upi--2020-02-20--2 dead after passenger train derails in Australia

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- Two people were killed Thursday when a passenger train derailed in southeastern Australia , @ @ @ @ @ Country Fire Authority said a diesel locomotive and five passenger carriages of the Melbourne-to-Sydney train @ @ @ @ @ miles north of Melbourne , near Wallan in Victoria state .
Officials said the train @ @ @ @ @ An emergency medial center was set up at a nearby restaurant and gas station to @ @ @ @ @ tracks were significantly damaged and the busy rail line was closed .
Scott Rickard , @ @ @ @ @ of the derailment to her Twitter account , said the experience was frightening .
`` @ @ @ @ @ slowing to a very fast stop , '' she told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. `` @ @ @ @ @ , people started moving around , luggage went flying , that kind of thing .
@ @ @ @ @ cause .

Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Two people were killed Thursday when a passenger train derailed in southeastern Australia , authorities said.
The Australian Country Fire Authority said a diesel locomotive and five passenger carriages of the Melbourne-to-Sydney train jumped the tracks about 30 miles north of Melbourne, near Wallan in Victoria state.
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Officials said the train was carrying 160 passengers. An emergency medial center was set up at a nearby restaurant and gas station to treat the injured.
The tracks were significantly damaged and the busy rail line was closed.
Scott Rickard, a passenger who posted photos of the derailment to her Twitter account, said the experience was frightening.
"We just seemed to be slowing to a very fast stop," she told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. "Stuff flew off our tables, people started moving around, luggage went flying, that kind of thing."
Authorities are investigating the cause.


upi--2020-02-20--AEW Dynamite: Cody battles Wardlow inside a steel cage

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- Cody faced off against his rival MJF 's bodyguard Wardlow in AEW 's first-ever Steel Cage match on Dynamite .
The main event on Wednesday , the bout was also Wardlow 's in-ring debut and the final task Cody had to complete in order to face MJF at the Revolution pay-per-view event on Feb. 29 .
The steel cage trapped both men inside the ring with Cody and Wardlow needing to score a pinfall of submission to win the match .
The imposing and strong Wardlow was able to easily toss Cody around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bleed from the top of his head after being slammed into the cage .
Cody kept fighting through the pain , however , and took the fight to Wardlow .
Cody was thrown into the cage door , breaking it open .
MJF , who was ringside , came near his rival but Cody 's coach Arn Anderson slammed the door into MJF .
MJF would later give his Dynamite Diamond Ring to Wardlow to use against Cody but Cody retaliated by hitting Wardlow below the belt .
MJF then started to climb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rhodes stopping him by using a steel chair .
MJF got into Brandi Rhodes ' face but Anderson arrived to throw him into the ringside barrier .
Cody won the hard-fought battle after he climbed to the top of the cage and performed a Moonsault onto Wardlow for the three count , earning his match against MJF at Revolution .
Also on Dynamite , a Tag Team Battle Royal was held to determine who will challenge for the AEW World Tag Team Championships at Revolution .
The Battle Royal featured all of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Young Bucks , Jurassic Express , The Butcher and The Blade , The Best Friends , Private Party , The Dark Order , Ortiz and Santana and SCU , among others .
A team was eliminated after both members had been tossed over the top rope with both feet touching the floor .
Key moments included John Silver and Alex Reynolds of The Dark Order distracting SCU by asking where their partner Christopher Daniels was and that their mysterious leader The Exalted One would be coming soon and Orange Cassidy saving Trent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ match came down to Santana and Ortiz against Matt Jackson of The Young Bucks .
Jackson , despite being outnumbered and having to also deal with Santana and Ortiz 's Inner Circle partner Sammy Guevara , was able to win the match .
Hangman Adam Page and Kenny Omega defended their AEW World Tag Team Championships against Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix in a highly-competitive match .
The Lucha Bros. gained an advantage after Page inadvertently hit Omega with his Buckshot Lariat .
Pentagon Jr. nailed Omega with the Penta-Driver but the champ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Page were able to recover and performed the Buckshot Lariat-V-trigger combo on Fenix for the three count .
Omega and Page will be defending their titles next against The Young Bucks at Revolution , setting up an epic clash between four members of The Elite .
Other moments from Dynamite included Kris Statlander defeating Shanna ; newly crowned AEW Women 's Champion Nyla Rose gloating about her victory before she was confronted by Statlander and Big Swole ; and Jon Moxley defeating AEW World Champion Chris Jericho 's hired hitman Jeff Cobb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Circle attacked Moxley after the match but he received help from Dustin Rhodes and a returning Darby Allin who used his skateboard to punish The Inner Circle .

Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Cody faced off against his rival MJF's bodyguard Wardlow in AEW's first-ever Steel Cage match on Dynamite.
The main event on Wednesday, the bout was also Wardlow's in-ring debut and the final task Cody had to complete in order to face MJF at the Revolution pay-per-view event on Feb. 29. The steel cage trapped both men inside the ring with Cody and Wardlow needing to score a pinfall of submission to win the match.
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The imposing and strong Wardlow was able to easily toss Cody around the structure, causing The American Nightmare to bleed from the top of his head after being slammed into the cage.
Cody kept fighting through the pain, however, and took the fight to Wardlow. Cody was thrown into the cage door, breaking it open. MJF, who was ringside, came near his rival but Cody's coach Arn Anderson slammed the door into MJF.
MJF would later give his Dynamite Diamond Ring to Wardlow to use against Cody but Cody retaliated by hitting Wardlow below the belt. MJF then started to climb the cage with Cody's wife Brandi Rhodes stopping him by using a steel chair. MJF got into Brandi Rhodes' face but Anderson arrived to throw him into the ringside barrier.
Cody won the hard-fought battle after he climbed to the top of the cage and performed a Moonsault onto Wardlow for the three count, earning his match against MJF at Revolution.
WHAT.A.MOONSAULT!@CodyRhodes puts it all on the line for a match against @The_MJF at #AEWRevolution! pic.twitter.com/r73idpBuOL— All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) February 20, 2020 Advertisement
Also on Dynamite, a Tag Team Battle Royal was held to determine who will challenge for the AEW World Tag Team Championships at Revolution. The Battle Royal featured all of the top teams in the company including The Young Bucks, Jurassic Express, The Butcher and The Blade, The Best Friends, Private Party, The Dark Order, Ortiz and Santana and SCU, among others.
A team was eliminated after both members had been tossed over the top rope with both feet touching the floor.
Key moments included John Silver and Alex Reynolds of The Dark Order distracting SCU by asking where their partner Christopher Daniels was and that their mysterious leader The Exalted One would be coming soon and Orange Cassidy saving Trent of The Best Friends from elimination.
The match came down to Santana and Ortiz against Matt Jackson of The Young Bucks. Jackson, despite being outnumbered and having to also deal with Santana and Ortiz's Inner Circle partner Sammy Guevara, was able to win the match.
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Hangman Adam Page and Kenny Omega defended their AEW World Tag Team Championships against Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix in a highly-competitive match.
The Lucha Bros. gained an advantage after Page inadvertently hit Omega with his Buckshot Lariat. Pentagon Jr. nailed Omega with the Penta-Driver but the champ somehow kicked out at two.
Omega and Page were able to recover and performed the Buckshot Lariat-V-trigger combo on Fenix for the three count. Omega and Page will be defending their titles next against The Young Bucks at Revolution, setting up an epic clash between four members of The Elite.
Other moments from Dynamite included Kris Statlander defeating Shanna; newly crowned AEW Women's Champion Nyla Rose gloating about her victory before she was confronted by Statlander and Big Swole; and Jon Moxley defeating AEW World Champion Chris Jericho's hired hitman Jeff Cobb.
Jericho and members of The Inner Circle attacked Moxley after the match but he received help from Dustin Rhodes and a returning Darby Allin who used his skateboard to punish The Inner Circle.


upi--2020-02-20--Netflix: What's coming and going in March 2020

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- Netflix members can watch Spenser Confidential , a new film featuring Mark Wahlberg , and Self Made : Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J .
Walker , a series starring Octavia Spencer , in March .
The streaming service released a list of the movies , TV shows , comedy specials and documentaries coming and going next month .
Here 's the full list of what 's being added to Netflix in March : He 's Just Not That Into You Life as We Know It The Story of God with Morgan Freeman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Top : That Little Ol ' Band from Texas Twin Murders : The Silence of the White City ( Netflix Original ) Carmen Sandiego : To Steal or Not to Steal ( Netflix Original ) The Letter for the King ( Netflix Original ) Self Made : Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J .
Walker ( Netflix Original ) There 's Something in the Water Here 's the full list of what 's leaving Netflix in March : The Men Who Stare at Goats The Lord of the Rings : The Return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rings : The Two Towers

