upi--2020-01-15--Studies link vaping to asthma, COPD

Studies link vaping to asthma, COPD

Lung illnesses and deaths from vaping have been grabbing headlines for months , and now two new studies offer fresh evidence pointing to long-term respiratory concerns .
The studies link the use of electronic cigarettes to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , or COPD .
`` These studies add to the body of evidence on the relationship between electronic cigarette use and lung conditions , '' said Dr. Albert Osei , a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore .
He 's lead author of a study published earlier this month in the American Journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not definitely prove a cause-and-effect link , he noted , adding : `` We believe this warrants further longitudinal studies . ''
Introduced to the U.S. market more than a decade ago , e-cigarettes are marketed as less harmful than traditional tobacco cigarettes , and as a way to help quit smoking .
In 2016 , almost 11 million American adults used e-cigarettes .
Most have a vaporization chamber , a nicotine cartridge that can include flavoring and a rechargeable battery .
The vapor they produce is inhaled into the lungs -- a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested the vapor may irritate airway cells , impair their ability to fight infection , and lead to destruction of lung tissue .
A study just published in December found that e-cigarette users are also at significantly higher risk of chronic lung diseases such as asthma , bronchitis , emphysema and COPD .
Vaping been linked to a nationwide outbreak of serious lung illness .
As of Jan. 7 , there have been more than 2,600 illnesses and 57 deaths -- many linked to vaping products with THC , the component in marijuana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Vitamin E acetate that makes the THC last longer may be the culprit , according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Osei 's study looked at a database of more than 705,000 adults .
Almost 65,000 smoked regular cigarettes .
More than 25,000 smoked e-cigarettes ; their average age : 30 to 34 .
More than 200,000 were former traditional smokers .
About 2 percent of smokers reported using both traditional and e-cigarettes .
More than 53,000 in the group said they had COPD , chronic bronchitis or emphysema @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular cigarettes , e-cigarette use was associated with 75 percent higher odds of COPD , the study found .
Daily users of e-cigarettes had 2.6 times higher odds of COPD than people who never smoked regular cigarettes .
The second study -- published recently in the journal BMC Pulmonary Medicine -- included more than 400,000 adults who never smoked regular cigarettes .
More than 34,000 had asthma .
Just 3,100 people currently used e-cigarettes .
Their average age : 18 to 24 .
The risk of asthma was 39 percent higher in current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never vaped .
And the more people vaped , the higher their asthma odds , the study reported .
Like Osei , the head of a pro-vaping advocacy group noted that these studies do n't prove that e-cigarettes was responsible for either condition .
It 's possible that people with asthma or COPD might have had their conditions before using e-cigarettes , said Greg Conley , president of the American Vaping Association .
`` There is no plausible mechanism by which vaping , which exposes users to far fewer toxins than cigarette smoking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a few years , '' he said .
`` Even among heavy smokers , several decades are required for COPD to develop . ''
Dr. Len Horovitz is a pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City who also reviewed the findings .
`` Long gone are the days when makers of e-cigarettes could claim that this form of nicotine use was not harmful , '' he said .
There is no safe smoking or vaping . ''
Study author Osei agreed , pointing out that both combustible and e-cigarettes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people using electronic cigarettes are young people .
Over time , we will have a generation who becomes nicotine-dependent from using electronic cigarettes , '' Osei said .
`` As a public health physician , I can not say that electronic cigarettes are without risk . ''
Learn more about vaping and lung health from the American Lung Association .

Lung illnesses and deaths from vaping have been grabbing headlines for months, and now two new studies offer fresh evidence pointing to long-term respiratory concerns.
The studies link the use of electronic cigarettes to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.
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"These studies add to the body of evidence on the relationship between electronic cigarette use and lung conditions," said Dr. Albert Osei, a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. He's lead author of a study published earlier this month in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
The studies cannot definitely prove a cause-and-effect link, he noted, adding: "We believe this warrants further longitudinal studies."
Introduced to the U.S. market more than a decade ago, e-cigarettes are marketed as less harmful than traditional tobacco cigarettes, and as a way to help quit smoking. In 2016, almost 11 million American adults used e-cigarettes.
Advertisement
Most have a vaporization chamber, a nicotine cartridge that can include flavoring and a rechargeable battery. The vapor they produce is inhaled into the lungs -- a process called vaping.
Past studies have suggested the vapor may irritate airway cells, impair their ability to fight infection, and lead to destruction of lung tissue. A study just published in December found that e-cigarette users are also at significantly higher risk of chronic lung diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and COPD.
Vaping been linked to a nationwide outbreak of serious lung illness. As of Jan. 7, there have been more than 2,600 illnesses and 57 deaths -- many linked to vaping products with THC, the component in marijuana that produces a high. An additive called Vitamin E acetate that makes the THC last longer may be the culprit, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Osei's study looked at a database of more than 705,000 adults.
Almost 65,000 smoked regular cigarettes. More than 25,000 smoked e-cigarettes; their average age: 30 to 34. More than 200,000 were former traditional smokers.
About 2 percent of smokers reported using both traditional and e-cigarettes. More than 53,000 in the group said they had COPD, chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
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In people who had never smoked regular cigarettes, e-cigarette use was associated with 75 percent higher odds of COPD, the study found. Daily users of e-cigarettes had 2.6 times higher odds of COPD than people who never smoked regular cigarettes.
The second study -- published recently in the journal BMC Pulmonary Medicine -- included more than 400,000 adults who never smoked regular cigarettes. More than 34,000 had asthma. Just 3,100 people currently used e-cigarettes. Their average age: 18 to 24.
The risk of asthma was 39 percent higher in current e-cigarette users than in people who had never vaped. And the more people vaped, the higher their asthma odds, the study reported.
Like Osei, the head of a pro-vaping advocacy group noted that these studies don't prove that e-cigarettes was responsible for either condition.
It's possible that people with asthma or COPD might have had their conditions before using e-cigarettes, said Greg Conley, president of the American Vaping Association.
"There is no plausible mechanism by which vaping, which exposes users to far fewer toxins than cigarette smoking, could cause COPD in a period of a few years," he said. "Even among heavy smokers, several decades are required for COPD to develop."
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Dr. Len Horovitz is a pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City who also reviewed the findings.
"Long gone are the days when makers of e-cigarettes could claim that this form of nicotine use was not harmful," he said. There is no safe smoking or vaping."
Study author Osei agreed, pointing out that both combustible and e-cigarettes contain nicotine.
"The majority of people using electronic cigarettes are young people. Over time, we will have a generation who becomes nicotine-dependent from using electronic cigarettes," Osei said. "As a public health physician, I cannot say that electronic cigarettes are without risk."
More information
Learn more about vaping and lung health from the American Lung Association.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-01-15--Democrats lay out plans for Middle East, healthcare in last debate before Iowa caucuses

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Democratic candidates for president participated in the final debate before the Iowa caucuses on Tuesday as they weighed in on the escalating conflict with Iran .
When asked about their stance on whether U.S. troops should remain in the Middle East , Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren agreed that all troops should come home , while former Vice President Joe Biden and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar called for some troops to remain in the region .
`` The American people are sick and tired of endless wars , which have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Sanders .
Sanders also compared President Donald Trump 's actions toward Iran to those that started other wars he said were based on false pretenses .
`` What we have to face as a nation is that the two great foreign policy disasters of our lifetimes were the war in Vietnam and the war in Iraq .
Both of those wars were based on lies and right now what I fear very much is we have a president who is lying again and could drag us into a war that is even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
Warren said that the presence of U.S. combat troops is not helping the situation in the Middle East , suggesting that the United States instead employ economic and diplomatic solutions .
`` We have to stop this mindset that we can do everything with combat troops .
Our military is the finest military on Earth and they will take any sacrifice we ask them to take , but we should stop asking the military to solve problems that can not be solved militarily , '' she said .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Middle East patrolling the Gulf and that it is a mistake to pull out the troops currently combatting the Islamic State .
`` They 'll come back if we do not deal with them and we do not have someone who can bring together the rest of the world to go with us , '' he said .
Klobuchar said she would leave some troops in the Middle East but at a lower level than Trump is currently .
`` In Afghanistan , I have long wanted to bring our troops home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain for counter-terrorism and training .
In Syria , I would not have removed 150 troops from the border with Turkey .
I think that was a mistake and I think it made our allies and many others much more vulnerable to ISIS .
When it comes to Iraq , right now I would leave our troops there despite the mess that has been created by Donald Trump , '' she said .
South Bend , Ind.
, Mayor Pete Buttigieg , who served in the military , suggested the United States can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East without `` having an endless commitment of ground troops . ''
He then criticized Trump for sending more troops to the Middle East , while also saying Trump has made it more difficult to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons by withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal .
`` By gutting that , they have made the region more dangerous and set off the chain of events that we are now dealing with as it escalates even closer to the brink of outright war , '' he said .
The candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with some preferring to expand the Affordable Care Act by introducing a public option while others support a Medicare for All plan that would seek to move the United States toward a single-payer healthcare system .
On Tuesday , the candidates sparred about how they would pay to support their healthcare plans .
Businessman Tom Steyer emphasized that the American healthcare system faces systemic issues caused by the presence of corporations .
`` We have a broken government .
It has been bought by corporations that include the drug companies , the insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Sanders , who introduced Medicare for All , said the program would see Americans paying less than the current system .
`` Medicare for All , which will guarantee comprehensive healthcare to every man , woman and child , will cost substantially less than the status quo , '' he said .
Sanders said the plan would achieve this goal by implementing a 4 percent tax on income that would exempt the first $ 29,000 .
`` The average family in America that today makes $ 60,000 would today pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family paying $ 12,000 a year , '' he said .
Klobuchar cited a lack of support among Democrats for a Medicare for All plan and said the focus in the healthcare debate should be on solving specific issues under a nonprofit public option .
`` The real debate we should be having is how do we make it easier for people to get coverage for addiction and mental health , '' she said .
`` We need to make it easier for people to get longterm care insurance and we need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their premiums . ''
Warren , who supports Medicare for All , said that other plans , such as the one Buttigieg has dubbed `` Medicare for All who want it , '' cost less because they only represent a `` small improvement '' over the status quo .
`` By themselves , they 're not going to be enough to cover prescriptions for 36 million people who ca n't afford to get them filled , '' she said .
`` What we need to do is make the commitment that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We can ask those at the very top , the top 1 percent to pay a little more ... we can have them pay and we can go after the corporate tax cheats .
When we do that we have enough money to provide healthcare for all of our people . ''
Buttigieg responded by saying it is `` just not true '' that his proposed plan is small .
`` We have to move past the Washingon mentality that suggests that the bigness of plans only consists of how many trillions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the boldness of a plan consists of how many Americans it can alienate , '' he said .

