upi--2020-02-12--Drug combo speeds regeneration of insulin-producing cells lost in diabetes

A novel combination of two drugs appeared to spur faster regeneration of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas , a preliminary study in mice and human tissue found .
Beta cells are crucial to making insulin , a hormone that 's deficient in people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes .
The new drug combo pairs an already approved class of Type 2 diabetes medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists with an experimental drug called harmine .
`` In the United States , 30 million people have diabetes .
As many as 80 million have prediabetes .
Worldwide , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All of those people have inadequate numbers of beta cells , '' explained senior study author Dr. Andrew Stewart .
He 's director of the Mount Sinai Diabetes , Obesity and Metabolism Institute in New York City .
Stewart and his team have been working on developing drugs that will make beta cells regenerate .
The hope is that if enough beta cells can be created , people wo n't need any additional diabetes treatment .
In 2015 , the researchers found that harmine could coax the beta cells into regenerating .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a day .
`` In someone with Type 1 diabetes , they 've lost about 90 percent of their beta cells .
Two percent a day is n't fast enough , '' Stewart explained .
The team found another drug that boosted beta cell regeneration , but that drug might have caused significant side effects .
One graduate student and member of Stewart 's team from Mount Sinai 's Icahn School of Medicine , Courtney Ackeifi , looked at a number of potential drugs to combine with harmine , with the hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A popular class of medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes , GLP-1 receptor agonists ( Trulicity , Ozempic , Victoza and others ) , turned out to offer a potent combination when added to harmine .
`` If you combine harmine with any member of the GLP-1s , which are used in millions of people with diabetes , they 're converted into beta cell-regenerating drugs that replicate at a rate of 5 to 8 percent a day , '' Stewart said .
The study showed that the researchers were able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cells from people with Type 2 diabetes to regenerate .
The researchers also transplanted human beta cells into mice .
When those mice were given the drug combination , the beta cells regenerated .
There were no serious short-term side effects in the weeklong treatment .
But whenever medications can prompt cells to replicate , there 's always a concern that other cells might also regenerate -- and that 's not always a good thing .
Stewart said the research team has received a grant from JDRF to study the long-term safety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't know how long the beneficial effects of the drug combination will last -- and if the effects wear off , how often the treatment might need to be given .
Another issue to be addressed is for people with Type 1 diabetes .
The autoimmune attack that destroys beta cells and causes Type 1 diabetes in the first place may still be ongoing .
That means it 's possible that any new beta cells created could be destroyed .
Research into suppressing this autoimmune attack is ongoing .
One expert not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ novel approach , but had questions .
`` This is a very interesting finding , '' said Matthias Hebrok , director of the University of California , San Francisco Diabetes Center .
`` The advance is in seeing that a combination of drugs -- one of which is being used in people with diabetes already -- overrides the internal blocks that exist in beta cells to prevent them from proliferating . ''
Hebrok said as with any study , there are many questions still to be answered .
The biggest concern is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proliferate cells that might be compromised , '' he said .
`` For someone to get Type 2 diabetes , beta cells do n't function as they should .
Most people who are obese do n't get diabetes .
Their beta cells can keep up with the demand .
In Type 2 , the beta cells are inadequate .
Even if you make more , it might not work because you 've just increased inadequate cells , '' Hebrok explained .
Stewart said he is hopeful .
`` We 've gone from thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago to showing that substantial increases in the rates of beta cell regeneration are possible .
Things are moving at a rate that is unprecedented , '' he said .
The study was published Feb. 12 in the journal Science Translational Medicine .
In this video supplied by Mount Sinai , researchers explained their findings : Learn more about beta cells from Diabetes.co.uk .

The new drug combo pairs an already approved class of Type 2 diabetes medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists with an experimental drug called harmine. Photo by stevepb /pixabay
A novel combination of two drugs appeared to spur faster regeneration of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, a preliminary study in mice and human tissue found. Beta cells are crucial to making insulin, a hormone that's deficient in people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Advertisement
The new drug combo pairs an already approved class of Type 2 diabetes medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists with an experimental drug called harmine.
"In the United States, 30 million people have diabetes. As many as 80 million have prediabetes. Worldwide, there are 400 million people with diabetes. All of those people have inadequate numbers of beta cells," explained senior study author Dr. Andrew Stewart. He's director of the Mount Sinai Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism Institute in New York City.
Stewart and his team have been working on developing drugs that will make beta cells regenerate. The hope is that if enough beta cells can be created, people won't need any additional diabetes treatment.
Advertisement
In 2015, the researchers found that harmine could coax the beta cells into regenerating. But only about 2 percent of cells regenerated in a day. "In someone with Type 1 diabetes, they've lost about 90 percent of their beta cells. Two percent a day isn't fast enough," Stewart explained.
The team found another drug that boosted beta cell regeneration, but that drug might have caused significant side effects.
One graduate student and member of Stewart's team from Mount Sinai's Icahn School of Medicine, Courtney Ackeifi, looked at a number of potential drugs to combine with harmine, with the hope of boosting its beta cell regeneration power. A popular class of medications used to treat Type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 receptor agonists (Trulicity, Ozempic, Victoza and others), turned out to offer a potent combination when added to harmine.
"If you combine harmine with any member of the GLP-1s, which are used in millions of people with diabetes, they're converted into beta cell-regenerating drugs that replicate at a rate of 5 to 8 percent a day," Stewart said.
The study showed that the researchers were able to get normal human beta cells and beta cells from people with Type 2 diabetes to regenerate.
Advertisement
The researchers also transplanted human beta cells into mice. When those mice were given the drug combination, the beta cells regenerated. There were no serious short-term side effects in the weeklong treatment.
But whenever medications can prompt cells to replicate, there's always a concern that other cells might also regenerate -- and that's not always a good thing. Stewart said the research team has received a grant from JDRF to study the long-term safety of this drug combination.
The researchers also don't know how long the beneficial effects of the drug combination will last -- and if the effects wear off, how often the treatment might need to be given.
Another issue to be addressed is for people with Type 1 diabetes. The autoimmune attack that destroys beta cells and causes Type 1 diabetes in the first place may still be ongoing. That means it's possible that any new beta cells created could be destroyed. Research into suppressing this autoimmune attack is ongoing. One expert not involved with the study called it a novel approach, but had questions. "This is a very interesting finding," said Matthias Hebrok, director of the University of California, San Francisco Diabetes Center. "The advance is in seeing that a combination of drugs -- one of which is being used in people with diabetes already -- overrides the internal blocks that exist in beta cells to prevent them from proliferating."
Advertisement
Hebrok said as with any study, there are many questions still to be answered. The biggest concern is that the researchers may be "trying to proliferate cells that might be compromised," he said.
"For someone to get Type 2 diabetes, beta cells don't function as they should. Most people who are obese don't get diabetes. Their beta cells can keep up with the demand. In Type 2, the beta cells are inadequate. Even if you make more, it might not work because you've just increased inadequate cells," Hebrok explained.
Stewart said he is hopeful. "We've gone from thinking this was impossible and undoable just five years ago to showing that substantial increases in the rates of beta cell regeneration are possible. Things are moving at a rate that is unprecedented," he said.
The study was published Feb. 12 in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
In this video supplied by Mount Sinai, researchers explained their findings:
More information
Learn more about beta cells from Diabetes.co.uk.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-02-12--Virginia House passes bill to award electoral votes to winner of the popular vote

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill to join a national compact of states pledging to award their presidential electoral votes to the winner of the popular vote .
The measure known as HB177 passed by a vote of 51-46 in the Democrat-controlled Virginia House after clearing the Privileges and Elections Committee last week .
It initially failed to report out of the committee as the bill 's sponsor , Democratic Del .
Mark Levine , said `` there was some misunderstanding about this compact and how it works . ''
If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is also controlled by Democrats , and signed by Democratic Gov .
Ralph Northam , Virginia will join the 15 other states and Washington , D.C. , that have already joined the coalition .
The compact began five years after George W. Bush took office after winning the 2000 election , despite losing the popular vote to Al Gore by about 500,000 ballots , and several states passed laws to award their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote .
Hillary Clinton lost the 2016 race , with nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump .
Presently , a state 's electoral votes go to the candidate who wins the state popular vote .
But there is no law that requires states to award their votes this way .
Each state can decide how to award their votes , which is why some are now split by districts .
`` Under the compact , Virginia agrees to award its electoral votes to the presidential ticket that receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia , '' a summary of the bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect when states cumulatively possessing a majority of the electoral votes have joined the compact . ''
The coalition currently has 196 of the 270 votes required for it to go into effect .
Proponents argue that the National Popular Vote would give every American voter an equal say in the election , while opponents such as Republican Virginia Del .
Israel O'Quinn believe it would lessen the impact of smaller states .
`` Virginia currently assigns its electors to reflect the opinions of voters in the Commonwealth and this bill might as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be chosen by the State of California , '' O'Quinn said .
`` Virginians should choose who gets Virginia 's 13 electoral votes -- not a handful of large states . ''

