upi--2020-12-17--EU extends Russian sanctions over actions in Ukraine

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- The European Union extended sanctions targeting Russia over its destabilizing actions in Ukraine by an additional six months .
The EU announced in a statement that the sanctions target Russia 's financial , energy and military sectors , stating they limit the access of Russian banks and companies to EU markets and ban the import and export products that have dual civilian-military applications .
`` The sanctions further curtail Russian access to certain sensitive technologies that can be used in the Russian energy sector , for instance in oil production and exploration , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has in place other restrictive measures , including diplomatic and individual sanctions , to punish Russia over its annexation of Crimea in 2014 .
In October , the EU added two people and four entities involved in destabilizing activities in Crimea to its sanctions list , expanding it 177 people and 48 entities blacklisted .
The sanctions were first imposed in September of 2014 over Russia 's actions in Ukraine , with the initial term limit of a year that has since been repeatedly extended .
On Thursday , the sanctions were extended @ @ @ @

Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The European Union extended sanctions targeting Russia over its destabilizing actions in Ukraine by an additional six months.
The EU announced in a statement that the sanctions target Russia's financial, energy and military sectors, stating they limit the access of Russian banks and companies to EU markets and ban the import and export products that have dual civilian-military applications.
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"The sanctions further curtail Russian access to certain sensitive technologies that can be used in the Russian energy sector, for instance in oil production and exploration," the statement said.
The EU also has in place other restrictive measures, including diplomatic and individual sanctions, to punish Russia over its annexation of Crimea in 2014.
In October, the EU added two people and four entities involved in destabilizing activities in Crimea to its sanctions list, expanding it 177 people and 48 entities blacklisted.
The sanctions were first imposed in September of 2014 over Russia's actions in Ukraine, with the initial term limit of a year that has since been repeatedly extended.
On Thursday, the sanctions were extended until July 31.


upi--2020-12-17--Heavy snow in Northeast grounds hundreds of flights

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- Hundreds of flights have been canceled in the United States due to a nor'easter in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions , which has dumped more than 2 feet of snow in some areas .
More than 700 flights were canceled on Wednesday and another 700 had been by midday Thursday , according to FlightAware.com .
United and Southwest airlines canceled about 100 flights each , JetBlue canceled about 65 , and Delta and American airlines canceled about 50 each .
Boston 's Logan Airport was the most affected flight origination point Thursday , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Newark-Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and New York City 's John F. Kennedy International Airport .
At Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall , a Spirit Airlines jetliner skidded off the taxiway after landing Thursday morning .
An airline representative told WUSA9-TV that no one was injured .
Amtrak is operating on a modified schedule in parts of the Northeast and has canceled some services until at least Friday .
The storm has been blanketing wide swaths of the eastern United States , from the central Appalachians to New England , the National Weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York state began Thursday with up to 2 feet of new snow , with some areas receiving up to 3 feet .
Snowfall has also been heavy in major cities along the Eastern Seaboard .
More than 6 inches had fallen in New York City 's Central Park by early Thursday .
Boston set a new daily record of snow for Dec. 17 , with 9.1 inches .
It broke the previous record by nearly 3 inches .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , who declared a state of emergency in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storm-related deaths and about 600 car crashes .
He warned residents to stay home if possible .
Jason Garnar , the executive of Broome County , which is south of Syracuse , called it a `` historic snowstorm '' with more than 40 inches of snow fell in 12 hours in the county .
`` We have never seen anything like this before , '' he said in a storm response update Thursday afternoon .
`` I guess 2020 being what 2020 is I should have expected something like this to happen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday , prohibiting all but essential vehicles from the road due to the quantity of snow that fell .
The 911 dispatch has received more than 600 snow-related calls , he said , adding four-wheel drive vehicles were called in to transport people to hospitals when ambulances were unable to move through the snow .
In New York City , Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday said Code Blue was in effect to get homeless people off the streets amid the plunging temperatures .
`` Look out for your neighbors , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Look out for someone that has any special need . ''
Zone Sgt .
Jason Cawley rescued Kevin Kresen , 58 , of Candor , a village about 64 miles south of Syracuse , who had been trapped by snow in his car by a snow plow truck for more than 10 hours , suffering from hypothermia and frostbite .
New York State Police posted pictures on Twitter of Cawley with Kresen as he was recuperating at the hospital .
In the Pittsburgh suburb of North Versailles , a 63-year-old man died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night , WTAE-TV reported .
Police in central Pennsylvania 's Clinton County said two people died in a crash involving dozens of vehicles .
Another driver died in a one-vehicle crash in Snyder County .
Snowfall is expected to continue throughout Thursday and gradually taper off into the evening .
Forecasters say an additional 6 inches to 12 inches are expected across parts of New England , in addition to what had already fallen .
By December standards , the storm is one of the largest in recent memory .
Prior to this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City saw more than 6 inches from a single storm was 2010 , when about 20 inches fell in late December .

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A pedestrian holds a flipped umbrella while she takes a giant step over a wet puddle in New York City on Thursday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Hundreds of flights have been canceled in the United States due to a nor'easter in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, which has dumped more than 2 feet of snow in some areas. More than 700 flights were canceled on Wednesday and another 700 had been by midday Thursday, according to FlightAware.com. Advertisement
United and Southwest airlines canceled about 100 flights each, JetBlue canceled about 65, and Delta and American airlines canceled about 50 each.
Boston's Logan Airport was the most affected flight origination point Thursday, with more than 100 canceled flights, followed by Newark-Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport.
At Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall, a Spirit Airlines jetliner skidded off the taxiway after landing Thursday morning. An airline representative told WUSA9-TV that no one was injured.
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Amtrak is operating on a modified schedule in parts of the Northeast and has canceled some services until at least Friday.
The storm has been blanketing wide swaths of the eastern United States, from the central Appalachians to New England, the National Weather Service said.
Central Pennsylvania and south-central New York state began Thursday with up to 2 feet of new snow, with some areas receiving up to 3 feet.
Snowfall has also been heavy in major cities along the Eastern Seaboard. More than 6 inches had fallen in New York City's Central Park by early Thursday. Boston set a new daily record of snow for Dec. 17, with 9.1 inches. It broke the previous record by nearly 3 inches.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who declared a state of emergency in 18 counties, said there were two storm-related deaths and about 600 car crashes. He warned residents to stay home if possible.
Jason Garnar, the executive of Broome County, which is south of Syracuse, called it a "historic snowstorm" with more than 40 inches of snow fell in 12 hours in the county.
"We have never seen anything like this before," he said in a storm response update Thursday afternoon. "I guess 2020 being what 2020 is I should have expected something like this to happen."
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Garnar had issued a travel ban on Wednesday, prohibiting all but essential vehicles from the road due to the quantity of snow that fell.
The 911 dispatch has received more than 600 snow-related calls, he said, adding four-wheel drive vehicles were called in to transport people to hospitals when ambulances were unable to move through the snow.
In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday said Code Blue was in effect to get homeless people off the streets amid the plunging temperatures.
"Look out for your neighbors," he said during a media availability. "Look out for someone that has any special need."
Zone Sgt. Jason Cawley rescued Kevin Kresen, 58, of Candor, a village about 64 miles south of Syracuse, who had been trapped by snow in his car by a snow plow truck for more than 10 hours, suffering from hypothermia and frostbite.
New York State Police posted pictures on Twitter of Cawley with Kresen as he was recuperating at the hospital.
Meet Zone Sergeant Jason Cawley of Troop C. Today, Sergeant Cawley located a driver who had been stranded more than 10 hours after his car went off the road and he was plowed in, covered with almost 4 feet of snow. https://t.co/kGp9fT5EAj pic.twitter.com/240uh9UwQP— NewYorkStatePolice (@nyspolice) December 17, 2020
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In the Pittsburgh suburb of North Versailles, a 63-year-old man died after being struck by a snowplow Wednesday night, WTAE-TV reported.
Police in central Pennsylvania's Clinton County said two people died in a crash involving dozens of vehicles. Another driver died in a one-vehicle crash in Snyder County.
Snowfall is expected to continue throughout Thursday and gradually taper off into the evening. Forecasters say an additional 6 inches to 12 inches are expected across parts of New England, in addition to what had already fallen.
By December standards, the storm is one of the largest in recent memory.
Prior to this snowstorm, the last time New York City saw more than 6 inches from a single storm was 2010, when about 20 inches fell in late December.
AccuWeather contributed to this report.


upi--2020-12-17--Browns WR Jarvis Landry calls Ravens' Marcus Peters a 'coward' for spitting

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry called Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters a `` coward '' after a video appeared to show the defensive back spitting at the wideout as he walked away during Monday night 's game .
`` He 's a coward , '' Landry told reporters Thursday .
`` I think he knew that maybe behind my back he 'd do things like that , but to my face he would n't .
... Now I know .
Everybody knows the type of player he is , the type of person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the end of the first quarter on ESPN 's Monday Night Football .
Landry said he did n't realize that Peters had allegedly spit in his direction until after the game , when he watched a replay of the broadcast .
`` Wait until I turn around and do something like that ?
It 's like , do it to my face , '' Landry said .
`` Be a man about it if you 're going to do something like that . ''
Later Thursday , Peters issued a statement denying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I did n't spit at Jarvis .
Where I come from , when you have an issue with someone , you deal with it face-to-face , man-to-man , '' Peters said .
`` Anyone who believes that I intentionally spit at him does not know me -- plain and simple . ''
Asked if he was concerned the spitting incident might violate any of the NFL 's COVID-19 protocols , Landry responded : `` If there 's a protocol for being a man , that sure ai n't it right there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the Browns on Monday night .
Landry finished with six catches for 52 yards against Baltimore .

