam, they said.
The event was accompanied by a magnitude-4.4 earthquake located beneath Kīlauea's south flank, the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said.
The quake was centered about 9 miles south of Fern Forest, near the Holei Pali area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, at a depth of 4 miles. Weak to light shaking was reported across the Big Island.
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Kīlauea's south flank has been the site of dozens of earthquakes with magnitudes of 4.0 or greater over the past 20 years.
During Sunday's eruption, lava cascaded into a lake at Kilauea's summit, which was quickly boiled off as a new lava lake was formed, the USGS said.
The tallest lava fountain observed during the eruption was about 160 feet. All the lava was contained within the Halemaumau Crater.


upi--2020-12-21--Pediatricians' group issues guidelines on spotting signs of eating disorders

A leading pediatricians ' group says families often spot eating disorders too late -- and offers new guidelines to reach an earlier diagnosis .
`` For too long , eating disorders were considered a disease that afflicted mostly affluent white teenage girls , '' said Dr. Laurie Hornberger , lead author of the report written by the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Adolescence .
`` We know today that girls and boys of all ages , income levels and racial and ethnic groups may be struggling with eating disorders , '' she said in an academy news release .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stigma they may experience and provide an environment for open nonjudgmental conversations . ''
Studies have shown a delay in identifying boys and young men with eating disorders because of misperceptions that they only affect females .
Behaviors that indicate a boy or young man could be experiencing an eating disorder include purging or taking muscle-building supplements , as well as substance abuse and depression .
Their focus may be on leanness , weight control and muscularity .
`` Some adolescents may have dietary habits that disguise eating disorders , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quality -- as opposed to the quantity -- of their food consumption , '' committee chair Dr. Elizabeth Alderman said in the release .
`` Teens may spend excessive amounts of time in meal planning and experience extreme guilt or frustration when their food-related practices are interrupted . ''
A pediatrician can diagnose the eating disorder and refer young patients to outpatient nutrition and mental health professionals , or to a hospital if the patient is medically unstable .
Early response to treatment is associated with a better outcome .
If local resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partnering with health experts farther away for care .
Pediatricians can help families reduce stigma around weight through using sensitive language and being supportive toward kids of all shapes and sizes , said report co-author Dr. Margo Lane .
The report was published online Dec. 21 in the journal Pediatrics .
An earlier report highlighted establishing healthy habits with patients and families rather than focusing on weight and dieting .
Recommendations include more frequent family meals , discouraging `` weight talk '' and `` weight teasing '' in the home , closely monitoring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weight , and promoting a healthy body image .

The mean age of a child with an eating disorder is 12.5 years old, a new report said. Photo by ThorstenF /Pixabay
A leading pediatricians' group says families often spot eating disorders too late -- and offers new guidelines to reach an earlier diagnosis. "For too long, eating disorders were considered a disease that afflicted mostly affluent white teenage girls," said Dr. Laurie Hornberger, lead author of the report written by the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Adolescence. Advertisement
"We know today that girls and boys of all ages, income levels and racial and ethnic groups may be struggling with eating disorders," she said in an academy news release. "Our hope is to help counter the stigma they may experience and provide an environment for open nonjudgmental conversations."
Studies have shown a delay in identifying boys and young men with eating disorders because of misperceptions that they only affect females. Behaviors that indicate a boy or young man could be experiencing an eating disorder include purging or taking muscle-building supplements, as well as substance abuse and depression. Their focus may be on leanness, weight control and muscularity.
"Some adolescents may have dietary habits that disguise eating disorders, such as those who become increasingly restrictive about the quality -- as opposed to the quantity -- of their food consumption," committee chair Dr. Elizabeth Alderman said in the release. "Teens may spend excessive amounts of time in meal planning and experience extreme guilt or frustration when their food-related practices are interrupted."
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A pediatrician can diagnose the eating disorder and refer young patients to outpatient nutrition and mental health professionals, or to a hospital if the patient is medically unstable. Early response to treatment is associated with a better outcome. If local resources aren't available, pediatricians may recommend partnering with health experts farther away for care.
Pediatricians can help families reduce stigma around weight through using sensitive language and being supportive toward kids of all shapes and sizes, said report co-author Dr. Margo Lane.
The mean age of a child with an eating disorder is 12.5 years old, according to the report. It contains the most recent definitions of eating disorders, as well as the estimated prevalence of each type, which include the categories of anorexia nervosa, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa.
The report was published online Dec. 21 in the journal Pediatrics.
An earlier report highlighted establishing healthy habits with patients and families rather than focusing on weight and dieting. Recommendations include more frequent family meals, discouraging "weight talk" and "weight teasing" in the home, closely monitoring weight loss in patients advised to lose weight, and promoting a healthy body image.
The National Eating Disorders Association offers a helpline.
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SOURCE: American Academy of Pediatrics, news release, Dec. 21, 2020
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-12-21--Watch: Kandi Burruss weighs in on Kenya Moore, Marc Daly's relationship

Dec. 21 ( UPI ) -- Kandi Burruss says her Real Housewives of Atlanta co-star Kenya Moore 's relationship with Marc Daly is `` forever changing . ''
The 44-year-old singer and television personality weighed in on Moore 's marriage to Daly during Sunday 's episode of Watch What Happens Live .
Moore and Daly split in September 2019 after more than two years of marriage .
The pair , who have a 2-year-old daughter , Brooklyn Doris , have since sparked reconciliation rumors .
On WWHL , Burruss was asked for her thoughts on Moore and Daly 's impending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's changing on the daily , '' Burruss saidl .
`` One minute she said they 're working it out and then the next minute she 's filing for divorce but then it was filing for just child custody agreement . ''
`` I was getting confused at certain moments so I 'm not really sure what the status is , because it 's forever changing , '' she added .
Moore said on WWHL last week that she and Daly have n't moved forward with divorce proceedings and that Daly is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I have not filed for divorce .
He did file and withdrew it less than 24 hours later .
So we 've kind of gotten past that , '' Moore said .
`` He wants to go to counseling , he 's made appointments .
He 's asking to publicly apologize to me and a lot of things that I never thought I 'd see the day , '' she added .
Moore previously said on WWHL that she and Daly were getting along well .
`` We 're actually getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got married , '' she said .
`` It 's just been no arguments , no real fights or disagreements , and he 's been really sweet and caring , thoughtful .
It 's like , wow .
This is the man I married . ''
On Sunday 's WWHL , Burruss also weighed in on Drew Sidora 's relationship with Ralph Pittman .
She said the couple `` definitely need '' marriage counseling .

Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Kandi Burruss says her Real Housewives of Atlanta co-star Kenya Moore's relationship with Marc Daly is "forever changing."
The 44-year-old singer and television personality weighed in on Moore's marriage to Daly during Sunday's episode of Watch What Happens Live.
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Moore and Daly split in September 2019 after more than two years of marriage. The pair, who have a 2-year-old daughter, Brooklyn Doris, have since sparked reconciliation rumors.
On WWHL, Burruss was asked for her thoughts on Moore and Daly's impending divorce.
"It does seem like it's changing on the daily," Burruss saidl. "One minute she said they're working it out and then the next minute she's filing for divorce but then it was filing for just child custody agreement."
"I was getting confused at certain moments so I'm not really sure what the status is, because it's forever changing," she added.
Moore said on WWHL last week that she and Daly haven't moved forward with divorce proceedings and that Daly is "really fighting" for their marriage.
"I have not filed for divorce. He did file and withdrew it less than 24 hours later. So we've kind of gotten past that," Moore said.
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"He wants to go to counseling, he's made appointments. He's asking to publicly apologize to me and a lot of things that I never thought I'd see the day," she added.
Moore previously said on WWHL that she and Daly were getting along well.
"We're actually getting along better than probably shortly after we got married," she said. "It's just been no arguments, no real fights or disagreements, and he's been really sweet and caring, thoughtful. It's like, wow. This is the man I married."
On Sunday's WWHL, Burruss also weighed in on Drew Sidora's relationship with Ralph Pittman. She said the couple "definitely need" marriage counseling.


upi--2020-12-21--Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire expected to miss remainder of season with ankle injury

Dec. 21 ( UPI ) -- Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season due to an ankle injury he sustained in the team 's win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday .
Sources told NFL Network and ESPN on Sunday that Edwards-Helaire is believed to have suffered a high-ankle sprain , in addition to a hip injury .
He is expected to miss the team 's Week 16 and Week 17 games , but has a chance to return for the playoffs .
Edwards-Helaire was injured when he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fourth quarter on Sunday 's game in New Orleans .
Trainers helped him get to the locker room , as he could not put any weight on his left leg .
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Edwards-Helaire 's X-Rays after the game returned negative results for broken bones .
Edwards-Helaire -- a first-round pick in the April 's NFL Draft -- had 83 yards from scrimmage and a score on 15 touches in Sunday 's win .
Backup running back Le'Veon Bell had 16 touches for 76 yards from scrimmage and a score @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yards and four scores on 181 carries in 13 games this season .
The LSU product also has 36 catches for 297 yards and a receiving score .
The Chiefs ( 13-1 ) next host the Atlanta Falcons at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium .

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire sustained ankle and hip injuries on Sunday and is expected to miss the last two games of the 2020 regular season. File Photo by Steve Nesius/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season due to an ankle injury he sustained in the team's win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Sources told NFL Network and ESPN on Sunday that Edwards-Helaire is believed to have suffered a high-ankle sprain, in addition to a hip injury. He is expected to miss the team's Week 16 and Week 17 games, but has a chance to return for the playoffs. Advertisement
Edwards-Helaire was injured when he was bent backward during a tackle in the fourth quarter on Sunday's game in New Orleans. Trainers helped him get to the locker room, as he could not put any weight on his left leg.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Edwards-Helaire's X-Rays after the game returned negative results for broken bones.
Edwards-Helaire -- a first-round pick in the April's NFL Draft -- had 83 yards from scrimmage and a score on 15 touches in Sunday's win. Backup running back Le'Veon Bell had 16 touches for 76 yards from scrimmage and a score for the Chiefs.
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Edwards-Helaire has 803 yards and four scores on 181 carries in 13 games this season. The LSU product also has 36 catches for 297 yards and a receiving score.
The Chiefs (13-1) next host the Atlanta Falcons at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-21--Spielberg gets on Kentucky Derby course

Spielberg gets on Kentucky Derby course

Dec. 21 ( UPI ) -- Spielberg , the $ 1 million colt , finally got the job done in the Los Alamitos Futurity in the highlight of weekend racing , boosting his hopes and trainer Bob Baffert 's for the 2021 Kentucky Derby .
Maxfield remained undefeated with a promising comeback win in New Orleans .
Sleepy Eyes Todd won the Mr. Prospector at Gulfstream Park and is headed for the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational .
On the international front , Grenadier Guards , a son of Frankel and Breeders ' Cup winner Wavell Avenue , won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hanshin Racecourse in Japan .
In Argentina , Cool Day earned the first of many `` Win and You 're In '' slots for the 2021 Breeders ' Cup World Championships at Del Mar .
In Hong Kong , Christophe Soumillon finally got back to work .
And interest continues to grow for the new race sponsored by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia for countries not in the IFHA 's Part One category .
The weekend also was notable as the first time a `` Road to the Kentucky Derby '' race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Lasix .
Here 's how it played out : The Road to the Roses Spielberg , a Union Rags colt who sold for $ 1 million at the 2019 Keeneland September yearling sale , had n't exactly been a flop before Saturday 's $ 200,000 Grade II Los Alamitos Futurity .
But with only one previous win on his record , a bunch of seconds and thirds and a fading fourth in his last race , his purchase price was coming into question .
With a change in riders to Flavien Prat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then strike .
As 33-1 long shot The Great One showed the way , Pratt kept Spielberg well off the pace .
Kicked into gear in the stretch , he got the job done just in time , winning by a head bob .
The Great One held second easily with Petruchio third and the odds-on favorite , Red Flag , another 5 lengths back in third .
Spielberg finished the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42.56 .
It was not a show of dominance but , hey , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He [ The Great One ] was tough to get by , '' said trainer Bob Baffert , who won the Futurity for the seventh straight time .
`` We needed every bit of that stretch and we were fortunate to get there .
...
I asked Prat [ after the race ] if there 's more there and he said there 's a lot more .
I think he 'll get better with maturity .
He 's a beautiful horse .
`` I 'm just happy for everybody in the ownership group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can start thinking [ Kentucky ] Derby .
It starts here for us . ''
Speilberg earned 10 points on the Churchill Downs `` Road to the Kentucky Derby '' leaderboard , where he now stands fourth .
Missing out on 10 points during the weekend was a Mineshaft colt named Senior Buscador , who ran the out-of-towners off their shoes in Friday 's $ 200,000 Remington Springboard Mile in Oklahoma .
Senor Buscador , who started his training at Zia Park in New Mexico before moving to Remington , was making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fincher .
With Luis Quinonez up , Senor Buscador started last of 10 , circled the field to gain the lead and then kicked away in the stretch to win by 5 3/4 lengths .
Cowan , last seen at finishing second in the Breeders ' Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland , was second and Red N Wild , another local with Sophie Doyle taking the reins , finished third .
Only one of the top four finishers -- Cowan , getting 4 -- was awarded `` Road to the Kentucky Derby '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lasix -- a no-no for the 2020-21 series .
Senor Buscador won at first asking at 5 1/2 furlongs Nov. 6 with the same last-to-first tactics .
As he stretches out , note that his sire , a son of A.P .
Indy , won at distances up to 1 1/4 miles .
On Saturday at Fair Grounds , Quick Tempo blasted off from the inside gate in the $ 75,000 Sugar Bowl Stakes , set a quick enough tempo and won easily , by 1 3/4 lengths .
Gagetown and Twilight Blue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finished 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.12 for jockey Adam Beschizza .
The Tapizar colt , trained by Chris Davis , picked up his third win from five starts but has yet to try two turns .
The Road to the Oaks Oliviaofthedesert just did get by the embattled leaders , Tiz Splendid News and Simply Sovereign , to win Friday night 's $ 60,000 Trapeze Stakes at Remington Park by a head .
The placing judges could find nothing to separate the other two and declared it a dead heat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 lengths and more back .
Oliviaofthedesert , a Bernardini filly campaigned by Kenny McPeek , ran 1 mile on a fast track in 1:39.39 with David Cabrera aboard .
Oliviaofthedesert was making her first start outside Kentucky .
She won a Churchill Downs allowance event in her previous start but was a well-beaten fifth in the Grade I Alcibiades at Keeneland in October .
At Fair Grounds in New Orleans , Joy 's Rocket scored her fourth win from six starts , taking Saturday 's $ 75,000 Letellier Memorial by 1 1/2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Princess was second , 1/2 length better than Charlie 's Penny .
Joy 's Rocket , a Florida-bred daughter of Anthony 's Cross , ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.17 with Ricardo Santana Jr. in the irons .
Despite her positive strike record , the Steve Asmussen trainee 's sole defeat was a telling one -- fourth , beaten 14 3/4 lengths when going 1 mile for the first and only time in the Grade I Frizette at Belmont Park .
With the host of retirements in the wake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Classic , any sign of new life in this division is more than welcome .
Enter Maxfield .
Or , rather , re-enter .
The 3-year-old Godolphin homebred , a son of Street Sense out of the Bernardini mare Velvety , pressed the pace made by Cool Bobby in Saturday 's $ 75,000 Tenacious Stakes at Fair Grounds , took over the lead when asked by jockey Florent Geroux and went on to win without further fuss by 2 1/2 lengths , finishing 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.35 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ without much top-shelf competition normally would n't be much to write home about .
But this was different .
For one thing , Maxfield remains undefeated after four starts -- a record that includes last fall 's Grade I Breeders ' Futurity at Keeneland and the Grade III Matt Winn at Churchill Downs on May 23 .
He was on the road to the Kentucky Derby as a live chance before he suffered an injury preparing for the Blue Grass at Keeneland .
For another , this was the first race in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a huge disadvantage at the start .
In each of his first three outings he spotted the competition substantial leads .
Now , if trainer Brendan Walsh can keep him together for a 2021 campaign , he might have something .
`` He was a little fresh tonight , so maybe he was a little more aggressive than normal , '' Walsh said .
`` I do n't think he 's a deep closer by any means .
He 's a stronger horse this year and I think we can ride him more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Walsh said .
`` We will see how he comes out of the race , talk it over with the team at Godolphin and figure out the best plan going forward . ''
Sleepy Eyes Todd , Firenze Fire and Mind Control , all refugees from Breeders ' Cup day Nov. 7 at Keeneland , were the first three past the judge in Saturday 's $ 100,000 Grade III Mr. Prospector .
Sleepy Eyes Todd , winner of the Grade III Lafayette Stakes at Keeneland , stalked the pace and won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who finished third in the Breeders ' Cup Sprint .
He was 2 3/4 lengths better than Mind Control , who finished ninth in the Lafayette .
Haikal , making his first start since Feb. 29 , was bumped at the start , lagged well behind and improved position , finishing sixth .
He also could be a significant new player in the division .
Sleepy Eyes Todd , a 4-year-old Paddy O'Prado colt out of the Wild Rush mare Pledge Mom , got 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:21.67 with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leads logically to the $ 3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational , a Grade 1 event Jan. 23 .
`` This is the plan , '' said winning trainer Miguel Silva of the Pegasus .
And then the Pegasus is a `` Win and You 're In '' for the $ 20 million Saudi Cup in Riyadh the following month .