The Virginia House passed a bill to join a national coalition to pledge its electoral college votes to the winner of the popular vote in the presidential election upon gathering states with 270 votes. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 12 (UPI) -- The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill to join a national compact of states pledging to award their presidential electoral votes to the winner of the popular vote. The measure known as HB177 passed by a vote of 51-46 in the Democrat-controlled Virginia House after clearing the Privileges and Elections Committee last week. Advertisement
It initially failed to report out of the committee as the bill's sponsor, Democratic Del. Mark Levine, said "there was some misunderstanding about this compact and how it works."
If the bill is passed by the Senate, which is also controlled by Democrats, and signed by Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam, Virginia will join the 15 other states and Washington, D.C., that have already joined the coalition.
The compact began five years after George W. Bush took office after winning the 2000 election, despite losing the popular vote to Al Gore by about 500,000 ballots, and several states passed laws to award their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. Hillary Clinton lost the 2016 race, with nearly 3 million more votes than President Donald Trump.
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Presently, a state's electoral votes go to the candidate who wins the state popular vote. But there is no law that requires states to award their votes this way. Each state can decide how to award their votes, which is why some are now split by districts.
"Under the compact, Virginia agrees to award its electoral votes to the presidential ticket that receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia," a summary of the bill states. "The compact goes into effect when states cumulatively possessing a majority of the electoral votes have joined the compact."
The coalition currently has 196 of the 270 votes required for it to go into effect.
Proponents argue that the National Popular Vote would give every American voter an equal say in the election, while opponents such as Republican Virginia Del. Israel O'Quinn believe it would lessen the impact of smaller states.
"Virginia currently assigns its electors to reflect the opinions of voters in the Commonwealth and this bill might as well have an amendment stating our electors will be chosen by the State of California," O'Quinn said. "Virginians should choose who gets Virginia's 13 electoral votes -- not a handful of large states."


upi--2020-02-12--Twice as much food is wasted than experts thought

Much more food is wasted worldwide than commonly thought , a new study shows .
In 2005 , the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations ( FAO ) estimated that one-third of all food available for human consumption was wasted .
This figure has been used to show the extent of food waste worldwide , but it considers supply alone and not consumer behavior .
The new study investigated if and how consumer wealth ( affluence ) may affect food waste .
Researchers created a dataset that provides estimates of global and country-by-country waste .
Once consumer spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person , they found , waste grows -- initially increasing quickly with rising wealth , and then at much slower rates at higher levels of wealth .
The study also suggests that FAO 's estimates may be too low .
The FAO estimated food waste to be 214 Kcal/day per person in 2015 , but the new model estimated food waste as 527 Kcal/day per person in that year .
( Kcal is the energy it takes to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1 degree Celsius . )
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journal PLoS One .
`` Novel research using energy requirement and consumer affluence data shows that consumers waste more than twice as much food as is commonly believed , '' the authors wrote , adding that the findings provide `` a globally comparable base '' for measuring progress in reducing waste .
They also `` suggests a threshold level of consumer affluence around which to launch intervention policies to prevent food waste from becoming a big problem , '' the authors wrote .
Monika van den Bos Verma of Wageningen University and Research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The findings suggest that reducing waste globally requires reducing high waste levels in high income countries , and preventing waste levels from rising rapidly in lower-middle income nations where wealth is increasing .
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has more on food waste and loss .

Pixabay A new model estimated food waste as 527 Kcal/day per person in 2015. Photo by Free-Photos
Much more food is wasted worldwide than commonly thought, a new study shows. In 2005, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimated that one-third of all food available for human consumption was wasted. Advertisement
This figure has been used to show the extent of food waste worldwide, but it considers supply alone and not consumer behavior.
The new study investigated if and how consumer wealth (affluence) may affect food waste. Researchers created a dataset that provides estimates of global and country-by-country waste.
Once consumer spending reaches about $6.70 a day per person, they found, waste grows -- initially increasing quickly with rising wealth, and then at much slower rates at higher levels of wealth.
The study also suggests that FAO's estimates may be too low. The FAO estimated food waste to be 214 Kcal/day per person in 2015, but the new model estimated food waste as 527 Kcal/day per person in that year. (Kcal is the energy it takes to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1 degree Celsius.)
The study was published Feb. 12 in the journal PLoS One.
"Novel research using energy requirement and consumer affluence data shows that consumers waste more than twice as much food as is commonly believed," the authors wrote, adding that the findings provide "a globally comparable base" for measuring progress in reducing waste.
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They also "suggests a threshold level of consumer affluence around which to launch intervention policies to prevent food waste from becoming a big problem," the authors wrote.
Monika van den Bos Verma of Wageningen University and Research in The Netherlands led the study.
The findings suggest that reducing waste globally requires reducing high waste levels in high income countries, and preventing waste levels from rising rapidly in lower-middle income nations where wealth is increasing.
More information
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has more on food waste and loss.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-02-12--Colorado university to offer cannabis science degrees

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- Addressing demand for scientific training that could prepare students for high-paying jobs in the marijuana industry , a branch of Colorado State University will offer science degrees in cannabis starting in the fall .
Studies in cannabis biology and chemistry at the university branch in Pueblo will be based on a curriculum that leads to an analytical chemistry degree and a natural products biology degree , said David Lehmpuhl , chemistry professor and dean of the College of Science and Mathematics .
`` This is not a 'how to grow marijuana'-type degree at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Lehmpuhl said .
Job seeker site Indeed.com shows chemical analysts in the cannabis industry can earn salaries between $ 50,000 and $ 80,000 per year .
The biology degree could be used at jobs involving formulation of natural products such as salves , skin treatments or supplements .
Upper-division science students can specialize in the cannabis track with 11 credits in `` cannabis physiology and growth '' and `` medicinal chemistry and pharmacology , '' plus a seminar .
Students will have to pass introductory biology or chemistry and organic chemistry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to apply for four upper-division courses that focus on cannabis .
The biology track will include extra coursework in biochemistry , genetics and neurobiology , with `` natural products extraction and analysis '' lab work included .
Chemistry students can specialize in the study of the chemical compounds of cannabis in `` medicinal chemistry and pharmacology '' and `` medicinal plant biochemistry , '' also with lab work .
Current chemistry and biology undergraduates will be able to apply to graduate with the cannabis degree , Lehmpuhl said .
The school expects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first year and believes the program will be able to accommodate 130 students .
Even if they wanted to , students ca n't get high with the plant material used in their classes , though .
The program will have no THC-laden marijuana on campus , Lehmpuhl said , but instead will work with federally legal hemp plants -- cannabis cousins of marijuana -- that have less than .3 percent of THC .
CSU-Pueblo has a federal license to grow hemp .
`` This program is totally federally compliant , and there will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial aid or campus financial funding , '' Lehmpuhl said .
Although recreational and medical marijuana have been legal in Colorado since 2014 , the drug still is federally illegal , and listed as a Schedule 1 narcotic with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency as a drug with no medical use and high potential for abuse .
Advocates of medical marijuana oppose this definition .
Colorado has earned more than $ 1 billion in tax revenue from state legalized cannabis sales .
Some of that money has gone to fund the state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been growing and researching hemp under a program approved in May , 2019 by the state Legislature .
CSU-Pueblo , with 4,500 students and situated 115 miles south of Denver .
Southern Colorado has been called the `` silicon valley '' of cannabis , and multiple THC and hemp businesses are headquartered in and around Pueblo .
The school hopes to partner with these businesses for internships and fellowships .
The Colorado Commission on Higher Education approved the new cannabis degree at a meeting last week , saying it would provide students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extend to agriculture , food science , biochemistry and environmental sciences .
`` This is the first program in the state , but I would n't be surprised if other institutions came our way looking for approval for their own programs , '' said Chris Rasmussen , the commission 's director of academic affairs .
Now that 11 states have legalized marijuana , it 's important for the state to keep `` a competitive edge in the industry , '' Rasmussen said .
As cannabis becomes more commonplace , he said , student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has for jobs in craft breweries in Colorado .
`` A number of Colorado institutions that offer programs in fermentation , the science of beer-making , and that was something you did n't see before , '' he added .
`` Now it 's completely normalized . ''
Colorado is not the first state to offer cannabis science degrees .
Other public universities and even private certification programs have sprung up around cannabis .
In California , these include the University of California-Davis 's Cannabis and Hemp Research Center and the Cannabis Research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The University of Maryland in Baltimore offers a master 's degree , through its pharmacy school , in medical cannabis and therapeutics .
Northern Michigan University offers a bachelor 's degree in medicinal plant chemistry .
Smaller 2,000-student Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste .
Marie , Mich. , also offers a cannabis-based analytic chemistry program .
At Colorado State , Lehmpuhl said , the cannabis institute fields several requests per week for degree or certification programs .
That 's how state higher education officials knew a demand for the new degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students can go and work in a chemistry or biology lab in any industry , but they can also be employable in the new cannabis industry , '' he said .