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry had six catches for 52 yards in the Browns' loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night. File Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry called Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters a "coward" after a video appeared to show the defensive back spitting at the wideout as he walked away during Monday night's game. "He's a coward," Landry told reporters Thursday. "I think he knew that maybe behind my back he'd do things like that, but to my face he wouldn't. ... Now I know. Everybody knows the type of player he is, the type of person he is." Advertisement
The incident occurred at the end of the first quarter on ESPN's Monday Night Football. Landry said he didn't realize that Peters had allegedly spit in his direction until after the game, when he watched a replay of the broadcast.
"Wait until I turn around and do something like that? It's like, do it to my face," Landry said. "Be a man about it if you're going to do something like that."
Jarvis Landry on Marcus Peters spitting at him behind his back: "He's a coward. He knew that maybe behind my back he could do things like that, but to my face he wouldn't. Everybody knows what type of player he is and the type of person he is."pic.twitter.com/JexKeOPBbl— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) December 17, 2020
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Later Thursday, Peters issued a statement denying that he intentionally spit at Landry.
"I didn't spit at Jarvis. Where I come from, when you have an issue with someone, you deal with it face-to-face, man-to-man," Peters said. "Anyone who believes that I intentionally spit at him does not know me -- plain and simple."
Asked if he was concerned the spitting incident might violate any of the NFL's COVID-19 protocols, Landry responded: "If there's a protocol for being a man, that sure ain't it right there."
The Ravens earned a 47-42 win over the Browns on Monday night. Landry finished with six catches for 52 yards against Baltimore.
This week in the National Football League


upi--2020-12-17--Florida cancels next three men's basketball games as Keyontae Johnson recovers

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- The Florida Gators have postponed their next three men 's basketball games as star forward Keyontae Johnson remains hospitalized for further tests and evaluation .
The Gators , who previously canceled their game against North Florida on Wednesday , postponed matchups against Florida Atlantic on Saturday , Florida A & M on Sunday and James Madison on Tuesday .
`` This has been an emotionally taxing time for Keyontae 's family , friends and teammates , '' Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin said in a statement Thursday .
`` Our hope is that everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these emotions and regroup ahead of the start of the new year . ''
Florida 's next scheduled game is now its Southeastern Conference opener at Vanderbilt on Dec. 30 .
Stricklin also provided another positive update on Johnson , who was upgraded to stable condition Tuesday .
Earlier this week , Johnson had started breathing on his own and was able to speak to his family and doctors .
`` Keyontae Johnson continues to show truly encouraging signs of progress as he undergoes tests and further evaluation at UF Health , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of love , prayers and well-wishes . ''
Johnson collapsed face-first during the first half of Florida 's game against Florida State on Saturday .
He received emergency medical attention on the court before being transported to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital .
He was later airlifted to UF Health in Gainesville , Fla. Johnson , the SEC preseason Player of the Year , is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft .
The junior forward is averaging 16 points per game this season @

Florida Gators forward Keyontae Johnson, the SEC preseason Player of the Year, is averaging 16 points per game this season. Photo by Gamecock Central/Wikimedia Commons
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The Florida Gators have postponed their next three men's basketball games as star forward Keyontae Johnson remains hospitalized for further tests and evaluation. The Gators, who previously canceled their game against North Florida on Wednesday, postponed matchups against Florida Atlantic on Saturday, Florida A&M on Sunday and James Madison on Tuesday. Advertisement
"This has been an emotionally taxing time for Keyontae's family, friends and teammates," Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin said in a statement Thursday. "Our hope is that everyone impacted will take an opportunity to process these emotions and regroup ahead of the start of the new year."
Florida's next scheduled game is now its Southeastern Conference opener at Vanderbilt on Dec. 30.
Stricklin also provided another positive update on Johnson, who was upgraded to stable condition Tuesday. Earlier this week, Johnson had started breathing on his own and was able to speak to his family and doctors.
"Keyontae Johnson continues to show truly encouraging signs of progress as he undergoes tests and further evaluation at UF Health," Stricklin said. "He and his family expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of love, prayers and well-wishes."
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Johnson collapsed face-first during the first half of Florida's game against Florida State on Saturday. He received emergency medical attention on the court before being transported to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. He was later airlifted to UF Health in Gainesville, Fla.
Johnson, the SEC preseason Player of the Year, is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. The junior forward is averaging 16 points per game this season.


upi--2020-12-17--GM Defense begins renovating N.C. facility to build ISVs

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- GM Defense announced Thursday that it has started renovation of an existing General Motors building to support production of the Infantry Squad Vehicle , an all-terrain troop carrier designed to transport a nine-soldier infantry squad .
The 750,000-square-foot facility is located in Concord , N.C. Construction at the facility is likely to continue into early spring , with the production line delivering vehicles in April .
`` We have tremendous momentum behind our ISV win , featuring a first-of-its-kind tactical wheeled vehicle that gives our Soldiers speed , durability and performance to enhance mission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interim president of GM Defense .
`` GM Defense is responsible for the design , engineering and manufacturing of the ISV .
This facility will enable us to meet our customer 's timeline for delivery while continuing our journey to bring commercial technologies and transformative mobility solutions to the defense market . ''
The 5,000-pound ISV is based on the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 midsize truck architecture and uses 90 percent commercial-off-the-shelf parts , but is engineered to fulfill military requirements and designed to provide rapid ground mobility .
The ISV is light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter and compact enough to fit inside a CH-47 Chinook helicopter , and includes a Rollover Protection System for transportability on any battleground .
The facility is slated to manufacture 649 ISVs in support of the production of the 2,065 vehicles GM Defense is contracted to deliver per a $ 214.3 million award awarded to GM Defense in June .
The deal is the first major award since GM created a defense subsidiary in 2017 .
GM Defense delivered its first ISV to the Army in October .

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GM is renovating a facility in Concord, North Carolina to support production of the Infantry Squad Vehicle an all-terrain troop carrier intended to transport a nine-Soldier infantry squad. Photo by John F. Martin for GM Defense
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- GM Defense announced Thursday that it has started renovation of an existing General Motors building to support production of the Infantry Squad Vehicle, an all-terrain troop carrier designed to transport a nine-soldier infantry squad. The 750,000-square-foot facility is located in Concord, N.C. Advertisement
Construction at the facility is likely to continue into early spring, with the production line delivering vehicles in April.
"We have tremendous momentum behind our ISV win, featuring a first-of-its-kind tactical wheeled vehicle that gives our Soldiers speed, durability and performance to enhance mission success," said Tim Herrick, interim president of GM Defense. "GM Defense is responsible for the design, engineering and manufacturing of the ISV. This facility will enable us to meet our customer's timeline for delivery while continuing our journey to bring commercial technologies and transformative mobility solutions to the defense market."
The 5,000-pound ISV is based on the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 midsize truck architecture and uses 90 percent commercial-off-the-shelf parts, but is engineered to fulfill military requirements and designed to provide rapid ground mobility.
The ISV is light enough to be sling loaded from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter and compact enough to fit inside a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, and includes a Rollover Protection System for transportability on any battleground.
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The facility is slated to manufacture 649 ISVs in support of the production of the 2,065 vehicles GM Defense is contracted to deliver per a $214.3 million award awarded to GM Defense in June.
The deal is the first major award since GM created a defense subsidiary in 2017.
GM Defense delivered its first ISV to the Army in October.


upi--2020-12-17--Nigerian military rescues 344 kidnapped schoolboys

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- More than 300 schoolboys who were kidnapped in northern Nigeria were rescued on Thursday , state officials said .
The Nigerian military rescued 344 of the boys who were kidnapped during an attack on the Government Science Secondary School Kankara in Katsina state last week , according to Abdu Labaran , a spokesman for Katsina Gov .
Aminu Bello Masari .
Masari told CNN that children in a video released earlier Thursday that included the logo of the Boko Haram militant group were the same students who were kidnapped .
A large group of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the school before marching more than 300 students into the forest .
Boko Haram has previously attacked residents in the northeastern part of Nigeria and experts say the kidnapping marks a significant spread for the militant organization .
Masari , however , denied that Boko Haram was involved in the kidnappings , instead blaming them on `` local bandits . ''
Masari also suggested that a voice in the video claiming to be Abubakar Shekau , a leader of one of Boko Haram 's factions , was actually a bandit `` mimicking '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ welcomed the release of the children and described their safe return as `` a big relief to their families , the entire country and international community , '' spokesman Garba Shenu wrote on Twitter .
The country has faced a rise in kidnappings , with one of the most notable involving 270 girls from a school in Chibok in 2014 by Boko Haram 's Shekau faction .
While the Nigerian army rescued 80 of those girls , more than 100 never returned home .
Buhari on Thursday acknowledged that his administration was elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` When we came , we made efforts that yielded the return of the Chibok Girls .
When a similar incident of school abduction happened at Dapchi , we successfully returned all but one of the more than 100 abductees , '' he said .
`` When this latest incident happened , we put in our efforts and today we have this result to show . ''