Mark Wahlberg (R) and Winston Duke star in the new Netflix film "Spenser Confidential." Photo courtesy of Netflix
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Netflix members can watch Spenser Confidential, a new film featuring Mark Wahlberg, and Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker, a series starring Octavia Spencer, in March. The streaming service released a list of the movies, TV shows, comedy specials and documentaries coming and going next month. Advertisement
Here's the full list of what's being added to Netflix in March:
March 1
Go! Go! Cory Carson Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Always a Bridesmaid
Beyond the Mat
Cop Out
Corpse Bride
Donnie Brasco
Freedom Writers
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
GoodFellas
Haywire
He's Just Not That Into You
Hook
Hugo
Kung Fu Panda 2
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Life as We Know It
Looney Tunes: Back in Action
Outbreak
Resident Evil: Apocalypse
Resident Evil: Extinction
Richie Rich
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Semi-Pro
Sleepover
Space Jam
The Gift
The Interview
The Shawshank Redemption
The Story of God with Morgan Freeman Season 3
There Will Be Blood
Tootsie
Valentine's Day
Velvet Colección: Grande Finale
ZZ Top: That Little Ol' Band from Texas
March 3
Taylor Tomlinson: Quarter-Life Crisis (Netflix Original)
March 4
Lil Peep: Everybody's Everything
March 5
Castlevania Season 3 (Netflix Original)
Mighty Little Bheem: Festival of Colors (Netflix Original)
March 6
Guilty (Netflix Original)
I am Jonas (Netflix Original)
Paradise PD Part 2 (Netflix Original)
The Protector Season 3 (Netflix Original)
Spenser Confidential (Netflix Original)
Twin Murders: The Silence of the White City (Netflix Original)
Ugly Delicious Season 2 (Netflix Original)
March 10
Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to Steal (Netflix Original)
Marc Maron: End Times Fun (Netflix Original)
March 11
The Circle Brazil (Netflix Original)
Dirty Money Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Last Ferry
On My Block Season 3 (Netflix Original)
Summer Night
March 12
Hospital Playlist (Netflix Original)
March 13
100 Humans (Netflix Original)
Beastars (Netflix Original)
Bloodride (Netflix Original)
Elite Season 3 (Netflix Original)
Go Karts (Netflix Original)
Kingdom Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Lost Girls (Netflix Original)
The Vahalla Murders (Netflix Original)
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Women of the Night (Netflix Original)
March 15
Aftermath
March 16
The Boss Baby: Back in Business Season 3 (Netflix Original)
Search Party
Silver Linings Playbook
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
The Young Messiah
March 17
Bert Kreischer: Hey Big Boy (Netflix Original)
All American Season 2
Black Lightning Season 3
Shaun the Sheep: Adventures from Mossy Bottom (Netflix Original)
March 18
Lu Over the Wall
March 19
Altered Carbon: Resleeved (Netflix Original)
Feel Good (Netflix Original)
March 20
A Life of Speed: The Juan Manuel Fangio Story (Netflix Original)
Archibald's Next Big Thing Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Buddi (Netflix Original)
Dino Girl Gauko Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Greenhouse Academy Season 4 (Netflix Original)
The Letter for the King (Netflix Original)
Maska (Netflix Original)
The Platform (Netflix Original)
Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker (Netflix Original)
Ultras (Netflix Original)
Tiger King (Netflix Original)
March 23
Sol Levante (Netflix Original)
March 25
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (Netflix Original)
Curtiz (Netflix Original)
The Occupant (Hogar) (Netflix Original)
Signs (Netflix Original)
YooHoo to the Rescue Season 3 (Netflix Original)
March 26
7Seeds Part 2 (Netflix Original)
Blood Father
Unorthodox (Netflix Original)
March 27
Car Masters: Rust to Riches Season 2 (Netflix Original)
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The Decline (Netflix Original)
Dragons: Rescue Riders: Hunt for the Golden Dragon (Netflix Original)
Il processo (Netflix Original)
Killing Them Softly
Ozark Season 3 (Netflix Original)
There's Something in the Water
True: Wuzzle Wegg Day (Netflix Original)
Uncorked (Netflix Original)
Coming soon:
Arashi's Diary - Voyage (New Episodes) (Netflix Original)
The English Game (Netflix Original)
Ladies Up (Netflix Original)
Podcasts coming in March:
Netflix's Con Todo presents Brown Love
Netflix is a Daily Joke
Here's the full list of what's leaving Netflix in March:
March 3
Marvel Studios' Black Panther
The Men Who Stare at Goats
March 4
F the Prom
March 7
Blue Jasmine
The Jane Austen Book Club
The Waterboy
March 9
Eat Pray Love
March 14
Men in Black
Men in Black II
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Collection: Classic Collection 3
March 15
Coraline
March 17
Being Mary Jane: The Series Seasons 1-4
March 19
The L Word Seasons 1-6
Zodiac
March 24
Disney's A Wrinkle in Time
March 30
Batman Begins
Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
Death at a Funeral
Drugs, Inc. Season 5
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Hairspray
Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Kill Bill: Vol. 2
New York Minute
P.S. I Love You
Paranormal Activity
Small Soldiers
The Dark Knight
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Wild Wild West


upi--2020-02-20--South Korea reports first COVID-19 death; cases rise to 104

SEOUL , Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- South Korean officials reported the nation 's first coronavirus death on Thursday and 53 new cases in a single day , bringing the total number of cases to 104 .
Of the new COVID-19 cases , 51 are concentrated in the city of Daegu and the surrounding Gyeongbuk province , the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention said in briefings .
The remaining two cases are in Seoul .
Daegu , South Korea 's fourth-largest city , is located some 185 miles southeast of Seoul and has a population of 2.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daegu have been linked to a 61-year-old woman , who was confirmed as South Korea 's 31st patient on Tuesday , the KCDC said .
She is believed to have infected some 40 other patients through attending services at the Shincheonji Church of Jesus , a new religious movement that claims more than 200,000 members worldwide , before testing positive for the virus .
Authorities are investigating whether the woman is connected to two confirmed cases at a hospital in Cheongdo , a city south of Daegu .
The patient visited Cheongdo earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea 's first COVID-19 death , a 63-year-old man , was treated at the hospital in Cheongdo and authorities are working to confirm the cause .
COVID-19 , which has killed more than 2,100 people worldwide and has spread to more than two dozen countries since it emerged in China early December , has begun spreading locally , Vice Health and Welfare Minister Kim Kang-lip told reporters on Thursday .
`` At this stage , [ the government ] judged that COVID-19 is spreading locally with a limited scope , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yonhap .
Kim said health authorities will deploy 24 more doctors to Daegu and expand the city 's virus-detection centers to 22 .
Daegu has begun taking emergency measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus , including shutting down kindergartens and considering delaying the start of the upcoming semester at elementary and high schools .
Officials postponed the 2020 Daegu Super Concert featuring boy band BTS , which was scheduled to be held at Daegu Stadium on March 8 .
Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin has asked the central government for help and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Daegu to stay indoors .
South Korean President Moon Jae-in spoke with the mayor by phone Thursday and vowed to offer any assistance necessary , according to a spokesman for the presidential Blue House .

South Korea's first death from the coronavirus was reported on Thursday at a hospital in the city of Cheongdo, near Daegu. Photo by Yonhap
SEOUL, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- South Korean officials reported the nation's first coronavirus death on Thursday and 53 new cases in a single day, bringing the total number of cases to 104. Of the new COVID-19 cases, 51 are concentrated in the city of Daegu and the surrounding Gyeongbuk province, the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention said in briefings. The remaining two cases are in Seoul. Advertisement
Daegu, South Korea's fourth-largest city, is located some 185 miles southeast of Seoul and has a population of 2.5 million.
Many of the cases in Daegu have been linked to a 61-year-old woman, who was confirmed as South Korea's 31st patient on Tuesday, the KCDC said. She is believed to have infected some 40 other patients through attending services at the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a new religious movement that claims more than 200,000 members worldwide, before testing positive for the virus.
Authorities are investigating whether the woman is connected to two confirmed cases at a hospital in Cheongdo, a city south of Daegu. The patient visited Cheongdo earlier this month, officials said.
South Korea's first COVID-19 death, a 63-year-old man, was treated at the hospital in Cheongdo and authorities are working to confirm the cause.
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COVID-19, which has killed more than 2,100 people worldwide and has spread to more than two dozen countries since it emerged in China early December, has begun spreading locally, Vice Health and Welfare Minister Kim Kang-lip told reporters on Thursday.
"At this stage, [the government] judged that COVID-19 is spreading locally with a limited scope," he said, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.
Kim said health authorities will deploy 24 more doctors to Daegu and expand the city's virus-detection centers to 22.
Daegu has begun taking emergency measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, including shutting down kindergartens and considering delaying the start of the upcoming semester at elementary and high schools.
Officials postponed the 2020 Daegu Super Concert featuring boy band BTS, which was scheduled to be held at Daegu Stadium on March 8.
Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin has asked the central government for help and made a televised appeal Thursday urging residents of Daegu to stay indoors.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in spoke with the mayor by phone Thursday and vowed to offer any assistance necessary, according to a spokesman for the presidential Blue House.


upi--2020-02-20--NBC renews 'Blacklist' for Season 8

NBC renews 'Blacklist' for Season 8

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- NBC has renewed its James Spader-Megan Boone drama The Blacklist for an eighth season @ @ @ @ @ U.S. government agents finding and apprehending the world 's most dangerous criminals .
Season 7 @ @ @ @ @ 20 with two back-to-back episodes .
`` Congratulations to our incredible cast , producers and @ @ @ @ @ continue to reach excellence week in and week out , '' Lisa Katz and Tracey @ @ @ @ @ programming for NBC Entertainment , said in a statement Thursday .
`` We could n't @ @ @ @ @ Red and Liz 's story into Season 8 . ''

Are you Red-y? #TheBlacklist has been renewed for Season 8. pic.twitter.com/BzLsJComYc— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) February 20, 2020
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- NBC has renewed its James Spader-Megan Boone drama The Blacklist for an eighth season.
The show is about U.S. government agents finding and apprehending the world's most dangerous criminals.
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Season 7 is set to resume March 20 with two back-to-back episodes.
"Congratulations to our incredible cast, producers and crew, all of whom continue to reach excellence week in and week out," Lisa Katz and Tracey Pakosta, co-presidents of scripted programming for NBC Entertainment, said in a statement Thursday. "We couldn't be more excited to continue Red and Liz's story into Season 8."


upi--2020-02-20--March for Our Lives co-founders endorse Bernie Sanders for president