1/4
From left to right, 2020 Democratic presidential candidates Tom Steyer, Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar gather onstage for a debate in Des Moines, Iowa on Tuesday. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Democratic candidates for president participated Tuesday in the final debate before the Iowa caucuses, weighing in on the escalated conflict with Iran. When asked whether U.S. troops should remain in the Middle East, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren agreed that all troops should come home, while former Vice President Joe Biden and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar called for some troops to remain in the region. Advertisement
"The American people are sick and tired of endless wars, which have cost us trillions of dollars," Sanders said.
Six candidates qualified for the debate in Des Moines, Iowa, where voters will cast the first votes in caucuses Feb. 3 in the Democratic primary to unseat Republican President Donald Trump on Nov. 3.
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Sanders compared Trump's actions toward Iran to those that started other wars he said were based on false pretenses.
"What we have to face as a nation is that the two great foreign policy disasters of our lifetimes were the war in Vietnam and the war in Iraq. Both of those wars were based on lies and right now, what I fear very much is we have a president who is lying again and could drag us into a war that is even worse than the war in Iraq," he said.
Warren said the presence of U.S. combat troops is not helping the situation in the Middle East, suggesting that the United States instead employ economic and diplomatic solutions.
"We have to stop this mindset that we can do everything with combat troops. Our military is the finest military on Earth, and they will take any sacrifice we ask them to take, but we should stop asking the military to solve problems that cannot be solved militarily," she said.
Biden said he would leave troops in the Middle East patrolling the Gulf and that it is a mistake to pull out the troops fighting the Islamic State.
Advertisement
"They'll come back if we do not deal with them, and we do not have someone who can bring together the rest of the world to go with us," he said.
Klobuchar said she would leave some troops in the Middle East but at a lower level than Trump is currently.
"In Afghanistan, I have long wanted to bring our troops home, I would do that. Some would remain for counterterrorism and training. In Syria, I would not have removed 150 troops from the border with Turkey. I think that was a mistake, and I think it made our allies and many others much more vulnerable to ISIS. When it comes to Iraq, right now I would leave our troops there despite the mess that has been created by Donald Trump," she said.
South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who served in the military, suggested the United States can continue to remain engaged in the Middle East without "having an endless commitment of ground troops."
He criticized Trump for sending more troops to the Middle East, while also saying Trump has made it more difficult to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons by withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal.
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"By gutting that, they have made the region more dangerous and set off the chain of events that we are now dealing with as it escalates even closer to the brink of outright war," he said.
Healthcare
The candidates have been divided on healthcare, with some preferring to expand the Affordable Care Act by introducing a public option while others support a Medicare for All plan that would seek to move the United States toward a single-payer healthcare system.
On Tuesday, the candidates sparred about how they would pay to support their healthcare plans.
Businessman Tom Steyer emphasized that the American healthcare system faces systemic issues caused by the presence of corporations.
"We have a broken government. It has been bought by corporations that include the drug companies, the insurance companies and the private hospitals," he said.
Sanders, who introduced Medicare for All, said the program would see Americans paying less than the current system.
"Medicare for All, which will guarantee comprehensive healthcare to every man, woman and child, will cost substantially less than the status quo," he said.
Sanders said the plan would achieve this goal by implementing a 4 percent tax on income that would exempt the first $29,000.
Advertisement
"The average family in America that today makes $60,000 would today pay $1,200 a year compared to that family paying $12,000 a year," he said.
Klobuchar cited a lack of support among Democrats for a Medicare for All plan and said the focus in the healthcare debate should be on solving specific issues under a nonprofit public option.
"The real debate we should be having is how do we make it easier for people to get coverage for addiction and mental health," she said. "We need to make it easier for people to get long-term care insurance, and we need to make it easier for them to pay for their premiums."
Warren, who supports Medicare for All, said other plans, such as the one Buttigieg has dubbed "Medicare for All who want it," cost less because they only represent a "small improvement" over the status quo.
"By themselves, they're not going to be enough to cover prescriptions for 36 million people who can't afford to get them filled," she said. "What we need to do is make the commitment that we know where the money comes from. We can ask those at the very top, the top 1 percent, to pay a little more ... We can have them pay, and we can go after the corporate tax cheats. When we do that, we have enough money to provide healthcare for all of our people."
Advertisement
Buttigieg responded by saying it is "just not true" that his proposed plan is small.
"We have to move past the Washington mentality that suggests that the bigness of plans only consists of how many trillions of dollars they put through the treasury, the boldness of a plan consists of how many Americans it can alienate," he said.


upi--2020-01-14--Retired NFL star receiver Chad Johnson trying out for XFL as kicker

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson will take part in an XFL tryout as a place kicker next week .
Johnson announced the news Tuesday on social media .
League sources told ESPN that the tryout , which is scheduled for Monday in Houston , is real .
`` The opportunity to kick in the XFL has presented itself , '' Johnson wrote on Twitter .
`` I must tryout Monday in Houston .
I 'm excited as hell and I 'm sure all will go well . ''
Johnson , 42 , last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of the New England Patriots in February 2012 .
He caught one pass for the Patriots during their Super Bowl XLVI loss .
Johnson , a six-time Pro Bowl choice as a wideout , is an avid soccer fan and often expressed an interest in kicking during his NFL career .
He converted an extra point and kicked off for the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2009 preseason .
Johnson tweeted that he hopes the tryout could lead to an opportunity to compete for a roster spot on an NFL team as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fetched but imagine me being consistent during an XFL season [ and ] getting a chance at a 53 man roster in the NFL , even [ if ] I do n't make it just being able to compete for a spot at [ an ] entirely different position will be so riveting . ''
In an Instagram post last month , Johnson displayed his leg power by converting what appeared to be a 60-yard field goal .
Johnson retired from football after short stints with the Canadian Football League 's Montreal Alouettes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 2017 ) of the Liga de Futbol Americano Profesional , the top American football league in Mexico .
In 166 career games between the Bengals ( 2001-10 ) and Patriots ( 2011 ) , Johnson recorded 766 catches for 11,059 yards and 67 receiving touchdowns .

Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson last appeared in an NFL game in February 2012. File Photo by Mark Goldman/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson will take part in an XFL tryout as a place kicker next week. Johnson announced the news Tuesday on social media. League sources told ESPN that the tryout, which is scheduled for Monday in Houston, is real. Advertisement
"The opportunity to kick in the XFL has presented itself," Johnson wrote on Twitter. "I must tryout Monday in Houston. I'm excited as hell and I'm sure all will go well."
Johnson, 42, last appeared in an NFL game as a member of the New England Patriots in February 2012. He caught one pass for the Patriots during their Super Bowl XLVI loss.
Johnson, a six-time Pro Bowl choice as a wideout, is an avid soccer fan and often expressed an interest in kicking during his NFL career. He converted an extra point and kicked off for the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2009 preseason.
Johnson tweeted that he hopes the tryout could lead to an opportunity to compete for a roster spot on an NFL team as a kicker, saying, "Pretty far fetched but imagine me being consistent during an XFL season [and] getting a chance at a 53 man roster in the NFL, even [if] I don't make it just being able to compete for a spot at [an] entirely different position will be so riveting."
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In an Instagram post last month, Johnson displayed his leg power by converting what appeared to be a 60-yard field goal.
Johnson retired from football after short stints with the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes (2014-15) and the Monterrey Fundidores (2017) of the Liga de Futbol Americano Profesional, the top American football league in Mexico.
In 166 career games between the Bengals (2001-10) and Patriots (2011), Johnson recorded 766 catches for 11,059 yards and 67 receiving touchdowns.


upi--2020-01-14--Michael Flynn asks to withdraw guilty plea

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Former national security advisor Michael Flynn asked a federal judge on Tuesday to withdraw his guilty plea , stating prosecutors broke its agreement for his cooperation when they requested he receive jail time instead of probation .
Flynn , who advised President Donald Trump on national security early in his tenure , pleaded guilty in December 2017 for making a false statement to the FBI as part of former special counsel Robert Mueller 's high-profile investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election .
The Justice Department had originally requested probation for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D.C. , judge on Jan. 7 to sentence him to six months in prison due to seemingly being unrepentant of his crimes .
In the court filing Tuesday , Flynn 's lawyers cited the government 's `` bad faith , vindictiveness and breach of plea agreement '' for the decision to withdraw his plea .
His defense states Flynn spent hundreds of hours cooperating with the government and provided it with thousands of documents that `` so satisfied '' the Justice Department it filed a motion requesting he receive probation for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government is `` obligated to uphold its side of the bargain '' it made when their client agreed to the plea deal and failing to do so is grounds for his plea to be rescinded .
`` The prosecution seeks to rewrite history and send Mr. Flynn to prison , '' Flynn 's lawyers wrote in the filing .
`` This about-face places the government in breach of the plea agreement . ''
Prosecutors reversed the decision to seek jail time last week , stating given the `` serious nature '' of Flynn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to accept responsibility '' the government needed to imprison him to `` promote respect for the law and adequately deter such criminal conduct . ''
Flynn was originally scheduled to be sentenced mid-December but the hearing was delayed until Jan. 28 to allow for the release of an inspector general report on the FBI 's Russia investigation .
The report , released Dec. 9 , determined there was no evidence to suggest bias against Trump but found `` significant concerns '' with how the FBI ran the case .
In Tuesday 's court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be delayed until Feb. 27 to allow time for the government to respond to the withdrawal of their client 's guilty plea and for Flynn to be provided with `` additional briefing he needs to protect the record and his constitutional rights in light of significant developments in the last 30 days . ''