Nigeria's military rescued 344 schoolboys who were kidnapped during an attack on a school in Katsina State last week. File Photo by Ahmed Jallanzo/EPA-EFE
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- More than 300 schoolboys who were kidnapped in northern Nigeria were rescued on Thursday, state officials said. The Nigerian military rescued 344 of the boys who were kidnapped during an attack on the Government Science Secondary School Kankara in Katsina state last week, according to Abdu Labaran, a spokesman for Katsina Gov. Aminu Bello Masari. Advertisement
Masari told CNN that children in a video released earlier Thursday that included the logo of the Boko Haram militant group were the same students who were kidnapped.
A large group of men armed with AK-47s overwhelmed security at the school before marching more than 300 students into the forest.
Boko Haram has previously attacked residents in the northeastern part of Nigeria and experts say the kidnapping marks a significant spread for the militant organization.
Masari, however, denied that Boko Haram was involved in the kidnappings, instead blaming them on "local bandits." Masari also suggested that a voice in the video claiming to be Abubakar Shekau, a leader of one of Boko Haram's factions, was actually a bandit "mimicking" his voice.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari welcomed the release of the children and described their safe return as "a big relief to their families, the entire country and international community," spokesman Garba Shenu wrote on Twitter.
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The country has faced a rise in kidnappings, with one of the most notable involving 270 girls from a school in Chibok in 2014 by Boko Haram's Shekau faction. While the Nigerian army rescued 80 of those girls, more than 100 never returned home.
Buhari on Thursday acknowledged that his administration was elected to bring an end to the kidnappings.
"When we came, we made efforts that yielded the return of the Chibok Girls. When a similar incident of school abduction happened at Dapchi, we successfully returned all but one of the more than 100 abductees," he said. "When this latest incident happened, we put in our efforts and today we have this result to show."


upi--2020-12-17--Attorneys ask DOJ to drop execution date after inmate gets COVID-19

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- Attorneys for a federal death row inmate set to be executed next month asked the U.S. government to withdraw his execution date Thursday after he tested positive for COVID-19 .
Dustin Higgs , 55 , is scheduled to receive a lethal injection Jan. 15 at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute , Ind.
, for the 1996 murders of three women .
His is the last federal execution scheduled to take place during the outgoing Trump administration .
Defense attorney Shawn Nolan said the federal Bureau of Prisons notified him Thursday that his client @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which has sickened more than 17.1 million people and killed 310,000 in the United States .
`` This is surely the result of the super spreader executions that the government has rushed to undertake in the heart of a global pandemic , '' Nolan said in a statement .
`` Following the two executions that took place last week and one other two weeks prior , the COVID numbers at the federal prison in Terre Haute spiked enormously .
Now our client is sick .
We have asked the government to withdraw the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts to intervene if they do not . ''
Higgs is one of more than a dozen federal death row inmates expected to be executed since the U.S. government resumed federal executions in July .
So far , the Trump administration has put to death 10 people and have three others scheduled to take place next month , including Lisa Montgomery on Jan. 12 and Corey Johnson on Jan. 14 .
Higgs is also among six federal inmates scheduled to be executed during the transition period between the administrations of President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lethal injection of Orlando Hall on Nov. 19 , the United States had not had a federal execution during a lame-duck presidency since 1889 under President Grover Cleveland , according to the Death Penalty Information Center .
Higgs and an accomplice , Willis Haynes , were convicted in 2001 of the murders of Tanji Jackson , Tamika Black and Mishann Chinn .
The U.S. Justice Department said Higgs had invited the three women over to his Maryland apartment with Haynes and a third man .
Prosecutors said that after Jackson rebuffed an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive the three women back to Washington , D.C .
Instead , prosecutors said he drove the women to a secluded area in Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge in St. George 's County , Md.
, and told Haynes to shoot them .
All three women died of gunshot wounds .
Higgs ' defense team called their client 's death sentence `` arbitrary and inequitable '' because Haynes , who pulled the trigger , was spared the death penalty and received life in prison .

Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Attorneys for a federal death row inmate set to be executed next month asked the U.S. government to withdraw his execution date Thursday after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Dustin Higgs, 55, is scheduled to receive a lethal injection Jan. 15 at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Ind., for the 1996 murders of three women. His is the last federal execution scheduled to take place during the outgoing Trump administration.
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Defense attorney Shawn Nolan said the federal Bureau of Prisons notified him Thursday that his client tested positive for the novel coronavirus, which has sickened more than 17.1 million people and killed 310,000 in the United States.
"This is surely the result of the super spreader executions that the government has rushed to undertake in the heart of a global pandemic," Nolan said in a statement.
"Following the two executions that took place last week and one other two weeks prior, the COVID numbers at the federal prison in Terre Haute spiked enormously. Now our client is sick. We have asked the government to withdraw the execution date and we will ask the courts to intervene if they do not."
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Higgs is one of more than a dozen federal death row inmates expected to be executed since the U.S. government resumed federal executions in July. So far, the Trump administration has put to death 10 people and have three others scheduled to take place next month, including Lisa Montgomery on Jan. 12 and Corey Johnson on Jan. 14.
Higgs is also among six federal inmates scheduled to be executed during the transition period between the administrations of President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden. Prior to the lethal injection of Orlando Hall on Nov. 19, the United States had not had a federal execution during a lame-duck presidency since 1889 under President Grover Cleveland, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
Higgs and an accomplice, Willis Haynes, were convicted in 2001 of the murders of Tanji Jackson, Tamika Black and Mishann Chinn.
The U.S. Justice Department said Higgs had invited the three women over to his Maryland apartment with Haynes and a third man. Prosecutors said that after Jackson rebuffed an advance by Higgs, he offered to drive the three women back to Washington, D.C.
Instead, prosecutors said he drove the women to a secluded area in Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge in St. George's County, Md., and told Haynes to shoot them. All three women died of gunshot wounds.
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Higgs' defense team called their client's death sentence "arbitrary and inequitable" because Haynes, who pulled the trigger, was spared the death penalty and received life in prison.


upi--2020-12-17--Defense Logistics Agency ready to ship COVID-19 vaccine overseas

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- The Defense Logistics Agency announced Thursday that it 's ready to ship COVID-19 vaccine doses to Defense Department employees outside the continental U.S .
According to the Pentagon , the DLA has been working with Operation Warp Speed and Defense Health Agency officials to develop a plan for delivering the vaccine as it becomes available .
According to Army Col. Anthony Bostick , who leads DLA 's Operation Warp Speed operational planning team , the DLA will adapt some of the practices it uses to deliver the annual flu vaccine , which it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some aspects , storage and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine is pretty similar to what we 've been doing all along with the flu vaccine , and DLA has had great success getting that to DOD employees around the world , '' Bostick said .
The DLA has increased its refrigerated storage space and will be able to maintain almost 19 million doses of the 35.6-to-46.4 Fahrenheit vaccine and the -4 Fahrenheit vaccine before shipping products .
The agency has not been asked to distribute the -112 Fahrenheit vaccine , Bostick said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for distribution if necessary .
DLA Distribution manages six U.S.-based and four overseas centers that can handle cold-chain items and began training additional employees in cold-chain management processes in June , according to Bob Garrettson of DLA Distribution 's special commodities team .
`` We 've been involved in very detailed , intense planning with DHA and other key players to make sure there 's a coordinated response that gets the vaccine exactly where it 's needed , and we have contingency plans in place in case they 're needed , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the nation 's pandemic response since February and has provided more than $ 2.5 billion in supplies ranging from face masks and ventilators to test kits , the Pentagon said .
At the beginning of Dec. 3 Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday said the Navy would prioritize `` people likely to come in contact with people who are infected '' for the vaccine rollout , and on Dec. 9 the Pentagon released its plan for distributing the vaccine within the Defense Department .
That plan echoes Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with personnel preparing to be deployed following .
As of Thursday the Department of Defense had reported 143,641 cumulative cases of coronavirus , with 94,644 in the military , 25,363 amond civilian DoD employees , 14,824 among dependents and 8,810 among military contractors .
Of those , 157 have died , 2,143 have been hospitalized and 84,555 have recovered .
On Nov. 30 , the Pentagon reported 117,736 total cases of the novel coronavirus since March , with 79,020 among the military , 19,770 among civilian DoD employees , 11,721 among DoD dependents @ @ @ @ @