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- Several co-founders of the anti-gun violence organization March For Our Lives endorsed Bernie Sanders for president Thursday .
Co-founders Delaney Tarr , Daud Mumin , Robert Schentrup , Nurah Abdulhaqq , Chris Grady , Thandiwe Abdullah , Ryan Deitsch and Maxwell Frost declared their support for the Vermont senator in a video released by the Sanders campaign .
`` The truth is we need a president who can do it -- who can build a populist movement , who can create structural change and who can speak to the intersection of every American issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has created a movement that I not only believe in , but I fight for .
I am so excited to join in creating a campaign to be proud of -- and an America to be proud of . ''
March For Our Lives was founded in the wake of the mass shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland , Fla. , on Feb. 14 , 2018 , and has hundreds of chapters throughout the country headed by student leaders .
It organizes events related to preventing gun violence , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as state and national legislation .
Maxwell said that he is `` beyond excited '' to endorse Sanders for president .
`` He gets that all of the issues we fight for are connected and gun violence is n't the cause , but a symptom of systemic injustice , '' he said .
`` He 's inspired an intersectional movement of working class people , which is built upon a love for humanity and justice for all people . ''

Several co-founders of the March For Our Lives organization recorded a video supporting Sen. Bernie Sanders. File Photo by Leigh Vogel/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Several co-founders of the anti-gun violence organization March For Our Lives endorsed Bernie Sanders for president Thursday. Co-founders Delaney Tarr, Daud Mumin, Robert Schentrup, Nurah Abdulhaqq, Chris Grady, Thandiwe Abdullah, Ryan Deitsch and Maxwell Frost declared their support for the Vermont senator in a video released by the Sanders campaign. Advertisement
"The truth is we need a president who can do it -- who can build a populist movement, who can create structural change and who can speak to the intersection of every American issue," Tarr said. "Bernie has created a movement that I not only believe in, but I fight for. I am so excited to join in creating a campaign to be proud of -- and an America to be proud of."
March For Our Lives was founded in the wake of the mass shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14, 2018, and has hundreds of chapters throughout the country headed by student leaders.
It organizes events related to preventing gun violence, and lobbies for school safety measures as well as state and national legislation.
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Maxwell said that he is "beyond excited" to endorse Sanders for president.
"He gets that all of the issues we fight for are connected and gun violence isn't the cause, but a symptom of systemic injustice," he said. "He's inspired an intersectional movement of working class people, which is built upon a love for humanity and justice for all people."


upi--2020-02-20--Navy installs ODIN laser weapon system to counter aerial drones

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- The U.S. Navy announced Thursday that it has installed a laser weapon system that allows ships to counter aerial drones .
According to the Navy , the first Optical Dazzling Interdictor , Navy ( ODIN ) was installed on the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Dewey during the vessel 's recently completed dry-docking restricted availbility .
The system 's development , testing and production was carried out by Navy experts at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division .
`` This is a great example of our organic talent at the warfare centers all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliver a system which will provide game-changing capability .
Bravo Zulu to the entire ODIN team on being mission-focused and delivering lethal capability to the warfighter , '' said assistant secretary for the Navy for research development and acquisition after a recent visit on the Dewey .
According to the Navy , the install marks the first operational deployment of the system , which functions as a dazzler -- a non-lethal weapon that uses intense directed radiation to temporarily disable its target -- and allows the Navy to rapidly combat unmanned aerial threats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this urgent Counter-Intelligence , Surveillance , and Reconnaissance need and the Chief of Naval Operations directed us to fill it as quickly as possible , '' said Cmdr .
David Wolfe , Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems Directed Energy office .
`` The NSWC Dahlgren Division team did an amazing job addressing challenges and keeping our accelerated schedule on track and moving forward to deliver this capability . ''

The guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) transits the Pacific Ocean while underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. Photo by Devin M. Langer/U.S. Navy
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy announced Thursday that it has installed a laser weapon system that allows ships to counter aerial drones. According to the Navy, the first Optical Dazzling Interdictor, Navy (ODIN) was installed on the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Dewey during the vessel's recently completed dry-docking restricted availbility. Advertisement
The system's development, testing and production was carried out by Navy experts at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division.
"This is a great example of our organic talent at the warfare centers all working together with ship's company to deliver a system which will provide game-changing capability. Bravo Zulu to the entire ODIN team on being mission-focused and delivering lethal capability to the warfighter," said assistant secretary for the Navy for research development and acquisition after a recent visit on the Dewey.
According to the Navy, the install marks the first operational deployment of the system, which functions as a dazzler -- a non-lethal weapon that uses intense directed radiation to temporarily disable its target -- and allows the Navy to rapidly combat unmanned aerial threats.
"The Pacific Fleet Commander identified this urgent Counter-Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance need and the Chief of Naval Operations directed us to fill it as quickly as possible," said Cmdr. David Wolfe, Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems Directed Energy office. "The NSWC Dahlgren Division team did an amazing job addressing challenges and keeping our accelerated schedule on track and moving forward to deliver this capability."


upi--2020-02-20--800 paratroopers return to Ft. Bragg after January deployment to Middle East

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- About 800 soldiers who rapidly deployed into the Middle East in January returned to Fort Bragg , N.C. , Thursday , according to Army officials .
The 82nd Airborne Division brigade were the first group of about 3,000 paratroopers who were rushed to Kuwait after an American airstrike killed Iran 's most powerful military official .
Army officials described the push as the `` most significant no notice deployment of combat forces '' in three decades .
The battalion deployed 18 hours after receiving orders to the Middle East .
`` As the centerpiece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's critical that 1st Brigade and the 82nd Airborne Division are able to project global force employment , '' Col. Andrew Saslav , the commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team , said in a prepared statement .
`` Working across combatant commands not only demonstrates the flexibility and expeditionary capability of our airborne forces , but also better prepares our paratroopers for the complexity of the modern global security environment . ''
Officials said most of the returning soldiers were from the brigade 's 2nd Battalion , 504th Parachute Infantry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deploy .
Some soldiers with the brigade 's 3rd Squadron , 73rd Cavalry Regiment , 3rd Battalion , 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment and other support soldiers also returned to Ft. Bragg Thursday , the Army said .
The remainder of the brigade 's 3,000 troops remained in the Middle East as of Thursday , and it was not clear how long they would remain deployed .

Soldiers return to Ft. Bragg in North Carolina after a no-notice deployment in January amid escalating tensions in Iran. Photo courtesy U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division/ Facebook
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- About 800 soldiers who rapidly deployed into the Middle East in January returned to Fort Bragg, N.C., Thursday, according to Army officials. The 82nd Airborne Division brigade were the first group of about 3,000 paratroopers who were rushed to Kuwait after an American airstrike killed Iran's most powerful military official. Advertisement
Army officials described the push as the "most significant no notice deployment of combat forces" in three decades.
The battalion deployed 18 hours after receiving orders to the Middle East.
"As the centerpiece of the nation's Immediate Response Force, it's critical that 1st Brigade and the 82nd Airborne Division are able to project global force employment," Col. Andrew Saslav, the commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, said in a prepared statement. "Working across combatant commands not only demonstrates the flexibility and expeditionary capability of our airborne forces, but also better prepares our paratroopers for the complexity of the modern global security environment."
Officials said most of the returning soldiers were from the brigade's 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which was the first to deploy.
Some soldiers with the brigade's 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment and other support soldiers also returned to Ft. Bragg Thursday, the Army said.
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The remainder of the brigade's 3,000 troops remained in the Middle East as of Thursday, and it was not clear how long they would remain deployed.
Today we welcomed home the first @Strike_Hold #Paratroopers from their deployment to @CENTCOM. When our Nation called, the Immediate Response Force answered by conducting a no notice deployment. The Division is proud of you all and wishes a warm #WelcomeHome. #Airborne #ATW pic.twitter.com/zkLFJVzPSU— All American Division (@82ndABNDiv) February 20, 2020


upi--2020-02-20--Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- Brooklyn Nets star point guard Kyrie Irving will undergo season-ending surgery on his right shoulder , the team announced Thursday .
Irving missed 26 straight games earlier this season because of the right shoulder ailment .
The veteran guard said the pain began during the Nets ' game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov. 4 .
`` The last few days , [ Irving ] has been visiting with a specialist , '' Nets general manager Sean Marks told reporters Thursday .
`` It 's been determined that he will have arthroscopic surgery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the remainder of the season .
He 's obviously upset about this , and we 're here to support him and the process moving forward with him . ''
Irving , 27 , visited with an Arizona-based specialist in December and received a cortisone shot on Dec. 24 .
At the time , he said he hoped the injection would rule out any immediate need for surgery .
Irving averaged 27.4 points , 5.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game in 20 contests this season , his first with the Nets .
Along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All-Star selection missed one game for hamstring tightness and five games before the All-Star break due to a sprained knee .
Irving also sat out one contest after the death of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant last month .

