upi--2020-01-14--Australian Open player collapses in bushfire smoke coughing fit

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Slovenian Dalila Jakupovic was forced to retire from her qualifying match at the 2020 Australian Open after having a coughing fit due to brushfire smoke and poor air quality in the Melbourne area .
Jakupovic retired in the second set of her match against Stefanie Voegele on Tuesday .
She won the first set 6-4 , before leaving the match while trailing her Swiss foe 6-5 .
Jakupovic walked off the court at the start of her coughing fit , before bending over and falling to her knees .
Australian Open medical team members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ escorted her out of the stadium .
`` On the warmup at 9 a.m. , I was having chest pain , '' Jakupovic told reporters .
`` In the match , after 25 minutes or so , I was getting difficulty , like an asthma attack , which I do n't have .
`` So I called the physio [ therapist ] on the court and I was getting better .
After some time , the end of the second set , the physio came again , I thought I would be better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I could n't breathe out on the court .
I could n't stand up . ''
The Australian bushfires have killed more than 20 people , burned about 24 million acres and caused poor air quality throughout the country .
Tournament officials suspended play Tuesday morning due to poor air quality , but said conditions were improving .
Further decisions regarding play will be made by the Australian Open medical team , the Bureau of Meteorology and scientists from EPA Victoria .
EPA Victoria said air quality was expected to be hazardous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improving to moderate Thursday and Friday .
`` As always , the health and safety of our players , our staff and our fans is our priority , '' the Australian Open said in a statement .
Jakupovic , 28 , is ranked No .
180 in the Women 's Tennis Association world rankings .
She has never advanced past the round of 128 at a Grand Slam .
The Slovenian posted several photos and videos to her Instagram story before her match against Voegele , showing the smoky sky around Rod Laver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get better '' on an Instagram post Tuesday , including a photo of Jakupovic during her coughing fit .
Several tennis stars have complained about the air quality , leading into the main matches at the Australian Open .
Australian men 's player Bernard Tomic complained of getting tired easily and breathing difficulty .
Canadian women 's player Eugenie Bouchard took a medical timeout during her qualifying match .
Former world No .
1 Maria Sharapova 's match against Germany 's Laura Siegmund was called off during the Kooyong Classic on Tuesday in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sharapova and Siegmund complained to the chair umpire before the match was abandoned .
Elina Svitolina -- the No .
5 player in the world -- tweeted for the tournament to take action Tuesday .
`` Why do we need to wait for something bad to happen to do an action , '' Svitolina wrote .
`` When we find doctors who say that playing at 45 degrees is not dangerous at the [ Australian Open ] and referees who say that the wet grass is not slippery at Wimbledon , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who certifies that the air quality is sufficient , right , '' Simon tweeted .

Dalila Jakupovic was winning her qualifier match against Stefanie Voegele before being forced to retire Tuesday at the Australian Open in Melbourne. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Slovenian Dalila Jakupovic was forced to retire from her qualifying match at the 2020 Australian Open after having a coughing fit due to brushfire smoke and poor air quality in the Melbourne area. Jakupovic retired in the second set of her match against Stefanie Voegele on Tuesday. She won the first set 6-4, before leaving the match while trailing her Swiss foe 6-5. Advertisement
Jakupovic walked off the court at the start of her coughing fit, before bending over and falling to her knees. Australian Open medical team members helped her get to her feet and escorted her out of the stadium.
"On the warmup at 9 a.m., I was having chest pain," Jakupovic told reporters. "In the match, after 25 minutes or so, I was getting difficulty, like an asthma attack, which I don't have.
"So I called the physio[therapist] on the court and I was getting better. After some time, the end of the second set, the physio came again, I thought I would be better. The points were getting bigger, and I couldn't breathe out on the court. I couldn't stand up."
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The Australian bushfires have killed more than 20 people, burned about 24 million acres and caused poor air quality throughout the country.
Awful scenes in Melbourne. Dalila Jakupovic has abandoned her #AusOpen qualifying match after suffering a coughing fit while playing in thick smoke caused by the #AustralianFires. pic.twitter.com/WAJv6TzTjW— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) January 14, 2020
Tournament officials suspended play Tuesday morning due to poor air quality, but said conditions were improving. Further decisions regarding play will be made by the Australian Open medical team, the Bureau of Meteorology and scientists from EPA Victoria.
EPA Victoria said air quality was expected to be hazardous in Melbourne on Tuesday and Wednesday before improving to moderate Thursday and Friday.
"As always, the health and safety of our players, our staff and our fans is our priority," the Australian Open said in a statement.
Jakupovic, 28, is ranked No. 180 in the Women's Tennis Association world rankings. She has never advanced past the round of 128 at a Grand Slam. The Slovenian posted several photos and videos to her Instagram story before her match against Voegele, showing the smoky sky around Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
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Voegele wrote "get better" on an Instagram post Tuesday, including a photo of Jakupovic during her coughing fit.
Several tennis stars have complained about the air quality, leading into the main matches at the Australian Open. Australian men's player Bernard Tomic complained of getting tired easily and breathing difficulty. Canadian women's player Eugenie Bouchard took a medical timeout during her qualifying match.
Former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova's match against Germany's Laura Siegmund was called off during the Kooyong Classic on Tuesday in Melbourne, due to poor air quality. Sharapova and Siegmund complained to the chair umpire before the match was abandoned.
Elina Svitolina -- the No. 5 player in the world -- tweeted for the tournament to take action Tuesday.
"Why do we need to wait for something bad to happen to do an action," Svitolina wrote.
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Former men's player Gilles Simon criticized Australian Open organizers.
"When we find doctors who say that playing at 45 degrees is not dangerous at the [Australian Open] and referees who say that the wet grass is not slippery at Wimbledon, we must be able to find an expert who certifies that the air quality is sufficient, right," Simon tweeted.
The Australian Open ends Feb. 2.


upi--2020-01-14--WWE Raw: Seth Rollins recruits Buddy Murphy, Brock Lesnar meets R-Truth

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Seth Rollins joined forces with Buddy Murphy on Raw as Rollins and AOP took on Kevin Owens , Samoa Joe and Big Show in a Fist Fight .
The first-ever Fist Fight on Raw was no disqualification and could only be won after the referee determined that one team could no longer compete .
Rollins and AOP attacked Big Show as he headed towards the ring , resulting in a brutal brawl between the two sides to start the match .
Owens used the Raw video screen near the entrance ramp to launch himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rollins was left alone in the ring against Big Show and struggled until he spotted Murphy sulking on the floor .
Murphy was still distraught after losing to Aleister Black earlier in the night and did not leave the ringside area .
Rollins pleaded with Murphy to help him .
The Best Kept Secret would come to his aid , delivering a low blow to Big Show then helping Rollins sending the towering superstar through a table .
AOP , back at the entrance ramp , placed Joe on the announcer 's desk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the table in the process .
The group then ganged up on Big Show who was finished off with a Curb Stomp by Rollins to win the match .
Rollins celebrated with AOP afterwards and embraced Murphy with a hug .
The Monday Night Messiah has now gained a new ally in his quest to dominate Raw .
Also on Raw , WWE Champion Brock Lesnar returned with his advocate Paul Heyman .
Heyman once again guaranteed that The Beast will win the Royal Rumble and prove that no one in WWE is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Championship .
Lesnar and Heyman were then interrupted by 24/7 Champion R-Truth who declared himself for the Royal Rumble and said that he would have no issue throwing Heyman over the top rope .
After Truth realized that Lesnar was competing in the match and not Heyman , took himself out of the Royal Rumble .
Lesnar , while initially being amused by Truth , eventually took out the confused competitor with an F-5 .
Truth , as he was being carried to the back by WWE personnel , was attacked by Mojo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new 24/7 Champion .
Raw Women 's Champion Becky Lynch had a contract signing with Women 's Tag Team Champion Asuka to make their Royal Rumble match official .
Asuka was joined by her tag team partner Kairi Sane .
Asuka , after both women signed on the dotted line , spit her green mist into The Man 's face which blinded her .
Lynch , while still recovering from the attack , said that if she goes down , she 's taking Asuka with her .
Other moments from Raw included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Styles in a Triple Threat match ; Ricochet defeating Rawley ; Charlotte Flair defeating Sarah Logan ; Bobby Lashley defeating Rusev ; Raw Tag Team Champions The Viking Raiders defeating The Singh Brothers ; and Erick Rowan defeating a local competitor after the mysterious creature inside his box bit his hand .

Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Seth Rollins joined forces with Buddy Murphy on Raw as Rollins and AOP took on Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe and Big Show in a Fist Fight.
The first-ever Fist Fight on Raw was no disqualification and could only be won after the referee determined that one team could no longer compete.
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Rollins and AOP attacked Big Show as he headed towards the ring, resulting in a brutal brawl between the two sides to start the match. Owens used the Raw video screen near the entrance ramp to launch himself at Akam and Rezar of AOP.
Rollins was left alone in the ring against Big Show and struggled until he spotted Murphy sulking on the floor. Murphy was still distraught after losing to Aleister Black earlier in the night and did not leave the ringside area.
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Rollins pleaded with Murphy to help him. The Best Kept Secret would come to his aid, delivering a low blow to Big Show then helping Rollins sending the towering superstar through a table.
AOP, back at the entrance ramp, placed Joe on the announcer's desk and Powerbombed Owens onto him, breaking the table in the process. The group then ganged up on Big Show who was finished off with a Curb Stomp by Rollins to win the match.
Rollins celebrated with AOP afterwards and embraced Murphy with a hug. The Monday Night Messiah has now gained a new ally in his quest to dominate Raw.
Also on Raw, WWE Champion Brock Lesnar returned with his advocate Paul Heyman.
Heyman once again guaranteed that The Beast will win the Royal Rumble and prove that no one in WWE is worthy of challenging him for the WWE Championship.
Lesnar and Heyman were then interrupted by 24/7 Champion R-Truth who declared himself for the Royal Rumble and said that he would have no issue throwing Heyman over the top rope. After Truth realized that Lesnar was competing in the match and not Heyman, took himself out of the Royal Rumble.
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Lesnar, while initially being amused by Truth, eventually took out the confused competitor with an F-5. Truth, as he was being carried to the back by WWE personnel, was attacked by Mojo Rawley who then pinned Truth to become the new 24/7 Champion.
Raw Women's Champion Becky Lynch had a contract signing with Women's Tag Team Champion Asuka to make their Royal Rumble match official. Asuka was joined by her tag team partner Kairi Sane.
Asuka, after both women signed on the dotted line, spit her green mist into The Man's face which blinded her. Lynch, while still recovering from the attack, said that if she goes down, she's taking Asuka with her.
Other moments from Raw included Drew McIntyre defeating Randy Orton and AJ Styles in a Triple Threat match; Ricochet defeating Rawley; Charlotte Flair defeating Sarah Logan; Bobby Lashley defeating Rusev; Raw Tag Team Champions The Viking Raiders defeating The Singh Brothers; and Erick Rowan defeating a local competitor after the mysterious creature inside his box bit his hand.


upi--2020-01-14--Less sex may bring on earlier menopause, researchers say

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Having sex weekly or monthly may help women postpone menopause , a new study has found .
Published Thursday in Royal Society Open Science , the research suggests that women who report engaging in sexual activity weekly -- including sexual intercourse , oral sex , sexual touching and caressing or self-stimulation -- were 28 percent less likely to have experienced menopause at any given age than women who engage in sexual activity less than monthly .
`` The findings of our study suggest that if a woman is not having sex , and there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the body 'chooses ' not to invest in ovulation , as it would be pointless , '' study co-author Megan Arnot , a doctoral candidate in the anthropology department at University College London , said in a press release .
`` There may be a biological energetic trade-off between investing energy into ovulation and investing elsewhere , such as keeping active by looking after grandchildren . ''
The findings of Arnot and her colleagues are based on an analysis of the U.S.-based Study of Women 's Health Across the Nation , or SWAN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research aspects of the menopause transition .
The collected data from 2,936 women who were recruited for the SWAN study in 1996-97 .
The interviews were carried out over a 10-year period , during which 1,324 , or 45 percent , of the women experienced a natural menopause , at an average age of 52 .
On average , participants had two children .
In addition , 78 percent were married or in a relationship and 68 percent were living with their partner .
According to the North American Menopause Society , during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical effects of falling estrogen levels , like hot flashes , night sweats and vaginal dryness .
These effects can undermine sexual motivation and drive , the society adds .
Though not directly related to menopause , age-related decreases in testosterone may also reduce desire in midlife women , as the hormone plays a role in sex drive and sexual sensation .
A study published recently in the journal Menopause found that menopausal women typically experience increases in sexual dysfunction , likely due at least in part to these physical symptoms .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to respond to several questions , including whether they had engaged in sex with their partner in the past six months , the frequency of sex including whether they engaged in sexual intercourse , oral sex , sexual touching or caressing in the last six months and whether they had engaged in self-stimulation in the past six months .
The most frequent pattern of sexual activity was weekly , at 64 percent .
After modelling the relationship between sexual frequency and the age of natural menopause -- and controlling for estrogen level , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , smoking habits , age at first occurrence of menstruation , age at first interview and overall health -- they found that women of any age who had sex weekly were 28 percent less likely to experience menopause compared to those who had sex less than monthly .
Similarly , those who had sex monthly were 19 percent less likely to experience menopause at any given age compared to those who had sex less than monthly .
The authors also tested whether living with a male partner -- and being exposed to male @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no correlation , regardless of whether the male was present in the household or not .
`` The idea that women cease fertility in order to invest more time in their family is known as the Grandmother Hypothesis , which predicts that the menopause originally evolved in humans to reduce reproductive conflict between different generations of females , and allow women to increase their inclusive fitness through investing in their grandchildren , '' Arnot noted .
`` Menopause is , of course , an inevitability for women , and there is no behavioral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' co-author Ruth Mace , a professor of anthropology at University College London , added .
`` Nonetheless , these results are an initial indication that menopause timing may be adaptive in response to the likelihood of becoming pregnant . ''

A new study finds that remaining sexually active may help women put off menopause. File Photo by silviarita/Pixabay
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Having sex weekly or monthly may help women postpone menopause, a new study has found. Published Thursday in Royal Society Open Science, the research suggests that women who report engaging in sexual activity weekly -- including sexual intercourse, oral sex, sexual touching and caressing or self-stimulation -- were 28 percent less likely to have experienced menopause at any given age than women who engage in sexual activity less than monthly. Advertisement
"The findings of our study suggest that if a woman is not having sex, and there is no chance of pregnancy, then the body 'chooses' not to invest in ovulation, as it would be pointless," study co-author Megan Arnot, a doctoral candidate in the anthropology department at University College London, said in a press release. "There may be a biological energetic trade-off between investing energy into ovulation and investing elsewhere, such as keeping active by looking after grandchildren."
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The findings of Arnot and her colleagues are based on an analysis of the U.S.-based Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, or SWAN, the largest cohort study available to research aspects of the menopause transition. The collected data from 2,936 women who were recruited for the SWAN study in 1996-97.
The interviews were carried out over a 10-year period, during which 1,324, or 45 percent, of the women experienced a natural menopause, at an average age of 52. On average, participants had two children. In addition, 78 percent were married or in a relationship and 68 percent were living with their partner.
According to the North American Menopause Society, during the menopause transition, women experience the physical effects of falling estrogen levels, like hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. These effects can undermine sexual motivation and drive, the society adds.
Though not directly related to menopause, age-related decreases in testosterone may also reduce desire in midlife women, as the hormone plays a role in sex drive and sexual sensation.
A study published recently in the journal Menopause found that menopausal women typically experience increases in sexual dysfunction, likely due at least in part to these physical symptoms.
Advertisement
For the current study, participants were asked to respond to several questions, including whether they had engaged in sex with their partner in the past six months, the frequency of sex including whether they engaged in sexual intercourse, oral sex, sexual touching or caressing in the last six months and whether they had engaged in self-stimulation in the past six months.
The most frequent pattern of sexual activity was weekly, at 64 percent. After modelling the relationship between sexual frequency and the age of natural menopause -- and controlling for estrogen level, education, body mass index, race, smoking habits, age at first occurrence of menstruation, age at first interview and overall health -- they found that women of any age who had sex weekly were 28 percent less likely to experience menopause compared to those who had sex less than monthly.
Similarly, those who had sex monthly were 19 percent less likely to experience menopause at any given age compared to those who had sex less than monthly.
The authors also tested whether living with a male partner -- and being exposed to male pheromones -- delayed menopause. They found no correlation, regardless of whether the male was present in the household or not.
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"The idea that women cease fertility in order to invest more time in their family is known as the Grandmother Hypothesis, which predicts that the menopause originally evolved in humans to reduce reproductive conflict between different generations of females, and allow women to increase their inclusive fitness through investing in their grandchildren," Arnot noted.
"Menopause is, of course, an inevitability for women, and there is no behavioral intervention that will prevent reproductive cessation," co-author Ruth Mace, a professor of anthropology at University College London, added. "Nonetheless, these results are an initial indication that menopause timing may be adaptive in response to the likelihood of becoming pregnant."