Crystal Tyler, pharmacy technician, prepares an injection for an Operation Warp Speed patient volunteer at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Nov. 16, before the Food and Drug Administration's emergency use authorization of the first COVID-19 vaccine. Photo by Jason W. Edwards/U.S. Army
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The Defense Logistics Agency announced Thursday that it's ready to ship COVID-19 vaccine doses to Defense Department employees outside the continental U.S. According to the Pentagon, the DLA has been working with Operation Warp Speed and Defense Health Agency officials to develop a plan for delivering the vaccine as it becomes available. Advertisement
According to Army Col. Anthony Bostick, who leads DLA's Operation Warp Speed operational planning team, the DLA will adapt some of the practices it uses to deliver the annual flu vaccine, which it has done for 20 years.
"In some aspects, storage and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine is pretty similar to what we've been doing all along with the flu vaccine, and DLA has had great success getting that to DOD employees around the world," Bostick said.
The DLA has increased its refrigerated storage space and will be able to maintain almost 19 million doses of the 35.6-to-46.4 Fahrenheit vaccine and the -4 Fahrenheit vaccine before shipping products.
The agency has not been asked to distribute the -112 Fahrenheit vaccine, Bostick said, but has developed some plans to provide support for distribution if necessary.
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DLA Distribution manages six U.S.-based and four overseas centers that can handle cold-chain items and began training additional employees in cold-chain management processes in June, according to Bob Garrettson of DLA Distribution's special commodities team.
"We've been involved in very detailed, intense planning with DHA and other key players to make sure there's a coordinated response that gets the vaccine exactly where it's needed, and we have contingency plans in place in case they're needed," he said.
DLA has been involved in the nation's pandemic response since February and has provided more than $2.5 billion in supplies ranging from face masks and ventilators to test kits, the Pentagon said.
At the beginning of Dec. 3 Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday said the Navy would prioritize "people likely to come in contact with people who are infected" for the vaccine rollout, and on Dec. 9 the Pentagon released its plan for distributing the vaccine within the Defense Department.
That plan echoes Centers for Disease Control recommendations that healthcare providers be prioritized, with personnel preparing to be deployed following.
As of Thursday the Department of Defense had reported 143,641 cumulative cases of coronavirus, with 94,644 in the military, 25,363 amond civilian DoD employees, 14,824 among dependents and 8,810 among military contractors.
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Of those, 157 have died, 2,143 have been hospitalized and 84,555 have recovered.
On Nov. 30, the Pentagon reported 117,736 total cases of the novel coronavirus since March, with 79,020 among the military, 19,770 among civilian DoD employees, 11,721 among DoD dependents and 7,225 among contractors.


upi--2020-12-17--CISA warns of 'grave risk to the federal government' from cyberattack

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- U.S. cybersecurity officials on Thursday warned of `` a grave risk to the federal government '' posed by a hack linked to weaknesses in a network security software affecting several agencies and Fortune 500 companies .
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued an alert warning that the scope of the attack targeting the departments of Homeland Security , Commerce and Treasury was broader than initially thought .
`` CISA has determined that this threat poses a grave risk to the federal government and state , local , tribal and territorial governments as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector organizations , '' the agency said .
On Monday , CISA said the attack targeted a vulnerability in SolarWinds products , which are used by more than 300,000 customers , including more than 400 of the U.S. Fortune 500 companies , five branches of the U.S. military , and the Departments of Defense , State and Justice , as well as the office of the president .
In Thursday 's alert , CISA said that SolarWinds products were not the only way cyberattackers were able to access the agencies and warned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highly conscious of operational security . ''
`` Taken together , these observed techniques indicate an adversary who is skilled , stealthy with operational security and is willing to expend significant resources to maintain covert presence , '' CISA said .
Thursday 's alert did not include specific details on the origin of the attack , though the Russian intelligence service , SVR , is believed to be behind them .
Russian officials , however , have denied involvement .
Shortly after the CISA alert , President-elect Joe Biden issued a statement saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top priority and work to `` disrupt and deter our adversaries '' from launching cyberattacks .
`` We will do that by , among other things , imposing substantial costs on those responsible for such malicious attacks , including in coordination with our allies and partners , '' Biden said .
`` Our adversaries should know that , as president , I will not stand idly by in the face of cyber assaults on our nation . ''

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned that a recent cyberattack on government agencies, including the Treasury Department, and Fortune 500 companies poses "a grave risk to the federal government." File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- U.S. cybersecurity officials on Thursday warned of "a grave risk to the federal government" posed by a hack linked to weaknesses in a network security software affecting several agencies and Fortune 500 companies. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued an alert warning that the scope of the attack targeting the departments of Homeland Security, Commerce and Treasury was broader than initially thought. Advertisement
"CISA has determined that this threat poses a grave risk to the federal government and state, local, tribal and territorial governments as well as critical infrastructure entities and other private sector organizations," the agency said.
On Monday, CISA said the attack targeted a vulnerability in SolarWinds products, which are used by more than 300,000 customers, including more than 400 of the U.S. Fortune 500 companies, five branches of the U.S. military, and the Departments of Defense, State and Justice, as well as the office of the president.
In Thursday's alert, CISA said that SolarWinds products were not the only way cyberattackers were able to access the agencies and warned that organizations with suspected compromises must be "highly conscious of operational security."
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"Taken together, these observed techniques indicate an adversary who is skilled, stealthy with operational security and is willing to expend significant resources to maintain covert presence," CISA said.
Thursday's alert did not include specific details on the origin of the attack, though the Russian intelligence service, SVR, is believed to be behind them. Russian officials, however, have denied involvement.
Shortly after the CISA alert, President-elect Joe Biden issued a statement saying that his administration will make cybersecurity a top priority and work to "disrupt and deter our adversaries" from launching cyberattacks.
"We will do that by, among other things, imposing substantial costs on those responsible for such malicious attacks, including in coordination with our allies and partners," Biden said. "Our adversaries should know that, as president, I will not stand idly by in the face of cyber assaults on our nation."


upi--2020-12-17--Neighborhood stability boosts odds of survival for red squirrels

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- North American red squirrels benefit from maintaining the same neighbors , year after year .
According to a new study , published Thursday in the journal Current Biology , the advantages of neighborhood stability outweighed the negative impacts of growing a year older .
Researchers also determined living near relatives offers squirrels no benefits .
`` These squirrels are solitary -- each defending a territory with a 'midden ' ( food stash ) at the center -- so we might assume they do n't cooperate , '' lead author Erin Siracusa said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ findings suggest that -- far from breeding contempt -- familiarity with neighbors is mutually beneficial , '' said Siracusa , an expert in animal behavior and a professor at the University of Exeter .
Playing defense is difficult .
It takes time and energy , resources that could be used to find food and potential mates .
The trade-off may explain why squirrels that maintain the same neighbors tend to fare better than those who do n't .
For the study , Siracusa and her research partners analyzed 22 years of data on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Canada , within the traditional territory of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations .
The data was collected as part of the Kluane Red Squirrel Project , which looked at the kinship of nearby squirrels , as well as their familiarity -- how long squirrels lived alongside the same squirrels .
When researchers compared survivability and reproduction rates with the kinship and familiarity of squirrels with their neighbors , they found squirrels who kept the same neighbors were more likely to avoid death and had greater reproductive success .
Males with greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while females with greater familiarity had more of their pups survive the winter .
`` It may be that , after a certain time living next to one another , squirrels reach a sort of 'agreement ' on boundaries , reducing the need for aggression , '' Siracusa said .
`` Competition is the rule in nature , but the benefits identified here might explain the evolution of cooperation even among adversarial neighbors . ''
When looking at the risks associated with growing a year older , researchers revealed a harsh reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance of surviving the following year , while five-year-old squirrels had only a 59 percent chance .
However , five-year-old squirrels who kept the same neighbors had a 74 percent chance of surviving the year .
`` Although we do n't have evidence of direct cooperation among familiar neighbors -- such as working together to fight off an intruder -- it 's clear that neither benefits if their neighbors die , '' Siracusa said .
`` Whatever the nature of their interactions , our study shows that even solitary species have important social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers found new benefit to kinship , it is possible kinship levels are simply too low to impact the data one way or the other .
Previous studies have shown related squirrels are less likely to make aggressive rattling sounds at one another , and will sometimes even share a nest to survive the winter .

North American red squirrel pups, which often maintain the same neighbors for years at a time, huddle together for safety and warmth. Photo by Erin Siracusa
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- North American red squirrels benefit from maintaining the same neighbors, year after year. According to a new study, published Thursday in the journal Current Biology, the advantages of neighborhood stability outweighed the negative impacts of growing a year older. Advertisement
Researchers also determined living near relatives offers squirrels no benefits.
"These squirrels are solitary -- each defending a territory with a 'midden' (food stash) at the center -- so we might assume they don't cooperate," lead author Erin Siracusa said in a news release.
"However, our findings suggest that -- far from breeding contempt -- familiarity with neighbors is mutually beneficial," said Siracusa, an expert in animal behavior and a professor at the University of Exeter.
Playing defense is difficult. It takes time and energy, resources that could be used to find food and potential mates. The trade-off may explain why squirrels that maintain the same neighbors tend to fare better than those who don't.
For the study, Siracusa and her research partners analyzed 22 years of data on squirrels living in the forests of Yukon, Canada, within the traditional territory of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.
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The data was collected as part of the Kluane Red Squirrel Project, which looked at the kinship of nearby squirrels, as well as their familiarity -- how long squirrels lived alongside the same squirrels.
When researchers compared survivability and reproduction rates with the kinship and familiarity of squirrels with their neighbors, they found squirrels who kept the same neighbors were more likely to avoid death and had greater reproductive success.
Males with greater familiarity with their neighbors produced more pups, while females with greater familiarity had more of their pups survive the winter.
"It may be that, after a certain time living next to one another, squirrels reach a sort of 'agreement' on boundaries, reducing the need for aggression," Siracusa said. "Competition is the rule in nature, but the benefits identified here might explain the evolution of cooperation even among adversarial neighbors."
When looking at the risks associated with growing a year older, researchers revealed a harsh reality. Four-year-old squirrels had a 68 percent chance of surviving the following year, while five-year-old squirrels had only a 59 percent chance.
However, five-year-old squirrels who kept the same neighbors had a 74 percent chance of surviving the year.
"Although we don't have evidence of direct cooperation among familiar neighbors -- such as working together to fight off an intruder -- it's clear that neither benefits if their neighbors die," Siracusa said.
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"Whatever the nature of their interactions, our study shows that even solitary species have important social relationships," Siracusa said.
Although researchers found new benefit to kinship, it is possible kinship levels are simply too low to impact the data one way or the other.
Previous studies have shown related squirrels are less likely to make aggressive rattling sounds at one another, and will sometimes even share a nest to survive the winter.