Biology students like these at Colorado State University-Pueblo will be able to graduate with a cannabis degree starting in 2020, the university said. Photo courtesy of CSU-Pueblo
Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Addressing demand for scientific training that could prepare students for high-paying jobs in the marijuana industry, a branch of Colorado State University will offer science degrees in cannabis starting in the fall. Studies in cannabis biology and chemistry at the university branch in Pueblo will be based on a curriculum that leads to an analytical chemistry degree and a natural products biology degree, said David Lehmpuhl, chemistry professor and dean of the College of Science and Mathematics. Advertisement
"This is not a 'how to grow marijuana'-type degree at all. This is a science degree," Lehmpuhl said.
Job seeker site Indeed.com shows chemical analysts in the cannabis industry can earn salaries between $50,000 and $80,000 per year. The biology degree could be used at jobs involving formulation of natural products such as salves, skin treatments or supplements.
Upper-division science students can specialize in the cannabis track with 11 credits in "cannabis physiology and growth" and "medicinal chemistry and pharmacology," plus a seminar. Students will have to pass introductory biology or chemistry and organic chemistry, as well as physics and mathematics courses, to apply for four upper-division courses that focus on cannabis.
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The biology track will include extra coursework in biochemistry, genetics and neurobiology, with "natural products extraction and analysis" lab work included. Chemistry students can specialize in the study of the chemical compounds of cannabis in "medicinal chemistry and pharmacology" and "medicinal plant biochemistry," also with lab work.
Current chemistry and biology undergraduates will be able to apply to graduate with the cannabis degree, Lehmpuhl said. The school expects about 60 students to enroll in the first year and believes the program will be able to accommodate 130 students.
Even if they wanted to, students can't get high with the plant material used in their classes, though.
The program will have no THC-laden marijuana on campus, Lehmpuhl said, but instead will work with federally legal hemp plants -- cannabis cousins of marijuana -- that have less than .3 percent of THC. CSU-Pueblo has a federal license to grow hemp.
"This program is totally federally compliant, and there will be no risks to a student's financial aid or campus financial funding," Lehmpuhl said.
Although recreational and medical marijuana have been legal in Colorado since 2014, the drug still is federally illegal, and listed as a Schedule 1 narcotic with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency as a drug with no medical use and high potential for abuse. Advocates of medical marijuana oppose this definition.
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Colorado has earned more than $1 billion in tax revenue from state legalized cannabis sales. Some of that money has gone to fund the state's Pueblo-affiliated Institute for Cannabis Research, which has been growing and researching hemp under a program approved in May, 2019 by the state Legislature.
CSU-Pueblo, with 4,500 students and situated 115 miles south of Denver.
Southern Colorado has been called the "silicon valley" of cannabis, and multiple THC and hemp businesses are headquartered in and around Pueblo. The school hopes to partner with these businesses for internships and fellowships.
The Colorado Commission on Higher Education approved the new cannabis degree at a meeting last week, saying it would provide students with training for job opportunities that could extend to agriculture, food science, biochemistry and environmental sciences.
"This is the first program in the state, but I wouldn't be surprised if other institutions came our way looking for approval for their own programs," said Chris Rasmussen, the commission's director of academic affairs. Now that 11 states have legalized marijuana, it's important for the state to keep "a competitive edge in the industry," Rasmussen said.
As cannabis becomes more commonplace, he said, student demand will increase, just as it has for jobs in craft breweries in Colorado.
Advertisement
"A number of Colorado institutions that offer programs in fermentation, the science of beer-making, and that was something you didn't see before," he added. "Now it's completely normalized."
Colorado is not the first state to offer cannabis science degrees. Other public universities and even private certification programs have sprung up around cannabis.
In California, these include the University of California-Davis's Cannabis and Hemp Research Center and the Cannabis Research Initiative at University of California-Los Angeles.
The University of Maryland in Baltimore offers a master's degree, through its pharmacy school, in medical cannabis and therapeutics.
Northern Michigan University offers a bachelor's degree in medicinal plant chemistry. Smaller 2,000-student Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., also offers a cannabis-based analytic chemistry program.
At Colorado State, Lehmpuhl said, the cannabis institute fields several requests per week for degree or certification programs. That's how state higher education officials knew a demand for the new degree existed.
"With this degree, students can go and work in a chemistry or biology lab in any industry, but they can also be employable in the new cannabis industry," he said.


upi--2020-02-12--This week in Washington

This week in Washington

President Donald Trump releases his budget and hosts the National Governor 's Association among the highlights for the week of @ @ @ @ @ Washington , D.C .

President Donald Trump holds up a photo of his border wall as he speaks on border security before the National Border Patrol Council at the White House on Friday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI


upi--2020-02-12--Kobe Bryant, daughter buried in Southern California

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter , Gianna Bryant , were buried last week at a Southern California cemetery , death certificates released this week indicate .
The family held a private burial service at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona Del Mar , about 2 miles from the Pacific Ocean .
CNN and the Los Angeles Times reported on the burial , citing the Bryants ' death certificates .
The two died along with seven others in a Jan. 26 helicopter crash in Calabasas , Calif .
They , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their families , were traveling to the youngsters ' basketball game .
Investigators are unsure what caused the crash , though weather and poor visibility due to fog may have played a factor .
Last week , the National Transportation Safety Board ruled out engine failure as a contributing factor .
The Altobelli family held a memorial service Monday for college baseball coach John Altobelli , his wife , Keri Altobelli and their daughter Alyssa Altobelli .
A public memorial for all nine killed was scheduled to take place Feb. 24 at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition to the Bryants and Altobellis , the crash killed Payton Chester , her mother Sarah Chester , Mambas youth assistant basketball coach Christina Mauser and helicopter pilot Ara Zobayan .

Former NBA player Kobe Bryant and his Gianna Bryant (R) were buried at a cemetery about 2 miles from the Pacific Ocean. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna Bryant, were buried last week at a Southern California cemetery, death certificates released this week indicate. The family held a private burial service at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona Del Mar, about 2 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Advertisement
CNN and the Los Angeles Times reported on the burial, citing the Bryants' death certificates.
The two died along with seven others in a Jan. 26 helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif. They, along with two of Gianna Bryant's teammates and their families, were traveling to the youngsters' basketball game.
Investigators are unsure what caused the crash, though weather and poor visibility due to fog may have played a factor. Last week, the National Transportation Safety Board ruled out engine failure as a contributing factor.
The Altobelli family held a memorial service Monday for college baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife, Keri Altobelli and their daughter Alyssa Altobelli.
A public memorial for all nine killed was scheduled to take place Feb. 24 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. In addition to the Bryants and Altobellis, the crash killed Payton Chester, her mother Sarah Chester, Mambas youth assistant basketball coach Christina Mauser and helicopter pilot Ara Zobayan.


upi--2020-02-12--U.S. soybean industry hopes to double exports to Pakistan, Bangladesh

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- As the future of trade with China remains uncertain , America 's soybean industry has identified two countries with which it hopes to increase trade -- Pakistan and Bangladesh .
`` Five years ago , [ these countries ] did not import a single soybean , '' said Jeff Jorgenson , an Iowa soybean farmer and the president-elect of the Iowa Soybean Association .
`` And now , five years later , Pakistan imports about 2.5 million metric tons and Bangladesh imports about 1 million metric tons a year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the nations ' nascent -- and quickly growing -- animal agricultural industries .
The countries are slowly gaining political and economic stability , which is making the people wealthier , said Grant Kimberley , the senior director of market development for the Iowa Soybean Association .
One of the early things people do in that situation is add more animal foods to their diets .
American soybeans are used mostly to feed livestock and fish .
`` We think imports to those two countries could easily double within five to seven years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be pretty significant .
They could enter our top 10 markets . ''
To propel that growth , the U.S .
Soybean Export Council is working with companies in those nations to improve their farm and feeding technologies , Kimberley said .
The council , along with members of the Iowa Soybean Association , conducted a trade mission to the region last week .
There , they also discussed launching in-country campaigns touting the benefits of animal protein over that of plants .
Such campaigns might be accompanied by tutorials about different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We 're not just over there shaking hands and meeting people , '' Kimberley said .
`` We have people over there helping them grow their market , because that will grow our market , also . ''
Such growth is desperately needed to begin to fill the gap in demand left by China , Jorgenson said .
Before the trade war began , China was the leading buyer of American beans , importing about 30 percent of all the soy grown in the United States .
When the Trump administration levied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goods in summer 2018 , China responded with its own tariffs , many directed at agricultural goods like soybeans .
Its appetite for American soybeans plummeted , along with the price of U.S. soy .
And , though the nation has made some sporadic purchases in the 18 months since the trade war began , the market has not recovered .
`` What it all boils down to is , we have to find , as best we can , a replacement for China , '' Jorgenson said .
`` We have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get sold . ''
It would be impossible , though , to fully replace China , Kimberley said .
In 2017 , the year before the trade war began , China imported 36.5 metric tons of American soy , Kimberley said .
The following year , their imports shrank to 27 million metric tons .
And in 2019 , the nation imported only 13 .
`` But they were still our No .
1 buyer of soybeans , even with that , '' Grant said .
`` That 's why you just ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry leaders are hopeful they wo n't have to .
With the January signing of the phase 1 trade deal , China promised to radically increase its purchases of American agricultural goods .
The deal , however , is carefully worded to say that China will buy U.S. agricultural products `` based on commercial considerations . ''
What 's more , China has yet to remove the bulk of the retaliatory tariffs in place on American agricultural goods .
Brazil , America 's number one soybean competitor , is beginning its annual harvest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about to flood the market .
Those beans will be cheaper than America 's soy -- even if the tariff on U.S. beans is removed .