upi--2020-01-14--LSU head coach Ed Orgeron: 2019 Tigers are 'a team for the ages'

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- After LSU completed its undefeated season with a dominant win over Clemson in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game , head football coach Ed Orgeron believes the 2019 Tigers team ranks among the best in college football history .
`` This is a team for the ages , especially how prolific we were on offense , and to have that type of quarterback that we have , to go 15-0 and to beat the teams that we beat , all the top teams that we played , '' Orgeron told reporters Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we answered the bell .
These guys did n't blink .
`` We did n't have a bad game .
We played 15 good football games , and this is going to be hard to beat . ''
LSU beat the defending national champions 42-25 on Monday night at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans , ending Clemson 's 29-game winning streak .
It marked LSU 's seventh win against a top-10 team this season , the most in FBS history .
Orgeron pointed to the Tigers ' explosive offense , specifically Heisman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary reason for LSU 's sustained success this season .
Against Clemson , Burrow set NCAA FBS single-season records for touchdown passes ( 60 ) and touchdowns responsible for ( 65 ) .
He also set NCAA records for completion percentage and passer rating , and his 5,671 passing yards this year were the most in SEC history .
Burrow is expected to be chosen with the No .
1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft this April .
`` If you 're a quarterback right now , you 're looking at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You want to be here because of the system , because of what Joe did -- a Heisman Trophy winner , a potential first-round pick , national champion .
And then you have great receivers to throw the football to .
`` It does say a lot about our program , but you know what ?
We could n't have done it without Joe .
He 's a special young man .
I thank God he came to LSU . ''

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron (L) raises the trophy next to quarterback Joe Burrow after the Tigers defeated Clemson to win the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday night at the Superdome in New Orleans. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- After LSU completed its undefeated season with a dominant win over Clemson in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, head football coach Ed Orgeron believes the 2019 Tigers team ranks among the best in college football history. "This is a team for the ages, especially how prolific we were on offense, and to have that type of quarterback that we have, to go 15-0 and to beat the teams that we beat, all the top teams that we played," Orgeron told reporters Tuesday. "We had a tremendous schedule and we answered the bell. These guys didn't blink. Advertisement
"We didn't have a bad game. We played 15 good football games, and this is going to be hard to beat."
LSU beat the defending national champions 42-25 on Monday night at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, ending Clemson's 29-game winning streak. It marked LSU's seventh win against a top-10 team this season, the most in FBS history.
Orgeron pointed to the Tigers' explosive offense, specifically Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow, as the primary reason for LSU's sustained success this season.
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Against Clemson, Burrow set NCAA FBS single-season records for touchdown passes (60) and touchdowns responsible for (65). He also set NCAA records for completion percentage and passer rating, and his 5,671 passing yards this year were the most in SEC history.
Burrow is expected to be chosen with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft this April.
"If you're a quarterback right now, you're looking at LSU," Orgeron said. "You want to be here because of the system, because of what Joe did -- a Heisman Trophy winner, a potential first-round pick, national champion. And then you have great receivers to throw the football to.
"It does say a lot about our program, but you know what? We couldn't have done it without Joe. He's a special young man. I thank God he came to LSU."


upi--2020-01-14--Aurora, Colo., police arrest teen for weekend apartment shooting

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Police in Colorado arrested a 16-year-old male suspected of a weekend apartment shooting that @ @ @ @ @ suburban Denver , authorities announced .
The Aurora Police Department said it made the arrest @ @ @ @ @ hours after the shooting .
Authorities withheld the name of the suspect because he is @ @ @ @ @ faces attempted first-degree murder charges along with other offenses .
Police believe the 16-year-old was @ @ @ @ @ an apartment party late Saturday .
Among the injured were three teenagers -- two girls @ @ @ @ @ of the victims had life-threatening injuries .
Police launched a manhunt for the suspect immediately @ @ @ @ @ shooting around 11 p.m .

Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Police in Colorado arrested a 16-year-old male suspected of a weekend apartment shooting that left five people injured in suburban Denver, authorities announced.
The Aurora Police Department said it made the arrest Monday, less than 48 hours after the shooting. Authorities withheld the name of the suspect because he is a juvenile.
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The teen faces attempted first-degree murder charges along with other offenses.
Police believe the 16-year-old was responsible for a shooting at an apartment party late Saturday. Among the injured were three teenagers -- two girls and one boy.
None of the victims had life-threatening injuries.
Police launched a manhunt for the suspect immediately after receiving reports of the shooting around 11 p.m.


upi--2020-01-14--Tourists allegedly left feces in Peru's sacred Machu Picchu

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Police in Peru arrested six tourists accused of vandalizing and leaving behind fecal matter @ @ @ @ @ Machu Picchu temple , government officials said .
The Ministry of Culture told CNN affiliate @ @ @ @ @ the damage Sunday at the Incan citadel .
In addition to the feces , workers @ @ @ @ @ as well as a crack in the floor .
Officials allegedly found the tourists in @ @ @ @ @ 15th century Temple of the Sun .
The sacred site is located in the Andes @ @ @ @ @ top tourist attraction .
During the summer , the site receives about 5,000 visitors a @ @ @ @ @ Darwin Baca Leon said authorities were investigating the incident .
Among the suspects were three @ @ @ @ @ a Chilean and a French tourist .
They are between 20 and 32 years old @

In addition to leaving behind feces, the tourists also damaged parts of the stone structure, police said. File Photo by Ernesto Arias/EPA-EFE
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Police in Peru arrested six tourists accused of vandalizing and leaving behind fecal matter at the country's iconic Machu Picchu temple, government officials said. The Ministry of Culture told CNN affiliate TV Peru that workers discovered the damage Sunday at the Incan citadel. In addition to the feces, workers found damage to a stone as well as a crack in the floor. Advertisement
Officials allegedly found the tourists in a restricted area of the 15th century Temple of the Sun.
The sacred site is located in the Andes and is considered Peru's top tourist attraction. During the summer, the site receives about 5,000 visitors a day.
Machupicchu district Mayor Darwin Baca Leon said authorities were investigating the incident.
Among the suspects were three Argentines, a Brazilian, a Chilean and a French tourist. They are between 20 and 32 years old.


upi--2020-01-14--Passenger jet drops jet fuel on California schools, injuring at least 60

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- At least 60 people were injured Tuesday after a Delta airplane dropped jet fuel , hitting several schools in California , emergency officials said .
The department said it had 44 patients from four schools including 20 children and 11 adults from Park Avenue Elementary as well as others from Tweedy Elementary , Graham Elementary and San Gabriel Avenue Elementary .
Another 16 people from Jordan High School and 93rd Elementary were also treated after being exposed to jet fuel .
The Los Angeles County Fire Department said children and nine adults experienced minor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the school but no one was hospitalized and there were no orders to evacuate the area .
Delta representative Adrian Gee said Delta Flight 89 departed Los Angeles International Airport en route to Shanghai with 149 passengers on board when it was forced to turn around .
`` Shortly after takeoff , Flight 89 from LAX to Shanghai experienced an engine issue requiring the aircraft to return to LAX , '' Gee said .
`` The aircraft landed safely after an emergency fuel release to reduce landing weight . ''
Los Angeles City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred around noon when two classes from Park Avenue Elementary School were outside .
Cudhay officials including Mayor Elizabeth Alcantar demanded an explanation for why the fuel was dropped over the school .
`` I 'm very upset , '' Alcantar said .
`` This is an elementary school , these are small children . ''