upi--2020-12-17--6 indicted on federal charges in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- A federal grand jury has indicted six men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , the U.S. Attorney 's Office announced Thursday .
The indictment charged Brandon Caserta , Barry Croft , Adam Fox , Kaleb Franks , Ty Garbin and Daniel Harris each with one count of kidnapping conspiracy .
If convicted , they each face up to life in prison .
The Detroit Free Press reported that more charges could be added at a future date .
The six men conspired with others connected to militia groups between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take violent action against multiple state governments that they believe are violating the U.S. Constitution , '' an FBI affidavit said .
The group allegedly wanted to take action against Whitmer in response to her pandemic-related stay-at-home orders .
Agents said the plot included recruiting hundreds of followers to storm the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing before the Nov. 3 election , taking Whitmer hostage and putting her on trial for `` treason . ''
The men also discussed countering law enforcement responders with Molotov cocktails , the affidavit said .
The indictment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-conspirators that if they encountered a law enforcement officer , they should give them an opportunity to leave , but kill them if not .
Using information gathered by an informant , the FBI said some of the militia members also twice conducted surveillance at Whitmer 's vacation home in western Michigan and discussed kidnapping her there .
Lawyers for the six men said they never intended to harm anyone and the alleged plot was merely talk .
Of the more than a dozen men arrested in relation to the plot , these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal crimes .
The rest face state charges .

1/6
Brandon Caserta has been indicted on one count of kidnapping conspiracy. File Photo courtesy of the Kent County Sheriff's Office | License Photo
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- A federal grand jury has indicted six men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Thursday. The indictment charged Brandon Caserta, Barry Croft, Adam Fox, Kaleb Franks, Ty Garbin and Daniel Harris each with one count of kidnapping conspiracy. Advertisement
If convicted, they each face up to life in prison.
The Detroit Free Press reported that more charges could be added at a future date.
The six men conspired with others connected to militia groups between June 6 and Oct. 7 to "take violent action against multiple state governments that they believe are violating the U.S. Constitution," an FBI affidavit said. The group allegedly wanted to take action against Whitmer in response to her pandemic-related stay-at-home orders.
Agents said the plot included recruiting hundreds of followers to storm the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing before the Nov. 3 election, taking Whitmer hostage and putting her on trial for "treason."
The men also discussed countering law enforcement responders with Molotov cocktails, the affidavit said.
The indictment said one of the men told his co-conspirators that if they encountered a law enforcement officer, they should give them an opportunity to leave, but kill them if not.
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Using information gathered by an informant, the FBI said some of the militia members also twice conducted surveillance at Whitmer's vacation home in western Michigan and discussed kidnapping her there.
Lawyers for the six men said they never intended to harm anyone and the alleged plot was merely talk.
Of the more than a dozen men arrested in relation to the plot, these six were the only ones charged with federal crimes. The rest face state charges.


upi--2020-12-17--FDA advisory panel recommends EUA for Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee voted Thursday to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna for emergency use authorization .
The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee voted 20-0 , with one abstention , to advise FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn to issue an EUA for the vaccine .
The vote came after a roughly 8-hour meeting of the committee to discuss the efficacy and potential side effects of the vaccine .
If the FDA issues the EUA , initial shipments could begin within days .
The Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The FDA and CDC took the same steps to approve the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech last Friday and the first vaccinations were given to health workers on Monday .
There was one difference in the committee 's recommendations , though .
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was recommended for those 16 and older , while the Moderna vaccine was given the OK for those 18 and older .
On Tuesday , FDA researchers said in a 54-page review that the Moderna vaccine is safe and effective enough for emergency use in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clinical trial results that showed the vaccine is 94 % effective .
Moderna said last month its two-dose mRNA-1273 vaccine was tested among participants in a 30,000-volunteer clinical trial .
The FDA review said the vaccine is highly protective for adults and prevents severe cases of the coronavirus disease .
Like Pfizer 's , Moderna 's is a new type `` messenger RNA '' vaccine that uses strands of genetic material from the coronavirus to activate the body 's immune system , rather than employing a whole , deactivated virus as traditional vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to purchase 200 million doses of the Moderna vaccine if it 's approved .

Dr. Michelle Chester inoculates Dr. Duroseau Yves with Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine on Monday at Long Island Jewish Medical Center Northwell Health in New York City. A vaccine by Moderna is expected to receive regulatory approval in the United States in the coming days. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee voted Thursday to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna for emergency use authorization. The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee voted 20-0, with one abstention, to advise FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn to issue an EUA for the vaccine. The vote came after a roughly 8-hour meeting of the committee to discuss the efficacy and potential side effects of the vaccine. Advertisement
If the FDA issues the EUA, initial shipments could begin within days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must also give its approval.
The FDA and CDC took the same steps to approve the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech last Friday and the first vaccinations were given to health workers on Monday.
There was one difference in the committee's recommendations, though. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was recommended for those 16 and older, while the Moderna vaccine was given the OK for those 18 and older.
On Tuesday, FDA researchers said in a 54-page review that the Moderna vaccine is safe and effective enough for emergency use in the United States and affirmed the company's clinical trial results that showed the vaccine is 94% effective.
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Moderna said last month its two-dose mRNA-1273 vaccine was tested among participants in a 30,000-volunteer clinical trial. The FDA review said the vaccine is highly protective for adults and prevents severe cases of the coronavirus disease.
Like Pfizer's, Moderna's is a new type "messenger RNA" vaccine that uses strands of genetic material from the coronavirus to activate the body's immune system, rather than employing a whole, deactivated virus as traditional vaccines do.
The U.S. government has plans to purchase 200 million doses of the Moderna vaccine if it's approved.


upi--2020-12-17--Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite all hit record highs Thursday

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- U.S. stocks closed at record highs on Thursday as investors maintained optimism over COVID-19 stimulus negotiations in Congress .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 148.76 , or 0.49 % , while the S & P 500 gained 0.58 % and the Nasdaq Composite increased 0.84 % all record closing highs .
The real estate , materials and health care sectors led the S & P 500 's rise , climbing 1 % each .
Johnson & Johnson stock gained 2.64 % , Home Depot grew 1.6 % and Nike increased 1.58 % to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday said Congress was nearing a coronavirus stimulus deal as leaders on Wednesday discussed a $ 900 stimulus package including direct payments to individuals .
`` Stimulus is still the main driver in the market right now until they get something done and it does appear there is some motivation on that front to get something done , '' Dan Deming , managing director at KKM Financial said .
Thursday 's gains came despite 247,000 new coronavirus cases in the United States on Wednesday and nearly 3,700 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of the health crisis , there have been 17.01 million COVID-19 cases and 308,100 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins .
Additionally , the U.S. Department of Labor reported that 885,000 workers filed new claims for the week ending Dec. 12 , the most since early September .
The S & P and Nasdaq hit record highs on Wednesday as well as lawmakers discussed the stimulus bill and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell committed to continue buying at least $ 120 billion worth of bonds each month until the United States reaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .

The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite each hit new closing highs on Thursday as markets responded to optimism surrounding a new coronavirus stimulus bill. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- U.S. stocks closed at record highs on Thursday as investors maintained optimism over COVID-19 stimulus negotiations in Congress. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 148.76, or 0.49%, while the S&P 500 gained 0.58% and the Nasdaq Composite increased 0.84% all record closing highs. Advertisement
The real estate, materials and health care sectors led the S&P 500's rise, climbing 1% each.
Johnson & Johnson stock gained 2.64%, Home Depot grew 1.6% and Nike increased 1.58% to help lead the Dow higher.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday said Congress was nearing a coronavirus stimulus deal as leaders on Wednesday discussed a $900 stimulus package including direct payments to individuals.
"Stimulus is still the main driver in the market right now until they get something done and it does appear there is some motivation on that front to get something done," Dan Deming, managing director at KKM Financial said.
Thursday's gains came despite 247,000 new coronavirus cases in the United States on Wednesday and nearly 3,700 deaths both representing all-time highs.
Since the start of the health crisis, there have been 17.01 million COVID-19 cases and 308,100 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins.
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Additionally, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that 885,000 workers filed new claims for the week ending Dec. 12, the most since early September.
The S&P and Nasdaq hit record highs on Wednesday as well as lawmakers discussed the stimulus bill and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell committed to continue buying at least $120 billion worth of bonds each month until the United States reaches full employment and inflation remains at 2%.


upi--2020-12-17--Missouri Lottery winner lost her winning ticket for three weeks

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- A Missouri woman said she recognized the winning numbers of a $ 195,000 jackpot @ @ @ @ @ find her ticket for three weeks .
Perle Erwin of Waynesville told Missouri Lottery officials @ @ @ @ @ of numbers representing family birthdays in the Show Me Cash game for about 30 years @ @ @ @ @ try something different for the June 25 drawing .
Erwin bought a ticket with numbers @ @ @ @ @ her grandchildren , and the winning numbers matched her picks .
`` The winning numbers @ @ @ @ @ so I went home to look for my ticket , '' Erwin said .
Erwin @ @ @ @ @ missing , and it took some time to find it .
`` It took me @ @ @ @ @ ticket , '' she said .
The winner brought the recovered ticket to Missouri Lottery @ @ @ @ @ 180,000 jackpot .