Former national security advisor Michael Flynn pleaded guilty in December 2017 for lying to the FBI. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Former national security advisor Michael Flynn asked a federal judge on Tuesday to withdraw his guilty plea, stating prosecutors broke its agreement for his cooperation when they requested he receive jail time instead of probation. Flynn, who advised President Donald Trump on national security early in his tenure, pleaded guilty in December 2017 for making a false statement to the FBI as part of former special counsel Robert Mueller's high-profile investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Advertisement
The Justice Department had originally requested probation for his cooperation with investigators but urged a Washington, D.C., judge on Jan. 7 to sentence him to six months in prison due to seemingly being unrepentant of his crimes.
In the court filing Tuesday, Flynn's lawyers cited the government's "bad faith, vindictiveness and breach of plea agreement" for the decision to withdraw his plea.
His defense states Flynn spent hundreds of hours cooperating with the government and provided it with thousands of documents that "so satisfied" the Justice Department it filed a motion requesting he receive probation for his crime.
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Flynn's lawyers said the government is "obligated to uphold its side of the bargain" it made when their client agreed to the plea deal and failing to do so is grounds for his plea to be rescinded.
"The prosecution seeks to rewrite history and send Mr. Flynn to prison," Flynn's lawyers wrote in the filing. "This about-face places the government in breach of the plea agreement."
Prosecutors reversed the decision to seek jail time last week, stating given the "serious nature" of Flynn's crime and his "apparent failure to accept responsibility" the government needed to imprison him to "promote respect for the law and adequately deter such criminal conduct."
Flynn was originally scheduled to be sentenced mid-December but the hearing was delayed until Jan. 28 to allow for the release of an inspector general report on the FBI's Russia investigation. The report, released Dec. 9, determined there was no evidence to suggest bias against Trump but found "significant concerns" with how the FBI ran the case.
In Tuesday's court filing, Flynn's defense requested sentencing be delayed until Feb. 27 to allow time for the government to respond to the withdrawal of their client's guilty plea and for Flynn to be provided with "additional briefing he needs to protect the record and his constitutional rights in light of significant developments in the last 30 days."


upi--2020-01-14--Watch: Carolina Panthers star LB Luke Kuechly, 28, announces retirement from NFL

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Carolina Panthers standout linebacker Luke Kuechly is retiring from football after only eight seasons in the NFL .
Kuechly , 28 , announced the surprising news in a video posted Tuesday night on the Panthers ' official Twitter account .
`` It 's never the right time to step away , but now is the right time for me , '' Kuechly said .
`` It 's a tough decision .
I 've thought about it a lot and now is the right chance for me to move on .
`` It makes me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I 've been playing it since I was a little kid and it 's my favorite thing in the world to do .
The memories I have from this place and this organization and playing on the field with these guys will never go away . ''
Kuechly , a five-time first-team All-Pro , said he still wants to play but does n't believe it 's the `` right decision . ''
He has missed only one game in the last three seasons but has suffered multiple documented concussions in his NFL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to play this game since I was a little kid , '' Kuechly said .
`` It 's to play fast , play physical and play strong .
And at this point , I do n't know if I am able to do that anymore and that 's the part that 's the most difficult .
I still want to play , but I do n't think it 's the right decision . ''
Kuechly , the No .
9 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Boston College , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Year in 2012 and its Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 .
In 118 career games , he recorded 1,092 total tackles , 12.5 sacks , 18 interceptions , 67 passes defensed , seven forced fumbles , one safety and one defensive touchdown .
Kuechly had two years remaining on his contract with the Panthers .
He is walking away from $ 10.8 million in the 2020 season .

Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly played eight seasons in the NFL and was a seven-time Pro Bowl choice. File Photo by Nell Redmond/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Carolina Panthers standout linebacker Luke Kuechly is retiring from football after only eight seasons in the NFL. Kuechly, 28, announced the surprising news in a video posted Tuesday night on the Panthers' official Twitter account. Advertisement
"It's never the right time to step away, but now is the right time for me," Kuechly said. "It's a tough decision. I've thought about it a lot and now is the right chance for me to move on.
"It makes me sad because I love playing this game. I've been playing it since I was a little kid and it's my favorite thing in the world to do. The memories I have from this place and this organization and playing on the field with these guys will never go away."
Kuechly, a five-time first-team All-Pro, said he still wants to play but doesn't believe it's the "right decision." He has missed only one game in the last three seasons but has suffered multiple documented concussions in his NFL career.
"There's only one way to play this game since I was a little kid," Kuechly said. "It's to play fast, play physical and play strong. And at this point, I don't know if I am able to do that anymore and that's the part that's the most difficult. I still want to play, but I don't think it's the right decision."
Advertisement "In my heart, I know it's the right thing to do." pic.twitter.com/mSDyJ0iEMw— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) January 15, 2020
Kuechly, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Boston College, was the league's Rookie of the Year in 2012 and its Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. In 118 career games, he recorded 1,092 total tackles, 12.5 sacks, 18 interceptions, 67 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles, one safety and one defensive touchdown.
Kuechly had two years remaining on his contract with the Panthers. He is walking away from $10.8 million in the 2020 season.


upi--2020-01-14--All-Star 3B Josh Donaldson agrees to 4-year, $92M contract with Twins

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Former Atlanta Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson and the Minnesota Twins reached an agreement on a four-year deal .
League sources told ESPN and MLB Media on Tuesday night that Donaldson agreed to a four-year , $ 92 million contract with the Twins .
The deal , which is worth $ 23 million annually , includes a fifth-year club option that could raise the total to more than $ 100 million .
Donaldson 's contract is the second-biggest deal in MLB history for a player age 33 or older , according to MLB Media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 105 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1998 at the age of 34 .
Donaldson , 34 , is a three-time All-Star selection and the 2015 American League MVP .
He bounced back from two consecutive injury-filled seasons to record a .259 batting average with 37 home runs and 94 RBIs for the Atlanta Braves in 2019 .
The Braves paid Donaldson $ 23 million on a one-year contract last season .
The prove-it deal gave the slugger a chance to showcase his health and MVP-level talent , setting himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency .
Donaldson spent the first four seasons of his career with the Oakland Athletics .
He joined the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015 and spent three-plus seasons with the club before being traded to the Cleveland Indians in 2018 .
In 1,038 career games , Donaldson has a .273 batting average with 219 homers and 645 RBIs .

Atlanta Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) had a .259 batting average with 37 home runs and 94 RBIs last season. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Former Atlanta Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson and the Minnesota Twins reached an agreement on a four-year deal. League sources told ESPN and MLB Media on Tuesday night that Donaldson agreed to a four-year, $92 million contract with the Twins. The deal, which is worth $23 million annually, includes a fifth-year club option that could raise the total to more than $100 million. Advertisement
Donaldson's contract is the second-biggest deal in MLB history for a player age 33 or older, according to MLB Media. Kevin Brown signed a seven-year, $105 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1998 at the age of 34.
Donaldson, 34, is a three-time All-Star selection and the 2015 American League MVP. He bounced back from two consecutive injury-filled seasons to record a .259 batting average with 37 home runs and 94 RBIs for the Atlanta Braves in 2019.
The Braves paid Donaldson $23 million on a one-year contract last season. The prove-it deal gave the slugger a chance to showcase his health and MVP-level talent, setting himself up for a lucrative contract in free agency.
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Donaldson spent the first four seasons of his career with the Oakland Athletics. He joined the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015 and spent three-plus seasons with the club before being traded to the Cleveland Indians in 2018.
In 1,038 career games, Donaldson has a .273 batting average with 219 homers and 645 RBIs.


upi--2020-01-14--Lockheed awarded $32.9M deal to upgrade Taiwan's F-16s

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $ 32.9 million contract modification for contractor logistics @ @ @ @ @ Peace Phoenix Program .
The foreign military sales contract modifies a deal originally made in @ @ @ @ @ of Taiwan with kits to upgrade their F-16 aircraft .
The Republic of China kicked @ @ @ @ @ Lockheed Martin F-16 A/B Fighting Falcons -- a project dubbed the F-16 Peace Phoenix Program @ @ @ @ @ This week 's deal funds contractor logistics support , repair and return and manufacturing source @ @ @ @ @ 's Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar , or ESAR .
ESARs are computer-controlled antennae which @ @ @ @ @ waves to be steered in different directions without an operator physically touching the antenna .
@ @ @ @ @ $ 1 billion to produce ESARs for the Air Force 's F-16 aircraft .
Work @ @ @ @ @ performed in Taiwan , with an expected completion date of May 31 , 2022 .