Farmers hope to quickly grow the market for American soy in Bangladesh and Pakistan. File photo by Jessie Higgins/UPI
EVANSVILLE, Ind., Feb. 12 (UPI) -- As the future of trade with China remains uncertain, America's soybean industry has identified two countries with which it hopes to increase trade -- Pakistan and Bangladesh. "Five years ago, [these countries] did not import a single soybean," said Jeff Jorgenson, an Iowa soybean farmer and the president-elect of the Iowa Soybean Association. Advertisement
"And now, five years later, Pakistan imports about 2.5 million metric tons and Bangladesh imports about 1 million metric tons a year."
The sudden spike in demand comes from the nations' nascent -- and quickly growing -- animal agricultural industries.
The countries are slowly gaining political and economic stability, which is making the people wealthier, said Grant Kimberley, the senior director of market development for the Iowa Soybean Association. One of the early things people do in that situation is add more animal foods to their diets.
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American soybeans are used mostly to feed livestock and fish.
"We think imports to those two countries could easily double within five to seven years," Kimberley said. "That would be pretty significant. They could enter our top 10 markets."
To propel that growth, the U.S. Soybean Export Council is working with companies in those nations to improve their farm and feeding technologies, Kimberley said. The council, along with members of the Iowa Soybean Association, conducted a trade mission to the region last week.
There, they also discussed launching in-country campaigns touting the benefits of animal protein over that of plants. Such campaigns might be accompanied by tutorials about different ways to prepare chicken and fish.
"We're not just over there shaking hands and meeting people," Kimberley said. "We have people over there helping them grow their market, because that will grow our market, also."
Such growth is desperately needed to begin to fill the gap in demand left by China, Jorgenson said.
Before the trade war began, China was the leading buyer of American beans, importing about 30 percent of all the soy grown in the United States.
When the Trump administration levied billions of dollars in tariffs on Chinese goods in summer 2018, China responded with its own tariffs, many directed at agricultural goods like soybeans.
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Its appetite for American soybeans plummeted, along with the price of U.S. soy. And, though the nation has made some sporadic purchases in the 18 months since the trade war began, the market has not recovered.
"What it all boils down to is, we have to find, as best we can, a replacement for China," Jorgenson said. "We have a lot of product that we have to get sold."
It would be impossible, though, to fully replace China, Kimberley said.
In 2017, the year before the trade war began, China imported 36.5 metric tons of American soy, Kimberley said. The following year, their imports shrank to 27 million metric tons. And in 2019, the nation imported only 13.
"But they were still our No. 1 buyer of soybeans, even with that," Grant said. "That's why you just can't replace China."
Farmers and industry leaders are hopeful they won't have to. With the January signing of the phase 1 trade deal, China promised to radically increase its purchases of American agricultural goods.
The deal, however, is carefully worded to say that China will buy U.S. agricultural products "based on commercial considerations." What's more, China has yet to remove the bulk of the retaliatory tariffs in place on American agricultural goods.
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Brazil, America's number one soybean competitor, is beginning its annual harvest, which means South American beans are about to flood the market. Those beans will be cheaper than America's soy -- even if the tariff on U.S. beans is removed.


upi--2020-02-12--Deepwater Horizon oil spill was bigger than previously thought, study finds

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- Oil from the Deepwater Horizon disaster spread well beyond the spill footprint established by satellites , according to new analysis by scientists at the University of Miami .
To determine the true size of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill , researchers supplied oil-transport models with water sampling results and remote sensing data .
The simulations confirmed that a portion of the oil spilled in the wake of the deadly explosion remained invisible to satellites , but proved toxic to marine wildlife .
`` We found that there was a substantial fraction of oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Igal Berenshtein , lead author of the new study and a postdoctoral researcher at Miami 's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science , said in a news release .
`` The spill was only visible to satellites above a certain oil concentration at the surface leaving a portion unaccounted for . ''
Over the course of three months in the spring of 2010 , following the late-April explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig , some 210 million gallons of crude oil spewed into the Gulf of Mexico .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the wake of the spill , scientists used satellite images to measure the size of the oil slick created by the disaster .
The spilled oil created an oil slick covering 57,000 square miles .
But the latest research , published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances , suggests the spill 's true footprint was significantly larger .
According to the new models , the oil and its toxins reached the shores of Texas , the West Florida shelf and the Florida Keys .
Oil was even carried by the Gulf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Our results change established perceptions about the consequences of oil spills by showing that toxic and invisible oil can extend beyond the satellite footprint at potentially lethal and sub-lethal concentrations to a wide range of wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico , '' said senior study author Claire Paris , professor of ocean sciences at the Rosenstiel School .
`` This work added a third dimension to what was previously seen as just surface slicks , '' Paris said .
`` This additional dimension has been visualized with more realistic and accurate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of chemical engineers and more efficient computing resources . ''
Previous studies of the spill suggest as much as half of the oil spewed during the disaster may have ended up on the floor of the Gulf .
One study showed an oil dispersant used during the cleanup , called concoction , actually prevents microbes from naturally breaking down the oil .

The Deepwater Horizon disaster was the largest oil spill in U.S. history. Photo courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard
Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Oil from the Deepwater Horizon disaster spread well beyond the spill footprint established by satellites, according to new analysis by scientists at the University of Miami. To determine the true size of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, researchers supplied oil-transport models with water sampling results and remote sensing data. The simulations confirmed that a portion of the oil spilled in the wake of the deadly explosion remained invisible to satellites, but proved toxic to marine wildlife. Advertisement
"We found that there was a substantial fraction of oil invisible to satellites and aerial imaging," Igal Berenshtein, lead author of the new study and a postdoctoral researcher at Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, said in a news release. "The spill was only visible to satellites above a certain oil concentration at the surface leaving a portion unaccounted for."
Over the course of three months in the spring of 2010, following the late-April explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, some 210 million gallons of crude oil spewed into the Gulf of Mexico. It was the biggest oil spill in U.S. history.
In the wake of the spill, scientists used satellite images to measure the size of the oil slick created by the disaster. The spilled oil created an oil slick covering 57,000 square miles.
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But the latest research, published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances, suggests the spill's true footprint was significantly larger.
According to the new models, the oil and its toxins reached the shores of Texas, the West Florida shelf and the Florida Keys. Oil was even carried by the Gulf Stream to the East Florida shelf.
"Our results change established perceptions about the consequences of oil spills by showing that toxic and invisible oil can extend beyond the satellite footprint at potentially lethal and sub-lethal concentrations to a wide range of wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico," said senior study author Claire Paris, professor of ocean sciences at the Rosenstiel School.
"This work added a third dimension to what was previously seen as just surface slicks," Paris said. "This additional dimension has been visualized with more realistic and accurate oil spill models developed with a team of chemical engineers and more efficient computing resources."
Previous studies of the spill suggest as much as half of the oil spewed during the disaster may have ended up on the floor of the Gulf. One study showed an oil dispersant used during the cleanup, called concoction, actually prevents microbes from naturally breaking down the oil.
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upi--2020-02-12--Letter bombs explode at two locations in Netherlands; no injuries reported

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- Letter bombs exploded Wednesday in two locations in the Netherlands , though police said @ @ @ @ @ the blasts are connected .
Investigators said no one was injured in either blast .
@ @ @ @ @ 8 a.m. in the mailroom of a business in Amsterdam .
The police department there @ @ @ @ @ letter bomb that requested a payment in bitcoins .
The department described the letter as @ @ @ @ @ people to report suspicious letters , especially those that may be in thick , white @ @ @ @ @ on paper covered in plastic .
The second blast happened around 9 a.m. in the @ @ @ @ @ near the German border .
The letter arrived at a business , where an employee @ @ @ @ @ '' from the package before it exploded .
All employees at the building were evacuated @ @ @ @ @ described the damage in the building as `` limited . ''
Officials said they were @ @ @ @ @ were related .

Emergency services gather at a postal sorting company in Kerkrade, the Netherlands, on Wednesday. A bomb letter exploded in the mail room of the company. Photo by Marcel Van Hoorn/EPA-EFE
Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Letter bombs exploded Wednesday in two locations in the Netherlands, though police said they're not sure if the blasts are connected. Investigators said no one was injured in either blast. Advertisement
The first explosion happened around 8 a.m. in the mailroom of a business in Amsterdam. The police department there said a letter accompanied the letter bomb that requested a payment in bitcoins.
The department described the letter as extortion. They called on people to report suspicious letters, especially those that may be in thick, white envelopes with an address printed on paper covered in plastic.
The second blast happened around 9 a.m. in the southern Dutch town of Kerkrade near the German border. The letter arrived at a business, where an employee heard a "strange noise" from the package before it exploded. All employees at the building were evacuated.
The local police department described the damage in the building as "limited."
Officials said they were investigating whether the two explosions were related.


upi--2020-02-12--Fed Chairman Jerome Powell says tools to fight recession are limited

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- The central bank may not have adequate tools to combat a recession , Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said in testimony ending Wednesday .
Powell addressed the House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday and the Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday .
Although the economy remains strong by several benchmarks , there are fears of an eventual economic contraction .
The current low level of interest rates `` means that it would be important for fiscal policy to support the economy if it weakens , '' Powell said Tuesday , a suggestion that lowering interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recession , may not work .
It also suggested that the Federal Reserve , a politically independent institution accustomed to combating economic contractions , may need the help of Congress through tax cuts and spending increases .
With interest rates currently between 1.5 and 1.75 percent , there is little room , for a reduction .
While it is possible to bring interest rates to zero and even below , a tactic used by Japan and the Eurozone , Powell said , `` In the U.S. context , that 's not a tool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday Powell outlined plans to fight an economic downturn with qualitative easing , or QE .
The process involves buying large amounts of government debt to drive down long-term interest rates .
He also recommended forward guidance , the term for communicating clearly with markets about interest rate policy .
He again acknowledged that cutting interest rates would not be helpful , saying , `` We will have less room to cut . ''
Powell urged the committee to put the federal budget on a sustainable path during periods of a strong economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national debt .
When asked what level of debt he would find worrisome , Powell answered , `` I would be concerned now . ''

