upi--2020-01-08--Koreans in Nazi Germany shed light on complex past

NEW YORK , Jan. 8 ( UPI ) -- Koreans who lived in Berlin during the period of Nazi rule briefly thrived under Adolf Hitler despite the catastrophic ambitions of the Third Reich , according to a U.S.-based Korean studies specialist .
Frank Hoffmann , author of Berlin Koreans and Pictured Koreans , has studied the history of Koreans in the German capital from 1909 to 1940 .
He is also working on a book on the activities of the Manchukuo Embassy in Berlin , the outpost of the Japanese puppet state created during Tokyo 's occupation of Manchuria .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the hidden lives of the Koreans who lived in Berlin between the first and second world wars reveal relatively unexplored truths about Koreans of the Japanese colonial period , according to Hoffmann .
The group 's ideological disagreements and the dissolution of their longstanding friendships may have even foreshadowed the political disputes and eventual division of the Korean Peninsula during the Cold War .
`` In the '20s , you see the different political groupings , '' Hoffmann told UPI , referring to the group 's leanings that ranged from socialist to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were advocating for the return of the Korean monarchy .
`` But they still all work together .
They talk to each other , they go to each others ' weddings , '' he said .
That cohesiveness changed after 1945 , according to Hoffmann .
Koreans in Berlin returned to the peninsula , with some people repatriating to the North , others to the South , ahead of the armed conflict between the two sides .
Despite their differences , the Koreans in Germany appeared to be in agreement on one important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointed chancellor of Germany and Japan had already annexed Manchuria .
Any movement toward overthrowing Japanese rule was `` completely dead '' by then , Hoffmann said .
`` Before , they would try to get something in the German newspapers '' about Korean resistance movements , the analyst said .
Highly educated Koreans from wealthy families who collaborated with Japanese colonial authorities may have fared best under the Nazis .
Kim Paek-pyong , one of the Berlin Koreans , flourished in Germany while pursuing a career in medicine in the Third Reich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ German doctoral degrees and the author of a thesis on `` racial differences in embryonic pig skulls , '' had a powerful mentor in Eugen Fischer , a Nazi eugenicist who had drawn the admiration of Hitler with his work on `` bastards '' and miscegenation in colonial German Southwest Africa , according to Hoffmann .
Despite possible involvement in eugenic sterilization projects in Germany , Kim was granted a special work permit in the United States after the war .
Hoffmann was able to trace him to Belchertown State Hospital in Belchertown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1960 .
In 2009 , Kim 's remains were transported to the Korean National Cemetery in the South with `` five other Korean-American patriots , '' Hoffmann 's findings show .
Other Koreans who stayed on in the Third Reich may have helped with the Nazis ' food supply .
An Pong-gun , the cousin of revered Korean martyr An Jung-geun , could have worked as a soybean expert when the Germans were desperately seeking meat substitutes in wartime , according to Hoffmann 's research .
Anand Toprani , an associate professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and author of Oil and the Great Powers : Britain and Germany , 1914 to 1945 , said Germany at the time was short of every vital commodity for a major wartime economy .
`` When it came to food , the Germans were happy to starve people , especially in the Soviet Union , '' Toprani said by email .
Some of the scarcities were addressed through the alliance with Japan , which supplied commodities like rubber , quinine , wolfram and tungsten not easily found in Europe , Toprani said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berlin Koreans do not fit tidily into South Korean narratives about the colonial past .
Under President Moon Jae-in , Seoul pushed for the recognition of the Korean Provisional Government in Shanghai , founded in 1919 , as the official starting point of modern Korea -- a controversial proposal that took many South Koreans by surprise .
The Korean activists in the Chinese city may have represented only one of many `` parallel '' movements at the time , however , Hoffmann said .
Moon , who had said in a speech delivered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience with unification gave him hope regarding Korea 's prospects , has praised the `` peace and cooperation '' that was integral to the process .
Eric Ballbach , a research fellow at Free University of Berlin , told UPI by email that economic conditions have improved in Germany since unification , but `` mistakes '' made are still felt today .
Complex identity questions remain , particularly among former East Germans who underwent a perceived loss of recognition and a general devaluation of one 's own life by the West .
Examples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to East Germany , such as news shows that were dismissed as `` political propaganda '' programs in the West , Ballbach said .
`` The societal effects are obvious : while the discontented [ Easterners ] had turned away from politics and refused to vote in elections , the emergence of the right-wing populist party Alternative für Deutschland , provided an opportunity to express their disappointment , '' the analyst said , referring to the surge of anti-immigration sentiment in 2019 .
`` While I think that reunification is an ongoing process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completion . ''

1/2
Kim Paek-pyong, a Korean eugenicist at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute of Anthropology, Human Heredity, and Eugenics in Berlin, is seen standing in this undated photograph with an unidentified German associate measuring plaster casts of human hands. Photo courtesy of Frank Hoffmann/Archives of the Max Planck Society, Berlin
NEW YORK, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Koreans who lived in Berlin during the period of Nazi rule briefly thrived under Adolf Hitler, despite the catastrophic ambitions of the Third Reich, according to a U.S.-based Korean studies specialist. Frank Hoffmann, author of Berlin Koreans and Pictured Koreans, has studied the history of Koreans in the German capital from 1909 to 1940. He is also working on a book on the activities of the Manchukuo Embassy in Berlin, the outpost of the Japanese puppet state created during Tokyo's occupation of Manchuria. Advertisement
Limited Korean espionage connected to the embassy and the hidden lives of the Koreans who lived in Berlin between the first and second world wars reveal relatively unexplored truths about Koreans of the Japanese colonial period, according to Hoffmann.
The group's ideological disagreements and the dissolution of their longstanding friendships may have even foreshadowed the political disputes and eventual division of the Korean Peninsula during the Cold War.
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"In the '20s, you see the different political groupings," Hoffmann told UPI, referring to the group's leanings that ranged from socialist to royalist. Some Koreans at the time were advocating for the return of the Korean monarchy.
"But they still all work together. They talk to each other, they go to each others' weddings," he said.
That cohesiveness changed after 1945, according to Hoffmann. Koreans in Berlin returned to the peninsula, with some people repatriating to the North, others to the South, ahead of the armed conflict between the two sides.
Despite their differences, the Koreans in Germany appeared to be in agreement on one important issue by 1933, when Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany, and Japan had annexed Manchuria.
Any movement toward overthrowing Japanese rule was "completely dead" by then, Hoffmann said.
"Before, they would try to get something in the German newspapers" about Korean resistance movements, the analyst said.
Highly educated Koreans from wealthy families who collaborated with Japanese colonial authorities may have fared best under the Nazis.
Kim Paek-pyong, one of the Berlin Koreans, flourished in Germany while pursuing a career in medicine in the Third Reich.
Kim, a recipient of two German doctoral degrees and the author of a thesis on "racial differences in embryonic pig skulls," had a powerful mentor in Eugen Fischer, a Nazi eugenicist who had drawn the admiration of Hitler with his work on "bastards" and miscegenation in colonial German Southwest Africa, according to Hoffmann.
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Despite possible involvement in eugenic sterilization projects in Germany, Kim was granted a special work permit in the United States after the war. Hoffmann was able to trace him to Belchertown State Hospital in Belchertown, Mass., where he was working in 1960. In 2009, Kim's remains were transported to the Korean National Cemetery in the South with "five other Korean-American patriots," Hoffmann's findings show.
Other Koreans who stayed on in the Third Reich may have helped with the Nazis' food supply. An Pong-gun, the cousin of revered Korean martyr An Jung-geun, could have worked as a soybean expert when the Germans were desperately seeking meat substitutes in wartime, according to Hoffmann's research.
Anand Toprani, an associate professor at the U.S. Naval War College, and author of Oil and the Great Powers: Britain and Germany, 1914 to 1945, said Germany at the time was short of every vital commodity for a major wartime economy.
"When it came to food, the Germans were happy to starve people, especially in the Soviet Union," Toprani said by email.
Some of the scarcities were addressed through the alliance with Japan, which supplied commodities like rubber, quinine, wolfram and tungsten not easily found in Europe, Toprani said.
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The complicated histories and motives of the Berlin Koreans do not fit tidily into South Korean narratives about the colonial past.
Under President Moon Jae-in, Seoul pushed for the recognition of the Korean Provisional Government in Shanghai, founded in 1919, as the official starting point of modern Korea -- a controversial proposal that took many South Koreans by surprise. The Korean activists in the Chinese city may have represented only one of many "parallel" movements at the time, however, Hoffmann said.
Moon, who said in a speech delivered in Berlin in 2017 that Germany's experience with unification gave him hope regarding Korea's prospects, has praised the "peace and cooperation" that was integral to the process.
Eric Ballbach, a research fellow at Free University of Berlin, told UPI by email that economic conditions have improved in Germany since unification, but "mistakes" made are still felt today.
Complex identity questions remain, particularly among former East Germans who underwent a perceived loss of recognition and a general devaluation of one's own life by the West. Examples include people who worked in jobs specific to East Germany, such as news shows that were dismissed as "political propaganda" programs in the West, Ballbach said.
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"The societal effects are obvious: While the discontented [Easterners] had turned away from politics and refused to vote in elections, the emergence of the right-wing populist party Alternative für Deutschland provided an opportunity to express their disappointment," the analyst said, referring to the surge of anti-immigration sentiment in 2019.
"While I think that reunification is an ongoing process, [it] is nowhere near completion."