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (L) averaged 27.4 points per game this season, his first with the Nets. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Brooklyn Nets star point guard Kyrie Irving will undergo season-ending surgery on his right shoulder, the team announced Thursday. Irving missed 26 straight games earlier this season because of the right shoulder ailment. The veteran guard said the pain began during the Nets' game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov. 4. Advertisement
"The last few days, [Irving] has been visiting with a specialist," Nets general manager Sean Marks told reporters Thursday. "It's been determined that he will have arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder and be out for the remainder of the season. He's obviously upset about this, and we're here to support him and the process moving forward with him."
Irving, 27, visited with an Arizona-based specialist in December and received a cortisone shot on Dec. 24. At the time, he said he hoped the injection would rule out any immediate need for surgery.
Kyrie Irving will have arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. He will be out for the remainder of the 2019-20 season. pic.twitter.com/HOuNdyCLrF— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 20, 2020 Advertisement
Irving averaged 27.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game in 20 contests this season, his first with the Nets.
Along with his latest injury, the six-time All-Star selection missed one game for hamstring tightness and five games before the All-Star break due to a sprained knee. Irving also sat out one contest after the death of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant last month.


upi--2020-02-20--Experts: China seeking to normalize military presence beyond borders

WASHINGTON -- China 's Belt and Road Initiative , its military base in Africa , and increased humanitarian aid help normalize China 's military presence outside its borders as part of an escalating power projection , an expert in the Asia Pacific region told a congressional commission Thursday .
Testifying before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission , Kristen Gunness , CEO of Vantage Point Asia , a company that provides strategic advice about Asia to businesses and government , focused on how the Belt and Road Initiative and the Chinese army 's overseas deployment helps the country 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Initiative , launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 , is a series of infrastructure and trade development initiatives across Asia , Africa and Europe .
Meanwhile , China opened a military base in Djibouti in 2017 and has been providing aid abroad during humanitarian and natural crises .
Experts have indicated that China may attempt to expand its military presence abroad .
Gunness said that the greatest benefit to China from its focus on improving expeditionary capabilities is that an increased involvement of the army abroad helps to normalize China 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China cultivates the narrative that [ the People 's Liberation Army ] expeditionary capabilities contribute to international security , '' Gunness said .
`` While this is not a security framework , per se , it is a narrative that Beijing uses to justify PLA participation in overseas operations . ''
Gunness remarked that China 's current overseas missions are relatively limited in scope , but the United States should prepare for China to use overseas military power as a foreign policy tool .
Beijing works to align the interests of countries involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by creating frameworks for security cooperation that can provide a foundation for future military cooperation and potentially an expanded PLA presence abroad , Gunness said .
Retired Adm. Dennis Blair testified that if China is able to establish bases at key ports in Pakistan and Myanmar with secure supply lines from China , the country would have the basis for `` serious projection capability '' in that region of the world .
However , he noted a lack of enthusiasm from the two countries .
`` There 's some very major practical problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attitudes of both Myanmar and Pakistan , which heretofore , have shown no desire to have Chinese troops stationed in their country , '' Blair said .
The Chinese Embassy in Washington , D.C. , did not respond to a request for comment .

Retired Adm. Dennis Blair testified that if China is able to establish bases at key ports in Pakistan and Myanmar with secure supply lines from China, the country would have the basis for “serious projection capability” in that region of the world. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
WASHINGTON -- China's Belt and Road Initiative, its military base in Africa, and increased humanitarian aid help normalize China's military presence outside its borders as part of an escalating power projection, an expert in the Asia Pacific region told a congressional commission Thursday. Testifying before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, Kristen Gunness, CEO of Vantage Point Asia, a company that provides strategic advice about Asia to businesses and government, focused on how the Belt and Road Initiative and the Chinese army's overseas deployment helps the country's expeditionary capabilities. Advertisement
The Belt and Road Initiative, launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, is a series of infrastructure and trade development initiatives across Asia, Africa and Europe. Meanwhile, China opened a military base in Djibouti in 2017 and has been providing aid abroad during humanitarian and natural crises. Experts have indicated that China may attempt to expand its military presence abroad.
Gunness said that the greatest benefit to China from its focus on improving expeditionary capabilities is that an increased involvement of the army abroad helps to normalize China's military presence beyond its borders.
"China cultivates the narrative that [the People's Liberation Army] expeditionary capabilities contribute to international security," Gunness said. "While this is not a security framework, per se, it is a narrative that Beijing uses to justify PLA participation in overseas operations."
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Gunness remarked that China's current overseas missions are relatively limited in scope, but the United States should prepare for China to use overseas military power as a foreign policy tool.
Beijing works to align the interests of countries involved in BRI with China's national interests by creating frameworks for security cooperation that can provide a foundation for future military cooperation and potentially an expanded PLA presence abroad, Gunness said.
Retired Adm. Dennis Blair testified that if China is able to establish bases at key ports in Pakistan and Myanmar with secure supply lines from China, the country would have the basis for "serious projection capability" in that region of the world.
However, he noted a lack of enthusiasm from the two countries.
"There's some very major practical problems in achieving that, primarily, the attitudes of both Myanmar and Pakistan, which heretofore, have shown no desire to have Chinese troops stationed in their country," Blair said.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., did not respond to a request for comment.


upi--2020-02-20--Barbie introduces Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Jean King and Florence Nightingale dolls

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- Toymaker Mattel introduced three new dolls in its Inspiring Women line of Barbie dolls @ @ @ @ @ of accomplished women throughout history .
The new set features dolls based on Ella Fitzgerald @ @ @ @ @ Florence Nightingale .
`` The Barbie Inspiring Women Series pays tribute to the incredible heroines @ @ @ @ @ women who took risks , changed rules and paved the way for generations of girls @ @ @ @ @ before , '' the company said .
`` Today , we 're excited to welcome @ @ @ @ @ this remarkable series ! ''
Each of the dolls costs $ 29.99 and can be @ @ @ @ @ or at other retailers such as Amazon , Target and Walmart .
The collection previously @ @ @ @ @ likenesses of Sally Ride , Rosa Parks , Amelia Earhart , Katherine Johnson and Frida @ @

Barbie added Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Jean King and Florence Nightingale to its Inspiring Women series on Thursday. Photo courtesy Barbie
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Toymaker Mattel introduced three new dolls in its Inspiring Women line of Barbie dolls on Thursday, featuring likenesses of accomplished women throughout history. The new set features dolls based on Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Jean King and Florence Nightingale. Advertisement
"The Barbie Inspiring Women Series pays tribute to the incredible heroines of their time -- courageous women who took risks, changed rules and paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before," the company said. "Today, we're excited to welcome three new role models into this remarkable series!"
Each of the dolls costs $29.99 and can be purchased on Barbie's website or at other retailers such as Amazon, Target and Walmart.
The collection previously included dolls based on the likenesses of Sally Ride, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Katherine Johnson and Frida Kahlo.


upi--2020-02-20--Travel restrictions have varied efficacy at containing disease outbreaks

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- As many as 30 countries have instituted some form of travel restriction in response to the new coronavirus , COVID-19 , World Health Organization officials said Thursday , in spite of limited scientific evidence indicating that they work in containing the spread of infectious diseases .
According to Jaouad Mahjour , acting WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean , the measures instituted in these countries have varied from the effective `` lockdown '' on Wuhan , China -- the city at the center of the outbreak -- imposed in January to the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to foreign nationals who have visited China in the 14 days prior to their arrival '' The U.S. is doing anything possible to try and limit the number of COVID-19 infections coming into the country , and if we believe it may be arriving , then using travel restrictions can possibly delay arrival to allow us time to prepare is key , '' Brandon Brown , associate professor of social medicine , population and public health at the University of California-Riverside School of Medicine , told UPI .
Officials at both the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the WHO , and their counterparts in several nations , have said the intention was exactly that -- to allow time to prepare .
Earlier this week , Sylvie Briand , director of infectious hazards management for WHO , credited the containment measures taken in Wuhan for delaying spread of COVID-19 to other parts of China by two to three days , and slowing the spread to other countries by at least two weeks .
In a paper scheduled for publication in the CDC 's Emerging Infectious Diseases in May , but released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is `` limited evidence '' that measures such as border closures would contain or control a flu pandemic .
But researchers did find some studies supporting the use of travel restrictions to `` delay the start of local transmission and slow international spread . ''
In addition , they concluded that there is `` no available evidence '' indicating that screening of travelers `` would have a substantial effect on preventing '' the spread of the flu .
`` The few studies included in the paper are the best evidence we have at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a possible benefit of travel restrictions we should utilize them in our prevention toolkit , '' said Brown , who has not involved in the EID review .
`` Although the ban delayed the spread within and outside China , we also need to make sure that people at the center of the outbreak have the resources -- food , water , power , medical care , prevention tools -- they need . ''
The WHO wrote on Wednesday that modeling assessments designed to estimate the impact of the Wuhan travel ban on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China concluded that the measures are `` projected to have only a modest effect on the progression of the outbreak . ''
To maximize their effectiveness , per the report , the measures would need to be combined with other public health interventions , including early case isolation , social distancing and population-level behavioral changes .
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has consistently urged countries considering travel restrictions to `` balance '' the health rationale for the measures against human rights considerations .
In a briefing from U.S. President Donald Trump 's COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director Robert Redfield noted that the travel restrictions imposed by the administration were part of a layered response centered around early case recognition , isolation and contact tracing to prevent further spread `` using effective and proven public health measures . ''
Nancy Messonnier , of the agency 's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases , on February 14 , also said the measures were intended to `` slow the introduction and impact '' of COVID-19 in the United States .
To date , the U.S. has reported 15 confirmed cases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the passengers evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship earlier this week .
All of the confirmed cases have been quarantined , either in hospitals or in military facilities .
While cases have been found in 26 countries , spread of the virus is thought to have been slowed .
Compared to the nearly 75,000 cases in China , there have been just over 1,000 in the rest of the world .
`` The logistics of outbreak response are complicated and can only be managed by integrating local , state , and federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems , government and academia , '' he added .
`` For the current situation with COVID-19 , with the vast majority of cases and deaths limited to mainland China , I do agree with the travel restrictions and traveler screening currently taking place to protect us . ''