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell testified before the House Financial Service Committee on Tuesday, outlining plans to deal with a potential recession. He addressed the Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 12 (UPI) -- The central bank may not have adequate tools to combat a recession, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said in testimony ending Wednesday. Powell addressed the House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday and the Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday. Although the economy remains strong by several benchmarks, there are fears of an eventual economic contraction. Advertisement
The current low level of interest rates "means that it would be important for fiscal policy to support the economy if it weakens," Powell said Tuesday, a suggestion that lowering interest rates, the typical remedy for a recession, may not work. It also suggested that the Federal Reserve, a politically independent institution accustomed to combating economic contractions, may need the help of Congress through tax cuts and spending increases.
With interest rates currently between 1.5 and 1.75 percent, there is little room, for a reduction. While it is possible to bring interest rates to zero and even below, a tactic used by Japan and the Eurozone, Powell said, "In the U.S. context, that's not a tool we're looking at."
On Wednesday Powell outlined plans to fight an economic downturn with qualitative easing, or QE. The process involves buying large amounts of government debt to drive down long-term interest rates. He also recommended forward guidance, the term for communicating clearly with markets about interest rate policy.
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He again acknowledged that cutting interest rates would not be helpful, saying, "We will have less room to cut."
Powell urged the committee to put the federal budget on a sustainable path during periods of a strong economy, and noted the $23 trillion national debt.
When asked what level of debt he would find worrisome, Powell answered, "I would be concerned now."


upi--2020-02-12--Illinois man who died in grain bin accident suffocated, coroner rules

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- The autopsy of an Illinois man who died in a grain bin accident this week during his first day on the job found he suffocated after being buried in corn .
Farmworker David Lowis , 61 , had been helping empty the bin on a farm in Morrisonville on Monday .
Corn had stuck to the sidewalls , so Lowis entered from the top to manually free the grain , but he became trapped .
`` He was told to stay at the door , '' Christian County Sheriff Bruce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gotten out of reach of the door and got knocked down .
He was sucked into the corn . ''
No one saw Lowis fall .
When the farmer -- Lowis ' employer -- returned to the bin , he saw Lowis ' hand sticking up out of the grain and called for help .
A sheriff 's deputy and neighbor arrived within five minutes , Kettelkamp said .
`` The deputy saw the glove and he and the neighbor tried to pull him out , but they could n't , '' Kettelcamp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut a hole in the side of the bin to quickly empty the grain .
Rescuers eventually were able to free Lowis , but he was pronounced dead at the scene .
It was his first day working on the farm , Kettelkamp said .
Lowis is at least the fourth person to die in a grain bin accident this year .
Dozens of farmers and farm workers lose their lives in grain bin accidents every year .
Such accidents happen most often on farms , said Jeff Adkisson , a board member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Farms often are not required to adhere to the same Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety regulations that commercial facilities must follow -- like wearing a safety harness , turning off equipment while inside the bin and never working alone .

An Illinois man died while attempting to knock down corn that had stuck to the side of a grain bin Monday. Photo courtesy of United Soybean Board
EVANSVILLE, Ind., Feb. 12 (UPI) -- The autopsy of an Illinois man who died in a grain bin accident this week during his first day on the job found he suffocated after being buried in corn. Farmworker David Lowis, 61, had been helping empty the bin on a farm in Morrisonville on Monday. Corn had stuck to the sidewalls, so Lowis entered from the top to manually free the grain, but he became trapped. Advertisement
"He was told to stay at the door," Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp said. "He must have gotten out of reach of the door and got knocked down. He was sucked into the corn."
No one saw Lowis fall. When the farmer -- Lowis' employer -- returned to the bin, he saw Lowis' hand sticking up out of the grain and called for help. A sheriff's deputy and neighbor arrived within five minutes, Kettelkamp said.
"The deputy saw the glove and he and the neighbor tried to pull him out, but they couldn't," Kettelcamp said.
The Morrisonville Fire Department later cut a hole in the side of the bin to quickly empty the grain. Rescuers eventually were able to free Lowis, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
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It was his first day working on the farm, Kettelkamp said.
Lowis is at least the fourth person to die in a grain bin accident this year.
Dozens of farmers and farm workers lose their lives in grain bin accidents every year. Such accidents happen most often on farms, said Jeff Adkisson, a board member on the Grain Handling Safety Council.
Farms often are not required to adhere to the same Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety regulations that commercial facilities must follow -- like wearing a safety harness, turning off equipment while inside the bin and never working alone.


upi--2020-02-12--Watch: Kard releases 'Red Moon' EP, video

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- South Korean act Kard is back with new music .
The co-ed K-pop group @ @ @ @ @ and a music video for the title track Wednesday .
The `` Red Moon '' @ @ @ @ @ , B.M , Somin and Jiwoo performing a hard-hitting dance routine .
Red is a @ @ @ @ @ video .
Red Moon is Kard 's first EP since Ride on the Wind , @ @ @ @ @ The group released the single `` Bomb Bomb '' in March 2019 .
Kard debuted @ @ @ @ @ , and is one of the only active co-ed groups on the K-pop scene .
@ @ @ @ @ complement each other , '' B.M told UPI in an interview in October .
Kard @ @ @ @ @ `` Hola Hola , '' `` You in Me '' and `` Ride on the @ @ @

Feb. 12 (UPI) -- South Korean act Kard is back with new music.
The co-ed K-pop group released the EP Red Moon and a music video for the title track Wednesday.
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The "Red Moon" video shows Kard members J.Seph, B.M, Somin and Jiwoo performing a hard-hitting dance routine. Red is a recurring color in the energetic video.
Red Moon is Kard's first EP since Ride on the Wind, released in July 2018. The group released the single "Bomb Bomb" in March 2019.
Kard debuted as a group in 2017, and is one of the only active co-ed groups on the K-pop scene.
"We all kind of complement each other," B.M told UPI in an interview in October.
Kard is known for the singles "Hola Hola," "You in Me" and "Ride on the Wind."


upi--2020-02-12--U.N. list of companies with West Bank settlement ties draws praise from Palestinians

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- The release Wednesday of a list of 112 companies with ties to Israel 's West Bank settlements was praised by Palestinian leaders and condemned by Israel .
The long-awaited list from the United Nations Human Rights Council identifies businesses serving about 140 settlements , and about 600,000 people , built by Israelis in the disputed West Bank and East Jerusalem .
The settlements are widely regarded as illegal under international law .
The Palestinian Authority has called for their removal , regarding the settlements as an impediment to any two-state solution allowing an independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan offered by U.S. President Donald Trump in January preserves the settlements and could lead to Israeli annexation of most of the West Bank .
The U.N. database includes 94 Israeli-based companies .
It includes Airbnb , Motorola Solutions and General Mills , as well as five Israeli banks with ties to investment company AXA .
Companies on the list could face boycotts or calls for stock divestment .
The issue could increase international pressure on Israel to stop encouraging settlement on disputed land .
The list did not include 60 companies placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The long awaited release of the U.N. settlement business database should put all companies on notice : to do business with illegal settlements is to aid in the commission of war crimes , '' Bruno Stagno of the advocacy group Human Rights Watch said .
`` The database marks critical progress in the global effort to ensure businesses end complicity in rights abuse and respect international law . ''
Palestinian groups praised release of the list , although noting that it is incomplete , while the Israeli government was critical , warning against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcomes this long-awaited U.N. list of companies that are complicit in Israel 's illegal settlement enterprise , which constitutes a war crime under international law , '' said a statement by the Palestinian-led BDS [ Boycott , Diversify .
Sanctions ] Movement .
`` We thank all human rights organizations that worked tirelessly for the release of such an important instrument of transparency and accountability .
Upholding international law is the one appropriate response to attempts by authoritarian and far-right regimes , led by the Trump White House and Israel 's extremist government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rule of law and enforce domination by the most powerful instead . ''
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that Israel and the United States have worked to cut ties with the U.N. Human Rights Council .
`` This organization is meaningless , '' Netanyahu said Wednesday .
`` Instead of dealing with human rights , this group only tries to slander Israel .
Whoever boycotts us will be boycotted . ''

The Israeli settlement of Har Homa is seen on the hilltop overlooking Palestinian houses in the foreground, in Bethlehem, West Bank, The United Nations revealed a list on Wednesday of 112 companies it says do business with the settlements in disputed territory. File Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 12 (UPI) -- The release Wednesday of a list of 112 companies with ties to Israel's West Bank settlements was praised by Palestinian leaders and condemned by Israel. The long-awaited list from the United Nations Human Rights Council identifies businesses serving about 140 settlements, and about 600,000 people, built by Israelis in the disputed West Bank and East Jerusalem. Advertisement
The settlements are widely regarded as illegal under international law. The Palestinian Authority has called for their removal, regarding the settlements as an impediment to any two-state solution allowing an independent Palestine its own territory. A peace plan offered by U.S. President Donald Trump in January preserves the settlements and could lead to Israeli annexation of most of the West Bank.
The U.N. database includes 94 Israeli-based companies. It includes Airbnb, Motorola Solutions and General Mills, as well as five Israeli banks with ties to investment company AXA. Companies on the list could face boycotts or calls for stock divestment. The issue could increase international pressure on Israel to stop encouraging settlement on disputed land.
The list did not include 60 companies placed on a previous U.N. list.
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"The long awaited release of the U.N. settlement business database should put all companies on notice: to do business with illegal settlements is to aid in the commission of war crimes," Bruno Stagno of the advocacy group Human Rights Watch said. "The database marks critical progress in the global effort to ensure businesses end complicity in rights abuse and respect international law."
Palestinian groups praised release of the list, although noting that it is incomplete, while the Israeli government was critical, warning against any boycotts.
"Palestinian civil society welcomes this long-awaited U.N. list of companies that are complicit in Israel's illegal settlement enterprise, which constitutes a war crime under international law," said a statement by the Palestinian-led BDS [Boycott, Diversify. Sanctions] Movement. "We thank all human rights organizations that worked tirelessly for the release of such an important instrument of transparency and accountability. Upholding international law is the one appropriate response to attempts by authoritarian and far-right regimes, led by the Trump White House and Israel's extremist government, to undermine human rights and the rule of law and enforce domination by the most powerful instead."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that Israel and the United States have worked to cut ties with the U.N. Human Rights Council.
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"This organization is meaningless," Netanyahu said Wednesday. "Instead of dealing with human rights, this group only tries to slander Israel. Whoever boycotts us will be boycotted."