upi--2020-01-08--Brady Hoke named San Diego State head football coach after Rocky Long retires

Jan. 8 ( UPI ) -- Former Michigan coach Brady Hoke , who guided San Diego State to its first bowl game in 12 seasons during his first coaching stint at the school , was named the Aztecs ' next head coach , the school announced Wednesday .
Hoke replaced former coach Rocky Long , who announced his retirement Wednesday after taking San Diego State to nine consecutive bowl games .
Hoke served as the Aztecs ' defensive line coach this past season .
`` It 's a great opportunity .
You never get to do something twice that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Hoke said in a statement .
`` I was very fortunate , Coach Long bringing me back and being back here at San Diego State .
I can assure you , we are going to keep going in the direction that we are going , and we always want to be better every day , and that 's what we 're going to try and do . ''
Long previously was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach after Hoke left to coach at Michigan in January 2011 .
Long , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he decided to retire from coaching because `` it 's time . ''
`` Obviously I 've decided to retire from coaching at this point , and I want to thank everybody at this university and in this community that have allowed us to be successful , '' Long said in a statement .
`` Everybody knows that nobody does it alone and the people in the athletic department as well as the university do everything to support our athletes in order for our athletes to be successful .
`` The culture at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is something special .
...
I 've been a head coach for 20 years .
It 's time .
It 's time .
I love coaching , but I do n't necessarily love all the things that head coaches do . ''
Hoke posted a 13-12 record as San Diego State 's head coach in 2009-10 and started the school-record streak of 10 consecutive bowl appearances by guiding the Aztecs to the Poinsettia Bowl in 2010 .
Hoke then departed for Michigan , where he went 31-20 in four years before being fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last season , capped by a 48-11 blowout win over Central Michigan in the New Mexico Bowl .
Long was 81-38 and took San Diego State to a bowl game in all nine seasons .

San Diego State head football coach Brady Hoke also has coached at Michigan and Ball State. Photo courtesy of San Diego State Athletics/Official Website
Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Former Michigan coach Brady Hoke, who guided San Diego State to its first bowl game in 12 seasons during his first coaching stint at the school, was named the Aztecs' next head coach, the school announced Wednesday. Hoke replaced former coach Rocky Long, who announced his retirement Wednesday after taking San Diego State to nine consecutive bowl games. Hoke served as the Aztecs' defensive line coach this past season. Advertisement
"It's a great opportunity. You never get to do something twice that you really want to do in life," Hoke said in a statement. "I was very fortunate, Coach Long bringing me back and being back here at San Diego State. I can assure you, we are going to keep going in the direction that we are going, and we always want to be better every day, and that's what we're going to try and do."
Long previously was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach after Hoke left to coach at Michigan in January 2011. Long, who turns 70 later this month, said he decided to retire from coaching because "it's time."
"Obviously I've decided to retire from coaching at this point, and I want to thank everybody at this university and in this community that have allowed us to be successful," Long said in a statement. "Everybody knows that nobody does it alone and the people in the athletic department as well as the university do everything to support our athletes in order for our athletes to be successful.
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"The culture at this school and in this athletic department is something special. ... I've been a head coach for 20 years. It's time. It's time. I love coaching, but I don't necessarily love all the things that head coaches do."
Hoke posted a 13-12 record as San Diego State's head coach in 2009-10 and started the school-record streak of 10 consecutive bowl appearances by guiding the Aztecs to the Poinsettia Bowl in 2010.
Hoke then departed for Michigan, where he went 31-20 in four years before being fired.
The Aztecs had a 10-3 record last season, capped by a 48-11 blowout win over Central Michigan in the New Mexico Bowl. Long was 81-38 and took San Diego State to a bowl game in all nine seasons.


upi--2020-01-08--BAE awarded $49.6 M to support Air Vehicle Planning System

Jan. 8 ( UPI ) -- BAE Systems was awarded a $ 49.6 million contract modification to support the Air @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Air Force , according to the Pentagon .
The deal increases the funding ceiling @ @ @ @ @ allowing the Air Force to order continued maintenance and support for new and modified weapons @ @ @ @ @ of Defense , the total cumulative value of the contract is $ 195 million .
@ @ @ @ @ the time of the award ; fiscal 2019 and 2020 funds earmarked for research , @ @ @ @ @ as well as operations and maintenance will be applied .
The Air Vehicle Planning System @ @ @ @ @ planning system that performs routing and analytical functions in support of the Air Force 's @ @ @ @ @ planning .
Work on the contract will be performed at Offutt Air Force Base in @ @ @ @ @ , Calif. , with an expected completion date of Jan. 31 , 2024 .

BAE Systems was awarded a $49.6 million contract modification to support the Air Vehicle Planning System for the U.S. Air Force, with work to be performed at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska (pictured). Photo by Drew Nystrom
Jan. 8 (UPI) -- BAE Systems was awarded a $49.6 million contract modification to support the Air Vehicle Planning System for the U.S. Air Force, according to the Pentagon. The deal increases the funding ceiling for a previous contract, allowing the Air Force to order continued maintenance and support for new and modified weapons. Advertisement
According to the Department of Defense, the total cumulative value of the contract is $195 million.
No funds are obligated at the time of the award; fiscal 2019 and 2020 funds earmarked for research, development, testing and evaluation as well as operations and maintenance will be applied.
The Air Vehicle Planning System, is a force-level mission planning system that performs routing and analytical functions in support of the Air Force's operational plan and cruise missile planning.
Work on the contract will be performed at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska and in San Diego, Calif., with an expected completion date of Jan. 31, 2024.


upi--2020-01-08--House Democrats introduce bill seeking net-zero carbon emissions by 2050

Jan. 8 ( UPI ) -- House Democrats on Wednesday outlined a climate bill that would seek to push the United States to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 .
Chairman Frank Pallone , D-N.J. , and other members of the committee presented the outline for the bill known as the Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for Our Nation 's Future Act .
`` This plan represents our commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas pollution .
For the sake of the American people , the long-term sustainability of our economy and public health , we must act boldly and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Pallone said in a statement .
The proposal would require all retail electricity suppliers to provide an increasing supply of clean energy to consumers beginning in 2022 and then obtain 100 percent clean energy by 2050 .
Suppliers will be required to possess a certain amount of `` clean energy credits '' at the end of each year , which they can buy and trade from one another via auction .
The building sector would be required to produce zero-energy-ready buildings by 2030 while the proposal would establish a Buy Clean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive federal funding to `` only use the cleanest construction materials . ''
Under the CLEAN Future Act , the Environmental Protection Agency would be directed to set new and increasingly stringent greenhouse gas emission standards for light- , medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and require year-over-year improvements to those standards .
It also grants states the flexibility to implement policies to meet the 2050 emissions deadline , which would be funded by a National Climat Bank that will `` mobilize public and private investments to provide financing for low- and zero-emissions energy technologies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electrification , industrial decarbonization , grid modernization , agriculture projects and clean transportation . ''

Demonstrators gather outside Los Angeles City Hall to protest fossil fuel production in California on November 1. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 8 (UPI) -- House Democrats on Wednesday outlined a climate bill that would seek to push the United States to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., and other members of the committee presented the outline for the bill known as the Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for Our Nation's Future Act. Advertisement
"This plan represents our commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas pollution. For the sake of the American people, the long-term sustainability of our economy and public health, we must act boldly and that is exactly what we intend to do," Pallone said in a statement.
The proposal would require all retail electricity suppliers to provide an increasing supply of clean energy to consumers beginning in 2022 and then obtain 100 percent clean energy by 2050. Suppliers will be required to possess a certain amount of "clean energy credits" at the end of each year, which they can buy and trade from one another via auction.
The building sector would be required to produce zero-energy-ready buildings by 2030 while the proposal would establish a Buy Clean Program that would require industrial projects that receive federal funding to "only use the cleanest construction materials."
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Under the CLEAN Future Act, the Environmental Protection Agency would be directed to set new and increasingly stringent greenhouse gas emission standards for light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and require year-over-year improvements to those standards.
It also grants states the flexibility to implement policies to meet the 2050 emissions deadline, which would be funded by a National Climat Bank that will "mobilize public and private investments to provide financing for low- and zero-emissions energy technologies, climate resiliency, building efficiency and electrification, industrial decarbonization, grid modernization, agriculture projects and clean transportation."