A Chinese woman wearing a protective face mask goes to refill her water bottle while passing a security checkpoint at the entrance of her apartment compound due to the threat of the spreading deadly coronavirus in Beijing on February 17, 2020. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- As many as 30 countries have instituted some form of travel restriction in response to the new coronavirus, COVID-19, World Health Organization officials said Thursday, in spite of limited scientific evidence indicating that they work in containing the spread of infectious diseases. According to Jaouad Mahjour, acting WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, the measures instituted in these countries have varied from the effective "lockdown" on Wuhan, China -- the city at the center of the outbreak -- imposed in January to the decision by the United States to deny entry to foreign nationals who have visited China in the 14 days prior to their arrival Advertisement
"The U.S. is doing anything possible to try and limit the number of COVID-19 infections coming into the country, and if we believe it may be arriving, then using travel restrictions can possibly delay arrival to allow us time to prepare is key," Brandon Brown, associate professor of social medicine, population and public health at the University of California-Riverside School of Medicine, told UPI.
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Officials at both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the WHO, and their counterparts in several nations, have said the intention was exactly that -- to allow time to prepare.
Earlier this week, Sylvie Briand, director of infectious hazards management for WHO, credited the containment measures taken in Wuhan for delaying spread of COVID-19 to other parts of China by two to three days, and slowing the spread to other countries by at least two weeks.
Restrictions may slow spread
In a paper scheduled for publication in the CDC's Emerging Infectious Diseases in May, but released this week, the authors noted there is "limited evidence" that measures such as border closures would contain or control a flu pandemic.
But researchers did find some studies supporting the use of travel restrictions to "delay the start of local transmission and slow international spread."
In addition, they concluded that there is "no available evidence" indicating that screening of travelers "would have a substantial effect on preventing" the spread of the flu.
"The few studies included in the paper are the best evidence we have at this time, and if there is a possible benefit of travel restrictions we should utilize them in our prevention toolkit," said Brown, who has not involved in the EID review. "Although the ban delayed the spread within and outside China, we also need to make sure that people at the center of the outbreak have the resources -- food, water, power, medical care, prevention tools -- they need."
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Additional interventions needed
The WHO wrote on Wednesday that modeling assessments designed to estimate the impact of the Wuhan travel ban on reducing transmission both inside and outside of China concluded that the measures are "projected to have only a modest effect on the progression of the outbreak."
To maximize their effectiveness, per the report, the measures would need to be combined with other public health interventions, including early case isolation, social distancing and population-level behavioral changes.
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has consistently urged countries considering travel restrictions to "balance" the health rationale for the measures against human rights considerations.
In a briefing from U.S. President Donald Trump's COVID-19 Task Force on February 7, CDC director Robert Redfield noted that the travel restrictions imposed by the administration were part of a layered response centered around early case recognition, isolation and contact tracing to prevent further spread "using effective and proven public health measures."
Nancy Messonnier, of the agency's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, on February 14, also said the measures were intended to "slow the introduction and impact" of COVID-19 in the United States.
Have they helped?
To date, the U.S. has reported 15 confirmed cases of the virus, not including those among the passengers evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship earlier this week. All of the confirmed cases have been quarantined, either in hospitals or in military facilities.
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While cases have been found in 26 countries, spread of the virus is thought to have been slowed. Compared to the nearly 75,000 cases in China, there have been just over 1,000 in the rest of the world.
"The logistics of outbreak response are complicated and can only be managed by integrating local, state, and federal agencies, including hospitals, public health systems, government and academia," Brown said. "For the current situation with COVID-19, with the vast majority of cases and deaths limited to mainland China, I do agree with the travel restrictions and traveler screening currently taking place to protect us."


upi--2020-02-20--New York Yankees shut down Luis Severino with right forearm soreness

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- The New York Yankees shut down All-Star pitcher Luis Severino due to discomfort in his right forearm , manager Aaron Boone announced Thursday .
Boone revealed that Severino has a loose body in his pitching elbow .
He said that it 's too early to determine whether the right-handed pitcher will be ready for the beginning of the regular season .
`` We 'll see , '' Boone told reporters .
`` First things first is trying to get our arms around exactly what is going on in there , and then hopefully we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him going again . ''
Severino 's forearm issue dates back to the AL Championship Series in October .
Boone said the pitcher was cleared and would have started a potential Game 7 of the ALCS .
The Yankees had Severino undergo two MRIs and a CT scan in New York after complaints of soreness resurfaced this off-season .
Severino believed he was close to full health , but a new recurrence of that forearm discomfort prompted the club to shut him down .
`` There 's an unknown right now , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It could be small and a timing issue or it could be more significant than that , because we have n't determined what we 're dealing with yet . ''
Severino became the second pitcher to be shut down by the Yankees this spring after reporting the ailment in his throwing arm .
New York will be without starting pitcher James Paxton through at least April after he underwent surgery to remove a cyst .
Severino , a two-time All-Star selection , posted a 1-1 record and 1.50 ERA with 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @

New York Yankees pitcher Luis Severino was scratched from throwing his second bullpen session in camp and didn't take part in fielding drills Thursday. File Photo by Ray Stubblebine/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- The New York Yankees shut down All-Star pitcher Luis Severino due to discomfort in his right forearm, manager Aaron Boone announced Thursday. Boone revealed that Severino has a loose body in his pitching elbow. He said that it's too early to determine whether the right-handed pitcher will be ready for the beginning of the regular season. Advertisement
"We'll see," Boone told reporters. "First things first is trying to get our arms around exactly what is going on in there, and then hopefully we'll be in a position to get him going again."
Severino's forearm issue dates back to the AL Championship Series in October. Boone said the pitcher was cleared and would have started a potential Game 7 of the ALCS.
The Yankees had Severino undergo two MRIs and a CT scan in New York after complaints of soreness resurfaced this off-season. Severino believed he was close to full health, but a new recurrence of that forearm discomfort prompted the club to shut him down.
"There's an unknown right now," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Thursday. "It could be small and a timing issue or it could be more significant than that, because we haven't determined what we're dealing with yet."
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Severino became the second pitcher to be shut down by the Yankees this spring after reporting the ailment in his throwing arm. New York will be without starting pitcher James Paxton through at least April after he underwent surgery to remove a cyst.
Severino, a two-time All-Star selection, posted a 1-1 record and 1.50 ERA with 17 strikeouts in three starts last season.


upi--2020-02-20--Small plane crash kills three near Abilene, Texas

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- A small plane crash in rural West Texas left three people dead Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ The Beechcraft BE20 Super King Air disappeared from the air traffic control radar before 6 @ @ @ @ @ en route to Abilene Regional Airport , Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsford said .
@ @ @ @ @ having an electrical problem before the crash , which killed all aboard .
Emergency responders @ @ @ @ @ plane near Lake Coleman .
The National Transportation Safety Board was investigating the cause of @ @ @

Feb. 20 (UPI) -- A small plane crash in rural West Texas left three people dead Thursday, local law enforcement said.
The Beechcraft BE20 Super King Air disappeared from the air traffic control radar before 6 a.m. as the aircraft was en route to Abilene Regional Airport, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsford said.
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Lundsford said the pilot reported having an electrical problem before the crash, which killed all aboard. Emergency responders discovered the wreckage of the plane near Lake Coleman.
The National Transportation Safety Board was investigating the cause of the crash.


upi--2020-02-20--Federal appeals court blocks Mississippi 'heartbeat' abortion law

The panel of three judges from the 5th U.S .
Circuit court of appeals declared the law banning abortions once @ @ @ @ @ , usually between six weeks and eight weeks of pregnancy , unconstitutional .
Thursday 's @ @ @ @ @ law from going into effect , reinforcing a ruling by U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves @ @ @ @ @ the law was set to take effect .
In December , the 5th Circuit blocked @ @ @ @ @ after the 15th week of pregnancy .
`` [ A ] ll agree that cardiac @ @ @ @ @ before the fetus is viable .
That dooms the law .
If a ban on @ @ @ @ @ unconstitutional , then it follows that a ban on abortion at an earlier stage of @ @ @ @ @ '' the appeals court said in Thursday 's ruling .

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a Mississippi law that would ban abortions as early as the sixth week of pregnancy on Thursday. File Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- A federal appeals court panel struck down Mississippi's "heartbeat" abortion on Thursday. The panel of three judges from the 5th U.S. Circuit court of appeals declared the law banning abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, usually between six weeks and eight weeks of pregnancy, unconstitutional. Advertisement
Thursday's decision will temporarily block the law from going into effect, reinforcing a ruling by U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves in May, just before the law was set to take effect.
In December, the 5th Circuit blocked another Mississippi law banning abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy.
"[A]ll agree that cardiac activity can be detected well before the fetus is viable. That dooms the law. If a ban on abortion after 15 weeks is unconstitutional, then it follows that a ban on abortion at an earlier stage of pregnancy is also unconstitutional," the appeals court said in Thursday's ruling.


upi--2020-02-20--USS Eisenhower, CSG 10 deploy after COMPTUEX exercise with allies

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and the ships and aircraft of Carrier Strike Group 10 left for deployment after successfully completing the Composite Unit Training Exercise , or COMPTUEX , along with several allied forces , the Navy announced Thursday .
The Eisenhower was in port for maintenance from 2017 until early 2019 -- four times longer than expected -- when it departed Norfolk Naval Shipyard for testing and certification ahead of deployment , including COMPTUEX .
`` The Sailors of Ike Strike Group are trained and ready to execute the full spectrum of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rear Adm. Paul Schlise , commander of Carrier Strike Group 10 , said in a statement .
`` Carrier Strike Groups are visible and powerful symbols of U.S. commitment and resolve to our allies and partners , and possess the flexibility and sustainability to fight major wars and ensure freedom of the seas . ''
The Royal Canadian Navy , the French Navy and the Danish Navy all participated in the exercise , which is meant to integrate CSG-10 as a cohesive fighting force .
The allied vessels which participated in several events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Normandie , the Royal Danish Navy frigate Iver Huitfeldt and the Canadian Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec .
`` There is simply no substitute for our integration among our navies , '' said Vice Adm. Andrew Lewis , commander of the U.S. 2nd Fleet .
`` It is the bedrock of our ability to assure our allies , respond to threats and enable global operations .
Our allies ' participation in COMPTUEX directly enhances defense relationships and improves overall coordination and interoperability among our militaries . ''
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ships and aircraft staffed by more than 6,000 sailors trained to carry out a wide variety of missions .