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Dec. 17 (UPI) -- A Missouri woman said she recognized the winning numbers of a $195,000 jackpot -- but she couldn't find her ticket for three weeks.
Perle Erwin of Waynesville told Missouri Lottery officials she has played four sets of numbers representing family birthdays in the Show Me Cash game for about 30 years, but she decided to try something different for the June 25 drawing.
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Erwin bought a ticket with numbers representing the upcoming ages of her grandchildren, and the winning numbers matched her picks.
"The winning numbers looked familiar to me, so I went home to look for my ticket," Erwin said.
Erwin soon discovered the ticket was missing, and it took some time to find it.
"It took me three weeks to find my ticket," she said.
The winner brought the recovered ticket to Missouri Lottery headquarters to collect her $180,000 jackpot.


upi--2020-12-17--Man turns in $3,000 found on sidewalk, saves family's Christmas

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- Police in Wisconsin said an honest stranger who found $ 3,000 on a sidewalk @ @ @ @ @ by helping return the cash .
The Wausau Police Department said a resident walking in @ @ @ @ @ containing $ 3,000 cash , multiple Christmas gift envelopes and a bank receipt .
The @ @ @ @ @ to police , who contacted the institution listed on the receipt , Peoples State Bank @ @ @ @ @ able to work with the awesome folks at Peoples State Bank to get the money @ @ @ @ @ and ensure Christmas was n't ruined after all , '' police said .
`` And @ @ @ @ @ we provided the finder with a gift card to a local business to help brighten @ @ @ @ @ ''

A man who found a bundle of $3,000 cash on a sidewalk in Wausau, Wis., helped police and bank officials return the money to its rightful owner. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Police in Wisconsin said an honest stranger who found $3,000 on a sidewalk saved Christmas for a family by helping return the cash. The Wausau Police Department said a resident walking in the city found a bundle containing $3,000 cash, multiple Christmas gift envelopes and a bank receipt. Advertisement
The resident turned the money over to police, who contacted the institution listed on the receipt, Peoples State Bank.
"We were then able to work with the awesome folks at Peoples State Bank to get the money returned to the proper owner and ensure Christmas wasn't ruined after all," police said. "And for his awesome integrity, we provided the finder with a gift card to a local business to help brighten his day as well."


upi--2020-12-17--One in six U.S. teens used tobacco in 2020, government figures show

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- Roughly one in six teens across the United Stated used some type of tobacco product in 2020 , according to data released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
This means that nearly 4.5 million teens nationally used traditional cigarettes , e-cigarettes or chewing tobacco this year , officials estimated .
The relatively high level of product use persists , despite recent research suggesting that the number of teens who smoke cigarettes or opt for chewing tobacco has declined in recent years .
As a result , the estimates indicate that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by e-cigarettes or vaping , officials said .
`` These findings demonstrate success in reducing youth use of tobacco overall , while also revealing changes in use patterns that will inform policymakers , '' U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Stephen M. Hahn said in a statement .
`` We remain very concerned about the overall tobacco use rates for young people , including the nearly 3.6 million youth who currently use e-cigarettes . ''
An analysis released earlier this year by the CDC found that roughly one in three teens vaped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are based on data on more than 14,000 adolescents and teens in grades six through 12 who participated in the 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey , a CDC- and FDA-led project that measures consumption trends among young people .
Among respondents , nearly one in four high school students , or 3.65 million teens , used any tobacco product in 2020 , down about 25 % from 2019 , officials said .
About one in 15 middle-school students , or 800,000 adolescents and teens , reported using a tobacco product in 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the data showed .
However , for the seventh consecutive year , e-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product , at nearly 20 % , among both middle and high school students , according to officials .
In addition , about one-third of all high-school students and 40 % of all middle-school students used two or more tobacco products in 2020 , the data showed .
The FDA 's `` Real Cost '' campaign , launched in 2014 , aims to discourage teens from starting a tobacco-use habit .
The campaign has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on vaping , in response to the changing tobacco-use trends among young people .
`` [ The ] FDA will continue to monitor the marketplace , expand our public education efforts and use our regulatory authority to further ensure all tobacco products , and e-cigarettes in particular , are not marketed to , sold to or used by kids , '' Hahn said .

Tobacco use among teens has declined but e-cigarette use remains high, according to new CDC and FDA estimates. Photo by ghcassel/ Pixabay
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Roughly one in six teens across the United Stated used some type of tobacco product in 2020, according to data released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This means that nearly 4.5 million teens nationally used traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes or chewing tobacco this year, officials estimated. Advertisement
The relatively high level of product use persists, despite recent research suggesting that the number of teens who smoke cigarettes or opt for chewing tobacco has declined in recent years.
As a result, the estimates indicate that teen tobacco use is now being fueled by e-cigarettes or vaping, officials said.
"These findings demonstrate success in reducing youth use of tobacco overall, while also revealing changes in use patterns that will inform policymakers," U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Stephen M. Hahn said in a statement.
"We remain very concerned about the overall tobacco use rates for young people, including the nearly 3.6 million youth who currently use e-cigarettes."
An analysis released earlier this year by the CDC found that roughly one in three teens vaped in 2019.
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The estimates released Thursday are based on data on more than 14,000 adolescents and teens in grades six through 12 who participated in the 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey, a CDC- and FDA-led project that measures consumption trends among young people.
Among respondents, nearly one in four high school students, or 3.65 million teens, used any tobacco product in 2020, down about 25% from 2019, officials said.
About one in 15 middle-school students, or 800,000 adolescents and teens, reported using a tobacco product in 2020, down nearly 50% from 2019, the data showed.
However, for the seventh consecutive year, e-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product, at nearly 20%, among both middle and high school students, according to officials.
In addition, about one-third of all high-school students and 40% of all middle-school students used two or more tobacco products in 2020, the data showed.
The FDA's "Real Cost" campaign, launched in 2014, aims to discourage teens from starting a tobacco-use habit.
The campaign has been tailored in recent years to focus on vaping, in response to the changing tobacco-use trends among young people.
"[The] FDA will continue to monitor the marketplace, expand our public education efforts and use our regulatory authority to further ensure all tobacco products, and e-cigarettes in particular, are not marketed to, sold to or used by kids," Hahn said.


upi--2020-12-17--In photos: Meet President-elect Joe Biden's top adviser picks

Energy Secretary .
The former two-term governor of Michigan advocated for clean energy in her state and helped the Obama @ @ @ @ @ of Detroit 's ' auto manufacturers and pushed for them to invest in electric vehicles @ @ @ @ @

Marcia Fudge
Housing and Urban Development Secretary. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki (L) looks on as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Fudge, the first Black woman to lead the department in decades, speaks at a news conference in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House. Photo by Michael Reynolds/UPI


upi--2020-12-17--Air Force launches drone-based security system at Travis AFB

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- The Air Force 's 60th Security Forces Squadron has launched the first drone-based perimeter security system at California 's Travis Air Force Base .
The squadron collaborated with drone provider Easy Aerial to launch the initiative , based officials said Thursday .
The aircraft are not armed , but are designed to `` enhance strategic deterrence and foster full-spectrum readiness across the Air Force , '' the branch said in a press release .
The Smart Air Force Monitoring System can be programmed to deploy from its base station after receiving a security trigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire alarm or other distress call -- and autonomously navigate the area .
`` Easy Aerial 's unmanned aerial systems are a game-changer , '' Master Sgt .
Joshua Hicks , 60th SFS small unmanned aircraft system instructor , said in a press release .
`` This jointly developed technology will provide unparalleled security and safety for our Airmen and critical assets , '' Hicks said .
The drone initiative is part of the Department of Defense 's Small Business Innovation Research Phase II program .
`` This was a joint effort as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finish , resulting in a customized solution for the Air Force that meets all of their operational desires and requirements , '' said Ivan Stamatovski , Easy Aerial chief technology officer .
Last month the Air Force announced that Florida 's Tyndall Air Force Base is using four-legged robot dogs for security patrols , one of several other drone and robotic initiatives the branch is working on .