A Taiwan Army F-16 fighter jet takes off during a military drill in Chiayi, southern Taiwan, in January 2016. Lockheed Martin has received a $32.9 million deal to continue upgrades of Taiwan's F-16 fleet. Photo by Ritchie B. Tongo/EPA
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $32.9 million contract modification for contractor logistics support for the Taiwan F-16 Peace Phoenix Program. The foreign military sales contract modifies a deal originally made in 2014 to supply the government of Taiwan with kits to upgrade their F-16 aircraft. Advertisement
The Republic of China kicked off its modernization of 144 Lockheed Martin F-16 A/B Fighting Falcons -- a project dubbed the F-16 Peace Phoenix Program -- in January 2018.
This week's deal funds contractor logistics support, repair and return and manufacturing source management services for the F-16's Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar, or ESAR.
ESARs are computer-controlled antennae which allow the beam of radio waves to be steered in different directions without an operator physically touching the antenna. In December Northrop Grumman received $1 billion to produce ESARs for the Air Force's F-16 aircraft.
Work on this contract will be performed in Taiwan, with an expected completion date of May 31, 2022.


upi--2020-01-14--House committees release new documents ahead of vote on Trump impeachment articles

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Three House committees shared additional evidence with the House judiciary committee Tuesday for referral to the Senate ahead of a planned vote to advance two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump .
The House intelligence , oversight and foreign affairs committees sent the new information provided by Lev Parnas , an associate of Trump 's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani .
His counsel said Parnas provided the records in response to a September subpoena .
The records include 59 pages of communications describing an attempted meeting between Giuliani and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marie Yovanovitch , ABC News reported .
House Democrats plan to vote Wednesday to send two the articles of impeachment to the Senate and to appoint managers for his trial .
Democratic caucus members told reporters after emerging from a meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday that she will allow a vote on a resolution transmitting the articles to the upper chamber after delaying the move for weeks .
Rep. Diana DeGette , D-Colo. , said Pelosi also would hold a vote on the House 's trial managers Wednesday .
Other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the managers at the meeting .
If Pelosi sends through the articles Wednesday as planned , Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said the Senate 's trial on impeachment of Trump will likely begin Tuesday .
McConnell said he has the support of 53 Republican senators on an initial resolution of how to move forward in the trial , including setting up arguments from the prosecution and defense , and then providing a period for the senators to submit written questions .
`` Then after that , '' he said , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be addressed by the Senate . ''
Four Senate Republicans have said they could be open to hearing witnesses if needed , though most of them said they would n't decide until after opening arguments .
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said he was `` pleased '' that some Republicans were coming around to wanting witnesses for the trial .
`` If you want the truth , you have to have witnesses , you have to have documents .
Who has ever heard of a trial without witnesses or documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Let 's remember what this trial is for -- for a president , any president , to threaten a foreign country with the cutoff of aid unless they interfere in our elections , is what the Founding Fathers felt is one of the worst abuses a president can have .
`` The charges are deep and serious and all we can say is we join the American people in wanting the truth , '' Schumer added .
McConnell said it 's unlikely the trial will be dismissed outright despite Trump calling for that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little or no sentiment in the Republican conference for a motion to dismiss , '' McConnell said .
`` Our members feel that we have an obligation to listen to the arguments . ''
Trump tweeted Sunday that failure to dismiss the case outright `` gives the partisan Democrat Witch Hunt credibility . ''
Pelosi said Friday she would send the articles of impeachment to the Senate this week , ending a weeks-long impasse with McConnell .
The Democrat from California has delayed sending the articles to the Senate since the House voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi said last week she 'd withhold the articles until McConnell unveiled a resolution detailing the guidelines for the Senate impeachment trial , including whether witnesses and new evidence would be allowed .
But McConnell gained enough support from Republican colleagues to begin the trial without making a commitment on witnesses and on Friday Pelosi hinted the standoff would soon end .
`` I have asked judiciary committee Chairman Jerry Nadler to be prepared to bring to the floor next week a resolution to appoint managers and transmit articles of impeachment to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter to House Democrats on Friday .

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi emerges from a closed-door Democratic caucus meeting Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Photo by Sarah Silbiger/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Three House committees shared additional evidence with the House judiciary committee Tuesday for referral to the Senate ahead of a planned vote to advance two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. The House intelligence, oversight and foreign affairs committees sent the new information provided by Lev Parnas, an associate of Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani. His counsel said Parnas provided the records in response to a September subpoena. Advertisement
The records include 59 pages of communications describing an attempted meeting between Giuliani and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and an effort to oust U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, ABC News reported.
House Democrats plan to vote Wednesday to send two the articles of impeachment to the Senate and to appoint managers for his trial.
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Democratic caucus members told reporters after emerging from a meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday that she will allow a vote on a resolution transmitting the articles to the upper chamber after delaying the move for weeks.
Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., said Pelosi also would hold a vote on the House's trial managers Wednesday. Other Democrats said the speaker did not name the managers at the meeting.
If Pelosi sends through the articles Wednesday as planned, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said the Senate's trial on impeachment of Trump will likely begin Tuesday.
McConnell said he has the support of 53 Republican senators on an initial resolution of how to move forward in the trial, including setting up arguments from the prosecution and defense, and then providing a period for the senators to submit written questions.
"Then after that," he said, "The more contentious issue of witnesses would be addressed by the Senate."
Four Senate Republicans have said they could be open to hearing witnesses if needed, though most of them said they wouldn't decide until after opening arguments.
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Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said he was "pleased" that some Republicans were coming around to wanting witnesses for the trial.
"If you want the truth, you have to have witnesses, you have to have documents. Who has ever heard of a trial without witnesses or documents?," Schumer said. "Let's remember what this trial is for -- for a president, any president, to threaten a foreign country with the cutoff of aid unless they interfere in our elections, is what the Founding Fathers felt is one of the worst abuses a president can have.
"The charges are deep and serious and all we can say is we join the American people in wanting the truth," Schumer added.
McConnell said it's unlikely the trial will be dismissed outright despite Trump calling for that over the weekend.
"There's little or no sentiment in the Republican conference for a motion to dismiss," McConnell said. "Our members feel that we have an obligation to listen to the arguments."
Trump tweeted Sunday that failure to dismiss the case outright "gives the partisan Democrat Witch Hunt credibility."
Pelosi said Friday she would send the articles of impeachment to the Senate this week, ending a weeks-long impasse with McConnell.
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The Democrat from California has delayed sending the articles to the Senate since the House voted to impeach Trump on Dec. 18. Pelosi said last week she'd withhold the articles until McConnell unveiled a resolution detailing the guidelines for the Senate impeachment trial, including whether witnesses and new evidence would be allowed.
But McConnell gained enough support from Republican colleagues to begin the trial without making a commitment on witnesses and on Friday Pelosi hinted the standoff would soon end.
"I have asked judiciary committee Chairman Jerry Nadler to be prepared to bring to the floor next week a resolution to appoint managers and transmit articles of impeachment to the Senate," she wrote in a letter to House Democrats on Friday.


upi--2020-01-15--L3Harris nabs $12.9M contract for National Space Defense Center Sustainment

Jan. 15 ( UPI ) -- L3Harris Technologies received a $ 12.9 million contract modification for National Space Defense Center sustainment effort , the Department of Defense announced .
The contract modifies a previous deal for National Space Defense Center sustainment work at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado .
The deal 's announcement comes on the heels of comments by the DoD 's undersecretary for defense acquisition and sustainment that space-related acquisitions are not likely to slow down even as the Pentagon restructures the acquisitions bureaucracy .
`` I frankly see more effort and leadership involvement in space now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ellen Lord said during a breakfast meeting with reporters earlier this week .
In December President Donald Trump signed a defense spending bill establishing the U.S. Space Force as the sixth branch of government .
On Wednesday Trump was scheduled to meet with Defense Secretary Mark Esper , Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett and Air Force Gen. Jay Raymond , who was sworn in this week as first-ever chief of space operations .
The bill specifies that personnel should be drawn from existing branches of the military so as to prevent costs from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Space Force should be given its own acquisitions department .
Previous space-related acquisitions -- like the L3 contract issued this week -- were generally handled by the Air Force .
`` The NDAA instructed the Air Force to come up with a variety of suggestions , if you will , courses of action around how to do acquisition , '' said Lord .

Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Ellen M. Lord, shown hear speaking to reporters in October, has said the acquisitions schedule for space-related contracts despite a bureaucratic shakeup caused by the December creation of the U.S. Space Force. Photo by Nicole Meji/U.S. Army
Jan. 15 (UPI) -- L3Harris Technologies received a $12.9 million contract modification for National Space Defense Center sustainment effort, the Department of Defense announced. The contract modifies a previous deal for National Space Defense Center sustainment work at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado. Advertisement
The deal's announcement comes on the heels of comments by the DoD's undersecretary for defense acquisition and sustainment that space-related acquisitions are not likely to slow down even as the Pentagon restructures the acquisitions bureaucracy.
"I frankly see more effort and leadership involvement in space now than ever in the past," Ellen Lord said during a breakfast meeting with reporters earlier this week.
In December President Donald Trump signed a defense spending bill establishing the U.S. Space Force as the sixth branch of government.
On Wednesday Trump was scheduled to meet with Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett and Air Force Gen. Jay Raymond, who was sworn in this week as first-ever chief of space operations.
The bill specifies that personnel should be drawn from existing branches of the military so as to prevent costs from rocketing upward.
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But it also mandates that the Space Force should be given its own acquisitions department. Previous space-related acquisitions -- like the L3 contract issued this week -- were generally handled by the Air Force.
"The NDAA instructed the Air Force to come up with a variety of suggestions, if you will, courses of action around how to do acquisition," said Lord.


upi--2020-01-15--'Snowpiercer' series to debut on TNT May 31

Jan. 15 ( UPI ) -- The small-screen adaptation of Bong Joon Ho 's 2013 dystopian thriller Snowpiercer is slated @ @ @ @ @ 31 .
The show stars Daveed Diggs , Jennifer Connelly , Annalise Basso and Alison @ @ @ @ @ of a cataclysmic event who endlessly circle a frozen world on a train where people @ @ @ @ @ .
Snowpiercer has already been renewed for a second season .
Ho 's 2019 film @ @ @ @ @ Oscars -- including Best Picture -- this week .