The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower transits the Atlantic Ocean. Ike is conducting operations in the Atlantic Ocean as part of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Strike Group. Photo by James Norket/U.S. Navy
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and the ships and aircraft of Carrier Strike Group 10 left for deployment after successfully completing the Composite Unit Training Exercise, or COMPTUEX, along with several allied forces, the Navy announced Thursday. The Eisenhower was in port for maintenance from 2017 until early 2019 -- four times longer than expected -- when it departed Norfolk Naval Shipyard for testing and certification ahead of deployment, including COMPTUEX. Advertisement
"The Sailors of Ike Strike Group are trained and ready to execute the full spectrum of maritime operations in any theater," Rear Adm. Paul Schlise, commander of Carrier Strike Group 10, said in a statement. "Carrier Strike Groups are visible and powerful symbols of U.S. commitment and resolve to our allies and partners, and possess the flexibility and sustainability to fight major wars and ensure freedom of the seas."
The Royal Canadian Navy, the French Navy and the Danish Navy all participated in the exercise, which is meant to integrate CSG-10 as a cohesive fighting force.
The allied vessels which participated in several events throughout the exercise included anti-submarine frigate FS Normandie, the Royal Danish Navy frigate Iver Huitfeldt and the Canadian Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec.
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"There is simply no substitute for our integration among our navies," said Vice Adm. Andrew Lewis, commander of the U.S. 2nd Fleet. "It is the bedrock of our ability to assure our allies, respond to threats and enable global operations. Our allies' participation in COMPTUEX directly enhances defense relationships and improves overall coordination and interoperability among our militaries."
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is a multiplatform team of ships and aircraft staffed by more than 6,000 sailors trained to carry out a wide variety of missions.


upi--2020-02-20--Browns lineman Gregory Robinson arrested for allegedly possessing 157 pounds of marijuana

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- Cleveland Browns player Gregory Robinson and another man were arrested after U.S. Border Patrol agents found them with 157 pounds of marijuana inside a rental car , the U.S. Department of Justice said Thursday .
Robinson , 27 , and Jaquan Bray , 26 , were charged with conspiracy possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana , according to a federal criminal complaint .
As the two men drove to El Paso , a U.S. Border Patrol canine unit alerted officers , who then inspected their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large duffle bags in the rear cargo area .
The complaint states that Robinson rented the vehicle in Los Angeles on Sunday and had arranged for an Uber driver he met in 2018 to drive him and Bray to Louisiana .
While at the secondary inspection point , Robinson allegedly asked the third individual to claim the marijuana in exchange for payment , but the driver refused and said they would not have agreed to drive the two men if they were aware there were drugs in the vehicle .
If convicted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 years in federal prison .

Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Gregory Robinson and one other man were arrested after they were found with 157 pounds of marijuana in a rental car in Texas. Photo by Erik Drost/ Wikimedia Commons
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Cleveland Browns player Gregory Robinson and another man were arrested after U.S. Border Patrol agents found them with 157 pounds of marijuana inside a rental car, the U.S. Department of Justice said Thursday. Robinson, 27, and Jaquan Bray, 26, were charged with conspiracy possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, according to a federal criminal complaint. Advertisement
As the two men drove to El Paso, a U.S. Border Patrol canine unit alerted officers, who then inspected their vehicle and revealed the marijuana in several large duffle bags in the rear cargo area.
The complaint states that Robinson rented the vehicle in Los Angeles on Sunday and had arranged for an Uber driver he met in 2018 to drive him and Bray to Louisiana.
While at the secondary inspection point, Robinson allegedly asked the third individual to claim the marijuana in exchange for payment, but the driver refused and said they would not have agreed to drive the two men if they were aware there were drugs in the vehicle.
If convicted, Robinson and Bray could face up to 20 years in federal prison.


upi--2020-02-20--N.Y. man pleads guilty in NCAA bribery scheme

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- A New York man pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to charges that he attempted to bribe a college basketball player to fix a Division 1 game in December 2018 .
Benjamin Bifalco , now 25 , of Staten Island , N.Y. , devised a `` scheme to fix an NCAA college basketball game , '' federal prosecutors said .
The indictment against Bifalco was unsealed in September .
The next month the Department of Justice announced that he was among 20 defendants arrested and charged on various offenses , including attempted sports bribery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Colombo organized crime family .
FBI wiretaps captured the scheme to fix the NCAA basketball game , and Bifalco allegedly offered members of a college basketball team thousands of dollars to intentionally lose the game , a DOJ statement said .
Bifalco 's attorney Vincent Martinelli told ESPN Bifalco admitted he offered money to a player to make sure his team lost by more than the point spread , but the player did not accept the offer and it never materialized .
The name of the player and the school have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled for June , Martinelli said .
He could face up to five years in prison , under the statute , but prosecutors recommended six months .

Benjami Bifalco pleaded guilty Thursday to attempting to bribe a player in an NCAA Division I game. File Photo by Batistaya/ Wikimedia Commons
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- A New York man pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to charges that he attempted to bribe a college basketball player to fix a Division 1 game in December 2018. Benjamin Bifalco, now 25, of Staten Island, N.Y., devised a "scheme to fix an NCAA college basketball game," federal prosecutors said. Advertisement
The indictment against Bifalco was unsealed in September. The next month the Department of Justice announced that he was among 20 defendants arrested and charged on various offenses, including attempted sports bribery and indictments against 11 members and associates of the Colombo organized crime family.
FBI wiretaps captured the scheme to fix the NCAA basketball game, and Bifalco allegedly offered members of a college basketball team thousands of dollars to intentionally lose the game, a DOJ statement said.
Bifalco's attorney Vincent Martinelli told ESPN Bifalco admitted he offered money to a player to make sure his team lost by more than the point spread, but the player did not accept the offer and it never materialized.
The name of the player and the school have not been revealed.
His sentencing is scheduled for June, Martinelli said. He could face up to five years in prison, under the statute, but prosecutors recommended six months.
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upi--2020-02-20--German shooting: Police ID suspected gunman; cities hold vigils, protests

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- Germany 's federal prosecutor on Thursday identified the suspected gunman who attacked two hookah bars , killing nine people , as Tobias R. Though officials declined to fully identify the suspect , local and international media , including Bild and CNN , determined his full name was Tobias Rathjen based on his age , place of birth and a website and YouTube channel on which he left xenophobic rants .
Authorities said he attacked two hookah bars in Hanau , Germany , late Wednesday and may have been motivated by xenophobia .
The shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence '' by regional interior minister Peter Beuth .
Rathjen 's body was later found by authorities at his home , along with that of his mother .
Police took his father into custody .
`` This was a terrible evening that will certainly occupy us for a long , long time and we will remember with sadness , '' Hanau Mayor Claus Kaminsky said .
Police said there are `` no indications of further perpetrators . ''
Hookah bars are popular in Germany , authorities said .
Peter R. Neumann , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Study of Radicalization , said the shooter appeared to have had a hatred for foreigners and non-whites , according to his social accounts .
The gunman called for the `` extermination '' of various Muslim-majority countries in North Africa , Middle East and Central Asia , according to a manifesto authorities believe belonged to him .
`` He justifies his call for killing the populations of entire countries in explicitly eugenicist terms , saying that the science proves that certain races are superior , '' Neumann said .
CNN reported that Rathjen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying he felt an `` aversion '' to specific ethnic groups , including Turks , Moroccans , Lebanese and Kurds .
Both his website and YouTube channel were removed from the Internet .
Police said he did n't have a criminal record .
Dozens of cities in Germany , including Hanau , held vigils to memorialize those killed in the attacks .
The event in Hanau turned into a protest , with attendees holding signs decrying racism and xenophobia .