The 60th Air Mobility Wing Security Forces tests a new patrolling drone at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., in February. Photo by Nicholas Pilch/U.S. Air Force
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The Air Force's 60th Security Forces Squadron has launched the first drone-based perimeter security system at California's Travis Air Force Base. The squadron collaborated with drone provider Easy Aerial to launch the initiative, based officials said Thursday. Advertisement
The aircraft are not armed, but are designed to "enhance strategic deterrence and foster full-spectrum readiness across the Air Force," the branch said in a press release.
The Smart Air Force Monitoring System can be programmed to deploy from its base station after receiving a security trigger -- such as a fence alarm, fire alarm or other distress call -- and autonomously navigate the area.
"Easy Aerial's unmanned aerial systems are a game-changer," Master Sgt. Joshua Hicks, 60th SFS small unmanned aircraft system instructor, said in a press release.
"This jointly developed technology will provide unparalleled security and safety for our Airmen and critical assets," Hicks said.
The drone initiative is part of the Department of Defense's Small Business Innovation Research Phase II program.
"This was a joint effort as we worked closely together from start to finish, resulting in a customized solution for the Air Force that meets all of their operational desires and requirements," said Ivan Stamatovski, Easy Aerial chief technology officer.
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Last month the Air Force announced that Florida's Tyndall Air Force Base is using four-legged robot dogs for security patrols, one of several other drone and robotic initiatives the branch is working on.


upi--2020-12-17--Court allows EU states to introduce mandatory pre-slaughter stunning

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- A European Union court ruled Thursday that EU member states could introduce mandatory pre-slaughter stunning for animal slaughter in rituals .
Stunning is defined under current regulations as any intentionally induced process that causes lack of consciousness and sensibility without pain , including any process resulting in instantaneous death .
The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that states could introduce stunning regulation to reduce animal pain during slaughter operations carried out for meat through Jewish and Islamic rites , which require the animals be drained of as much blood as possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been following the case , released an opinion poll in October showing that 92 % of 23,216 EU adults surveyed wanted EU member states to adopt additional measures for animal welfare standards during slaughter .
The animal protection lobby group called the decision made Thursday `` a historic day for animals . ''
`` It is now clear that our society does n't support animals to unduly suffer at the most critical time of their lives , '' said Eurogroup for Animals CEO Reineke Hameleers in a statement .
`` Reversible stunning makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competing values of religious freedom , and the concern for animal welfare under EU law .
Acceptance of pre-slaughter stunning by religious communities is increasing both in EU and non-EU countries .
Now it 's time for the EU to make pre-slaughter stunning always mandatory in the next revision of the Slaughter Regulation . ''
The case arose from the Flemish government implementing a ban on slaughtering without stunning through a decree last year .
`` The decree at issue in the main proceedings allow a fair balance to be struck between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedom of Jewish and Muslim believers to manifest their religion , '' the judgment concluded .
After the CJEU 's decision to uphold the ban in the Flemish and Wallonia regions of Belgium , Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt , president of the Conference on European Rabbis released a statement .
`` We are told by European leaders that they want Jewish communities to live and be successful in Europe , but they provide no safeguards for our way of life , '' Goldschmidt said in the statement .
`` Europe needs to reflect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be .
If values like freedom of religion and true diversity are integral , then the current system of law does not reflect that and needs to be urgently reviewed . ''
The next step is for the case to go to the Flanders ' constitutional court to confirm the CJEU 's ruling .

Dec. 17 (UPI) -- A European Union court ruled Thursday that EU member states could introduce mandatory pre-slaughter stunning for animal slaughter in rituals.
Stunning is defined under current regulations as any intentionally induced process that causes lack of consciousness and sensibility without pain, including any process resulting in instantaneous death.
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The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that states could introduce stunning regulation to reduce animal pain during slaughter operations carried out for meat through Jewish and Islamic rites, which require the animals be drained of as much blood as possible.
Eurogroup for Animals, which has been following the case, released an opinion poll in October showing that 92% of 23,216 EU adults surveyed wanted EU member states to adopt additional measures for animal welfare standards during slaughter.
The animal protection lobby group called the decision made Thursday "a historic day for animals."
"It is now clear that our society doesn't support animals to unduly suffer at the most critical time of their lives," said Eurogroup for Animals CEO Reineke Hameleers in a statement. "Reversible stunning makes it possible to successfully balance the apparently competing values of religious freedom, and the concern for animal welfare under EU law. Acceptance of pre-slaughter stunning by religious communities is increasing both in EU and non-EU countries. Now it's time for the EU to make pre-slaughter stunning always mandatory in the next revision of the Slaughter Regulation."
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The case arose from the Flemish government implementing a ban on slaughtering without stunning through a decree last year.
"The decree at issue in the main proceedings allow a fair balance to be struck between the importance attached to animal welfare and the freedom of Jewish and Muslim believers to manifest their religion," the judgment concluded.
After the CJEU's decision to uphold the ban in the Flemish and Wallonia regions of Belgium, Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, president of the Conference on European Rabbis released a statement.
"We are told by European leaders that they want Jewish communities to live and be successful in Europe, but they provide no safeguards for our way of life," Goldschmidt said in the statement. "Europe needs to reflect on the type of continent it wants to be. If values like freedom of religion and true diversity are integral, then the current system of law does not reflect that and needs to be urgently reviewed."
The next step is for the case to go to the Flanders' constitutional court to confirm the CJEU's ruling.


upi--2020-12-17--Lost engagement ring found in mall parking lot six months later

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- A shiny object a man spotted in the snow near his car in the parking lot of a Saskatchewan mall turned out to be a woman 's engagement ring that had been lost for six months .
Steven Zoerb said he went back to his car outside the South Hill Mall in Prince Albert on Sunday morning because he forgot his mask .
`` When I went to open the door of my car , out of the corner of my eye I caught this sort of sparkle , '' Zoerb told paNOW .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ diamond ring , and Zoerb posted photos of the item on Facebook in the hopes of attracting the owner 's attention .
The post was shared by a friend of Alison Cameron , who immediately recognized it as her ring .
Cameron said she had lost track of the ring , which she received upon her engagement on Christmas Day 2013 , about six months earlier , and two months after that she scoured her house for the missing object and determined it had been lost .
Cameron and her husband drove from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missing ring .
She said she does not know how it ended up in the parking lot , but she attends First Nations University in Prince Albert and often travels around the city .
`` I think in light of this pandemic , it really shows the true nature of humanity .
I 'm so grateful for Steven , '' she said .
`` It really gives people something to believe in . ''
Zoerb said in a Facebook post that being able to reunite Cameron with her ring was a `` Christmas @ @ @

A diamond engagement ring found by Steven Zoerb in the parking lot of a mall in Saskatchewan, Canada, turned out to have been lost by Alison Cameron six months earlier. Photo by coryclayful/Pixabay.com
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Dec. 17 (UPI) -- A shiny object a man spotted in the snow near his car in the parking lot of a Saskatchewan mall turned out to be a woman's engagement ring that had been lost for six months. Steven Zoerb said he went back to his car outside the South Hill Mall in Prince Albert on Sunday morning because he forgot his mask. Advertisement
"When I went to open the door of my car, out of the corner of my eye I caught this sort of sparkle," Zoerb told paNOW.
The object turned out to be a diamond ring, and Zoerb posted photos of the item on Facebook in the hopes of attracting the owner's attention.
The post was shared by a friend of Alison Cameron, who immediately recognized it as her ring.
Cameron said she had lost track of the ring, which she received upon her engagement on Christmas Day 2013, about six months earlier, and two months after that she scoured her house for the missing object and determined it had been lost.
Cameron and her husband drove from Muskoday and confirmed it was indeed her missing ring. She said she does not know how it ended up in the parking lot, but she attends First Nations University in Prince Albert and often travels around the city.
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"I think in light of this pandemic, it really shows the true nature of humanity. I'm so grateful for Steven," she said. "It really gives people something to believe in."
Zoerb said in a Facebook post that being able to reunite Cameron with her ring was a "Christmas miracle."


upi--2020-12-17--In photos: Storm blankets NYC, Washington, D.C., in snow

More than 700 flights were canceled on Wednesday and another 700 had been by midday Thursday .
Photo by John @

Snow sticks to the statue of George Washington at Federal Hall, which faces the New York Stock Exchange. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI


upi--2020-12-17--126-year-old message in a bottle found inside Boston wall

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- Researchers in Boston are unraveling an unusual mystery after a resident found a glass @ @ @ @ @ a cryptic note tucked inside .
The Boston Archaeology Program said a resident living in @ @ @ @ @ the bottle tucked into the space between their fireplace flue and an interior wall inside @ @ @ @ @ Simons rye whiskey bottle contained a cryptic note dated Sept. 23 , 1894 .
The @ @ @ @ @ Tom Ford '' and the phrase `` 6 on Shea . ''
`` We have @ @ @ @ @ mind this week !
A Boston resident found this amazing message in a bottle tucked @ @ @ @ @ fireplace flue and an interior wall , presumably placed there by past builders , '' @ @ @ @ @ a Facebook post .
`` Anybody have any ideas about N. Simons , Tom Ford @ @ @ @ @ Shea ? '
Let us know in the comments ! ''

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Researchers in Boston are unraveling an unusual mystery after a resident found a glass bottle inside a wall with a cryptic note tucked inside.
The Boston Archaeology Program said a resident living in the Black Bay area found the bottle tucked into the space between their fireplace flue and an interior wall inside their home.
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The N. Simons rye whiskey bottle contained a cryptic note dated Sept. 23, 1894. The note bears the name "Tom Ford" and the phrase "6 on Shea."
"We have a mystery for the hive mind this week! A Boston resident found this amazing message in a bottle tucked into the space between their fireplace flue and an interior wall, presumably placed there by past builders," the archaeology program said in a Facebook post. "Anybody have any ideas about N. Simons, Tom Ford, or '6 on Shea?' Let us know in the comments!"


upi--2020-12-17--U.S. maritime forces to focus on China, Russia, new strategy doc says