There's no getting off this train.  pic.twitter.com/j8eYszNN9d— Snowpiercer (@SnowpiercerTV) January 15, 2020
Jan. 15 (UPI) -- The small-screen adaptation of Bong Joon Ho's 2013 dystopian thriller Snowpiercer is slated to premiere on TNT May 31.
The show stars Daveed Diggs, Jennifer Connelly, Annalise Basso and Alison Wright. It follows survivors of a cataclysmic event who endlessly circle a frozen world on a train where people are rigidly separated into classes.
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Snowpiercer has already been renewed for a second season.
Ho's 2019 film Parasite was nominated for six Oscars -- including Best Picture -- this week.


upi--2020-01-15--Ex-Cowboys great Drew Pearson emotional after Hall of Fame snub

Jan. 15 ( UPI ) -- Former Dallas Cowboys star Drew Pearson was noticeably distraught after finding out he was not picked Wednesday for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Centennial Class .
Pearson , 69 , fought back tears while surrounded by family , friends and TV cameras when he found out about the snub .
The Cowboys legend spent his entire 11 year career with the franchise .
He was a three-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection .
He is the only member of the 1970s All-Decade Team who has not been enshrined into the Pro Football Hall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart , '' Pearson said after learning the disappointing news .
The 15-person Centennial Class includes : former coaches Bill Cowher and Jimmy Johnson ; contributors Steve Sabol , Paul Tagliabue and George Young ; and seniors Harold Carmichael , Jim Covert , Bobby Dillon , Cliff Harris , Winston Hill , Alex Karras , Donnie Shell , Duke Slater , Mac Speedle and Ed Sprinkle .
Harris was Pearson 's teammate on the Cowboys from 1973 through 1979 .
The duo won a Super Bowl together in 1978 .
`` It 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after all these texts and internet stuff stops coming through , and I 'll move on , '' Pearson told ESPN .
`` This is the story of my life .
Nothing has ever come easy . ''
Pearson could still be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at a later date , but might have had a better chance at getting into the class of 2020 due to the increased size of the class .
Several former players came to Pearson 's defense when they heard about the snub , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` So disappointed that my man Drew Pearson was n't selected for Pro Football Hall of Fame , '' Dorsett tweeted .
`` He deserves to be there .
Great player , great man and great friend . ''
Pearson had 489 catches for 7,822 yards and 48 touchdowns during his NFL career .
He also earned the nickname `` Mr .
Clutch '' for his habit of stepping it up in important games .

Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Former Dallas Cowboys star Drew Pearson was noticeably distraught after finding out he was not picked Wednesday for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Centennial Class.
Pearson, 69, fought back tears while surrounded by family, friends and TV cameras when he found out about the snub. The Cowboys legend spent his entire 11 year career with the franchise. He was a three-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection.
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He is the only member of the 1970s All-Decade Team who has not been enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"They broke my heart," Pearson said after learning the disappointing news.
The 15-person Centennial Class includes: former coaches Bill Cowher and Jimmy Johnson; contributors Steve Sabol, Paul Tagliabue and George Young; and seniors Harold Carmichael, Jim Covert, Bobby Dillon, Cliff Harris, Winston Hill, Alex Karras, Donnie Shell, Duke Slater, Mac Speedle and Ed Sprinkle.
Harris was Pearson's teammate on the Cowboys from 1973 through 1979. The duo won a Super Bowl together in 1978.
"It'll stick with me until later today and after all these texts and internet stuff stops coming through, and I'll move on," Pearson told ESPN. "This is the story of my life. Nothing has ever come easy."
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Pearson could still be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at a later date, but might have had a better chance at getting into the class of 2020 due to the increased size of the class.
Several former players came to Pearson's defense when they heard about the snub, including Dez Bryant and Tony Dorsett.
"So disappointed that my man Drew Pearson wasn't selected for Pro Football Hall of Fame," Dorsett tweeted. "He deserves to be there. Great player, great man and great friend."
Pearson had 489 catches for 7,822 yards and 48 touchdowns during his NFL career. He also earned the nickname "Mr. Clutch" for his habit of stepping it up in important games.


upi--2020-01-15--James Wan producing animated 'Aquaman' for HBO Max

Jan. 15 ( UPI ) -- James Wan , director of the 2018 blockbuster Aquaman , is executive producing an @ @ @ @ @ the aquatic superhero .
`` Based on the classic DC character created by Mort Weisinger @ @ @ @ @ of the standalone episodes will have a unique story-line following the adventures of Aquaman as @ @ @ @ @ '' explained a synopsis for Aquaman : King of Atlantis .
There was no word @ @ @ @ @ the live-action adventure will lend their voices to their cartoon counterparts .
`` This DC @ @ @ @ @ with well-known characters and dynamic story-lines , '' Sarah Aubrey , head of original content @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
`` On the heels of Warner Bros. Pictures ' box-office @ @ @ @ @ certain Aquaman : King of Atlantis will be an exciting addition to our already robust @ @ @ @ @ programming . ''

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Filmmaker James Wan is producing an animated miniseries called "Aquaman: King of Atlantis" for HBO Max. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 15 (UPI) -- James Wan, director of the 2018 blockbuster Aquaman, is executive producing an HBO Max animated mini-series about the aquatic superhero. "Based on the classic DC character created by Mort Weisinger and Paul Norris, each of the standalone episodes will have a unique story-line following the adventures of Aquaman as protector of the deep," explained a synopsis for Aquaman: King of Atlantis. Advertisement
There was no word whether any cast members from the live-action adventure will lend their voices to their cartoon counterparts.
The movie starred Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Nicole Kidman and Willem Dafoe.
"This DC property is a fan-favorite rich with well-known characters and dynamic story-lines," Sarah Aubrey, head of original content for the streaming service, said in a statement. "On the heels of Warner Bros. Pictures' box-office smash hit, we are certain Aquaman: King of Atlantis will be an exciting addition to our already robust slate of kids and family programming."


upi--2020-01-15--TSA discovered record 4,432 firearms at airport checkpoints in 2019

Jan. 15 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Transportation Security Administration announced Wednesday that officers caught the highest number of guns at airport checkpoints nationwide in 2019 .
TSA said it discovered 4,432 firearms in carry-on bags or on passengers at checkpoints throughout the country , the highest total in the agency 's 18-year history and a five percent increase from the 4,239 firearms detected in 2018 .
An average of about 12.1 firearms were detected each day in 2019 and of those found at checkpoints 85 percent were loaded .
`` The continued increase in the number of firearms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deeply troubling , '' TSA Administrator David Pekoske said .
`` There is a proper way to travel safely with a firearm .
First and foremost , it should be unloaded .
Then it should be packed in a hard-sided locked case , taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared and checked . ''
Firearms were discovered at 278 TSA checkpoints throughout the nation .
The most were found at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta with 323 , followed by Dallas/Fort Worth International with 217 , Denver International with 140 , George Bush Intercontinental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 132 .
Individuals who bring weapons to airport checkpoints are subject to federal civil penalties of up to $ 13,000 depending on the weapon and the typical first offense penalty is $ 4,100 .

Jan. 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. Transportation Security Administration announced Wednesday that officers caught the highest number of guns at airport checkpoints nationwide in 2019.
TSA said it discovered 4,432 firearms in carry-on bags or on passengers at checkpoints throughout the country, the highest total in the agency's 18-year history and a five percent increase from the 4,239 firearms detected in 2018.
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An average of about 12.1 firearms were detected each day in 2019 and of those found at checkpoints 85 percent were loaded.
"The continued increase in the number of firearms that travelers bring to airport checkpoints is deeply troubling," TSA Administrator David Pekoske said. "There is a proper way to travel safely with a firearm. First and foremost, it should be unloaded. Then it should be packed in a hard-sided locked case, taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared and checked."
Firearms were discovered at 278 TSA checkpoints throughout the nation. The most were found at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta with 323, followed by Dallas/Fort Worth International with 217, Denver International with 140, George Bush Intercontinental with 138 and Phoenix Sky Harbor International with 132.
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Individuals who bring weapons to airport checkpoints are subject to federal civil penalties of up to $13,000 depending on the weapon and the typical first offense penalty is $4,100.


upi--2020-01-15--Missouri State hires ex-Louisville football coach Bobby Petrino

Jan. 15 ( UPI ) -- Missouri State has hired former Louisville coach Bobby Petrino to lead their football program @ @ @ @ @ hire Wednesday and will hold a news conference Thursday to introduce Petrino .
Missouri State @ @ @ @ @ Dave Steckel on Jan. 19 , with the school paying a $ 340,000 buyout and @ @ @ @ @ 13-42 in five seasons with the Bears .
Petrino , 58 , posted a 77-35 @ @ @ @ @ fired during the 2018 season .
He got his first job as a head coach @ @ @ @ @ left for the Atlanta Falcons in 2007 .
He posted a 3-10 record before resigning @ @ @ @ @ first NFL season .
Petrino returned to the collegiate level in 2008 , coaching Arkansas @ @ @ @ @ at Western Kentucky in 2013 before starting his second tenure as Louisville coach in 2014 @ @ @ @ @ record in 14 seasons as a college football coach .
He will be Missouri State @ @ @ @

Lamar Jackson won the Heisman Trophy in 2016, while coached at Louisville by Bobby Petrino. File photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Missouri State has hired former Louisville coach Bobby Petrino to lead their football program. The school announced the hire Wednesday and will hold a news conference Thursday to introduce Petrino. Advertisement
Missouri State parted ways with former coach Dave Steckel on Jan. 19, with the school paying a $340,000 buyout and moving expenses. Steckel was 13-42 in five seasons with the Bears.
Petrino, 58, posted a 77-35 record at Louisville before being fired during the 2018 season. He got his first job as a head coach in 2003 at Louisville and left for the Atlanta Falcons in 2007. He posted a 3-10 record before resigning in the middle of his first NFL season.
Petrino returned to the collegiate level in 2008, coaching Arkansas until 2011. He coached at Western Kentucky in 2013 before starting his second tenure as Louisville coach in 2014.
Petrino has a 119-56 record in 14 seasons as a college football coach. He will be Missouri State's 21st coach.
The Bears posted a 1-10 record in 2019.


upi--2020-01-15--Breeders' Cup report on fatal injury at BC Classic cites pre-existing conditions

Jan. 15 ( UPI ) -- The fatal injury sustained by Mongolian Groom in the 2019 Breeders ' Cup Classic resulted from pre-existing conditions in both hind legs which escaped notice despite extensive new safety protocols , according to a report released Wednesday by Breeders ' Cup 's Board of Directors .
The report , compiled by Dr. Larry Bramlage , a prominent veterinarian based in Lexington , Ky. , said more can be done to prevent future injuries .
Mongolian Groom , after competing for the lead in the weekend 's featured race , broke down early in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on-track medical facility , where the decision was made to euthanize him .
Bramlage noted Mongolian Groom 's was the only injury sustained by any of the 229 horses that competed in the two-day event at Santa Anita .
`` It is hard to fault a process that had a 99.6 percent accuracy rate , '' Bramlage said , `` but there were opportunities to remove Mongolian Groom from competition that were missed due to time constraints or process deficiencies that could be made more prominent . ''
Investigation , he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in both hind legs -- injuries so small and progressive that they escaped detection .
During the race , he said , `` The left hind fracture propagated , resulting in the chain of events , like dominoes falling , that created the fatal injury .
`` There is no evidence that the horse 's injury was ignored or covered up , '' Bramlage said .
He also said the investigation found no evidence that drug use was involved in the injuries .
Bramlage outlined six suggested improvements , centering on enhanced prerace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ III , chairman of the Breeders ' Cup board , said the organization `` is committed to taking all actions to ensure our equine and human athletes compete under the safest and most transparent conditions possible . ''
Hertrich said Breeders ' Cup will review the recommendations with input from the new Thoroughbred Safety Coalition with an eye toward adopting changes before the next Breeders ' Cup World Championships , Nov. 6-7 at Keeneland .