A Delta Air Lines plane dropped jet fuel over a California elementary school after being forced to return to Los Angels International Airport due to an engine issue. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- At least 60 people were injured Tuesday after a Delta airplane dropped jet fuel, hitting several schools in California, emergency officials said. The department said it had 44 patients from four schools including 20 children and 11 adults from Park Avenue Elementary as well as others from Tweedy Elementary, Graham Elementary and San Gabriel Avenue Elementary. Another 16 people from Jordan High School and 93rd Elementary were also treated after being exposed to jet fuel. Advertisement
The Los Angeles County Fire Department said children and nine adults experienced minor injuries after the fuel was dumped near the school but no one was hospitalized and there were no orders to evacuate the area.
Delta representative Adrian Gee said Delta Flight 89 departed Los Angeles International Airport en route to Shanghai with 149 passengers on board when it was forced to turn around.
"Shortly after takeoff, Flight 89 from LAX to Shanghai experienced an engine issue requiring the aircraft to return to LAX," Gee said. "The aircraft landed safely after an emergency fuel release to reduce landing weight."
Los Angeles City Fire spokesman Nicholas Prange said the incident occurred around noon when two classes from Park Avenue Elementary School were outside.
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Cudhay officials including Mayor Elizabeth Alcantar demanded an explanation for why the fuel was dropped over the school.
"I'm very upset," Alcantar said. "This is an elementary school, these are small children."


upi--2020-01-14--Longtime Chargers TE Antonio Gates retires from football

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates , an eight-time Pro Bowl selection , announced Tuesday on social media that he was officially retiring from the NFL .
Gates , 39 , last played in the 2018 season and recorded 28 receptions for 333 yards and two touchdowns .
He sat out this season after he went unsigned as a free agent .
`` After 16 seasons in the NFL , 16 seasons as a Charger , eight Pro Bowl appearances and many records broken , I find it hard to officially put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game of football , '' Gates said in a statement .
`` I never dreamed that I would play this game of football so long or how fortunate I would be to play it with just one organization .
`` While today I am officially retiring as a Charger , I am grateful that I will still be lending my services to the Chargers organization -- just now in a completely different capacity through the team 's community engagement initiatives and public facing events . ''
Gates finished as the Chargers ' career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receiving yards ( 11,841 ) and touchdown catches ( 116 ) .
He ranks first in touchdown grabs and third in catches and receiving yards among tight ends in league history .
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and Gates combined for 89 touchdowns , the most in NFL history by a quarterback-tight end tandem .
Gates will become eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023 .

Former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates last played in the 2018 season. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, announced Tuesday on social media that he was officially retiring from the NFL. Gates, 39, last played in the 2018 season and recorded 28 receptions for 333 yards and two touchdowns. He sat out this season after he went unsigned as a free agent. Advertisement
"After 16 seasons in the NFL, 16 seasons as a Charger, eight Pro Bowl appearances and many records broken, I find it hard to officially put this statement out and retire from the game of football," Gates said in a statement. "I never dreamed that I would play this game of football so long or how fortunate I would be to play it with just one organization.
"While today I am officially retiring as a Charger, I am grateful that I will still be lending my services to the Chargers organization -- just now in a completely different capacity through the team's community engagement initiatives and public facing events."
Gates finished as the Chargers' career leader in receptions (955), receiving yards (11,841) and touchdown catches (116). He ranks first in touchdown grabs and third in catches and receiving yards among tight ends in league history.
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and Gates combined for 89 touchdowns, the most in NFL history by a quarterback-tight end tandem.
Gates will become eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023.


upi--2020-01-14--Earthquakes hint at further eruptions for Philippines' Taal Volcano

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- The Taal Volcano in the Philippines showed hints of another large eruption Tuesday as it spewed thick layers of ash on the island nation .
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology kept the volcano at the fourth level of its five-step alert , meaning another hazardous eruption is possible within hours or days .
The Philippine Seismic Network recorded 49 volcanic earthquakes in the Taal region between 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Tuesday .
It also recorded new fissures or cracks in about a dozen locations throughout the area .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the caldera region likely signifies continuous magma intrusion beneath the Taal edifice , which may lead to further eruptive activity , '' the institute said .
The institute warned of heavy and prolonged ashfall .
Some areas experienced up to 2 feet of ash .
Ash remained soft and difficult to traverse in some areas while water hardened it in other areas , making it easier to walk over .
Some 38,203 people evacuated from the Batangas and Cavite took shelter in 198 evacuation centers , while seven cities and municipalities experienced power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classes , the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported .
Additionally , three road sections were declared impassable and 603 flights were canceled due to volcanic ash .

The Taal Volcano covered portions of the Philippines in ash as it showed increased seismic activity, potentially hinting at another eruption. Photo by Mark R. Cristino/EPA-EFE
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- The Taal Volcano in the Philippines showed hints of another large eruption Tuesday as it spewed thick layers of ash on the island nation. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology kept the volcano at the fourth level of its five-step alert, meaning another hazardous eruption is possible within hours or days. The Philippine Seismic Network recorded 49 volcanic earthquakes in the Taal region between 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Advertisement
It also recorded new fissures or cracks in about a dozen locations throughout the area.
"The intense seismic activity coupled with fissuring on the caldera region likely signifies continuous magma intrusion beneath the Taal edifice, which may lead to further eruptive activity," the institute said.
The institute warned of heavy and prolonged ashfall. Some areas experienced up to 2 feet of ash.
Ash remained soft and difficult to traverse in some areas while water hardened it in other areas, making it easier to walk over.
Some 38,203 people evacuated from the Batangas and Cavite took shelter in 198 evacuation centers, while seven cities and municipalities experienced power outages and 260 declared suspension of school classes, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported.
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Additionally, three road sections were declared impassable and 603 flights were canceled due to volcanic ash.


upi--2020-01-14--NASA scientists begin chasing East Coast snowstorms

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- For the next several weeks , beginning this weekend , NASA scientists will be on the lookout for East Coast snowstorms .
The team of snow-chasers will use a variety of ground instruments and two research aircraft to study the insides of snow clouds and internal dynamics of big snowstorms .
The so-called Investigation of Microphysics Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms , or IMPACTS , project will be the first detailed survey of East Coast snowstorms in more than three decades .
Researchers hope the IMPACT project , which is scheduled to commence on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ models .
`` Some places having two feet of snow , and other nearby places having one inch -- that 's a big forecast problem , '' IMPACTS principal investigator Lynn McMurdie , an atmospheric scientist at the University of Washington in Seattle , said in a NASA news release .
`` We 're trying to figure out what happens and how to represent that better in our weather models . ''
Snowstorms often feature snow bands , narrow strips of dense snow clouds that produce heavy snowfalls .
Scientists hope NASA 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand how and why these snow bands form .
The instruments on the wings of P-3 , including state-of-the-art microphysics probes , will measure the shapes and sizes of snowflakes , and also record surrounding weather conditions , including temperature , water vapor levels and wind speeds .
The aircraft will also release dropsondes , airborne sensors that will study the changing atmospheric conditions as snow falls from the clouds to the ground .
Several ground instruments will be positioned to study snow clouds and falling snow flakes from below , while a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be used to survey snowstorm clouds from above .
`` IMPACTS will fly six remote-sensing instruments on the ER-2 , effectively making the aircraft a mini-satellite , '' said Scott Braun , research meteorologist at NASA 's Goddard Space Flight Center and IMPACTS ' deputy principal investigator .
ER-2 's sensors -- including advanced radar , lidar and microwave radiometer remote sensing instruments -- will measure the vertical distribution of raindrops , snowflakes and ice particles in the snow clouds below .
`` All this information is important and complementary , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ principal investigator on the IMPACTS project .
`` The data collected directly in the cloud by the P-3 will inform how we interpret the remote sensing data from the ER-2 and help us understand the structure and evolution of the snow bands . ''
The two research aircraft will be flown in coordination so that their instruments will be simultaneously studying the same snow clouds and snowflakes from above and below .
By studying the mechanisms that control the distribution of snow within snow clouds and snowstorms , scientists hope to improve models @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- and ultimately to improve the accurate of snow accumulation forecasting .