upi--2020-02-12--Look: Horse rescued from sinkhole in Tennessee

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- Firefighters in Tennessee said they used heavy equipment to dig a path to safety @ @ @ @ @ into a sinkhole .
The Maury County Fire Department said crews responded alongside personnel from @ @ @ @ @ Emergency Management , Maury County Animal Control and the Spring Hill Fire Department when the @ @ @ @ @ sinkhole Tuesday on Forest Ridge Trail .
Rescuers said the sinkhole apparently had formed overnight @ @ @ @ @ in during the night or early morning .
The responders enlisted the help of employees @ @ @ @ @ an excavator and skid steer to dig a path for the horse .
Once the @ @ @ @ @ the horse was able to stand up and walk out of the hole , firefighters @ @

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Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Tennessee said they used heavy equipment to dig a path to safety for a horse that fell into a sinkhole.
The Maury County Fire Department said crews responded alongside personnel from the Maury County Office of Emergency Management, Maury County Animal Control and the Spring Hill Fire Department when the horse was found in the sinkhole Tuesday on Forest Ridge Trail.
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Rescuers said the sinkhole apparently had formed overnight, and the horse fell in during the night or early morning.
The responders enlisted the help of employees from Mid-TN Construction to use an excavator and skid steer to dig a path for the horse.
Once the pathway had been cleared, the horse was able to stand up and walk out of the hole, firefighters said.


upi--2020-02-12--Police charge suspect in shooting death of N. Ireland journalist Lyra McKee

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- Authorities in Northern Ireland charged a 52-year-old man Wednesday in connection with the shooting @ @ @ @ @ last year .
The man , who officials did not identify , will appear in @ @ @ @ @ he shot McKee dead during a riot in the Creggan area of Derry last April @ @ @ @ @ with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and professing to be a @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
McKee , 29 , was covering the riot when she was @ @ @ @ @ Superintendent Jason Murphy said the investigation is still going .
`` I have always said @ @ @ @ @ involved with the gunman on the night Lyra was killed , and while today is @ @ @ @ @ quest for the evidence to bring the gunman to justice remains active , '' he @ @ @ @ @ prominent advocate for marriage equality and her death was widely denounced across the United Kingdom @ @ @ @ @ previously arrested as part of the investigation were released .

Authorities did not name the man who now faces multiple charges in Lyra McKee's April 2019 death. File Photo by Jess Lowe/EPA-EFE
Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Authorities in Northern Ireland charged a 52-year-old man Wednesday in connection with the shooting death of journalist Lyra McKee last year. The man, who officials did not identify, will appear in court Thursday to face charges he shot McKee dead during a riot in the Creggan area of Derry last April. Advertisement
The suspect is charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and professing to be a member of a proscribed organization, police said.
McKee, 29, was covering the riot when she was shot four times.
Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said the investigation is still going.
"I have always said a number of individuals were involved with the gunman on the night Lyra was killed, and while today is significant for the investigation the quest for the evidence to bring the gunman to justice remains active," he said.
McKee was a prominent advocate for marriage equality and her death was widely denounced across the United Kingdom.
Three others who were previously arrested as part of the investigation were released.


upi--2020-02-13--WWE NXT: Adam Cole battles Kushida, Velveteen Dream gets personal

Feb. 13 ( UPI ) -- NXT Champion Adam Cole took on Kushida in the main event of WWE NXT .
The match was made after Cole and his Undisputed Era teammates had attacked Kushida backstage last week while they looked for Cole 's rival Tommaso Ciampa .
Kushida fought hard on Wednesday by utilizing high-energy offense and by focusing on Cole 's left arm .
The Panama City Playboy , however , would earn the victory after nailing Kushida with The Last Shot .
Ciampa , as Cole celebrated , entered the ring and stared down Cole and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NXT Championship against Ciampa on Sunday at NXT TakeOver : Portland .
Also on WWE NXT , Roderick Strong of The Undisputed Era battled the big and powerful Bronson Reed .
Reed , who was also attacked by The Undisputed Era last week , used his strength to punish Strong .
At one point Velveteen Dream attempted to distract his rival Strong by turning the arena dark purple .
Strong persevered and suddenly won the match when he hit Reed with a mid-air knee strike as Reed jumped from the top rope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screen and made things personal by mentioning Strong 's wife Marina Shafir and their young son .
Dream , upset that The Undisputed Era had injured him weeks ago , promised to take care of Strong 's family if something were to happen to him .
Dream also displayed the airbrushed pants he wore during his return last week which features Shafir and Strong 's son .
Bianca Belair quickly took care of Santana Garrett , defeating her in minutes with the K.O.D .
Belair then called out NXT Women 's Champion Rhea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her to instead focus on Women 's Royal Rumble winner Charlotte Flair .
Belair , who will be facing Ripley for the title at TakeOver : Portland , then took out the champ with a K.O.D .
Other moments from WWE NXT included Dakota Kai defeating Candice LeRae ; Johnny Gargano defeating Cameron Grimes ; Lio Rush defeating Angel Garza to earn a title match against NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin ; and Tom Riddle and Pete Dunn sneaking onto Triple H 's private jet to make it to TakeOver : Portland with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trophy .
Riddle and Dunn , who go by The BroserWeights , will be challenging Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish of The Undisputed Era for the NXT Tag Team Championships at TakeOver : Portland .

Feb. 13 (UPI) -- NXT Champion Adam Cole took on Kushida in the main event of WWE NXT.
The match was made after Cole and his Undisputed Era teammates had attacked Kushida backstage last week while they looked for Cole's rival Tommaso Ciampa.
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Kushida fought hard on Wednesday by utilizing high-energy offense and by focusing on Cole's left arm.
The Panama City Playboy, however, would earn the victory after nailing Kushida with The Last Shot. Ciampa, as Cole celebrated, entered the ring and stared down Cole and his NXT Championship.
Cole will be defending the NXT Championship against Ciampa on Sunday at NXT TakeOver: Portland.
Also on WWE NXT, Roderick Strong of The Undisputed Era battled the big and powerful Bronson Reed.
Reed, who was also attacked by The Undisputed Era last week, used his strength to punish Strong. At one point Velveteen Dream attempted to distract his rival Strong by turning the arena dark purple. Strong persevered and suddenly won the match when he hit Reed with a mid-air knee strike as Reed jumped from the top rope.
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Dream then appeared on the big screen and made things personal by mentioning Strong's wife Marina Shafir and their young son. Dream, upset that The Undisputed Era had injured him weeks ago, promised to take care of Strong's family if something were to happen to him.
Dream also displayed the airbrushed pants he wore during his return last week which features Shafir and Strong's son.
Bianca Belair quickly took care of Santana Garrett, defeating her in minutes with the K.O.D. Belair then called out NXT Women's Champion Rhea Ripley and mentioned how Ripley is ignoring her to instead focus on Women's Royal Rumble winner Charlotte Flair.
Belair, who will be facing Ripley for the title at TakeOver: Portland, then took out the champ with a K.O.D.
Other moments from WWE NXT included Dakota Kai defeating Candice LeRae; Johnny Gargano defeating Cameron Grimes; Lio Rush defeating Angel Garza to earn a title match against NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin; and Tom Riddle and Pete Dunn sneaking onto Triple H's private jet to make it to TakeOver: Portland with their giant Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic trophy.
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Riddle and Dunn, who go by The BroserWeights, will be challenging Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish of The Undisputed Era for the NXT Tag Team Championships at TakeOver: Portland.


upi--2020-02-13--British finance minister Sajid Javit quits in cabinet reshuffle

Feb. 13 ( UPI ) -- A cabinet reshuffle by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Thursday resulted in the unexpected resignation of finance minister Sajid Javid .
Javid resigned from his key government post as chancellor of the exchequer after rejecting an order from Johnson to fire all of his aides .
He had previously been expected to keep his job during the cabinet realignment despite ongoing clashes with Dominic Cummings , Johnson 's chief political strategist .
Javid , who has served as chancellor since July when Johnson was first appointed prime minister , was set to deliver the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With his resignation he became the shortest-serving British finance chief since 1970 .
He was replaced as chancellor by Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rishi Sunak , the government said .
Sunak 's appointment is said to be part of an effort to align the treasury more closely with the prime minister 's office .
Other key ministers held onto their jobs , including Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab , Cabinet Minister Michael Gove and Home Secretary Priti Patel .
Also sacked Thursday were Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom , Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Besides Javid 's exit , perhaps the greatest surprise in the cabinet reshuffle is the firing of Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith , who had success securing a deal to end a three-year suspension of the local government .