The fatal injury sustained by Mongolian Groom at the 2019 Breeders' Cup resulted from pre-existing conditions and might have been prevented, a report says. File Photo by Al Foxall/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 15 (UPI) -- The fatal injury sustained by Mongolian Groom in the 2019 Breeders' Cup Classic resulted from pre-existing conditions in both hind legs which escaped notice despite extensive new safety protocols, according to a report released Wednesday by Breeders' Cup's Board of Directors. The report, compiled by Dr. Larry Bramlage, a prominent veterinarian based in Lexington, Ky., said more can be done to prevent future injuries. Advertisement
Mongolian Groom, after competing for the lead in the weekend's featured race, broke down early in the stretch run and was transported to the on-track medical facility, where the decision was made to euthanize him.
Bramlage noted Mongolian Groom's was the only injury sustained by any of the 229 horses that competed in the two-day event at Santa Anita.
"It is hard to fault a process that had a 99.6 percent accuracy rate," Bramlage said, "but there were opportunities to remove Mongolian Groom from competition that were missed due to time constraints or process deficiencies that could be made more prominent."
Investigation, he said, found Mongolian Groom had minute stress fractures in both hind legs -- injuries so small and progressive that they escaped detection. During the race, he said, "The left hind fracture propagated, resulting in the chain of events, like dominoes falling, that created the fatal injury.
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"There is no evidence that the horse's injury was ignored or covered up," Bramlage said.
He also said the investigation found no evidence that drug use was involved in the injuries.
Bramlage outlined six suggested improvements, centering on enhanced prerace inspection of horses.
Fred W. Hertrich III, chairman of the Breeders' Cup board, said the organization "is committed to taking all actions to ensure our equine and human athletes compete under the safest and most transparent conditions possible."
Hertrich said Breeders' Cup will review the recommendations with input from the new Thoroughbred Safety Coalition with an eye toward adopting changes before the next Breeders' Cup World Championships, Nov. 6-7 at Keeneland.


upi--2020-01-15--Virginia lawmakers vote to ratify Equal Rights Amendment

Jan. 15 ( UPI ) -- Virginia 's General Assembly passed the Equal Rights Amendment Wednesday , making it the 38th state to ratify the amendment .
The Virginia Senate voted 28-12 and the House of Delegates voted 59-41 to approve the Constitutional amendment which includes a provision that `` equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex . ''
With Virginia 's vote on Wednesday , the resolution has reached the 38-state minimum for it to be enacted in the U.S. Constitution , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ratify the amendment since 2017 .
The Equal Rights Amendment , or ERA , would provide greater protections to women throughout the United States and could provide a pathway to implement new laws surrounding issues such as equal pay and gender discrimination .
`` Thank you to the generations of dedicated , tireless advocates who made today 's victory possible , '' Del .
Jennifer Carroll Foy , the resolution 's chief House sponsor , wrote on Twitter .
`` The House of Delegates passed my resolution to have Virginia be the 38th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rights Amendment .
Today is your victory . ''
Delegate Hala Alaya also released a statement praising the decision to ratify the amendment .
`` As a single mother and Afro-Latina woman , I have personally witnessed and experienced discrimination that impacts marginalized communities .
Today 's ratification of the equal rights amendment is a major step forward in achieving equality for all Americans , '' she said .
Opponents of the ERA , however , said the vote was merely symbolic as it is currently not clear whether the amendment can actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress to ratify the bill by June 30 , 1982 , has long passed .
Additionally , five of the states that voted to ratify -- Idaho , Kentuck , Nebraska , Tennessee and South Dakota -- have since rescinded their ratifications .
ERA supporters state that the deadline is unconstitutional because it was not included in the amendment text and that the Constitution also does not include any provision for recissions .

Virginia lawmakers voted Wednesday to approve the Equal Rights Amendment, reaching a historic threshold that could potentially allow the amendment to be added to the Constitution. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Virginia's General Assembly passed the Equal Rights Amendment Wednesday, making it the 38th state to ratify the amendment. The Virginia Senate voted 28-12 and the House of Delegates voted 59-41 to approve the Constitutional amendment which includes a provision that "equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex." Advertisement
With Virginia's vote on Wednesday, the resolution has reached the 38-state minimum for it to be enacted in the U.S. Constitution, with Nevada and Illinois also voting to ratify the amendment since 2017.
The Equal Rights Amendment, or ERA, would provide greater protections to women throughout the United States and could provide a pathway to implement new laws surrounding issues such as equal pay and gender discrimination.
"Thank you to the generations of dedicated, tireless advocates who made today's victory possible," Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy, the resolution's chief House sponsor, wrote on Twitter. "The House of Delegates passed my resolution to have Virginia be the 38th and final state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Today is your victory."
Delegate Hala Alaya also released a statement praising the decision to ratify the amendment.
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"As a single mother and Afro-Latina woman, I have personally witnessed and experienced discrimination that impacts marginalized communities. Today's ratification of the equal rights amendment is a major step forward in achieving equality for all Americans," she said.
Opponents of the ERA, however, said the vote was merely symbolic as it is currently not clear whether the amendment can actually be ratified as a deadline set by Congress to ratify the bill by June 30, 1982, has long passed.
Additionally, five of the states that voted to ratify -- Idaho, Kentuck, Nebraska, Tennessee and South Dakota -- have since rescinded their ratifications.
ERA supporters state that the deadline is unconstitutional because it was not included in the amendment text and that the Constitution also does not include any provision for recissions.


upi--2020-01-15--Sig Sauer nabs $10M Army contract for sniper rifle ammo

Jan. 15 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Army has awarded Sig Sauer a $ 10 million contract to manufacture @ @ @ @ @ branch 's bolt-action sniper rifle .
`` This award by the U.S. Army is validation @ @ @ @ @ has resulted in the highest quality , and most precise , ammunition delivering on-target accuracy @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Ron Cohen , Sig Sauer president and CEO .
The contractor will @ @ @ @ @ Mag ammunition at its facility in Jacksonville , Ark .
The contract also funds production @ @ @ @ @ ammunition for the military .
In 2011 , the Army transitioned from the 7.62mm to @ @ @ @ @ , providing the new round to sniper teams in Afghanistan .
The new round allows @ @ @ @ @ 1,200 meters as opposed to the 800-meter range of the older M24 sniper system .

Sig Sauer has inked a $10 million deal to provide ammunition for sniper rifles for the U.S. Army. Photo courtesy of Sig Sauer
Jan. 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has awarded Sig Sauer a $10 million contract to manufacture ammunition for use in the branch's bolt-action sniper rifle. "This award by the U.S. Army is validation of our state-of-the-art manufacturing that has resulted in the highest quality, and most precise, ammunition delivering on-target accuracy for snipers in the field," said Ron Cohen, Sig Sauer president and CEO. Advertisement
The contractor will manufacture MOD 0 .300 Win Mag ammunition at its facility in Jacksonville, Ark.
The contract also funds production of MK 248 MOD 1 ammunition for the military.
In 2011, the Army transitioned from the 7.62mm to the .300 Win Mag round, providing the new round to sniper teams in Afghanistan.
The new round allows snipers to engage targets from 1,200 meters as opposed to the 800-meter range of the older M24 sniper system.


upi--2020-01-15--2019 was the second warmest on record, NASA and NOAA confirm

Jan. 15 ( UPI ) -- Last year was the second warmest in recorded history , according to scientists as NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration .
Every year , researchers at NASA and NOAA independently compile and process land and sea surface temperature data to produce an average global surface temperature .
The statistical analysis and climate models deployed by each agency came to the same conclusion : 2019 was the second hottest in recorded history .
Only 2016 was hotter .
Scientists at NASA 's Goddard Institute for Space Studies , GISS , determined 2019 was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Celsius , warmer than the mean temperature from 1951 to 1980 .
Climate scientists at NOAA calculated that 2019 was 1.71 degrees Fahrenheit , 0.95 degrees Celsius , warmer than the 20th-century average .
The reports by NASA and NOAA are in agreement with the conclusions of the Copernicus survey , all three of which confirmed the last five years as the hottest in the last 140 years .
`` The decade that just ended is clearly the warmest decade on record , '' Gavin Schmidt , director of GISS , said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the 1960s clearly has been warmer than the one before . ''
Like most climate scientists , Schmidt blamed the record temperatures on greenhouse gas emissions .
`` We crossed over into more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit warming territory in 2015 and we are unlikely to go back , '' Schmidt said .
`` This shows that what 's happening is persistent , not a fluke due to some weather phenomenon : we know that the long-term trends are being driven by the increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ compilation of temperature data collected from thousands of weather stations , as well as data recorded by ocean buoys , research vessels and Antarctic research stations .
Because recording practices are adapted , weather stations change and buoys move , no data set is quite the same , but scientists work to standardize the temperature data for accurate year-to-year comparisons .
`` NOAA scientists used much of the same raw temperature data , but with a different interpolation into the Earth 's polar and other data-poor regions , '' according to NASA .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earth 's oceans have never been hotter .