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- The Navy , Marine Corps and Coast Guard will continue to focus on China and Russia `` due to their increasing maritime aggressiveness , '' according to a new tri-service maritime strategy Thursday .
The strategy document , titled `` Advantage at Sea , '' directs the three services to deepen integration , aggressively modernize and continue cooperating with allies and partners .
The strategy 's forward , signed by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael M. Gilday , Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David H. Berger , and Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl L. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and planning now `` will shape the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century . ''
`` Our integrated Navy , Marine Corps , and Coast Guard must maintain clear-eyed resolve to compete with , deter , and , if necessary , defeat our adversaries while we accelerate development of a modernized , integrated all-domain naval force for the future , '' said the forward .
The document argues that China 's and Russia 's `` aggressive naval growth and modernization , '' as well as their `` revisionist approaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interests of the United States and partners and allies , and are eroding U.S. military advantages .
Throughout this year the United States and allied countries have continued to send ships -- including the USS Ronald Reagan in October -- to the South China Sea to signal that the waters should remain international , a claim top diplomats have stressed repeatedly but which China has contested .
Tensions have also increased in regard to maritime claims near Russia .
In November , Russia 's defense ministry said it caught the destroyer USS John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducting what the Navy described as a freedom of navigation operation -- and chased the vessel off .
`` As Sailors , we are on the leading edge of Great Power Competition each and every day , '' Gilday said in a Navy press release .
`` Sea control , power projection and the capability to dominate the oceans must be our primary focus .
Our forces must be ready today , and ready tomorrow , to defend our nation 's interests against potential adversaries at any time .
This strategy helps us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer John S. McCain fires its phalanx close-in weapons system during a live-fire exercise in 2014. Photo by Ricardo R Guzman/U.S. Navy
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard will continue to focus on China and Russia "due to their increasing maritime aggressiveness," according to a new tri-service maritime strategy Thursday. The strategy document, titled "Advantage at Sea," directs the three services to deepen integration, aggressively modernize and continue cooperating with allies and partners. Advertisement
The strategy's forward, signed by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael M. Gilday, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David H. Berger, and Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl L. Schultz, said that U.S. military actions and planning now "will shape the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century."
"Our integrated Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard must maintain clear-eyed resolve to compete with, deter, and, if necessary, defeat our adversaries while we accelerate development of a modernized, integrated all-domain naval force for the future," said the forward.
The document argues that China's and Russia's "aggressive naval growth and modernization," as well as their "revisionist approaches in the maritime environment" threaten the interests of the United States and partners and allies, and are eroding U.S. military advantages.
Throughout this year the United States and allied countries have continued to send ships -- including the USS Ronald Reagan in October -- to the South China Sea to signal that the waters should remain international, a claim top diplomats have stressed repeatedly but which China has contested.
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Tensions have also increased in regard to maritime claims near Russia.
In November, Russia's defense ministry said it caught the destroyer USS John McCain in the Sea of Japan -- conducting what the Navy described as a freedom of navigation operation -- and chased the vessel off.
"As Sailors, we are on the leading edge of Great Power Competition each and every day," Gilday said in a Navy press release.
"Sea control, power projection and the capability to dominate the oceans must be our primary focus. Our forces must be ready today, and ready tomorrow, to defend our nation's interests against potential adversaries at any time. This strategy helps us do exactly that," Gilday said.


upi--2020-12-17--Biden to nominate Michael Regan to EPA, Rep. Deb Haaland to Interior

Dec. 17 ( UPI ) -- President-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate Rep. Deb Haaland as interior secretary and Michael Regan , North Carolina 's top environmental official , to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , transition team officials said Thursday .
Officials speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed the news to The Washington Post , The New York Times and Politico .
Neither nomination has been made official .
Haaland , who has represented New Mexico 's 1st Congressional District since 2019 , was previously the chairwoman of the state 's Democratic Party and worked on President Barack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe and if confirmed , she 'll be the first Native American to serve in a Cabinet secretary position .
As interior secretary , Haaland would be responsible for overseeing the management of federal land , natural resources and national parks .
The department also represents the U.S. government 's closest connection with the nation 's 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives .
Haaland issued a statement Thursday evening saying she 's `` honored and ready to serve . ''
`` A voice like mine has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the head of the Department of Interior .
Growing up in my mother 's Pueblo household made me fierce .
I 'll be fierce for all of us , our planet , and all of our protected land . ''
Regan has served as secretary of North Carolina 's Department of Environmental Quality since January 2017 .
Before that , he worked for the Environmental Defense Fund , a non-profit advocacy group , and he was an air quality specialist with the EPA during the Clinton and Bush administrations .
Sources told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as his EPA pick , he was considering Mary Nichols , chairwoman of the California Air Resources Board .
If confirmed , Regan will be the first Black man to lead the agency .
He 'll be central to Biden 's plans to battle climate change , which includes rejoining the Paris Agreement , reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 , working to stop major polluters , particularly those impacting low-income areas and communities of color .

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If confirmed as interior secretary, Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., would be the first Native American in a Cabinet secretary position. File Photo courtesy of Deb Haaland for Congress/Facebook
Dec. 17 (UPI) -- President-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate Rep. Deb Haaland as interior secretary and Michael Regan, North Carolina's top environmental official, to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, transition team officials said Thursday. Officials speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed the news to The Washington Post, The New York Times and Politico. Advertisement
Neither nomination has been made official.
Haaland, who has represented New Mexico's 1st Congressional District since 2019, was previously the chairwoman of the state's Democratic Party and worked on President Barack Obama's re-election campaign. She is a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe and if confirmed, she'll be the first Native American to serve in a Cabinet secretary position.
As interior secretary, Haaland would be responsible for overseeing the management of federal land, natural resources and national parks. The department also represents the U.S. government's closest connection with the nation's 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Haaland issued a statement Thursday evening saying she's "honored and ready to serve."
"A voice like mine has never been a Cabinet secretary or at the head of the Department of Interior. Growing up in my mother's Pueblo household made me fierce. I'll be fierce for all of us, our planet, and all of our protected land."
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Regan has served as secretary of North Carolina's Department of Environmental Quality since January 2017. Before that, he worked for the Environmental Defense Fund, a non-profit advocacy group, and he was an air quality specialist with the EPA during the Clinton and Bush administrations.
Sources told the Times that before Biden settled on Regan as his EPA pick, he was considering Mary Nichols, chairwoman of the California Air Resources Board.
If confirmed, Regan will be the first Black man to lead the agency.
He'll be central to Biden's plans to battle climate change, which includes rejoining the Paris Agreement, reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, working to stop major polluters, particularly those impacting low-income areas and communities of color.
Meet President Joe Biden's top adviser picks


upi--2020-12-18--Jennifer Lopez to play FBI agent in Netflix film 'The Cipher'

Dec. 18 ( UPI ) -- Jennifer Lopez has joined the cast of a new Netflix thriller .
The streaming service said Thursday that Lopez , 51 , will star in and produce The Cipher , a movie based on the Isabella Maldonado novel .
Lopez will play Nina Guerrera , an FBI agent on the hunt for a serial killer who posts clues to his murders in codes and riddles online .
`` Can not wait for this !
!
!
# TheCipher , '' Lopez tweeted Thursday .
Netflix optioned The Cipher for Lopez and producing partners Elaine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liza Fleissig , Ginger Harris-Dontzin and Catherine Hagedorn will executive produce .
`` SO excited that the fabulous Jennifer Lopez will star in and produce the film adaptation for THE CIPHER for @ netflix !
@ JLo IS the Warrior Girl !
!
!
# strongwomen # FBI # ownvoices , '' Maldonado tweeted .
Lopez , a singer and actress , played Det .
Harlee Santos on the NBC series Shades of Blue and most recently appeared in the 2019 film Hustlers .
She serves as a judge on the NBC reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perform during Dick Clark 's New Year 's Rockin ' Eve special Dec. 31 .
She discussed her kids during an interview with Today this month , calling her twins her `` pride and joy . ''

.@jlo hive assemble! Jennifer Lopez will co-produce and star in The Cipher - a film adaptation of Isabella Maldonado's novel about the cat & mouse game between FBI agent Nina Guerrero and a serial killer who posts clues to his murders in codes and riddles online. pic.twitter.com/jhTzIfqz82— Con Todo (@contodonetflix) December 17, 2020
Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Jennifer Lopez has joined the cast of a new Netflix thriller.
The streaming service said Thursday that Lopez, 51, will star in and produce The Cipher, a movie based on the Isabella Maldonado novel.
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Lopez will play Nina Guerrera, an FBI agent on the hunt for a serial killer who posts clues to his murders in codes and riddles online.
"Cannot wait for this!!! #TheCipher," Lopez tweeted Thursday.
Netflix optioned The Cipher for Lopez and producing partners Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Benny Mendina. Maldonado, Liza Fleissig, Ginger Harris-Dontzin and Catherine Hagedorn will executive produce.
"SO excited that the fabulous Jennifer Lopez will star in and produce the film adaptation for THE CIPHER for @netflix! @JLo IS the Warrior Girl!!! #strongwomen #FBI #ownvoices," Maldonado tweeted.
Lopez, a singer and actress, played Det. Harlee Santos on the NBC series Shades of Blue and most recently appeared in the 2019 film Hustlers. She serves as a judge on the NBC reality competition World of Dance.
Lopez will perform during Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve special Dec. 31. She discussed her kids during an interview with Today this month, calling her twins her "pride and joy."
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