upi--2020-01-08--USS Abraham pulls into Pearl Harbor amid lengthy deployment

Jan. 8 ( UPI ) -- The USS Abraham Lincoln has entered the last leg of a lengthy deployment with a port visit at Pearl Harbor .
`` I am proud of all of the hard work and dedication shown by the entire crew throughout the deployment , '' Capt .
Walter Slaughter , commanding officer of Abraham Lincoln , said .
`` Hawaii is a strategic , historic location that presents a well-deserved opportunity for rest and relaxation , and for the crew to honor the sacrifices of those who have gone before us during the attack on Pearl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in April with a strike group surface ships that have since returned to Norfolk , and remained in the Persian Gulf as tensions flared up in the region , rushing into the North Arabian Sea in May and remaining there until a November transit through the Strait of Hormuz .
The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group also conducted flight operations in the South China Sea and participated in exercises with allied navies in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleets .
Before it departs Hawaii , family and friends will embark on a tiger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aboard for a short embarkment to see what their loved ones ' jobs entail .
The Lincoln has been deployed since April 1 , or 283 days , nearing a record for length of carrier deployment post-Vietnam .
That record is also held by the Lincoln , which was stationed in the Middle East from July 2002 to May 2003 , or 290 days.The all-time record length of deployment is held by the USS America , which was deployed for 292 days from June 1972 to March 1973 .

The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville breaks away from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln after escorting Lincoln through the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Photo by Jeremy Graham/U.S. Navy
Jan. 8 (UPI) -- The USS Abraham Lincoln has entered the last leg of a lengthy deployment with a port visit at Pearl Harbor. "I am proud of all of the hard work and dedication shown by the entire crew throughout the deployment," Capt. Walter Slaughter, commanding officer of Abraham Lincoln, said. "Hawaii is a strategic, historic location that presents a well-deserved opportunity for rest and relaxation, and for the crew to honor the sacrifices of those who have gone before us during the attack on Pearl Harbor." Advertisement
The aircraft carrier deployed in April with a strike group surface ships that have since returned to Norfolk, and remained in the Persian Gulf as tensions flared up in the region, rushing into the North Arabian Sea in May and remaining there until a November transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group also conducted flight operations in the South China Sea and participated in exercises with allied navies in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleets.
Before it departs Hawaii, family and friends will embark on a tiger cruise -- a Navy tradition allowing civilians aboard for a short embarkment to see what their loved ones' jobs entail.
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The Lincoln has been deployed since April 1, or 283 days, nearing a record for length of carrier deployment post-Vietnam. That record is also held by the Lincoln, which was stationed in the Middle East from July 2002 to May 2003, or 290 days.The all-time record length of deployment is held by the USS America, which was deployed for 292 days from June 1972 to March 1973.


upi--2020-01-08--Georgia Bulldogs QB Jake Fromm declares for 2020 NFL Draft

Jan. 8 ( UPI ) -- Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm , who led the Bulldogs to three straight SEC East titles , will forgo his senior season and enter the upcoming NFL Draft .
`` This process and decision has been unbelievably difficult , but through much prayer and counsel , I have decided that it is time for me to take on the next challenge in my life and pursue my lifelong dream of playing in the NFL , '' Fromm said .
`` It is with both a humbled and excited heart that I announce this , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not based on anything other than what I strongly believe is God 's will for my life . ''
Fromm , a native of Warner Robins , Ga. , posted a 35-6 record as a starter , including a 13-5 mark against top-25 opponents .
As a true freshman in 2017 , he helped guide Georgia to its first SEC championship in 12 years .
Fromm completed 60.8 percent of his passes for 2,860 yards , 24 touchdowns and five interceptions this season .
He completed more than 60 percent of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Bulldogs .
The junior quarterback had one of his best games of the season during Georgia 's 26-14 win over Baylor in the Sugar Bowl .
He completed 20-of-30 pass attempts for 250 yards and two touchdowns .
Prior to Fromm 's decision , the Bulldogs already lost three top players to the 2020 NFL Draft .
Running back D'Andre Swift and offensive tackles Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson opted to go pro .

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm throws a pass against the Baylor Bears during the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, 2020, in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. Photo by AJ Sisco/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm, who led the Bulldogs to three straight SEC East titles, will forgo his senior season and enter the upcoming NFL Draft. Fromm made the announcement Wednesday on social media. Advertisement
"This process and decision has been unbelievably difficult, but through much prayer and counsel, I have decided that it is time for me to take on the next challenge in my life and pursue my lifelong dream of playing in the NFL," Fromm said. "It is with both a humbled and excited heart that I announce this, and I can assure you that this decision was not based on anything other than what I strongly believe is God's will for my life."
Fromm, a native of Warner Robins, Ga., posted a 35-6 record as a starter, including a 13-5 mark against top-25 opponents. As a true freshman in 2017, he helped guide Georgia to its first SEC championship in 12 years.
Fromm completed 60.8 percent of his passes for 2,860 yards, 24 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. He completed more than 60 percent of his throws in each of his three seasons with the Bulldogs.
Advertisement Go Dawgs and God Bless pic.twitter.com/hz0qxJLumE— JakefromStateFromm (@FrommJake) January 8, 2020
The junior quarterback had one of his best games of the season during Georgia's 26-14 win over Baylor in the Sugar Bowl. He completed 20-of-30 pass attempts for 250 yards and two touchdowns.
Prior to Fromm's decision, the Bulldogs already lost three top players to the 2020 NFL Draft. Running back D'Andre Swift and offensive tackles Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson opted to go pro.


upi--2020-01-09--Suspect in Hanukkah party stabbing faces hate crimes charges

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- A New York grand jury on Thursday levied new federal hate crime charges against a man accused of attacking and injuring five people celebrating Hanukkah in a rabbi 's home .
Grafton Thomas , 37 , of Greenwood Lake , N.Y. , faces five new counts of willfully causing bodily injury to victims because of their religion and five counts of obstructing the free exercise of religion in an attempt to kill .
He already faced five state counts of attempted murder and one count of burglary for entering the Monsey , N.Y. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using a machete to attack a group of people observing Hanukkah .
FBI investigators said they found journal entries allegedly written by Thomas in which he expressed anti-Semitic views , referencing Adolf Hitler and `` Nazi culture . ''
They said another journal entry allegedly stated that `` Hebrew Israelites '' had victimized `` ebonoid Israelites , '' which the FBI took to mean African Americans claiming descent from the ancient tribes of Israel .
`` The United States remains today a beacon of freedom for persecuted religious people all over the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of religion are both illegal and against everything our nation stands for , '' Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband said .
`` The United States Department of Justice will continue to prosecute anyone who engages in such conduct to the fullest extent of the law . ''

Grafton Thomas faces 10 federal hate crimes charges. File Photo courtesy of Rockland County Correctional Center
Jan. 9 (UPI) -- A New York grand jury on Thursday levied new federal hate crime charges against a man accused of attacking and injuring five people celebrating Hanukkah in a rabbi's home. Grafton Thomas, 37, of Greenwood Lake, N.Y., faces five new counts of willfully causing bodily injury to victims because of their religion and five counts of obstructing the free exercise of religion in an attempt to kill. Advertisement
He already faced five state counts of attempted murder and one count of burglary for entering the Monsey, N.Y., home of a Hasidic Jewish rabbi and using a machete to attack a group of people observing Hanukkah.
Thomas was ordered held on $5 million bail.
FBI investigators said they found journal entries allegedly written by Thomas in which he expressed anti-Semitic views, referencing Adolf Hitler and "Nazi culture."
They said another journal entry allegedly stated that "Hebrew Israelites" had victimized "ebonoid Israelites," which the FBI took to mean African Americans claiming descent from the ancient tribes of Israel.
"The United States remains today a beacon of freedom for persecuted religious people all over the world, and violent attacks against anyone because of religion are both illegal and against everything our nation stands for," Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband said. "The United States Department of Justice will continue to prosecute anyone who engages in such conduct to the fullest extent of the law."
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upi--2020-01-09--Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid to undergo surgery for torn ligament in left hand

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid will be out indefinitely after suffering a torn ligament in his left hand , the team announced Thursday .
League sources told ESPN and The Athletic that Embiid has a torn radial collateral ligament in the fourth metacarpal in his left hand .
According to a team spokesperson , there is no timetable for his return and the All-Star big man will continue to consult with doctors about treatment options .
Embiid met with a hand specialist before Thursday night 's game against the Boston Celtics .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will undergo surgery and be reevaluated in one-to-two weeks .
`` Nobody 's crying .
This is not a 'woe-is-me ' moment , '' 76ers head coach Brett Brown told reporters Thursday .
`` Not for me at all and not for my players .
We will take what we have , and what we have I love . ''
Embiid sustained the injury during the first quarter of Monday 's 120-113 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder .
He was already ruled out for Thursday 's matchup against the Celtics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 33 minutes against the Thunder , recording 18 points , nine rebounds and eight assists .
He has averaged 23.4 points , 12.3 rebounds , 3.3 assists and 1.4 blocks per game this season .
The 76ers ( 24-14 ) hosted the Celtics ( 25-10 ) at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia .

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid suffered the injury in Monday's win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. File Photo by Peter Foley/EPA-EFE
Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid will be out indefinitely after suffering a torn ligament in his left hand, the team announced Thursday. League sources told ESPN and The Athletic that Embiid has a torn radial collateral ligament in the fourth metacarpal in his left hand. According to a team spokesperson, there is no timetable for his return and the All-Star big man will continue to consult with doctors about treatment options. Advertisement
Embiid met with a hand specialist before Thursday night's game against the Boston Celtics. According to ESPN, it was determined that he will undergo surgery and be reevaluated in one-to-two weeks.
"Nobody's crying. This is not a 'woe-is-me' moment," 76ers head coach Brett Brown told reporters Thursday. "Not for me at all and not for my players. We will take what we have, and what we have I love."
Embiid sustained the injury during the first quarter of Monday's 120-113 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was already ruled out for Thursday's matchup against the Celtics.
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Embiid remained in the game and played 33 minutes against the Thunder, recording 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. He has averaged 23.4 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.4 blocks per game this season.
The 76ers (24-14) hosted the Celtics (25-10) at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.


upi--2020-01-09--Mississippi State hires head football coach Mike Leach away from Washington State

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- Washington State coach Mike Leach was named the new head coach at Mississippi State , the school announced Thursday .
`` Mike Leach is a proven winner who has established a culture of excellence for nearly two decades as a head coach , '' Mississippi State athletic director John Cohen said in a statement .
`` An offensive genius and two-time national coach of the year , he has a track record of building programs to national prominence with accountability and a blue-collar approach .
`` We are thrilled to welcome him and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look forward to watching our football program grow under his leadership . ''
Leach initially agreed in principle to a one-year contract extension with Washington State through the 2024 season on Dec. 5 .
Before accepting the head coaching position at Mississippi State , he also talked to Arkansas about its opening .
Leach , 58 , will replace former Bulldogs head coach Joe Moorhead , who was fired Jan. 3 after posting a 14-12 record in two seasons at Mississippi State .
Moorhead 's tenure ended with a 38-28 loss to Louisville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I ca n't tell you how excited I am to be the head football coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs , '' Leach said in a statement .
`` I loved Washington State , but I am excited for the next chapter in the SEC .
It 's a privilege to be a part of the MSU family , and we look forward to getting down to Starkville shortly . ''
In 18 seasons , Leach has guided his teams to 16 bowl appearances .
During his eight seasons at Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Washington State coach Mike Leach was named the new head coach at Mississippi State, the school announced Thursday.
"Mike Leach is a proven winner who has established a culture of excellence for nearly two decades as a head coach," Mississippi State athletic director John Cohen said in a statement. "An offensive genius and two-time national coach of the year, he has a track record of building programs to national prominence with accountability and a blue-collar approach.
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"We are thrilled to welcome him and his family to the Mississippi State family and look forward to watching our football program grow under his leadership."
Leach initially agreed in principle to a one-year contract extension with Washington State through the 2024 season on Dec. 5. Before accepting the head coaching position at Mississippi State, he also talked to Arkansas about its opening.
Leach, 58, will replace former Bulldogs head coach Joe Moorhead, who was fired Jan. 3 after posting a 14-12 record in two seasons at Mississippi State. Moorhead's tenure ended with a 38-28 loss to Louisville in the Music City Bowl last month.
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"I can't tell you how excited I am to be the head football coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs," Leach said in a statement. "I loved Washington State, but I am excited for the next chapter in the SEC. It's a privilege to be a part of the MSU family, and we look forward to getting down to Starkville shortly."
In 18 seasons, Leach has guided his teams to 16 bowl appearances. During his eight seasons at Washington State, he compiled a 55-47 record.


upi--2020-01-09--House approves resolution restricting Donald Trump's actions in Iran

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. House on Thursday voted to approve a war powers resolution aimed at restricting President Donald Trump 's ability to strike Iran militarily following a pair of missile strikes by Tehran against U.S.-held bases in Iraq .
The resolution passed by a vote of 224-194 with Republican Reps. Thomas Massie , Matt Gaetz and Francis Rooney voting with the Democratic majority to approve , while Democratic Reps. Max Rose , Ben McAdams , Anthony Brindisi , Joe Cunningham , Elaine Luria , Josh Gottenheimer , Kendra Horn and Stephanie Murphy voted against it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sponsored the resolution to end the president 's ability to launch military actions without express congressional approval .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the vote Wednesday after angry Democratic leaders emerged from a closed-door meeting with top administration officials that addressed the justifications used for last week 's airstrike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in Iraq .
Soleimani 's death prompted Tehran to retaliate Wednesday with missile attacks on two military bases holding American troops in Iraq .
Iranian media reported dozens of American troops were killed , but U.S. defense officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the strikes .
Echoing earlier statements by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , Trump dismissed Iran 's counterattack in a national speech Wednesday in which he justified Soleimani 's death by calling him a `` ruthless terrorist '' with American and Iraqi blood on his hands .
Trump also warned Iran against further provocation .
`` Our missiles are big , powerful , accurate , lethal and fast , '' he said .
`` We do not want to use it .
American strength , both military and economic , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously threatened military action against foreign adversaries like Iran and North Korea , but House Democrats want to ensure he wo n't act unilaterally .
After Wednesday 's private meeting , they said they were disconcerted the administration 's argument for killing Soleimani was n't more concrete .
`` There was no raw evidence presented that this was an imminent threat , '' said Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington .
`` I did n't hear anything in the briefing that there was a lawful basis for the attack and that the threat was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Rhode Island .
`` Members of Congress have serious , urgent concerns about the administration 's decision to engage in hostilities against Iran and about its lack of strategy moving forward , '' Pelosi said Wednesday .
`` Our concerns were not addressed by the president 's insufficient War Powers Act notification and by the administration 's briefing today . ''
Trump tweeted Thursday that he hopes `` all House Republicans will vote against Crazy Nancy Pelosi 's War Powers Resolution , '' citing `` presidential harassment . ''
The Republican-held Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underscores the fact Trump does not have congressional authorization to pursue military action against Iran .
Introduced by Sens .
Jeff Merkley , D-Ore. , and Rand Paul , R-Ky. , the resolution warns that government authorizations to use military force against terrorists and the state of Iraq , adopted in 2001 and 2002 in the early stages of the U.S. war on terror , do not legally permit the Trump administration to unilaterally launch military action against Iran .