NASA and NOAA scientists determined independently that 2019 was the second warmest year in recorded history. Photo by NOAA
Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Last year was the second warmest in recorded history, according to scientists as NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Every year, researchers at NASA and NOAA independently compile and process land and sea surface temperature data to produce an average global surface temperature. Advertisement
The statistical analysis and climate models deployed by each agency came to the same conclusion: 2019 was the second hottest in recorded history. Only 2016 was hotter.
Scientists at NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, GISS, determined 2019 was 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit, or 0.98 degrees Celsius, warmer than the mean temperature from 1951 to 1980. Climate scientists at NOAA calculated that 2019 was 1.71 degrees Fahrenheit, 0.95 degrees Celsius, warmer than the 20th-century average.
The reports by NASA and NOAA are in agreement with the conclusions of the Copernicus survey, all three of which confirmed the last five years as the hottest in the last 140 years.
"The decade that just ended is clearly the warmest decade on record," Gavin Schmidt, director of GISS, said in a news release. "Every decade since the 1960s clearly has been warmer than the one before."
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Like most climate scientists, Schmidt blamed the record temperatures on greenhouse gas emissions.
"We crossed over into more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit warming territory in 2015 and we are unlikely to go back," Schmidt said. "This shows that what's happening is persistent, not a fluke due to some weather phenomenon: we know that the long-term trends are being driven by the increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere."
NASA's modeling efforts involved the compilation of temperature data collected from thousands of weather stations, as well as data recorded by ocean buoys, research vessels and Antarctic research stations.
Because recording practices are adapted, weather stations change and buoys move, no data set is quite the same, but scientists work to standardize the temperature data for accurate year-to-year comparisons.
"NOAA scientists used much of the same raw temperature data, but with a different interpolation into the Earth's polar and other data-poor regions," according to NASA.
Earlier this week, scientists reported that Earth's oceans have never been hotter.


upi--2020-01-15--Boeing: Starliner capsule can return to flight with minimal work

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER , Fla. , Jan. 15 ( UPI ) -- Boeing officials said Wednesday the company 's Starliner space capsule can be fully refurbished with almost no new hardware following a software malfunction during its maiden flight Dec. 20 .
`` We 're looking at minimal refurbishment to return to flight , '' said Ramon Sanchez , Boeing 's senior operations lead on the spacecraft .
`` We will put a primary focus on the parachute system ... and also on the interior of the vehicle . ''
The company is assessing propulsion , landing and fuel systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at why the capsule suffered a problem with its mission clock that caused it to miss docking with the International Space Station .
`` We 'll make sure everything is still functioning properly , and get it turned around as soon as possible , '' Sanchez said .
`` The data is going to drive most of the review . ''
He said the major physical work on the capsule will be removing the outer shell to examine components inside .
Airbags will be sent to a supplier to refurbish them for use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shell showed burn marks typical of a spacecraft that has re-entered the atmosphere .
But it had fewer burn marks than Boeing expected , said Tim Reith , spacecraft engineering manager .
`` None of the tiles will need to be replaced , '' Reith said , adding that the company intends to clean off any burned residue from the 3,000-degree heat the capsule experienced as it re-entered the Earth 's atmosphere .
He said the refurbishment likely will take about eight months .
`` Three to four months would be an aggressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said `` For the most part , all of that hardware is intended to fly again .
On Wednesday , Boeing 's next Starliner sat in the same building in which the flown capsule is being examined .
NASA has said its investigation of the Starliner malfunction will last at least two months , but it expects to decide in a matter of weeks if the new Starliner will be allowed to carry astronauts without further test flights .
Reith provided details of the moments in the mission control room when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It was very tense , '' Reith said .
`` As you 're seeing things for the first time , you 're trying to understand what it should be doing .
There was a lot of dialogue back and forth between the teams . ''
Boeing showed the capsule to reporters for the first time Wednesday after it made the journey from its landing site in New Mexico to Kennedy Space Center in Florida .
`` We 've got a lot of data to go through still , '' Reith said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we want to , maybe change the timing of things we do on the mission , but do n't have any plans for any large-scale hardware changes . ''
Starliner is the first American space capsule to return to land rather than splashing down in the ocean .
Boeing has said it intends to reuse each capsule 10 times .
Boeing is competing and complementing SpaceX in NASA 's new program to launch astronauts to the International Space Station .
Discovering what went wrong on its first flight is crucial to that goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times and demonstrated a successful re-entry and landing .
Astronauts said they could have taken control of the craft had they been on board , guiding it manually to the space station .
NASA is feeling pressure to stop relying on Russian Soyuz capsules to carry astronauts to the space station .
Boeing and SpaceX are years behind schedule in developing a new spacecraft to carry people .
The challenges with Starliner 's testing come as a federal watchdog , the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel , said NASA needs a new approach to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Boeing and SpaceX .
That 's because NASA is relying more on those contractors than ever before .

1/2
Boeing senior operations lead Ramon Sanchez (right of center) discusses Wednesday the condition of the Starliner capsule, which is being refurbished at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Boeing officials said Wednesday the company's Starliner space capsule can be fully refurbished with almost no new hardware following a software malfunction during its maiden flight Dec. 20. "We're looking at minimal refurbishment to return to flight," said Ramon Sanchez, Boeing's senior operations lead on the spacecraft. "We will put a primary focus on the parachute system ... and also on the interior of the vehicle." Advertisement
The company is assessing propulsion, landing and fuel systems, while a separate review is looking at why the capsule suffered a problem with its mission clock that caused it to miss docking with the International Space Station.
"We'll make sure everything is still functioning properly, and get it turned around as soon as possible," Sanchez said. "The data is going to drive most of the review."
He said the major physical work on the capsule will be removing the outer shell to examine components inside. Airbags will be sent to a supplier to refurbish them for use on a future launch.
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The outer shell showed burn marks typical of a spacecraft that has re-entered the atmosphere. But it had fewer burn marks than Boeing expected, said Tim Reith, spacecraft engineering manager.
"None of the tiles will need to be replaced," Reith said, adding that the company intends to clean off any burned residue from the 3,000-degree heat the capsule experienced as it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere.
He said the refurbishment likely will take about eight months. "Three to four months would be an aggressive turnaround -- if we had to," he said "For the most part, all of that hardware is intended to fly again.
On Wednesday, Boeing's next Starliner sat in the same building in which the flown capsule is being examined. NASA has said its investigation of the Starliner malfunction will last at least two months, but it expects to decide in a matter of weeks if the new Starliner will be allowed to carry astronauts without further test flights.
Reith provided details of the moments in the mission control room when Boeing and NASA realized something was wrong.
"It was very tense," Reith said. "As you're seeing things for the first time, you're trying to understand what it should be doing. There was a lot of dialogue back and forth between the teams."
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Boeing showed the capsule to reporters for the first time Wednesday after it made the journey from its landing site in New Mexico to Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
"We've got a lot of data to go through still," Reith said. "We'll learn that maybe we want to, maybe change the timing of things we do on the mission, but don't have any plans for any large-scale hardware changes."
Starliner is the first American space capsule to return to land rather than splashing down in the ocean. Boeing has said it intends to reuse each capsule 10 times.
Boeing is competing and complementing SpaceX in NASA's new program to launch astronauts to the International Space Station. Discovering what went wrong on its first flight is crucial to that goal.
The capsule orbited the Earth 33 times and demonstrated a successful re-entry and landing.
Astronauts said they could have taken control of the craft had they been on board, guiding it manually to the space station.
NASA is feeling pressure to stop relying on Russian Soyuz capsules to carry astronauts to the space station. Boeing and SpaceX are years behind schedule in developing a new spacecraft to carry people.
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The challenges with Starliner's testing come as a federal watchdog, the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, said NASA needs a new approach to investigating accidents involving work by private contractors like Boeing and SpaceX. That's because NASA is relying more on those contractors than ever before.


upi--2020-01-15--Watch: Arizona man uses inflatable raft to rescue entangled duck

Jan. 15 ( UPI ) -- An animal rescuer in Arizona ventured out into a pond in an inflatable boat @ @ @ @ @ struggling with some fishing wire and driftwood .
The Arizona Humane Society said an employee @ @ @ @ @ Tempe contacted the organization to report an injured duck in distress in the middle of @ @ @ @ @ , an emergency animal medical technician with AHS , said he borrowed an inflatable raft @ @ @ @ @ able to venture out onto the water .
The duck was found entangled in fishing @ @ @ @ @ pieces of driftwood .
The AHS said the duck is being treated for its injuries @ @ @ @ @ be returned to the wild .

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Jan. 15 (UPI) -- An animal rescuer in Arizona ventured out into a pond in an inflatable boat to rescue a duck spotted struggling with some fishing wire and driftwood.
The Arizona Humane Society said an employee at Evelyn Hallman Park in Tempe contacted the organization to report an injured duck in distress in the middle of a pond.
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Mark Smith, an emergency animal medical technician with AHS, said he borrowed an inflatable raft from a colleague and was able to venture out onto the water.
The duck was found entangled in fishing wire that had also snagged pieces of driftwood.
The AHS said the duck is being treated for its injuries by Liberty Wildlife and will be returned to the wild.


upi--2020-01-15--In photos: Highlights from the week of January 13, 2020 in Washington, D.C.