Javid unexpectedly resigned Thursday amid a reshuffling of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Cabinet. Photo by Will Oliver/EPA-EFE
Feb. 13 (UPI) -- A Cabinet reshuffle by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Thursday resulted in the unexpected resignation of finance minister Sajid Javid. Javid resigned from his key government post as chancellor of the exchequer after rejecting an order from Johnson to fire all of his aides. He had previously been expected to keep his job during the Cabinet realignment despite ongoing clashes with Dominic Cummings, Johnson's chief political strategist. Advertisement
Javid, who has served as chancellor since July when Johnson was first appointed prime minister, was set to deliver the government's first budget within the month. With his resignation he became the shortest-serving British finance chief since 1970.
He was replaced as chancellor by Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rishi Sunak, the government said.
Sunak's appointment is said to be part of an effort to align the treasury more closely with the prime minister's office.
Other key ministers held onto their jobs, including Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Cabinet Minister Michael Gove and Home Secretary Priti Patel.
Also sacked Thursday were Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom, Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers and and Housing Minister Esther McVey.
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Besides Javid's exit, perhaps the greatest surprise in the Cabinet reshuffle is the firing of Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith, who had success securing a deal to end a three-year suspension of the local government.


upi--2020-02-13--6.9-magnitude earthquke strikes near Japan, Russia

Feb. 13 ( UPI ) -- A magnitude-6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Japan 's Hokkaido Prefecture and Russia @ @ @ @ @ the Japan Meteorological Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey said .
The earthquake struck 57.1 @ @ @ @ @ depth of 88.6 miles , the USGS said .
There were no early reports of @ @ @ @ @ the tremor .
Stephen Hicks , a seismologist with Imperial College London , said the @ @ @ @ @ enough to be felt widely through northern Japan .
Some said the earthquake was also @ @ @ @

A United States Geological Survey map shows the location of the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck between Japan and a Russian island Thursday. Photo courtesy USGS/UPI
Feb. 13 (UPI) -- A magnitude-6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Japan's Hokkaido Prefecture and Russia's Kuril Islands Thursday, the Japan Meteorological Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey said. The earthquake struck 57.1 miles east-northeast of Kurilat a depth of 88.6 miles, the USGS said. There were no early reports of damage or injuries connected with the tremor. Advertisement
Stephen Hicks, a seismologist with Imperial College London, said the earthquake would have been strong enough to be felt widely through northern Japan. Some said the earthquake was also felt in Tokyo.


upi--2020-02-13--In photos: Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz attend 'Sonic the Hedgehog' premiere in LA

The cast of `` Sonic the Hedgehog '' attend the film 's premiere at the Regency Village Theatre in Los @ @ @ @

Cast members, left to right, Natasha Rothwell, Ben Schwartz, Jim Carrey, Tika Sumpter and Lee Majdoub. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI


upi--2020-02-13--Hackers could shut down satellites

Hackers could shut down satellites -- or turn them into weapons

Feb. 13 ( UPI ) -- Last month , SpaceX became the operator of the world 's largest active satellite constellation .
As of the end of January , the company had 242 satellites orbiting the planet with plans to launch 42,000 over the next decade .
This is part of its ambitious project to provide Internet access across the globe .
The race to put satellites in space is on , with Amazon , U.K.-based OneWeb and other companies chomping at the bit to place thousands of satellites in orbit in the coming months .
These new satellites have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyday life -- from bringing Internet access to remote corners of the globe to monitoring the environment and improving global navigation systems .
Amid all the fanfare , a critical danger has flown under the radar : the lack of cybersecurity standards and regulations for commercial satellites , in the United States and internationally .
As a scholar who studies cyber conflict , I 'm keenly aware that this , coupled with satellites ' complex supply chains and layers of stakeholders , leaves them highly vulnerable to cyberattacks .
If hackers were to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequences could be dire .
On the mundane end of scale , hackers could simply shut down satellites , denying access to their services .
Hackers could also jam or spoof the signals from satellites , creating havoc for critical infrastructure .
This includes electric grids , water networks and transportation systems .
Some of these new satellites have thrusters that allow them to speed up , slow down and change direction in space .
If hackers took control of these steerable satellites , the consequences could be catastrophic .
Hackers could alter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into other satellites or even the International Space Station .
Makers of these satellites , particularly small CubeSats , use off-the-shelf technology to keep costs low .
The wide availability of these components means hackers can analyze them for vulnerabilities .
In addition , many of the components draw on open-source technology .
The danger here is that hackers could insert back doors and other vulnerabilities into satellites ' software .
The highly technical nature of these satellites also means multiple manufacturers are involved in building the various components .
The process of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complicated , involving multiple companies .
Even once they are in space , the organizations that own the satellites often outsource their day-to-day management to other companies .
With each additional vendor , the vulnerabilities increase as hackers have multiple opportunities to infiltrate the system .
Hacking some of these CubeSats may be as simple as waiting for one of them to pass overhead and then sending malicious commands using specialized ground antennas .
Hacking more sophisticated satellites might not be that hard either .
Satellites are typically controlled from ground stations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can be exploited by hackers .
If hackers were to infiltrate these computers , they could send malicious commands to the satellites .
This scenario played out in 1998 when hackers took control of the U.S.-German ROSAT X-Ray satellite .
They did it by hacking into computers at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland .
The hackers then instructed the satellite to aim its solar panels directly at the sun .
This effectively fried its batteries and rendered the satellite useless .
The defunct satellite eventually crashed back to Earth in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for ransom , as happened in 1999 when hackers took control of the U.K. 's SkyNet satellites .
Over the years , the threat of cyberattacks on satellites has gotten more dire .
In 2008 , hackers , possibly from China , reportedly took full control of two NASA satellites , one for about two minutes and the other for about nine minutes .
In 2018 , another group of Chinese state-backed hackers reportedly launched a sophisticated hacking campaign aimed at satellite operators and defense contractors .
Iranian hacking groups have also attempted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Defense and National Security Agency have made some efforts to address space cybersecurity , the pace has been slow .
There are no cybersecurity standards for satellites and no governing body to regulate and ensure their cybersecurity .
Even if common standards could be developed , there are no mechanisms in place to enforce them .
This means responsibility for satellite cybersecurity falls to the individual companies that build and operate them .
As they compete to be the dominant satellite operator , SpaceX and rival companies are under increasing pressure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to speed up development and production .
This makes it tempting for the companies to cut corners in areas like cybersecurity that are secondary to actually getting these satellites in space .
Even for companies that make a high priority of cybersecurity , the costs associated with guaranteeing the security of each component could be prohibitive .
This problem is even more acute for low-cost space missions , where the cost of ensuring cybersecurity could exceed the cost of the satellite itself .
To compound matters , the complex supply chain of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their management means it 's often not clear who bears responsibility and liability for cyber breaches .
This lack of clarity has bred complacency and hindered efforts to secure these important systems .
Some analysts have begun to advocate for strong government involvement in the development and regulation of cybersecurity standards for satellites and other space assets .
Congress could work to adopt a comprehensive regulatory framework for the commercial space sector .
For instance , they could pass legislation that requires satellites manufacturers to develop a common cybersecurity architecture .
They could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaches involving satellites .
There also needs to be clarity on which space-based assets are deemed critical in order to prioritize cybersecurity efforts .
Clear legal guidance on who bears responsibility for cyberattacks on satellites will also go a long way to ensuring that the responsible parties take the necessary measures to secure these systems .
Given the traditionally slow pace of congressional action , a multi-stakeholder approach involving public-private cooperation may be warranted to ensure cybersecurity standards .
Whatever steps government and industry take , it is imperative to act now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait for hackers to gain control of a commercial satellite and use it to threaten life , limb and property -- here on Earth or in space -- before addressing this issue .
William Akoto is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Denver .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

On January 6, SpaceX launched its third payload of 60 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. File Photo courtesy of SpaceX | License Photo
Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Last month, SpaceX became the operator of the world's largest active satellite constellation. As of the end of January, the company had 242 satellites orbiting the planet with plans to launch 42,000 over the next decade. This is part of its ambitious project to provide Internet access across the globe. The race to put satellites in space is on, with Amazon, U.K.-based OneWeb and other companies chomping at the bit to place thousands of satellites in orbit in the coming months. These new satellites have the potential to revolutionize many aspects of everyday life -- from bringing Internet access to remote corners of the globe to monitoring the environment and improving global navigation systems. Amid all the fanfare, a critical danger has flown under the radar: the lack of cybersecurity standards and regulations for commercial satellites, in the United States and internationally. As a scholar who studies cyber conflict, I'm keenly aware that this, coupled with satellites' complex supply chains and layers of stakeholders, leaves them highly vulnerable to cyberattacks. Advertisement Advertisement
If hackers were to take control of these satellites, the consequences could be dire. On the mundane end of scale, hackers could simply shut down satellites, denying access to their services. Hackers could also jam or spoof the signals from satellites, creating havoc for critical infrastructure. This includes electric grids, water networks and transportation systems.
Some of these new satellites have thrusters that allow them to speed up, slow down and change direction in space. If hackers took control of these steerable satellites, the consequences could be catastrophic. Hackers could alter the satellites' orbits and crash them into other satellites or even the International Space Station.
Commodity parts
Makers of these satellites, particularly small CubeSats, use off-the-shelf technology to keep costs low. The wide availability of these components means hackers can analyze them for vulnerabilities. In addition, many of the components draw on open-source technology. The danger here is that hackers could insert back doors and other vulnerabilities into satellites' software.
The highly technical nature of these satellites also means multiple manufacturers are involved in building the various components. The process of getting these satellites into space is also complicated, involving multiple companies. Even once they are in space, the organizations that own the satellites often outsource their day-to-day management to other companies. With each additional vendor, the vulnerabilities increase as hackers have multiple opportunities to infiltrate the system.
Advertisement
Hacking some of these CubeSats may be as simple as waiting for one of them to pass overhead and then sending malicious commands using specialized ground antennas. Hacking more sophisticated satellites might not be that hard either.
Satellites are typically controlled from ground stations. These stations run computers with software vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers. If hackers were to infiltrate these computers, they could send malicious commands to the satellites.
History of hacks
This scenario played out in 1998 when hackers took control of the U.S.-German ROSAT X-Ray satellite. They did it by hacking into computers at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. The hackers then instructed the satellite to aim its solar panels directly at the sun. This effectively fried its batteries and rendered the satellite useless. The defunct satellite eventually crashed back to Earth in 2011. Hackers could also hold satellites for ransom, as happened in 1999 when hackers took control of the U.K.'s SkyNet satellites.
Over the years, the threat of cyberattacks on satellites has gotten more dire. In 2008, hackers, possibly from China, reportedly took full control of two NASA satellites, one for about two minutes and the other for about nine minutes. In 2018, another group of Chinese state-backed hackers reportedly launched a sophisticated hacking campaign aimed at satellite operators and defense contractors. Iranian hacking groups have also attempted similar attacks.
Advertisement
Although the U.S. Department of Defense and National Security Agency have made some efforts to address space cybersecurity, the pace has been slow. There are no cybersecurity standards for satellites and no governing body to regulate and ensure their cybersecurity. Even if common standards could be developed, there are no mechanisms in place to enforce them. This means responsibility for satellite cybersecurity falls to the individual companies that build and operate them.
As they compete to be the dominant satellite operator, SpaceX and rival companies are under increasing pressure to cut costs. There is also pressure to speed up development and production. This makes it tempting for the companies to cut corners in areas like cybersecurity that are secondary to actually getting these satellites in space.
Even for companies that make a high priority of cybersecurity, the costs associated with guaranteeing the security of each component could be prohibitive. This problem is even more acute for low-cost space missions, where the cost of ensuring cybersecurity could exceed the cost of the satellite itself.
To compound matters, the complex supply chain of these satellites and the multiple parties involved in their management means it's often not clear who bears responsibility and liability for cyber breaches. This lack of clarity has bred complacency and hindered efforts to secure these important systems.
Advertisement
Regulation required
Some analysts have begun to advocate for strong government involvement in the development and regulation of cybersecurity standards for satellites and other space assets. Congress could work to adopt a comprehensive regulatory framework for the commercial space sector. For instance, they could pass legislation that requires satellites manufacturers to develop a common cybersecurity architecture.
They could also mandate the reporting of all cyber breaches involving satellites. There also needs to be clarity on which space-based assets are deemed critical in order to prioritize cybersecurity efforts. Clear legal guidance on who bears responsibility for cyberattacks on satellites will also go a long way to ensuring that the responsible parties take the necessary measures to secure these systems.
Given the traditionally slow pace of congressional action, a multi-stakeholder approach involving public-private cooperation may be warranted to ensure cybersecurity standards. Whatever steps government and industry take, it is imperative to act now. It would be a profound mistake to wait for hackers to gain control of a commercial satellite and use it to threaten life, limb and property -- here on Earth or in space -- before addressing this issue.
Advertisement
William Akoto is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Denver. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