`` This is the best horse we 've ever had , '' Silva said .
`` We 've always been high on him .
We wanted to take him to the Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we had to stop with him .
He 's always been a nice horse .
We 've always believed in him . ''
Sleepy Eyes Todd 's dam sire , Wild Rush , won the 1997 Illinois Derby at Sportsman 's Park and famously dead-heated with Silver Charm for the win in the 1998 Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park .
In Saturday 's $ 100,000 Via Borghese for fillies and mares , Always Shopping stalked the pace , gained the lead at the quarter pole and ran on to win by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but was set down to third for interfering with Cap de Creus at the eighth pole .
The latter was awarded second place .
Always Shopping , a 4-year-old Awesome Again filly , ran 1 3/16 miles over firm turf in 1:54.34 with Irad Ortiz Jr. up .
Always Shopping , trained by Todd Pletcher , was last seen finishing second in the Rood & Riddle Dowager at Keeneland Oct. 18 .
`` She seems to like the course here , '' Pletcher said .
`` There 's a great program of stakes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her going in those . ''
Archidust rallied through the final sixteenth in Saturday 's $ 75,000 Richard L. Scherer Stakes and was up to win by 1 length over Just Might .
Hollis was third and the favorite , Fast Boat , rowed home fifth .
Archidust , a 4-year-old Verrazano colt , ran 5 1/2 furlongs on firm turf in 1:02.71 for jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. , notching his eighth win from 17 starts .
Logical Myth stalked the pace in Saturday 's $ 75,000 Buddy Diliberto Memorial , launched a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long Fair Grounds stretch and prevailed by a head .
Cross Border was second , a neck in front of Argentello .
Logical Myth , a 4-year-old gelding by Data Link , ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:41.58 with Adam Beschizza in the irons .
Dalika went for the lead shortly after the start in Saturday 's $ 75,000 Blushing K.D .
Stakes for fillies and mares and was n't caught , extending her advantage to win by 2 1/4 lengths .
Curlin 's Journey was second , 3/4 length @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Message .
Dalika , a German-bred , 4-year-old filly by Pastorius , ran 1 1/16 miles on the green course in 1:42.68 with Miguel Mena up .
Backsideofthemoon showed his backside to five rivals right out of the gate in Saturday 's $ 100,000 Queen 's County Stakes and kept right on going , winning by 6 lengths .
The favorite , Musical Heart , was second and it was another 12 1/4 lengths to Empty Tomb in third .
Backsideofthemoon , a 7-year-old gelding by Malibu Moon , ran 1 1/8 miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jose Lezcano had the mount for trainer Rudy Rodriguez .
He was fourth in last year 's Queen 's County .
Jeweled Princess fought off several rivals in the stretch run of the $ 75,000 She 's All In Stakes for fillies and mares and won by a head over the last of them , Istan Council .
Kim V was third .
Jeweled Princess , a 3-year-old daughter of Cairo Prince , finished 1 mile and 70 yards on a fast track in 1:42.85 with David Cabrera riding .
Five of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they were the first five finishers .
Hunka Burning Love led from the first jumps in the $ 60,000 Jeffrey A. Hawke Memorial and drew off late to win by 2 3/4 lengths with Ramon Vazquez riding .
Summer Revolution found some late speed to gain second , 2 lengths in front of Fast Breakin Cash .
Hunka Burning Love , a 6-year-old Into Mischief gelding , ran 1 mile and 70 yards in 1:42.49 .
Do n't Tell Noobody took back to last in the $ 70,000 Jim Thorpe Stakes for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late move to win by 3/4 length .
Great Faces was second , 4 lengths in front of Mesa Mood .
Do n't Tell Noboody , a Cyber Secret gelding , finished 1 mile in 1:39.50 for jockey Sophie Doyle .
Dipping In took the $ 70,000 Useeit Stakes for state-bred 3-year-old fillies by 1 length , also coming from well back .
The early leader , Polly Tiz , held on for second at odds of 25-1 with the odds-on favorite , She 's All Wolfe , tiring late to finish third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In , a Lea filly , got 1 mile in 1:40.69 with Cabrera up .
Play Chicken surged to the lead in the stretch run in Sunday 's $ 100,000 King Glorious Stakes for California-bred 2-year-olds at Los Alamitos and then was all out to hold the advantage , winning by a neck over the appropriately named Moving Fast .
Club Cal was 1/2 length farther back in third and the favorite , Mr .
Bold , checked in fourth .
Play Chicken , a Square Eddie colt trained by Doug O'Neill , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1:38.10 with Mario Gutierrez up .
Big Truck rolled down the middle of the track to get past pacesetting First Song and win Saturday 's $ 75,000 Joshua Radosevich Memorial for Ohio-bred 2-year-olds by 2 1/2 lengths .
First Song was second , 1 length to the good of Weekend Buzz .
Big Truck , a Birdrun gelding , ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:13.65 with Sonny Leon aboard .
Grizabella got through between rivals nearing the furlong marker in Saturday 's $ 75,000 Bobbie Bricker Memorial for state-bred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done thereafter , winning by 1 length over Mobil Lady .
The favorite , Edge of Night , was third .
Grizabella , a 6-year-old Lunarpal mare , ran 1 mile on a fast track in 1:42.99 with Luis Rivera up .
Around the world , around the clock : Grenadier Guards , a Frankel colt out of a Breeders ' Cup winner , powered to victory in course-record time over the two favorites in Sunday 's Grade 1 Asahi Hai Futurity at Hanshin Racecourse .
Grenadier Guards raced comfortably out of trouble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lead in the 1,600-meters event .
Grenadier Guards ' rider , Yuga Kawada , urged the colt to the front just inside the 200-meter mark , quickly built a good lead and held off Stella Veloce and Red Belle Aube , winning by 3/4 length .
`` My concern was to keep him happy and in good rhythm because the colt has a difficult temper and can run off like he did in his second career outing , '' Kawada said .
`` So you have to be careful to keep him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he can bring out his best and I am looking forward for another good season for him next year . ''
Grenadier Guards is the third son of Frankel to win the Futurity , following Soul Stirring and Mozu Ascot .
He is the first foal from Wavell Avenue , a Canadian-bred mare who won the TwinSpires Breeders ' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Keeneland in 2015 and finished second a year later at Santa Anita in the same event .
The 2018 Futurity winner , Admire Mars , went on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cup and the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Mile the following year .
Next weekend 's Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse , at 2,000 meters , will feature youngsters more likely to target next year 's longer Classics .
Cool Day hit the front in the closing yards to win Saturday 's Group 1 Gran Premio Internacional Carlos Pellegrini at Hipodromo de San Isidro in Buenos Aires , earning an automatic berth in the Longines Breeders ' Cup Turf next November at Del Mar .
The Gran Premio Internacional Carlos Pellegrini @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was the first Breeders ' Cup Challenge Series race of the 2021 season .
Making just his fourth start , Cool Day , ridden by Eduardo Ortega Pavon and trained by Alfredo Gaitan Dassie , slipped through an inside opening in the late going and completed the 1 1/2 miles in 2:27.78 .
Pinball Wizard and Village King finished second and third , respectively .
Cool Day won his second race of the year .
He broke his maiden in his second start at 9 furlongs Oct. 20 at San Isidro , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grade 1 Jockey Club at 1 1/4 miles over the same course , finishing second by 1 1/2 lengths .
The COVID-19 pandemic cost Christophe Soumillon the chance to ride in both the Breeders ' Cup and the Longines Hong Kong International Races .
Finally back in the irons , Soumillion started making up for lost time with a riding double .
`` I came here with a smile on my face , '' said Soumillon , who won the first race on Sunday 's program , scored again in the eighth and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 races .
`` You ca n't see with this mask on but I 'm really happy to be back . ''
He is n't going to challenge for the jockey premiership , which Joao Moreira leads comfortably with Zac Purton his only conceivable competition .
But , he said , he 's happy to be back in the mix .
`` The thing is when you come here , you can show people that you are motivated and you can still do what you do best .
It 's good to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy . ''
Spanish trainer Alvaro Soto is hoping to bring Oriental , Spain 's 2019 Horse of the Year , to contest the new $ 500,000 Saudi International Handicap on Saudi Cup weekend .
The 2,100-meter race is open to horses trained in countries not listed as Part One jurisdictions by the Federation of Horseracing Authorities and is designed to give those nations a chance at international glory while expanding the reach of the Saudi racing program .
In 2019 , Oriental won two of Spain 's biggest 1,600-meters races in 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gran Premio de la Hispanidad -- and one of Morocco 's top prizes , the 2,400-meters Grand Prix de la Sorec .
Soto , who is based in Madrid , said he has solved some breathing issues that hampered the horse 's 2020 campaign but hopes to give the 6-year-old one prep run Dec. 30 .
`` We would love it if we were invited to Saudi Arabia for the International Handicap , '' the trainer said .
`` This is the type of opportunity I 'm looking for .
It is very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be at The Saudi Cup meeting and everyone will be watching .
It 's very important to go to these type of races to meet people . ''