The Trump administration signed the first phase of a trade deal with China as Congress grapples with the impeachment of @ @ @ @ @ the highlights of the week of January 13 , 2020 , in Washington , D.C @

President Donald Trump delivers remarks as the Louisiana State University Tigers visit the East Room of the White House on Friday. The team is celebrating their college football national championship. Photo by Sarah Silbiger/UPI


upi--2020-01-15--Watch: BASE jumper who crashed into hotel rescued by woman on balcony

Jan. 15 ( UPI ) -- A BASE jumper who crashed into a beach hotel during a jump gone wrong @ @ @ @ @ who helped him climb onto her balcony .
Kody Kosloski of Michigan said he was @ @ @ @ @ jumping event at an Acapulco beach when a gust of wind sent him crashing into @ @ @ @ @ off the roof .
Kosloski 's video camera was recording as he clung to the @ @ @ @ @ which was caught higher up on the building , and an older woman came out @ @ @ @ @ The woman took Kosloski 's hand and helped him onto the balcony , where he @ @ @ @ @ he was uninjured .
Kosloski said his rescuer then offered him a glass of water @

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Jan. 15 (UPI) -- A BASE jumper who crashed into a beach hotel during a jump gone wrong was rescued by a woman who helped him climb onto her balcony.
Kody Kosloski of Michigan said he was participating in a sanctioned BASE jumping event at an Acapulco beach when a gust of wind sent him crashing into the building seconds after jumping off the roof.
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Kosloski's video camera was recording as he clung to the strap of his parachute, which was caught higher up on the building, and an older woman came out onto a nearby balcony.
The woman took Kosloski's hand and helped him onto the balcony, where he shouted to the roof that he was uninjured.
Kosloski said his rescuer then offered him a glass of water.


upi--2020-01-15--Target reports low holiday sales, weak demand for toys

Jan. 15 ( UPI ) -- Target Co. reported weak sales of toys and electronic items during the holiday season Wednesday , prompting a 7 percent decline in its stock price .
The retailer said that sales rose 1.4 percent in November and December , a lower figure than its forecasts suggested .
Toy sales were flat , although the company 's market share in the toy category increased .
Target warned Wednesday that growth for the quarter , which includes January , will likely be about 3 to 4 percent lower than expected .
The toy industry did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the holiday season , and there were no popular crossover toys from the entertainment industry .
The shopping season , between Thanksgiving and Christmas , was reduced compared to other years .
Manufacturers Hasbro , Mattel and Spin Master offered a smaller variety of toys , and the closure of Toys R Us , earlier in 2019 , eliminated many toys from the marketplace and reduced the cumulative shelf space given to toys .
The Target report Wednesday preceded declines in the stock market values of Walmart , Hasbro and Mattel .
Walmart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Target Co. reported lower-than-expected sales during the holiday season, with toys notably showing weak demand. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Target Co. reported weak sales of toys and electronic items during the holiday season Wednesday, prompting a 7 percent decline in its stock price. The retailer said that sales rose 1.4 percent in November and December, a lower figure than its forecasts suggested. Toy sales were flat, although the company's market share in the toy category increased. Target warned Wednesday that growth for the quarter, which includes January, will likely be about 3 to 4 percent lower than expected. Advertisement
The toy industry did not offer a breakout, must-have toy during the holiday season, and there were no popular crossover toys from the entertainment industry. The shopping season, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, was reduced compared to other years. Manufacturers Hasbro, Mattel and Spin Master offered a smaller variety of toys, and the closure of Toys R Us, earlier in 2019, eliminated many toys from the marketplace and reduced the cumulative shelf space given to toys.
The Target report Wednesday preceded declines in the stock market values of Walmart, Hasbro and Mattel. Walmart has not yet released its quarterly report.


upi--2020-01-15--Watch: Utah man locked inside 24 Hour Fitness gym after closing

Jan. 15 ( UPI ) -- A Utah man turned to Facebook for advice when he found himself locked inside a 24 Hour Fitness gym that had closed for the night .
Dan Hill said he visited the gym in Sandy for a late night workout Saturday and he finished swimming laps in the pool after midnight Sunday to discover he was alone in the building and the doors were locked .
`` Does n't the name suggest that they stay open 24 hours ? ''
Hill wrote in a Facebook post chronicling his situation .
Hill said he called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find a comfortable place to sleep . ''
`` So , I called dispatch and the guy pauses for like 10 seconds and says 'You 're where ? '
'' Hill told KTVX-TV .
`` And I said , ' I 'm in 24 Hour Fitness , and there 's an alarm system here and I do n't want to get busted for breaking and entering . '
'' Hill took his Facebook friends on a tour of the gym while waiting for police to arrive .
Officers showed up to let him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a.m .
The manager of the gym said the hours changed in December from 24 hours to 4 a.m.-midnight .
`` We clearly did not do a good job of our closing procedures for this club on Saturday night and will reinforce our club procedures so that this incident does n't occur in the future , '' the company said in a statement .
`` We continue to be committed to providing our members and guests with the best possible fitness experience at a great value . ''

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Jan. 15 (UPI) -- A Utah man turned to Facebook for advice when he found himself locked inside a 24 Hour Fitness gym that had closed for the night.
Dan Hill said he visited the gym in Sandy for a late night workout Saturday and he finished swimming laps in the pool after midnight Sunday to discover he was alone in the building and the doors were locked.
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"Doesn't the name suggest that they stay open 24 hours?" Hill wrote in a Facebook post chronicling his situation.
Hill said he called his wife, who suggested he "find a comfortable place to sleep."
He ended up calling 911.
"So, I called dispatch and the guy pauses for like 10 seconds and says 'You're where?'" Hill told KTVX-TV. "And I said, 'I'm in 24 Hour Fitness, and there's an alarm system here and I don't want to get busted for breaking and entering.'"
Hill took his Facebook friends on a tour of the gym while waiting for police to arrive. Officers showed up to let him out of the building just before 1 a.m.
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The manager of the gym said the hours changed in December from 24 hours to 4 a.m.-midnight.
"We clearly did not do a good job of our closing procedures for this club on Saturday night and will reinforce our club procedures so that this incident doesn't occur in the future," the company said in a statement. "We continue to be committed to providing our members and guests with the best possible fitness experience at a great value."


upi--2020-01-15--Virgin Islands sues Jeffrey Epstein estate over sexual abuse of girls

Jan. 15 ( UPI ) -- The government of the U.S. Virgin Islands alleged in a lawsuit on Wednesday that the late Jeffrey Epstein sexually abused young girls on islands he owned .
Filed by Virgin Islands Attorney General Denise N. George , the lawsuit broadens the scope of alleged wrongdoing by Epstein , referring to crimes allegedly committed at his Virgin Islands properties from 2001 to 2018 .
He previously was charged with sexually exploiting dozens of women and girls in New York and Florida prior to 2005 .
His lawyers later said that following his 2008 guilty plea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girl for sexual services , he had been law-abiding .
Epstein hanged himself in August in New York City 's Metropolitan Correctional Center while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges .
The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation .
Epstein owned two islands , valued at $ 86 million , one named Little St. James , which he regarded as his private enclave .
The lawsuit said girls ranging in age from 12 to 17 were `` deceptively lured '' and recruited `` with money and promises of employment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the estate , where sexual acts of rape and abuse of minors '' occurred .
They were then forced `` to recruit others to perform services and engage in sexual acts , a trafficking pyramid scheme . ''
The suit mentions an incident in which `` a 15 year old victim was forced into sexual acts with Epstein and others and then attempted to escape by swimming off Little St. James Island .
Epstein and others organized a search party that located her and kept her captive by , among other things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adds that airport personnel reported seeing Epstein arrive in the company of what appeared to be underage girls as late as 2018 , and that in 2018 he refused to allow an investigator from the Virgin Islands ' Department of Justice , routinely monitoring Epstein because of his status as a sex offender , onto the Little St. James property .
Prosecutors in New York have said their investigation continues , despite Epstein 's death .
The Virgin Islands lawsuit appears to be the first filed against Epstein in that jurisdiction , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Epstein 's estate .

A lawsuit against the estate of the late Jeffrey Epstein, filed Wednesday by U.S. Virgin Islands Attorney General Denise N. George, alleges that Epstein brought underage girls to his island property for sexual abuse as late as 2018. Photo courtesy of U.S. Virgin Islands Office of the Attorney General
Jan. 15 (UPI) -- The government of the U.S. Virgin Islands alleged in a lawsuit on Wednesday that the late Jeffrey Epstein sexually abused young girls on islands he owned. Filed by Virgin Islands Attorney General Denise N. George, the lawsuit broadens the scope of alleged wrongdoing by Epstein, referring to crimes allegedly committed at his Virgin Islands properties from 2001 to 2018. Advertisement
He previously was charged with sexually exploiting dozens of women and girls in New York and Florida prior to 2005. His lawyers later said that following his 2008 guilty plea to charges including payment to an underage girl for sexual services, he had been law-abiding.
Epstein hanged himself in August in New York City's Metropolitan Correctional Center while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation.
Epstein owned two islands, valued at $86 million, one named Little St. James, which he regarded as his private enclave. The lawsuit said girls ranging in age from 12 to 17 were "deceptively lured" and recruited "with money and promises of employment, career opportunities and school assistance" to the estate, where sexual acts of rape and abuse of minors" occurred. They were then forced "to recruit others to perform services and engage in sexual acts, a trafficking pyramid scheme."
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The suit mentions an incident in which "a 15 year old victim was forced into sexual acts with Epstein and others and then attempted to escape by swimming off Little St. James Island. Epstein and others organized a search party that located her and kept her captive by, among other things, confiscating her passport."
It adds that airport personnel reported seeing Epstein arrive in the company of what appeared to be underage girls as late as 2018, and that in 2018 he refused to allow an investigator from the Virgin Islands' Department of Justice, routinely monitoring Epstein because of his status as a sex offender, onto the Little St. James property.
Prosecutors in New York have said their investigation continues, despite Epstein's death. The Virgin Islands lawsuit appears to be the first filed against Epstein in that jurisdiction, although over a dozen women have filed lawsuits against Epstein's estate.