NASA scientists will deploy a combination of ground instruments and research aircraft to study the internal dynamics that govern the distribution of snow within snowstorm clouds. Photo by NASA
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- For the next several weeks, beginning this weekend, NASA scientists will be on the lookout for East Coast snowstorms. The team of snow-chasers will use a variety of ground instruments and two research aircraft to study the insides of snow clouds and internal dynamics of big snowstorms. The so-called Investigation of Microphysics Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms, or IMPACTS, project will be the first detailed survey of East Coast snowstorms in more than three decades. Advertisement
Researchers hope the IMPACT project, which is scheduled to commence on Jan. 14, will improve snowstorm prediction models.
"Some places having two feet of snow, and other nearby places having one inch -- that's a big forecast problem," IMPACTS principal investigator Lynn McMurdie, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Washington in Seattle, said in a NASA news release. "We're trying to figure out what happens and how to represent that better in our weather models."
Snowstorms often feature snow bands, narrow strips of dense snow clouds that produce heavy snowfalls. Scientists hope NASA's P-3 Orion research aircraft can help them understand how and why these snow bands form.
The instruments on the wings of P-3, including state-of-the-art microphysics probes, will measure the shapes and sizes of snowflakes, and also record surrounding weather conditions, including temperature, water vapor levels and wind speeds. The aircraft will also release dropsondes, airborne sensors that will study the changing atmospheric conditions as snow falls from the clouds to the ground.
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Several ground instruments will be positioned to study snow clouds and falling snow flakes from below, while a second plane, NASA's ER-2, will be used to survey snowstorm clouds from above.
"IMPACTS will fly six remote-sensing instruments on the ER-2, effectively making the aircraft a mini-satellite," said Scott Braun, research meteorologist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and IMPACTS' deputy principal investigator.
ER-2's sensors -- including advanced radar, lidar and microwave radiometer remote sensing instruments -- will measure the vertical distribution of raindrops, snowflakes and ice particles in the snow clouds below.
"All this information is important and complementary," said Goddard researcher John Yorks, deputy principal investigator on the IMPACTS project. "The data collected directly in the cloud by the P-3 will inform how we interpret the remote sensing data from the ER-2 and help us understand the structure and evolution of the snow bands."
The two research aircraft will be flown in coordination so that their instruments will be simultaneously studying the same snow clouds and snowflakes from above and below.
By studying the mechanisms that control the distribution of snow within snow clouds and snowstorms, scientists hope to improve models designed to simulate the behavior of snowstorms -- and ultimately to improve the accurate of snow accumulation forecasting.


upi--2020-01-14--U.S. election official: 2020 interference will be more sophisticated

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- The United States ' head of election threats said Tuesday that China and Russia will use different , more sophisticated techniques to interfere in the this year 's presidential election .
Shelby Pierson , the elections czar in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence , made the comments before the Election Assistance Commission in Washington , D.C. She also spoke to NBC News and Roll Call after her speech .
`` I do n't underestimate any of the adversaries that are looking at the U.S. elections , '' she said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to learn what works and what does n't . ''
In October 2016 , all 17 U.S. intelligence agencies signed a statement blaming the hack of Democratic National Committee computers amid the 2016 election on Russia .
And special counsel Robert Mueller concluded in his 2019 report that Russia attempted to meddle in the election .
Pierson said in addition to Russia , China , Iran , North Korea and non-state `` hacktivists '' will likely pose a threat in the 2020 election .
`` The threats as we go into 2020 are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This is not a Russia-only problem .
Russia , China , Iran , North Korea , non-state hacktivists all have an opportunity , means and potentially motive to come after the United States in the 2020 election to accomplish their goals .
Pierson told NBC News that U.S. officials were tracking hacking by Russian intelligence agencies .

Russia won't be the only country to attempt to interfere in the United States' 2020 election. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- The United States' head of election threats said Tuesday that China and Russia will use different, more sophisticated techniques to interfere in the this year's presidential election. Shelby Pierson, the elections czar in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, made the comments before the Election Assistance Commission in Washington, D.C. She also spoke to NBC News and Roll Call after her speech. Advertisement
"I don't underestimate any of the adversaries that are looking at the U.S. elections," she said. "It's undoubtedly part of their plan to learn what works and what doesn't."
In October 2016, all 17 U.S. intelligence agencies signed a statement blaming the hack of Democratic National Committee computers amid the 2016 election on Russia. And special counsel Robert Mueller concluded in his 2019 report that Russia attempted to meddle in the election.
Pierson said in addition to Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and non-state "hacktivists" will likely pose a threat in the 2020 election.
"The threats as we go into 2020 are more sophisticated," she said. "This is not a Russia-only problem. Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, non-state hacktivists all have an opportunity, means and potentially motive to come after the United States in the 2020 election to accomplish their goals.
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Pierson told NBC News that U.S. officials were tracking hacking by Russian intelligence agencies.


upi--2020-01-14--Boeing, Sikorsky compete to replace Germany's CH-53G helicopter

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Sikorsky and Boeing have both entered bids to produce heavy-transport helicopter to replace the German military 's CH-53G Super Stallion .
Both companies issued press releases this week saying they had submitted bids for Germany 's `` Schwerer Transporthubschrauber '' -- it 's `` heavy-lift helicopter '' program -- which the German parliament approved in 2018 .
Boeing and Sikorsky responded to a request for proposals Germany issued last summer .
The country estimates it will cost $ 4.45 billion to replace the Sikorsky CH-53G with 45 to 60 new aircraft , which it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed replacing the CH-53G with the H-47 Chinook and offered to deliver 44 to 60 of the aircraft if it is awarded the contract .
Boeing 's CH-47 Chinook , introduced to the U.S. Army in 1961 and developed to replace the Sikorsky CH-37 Mojave , is considered one of the heaviest lifting Western helicopters .
Boeing has sold variants of the aircraft to foreign militaries including Japan , the Netherlands , South Korea and England .
According to Lockheed Martin , which has owned Sikorsky since 2015 , Sikorsky partnered with German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Germany 's ST program .
That bid proposes replacing the CH-53G with the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion helicopter , an upgrade Lockheed describes as well-suited for disaster relief , humanitarian missions , medical evacuation or search and rescue operations , as well as military applications .
Both companies have said if they win the bid , they 'll increase their presence in Germany : Boeing is `` committed to having the sustainment and training , as well as parts of the production , done in Germany , '' and Lockheed said if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rheinmetall will set up a logistics hub and fleet support center at Germany 's Leipzig/Halle Airport .

Boeing and Sikorsky have each submitted bids to replace Germany's fleet of CH-53G Super Stallion helicopters, one of which pictured. Photo by Julian Herzog/Wikimedia Commons
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Sikorsky and Boeing have both entered bids to produce heavy-transport helicopter to replace the German military's CH-53G Super Stallion. Both companies issued press releases this week saying they had submitted bids for Germany's "Schwerer Transporthubschrauber" -- it's "heavy-lift helicopter" program -- which the German parliament approved in 2018. Boeing and Sikorsky responded to a request for proposals Germany issued last summer. Advertisement
The country estimates it will cost $4.45 billion to replace the Sikorsky CH-53G with 45 to 60 new aircraft, which it has used for decades.
Boeing has proposed replacing the CH-53G with the H-47 Chinook and offered to deliver 44 to 60 of the aircraft if it is awarded the contract.
Boeing's CH-47 Chinook, introduced to the U.S. Army in 1961 and developed to replace the Sikorsky CH-37 Mojave, is considered one of the heaviest lifting Western helicopters. Boeing has sold variants of the aircraft to foreign militaries including Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea and England.
According to Lockheed Martin, which has owned Sikorsky since 2015, Sikorsky partnered with German defense supplier Rheinmetall to craft its bid for Germany's ST program.
That bid proposes replacing the CH-53G with the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion helicopter, an upgrade Lockheed describes as well-suited for disaster relief, humanitarian missions, medical evacuation or search and rescue operations, as well as military applications.
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Both companies have said if they win the bid, they'll increase their presence in Germany: Boeing is "committed to having the sustainment and training, as well as parts of the production, done in Germany," and Lockheed said if its bid is successful, Sikorsky and Rheinmetall will set up a logistics hub and fleet support center at Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport.