1/2
Palestinian demonstrators burn U.S. and Israeli flags Wednesday during a rally in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, to oppose the death of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani (portrait) and celebrate a volley of missiles fired by Iran at bases where U.S. troops were stationed in Iraq. Photo by Ismael Mohamad/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. House on Thursday voted to approve a war powers resolution aimed at restricting President Donald Trump's ability to strike Iran militarily following a pair of missile strikes by Tehran against U.S.-held bases in Iraq. The resolution passed by a vote of 224-194 with Republican Reps. Thomas Massie, Matt Gaetz and Francis Rooney voting with the Democratic majority to approve, while Democratic Reps. Max Rose, Ben McAdams, Anthony Brindisi, Joe Cunningham, Elaine Luria, Josh Gottenheimer, Kendra Horn and Stephanie Murphy voted against it. Advertisement
Gaetz, R-Fla., told The Hill he felt comfortable voting for the resolution after the passage of an amendment he presented stripping language criticizing Trump for targeting Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani.
"I don't think that our country needs to get pulled into another forever Middle East war in the absence of congressional approval," he said.
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Rose, D-N.Y., said he believes Congress "must be proactive" in fulfilling constitutional duties regarding declaring war and authorizing military force but that he doesn't believe the resolution works toward that goal.
"President Trump was justified in killing a terrorist who was responsible for the murder of hundreds of American service members and was in the process of planning to kill more," he said. "I appreciate the president's efforts to de-escalate conflict in the face of Iranian retaliation and support his diplomatic efforts and economic sanctions to advance our goals of ensuring Iran does not gain nuclear weapons and to end their support of terrorist activities."
Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., sponsored the resolution to end the president's ability to launch military actions without express congressional approval.
During a campaign rally in Ohio Thursday night, Trump lambasted the Democrats for criticizing his decision to order the airstrike that killed Soleimani, calling him "the king of the roadside bomb," and for not discussing it with Congress beforehand.
"The radical left Democrats have expressed outrage over the termination of this horrible terrorist," he said before thousands in Toledo. "And, you know, instead they should be outraged by Soleimani's savage crimes and the fact that his countless victims were denied justice."
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He said the decision to go ahead with the strike was made in a split second and there wasn't time to notify House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, "who isn't operating with a full deck."
Pelosi announced the vote Wednesday after angry Democratic leaders emerged from a closed-door meeting with top administration officials that addressed the justifications used for last week's airstrike that killed Soleimani in Iraq.
Soleimani's death prompted Tehran to retaliate Wednesday with missile attacks on two military bases holding American troops in Iraq. Iranian media reported dozens of American troops were killed, but U.S. defense officials said no service members were even hurt by the strikes.
Echoing earlier statements by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Trump dismissed Iran's counterattack in a national speech Wednesday in which he justified Soleimani's death by calling him a "ruthless terrorist" with American and Iraqi blood on his hands.
Trump also warned Iran against further provocation.
"Our missiles are big, powerful, accurate, lethal and fast," he said. "We do not want to use it. American strength, both military and economic, is the best deterrent."
Advertisement The House is moving forward with @RepSlotkin's War Powers Resolution limiting the President's military actions regarding Iran. The Admin must work with the Congress to advance an immediate, effective de-escalatory strategy which prevents further violence. https://t.co/i3KU9bqWqh pic.twitter.com/9bwnjBMjnz— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 8, 2020
Trump has previously threatened military action against foreign adversaries like Iran and North Korea, but House Democrats want to ensure he won't act unilaterally. After Wednesday's private meeting, they said they were disconcerted the administration's argument for killing Soleimani wasn't more concrete.
"There was no raw evidence presented that this was an imminent threat," said Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington.
"I didn't hear anything in the briefing that there was a lawful basis for the attack and that the threat was imminent," added Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island.
"Members of Congress have serious, urgent concerns about the administration's decision to engage in hostilities against Iran and about its lack of strategy moving forward," Pelosi said Wednesday. "Our concerns were not addressed by the president's insufficient War Powers Act notification and by the administration's briefing today."
Trump tweeted Thursday that he hopes "all House Republicans will vote against Crazy Nancy Pelosi's War Powers Resolution," citing "presidential harassment."
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The Republican-held Senate introduced a bipartisan resolution on Wednesday that underscores the fact Trump does not have congressional authorization to pursue military action against Iran.
Introduced by Sens. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Rand Paul, R-Ky., the resolution warns that government authorizations to use military force against terrorists and the state of Iraq, adopted in 2001 and 2002 in the early stages of the U.S. war on terror, do not legally permit the Trump administration to unilaterally launch military action against Iran.


upi--2020-01-09--Bill Cosby appeals sexual assault conviction to Pennsylvania Supreme Court

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- Bill Cosby on Thursday appealed his 2018 sexual assault conviction to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court .
Cosby , 82 , asked the court to weigh whether his rights were violated in the trial in which he was convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his home in Philadelphia in 2004 .
He took issue with the court allowing testimony from five other women who accused him of sexual misconduct ; including his civil deposition testimony ; denying a hearing with examination of witnesses ; and sentencing him under the 2018 Sex Offender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are cases in which the outcomes are `` deeply influenced by public panic fueled by the nature of the allegations lodged , the media and other special interest groups '' and creates a `` dangerous precipice . ''
`` The instant case is one that has pushed the criminal justice system of this Commonwealth and the bedrock principles upon which it rests , to that precipice , '' it states .
Cosby spokesman Andrew Wyatt issued a statement that his lawyers sought for the court to `` review his case to consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of # MeToo hysteria '' on the principles of the criminal justice system .
`` The trial court 's overriding concern should have been to ensure a fair proceeding on the single charged offense for which Mr. Cosby was standing trial -- not to provide a platform to any and all accusers who belatedly wanted their day in court , '' Wyatt said .
Cosby states that he was stripped of his presumption of innocence as the testimonies of the five other women served no purpose other than to suggest that because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signified his contact with Constand was also non-consensual .
He also said he testified in Constand 's civil suit , forfeiting his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination only because then-Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor said he would n't be prosecuted .
Cosby is currently serving a three- to 10-year prison term at a maximum-security state prison in Pennsylvania .

Bill Cosby filed an appeal in Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Thursday stating that his rights were violated in his 2018 sexual assault conviction. File Photo by Chris Szagola/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Bill Cosby on Thursday appealed his 2018 sexual assault conviction to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Cosby, 82, asked the court to weigh whether his rights were violated in the trial in which he was convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his home in Philadelphia in 2004. He took issue with the court allowing testimony from five other women who accused him of sexual misconduct; including his civil deposition testimony; denying a hearing with examination of witnesses; and sentencing him under the 2018 Sex Offender Registration Act. Advertisement
The filing states that there are cases in which the outcomes are "deeply influenced by public panic fueled by the nature of the allegations lodged, the media and other special interest groups" and creates a "dangerous precipice."
"The instant case is one that has pushed the criminal justice system of this Commonwealth and the bedrock principles upon which it rests, to that precipice," it states.
Cosby spokesman Andrew Wyatt issued a statement that his lawyers sought for the court to "review his case to consider the vital important questions about the impact of #MeToo hysteria" on the principles of the criminal justice system.
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"The trial court's overriding concern should have been to ensure a fair proceeding on the single charged offense for which Mr. Cosby was standing trial -- not to provide a platform to any and all accusers who belatedly wanted their day in court," Wyatt said.
Cosby states that he was stripped of his presumption of innocence as the testimonies of the five other women served no purpose other than to suggest that because they alleged Cosby made non-consensual contact with them signified his contact with Constand was also non-consensual.
He also said he testified in Constand's civil suit, forfeiting his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination only because then-Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor said he wouldn't be prosecuted.
Cosby is currently serving a three- to 10-year prison term at a maximum-security state prison in Pennsylvania.


upi--2020-01-09--Man dies in second fatal grain bin accident this week

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- For the second time this week , a man has died in a grain bin accident .
Chester Cleveland , 58 , fell Wednesday into a commercial grain bin at Whitaker grain elevator near Manteno , Ill. Cleveland , who had been an employee at the company 40 years , had been cleaning the silo with another worker , Heriberto Reyes , 29 , said Ken McCabe , the chief deputy at the Kankakee Sheriff 's Office in Kankakee County .
The bin was nearly empty of corn , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Around 11 a.m. , they decided to leave the bin for lunch , McCabe said .
To do that , they had to climb a steal ladder built into the side of the bin .
Reyes reached the top first .
When he turned to look back down the ladder , he saw Cleveland fall .
Fire officials said he likely fell about 70 feet .
Reyes `` said there was dust and condensation on the ladder , '' McCabe said .
Reyes called for help , and then climbed back into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` When he went back down , [ Cleveland ] was still conscious and complaining of pain , '' McCabe said .
It took rescue crews several hours to enter the bin .
`` It was a difficult access , '' Manteno Fire Chief Scott O'Brien said .
`` The bin had a rebar-type ladder made of older steel .
It was not safe enough for us to go down .
We do n't want other people getting hurt during the rescue .
We needed a rope rescue team . ''
Cleveland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the silo .
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the incident , O'Brien said .
The grain elevator company declined to comment .
OSHA recently fined a grain facility in North Dakota $ 190,000 after the death of one of its employees , saying the company `` failed to follow OSHA standards during grain bin entry and cleaning operations . ''
On Monday , a grain bin accident claimed the life of another man just in Indiana .
Daniel Haupert , 66 , smothered in a bin of soybeans @ @ @ @ @ @

Rescue crews respond to the Whitaker grain elevator Wednesday after a worker fell around 70 feet into a nearly empty bin. The man later died. Photo courtesy of Tim Olk
EVANSVILLE, Ind., Jan. 9 (UPI) -- For the second time this week, a man has died in a grain bin accident. Chester Cleveland, 58, fell Wednesday into a commercial grain bin at Whitaker grain elevator near Manteno, Ill. Advertisement
Cleveland, who had been an employee at the company 40 years, had been cleaning the silo with another worker, Heriberto Reyes, 29, said Ken McCabe, the chief deputy at the Kankakee Sheriff's Office in Kankakee County.
The bin was nearly empty of corn, so the two were working near the bottom. Around 11 a.m., they decided to leave the bin for lunch, McCabe said. To do that, they had to climb a steal ladder built into the side of the bin.
Manteno/ Grant Park: one man remains trapped in Farmers Grain Bin Elevator after helping about another man who was trapped and has since been extricated #NBCSky5 Live at 4 @nbcchicago pic.twitter.com/AlX1JXWBU7— Mike Lorber (@NBCSky5) January 8, 2020
Reyes reached the top first. When he turned to look back down the ladder, he saw Cleveland fall. Fire officials said he likely fell about 70 feet.
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Reyes "said there was dust and condensation on the ladder," McCabe said.
Reyes called for help, and then climbed back into the bin to check on his colleague.
"When he went back down, [Cleveland] was still conscious and complaining of pain," McCabe said.
It took rescue crews several hours to enter the bin.
"It was a difficult access," Manteno Fire Chief Scott O'Brien said. "The bin had a rebar-type ladder made of older steel. It was not safe enough for us to go down. We don't want other people getting hurt during the rescue. We needed a rope rescue team."
Cleveland was dead when rescue crews removed him from the silo.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the incident, O'Brien said. The grain elevator company declined to comment.
OSHA recently fined a grain facility in North Dakota $190,000 after the death of one of its employees, saying the company "failed to follow OSHA standards during grain bin entry and cleaning operations."
On Monday, a grain bin accident claimed the life of another man in Indiana. Daniel Haupert, 66, smothered in a bin of soybeans on his farm in Urbana.