upi--2020-02-13--Watch: Janet Jackson, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots perform with classroom instruments on 'Tonight Show

Watch: Janet Jackson, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots perform with classroom instruments on 'Tonight Show'

Feb. 13 ( UPI ) -- Janet Jackson teamed up with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots to perform her song @ @ @ @ @ instruments on The Tonight Show .
Jackson sang the lyrics while Fallon and The Roots @ @ @ @ @ wood blocks , hand clappers , a kazoo , bongos and a tambourine , among @ @ @ @ @ `` I 've seen the world , been to many places/ Made lots of friends @ @ @ @ @ 've had such fun around the world it 's true/ African skies with a Nairobi @ @ @ @ @ Tuscany and dreamed/ The one thing missing was you , '' Jackson sang .
Fallon @ @ @ @ @ backup vocals .
The group performed the song huddled together while nature footage appeared on @ @ @ @ @ Jackson was recently a featured guest on The Tonight Show where she discussed the creation @ @ @ @ @ .
The singer is set to release a new album in 2020 titled Black Diamond @ @ @ @ @ North America starting in June .

Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Janet Jackson teamed up with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots to perform her song "Runaway" using classroom instruments on The Tonight Show.
Jackson sang the lyrics while Fallon and The Roots recreated the track by using wood blocks, hand clappers, a kazoo, bongos and a tambourine, among other items on Wednesday.
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"I've seen the world, been to many places/ Made lots of friends, many different races/ I've had such fun around the world it's true/ African skies with a Nairobi mood/ I fell asleep in Tuscany and dreamed/ The one thing missing was you," Jackson sang.
Fallon and The Roots also provided backup vocals. The group performed the song huddled together while nature footage appeared on a screen behind them.
Jackson was recently a featured guest on The Tonight Show where she discussed the creation of her classic album Control.
The singer is set to release a new album in 2020 titled Black Diamond. Jackson will begin touring North America starting in June.


upi--2020-02-13--Barclays CEO Jes Staley under British investigation for Jeffrey Epstein ties

Feb. 13 ( UPI ) -- Barclays announced Thursday that CEO Jes Staley is being investigated by British financial authorities over ties to financier and accused U.S. sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein .
The bank said Staley is under scrutiny by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Bank of England 's Prudential Regulation Authority for the ties .
Epstein died in federal prison last year after he was arrested on sex trafficking charges .
His death was ruled a suicide last October .
`` Earlier in his career Mr. Staley developed a professional relationship with Mr. Epstein , '' Barclays said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer of 2019 , in light of the renewed media interest in the relationship , Mr. Staley volunteered and gave to certain executives , and the chairman , an explanation of his relationship with Mr. Epstein .
`` Staley also confirmed to the board that he has had no contact whatsoever with Mr. Epstein at any time since taking up his role as Barclays Group CEO in December 2015 . ''
Barclays said it believes Staley has been `` sufficiently transparent '' about his relationship .
`` Accordingly , Mr. Staley retains the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being unanimously recommended for re-election at the annual general meeting , '' Barclays added .
Barclays paid Staley $ 7.6 million last year , up from his $ 4.36 million salary in 2018 .

Barclays Group CEO Jes Staley arrives for a meeting of financial services leaders in London, Britain, on January 11, 2018. File Photo Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA EFE
Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Barclays announced Thursday that CEO Jes Staley is being investigated by British financial authorities over ties to financier and accused U.S. sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The bank said Staley is under scrutiny by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority for the ties. Epstein died in federal prison last year after he was arrested on sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide last October. Advertisement
"Earlier in his career Mr. Staley developed a professional relationship with Mr. Epstein," Barclays said in a statement. "In the summer of 2019, in light of the renewed media interest in the relationship, Mr. Staley volunteered and gave to certain executives, and the chairman, an explanation of his relationship with Mr. Epstein.
"Staley also confirmed to the board that he has had no contact whatsoever with Mr. Epstein at any time since taking up his role as Barclays Group CEO in December 2015."
Barclays said it believes Staley has been "sufficiently transparent" about his relationship.
"Accordingly, Mr. Staley retains the full confidence of the board, and is being unanimously recommended for re-election at the annual general meeting," Barclays added.
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Barclays paid Staley $7.6 million last year, up from his $4.36 million salary in 2018.


upi--2020-02-13--Sudan reaches settlement over 2000 USS Cole attack

Feb. 13 ( UPI ) -- The interim government of Sudan announced Thursday it has reached a settlement agreement with the families of U.S. military personnel killed in 2000 terrorist attack against the USS Cole .
A communique from Sudan 's Justice Ministry gave no details of the settlement , which was reached last week , but indicated the move was made in hopes of having the country removed from the U.S. blacklist of state sponsors of terrorism .
Under the settlement , the government in Khartoum admits no responsibility for the Oct. 12 , 2000 , attack on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harbor .
The bombing , carried out by members of the al-Qaida Islamist terror organization , killed 17 U.S. Navy sailors and injured 39 .
A U.S. court ruling in 2014 found that longtime Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir provided key aid to al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden before the attack and ordered $ 35 million in restitution to the victims ' families .
However , the decision was dismissed last year because it had not been properly initiated in 2010 .
Bashir was ousted by the military last year and the interim government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims ' families , as well as those stemming from the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania , in return for removal from the U.S. blacklist , under which it is banned from receiving economic assistance .
U.S. courts have also held Sudan liable for $ 5.9 billion in compensatory damages to the survivors of the 1998 embassy bombings .
A total of 224 people died in those attacks , including 12 Americans .

The USS Cole is seen following a terrorist attack on October 12, 2000, in which 17 U.S. Navy sailors died and 39 were injured. File photo courtesy U.S. Navy/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 13 (UPI) -- The interim government of Sudan announced Thursday it has reached a settlement agreement with the families of U.S. military personnel killed in 2000 terrorist attack against the USS Cole. A communique from Sudan's Justice Ministry gave no details of the settlement, which was reached last week, but indicated the move was made in hopes of having the country removed from the U.S. blacklist of state sponsors of terrorism. Advertisement
Under the settlement, the government in Khartoum admits no responsibility for the Oct. 12, 2000, attack on the guided missile destroyer at Yemen's Aden harbor.
The bombing, carried out by members of the al-Qaida Islamist terror organization, killed 17 U.S. Navy sailors and injured 39.
A U.S. court ruling in 2014 found that longtime Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir provided key aid to al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden before the attack and ordered $35 million in restitution to the victims' families. However, the decision was dismissed last year because it had not been properly initiated in 2010.
Sudan justice minister Nasr al-Din Abdel Bari said the victims' compensation package includes a $30 million payment.
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Bashir was ousted by the military last year and the interim government said it was willing to compensate the victims' families, as well as those stemming from the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, in return for removal from the U.S. blacklist, under which it is banned from receiving economic assistance.
U.S. courts have also held Sudan liable for $5.9 billion in compensatory damages to the survivors of the 1998 embassy bombings. A total of 224 people died in those attacks, including 12 Americans.