upi--2020-01-14--9/11 first responders may have increased risk for cancer

Nearly two decades after terrorists attacked New York 's World Trade Center , certain cancers are striking police and recovery workers who saved lives , recovered bodies and cleaned up the wreckage .
This particular group of responders appears to have an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer , leukemia and prostate cancer , as well as a slightly elevated overall risk of cancer , researchers report .
Yet , `` there is no evidence of an epidemic of cancer .
There is evidence of increased risk for certain cancers among WTC-exposed responders , '' said lead author Moshe Shapiro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City .
U.S. federal programs provide continuing care for the different types of rescue workers who poured into Ground Zero , the researchers added .
In the 2001 attacks , terrorists flew two commercial airliners into each of the twin towers , causing both skyscrapers to collapse in a matter of hours .
This new study focused on nearly 29,000 members of the WTC Health Program who belong to the General Responder Cohort , a group of mostly police and recovery workers , Shapiro said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group under study .
Using data from state-level cancer registries , Shapiro and his colleagues tracked the health of these Ground Zero workers up through 2013 .
They found that the responders had a thyroid cancer risk more than double that of the general population .
Their risk of leukemia was 41 percent higher , and their risk of prostate cancer was 25 percent higher , results showed .
Their overall risk of any cancer was 9 percent higher than the general population .
`` There are lots of different things that were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which are known to be harmful , '' said study co-author Dr. Henry Sacks , a professor of environmental health and public health with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai .
The study was published Jan. 14 in the journal JNCI Cancer Spectrum .
The risk found in this study is `` not surprising at all , '' said Dr. Leonidas Platanias , director of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University in Chicago .
`` Some cancers take longer to develop , so we may see even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes by , '' Platanias said .
However , the researchers did n't find any link between each person 's risk and either the number of days they were on site or the amount of dust to which they were exposed , Shapiro said .
Susan Gapstur , senior vice president of behavioral and epidemiology research for the American Cancer Society , said that `` the elevated risk of total cancer and prostate cancer reported in this study should be viewed with caution . ''
She and Platanias were not involved with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As explained by the authors , they were explained by differences in age , sex , race/ethnicity , smoking status and other factors between the exposed and unexposed groups , '' Gapstur said .
Shapiro said that while it 's hard to say what might be increasing the risk of thyroid cancer , benzene has been very closely linked to leukemia risk .
`` There is a lot of evidence of a link between benzene exposure and acute myeloid leukemia , '' Shapiro said .
`` Benzene is one of the main chemicals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the exposures on the site . ''
Sacks noted , `` We 're seeing that cancer in general seems to be increasing , and even now close to 20 years later it 's still a concern . ''
Ground Zero responders should continue to avail themselves of the health care offered through federal programs like the WTC Health Program , Sacks said .
Besides some cancers , the responders also appear to be at increased risk of lung disease , heart disease , post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health monitoring , Ground Zero workers should reduce their overall increased risk of disease by following a healthy lifestyle , Platanias recommended .
`` For example , if you 've been exposed to this and you are a smoker , then the risk is higher , '' Platanias said .
`` It would be important to modify any other risk factors . ''
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about the World Trade Center Health Program .

Smoke rises from the destroyed World Trade Center on September 15, 2001, in New York. Researchers say that, two decades later, first responders who were at the scene in lower Manhattan have an increased risk for several cancers. File Photo by Keith Meyes/Pool/UPI | License Photo
Nearly two decades after terrorists attacked New York's World Trade Center, certain cancers are striking police and recovery workers who saved lives, recovered bodies and cleaned up the wreckage. This particular group of responders appears to have an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer, leukemia and prostate cancer, as well as a slightly elevated overall risk of cancer, researchers report. Advertisement
Yet, "there is no evidence of an epidemic of cancer. There is evidence of increased risk for certain cancers among WTC-exposed responders," said lead author Moshe Shapiro, a biostatistician with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
U.S. federal programs provide continuing care for the different types of rescue workers who poured into Ground Zero, the researchers added.
In the 2001 attacks, terrorists flew two commercial airliners into each of the twin towers, causing both skyscrapers to collapse in a matter of hours.
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This new study focused on nearly 29,000 members of the WTC Health Program who belong to the General Responder Cohort, a group of mostly police and recovery workers, Shapiro said. Firefighters mainly belong to a different group under study.
Using data from state-level cancer registries, Shapiro and his colleagues tracked the health of these Ground Zero workers up through 2013.
They found that the responders had a thyroid cancer risk more than double that of the general population.
Their risk of leukemia was 41 percent higher, and their risk of prostate cancer was 25 percent higher, results showed. Their overall risk of any cancer was 9 percent higher than the general population.
"There are lots of different things that were in that dust cloud, many of which are known to be harmful," said study co-author Dr. Henry Sacks, a professor of environmental health and public health with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
The study was published Jan. 14 in the journal JNCI Cancer Spectrum.
The risk found in this study is "not surprising at all," said Dr. Leonidas Platanias, director of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University in Chicago.
"Some cancers take longer to develop, so we may see even more in the future, as time goes by," Platanias said.
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However, the researchers didn't find any link between each person's risk and either the number of days they were on site or the amount of dust to which they were exposed, Shapiro said.
Susan Gapstur, senior vice president of behavioral and epidemiology research for the American Cancer Society, said that "the elevated risk of total cancer and prostate cancer reported in this study should be viewed with caution." She and Platanias were not involved with the study but reviewed the findings.
"As explained by the authors, they were explained by differences in age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking status and other factors between the exposed and unexposed groups," Gapstur said.
Shapiro said that while it's hard to say what might be increasing the risk of thyroid cancer, benzene has been very closely linked to leukemia risk.
"There is a lot of evidence of a link between benzene exposure and acute myeloid leukemia," Shapiro said. "Benzene is one of the main chemicals in jet fuel, and it was one of the exposures on the site."
Sacks noted, "We're seeing that cancer in general seems to be increasing, and even now close to 20 years later it's still a concern."
Ground Zero responders should continue to avail themselves of the health care offered through federal programs like the WTC Health Program, Sacks said.
Advertisement
Besides some cancers, the responders also appear to be at increased risk of lung disease, heart disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other illnesses, Sacks said.
Besides regular health monitoring, Ground Zero workers should reduce their overall increased risk of disease by following a healthy lifestyle, Platanias recommended.
"For example, if you've been exposed to this and you are a smoker, then the risk is higher," Platanias said. "It would be important to modify any other risk factors."
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about the World Trade Center Health Program.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-01-14--Watch: Ultimate players help break flying disc relay record

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- An Idaho man enlisted the help of four ultimate players to break the Guinness @ @ @ @ @ flying disc relay .
David Rush , who has broken more than 100 Guinness records @ @ @ @ @ recruited ultimate players Mike Beacham , Becky Beacham , Chris Knight and Dusty Black to @ @ @ @ @ previously stood at 8.74 seconds .
The participants each stood about 16.4 feet apart and @ @ @ @ @ line for a total distance of 20 meters -- about 65.6 feet .
Rush said @ @ @ @ @ beat the record with a final time of 6.83 seconds .