upi--2020-01-09--International Olympic Committee bans political gestures at Tokyo Games

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- The International Olympic Committee released a set of guidelines Thursday urging athletes not to make any political gestures or protests during the upcoming 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo .
The governing body of the biennial sporting event addressed such demonstrations in an update of its Rule 50 Guidelines .
`` As athletes , we are passionate about our sports and achieving our sporting performance goals .
For each and every one of us , that passion continues into everyday life , where we advocate for change on issues of great importance to us and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the document read .
`` That desire to drive change can naturally make it very tempting to use the platform of an appearance at the Olympic Games to make our point . ''
The rule bans the display of political messaging , including signs and armbands ; gestures of a political nature , including hand gestures or kneeling ; and the refusal to follow the ceremonies protocol .
The ban applies at all Olympic venues , including fields of play , Olympic Village , medal ceremonies , and opening and closing ceremonies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ trainers and officials may express opinions during news conferences and interviews , at team meetings , and on other digital or traditional media .
Disciplinary action against those who break Rule 50 `` will be taken on a case-by-case basis as necessary . ''
The IOC said if participants do n't follow the guidelines , `` the life 's work of the athletes around us could be tarnished , and the world would quickly no longer be able to look at us competing and living respectfully together , as conflicts drive a wedge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` That is not to say that you should be silent about the issues you care deeply about . ''
The XXXII Summer Olympic Games are scheduled to take place July 24-Aug. 9 .

Olympic athletes Tommie Smith (R) and John Carlos raised their fists in a Black Power salute at the 1968 Olympics. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 9 (UPI) -- The International Olympic Committee released a set of guidelines Thursday urging athletes not to make any political gestures or protests during the upcoming 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo. The governing body of the biennial sporting event addressed such demonstrations in an update of its Rule 50 Guidelines. Advertisement
"As athletes, we are passionate about our sports and achieving our sporting performance goals. For each and every one of us, that passion continues into everyday life, where we advocate for change on issues of great importance to us and our world," a statement accompanying the document read.
"That desire to drive change can naturally make it very tempting to use the platform of an appearance at the Olympic Games to make our point."
The rule bans the display of political messaging, including signs and armbands; gestures of a political nature, including hand gestures or kneeling; and the refusal to follow the ceremonies protocol. The ban applies at all Olympic venues, including fields of play, Olympic Village, medal ceremonies, and opening and closing ceremonies.
The IOC said athletes, coaches, trainers and officials may express opinions during news conferences and interviews, at team meetings, and on other digital or traditional media.
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Disciplinary action against those who break Rule 50 "will be taken on a case-by-case basis as necessary."
The IOC said if participants don't follow the guidelines, "the life's work of the athletes around us could be tarnished, and the world would quickly no longer be able to look at us competing and living respectfully together, as conflicts drive a wedge between individuals, groups and nations."
"That is not to say that you should be silent about the issues you care deeply about."
The XXXII Summer Olympic Games are scheduled to take place July 24-Aug. 9.


upi--2020-01-09--Heart diseases raise risk for kidney failure, study finds

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- Having certain heart diseases may increase a person 's risk for developing kidney failure , a new study has found .
In an analysis published Thursday in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology , researchers found that those with a history of heart failure , atrial fibrillation , coronary heart disease and stroke were as much as 10 times more likely to develop kidney failure than those without any cardiovascular disease .
The authors attributed this elevated risk to the `` bi-directional relationship '' between the heart and kidneys , sometimes referred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physicians probably recognize that patients with cardiovascular disease are at risk of kidney disease progression , but to my knowledge , this is the first study quantifying the contribution of different cardiovascular diseases to the development of kidney failure , '' co-author Kunihiro Matsushita , of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , said in a press release .
According to the National Institutes of Health , more than 600,000 adults in the United States have been diagnosed with kidney failure , with more than 450,000 of them on dialysis .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- an estimated 47,000 annually -- than breast or prostate cancer , per agency estimates .
The National Kidney Foundation describes the connection between the heart and kidneys as , essentially , a co-dependent one .
The heart supplies the body with oxygen-filled blood , and the kidneys work to remove waste and excess water from the blood .
A sickened heart may struggle to provide the kidneys with the blood needed to do their work .
For their research , Matsushita and his team examined data on 9,047 American adults who did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they enrolled in a community-based study , following their health status for a median period of 17.5 years .
During that time , 2,598 of the study participants were hospitalized with cardiovascular disease -- 1,269 with heart failure , 1,337 with atrial fibrillation , 696 with coronary heart disease and 559 with stroke -- and 210 patients developed kidney failure .
The authors found that the incidence of major cardiovascular disease was associated with a higher risk of kidney failure , with the highest risk for heart failure .
Participants hospitalized with heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developing kidney failure than participants without cardiovascular disease , they noted .
`` Individuals with a history of cardiovascular disease should be recognized as a high risk population for kidney failure .
In this context , physicians should be aware of cardiovascular disease as an important risk condition , and thereby minimize treatments that are toxic to the kidneys in such individuals , '' Junichi Ishigami , also aresearcher at Johns Hopkins , said .
`` Additionally , our findings may have implications for monitoring kidney function , although current cardiovascular disease guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evaluating kidney function following the incidence of cardiovascular disease . ''

Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Having certain heart diseases may increase a person's risk for developing kidney failure, a new study has found.
In an analysis published Thursday in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, researchers found that those with a history of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease and stroke were as much as 10 times more likely to develop kidney failure than those without any cardiovascular disease.
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The authors attributed this elevated risk to the "bi-directional relationship" between the heart and kidneys, sometimes referred to as cardiorenal syndrome.
"Many physicians probably recognize that patients with cardiovascular disease are at risk of kidney disease progression, but to my knowledge, this is the first study quantifying the contribution of different cardiovascular diseases to the development of kidney failure," co-author Kunihiro Matsushita, of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said in a press release.
According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 600,000 adults in the United States have been diagnosed with kidney failure, with more than 450,000 of them on dialysis. In all, kidney disease kills more people -- an estimated 47,000 annually -- than breast or prostate cancer, per agency estimates.
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The National Kidney Foundation describes the connection between the heart and kidneys as, essentially, a co-dependent one. The heart supplies the body with oxygen-filled blood, and the kidneys work to remove waste and excess water from the blood.
A sickened heart may struggle to provide the kidneys with the blood needed to do their work.
For their research, Matsushita and his team examined data on 9,047 American adults who did not have signs of heart disease when they enrolled in a community-based study, following their health status for a median period of 17.5 years. During that time, 2,598 of the study participants were hospitalized with cardiovascular disease -- 1,269 with heart failure, 1,337 with atrial fibrillation, 696 with coronary heart disease and 559 with stroke -- and 210 patients developed kidney failure.
The authors found that the incidence of major cardiovascular disease was associated with a higher risk of kidney failure, with the highest risk for heart failure. Participants hospitalized with heart failure had an 11.4-times higher risk of developing kidney failure than participants without cardiovascular disease, they noted.
"Individuals with a history of cardiovascular disease should be recognized as a high risk population for kidney failure. In this context, physicians should be aware of cardiovascular disease as an important risk condition, and thereby minimize treatments that are toxic to the kidneys in such individuals," Junichi Ishigami, also aresearcher at Johns Hopkins, said. "Additionally, our findings may have implications for monitoring kidney function, although current cardiovascular disease guidelines do not necessarily specify the frequency of evaluating kidney function following the incidence of cardiovascular disease."


upi--2020-01-09--Most U.S. adults say killing Soleimani made America less safe, new poll shows

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- Most Americans say the U.S. killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani has made the United States less safe , a USA Today/Ipsos poll released Thursday indicates .
More than six in 10 people surveyed said the attack made it more likely there would be terrorist attacks on the U.S. homeland and that the United States and Iran would go to war .
Nearly seven in 10 said it made it more likely Iran would strike U.S. interests in the Middle East .
President Donald Trump has defended his order to kill Soleimani by calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war , '' but a majority of respondents , 52 percent , were critical of Trump 's behavior with Iran , calling it `` reckless . ''
More than 40 percent of those polled said they supported the drone strike at the Baghdad airport which killed Soleimani , 62 , last week , but 33 percent opposed it and 25 percent were undecided .
Soleimani led Iran 's Quds Force , is part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps , which the Trump administration designated as a terrorist organization in 2019 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement of his killing that his Quds Force was responsible for hundreds of U.S. and coalition service member deaths .
The online survey of 1,005 adults was taken Tuesday and Wednesday and had a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points .
On Wednesday , more than a dozen missiles launched from Iran struck two Iraqi military bases where U.S. forces were stationed in retaliation for Soleimani 's killing .
Iranian media reported dozens of U.S. troops were killed , but U.S. officials said no service members were hurt by the strikes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vote on limiting Trump 's power to hit Iran militarily .
The United States targeted Soleimani after protesters , angered by deadly U.S. airstrikes against Kataib Hezbollah , stormed the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on New Year 's Eve .
The Dec. 29 strikes came after a rocket attack on a military base a couple days earlier in northern Iraq killed a U.S. Defense Department contractor , and also injured four U.S. service members and two members of Iraqi security forces , chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement .

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., speaks at a demonstration against war with Iran on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Most Americans say the U.S. killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani has made the United States less safe, a USA Today/Ipsos poll released Thursday indicates. More than six in 10 people surveyed said the attack made it more likely there would be terrorist attacks on the U.S. homeland and that the United States and Iran would go to war. Nearly seven in 10 said it made it more likely Iran would strike U.S. interests in the Middle East. Advertisement
President Donald Trump has defended his order to kill Soleimani by calling it an action "to stop a war," but a majority of respondents, 52 percent, were critical of Trump's behavior with Iran, calling it "reckless."
More than 40 percent of those polled said they supported the drone strike at the Baghdad airport which killed Soleimani, 62, last week, but 33 percent opposed it and 25 percent were undecided.
Soleimani led Iran's Quds Force, is part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, which the Trump administration designated as a terrorist organization in 2019. The United States said in a Jan. 2 announcement of his killing that his Quds Force was responsible for hundreds of U.S. and coalition service member deaths.
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The online survey of 1,005 adults was taken Tuesday and Wednesday and had a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.
On Wednesday, more than a dozen missiles launched from Iran struck two Iraqi military bases where U.S. forces were stationed in retaliation for Soleimani's killing. Iranian media reported dozens of U.S. troops were killed, but U.S. officials said no service members were hurt by the strikes.
On Thursday, the U.S. House neared a vote on limiting Trump's power to hit Iran militarily.
The United States targeted Soleimani after protesters, angered by deadly U.S. airstrikes against Kataib Hezbollah, stormed the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on New Year's Eve.
The Dec. 29 strikes came after a rocket attack on a military base a couple days earlier in northern Iraq killed a U.S. Defense Department contractor, and also injured four U.S. service members and two members of Iraqi security forces, chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement.


upi--2020-01-09--State Department approves $2.75B sale of F-35Bs to Singapore

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- The State Department has approved a possible sale of up to 12 F-35B aircraft to Singapore , with an estimated total cost of $ 2.75 billion .
The government of Singapore has asked to buy up to 12 F-35Bs -- an initial purchase of four , with an option to add eight more -- and up to 13 Pratt and Whitney F135 engines for the aircraft , the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on Thursday .
The contract also includes maintenance and technical support for the aircraft .
The F-35B is the short take-off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ II , which was originally designed for use by the U.S. Marine Corps .
`` This proposed sale of F-35s will augment Singapore 's operational aircraft inventory and enhance its air-to-air and air-to-ground self-defense capability , adding to an effective deterrence to defend its borders and contribute to coalition operations with other allied and partner forces , '' DSCA said in a press release .
`` Singapore will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces . ''
In March , Singapore 's defense minister said the country intended to buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July State Department report said the U.S. had $ 7.34 billion in active Foreign Military Sales cases with Singapore 's government .
Prior military sales to Singapore have included F-16 Block 52 upgrades , F-16 pilot training and logistics support and AH64-D Apache helicopters .
Prices for the F-35 have dropped at the urging of the Pentagon , with the F-35B being the most expensive of the program 's three aircraft at $ 115.5 million per plane .
The cheapest , the F-35A , is expected to drop to under $ 80 million @ @ @

The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of up to 12 F-35B aircraft to Singapore through the Foreign Military Sales program. Photo by Corey Hook/U.S. Air Force
Jan. 9 (UPI) -- The State Department has approved a possible sale of up to 12 F-35B aircraft to Singapore, with an estimated total cost of $2.75 billion. The government of Singapore has asked to buy up to 12 F-35Bs -- an initial purchase of four, with an option to add eight more -- and up to 13 Pratt and Whitney F135 engines for the aircraft, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on Thursday. Advertisement
The contract also includes maintenance and technical support for the aircraft. The F-35B is the short take-off and vertical landing variant of the Lightning II, which was originally designed for use by the U.S. Marine Corps.
"This proposed sale of F-35s will augment Singapore's operational aircraft inventory and enhance its air-to-air and air-to-ground self-defense capability, adding to an effective deterrence to defend its borders and contribute to coalition operations with other allied and partner forces," DSCA said in a press release. "Singapore will have no difficulty absorbing these aircraft into its armed forces."
In March, Singapore's defense minister said the country intended to buy four U.S.-made F-35 fighter planes.
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A July State Department report said the U.S. had $7.34 billion in active Foreign Military Sales cases with Singapore's government.
Prior military sales to Singapore have included F-16 Block 52 upgrades, F-16 pilot training and logistics support and AH64-D Apache helicopters.
Prices for the F-35 have dropped at the urging of the Pentagon, with the F-35B being the most expensive of the program's three aircraft at $115.5 million per plane. The cheapest, the F-35A, is expected to drop to under $80 million per aircraft.


upi--2020-01-09--Teachers, nurses, lawyers join French pension strike amid transport stoppage

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- Teachers , district nurses and lawyers joined strikes Thursday against pension changes in France that have resulted in one of the country 's longest transport stoppages .
More than 450,000 demonstrators marched in cities like Paris throughout the country and dozens of schools were shut down in the capital as a third of teachers in the country took part in the strike on its 36th day .
There were more than 124 miles of traffic jams in the Pris area on Thursday amid the protests .
A rail stoppage in the country that began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longest continuous train strike since the national rail service was created in the 1930s .
Thousands of police also gathered in Paris to prepare for the protests and clashed with demonstrators , firing off tear gas .
Protesters in the capital marched through the streets chanting that they will fight until the government agrees to scrap the proposed pension reform .
The government has said it will create a universal points-based pension system for all , eliminating special systems for a range of union workers .
Unions fear the government proposal to raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will leave people working harder for smaller pensions .
President Emmanuel Macron 's last week called for `` quick compromise '' to end the strike and his government hopes negotiations over the next 24 hours can end the stalemate .
Philippe Martinez of the CGT union was skeptical of the government 's intentions .
`` Between the government 's stance of 'We 're talking , everything is on the table ' and the reality , you have to wonder if it really intends to take the views of unions into account , '' @ @ @

Protesters react after the police fired tear gas during a demonstration against pension reforms in Paris on Thursday. File Photo by Yoan Valat/EPA-EFE
Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Teachers, district nurses and lawyers joined strikes Thursday against pension changes in France that have resulted in one of the country's longest transport stoppages. More than 450,000 demonstrators marched in cities like Paris throughout the country and dozens of schools were shut down in the capital as a third of teachers in the country took part in the strike on its 36th day. Advertisement
There were more than 124 miles of traffic jams in the Pris area on Thursday amid the protests.
A rail stoppage in the country that began Dec. 4 has now become France's longest continuous train strike since the national rail service was created in the 1930s.
Thousands of police also gathered in Paris to prepare for the protests and clashed with demonstrators, firing off tear gas.
Protesters in the capital marched through the streets chanting that they will fight until the government agrees to scrap the proposed pension reform.
The government has said it will create a universal points-based pension system for all, eliminating special systems for a range of union workers. Unions fear the government proposal to raise the retirement age to 64 from 62 will leave people working harder for smaller pensions.
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President Emmanuel Macron's last week called for "quick compromise" to end the strike and his government hopes negotiations over the next 24 hours can end the stalemate.
Philippe Martinez of the CGT union was skeptical of the government's intentions.
"Between the government's stance of 'We're talking, everything is on the table' and the reality, you have to wonder if it really intends to take the views of unions into account," Martinez said.


upi--2020-01-09--Prosecutors: Surveillance from Jeffrey Epstein's 1st suicide attempt 'no longer exists'