1/2
Sleepy Eyes Todd wins Saturday's Mr. Prospector at Gulfstream Park and aims now for the Pegasus World Cup. Photo by Ryan Thompson, courtesy of Gulfstream Park
Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Spielberg, the $1 million colt, finally got the job done in the Los Alamitos Futurity in the highlight of weekend racing, boosting his hopes and trainer Bob Baffert's for the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Maxfield remained undefeated with a promising comeback win in New Orleans. Sleepy Eyes Todd won the Mr. Prospector at Gulfstream Park and is headed for the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational. Advertisement
On the international front, Grenadier Guards, a son of Frankel and Breeders' Cup winner Wavell Avenue, won the Grade 1 Asahi Hai Futurity at Hanshin Racecourse in Japan. In Argentina, Cool Day earned the first of many "Win and You're In" slots for the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar.
In Hong Kong, Christophe Soumillon finally got back to work. And interest continues to grow for the new race sponsored by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia for countries not in the IFHA's Part One category.
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The weekend also was notable as the first time a "Road to the Kentucky Derby" race winner was denied points because he ran on Lasix.
Here's how it played out:
The Road to the Roses
Spielberg, a Union Rags colt who sold for $1 million at the 2019 Keeneland September yearling sale, hadn't exactly been a flop before Saturday's $200,000 Grade II Los Alamitos Futurity.
But with only one previous win on his record, a bunch of seconds and thirds and a fading fourth in his last race, his purchase price was coming into question.
With a change in riders to Flavien Prat, Spielberg demonstrated new ability to wait, then strike. As 33-1 long shot The Great One showed the way, Pratt kept Spielberg well off the pace. Kicked into gear in the stretch, he got the job done just in time, winning by a head bob.
The Great One held second easily with Petruchio third and the odds-on favorite, Red Flag, another 5 lengths back in third. Spielberg finished the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:42.56.
It was not a show of dominance but, hey, a win's a win.
"He [The Great One] was tough to get by," said trainer Bob Baffert, who won the Futurity for the seventh straight time. "We needed every bit of that stretch and we were fortunate to get there. ... I asked Prat [after the race] if there's more there and he said there's a lot more. I think he'll get better with maturity. He's a beautiful horse.
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"I'm just happy for everybody in the ownership group," Baffert added. "Now we can start thinking [Kentucky] Derby. It starts here for us."
Speilberg earned 10 points on the Churchill Downs "Road to the Kentucky Derby" leaderboard, where he now stands fourth.
Missing out on 10 points during the weekend was a Mineshaft colt named Senior Buscador, who ran the out-of-towners off their shoes in Friday's $200,000 Remington Springboard Mile in Oklahoma.
Senor Buscador, who started his training at Zia Park in New Mexico before moving to Remington, was making just his second start for trainer Todd Fincher.
With Luis Quinonez up, Senor Buscador started last of 10, circled the field to gain the lead and then kicked away in the stretch to win by 5 3/4 lengths.
Cowan, last seen at finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland, was second and Red N Wild, another local with Sophie Doyle taking the reins, finished third.
Only one of the top four finishers -- Cowan, getting 4 -- was awarded "Road to the Kentucky Derby" points because the other three ran with Lasix -- a no-no for the 2020-21 series.
Senor Buscador won at first asking at 5 1/2 furlongs Nov. 6 with the same last-to-first tactics. As he stretches out, note that his sire, a son of A.P. Indy, won at distances up to 1 1/4 miles.
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On Saturday at Fair Grounds, Quick Tempo blasted off from the inside gate in the $75,000 Sugar Bowl Stakes, set a quick enough tempo and won easily, by 1 3/4 lengths.
Gagetown and Twilight Blue finished second and third as the winner finished 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.12 for jockey Adam Beschizza. The Tapizar colt, trained by Chris Davis, picked up his third win from five starts but has yet to try two turns.
The Road to the Oaks
Oliviaofthedesert just did get by the embattled leaders, Tiz Splendid News and Simply Sovereign, to win Friday night's $60,000 Trapeze Stakes at Remington Park by a head.
The placing judges could find nothing to separate the other two and declared it a dead heat. The rest of the field was 7 lengths and more back.
Oliviaofthedesert, a Bernardini filly campaigned by Kenny McPeek, ran 1 mile on a fast track in 1:39.39 with David Cabrera aboard.
Oliviaofthedesert was making her first start outside Kentucky. She won a Churchill Downs allowance event in her previous start but was a well-beaten fifth in the Grade I Alcibiades at Keeneland in October.
At Fair Grounds in New Orleans, Joy's Rocket scored her fourth win from six starts, taking Saturday's $75,000 Letellier Memorial by 1 1/2 lengths as the odds-on favorite.
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Maria's Princess was second, 1/2 length better than Charlie's Penny. Joy's Rocket, a Florida-bred daughter of Anthony's Cross, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.17 with Ricardo Santana Jr. in the irons.
Despite her positive strike record, the Steve Asmussen trainee's sole defeat was a telling one -- fourth, beaten 14 3/4 lengths when going 1 mile for the first and only time in the Grade I Frizette at Belmont Park.
Classic
With the host of retirements in the wake of this year's Breeders' Cup Classic, any sign of new life in this division is more than welcome. Enter Maxfield. Or, rather, re-enter.
The 3-year-old Godolphin homebred, a son of Street Sense out of the Bernardini mare
Velvety, pressed the pace made by Cool Bobby in Saturday's $75,000 Tenacious Stakes at Fair Grounds, took over the lead when asked by jockey Florent Geroux and went on to win without further fuss by 2 1/2 lengths, finishing 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:43.35.
Winning a $75,000, ungraded stakes without much top-shelf competition normally wouldn't be much to write home about. But this was different.
For one thing, Maxfield remains undefeated after four starts -- a record that includes last fall's Grade I Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland and the Grade III Matt Winn at Churchill Downs on May 23.
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He was on the road to the Kentucky Derby as a live chance before he suffered an injury preparing for the Blue Grass at Keeneland.
For another, this was the first race in which the colt didn't put himself at a huge disadvantage at the start. In each of his first three outings he spotted the competition substantial leads.
Now, if trainer Brendan Walsh can keep him together for a 2021 campaign, he might have something.
"He was a little fresh tonight, so maybe he was a little more aggressive than normal," Walsh said. "I don't think he's a deep closer by any means. He's a stronger horse this year and I think we can ride him more prominently.
"All options are open," Walsh said. "We will see how he comes out of the race, talk it over with the team at Godolphin and figure out the best plan going forward."
In other action:
Gulfstream Park
Sleepy Eyes Todd, Firenze Fire and Mind Control, all refugees from Breeders' Cup day Nov. 7 at Keeneland, were the first three past the judge in Saturday's $100,000 Grade III Mr. Prospector.
Sleepy Eyes Todd, winner of the Grade III Lafayette Stakes at Keeneland, stalked the pace and won by 1/2 length over Firenze Fire, who finished third in the Breeders' Cup Sprint. He was 2 3/4 lengths better than Mind Control, who finished ninth in the Lafayette.
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Haikal, making his first start since Feb. 29, was bumped at the start, lagged well behind and improved position, finishing sixth. He also could be a significant new player in the division.
Sleepy Eyes Todd, a 4-year-old Paddy O'Prado colt out of the Wild Rush mare Pledge Mom, got 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:21.67 with Tyler Gaffalione up.
The Mr. Prospector leads logically to the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational, a Grade 1 event Jan. 23.
"This is the plan," said winning trainer Miguel Silva of the Pegasus.
And then the Pegasus is a "Win and You're In" for the $20 million Saudi Cup in Riyadh the following month.
"This is the best horse we've ever had," Silva said. "We've always been high on him. We wanted to take him to the Kentucky Derby but he had a little issue and we had to stop with him. He's always been a nice horse. We've always believed in him."
Sleepy Eyes Todd's dam sire, Wild Rush, won the 1997 Illinois Derby at Sportsman's Park and famously dead-heated with Silver Charm for the win in the 1998 Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park.
In Saturday's $100,000 Via Borghese for fillies and mares, Always Shopping stalked the pace, gained the lead at the quarter pole and ran on to win by 3 lengths.
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Great Island finished second but was set down to third for interfering with Cap de Creus at the eighth pole. The latter was awarded second place. Always Shopping, a 4-year-old Awesome Again filly, ran 1 3/16 miles over firm turf in 1:54.34 with Irad Ortiz Jr. up.
Always Shopping, trained by Todd Pletcher, was last seen finishing second in the Rood & Riddle Dowager at Keeneland Oct. 18. "She seems to like the course here," Pletcher said. "There's a great program of stakes here so we'll look to keep her going in those."
Fair Grounds
Archidust rallied through the final sixteenth in Saturday's $75,000 Richard L. Scherer Stakes and was up to win by 1 length over Just Might.
Hollis was third and the favorite, Fast Boat, rowed home fifth. Archidust, a 4-year-old Verrazano colt, ran 5 1/2 furlongs on firm turf in 1:02.71 for jockey Ricardo Santana Jr., notching his eighth win from 17 starts.
Logical Myth stalked the pace in Saturday's $75,000 Buddy Diliberto Memorial, launched a bid for the lead midway down the long Fair Grounds stretch and prevailed by a head.
Cross Border was second, a neck in front of Argentello. Logical Myth, a 4-year-old gelding by Data Link, ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:41.58 with Adam Beschizza in the irons.
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Dalika went for the lead shortly after the start in Saturday's $75,000 Blushing K.D. Stakes for fillies and mares and wasn't caught, extending her advantage to win by 2 1/4 lengths. Curlin's Journey was second, 3/4 length in front of the favorite, Secret Message. Dalika, a German-bred, 4-year-old filly by Pastorius, ran 1 1/16 miles on the green course in 1:42.68 with Miguel Mena up.
Aqueduct
Backsideofthemoon showed his backside to five rivals right out of the gate in Saturday's $100,000 Queen's County Stakes and kept right on going, winning by 6 lengths. The favorite, Musical Heart, was second and it was another 12 1/4 lengths to Empty Tomb in third.
Backsideofthemoon, a 7-year-old gelding by Malibu Moon, ran 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:52.94. Jose Lezcano had the mount for trainer Rudy Rodriguez. He was fourth in last year's Queen's County.
Remington Park
On Friday night's Springboard Mile program:
Jeweled Princess fought off several rivals in the stretch run of the $75,000 She's All In Stakes for fillies and mares and won by a head over the last of them, Istan Council. Kim V was third.
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Jeweled Princess, a 3-year-old daughter of Cairo Prince, finished 1 mile and 70 yards on a fast track in 1:42.85 with David Cabrera riding. Five of the six starters last raced at Churchill Downs and they were the first five finishers.
Hunka Burning Love led from the first jumps in the $60,000 Jeffrey A. Hawke Memorial and drew off late to win by 2 3/4 lengths with Ramon Vazquez riding.
Summer Revolution found some late speed to gain second, 2 lengths in front of Fast Breakin Cash. Hunka Burning Love, a 6-year-old Into Mischief gelding, ran 1 mile and 70 yards in 1:42.49.
Don't Tell Noobody took back to last in the $70,000 Jim Thorpe Stakes for Oklahoma-bred 3-year-olds, then came with a late move to win by 3/4 length.
Great Faces was second, 4 lengths in front of Mesa Mood. Don't Tell Noboody, a Cyber Secret gelding, finished 1 mile in 1:39.50 for jockey Sophie Doyle.
Dipping In took the $70,000 Useeit Stakes for state-bred 3-year-old fillies by 1 length, also coming from well back.
The early leader, Polly Tiz, held on for second at odds of 25-1 with the odds-on favorite, She's All Wolfe, tiring late to finish third after enjoying a brief lead. Dipping In, a Lea filly, got 1 mile in 1:40.69 with Cabrera up.
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Los Alamitos
Play Chicken surged to the lead in the stretch run in Sunday's $100,000 King Glorious Stakes for California-bred 2-year-olds at Los Alamitos and then was all out to hold the advantage, winning by a neck over the appropriately named Moving Fast.
Club Cal was 1/2 length farther back in third and the favorite, Mr. Bold, checked in fourth. Play Chicken, a Square Eddie colt trained by Doug O'Neill, ran 1 mile on a fast track in 1:38.10 with Mario Gutierrez up.
Mahoning Valley
Big Truck rolled down the middle of the track to get past pacesetting First Song and win Saturday's $75,000 Joshua Radosevich Memorial for Ohio-bred 2-year-olds by 2 1/2 lengths.
First Song was second, 1 length to the good of Weekend Buzz. Big Truck, a Birdrun gelding, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:13.65 with Sonny Leon aboard.
Grizabella got through between rivals nearing the furlong marker in Saturday's $75,000 Bobbie Bricker Memorial for state-bred fillies and mares and got the job done thereafter, winning by 1 length over Mobil Lady.
The favorite, Edge of Night, was third. Grizabella, a 6-year-old Lunarpal mare, ran 1 mile on a fast track in 1:42.99 with Luis Rivera up.
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Around the world, around the clock:
Japan
Grenadier Guards, a Frankel colt out of a Breeders' Cup winner, powered to victory in course-record time over the two favorites in Sunday's Grade 1 Asahi Hai Futurity at Hanshin Racecourse.
Grenadier Guards raced comfortably out of trouble as Mondreise and jockey Christophe Lemaire took the lead in the 1,600-meters event. Grenadier Guards' rider, Yuga Kawada, urged the colt to the front just inside the 200-meter mark, quickly built a good lead and held off Stella Veloce and Red Belle Aube, winning by 3/4 length.
"My concern was to keep him happy and in good rhythm because the colt has a difficult temper and can run off like he did in his second career outing," Kawada said.
"So you have to be careful to keep him controlled. But he has great potential if he can bring out his best and I am looking forward for another good season for him next year."
Grenadier Guards is the third son of Frankel to win the Futurity, following Soul Stirring and Mozu Ascot. He is the first foal from Wavell Avenue, a Canadian-bred mare who won the TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Keeneland in 2015 and finished second a year later at Santa Anita in the same event.
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The 2018 Futurity winner, Admire Mars, went on to win the Grade 1 NHK Mile Cup and the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Mile the following year.
Next weekend's Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse, at 2,000 meters, will feature youngsters more likely to target next year's longer Classics.
Argentina
Cool Day hit the front in the closing yards to win Saturday's Group 1 Gran Premio Internacional Carlos Pellegrini at Hipodromo de San Isidro in Buenos Aires, earning an automatic berth in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf next November at Del Mar.
The Gran Premio Internacional Carlos Pellegrini, South America's most prestigious race, was the first Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race of the 2021 season.
Making just his fourth start, Cool Day, ridden by Eduardo Ortega Pavon and trained by Alfredo Gaitan Dassie, slipped through an inside opening in the late going and completed the 1 1/2 miles in 2:27.78. Pinball Wizard and Village King finished second and third, respectively.
Cool Day won his second race of the year. He broke his maiden in his second start at 9 furlongs Oct. 20 at San Isidro, and came back Oct. 31 in the Grade 1 Jockey Club at 1 1/4 miles over the same course, finishing second by 1 1/2 lengths.
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Hong Kong
The COVID-19 pandemic cost Christophe Soumillon the chance to ride in both the Breeders' Cup and the Longines Hong Kong International Races. Finally back in the irons, Soumillion started making up for lost time with a riding double.
"I came here with a smile on my face," said Soumillon, who won the first race on Sunday's program, scored again in the eighth and earned purse money in nine of the 10 races. "You can't see with this mask on but I'm really happy to be back."
He isn't going to challenge for the jockey premiership, which Joao Moreira leads comfortably with Zac Purton his only conceivable competition. But, he said, he's happy to be back in the mix.
"The thing is when you come here, you can show people that you are motivated and you can still do what you do best. It's good to get a nice start. I'm very happy."
The Saudi Cup races
Spanish trainer Alvaro Soto is hoping to bring Oriental, Spain's 2019 Horse of the Year, to contest the new $500,000 Saudi International Handicap on Saudi Cup weekend.
The 2,100-meter race is open to horses trained in countries not listed as Part One jurisdictions by the Federation of Horseracing Authorities and is designed to give those nations a chance at international glory while expanding the reach of the Saudi racing program.
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In 2019, Oriental won two of Spain's biggest 1,600-meters races in 2019 -- the Gran Premio Gobierno Vasco and Gran Premio de la Hispanidad -- and one of Morocco's top prizes, the 2,400-meters Grand Prix de la Sorec.
Soto, who is based in Madrid, said he has solved some breathing issues that hampered the horse's 2020 campaign but hopes to give the 6-year-old one prep run Dec. 30.
"We would love it if we were invited to Saudi Arabia for the International Handicap," the trainer said. "This is the type of opportunity I'm looking for. It is very important for my career.
"Everyone will be at The Saudi Cup meeting and everyone will be watching. It's very important to go to these type of races to meet people."