1/2
People mourn as they gather at the Marktplatz in Hanau, Germany, on Thursday. Photo by Sascha Steinbach/EPA-EFE
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Germany's federal prosecutor on Thursday identified the suspected gunman who attacked two hookah bars, killing nine people, as Tobias R. Though officials declined to fully identify the suspect, local and international media, including Bild and CNN, determined his full name was Tobias Rathjen based on his age, place of birth and a website and YouTube channel on which he left xenophobic rants. Advertisement
Authorities said he attacked two hookah bars in Hanau, Germany, late Wednesday and may have been motivated by xenophobia.
The shooting was classified "suspected terroristic act of violence" by regional interior minister Peter Beuth.
Rathjen's body was later found by authorities at his home, along with that of his mother. Police took his father into custody.
"This was a terrible evening that will certainly occupy us for a long, long time and we will remember with sadness," Hanau Mayor Claus Kaminsky said.
Police said there are "no indications of further perpetrators."
Hookah bars are popular in Germany, authorities said.
Peter R. Neumann, the founding director of the International Center for the Study of Radicalization, said the shooter appeared to have had a hatred for foreigners and non-whites, according to his social accounts. The gunman called for the "extermination" of various Muslim-majority countries in North Africa, Middle East and Central Asia, according to a manifesto authorities believe belonged to him.
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"He justifies his call for killing the populations of entire countries in explicitly eugenicist terms, saying that the science proves that certain races are superior," Neumann said.
CNN reported that Rathjen left a message on his personal website saying he felt an "aversion" to specific ethnic groups, including Turks, Moroccans, Lebanese and Kurds. Both his website and YouTube channel were removed from the Internet.
Police said he didn't have a criminal record.
Dozens of cities in Germany, including Hanau, held vigils to memorialize those killed in the attacks. The event in Hanau turned into a protest, with attendees holding signs decrying racism and xenophobia.


upi--2020-02-20--Adidas, Delta Faucet, others prep research projects for International Space Station

Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- NASA is preparing to send a variety of new scientific research projects to the International Space Station , including an experiment designed by the shoe company Adidas , among others .
Officials from NASA , as well as representatives from several companies , outlined some of the 20 projects headed to the ISS on March 2 aboard SpaceX 's Dragon spacecraft during a press briefing on Thursday .
Michael Roberts , interim chief scientist for the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory , said the amount of revenue generated by contracts with commercial partners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
`` This demonstrates a heightened demand by these companies to utilize the unique space environment on the International Space Station , '' Roberts said .
Roberts and his colleagues do n't just partner with Fortune 500 companies .
Evaluators at the ISS National Lab work with NASA and a variety other federal agencies , including the Department of Agriculture and National Institutes of Health , to select scientific experiments that could benefit from the space station 's microgravity environment .
ISS National Lab fields investigations proposed by researchers from a variety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonprofits , startups and more .
As part of the BOOST Orbital Operations on Spheroid Tesellation investigation , astronauts onboard the space station will help Adidas study the behavior of a manufacturing process called particle foam molding .
On Earth , Adidas uses the method to make performance midsoles , the layers between the shoe and sole .
The midsoles are formed by blowing thousands of pellets into a mold .
Inside the mold , the pellets fuse together to form a uniform foam .
When a single type of pellet is used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but when multiple pellet types are used , the mechanical properties of the midsole can be tweaked .
Manufacturing and material engineers at Adidas hope the absence of gravity will help them better understand how different types of pellets behave -- how they move and get distributed throughout the mold -- during the particle foam molding process .
NASA hopes the Adidas BOOST investigation will inspire more companies to contract with NASA for research projects on the space station .
The Adidas experiment is just one of many science projects being transported to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those experiments is designed to investigate water droplet formation and water flow in Delta Faucet 's H2Okinetic showerhead technology .
`` Regulations continue to push the flow rates down , '' Paul Patton , researcher with Delta Faucet and principal investigator of the Droplet Formation Study , told reporters during a press call .
`` So we want to know how we can improve the experience of the end user while meeting regulations designed to conserve water , which we know is a precious resource . ''
The effects of gravity on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and insights provided by the experiment could be used to improve the technology and boost water conservation .
The ACE-T-Ellipsoids experiment is another of the projects selected for transport to the space station next month .
The project is designed to study of the behavior of colloids , small particles suspended within a fluid .
The results could help scientists designed better inks for use in 3D printing .
Another study will focus the ways microgravity influences the production of heart cells from human-induced pluripotent stem cells .
`` We hope to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for producing heart muscle cells from stem cells on Earth , '' said Chunhui Xu , associate professor at Emory University School of Medicine .
The Flow Chemistry in Microgravity project will look at the effects of microgravity on chemical reactions .
`` We found ourselves asking questions like : If you wanted to synthesize aspirin on the international space station , what would that look like ? ''
said Aaron Beeler , professor of medicinal chemistry at Boston University .
`` The answer was always , 'We do n't know . '
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ NASA and the ISS National Lab about developing a platform that could be on the space station that could allow researchers to study those questions , '' Beeler said .
`` It 's a small box that has everything you would need to carry out a wide range of synthetic chemistry experiments . ''
When the Dragon cargo spacecraft blasts off next month , from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida , it will carry supplies and equipment to the ISS , in addition to the experiments .
One of the pieces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bartolomeo facility , an external container that will attach to the outside of the European Columbus Module .
The container , designed and built by engineers at the European Space Agency and Airbus , will offer more space for scientific experiments .
Future projects hosted by Bartolomeo will be able to take advantage of unobstructed views toward Earth and into space .
`` Experiments hosted in Bartolomeo receive comprehensive mission services , including technical support in preparing the payload , launch and installation , operations and data transfer and optional return to Earth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Potential applications include Earth observation , robotics , material science and astrophysics . ''

The Bartolomeo platform, seen here at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, will attach to the outside of the International Space Station and provide additional space to future science experiments. Photo by NASA
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- NASA is preparing to send a variety of new scientific research projects to the International Space Station, including an experiment designed by the shoe company Adidas, among others. Officials from NASA, as well as representatives from several companies, outlined some of the 20 projects headed to the ISS on March 2 aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft during a press briefing on Thursday. Advertisement
Michael Roberts, interim chief scientist for the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory, said the amount of revenue generated by contracts with commercial partners has steadily increased over the last several years.
"This demonstrates a heightened demand by these companies to utilize the unique space environment on the International Space Station," Roberts said.
Roberts and his colleagues don't just partner with Fortune 500 companies. Evaluators at the ISS National Lab work with NASA and a variety other federal agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and National Institutes of Health, to select scientific experiments that could benefit from the space station's microgravity environment.
Advertisement
ISS National Lab fields investigations proposed by researchers from a variety of institutions, including public universities, nonprofits, startups and more.
As part of the BOOST Orbital Operations on Spheroid Tesellation investigation, astronauts onboard the space station will help Adidas study the behavior of a manufacturing process called particle foam molding. On Earth, Adidas uses the method to make performance midsoles, the layers between the shoe and sole.
The midsoles are formed by blowing thousands of pellets into a mold. Inside the mold, the pellets fuse together to form a uniform foam. When a single type of pellet is used, the foam features uniform qualities, but when multiple pellet types are used, the mechanical properties of the midsole can be tweaked.
Manufacturing and material engineers at Adidas hope the absence of gravity will help them better understand how different types of pellets behave -- how they move and get distributed throughout the mold -- during the particle foam molding process.
NASA hopes the Adidas BOOST investigation will inspire more companies to contract with NASA for research projects on the space station.
The Adidas experiment is just one of many science projects being transported to the space station next month.
One of those experiments is designed to investigate water droplet formation and water flow in Delta Faucet's H2Okinetic showerhead technology.
Advertisement
"Regulations continue to push the flow rates down," Paul Patton, researcher with Delta Faucet and principal investigator of the Droplet Formation Study, told reporters during a press call. "So we want to know how we can improve the experience of the end user while meeting regulations designed to conserve water, which we know is a precious resource."
The effects of gravity on water droplet formation aren't well understood, and insights provided by the experiment could be used to improve the technology and boost water conservation.
The ACE-T-Ellipsoids experiment is another of the projects selected for transport to the space station next month. The project is designed to study of the behavior of colloids, small particles suspended within a fluid. The results could help scientists designed better inks for use in 3D printing.
Another study will focus the ways microgravity influences the production of heart cells from human-induced pluripotent stem cells.
"We hope to develop more efficient and cost effective methods for producing heart muscle cells from stem cells on Earth," said Chunhui Xu, associate professor at Emory University School of Medicine.
The Flow Chemistry in Microgravity project will look at the effects of microgravity on chemical reactions.
"We found ourselves asking questions like: If you wanted to synthesize aspirin on the international space station, what would that look like?" said Aaron Beeler, professor of medicinal chemistry at Boston University. "The answer was always, 'We don't know.'"
Advertisement
"So we started talking to NASA and the ISS National Lab about developing a platform that could be on the space station that could allow researchers to study those questions," Beeler said. "It's a small box that has everything you would need to carry out a wide range of synthetic chemistry experiments."
When the Dragon cargo spacecraft blasts off next month, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, it will carry supplies and equipment to the ISS, in addition to the experiments.
One of the pieces of equipment carried cargo ship will be Bartolomeo facility, an external container that will attach to the outside of the European Columbus Module.
The container, designed and built by engineers at the European Space Agency and Airbus, will offer more space for scientific experiments. Future projects hosted by Bartolomeo will be able to take advantage of unobstructed views toward Earth and into space.
"Experiments hosted in Bartolomeo receive comprehensive mission services, including technical support in preparing the payload, launch and installation, operations and data transfer and optional return to Earth," according to NASA. "Potential applications include Earth observation, robotics, material science and astrophysics."


upi--2020-02-20--In photos: Highlights from the week of February 17, 2020 in Washington, D.C.

Roger Stone , a former campaign adviser to President Donald Trump , is sentenced to prison and Trump issues a @ @ @ @ @ a former owner of the San Francisco 49ers , among the highlights the week of @ @ @ @ @ Washington , D.C .