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Jan. 14 (UPI) -- An Idaho man enlisted the help of four ultimate players to break the Guinness World Record for fastest 20-meter flying disc relay.
David Rush, who has broken more than 100 Guinness records to promote STEM education, recruited ultimate players Mike Beacham, Becky Beacham, Chris Knight and Dusty Black to break the record, which previously stood at 8.74 seconds.
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The participants each stood about 16.4 feet apart and threw a disc down the line for a total distance of 20 meters -- about 65.6 feet.
Rush said the team's final attempt beat the record with a final time of 6.83 seconds.


upi--2020-01-14--Boeing had more cancellations than new orders in 2019

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Boeing reported Tuesday it had more cancellations than new plane orders for 2019 , a year that saw the worldwide grounding of its 737 Max aircraft after two crashes killed hundreds of people .
The plane manufacturer said it had a net loss of 87 commercial planes after factoring in the likely loss of business with India 's Jet Airways , which went bankrupt last year .
Overall , the company had 246 new orders , not enough to offset the loss of business .
Aviation authorities worldwide grounded the Boeing 737 Max 8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Lion Air crash in October 2018 and an Ethiopian Airlines crash in March killed a collective 346 people .
Investigators blamed a fault in the model 's maneuvering characteristics augmentation system , which caused the planes to nosedive .
Since the groundings , there 's been little demand for the 737 , which saw a 90 percent drop in new orders in 2019 .
There also was a 53 percent drop in deliveries , from 806 in 2018 to 380 in 2019 .
Rival Airbus , meanwhile , had 654 new orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 737 Max .
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun sent an email to employees Monday pushing the return of the Max to service .
The company is awaiting certification and training to put the planes back in the air .
`` We 'll get it done , and we 'll get it done right , '' he wrote .
Last week , Boeing sent Congress more than 100 pages of internal communications exposing communications between employees boasting about manipulating American and international safety regulators .
Boeing said it has proactively brought these messages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FAA 's attention to prove its commitment to transparency and to Senate and House committees in recognition of their oversight functions , admitting that they will raise questions over the development and qualification of its Max simulators and the company 's interactions with the federal aviation regulator .

Boeing had a net loss of 87 aircraft in 2019 after two crashes left hundreds of people dead. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Boeing reported Tuesday it had more cancellations than new plane orders for 2019, a year that saw the worldwide grounding of its 737 Max aircraft after two crashes killed hundreds of people. The plane manufacturer said it had a net loss of 87 commercial planes after factoring in the likely loss of business with India's Jet Airways, which went bankrupt last year. Overall, the company had 246 new orders, not enough to offset the loss of business. Advertisement
Aviation authorities worldwide grounded the Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9 in spring 2019 after a Lion Air crash in October 2018 and an Ethiopian Airlines crash in March killed a collective 346 people.
Investigators blamed a fault in the model's maneuvering characteristics augmentation system, which caused the planes to nosedive.
Since the groundings, there's been little demand for the 737, which saw a 90 percent drop in new orders in 2019. There also was a 53 percent drop in deliveries, from 806 in 2018 to 380 in 2019.
Rival Airbus, meanwhile, had 654 new orders for its A320 aircraft, a competitor of the 737 Max.
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Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun sent an email to employees Monday pushing the return of the Max to service. The company is awaiting certification and training to put the planes back in the air.
"We'll get it done, and we'll get it done right," he wrote.
Last week, Boeing sent Congress more than 100 pages of internal communications exposing communications between employees boasting about manipulating American and international safety regulators.
Boeing said it has proactively brought these messages, and additional documents, to the FAA's attention to prove its commitment to transparency and to Senate and House committees in recognition of their oversight functions, admitting that they will raise questions over the development and qualification of its Max simulators and the company's interactions with the federal aviation regulator.


upi--2020-01-14--In photos: Highlights from the week of January 13, 2020 in Washington, D.C.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , speaks during a press conference marking the 10-year anniversary of the @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
It was announced earlier that House Democrats plan to vote Wednesday to @ @ @ @ @ against President Donald Trump to the Senate and to appoint managers for his trial .
@ @ @ @

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


upi--2020-01-14--Look: Escaped cow blocks Scottish commuter train for an hour

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- A large highland cow was dubbed an `` absolute unit '' by railway workers @ @ @ @ @ onto the tracks and blocked a commuter line for about an hour .
ScotRail said @ @ @ @ @ large , long-haired cow had escaped from the nearby Pollok Country Park and wandered onto @ @ @ @ @ blocking the path of a commuter train .
The organization said the `` absolute unit @ @ @ @ @ slang term for an unusually large person or animal , was `` spotted on the @ @ @ @ @ Sorry if you 're being delayed due to this . ''
Network Rail Scotland later @ @ @ @ @ cow being led away from the tracks by a person with a bucket of food @ @ @ @ @ to the park , along with some of its bovine brethren that escaped at the @ @ @ @ @ delayed for about an hour during the cow crisis , officials said .

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Jan. 14 (UPI) -- A large highland cow was dubbed an "absolute unit" by railway workers in Scotland when it wandered onto the tracks and blocked a commuter line for about an hour.
ScotRail said Tuesday on Twitter that the large, long-haired cow had escaped from the nearby Pollok Country Park and wandered onto the tracks near Glasgow, blocking the path of a commuter train.
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The organization said the "absolute unit," a popular online slang term for an unusually large person or animal, was "spotted on the track at Pollokshaws West. Sorry if you're being delayed due to this."
Network Rail Scotland later tweeted a video showing the cow being led away from the tracks by a person with a bucket of food.
The cow was returned to the park, along with some of its bovine brethren that escaped at the same time.
Commuters were delayed for about an hour during the cow crisis, officials said.
We've moved the animal clear of the railway assisted by @GlasgowCC staff. @ScotRail services are returning to normal, though there is some disruption ongoing at Glasgow Central while trains which were unable to depart are moved from the station. pic.twitter.com/13Imucs0h1— Network Rail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) January 14, 2020


upi--2020-01-14--Not getting the flu shot 'just not smart,' experts say

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Flu season is underway , but it 's not too late to get vaccinated against the pesky bug , experts say .
With some 10 million Americans already sickened by the virus , according to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the 2019-20 flu season already has proved challenging for sufferers and their healthcare providers .
Given that various strains of the virus might continue to circulate well into March , if not April , an ounce of prevention is the best approach for people to protect themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's absolutely not too late to get the flu shot , '' Sam Torbati , co-chair and medical director of the Ruth and Harry Roman Emergency Department at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles , told UPI .
`` Over the past week , here in Los Angeles , we 've seen a huge bump in flu cases , in young and old patients alike .
And we know that nationally , the flu is placing a huge strain on the healthcare system . ''
The current flu season already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it started earlier than expected , Torbati noted .
But the season is also becoming more severe , according the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The estimated number of flu cases across the country jumped from 6.8 million to 9.7 million in the weekly report released last Friday , which covered the seven days ending Jan. 4 .
The CDC has urged those who have n't already done so to get the flu shot .
The vaccine is typically available at little or no charge at pharmacies , clinics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's too soon to know just how effective this year 's vaccine has been at preventing the flu .
The vaccines are developed annually based on projections from epidemiologists about which strains of the virus will circulate during a given year .
Over the past decade , analysis has shown the shot has reduced hospitalizations caused by the flu by between 40 and 60 percent each year .
`` The CDC has put out that there have been four circulating strains so far this flu season , and two are highly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Richard T. Ellison , a professor of infectious diseases and immunology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester , told UPI .
He added that lab results to date suggest that `` there is some variation between the vaccine and circulating virus '' for the other two strains , which is n't unusual .
Based on what officials know about circulating strains at this point , he said , it 's likely that this flu season will `` end up somewhere in the middle -- neither a really good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good news is that Ellison and others do n't expect the 2019-20 flu season to have a second `` wave , '' or flurry of cases as it draws to a close .
According to Ellison , in past flu seasons , there has been `` an influenza A wave in December and January '' followed by a second wave of influenza B strains in February or March .
Given that 2019-20 started with a wave of influenza B strains early , experts expect that the season will likely feature only one wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more effective .
Even those who do get sick after getting vaccinated -- which has been widely reported each year -- generally have less severe cases of the flu , studies indicate .
Plus , Torbati noted , the vaccine is safe for the vast majority of people , with no serious side effects .
Older versions were problematic for people with egg allergies , but this is no longer the case .
`` Really , when you think about it , why would you want to risk missing a week of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he asked rhetorically .
`` Or put your children or elderly loved ones at risk of getting sick ?
Even if you 're healthy , not getting the flu shot is just not smart . ''