upi--2020-12-21--Lockheed Martin to buy rocket engine maker Aerojet for $4.4B

Dec. 21 ( UPI ) -- Lockheed Martin says it will buy rocket engine and missile maker Aerojet Rocketdyne for $ 4.4 billion .
Aerojet builds the RS-25 engines that will be used in NASA 's Space Launch System rocket , which is designed to return astronauts to the moon , possibly as soon as 2024 .
Lockheed Martin makes the Orion spaceship for the SLS and Aerojet also manufactures propulsion systems used in a number of Lockheed Martin 's defense systems .
`` Acquiring Aerojet Rocketdyne will preserve and strengthen an essential component of the domestic defense industrial base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American taxpayer , '' Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet said in a statement Sunday .
Aerojet earned about $ 2 billion in 2019 and employs almost 5,000 workers .
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of next year and must be approved by Aerojet stockholders .
`` Joining Lockheed Martin is a testament to the world-class organization and team we 've built and represents a natural next phase of our evolution , '' Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO Eileen Drake said in a statement .
`` We will bring our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and resources to accelerate our shared purpose : enabling the defense of our nation and space exploration . ''

Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin says it will buy rocket engine and missile maker Aerojet Rocketdyne for $4.4 billion.
Aerojet builds the RS-25 engines that will be used in NASA's Space Launch System rocket, which is designed to return astronauts to the moon, possibly as soon as 2024.
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Lockheed Martin makes the Orion spaceship for the SLS and Aerojet also manufactures propulsion systems used in a number of Lockheed Martin's defense systems.
"Acquiring Aerojet Rocketdyne will preserve and strengthen an essential component of the domestic defense industrial base and reduce costs for our customers and the American taxpayer," Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet said in a statement Sunday.
Aerojet earned about $2 billion in 2019 and employs almost 5,000 workers.
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of next year and must be approved by Aerojet stockholders.
"Joining Lockheed Martin is a testament to the world-class organization and team we've built and represents a natural next phase of our evolution," Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO Eileen Drake said in a statement.
"We will bring our advanced technologies together with their substantial expertise and resources to accelerate our shared purpose: enabling the defense of our nation and space exploration."


upi--2020-12-21--Look: Ariana Grande engaged to boyfriend Dalton Gomez

Dec. 21 ( UPI ) -- Ariana Grande is engaged to be married .
The 27-year-old singer announced her engagement to her boyfriend , real estate agent Dalton Gomez , Sunday on Instagram .
Grande shared the news alongside a slideshow of photos , including pictures of her cuddling up to Gomez and showing off her diamond and pearl engagement ring .
`` forever n then some , '' she captioned the post .
Fellow singer Demi Lovato , television personality Kim Kardashian and model Hailey Baldwin were among those to congratulate Grande in the comments .
`` this ring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love ypu , '' Lovato wrote .
`` YAYYYYYY !
!
!
!
so happy for you guys !
! ''
Baldwin said .
Grande and Gomez have been dating since January , according to People .
The couple made their first appearance together in Grande 's `` Stuck with U '' music video with Justin Bieber .
`` They could n't be happier , they 're just so excited , '' a source said of Grande and Gomez .
`` This is a happy time for them , both sets of parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love for Gomez on Instagram while celebrating his birthday in August .
`` hbd to my baby my best friend my fav part of all the days : ) i love you , '' she wrote .
Grande was previously engaged to actor and comedian Pete Davidson , from whom she split in October 2018 .
Grande released her sixth studio album , Positions , in October .
Her Netflix concert film , Excuse Me , I Love You , will premiere on the streaming service Dec. 21 .

Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Ariana Grande is engaged to be married.
The 27-year-old singer announced her engagement to her boyfriend, real estate agent Dalton Gomez, Sunday on Instagram.
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Grande shared the news alongside a slideshow of photos, including pictures of her cuddling up to Gomez and showing off her diamond and pearl engagement ring.
"forever n then some," she captioned the post.
Fellow singer Demi Lovato, television personality Kim Kardashian and model Hailey Baldwin were among those to congratulate Grande in the comments.
"this ring is everything!!!! I love ypu," Lovato wrote.
"Soooo happy for u guys!!! Love you!!!" Kardashian added.
"YAYYYYYY!!!! so happy for you guys!!" Baldwin said.
Grande and Gomez have been dating since January, according to People. The couple made their first appearance together in Grande's "Stuck with U" music video with Justin Bieber.
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"They couldn't be happier, they're just so excited," a source said of Grande and Gomez. "This is a happy time for them, both sets of parents are thrilled."
Grande voiced her love for Gomez on Instagram while celebrating his birthday in August.
"hbd to my baby my best friend my fav part of all the days :) i love you," she wrote.
Grande was previously engaged to actor and comedian Pete Davidson, from whom she split in October 2018.
Grande released her sixth studio album, Positions, in October. Her Netflix concert film, Excuse Me, I Love You, will premiere on the streaming service Dec. 21.


upi--2020-12-21--Congress to vote on $900B COVID-19 bill, including stimulus payments

Dec. 21 ( UPI ) -- Congress is expected to vote Monday on a $ 900 billion coronavirus relief bill and a government funding measure in a deal reached over the weekend .
The House will vote on the agreement once the final language of the legislation is released .
That will be followed quickly by a vote in the Senate .
If the measure passes , it will go to President Donald Trump , who has said he will sign it .
The package contains direct stimulus payments for individuals of $ 600 to $ 700 .
It also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300 per week , $ 330 billion for small business loans , more than $ 80 billion for schools and several billion dollars to cover the costs of distributing COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna .
`` While this bill is far from perfect -- nor is it the bill that we would pass if Democrats had a majority in the Senate -- it is a strong shot in the arm to help American families weather the storm , '' Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Sunday .
`` And this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an emergency .
We need a second bill to continue dealing with the emergency and to start stimulating our economy so we get back to where we were . ''
`` President Trump has pushed hard for months to send Americans badly needed financial relief , '' White House spokesman Ben Williamson said Sunday .
`` We look forward to Congress sending a bill to his desk imminently for signature . ''
The deal also expands eligibility under the Paycheck Protection Program for nonprofits and local newspapers , television and radio broadcasters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to assist independent restaurants .
Also included is $ 15 billion for live performance venues , independent movie theaters and cultural institutions .
Democrats announced they had secured $ 25 billion in rental assistance for families and an extension of the eviction moratorium , as well as $ 13 billion in increased food stamp and child nutrition benefits `` to help relieve the historic hunger crisis that has left up to 17 million children food insecure . ''
The bill does not include a couple of major items sought by each party -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Democrats and a liability shield to protect businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits sought by Republicans .
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell announced Sunday that lawmakers had come to an agreement on a new COVID-19 aid package and an accompanying $ 1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill to avoid a federal shutdown .
The spending bill would fund the federal government until October .
Congress had adopted a two-day short-term funding extension on Friday to prevent a shutdown .
A one-day spending measure was then reached to cover Monday and avoid a shutdown that would @ @ @ @ @ @

Congress will vote Monday on a $900 billion coronavirus aid package and a spending measure to keep the government operating. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Congress on Monday approved a $900 billion coronavirus relief bill and a government funding measure in a deal reached over the weekend. The House voted to approve the two long-awaited bills on Monday evening, followed by the Senate near midnight. Advertisement
It will now go to President Donald Trump, who has said he will sign it.
The package contains direct stimulus payments for individuals of $600 to $700. It also includes enhanced federal unemployment benefits of $300 per week, $330 billion for small business loans, more than $80 billion for schools and several billion dollars to cover the costs of distributing COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC Monday the first stimulus payments should be sent out next week.
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"This is a very, very fast way of getting money into the economy," he said. "Let me emphasize: People are going to see this money at the beginning of next week."
"People go out and spend this money, and that helps small business and that helps getting more people back to work."
"While this bill is far from perfect -- nor is it the bill that we would pass if Democrats had a majority in the Senate -- it is a strong shot in the arm to help American families weather the storm," Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Sunday.
"And this is just the first step; this is an emergency. We need a second bill to continue dealing with the emergency and to start stimulating our economy so we get back to where we were."
"President Trump has pushed hard for months to send Americans badly needed financial relief," White House spokesman Ben Williamson said Sunday. "We look forward to Congress sending a bill to his desk imminently for signature."
The deal also expands eligibility under the Paycheck Protection Program for nonprofits and local newspapers, television and radio broadcasters, as well as "key modifications" to assist independent restaurants.
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Also included is $15 billion for live performance venues, independent movie theaters and cultural institutions.
Democrats announced they had secured $25 billion in rental assistance for families and an extension of the eviction moratorium, as well as $13 billion in increased food stamp and child nutrition benefits "to help relieve the historic hunger crisis that has left up to 17 million children food insecure."
The bill does not include a couple of major items sought by each party -- aid for state and local governments requested by Democrats and a liability shield to protect businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits sought by Republicans.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell announced Sunday that lawmakers had come to an agreement on a new COVID-19 aid package and an accompanying $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill to avoid a federal shutdown. The spending bill would fund the federal government until October.
Congress had adopted a two-day short-term funding extension on Friday to prevent a shutdown. A one-day spending measure was then reached to cover Monday and avoid a shutdown that would have begun at midnight Sunday.


upi--2020-12-21--Listen: Ed Sheeran releases new song 'Afterglow'

Dec. 21 ( UPI ) -- Ed Sheeran released on Monday a new song , titled Afterglow , along with a video of the singer performing the track .
Sheeran said on Instagram that `` Afterglow '' is not a new single for an upcoming album .
`` Hey guys .
'Afterglow ' is a song I wrote last year that I wanted to release for you .
It 's not the first single from the next album , it 's just a song I love , and hope you love too .
Enjoy ! ''
Sheeran said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and New Year 's .
Back to dad land for me now , ciao , '' he continued , in reference to how his wife Cherry Seaborn gave birth to the couple 's first a child , a baby girl named Lyra Antartica Seaborn Sheeran , in September .
Sheeran teased on Instagram Sunday that he would be delivering a Christmas present .
He released on YouTube an `` Afterglow '' performance video .
`` We were love drunk , waiting on a miracle/ Trying to find ourselves in the winter snow/ So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disappeared/ Oh , I wo n't be silent and I wo n't let go/ I will hold on tighter 'til the afterglow/ And we 'll burn so bright 'til the darkness softly clears , '' Sheeran sings .
`` Afterglow '' can be streamed on Spotify , Apple Music , Amazon Music , Soundcloud , Napster , Tidal and Deezer .
Sheeran last released the album No .
6 Collaborations Project in July 2019 .
He announced in December 2019 that he would be taking a break from recording in 2020 .

Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Ed Sheeran released on Monday a new song, titled Afterglow, along with a video of the singer performing the track.
Sheeran said on Instagram that "Afterglow" is not a new single for an upcoming album.
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"Hey guys. 'Afterglow' is a song I wrote last year that I wanted to release for you. It's not the first single from the next album, it's just a song I love, and hope you love too. Enjoy!" Sheeran said.
"Have a safe and happy festive break and New Year's. Back to dad land for me now, ciao," he continued, in reference to how his wife Cherry Seaborn gave birth to the couple's first a child, a baby girl named Lyra Antartica Seaborn Sheeran, in September.
Sheeran teased on Instagram Sunday that he would be delivering a Christmas present. He released on YouTube an "Afterglow" performance video.
Advertisement
"We were love drunk, waiting on a miracle/ Trying to find ourselves in the winter snow/ So alone in love like the world had disappeared/ Oh, I won't be silent and I won't let go/ I will hold on tighter 'til the afterglow/ And we'll burn so bright 'til the darkness softly clears," Sheeran sings.
"Afterglow" can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Soundcloud, Napster, Tidal and Deezer.
Sheeran last released the album No. 6 Collaborations Project in July 2019. He announced in December 2019 that he would be taking a break from recording in 2020.


upi--2020-12-21--In photos: Scenes from the holiday season

A Nativity scene depicts Black Lives Matter protesters behind the Holy Family at the Claremont United Methodist Church in Claremont @ @ @ @ @ 19 .
`` We could n't think of any other issue that we wanted to @ @ @ @ @ the Bethlehem star than the need to address racism , '' said the Rev .
@ @ @ @ @ church 's senior minister .
Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI

Parishioners sit in folding chairs with candles, listening to prayers outside of the St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Ladue, Mo., on December 24. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI


upi--2020-12-21--North Korea moves to rebuild Mount Kumgang without South’s input

Dec. 21 ( UPI ) -- North Korea could be moving ahead with unilateral plans for the Mount Kumgang resort more than a year after Kim Jong Un ordered the demolition of `` unpleasant-looking '' facilities at the site .
South Korea 's unification ministry said Monday Seoul hopes to `` resolve the issue '' through a meeting with the North .
Pyongyang 's Workers Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported Sunday the statement on Mount Kumgang came from North Korean Premier Kim Tok Hun , after he conducted field guidance at the resort .
Kim ordered workers to `` build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Korean ] style , that blends our people 's characteristics with modern motifs , '' according to state media .
`` Make [ Mount Kumgang ] a cultural retreat that would be the envy of the world , '' the North Korean politician said , according to the paper .
The senior official also said he discussed with his subordinates plans to build `` a world-class hotel , golf course and ski resort . ''
State media did not mention the South 's facilities at the site .
The statement from Pyongyang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An official with South Korea 's unification ministry said in a written statement to local reporters the government looks forward to discussing Mount Kumgang with Pyongyang , despite past rejection of talks .
`` We hope we can meet and discuss the matter at an appropriate time , after taking into account the COVID-19 situation , in light of the need to resolve the current issues in the Mount Kumgang region and to develop the area as an international tourist destination , '' the South Korean ministry said , according to Tongil News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper Donga Ilbo the Mount Kumgang resort may be included in leader Kim Jong Un 's five-year plant for economic development .
The leadership could be under pressure to show results , they said .
Cheong Seong-chang , a fellow at the Wilson Center in Washington , said it is likely North Korea is developing the resort to attract Chinese tourists after the pandemic and bring in foreign currency .
South Korea 's Hyundai Asan developed Mount Kumgang during a period of engagement that began under President Kim Dae-jung .
The Mount Kumgang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before it was closed after a fatal shooting in 2008 .