Roger Stone, former campaign adviser to Trump, leaves the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse after his sentencing for lying to Congress and witness tampering on Thursday. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI


upi--2020-02-20--'Stranger Things' widened awareness of rare bone disorder

Teenage actor Gaten Matarazzo III was born with a rare genetic disorder that affects bone development .
And ever since his Netflix series `` Stranger Things '' became a hit , public interest in the condition has shot up , a new study finds .
The disorder , called cleidocranial dysplasia , or CCD , affects only about one in a million people , according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health .
Caused by a mutated gene , CCD leads to abnormal bone development -- most apparent in the collarbones and teeth .
The collarbones are either only partially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to slope toward each other in the front of the body .
The teeth do not come in fully , and the ones that do may be misaligned or misshapen .
Some other CCD effects include scoliosis , an abnormal curvature of the spine ; a prominent forehead ; and larger-than-normal spaces between the skull bones that may fail to close during childhood -- as they usually would .
Not only does Matarazzo live with CCD , so does his `` Stranger Things '' character , Dustin Henderson .
And since its debut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scenes with Dustin educating others about the condition .
One viewer is Austin Johnson , a medical student at Oklahoma State University , in Tulsa .
One day Johnson decided to settle in with some Netflix and ended up catching the show .
He quickly found himself Googling `` cleidocranial dysplasia . ''
`` That made me wonder how many other people might be doing the same thing , '' Johnson said .
To find out , he and his colleagues at Oklahoma State looked to Google Trends .
They found that after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three seasons of `` Stranger Things , '' web searches for CCD spiked .
In the week after season three 's release in July 2019 , online searches shot up by over 94 percent .
Meanwhile , the website AboutKidsHealth -- run by The Hospital for Sick Children , in Toronto -- saw a traffic surge : Before the release of `` Stranger Things , '' the site typically had five to 80 weekly visits related to CCD .
In the week after the third season came out , that number soared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does all that online interest mean in the real world ?
Potentially , a lot , according to Erica Mossholder , executive director of the nonprofit Children 's Craniofacial Association .
When the public learns about rare craniofacial conditions , that can make a difference in the daily lives of people with them , she noted .
`` One of our parents coined the term , 'More sharing leads to less staring , ' '' Mossholder said .
CCD is quite rare , but some other craniofacial disorders are more common .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which affect one to two out of every 1,000 babies born in the United States , according to the March of Dimes .
Yet historically , Mossholder noted , movies , shows and books have often used facial malformations as a way to mark the `` villain '' in the story .
In `` Stranger Things , '' Dustin is merely a kid who happens to have CCD -- portrayed by an actor who happens to have it .
For kids with any craniofacial difference , Mossholder said , it can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see that .
Dr. Christian Vercler is a plastic surgeon with the Craniofacial Anomalies Program at the University of Michigan 's C.S .
Mott Children 's Hospital .
Vercler said he hopes the series `` makes people realize that CCD is a condition that makes kids a little different , and that 's OK. '' According to Vercler , some kids with CCD need surgery to realign the jaw or correct severe scoliosis .
But every individual is different , and those surgeries would be done when a child is older and involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It would be interesting , Vercler said , to know whether the rise in CCD-related internet searches has led to any bump in donations to foundations dedicated to craniofacial disorders .
The study looked only at online traffic .
But , in general , Johnson noted , increased public attention to a health issue can lead to more donations and research investment .
And Matarazzo did help launch the foundation CCD Smiles , to provide dental care assistance and support research .
For a kid with a rare condition , he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be `` huge . ''
`` They 're seeing that they 're not alone , '' Johnson said .
The findings were published online Feb. 20 in JAMA Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery .
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more on cleidocranial dysplasia .

Gaten Matarazzo arrives for the 26th annual SAG Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 19, 2020. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Teenage actor Gaten Matarazzo III was born with a rare genetic disorder that affects bone development. And ever since his Netflix series "Stranger Things" became a hit, public interest in the condition has shot up, a new study finds. The disorder, called cleidocranial dysplasia, or CCD, affects only about one in a million people, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Caused by a mutated gene, CCD leads to abnormal bone development -- most apparent in the collarbones and teeth. Advertisement
The collarbones are either only partially developed or absent, causing the shoulders to slope toward each other in the front of the body. The teeth do not come in fully, and the ones that do may be misaligned or misshapen.
Some other CCD effects include scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine; a prominent forehead; and larger-than-normal spaces between the skull bones that may fail to close during childhood -- as they usually would.
Advertisement
Not only does Matarazzo live with CCD, so does his "Stranger Things" character, Dustin Henderson. And since its debut in 2016, the series has featured scenes with Dustin educating others about the condition.
One viewer is Austin Johnson, a medical student at Oklahoma State University, in Tulsa. One day Johnson decided to settle in with some Netflix and ended up catching the show. He quickly found himself Googling "cleidocranial dysplasia."
"That made me wonder how many other people might be doing the same thing," Johnson said.
To find out, he and his colleagues at Oklahoma State looked to Google Trends. They found that after the release of each of the first three seasons of "Stranger Things," web searches for CCD spiked.
In the week after season three's release in July 2019, online searches shot up by over 94 percent.
Meanwhile, the website AboutKidsHealth -- run by The Hospital for Sick Children, in Toronto -- saw a traffic surge: Before the release of "Stranger Things," the site typically had five to 80 weekly visits related to CCD. In the week after the third season came out, that number soared to 10,000, the study found.
Advertisement
What does all that online interest mean in the real world?
Potentially, a lot, according to Erica Mossholder, executive director of the nonprofit Children's Craniofacial Association.
When the public learns about rare craniofacial conditions, that can make a difference in the daily lives of people with them, she noted.
"One of our parents coined the term, 'More sharing leads to less staring,'" Mossholder said.
CCD is quite rare, but some other craniofacial disorders are more common. Among them are cleft lip and cleft palate, which affect one to two out of every 1,000 babies born in the United States, according to the March of Dimes.
Yet historically, Mossholder noted, movies, shows and books have often used facial malformations as a way to mark the "villain" in the story.
In "Stranger Things," Dustin is merely a kid who happens to have CCD -- portrayed by an actor who happens to have it.
For kids with any craniofacial difference, Mossholder said, it can be "incredibly hope-giving and empowering" to see that.
Dr. Christian Vercler is a plastic surgeon with the Craniofacial Anomalies Program at the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.
Vercler said he hopes the series "makes people realize that CCD is a condition that makes kids a little different, and that's OK."
Advertisement
According to Vercler, some kids with CCD need surgery to realign the jaw or correct severe scoliosis. But every individual is different, and those surgeries would be done when a child is older and involved in the decision, he said.
It would be interesting, Vercler said, to know whether the rise in CCD-related internet searches has led to any bump in donations to foundations dedicated to craniofacial disorders.
The study looked only at online traffic. But, in general, Johnson noted, increased public attention to a health issue can lead to more donations and research investment. And Matarazzo did help launch the foundation CCD Smiles, to provide dental care assistance and support research.
For a kid with a rare condition, he said, the importance of such positive media portrayals can be "huge."
"They're seeing that they're not alone," Johnson said.
The findings were published online Feb. 20 in JAMA Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery.
More information
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more on cleidocranial dysplasia.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-02-20--Funeral set for S.D. man killed in year's fifth fatal grain bin accident

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, Feb. 20 ( UPI ) -- Funeral services will be held Friday for a South Dakota farmer who was killed earlier this week in a grain bin accident .
Christopher Bauman , 27 , was found dead in a bin filled with corn in rural Elkton on Monday afternoon .
Bauman had been emptying corn from the bin , according to the Brookings County Sheriff 's Office .
Officials do not know why he entered the bin .
Local fire crews removed sections of the silo to quickly remove the corn and reach Bauman , o @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaves behind a wife and three young children , according to his obituary .
Instead of flowers , his family has asked for people to donate money to his wife to help care for their children .
Friends have established a Go Fund Me page that , as of Thursday afternoon , had surpassed $ 28,000 .
Bauman worked with his father and brother on the farm where he grew up , according to his obituary .
In high school , he was an active member of the Future Farmers of America .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in agricultural production .
`` He enjoyed farming , snowmobiling , being with family and friends , and talking on the phone with family and friends constantly , '' according to his obituary .
`` His favorite summer pastime was baling hay and cornstalks in late fall .
He loved his J.I .
Case Tractors . ''
His family has invited friends and neighbors to bring their tractors Friday for the procession to the cemetery .
Bauman is at least the fifth farmer to die in a grain bin accident in the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and farm workers lose their lives in grain bin accidents every year .
Such accidents happen most often on farms , rather than commercial grain elevators , said Jeff Adkisson , a board member on the Grain Handling Safety Council .
Farms often are not required to adhere to the same Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety regulations that commercial facilities must follow -- like wearing a safety harness , turning off equipment while inside the bin and never working alone .

A South Dakota farmer was killed Monday trying to empty a grain bin filled with corn. File photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo
EVANSVILLE, Ind., Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Funeral services will be held Friday for a South Dakota farmer who was killed earlier this week in a grain bin accident. Christopher Bauman, 27, was found dead in a bin filled with corn in rural Elkton on Monday afternoon. Bauman had been emptying corn from the bin, according to the Brookings County Sheriff's Office. Officials do not know why he entered the bin. Advertisement
Local fire crews removed sections of the silo to quickly remove the corn and reach Bauman, o the sheriff's office said.
Bauman leaves behind a wife and three young children, according to his obituary. Instead of flowers, his family has asked for people to donate money to his wife to help care for their children.
Friends have established a Go Fund Me page that, as of Thursday afternoon, had surpassed $28,000.
Bauman worked with his father and brother on the farm where he grew up, according to his obituary. In high school, he was an active member of the Future Farmers of America. He later earned his associate's degree in agricultural production.
"He enjoyed farming, snowmobiling, being with family and friends, and talking on the phone with family and friends constantly," according to his obituary. "His favorite summer pastime was baling hay and cornstalks in late fall. He loved his J.I. Case Tractors."
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His family has invited friends and neighbors to bring their tractors Friday for the procession to the cemetery.
Bauman is at least the fifth farmer to die in a grain bin accident in the United States this year.
Dozens of farmers and farm workers lose their lives in grain bin accidents every year. Such accidents happen most often on farms, rather than commercial grain elevators, said Jeff Adkisson, a board member on the Grain Handling Safety Council.
Farms often are not required to adhere to the same Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety regulations that commercial facilities must follow -- like wearing a safety harness, turning off equipment while inside the bin and never working alone.