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- Surveillance footage from outside Jeffrey Epstein 's jail cell at the time of his first attempt at suicide was n't preserved , federal prosecutors said in a court filing Thursday .
The U.S. attorney 's office in Manhattan said prosecutors asked the Metropolitan Correctional Center to preserve the video footage dated July 22-23 .
After reviewing the footage , prosecutors said they realized the MCC `` inadvertently preserved video from the wrong tier '' within the jail .
As a result of the apparent mistake , the actual footage in question `` no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at MCC and the circumstances of Epstein 's first suspected suicide attempt after he killed himself Aug. 10 in his jail cell .
`` The government understands from speaking with MCC legal counsel that there was a backup system in place that housed all video for the Special Housing Unit , including the video requested by defense counsel , '' U.S. Attorney Geoffrey German said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas .
`` The government further understands from the Federal Bureau of Investigation that it has reviewed that backup system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determined that the requested video no longer exists on the backup system and has not since at least August 2019 as a result of technical errors . ''
The court filing was part of a case involving former Westchester County police officer Nicholas Tartaglione , who shared a jail cell with Epstein on the day of his first suicide attempt .
Epstein was found semiconscious in his cell with marks on his neck July 23 ; Tartaglione was cleared of any wrongdoing for that incident .
Epstein was arrested in July as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department-FBI investigation and he was charged with one count each of sex trafficking and conspiracy .
He pleaded not guilty .
The millionaire financier , who was forced to register as a sex offender in Florida for a 2008 conviction , was accused of giving girls `` hundreds of dollars in cash '' to engage in sexual acts at his mansions in Manhattan and Palm Beach , Fla. , and sometimes paid victims to recruit other victims .
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York said the reported incidents occurred @ @ @ @ @

Jeffrey Epstein was found semiconscious with marks on his neck in his jail cell July 23. File Photo courtesy of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice
Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Surveillance footage from outside Jeffrey Epstein's jail cell at the time of his first attempt at suicide wasn't preserved, federal prosecutors said in a court filing Thursday. The U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan said prosecutors asked the Metropolitan Correctional Center to preserve the video footage dated July 22-23. After reviewing the footage, prosecutors said they realized the MCC "inadvertently preserved video from the wrong tier" within the jail. Advertisement
As a result of the apparent mistake, the actual footage in question "no longer exists."
Prosecutors began investigating conditions at MCC and the circumstances of Epstein's first suspected suicide attempt after he killed himself Aug. 10 in his jail cell.
"The government understands from speaking with MCC legal counsel that there was a backup system in place that housed all video for the Special Housing Unit, including the video requested by defense counsel," U.S. Attorney Geoffrey German said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas.
"The government further understands from the Federal Bureau of Investigation that it has reviewed that backup system as part of an unrelated investigation and determined that the requested video no longer exists on the backup system and has not since at least August 2019 as a result of technical errors."
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The court filing was part of a case involving former Westchester County police officer Nicholas Tartaglione, who shared a jail cell with Epstein on the day of his first suicide attempt. Epstein was found semiconscious in his cell with marks on his neck July 23; Tartaglione was cleared of any wrongdoing for that incident.
Epstein was arrested in July as part of a joint New York City Police Department-FBI investigation and he was charged with one count each of sex trafficking and conspiracy. He pleaded not guilty.
The millionaire financier, who was forced to register as a sex offender in Florida for a 2008 conviction, was accused of giving girls "hundreds of dollars in cash" to engage in sexual acts at his mansions in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Fla., and sometimes paid victims to recruit other victims. The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York said the reported incidents occurred between 2002 and 2005.


upi--2020-01-09--Stoltenberg, Trump agree NATO could do more in Middle East

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told U.S. President Donald Trump that the alliance could contribute more to regional stability in the Middle East and help more in the fight against international terrorism in a call .
Trump urged Stoltenberg on a call Wednesday for the alliance to step up its involvement in the Middle East , and the two leaders agreed to stay in `` close contact '' on the issue , according to a NATO readout of the call .
`` NATO plays a key role in the fight against international terrorism , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Afghanistan and as a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS , '' said the call readout .
The call came just hours after Tehran launched a missile strike on U.S.-held military bases in Iraq , which religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned were merely a `` slap on the face '' for the United States .
Tensions in the region have escalated since the killing of Iran 's top military commander Qassem Soleimani last week .
NATO allies have expressed solidarity with the United States but some have withdrawn troops from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training mission last week to keep the Islamic State from regaining ground in the region , temporarily relocating to Kuwait as tensions between the U.S. and Iraq simmer .
On Thursday , Trump mentioned at an unrelated event that he felt NATO should expand into the Middle East , and described Stoltenberg as `` excited '' about the idea .

During a Wednesday phone call, President Donald J. Trump (L) urged NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg (R) to step up the alliance's involvement in the Middle East. The two are shown here during a at Winfield House in London in December 2019. White House Photo by Shealah Craighead/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 9 (UPI) -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told U.S. President Donald Trump that the alliance could contribute more to regional stability in the Middle East and help more in the fight against international terrorism in a call. Trump urged Stoltenberg on a call Wednesday for the alliance to step up its involvement in the Middle East, and the two leaders agreed to stay in "close contact" on the issue, according to a NATO readout of the call. Advertisement
"NATO plays a key role in the fight against international terrorism, including through training missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and as a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS," said the call readout.
The call came just hours after Tehran launched a missile strike on U.S.-held military bases in Iraq, which religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned were merely a "slap on the face" for the United States.
Tensions in the region have escalated since the killing of Iran's top military commander Qassem Soleimani last week.
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NATO allies have expressed solidarity with the United States but some have withdrawn troops from Iraq.
The alliance itself suspended a training mission last week to keep the Islamic State from regaining ground in the region, temporarily relocating to Kuwait as tensions between the U.S. and Iraq simmer.
On Thursday, Trump mentioned at an unrelated event that he felt NATO should expand into the Middle East, and described Stoltenberg as "excited" about the idea.


upi--2020-01-09--Study details how hydrogen causes embrittlement of steels

Jan. 9 ( UPI ) -- Scientists have finally figured out how hydrogen causes embrittlement of steels .
The research , conducted by engineers at the University of Sydney , also revealed new strategies for steels resistant to embrittlement .
Many scientists and policy makers remain hopeful that a hydrogen economy -- the use of hydrogen fuel to power cars , trucks , planes and more -- will dramatically curb carbon emissions .
But the transition to a hydrogen economy will require infrastructure for hydrogen distribution and storage .
Many of the piping and combustion systems used to burn fuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and steel alloys .
Unfortunately , hydrogen undermines the structural integrity of steel -- a process called embrittlement .
Until now , scientists were n't sure exactly how steel embrittlement worked .
Using a sophisticated imaging technique called cryo-transfer atom probe tomography , scientists were able to observe the behavior of hydrogen atoms inside steel .
The research , published this week in the journal Science , showed hydrogen accumulates inside the dislocations or boundaries separating individual steel crystals .
As more and more hydrogen accumulates inside these dislocations , fractures begin to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the groundbreaking research also revealed a technique for preventing steel embrittlement .
In some steel alloys , images revealed clusters of niobium carbide worked to trap hydrogen atoms and prevent them from moving to and accumulating in dislocations and crystal boundaries .
In the future , researchers could deploy niobium carbide or compounds with similar qualities to develop steels resistant to hydrogen-induced embrittlement .
`` These findings are vital for designing embrittlement-resistant steel ; the carbides offer a solution to ensuring high-strength steels are not prone to early fracture and reduced toughness in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researcher Yi-Sheng Chen said in a news release .

An illustration shows a hydrogen atom wedging itself into the dislocation between steel crystals. Photo by University of Sydney
Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Scientists have finally figured out how hydrogen causes embrittlement of steels. The research, conducted by engineers at the University of Sydney, also revealed new strategies for steels resistant to embrittlement. Many scientists and policy makers remain hopeful that a hydrogen economy -- the use of hydrogen fuel to power cars, trucks, planes and more -- will dramatically curb carbon emissions. But the transition to a hydrogen economy will require infrastructure for hydrogen distribution and storage. Advertisement
Many of the piping and combustion systems used to burn fuel for today's carbon economy use steel and steel alloys. Unfortunately, hydrogen undermines the structural integrity of steel -- a process called embrittlement.
Until now, scientists weren't sure exactly how steel embrittlement worked.
Using a sophisticated imaging technique called cryo-transfer atom probe tomography, scientists were able to observe the behavior of hydrogen atoms inside steel. The research, published this week in the journal Science, showed hydrogen accumulates inside the dislocations or boundaries separating individual steel crystals. As more and more hydrogen accumulates inside these dislocations, fractures begin to develop, causing embrittlement.
Fortunately, the groundbreaking research also revealed a technique for preventing steel embrittlement. In some steel alloys, images revealed clusters of niobium carbide worked to trap hydrogen atoms and prevent them from moving to and accumulating in dislocations and crystal boundaries.
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In the future, researchers could deploy niobium carbide or compounds with similar qualities to develop steels resistant to hydrogen-induced embrittlement.
"These findings are vital for designing embrittlement-resistant steel; the carbides offer a solution to ensuring high-strength steels are not prone to early fracture and reduced toughness in the presence of hydrogen," lead researcher Yi-Sheng Chen said in a news release.