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's order to demolish South Korean buildings at Mount Kumgang could be being carried out in the North, according to state media Sunday. File Photo by KCNA/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 21 (UPI) -- North Korea could be moving ahead with unilateral plans for the Mount Kumgang resort more than a year after Kim Jong Un ordered the demolition of "unpleasant-looking" facilities at the site. South Korea's unification ministry said Monday Seoul hopes to "resolve the issue" through a meeting with the North. Advertisement
Pyongyang's Workers Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported Sunday the statement on Mount Kumgang came from North Korean Premier Kim Tok Hun, after he conducted field guidance at the resort.
Kim ordered workers to "build the Mount Kumgang district in our [North Korean] style, that blends our people's characteristics with modern motifs," according to state media.
"Make [Mount Kumgang] a cultural retreat that would be the envy of the world," the North Korean politician said, according to the paper.
The senior official also said he discussed with his subordinates plans to build "a world-class hotel, golf course and ski resort." State media did not mention the South's facilities at the site.
The statement from Pyongyang may have taken Seoul by surprise.
An official with South Korea's unification ministry said in a written statement to local reporters the government looks forward to discussing Mount Kumgang with Pyongyang, despite past rejection of talks.
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"We hope we can meet and discuss the matter at an appropriate time, after taking into account the COVID-19 situation, in light of the need to resolve the current issues in the Mount Kumgang region and to develop the area as an international tourist destination," the South Korean ministry said, according to Tongil News Monday.
South Korean analysts told local paper Donga Ilbo the Mount Kumgang resort may be included in leader Kim Jong Un's five-year plant for economic development. The leadership could be under pressure to show results, they said.
Cheong Seong-chang, a fellow at the Wilson Center in Washington, said it is likely North Korea is developing the resort to attract Chinese tourists after the pandemic and bring in foreign currency.
South Korea's Hyundai Asan developed Mount Kumgang during a period of engagement that began under President Kim Dae-jung. The Mount Kumgang project was a symbol of inter-Korean cooperation before it was closed after a fatal shooting in 2008.


upi--2020-12-21--In photos: Moments from the National Football League for the week of Dec. 20, 2020

This week in the National Football League Here ’ s a look at moments from the National Football League for @ @ @

Seattle Seahawks' David Moore (L) catches a ball out of bounds against Washington Football Team's Ronald Darby at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., on Sunday. The Seahawks won 20-15. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI


upi--2020-12-21--As planet warms, delay between tree leaf unfolding, flowering grows wider

Dec. 21 ( UPI ) -- Regardless of whether a tree puts out flowers or unfolds its leaves first , new research suggests the time delay between the two phenological events has increased as global temperatures have risen .
Previous studies have found trees are putting out flowers and unfurling their leaves earlier as a result of global warming , but the latest research -- published Monday in the Journal of Ecology -- is the first to look at the time gap between the two The unfolding of a tree 's leaves mark the beginning of the year 's growth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the reproduction cycle .
Between 1950 and 2013 , the delay between these two annual events increased anywhere from 0.6 to 1.3 days per decade .
`` The unequal advances of leaf unfolding and flowering may alter trees ' partitioning of resources between growth and reproduction and could leave flowers or leaves vulnerable to late spring frost damage if they appear too early , '' Jian-Guo Huang , the corresponding author of the study and a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences , said in a news release .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and further affect ecosystem structure and function . ''
Scientists worry shifts in the timing of the two phenomena could put both leaves and flowers at risk of frost damage , as well as disrupt interactions with pollinators .
For the study , scientists utilized data from the Pan European Phenology network , which features data on the timing of leaf unfolding and flowering for a variety of tree species across Europe .
Researchers analyzed the timing of the two events for four species : horse chestnut , Scots pine , alder and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out leaves first , alder and ash trees , which rely on the wind for pollination , open their flowers before putting out leaves , which could disrupt the breeze .
For Scots pine trees , the separation of needles counts as the unfolding of leaves .
The data showed that for all four species , the two vital events are becoming increasingly disconnected .
Researchers found the separation is widening more rapidly among trees in warmer areas of Europe .
`` The timing of phenological events is very sensitive to environmental factors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperate plants , '' said lead study author Qianqian Ma , researcher with the Chinese Academy of Sciences .
`` The changes in phenology we observed in our study may affect both growth and reproductive development in tree species and ultimately affect the ecosystem , nutrient cycles and carbon storage . ''
In followup studies , researchers hope to expand their analysis to including a wider variety of tree species , across Europe and elsewhere .
`` Further studies that simultaneously monitor the timing of phenological events and the allocation of resources within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequences of altered phenology under climate warming , '' Jian-Guo Huang said .

Ash trees put out flowers before leaves. Photo by Pikist /CC
Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Regardless of whether a tree puts out flowers or unfolds its leaves first, new research suggests the time delay between the two phenological events has increased as global temperatures have risen. Previous studies have found trees are putting out flowers and unfurling their leaves earlier as a result of global warming, but the latest research -- published Monday in the Journal of Ecology -- is the first to look at the time gap between the two Advertisement
The unfolding of a tree's leaves mark the beginning of the year's growth cycles, while flowers signals the start of the reproduction cycle.
Between 1950 and 2013, the delay between these two annual events increased anywhere from 0.6 to 1.3 days per decade.
"The unequal advances of leaf unfolding and flowering may alter trees' partitioning of resources between growth and reproduction and could leave flowers or leaves vulnerable to late spring frost damage if they appear too early," Jian-Guo Huang, the corresponding author of the study and a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said in a news release. "This could have impacts on tree species health and further affect ecosystem structure and function."
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Scientists worry shifts in the timing of the two phenomena could put both leaves and flowers at risk of frost damage, as well as disrupt interactions with pollinators.
For the study, scientists utilized data from the Pan European Phenology network, which features data on the timing of leaf unfolding and flowering for a variety of tree species across Europe.
Researchers analyzed the timing of the two events for four species: horse chestnut, Scots pine, alder and ash trees. While most trees put out leaves first, alder and ash trees, which rely on the wind for pollination, open their flowers before putting out leaves, which could disrupt the breeze. For Scots pine trees, the separation of needles counts as the unfolding of leaves.
The data showed that for all four species, the two vital events are becoming increasingly disconnected. Researchers found the separation is widening more rapidly among trees in warmer areas of Europe.
"The timing of phenological events is very sensitive to environmental factors, with temperature being particularly important in temperate plants," said lead study author Qianqian Ma, researcher with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. "The changes in phenology we observed in our study may affect both growth and reproductive development in tree species and ultimately affect the ecosystem, nutrient cycles and carbon storage."
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In followup studies, researchers hope to expand their analysis to including a wider variety of tree species, across Europe and elsewhere.
"Further studies that simultaneously monitor the timing of phenological events and the allocation of resources within plants are needed to better evaluate the consequences of altered phenology under climate warming," Jian-Guo Huang said.


upi--2020-12-21--EU's policy on Iran is a history of failure

Dec. 21 ( UPI ) -- The trial in Belgium of an Iranian diplomat for attempting to bomb a mass rally of Iranian opposition supporters at Villepinte near Paris in 2018 has provided the clearest sign yet that decades of appeasement by the European Union has done nothing to tame this terrorist regime .
Assadollah Assadi is a senior agent of the Iranian regime 's sinister Ministry of Intelligence and Security .
He was using the cover of being a diplomat in the Iranian Embassy in Vienna to enable him to plan a terrorist bomb attack that would have caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of men , women and children .
Evidence from the Belgian prosecutor showed how Assadi had brought the professionally assembled 550-gm TATP bomb on a commercial flight to Vienna from Tehran in his diplomatic bag and passed it , together with an envelope containing €22,000 ( about $ 27,000 ) , to two co-conspirators .
Assadi instructed them how to prime and detonate the device .
A third co-conspirator was posted at the Villepinte rally as a lookout .
All four now face long terms of imprisonment .
On instructions from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court , ludicrously claiming diplomatic immunity .
He even threatened the Belgian police , warning that if he was found guilty there were armed groups in the Middle East who would retaliate .
There is no doubt Assadi 's terrorist plot was ordered from the highest echelons of the regime , including the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Javad Zarif .
The EU should be holding them to account .
So far , there has been muted criticism of this outrage from the European External Action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Indeed , Europe 's top diplomat , the high representative for foreign affairs and security Josep Borrell , has typically said nothing .
Not a word .
We should n't be surprised .
The first country that Borrell visited within days of taking office in December 2019 was Iran , where he met Rouhani and Zarif .
Borrell pledged to `` preserve '' the deeply flawed nuclear deal , which U.S. President Donald Trump had unilaterally withdrawn America from , promising that Iran would `` benefit economically from sanctions lifting . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not a mention of the rampant human rights abuse and escalating number of executions taking place inside the repressive regime .
Not a mention of their policy of aggressive expansionism in Syria , Yemen , Iraq and Lebanon .
Not a mention of the massacre of over 30,000 political prisoners in 1988 , now the subject of a U.N. special inquiry .
Not a mention of the 1,500 unarmed protesters who had been gunned down just weeks before by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps , the regime 's Gestapo , in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every town and city in Iran .
The promise of an end to sanctions , so that EU businesses could reopen trade with the regime , was the message conveyed by Borrell .
His signal to the mullahs was clear ; for the EU , trade matters , while human rights do n't .
Now , even as an Iranian diplomat awaits his sentence for terrorism , Borrell announced that the EU had agreed to finance a three-day online business forum with Iran , at which both he and Zarif would make keynote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which had been due to start on Dec. 13 , was postponed at the last minute after the regime hanged yet another former European resident on the preceding weekend .
Borrell 's willingness to participate in such an event demonstrated clearly his wretched appeasement of this pariah regime .
The business forum must now be canceled .
Borrell may be a new singer , but this is an old song .
From 1999 to 2009 , Javier Solana , another Spanish socialist , was occupying the EU 's top diplomatic role .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2002 , the National Council of Resistance of Iran , the main democratic opposition movement to the mullahs , led by Maryam Rajavi , had revealed the existence of the Iranian regime 's top-secret nuclear program .
Western intelligence agencies were caught by surprise and governments around the world were stunned .
Solana was sent to Tehran to negotiate with the mullahs , offering them a package of incentives in exchange for a reduction in their uranium enrichment program .
But when the mullahs heard that Rajavi had been invited to address a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatened to boycott talks with Solana .
He frantically telephoned prime ministers and presidents around the EU urging them to stop her visit .
Learning that she could be blamed for undermining Solana 's negotiations , Rajavi voluntarily withdrew from her proposed meeting , but warned that the mullahs were bluffing and that they could n't be trusted .
She was right .
The theocratic regime thumbed its nose at the West 's compromise offers , forcing Solana , in a speech to the European Parliament , to concede that , `` there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ignore us . ''
But once again the rewards of appeasement were manifest .
While the people of Iran and the Middle East suffered from the mullahs ' oppressive dictatorship , European businesses thrived with renewed Iranian contracts .
Germany was even involved in the building of massive water and tunnel infrastructure projects connected to the mullahs ' nuclear project , while Italy supplied specialist military equipment necessary for the development of its long-range Shahab Missile launchers .
Solana 's disastrous term in office was followed by two further equally ignominious high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , nominated by the British Labor Prime Minister Tony Blair , held the post from 2009 to 2014 .
She was succeeded by the Italian socialist Federica Mogherini , who wore the headscarf when visiting Tehran and posed for selfies with the mullahs .
Both reinforced the EU 's failed policy of appeasement .
In doing so , they sent a catastrophically wrong signal to Tehran .
By offering concession after concession , the West played into the mullahs ' hands , emboldening the clerics to continue their path of defiance and terror @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tip of a massive terrorist iceberg .
Tehran has used its embassies as terror cells and bomb factories for decades , perpetrating bomb attacks , murders and kidnappings around the world .
Now that one of their agents has been caught red-handed , this must surely be a signal to the West that appeasement has failed ?
President-elect Joe Biden and his nominee for secretary of state , Tony Blinken , should think again about reopening diplomatic relations with this pariah regime .
Its days are numbered .
Its embassies should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States , EU and UN must begin a new policy of backing the oppressed Iranian people and not their tyrannical rulers .
Struan Stevenson is the coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change .
He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland ( 1999-2014 ) , president of the Parliament 's Delegation for Relations with Iraq ( 2009-14 ) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup ( 2004-14 ) .
He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and is also president of the European Iraqi @ @ @

Former EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (L) speaks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the presidential palace in Tehran in 2014. File Photo courtesy of the President of Iran | License Photo
Dec. 21 (UPI) -- The trial in Belgium of an Iranian diplomat for attempting to bomb a mass rally of Iranian opposition supporters at Villepinte near Paris in 2018 has provided the clearest sign yet that decades of appeasement by the European Union has done nothing to tame this terrorist regime. Assadollah Assadi is a senior agent of the Iranian regime's sinister Ministry of Intelligence and Security. He was using the cover of being a diplomat in the Iranian Embassy in Vienna to enable him to plan a terrorist bomb attack that would have caused carnage on European soil, potentially killing hundreds of men, women and children. Advertisement
Evidence from the Belgian prosecutor showed how Assadi had brought the professionally assembled 550-gm TATP bomb on a commercial flight to Vienna from Tehran in his diplomatic bag and passed it, together with an envelope containing €22,000 (about $27,000), to two co-conspirators. Assadi instructed them how to prime and detonate the device. A third co-conspirator was posted at the Villepinte rally as a lookout.
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All four now face long terms of imprisonment. On instructions from the regime, Assadi refused to appear in court, ludicrously claiming diplomatic immunity. He even threatened the Belgian police, warning that if he was found guilty there were armed groups in the Middle East who would retaliate.
There is no doubt Assadi's terrorist plot was ordered from the highest echelons of the regime, including the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. The EU should be holding them to account. So far, there has been muted criticism of this outrage from the European External Action Service, which handles EU foreign affairs.
Indeed, Europe's top diplomat, the high representative for foreign affairs and security Josep Borrell, has typically said nothing. Not a word. We shouldn't be surprised. The first country that Borrell visited within days of taking office in December 2019 was Iran, where he met Rouhani and Zarif. Borrell pledged to "preserve" the deeply flawed nuclear deal, which U.S. President Donald Trump had unilaterally withdrawn America from, promising that Iran would "benefit economically from sanctions lifting."
It was the same old EU refrain. Not a mention of the rampant human rights abuse and escalating number of executions taking place inside the repressive regime. Not a mention of their policy of aggressive expansionism in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon. Not a mention of the massacre of over 30,000 political prisoners in 1988, now the subject of a U.N. special inquiry. Not a mention of the 1,500 unarmed protesters who had been gunned down just weeks before by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the regime's Gestapo, in the nationwide uprising, which had erupted in every town and city in Iran.
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The promise of an end to sanctions, so that EU businesses could reopen trade with the regime, was the message conveyed by Borrell. His signal to the mullahs was clear; for the EU, trade matters, while human rights don't.
Now, even as an Iranian diplomat awaits his sentence for terrorism, Borrell announced that the EU had agreed to finance a three-day online business forum with Iran, at which both he and Zarif would make keynote speeches. In fact, the conference, which had been due to start on Dec. 13, was postponed at the last minute after the regime hanged yet another former European resident on the preceding weekend. Borrell's willingness to participate in such an event demonstrated clearly his wretched appeasement of this pariah regime. The business forum must now be canceled.
Borrell may be a new singer, but this is an old song. From 1999 to 2009, Javier Solana, another Spanish socialist, was occupying the EU's top diplomatic role. At a press conference in Washington in 2002, the National Council of Resistance of Iran, the main democratic opposition movement to the mullahs, led by Maryam Rajavi, had revealed the existence of the Iranian regime's top-secret nuclear program. Western intelligence agencies were caught by surprise and governments around the world were stunned.
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Solana was sent to Tehran to negotiate with the mullahs, offering them a package of incentives in exchange for a reduction in their uranium enrichment program. But when the mullahs heard that Rajavi had been invited to address a meeting in the European Parliament, they threatened to boycott talks with Solana. He frantically telephoned prime ministers and presidents around the EU urging them to stop her visit. Learning that she could be blamed for undermining Solana's negotiations, Rajavi voluntarily withdrew from her proposed meeting, but warned that the mullahs were bluffing and that they couldn't be trusted. She was right.
The theocratic regime thumbed its nose at the West's compromise offers, forcing Solana, in a speech to the European Parliament, to concede that, "there has been no progress. Iran continues to ignore us." But once again the rewards of appeasement were manifest. While the people of Iran and the Middle East suffered from the mullahs' oppressive dictatorship, European businesses thrived with renewed Iranian contracts. Germany was even involved in the building of massive water and tunnel infrastructure projects connected to the mullahs' nuclear project, while Italy supplied specialist military equipment necessary for the development of its long-range Shahab Missile launchers.
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Solana's disastrous term in office was followed by two further equally ignominious high representatives. The useless Baroness Catherine Ashton, nominated by the British Labor Prime Minister Tony Blair, held the post from 2009 to 2014. She was succeeded by the Italian socialist Federica Mogherini, who wore the headscarf when visiting Tehran and posed for selfies with the mullahs. Both reinforced the EU's failed policy of appeasement. In doing so, they sent a catastrophically wrong signal to Tehran. By offering concession after concession, the West played into the mullahs' hands, emboldening the clerics to continue their path of defiance and terror.
The trial of Assadi is simply the tip of a massive terrorist iceberg. Tehran has used its embassies as terror cells and bomb factories for decades, perpetrating bomb attacks, murders and kidnappings around the world. Now that one of their agents has been caught red-handed, this must surely be a signal to the West that appeasement has failed? President-elect Joe Biden and his nominee for secretary of state, Tony Blinken, should think again about reopening diplomatic relations with this pariah regime. Its days are numbered. Its embassies should be closed and its diplomats expelled. The United States, EU and UN must begin a new policy of backing the oppressed Iranian people and not their tyrannical rulers.
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Struan Stevenson is the coordinator of the Campaign for Iran Change. He was a member of the European Parliament representing Scotland (1999-2014), president of the Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Iraq (2009-14) and chairman of the Friends of a Free Iran Intergroup (2004-14). He is an international lecturer on the Middle East and is also president of the European Iraqi Freedom Association.