As the influenza season continues, experts say the best way for individuals to protect themselves is by getting the flu shot. File photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Flu season is underway, but it's not too late to get vaccinated against the pesky bug, experts say. With some 10 million Americans already sickened by the virus, according to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 2019-20 flu season already has proved challenging for sufferers and their healthcare providers. Advertisement
Given that various strains of the virus might continue to circulate well into March, if not April, an ounce of prevention is the best approach for people to protect themselves and their loved ones, experts say.
"It's absolutely not too late to get the flu shot," Sam Torbati, co-chair and medical director of the Ruth and Harry Roman Emergency Department at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, told UPI.
"Over the past week, here in Los Angeles, we've seen a huge bump in flu cases, in young and old patients alike. And we know that nationally, the flu is placing a huge strain on the healthcare system."
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The current flu season already has had a significant impact in part because it started earlier than expected, Torbati noted.
But the season is also becoming more severe, according the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The estimated number of flu cases across the country jumped from 6.8 million to 9.7 million in the weekly report released last Friday, which covered the seven days ending Jan. 4.
The CDC has urged those who haven't already done so to get the flu shot. The vaccine is typically available at little or no charge at pharmacies, clinics and doctors' offices across the country.
It's too soon to know just how effective this year's vaccine has been at preventing the flu. The vaccines are developed annually based on projections from epidemiologists about which strains of the virus will circulate during a given year. Over the past decade, analysis has shown the shot has reduced hospitalizations caused by the flu by between 40 and 60 percent each year.
"The CDC has put out that there have been four circulating strains so far this flu season, and two are highly similar to the strains in the vaccine," Richard T. Ellison, a professor of infectious diseases and immunology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, told UPI.
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He added that lab results to date suggest that "there is some variation between the vaccine and circulating virus" for the other two strains, which isn't unusual. Based on what officials know about circulating strains at this point, he said, it's likely that this flu season will "end up somewhere in the middle -- neither a really good or really bad year."
The good news is that Ellison and others don't expect the 2019-20 flu season to have a second "wave," or flurry of cases as it draws to a close. According to Ellison, in past flu seasons, there has been "an influenza A wave in December and January" followed by a second wave of influenza B strains in February or March.
Given that 2019-20 started with a wave of influenza B strains early, experts expect that the season will likely feature only one wave, which should make the vaccine all the more effective. Even those who do get sick after getting vaccinated -- which has been widely reported each year -- generally have less severe cases of the flu, studies indicate.
Plus, Torbati noted, the vaccine is safe for the vast majority of people, with no serious side effects. Older versions were problematic for people with egg allergies, but this is no longer the case.
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"Really, when you think about it, why would you want to risk missing a week of life because you're sick?" he asked rhetorically. "Or put your children or elderly loved ones at risk of getting sick? Even if you're healthy, not getting the flu shot is just not smart."


upi--2020-01-14--SUV hits 4,000-pound artwork in Las Vegas

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- A Jeep crashed into a 4,000-pound sculpture in southeast Las Vegas , according to @ @ @ @ @ shared dash camera video footage of the wreck .
The jeep was exiting the 215 @ @ @ @ @ the driver turned into the center median and hit the public artwork .
The driver @ @ @ @ @ and police said there were no injuries .
Police cited the driver for improper turn @ @ @ @ @ care .
The large steel art installation on the median , featuring a head , @ @ @ @ @ .
Las Vegas artist Luis Varela created the sculpture , called `` Norte y Sur @ @ @ @ @ faces both directions of travel , with money from the Clark County Public Art Fund @ @ @ @ @ median art piece 'Norte y Sur ' is going to need extensive repairs after a @ @ @ @ @ over the weekend in SE Las # Vegas , '' Clark County Nevada tweeted .
@ @ @ @ @ on a dash cam by a person waiting at the intersection . ''

A photo of the 4,000-pound artwork on the median of Eastern Avenue near the 215 beltway in Las Vegas is shown before the wreck over the weekend. Photo courtesy of Clark County Nevada
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Jan. 14 (UPI) -- A Jeep crashed into a 4,000-pound sculpture in southeast Las Vegas, according to Clark County government, which shared dash camera video footage of the wreck. The jeep was exiting the 215 beltway onto Eastern Avenue when the driver turned into the center median and hit the public artwork. Advertisement
The driver passed a field sobriety test and police said there were no injuries.
Police cited the driver for improper turn and failure to use due care.
The large steel art installation on the median, featuring a head, was pushed into the street.
Las Vegas artist Luis Varela created the sculpture, called "Norte y Sur," as the head faces both directions of travel, with money from the Clark County Public Art Fund.
"Our 'Centered' median art piece 'Norte y Sur' is going to need extensive repairs after a SUV driver plowed into it over the weekend in SE Las #Vegas," Clark County Nevada tweeted. "The collision was captured on a dash cam by a person waiting at the intersection."


upi--2020-01-14--Watch: TXT shares Japanese version of 'Run Away' video

The K-pop group shared a new video for its song `` Run Away '' on Tuesday .
The video shows @ @ @ @ @ and dancing in front of a place called Game Land .
The group enters another @ @ @ @ @ into an old arcade game .
TXT initially released `` Run Away '' as the @ @ @ @ @ Three Quarters ( Run Away ) . ''
The song appears on the group 's @ @ @ @ @ Dream Chapter : Magic , released in October .
The original music video depicts the @ @ @ @ @ who discover a fantastical world through a door in a pool .
TXT will make @ @ @ @ @ the single album Magic Hour on Wednesday .
The single album includes the Japanese versions @ @ @ @ @ '' `` Angel or Devil '' and `` Crown . ''
TXT is the first @ @ @ @ @ Entertainment since the boy band BTS .
The group debuted in March with the EP @ @ @ @ @ .

Jan. 14 (UPI) -- South Korean boy band TXT has released a Japanese-language music video.
The K-pop group shared a new video for its song "Run Away" on Tuesday.
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The video shows the members of TXT singing and dancing in front of a place called Game Land. The group enters another world after putting a token into an old arcade game.
TXT initially released "Run Away" as the Korean-language song "9 and Three Quarters (Run Away)." The song appears on the group's debut studio album, The Dream Chapter: Magic, released in October.
The original music video depicts the members of TXT as students who discover a fantastical world through a door in a pool.
TXT will make its official Japanese debut with the single album Magic Hour on Wednesday. The single album includes the Japanese versions of "Run Away," "Angel or Devil" and "Crown."
TXT is the first new act from Big Hit Entertainment since the boy band BTS. The group debuted in March with the EP The Dream Chapter: Star.


upi--2020-01-14--Supreme Court appears skeptical of crimes in New Jersey 'Bridgegate' scandal

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court appeared skeptical during arguments Tuesday about whether New Jersey 's so-called Bridgegate scandal constituted a federal crime .
The case involving former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie 's staffers , Bill Baroni and Bridget Kelly , was one of two the high court heard Tuesday .
Baroni , the former deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey , and Kelly , Christie 's deputy chief of staff , were convicted in 2016 and sentenced to prison in the case .
Prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fort Lee , N.J. , by way of the George Washington Bridge , as political retribution for its Democratic mayor not supporting the Republican Christie 's gubernatorial bid .
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit upheld the convictions , ruling Kelly and Baroni engaged in deception when they fabricated a study to justify changing traffic patterns .
In their appeal to the Supreme Court , Kelly and Baroni argue that while their conduct may have been `` petty , sensitive and ill-advised , '' it did not constitute fraud because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffic patterns is not a property interest for the purpose of fraud statues .
The Supreme Court must determine whether the incident could be considered a federal crime .
Justice Stephen Breyer appeared to question whether it was a crime at all .
`` I do n't see how this case works , '' he said .
Chief Justice John Roberts asked prosecutors to explain how the case was an example of officials taking public resources to benefit themselves .
`` Your theory is that by the actions in this case , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
But the lanes were `` still being used for public purposes . ''
Deputy Solicitor General Eric Feigin told the justices that Baroni and Kelly committed fraud when they told a lie to take control over the lanes and use resources to realign them .
`` Unless they lied about the existence of a Port Authority traffic study , none of them had the power to direct those resources and realign the lanes , '' he said .
`` Their actions in this case were fraud in just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud for someone with no connection to the Port Authority to impersonate Port Authority supervisors and order Port Authority employees to realign Port Authority lanes . ''
Some fear the convictions could set a precedent to allow any government official to be charged with fraud for misrepresenting the reasoning behind their decisions .
Prosecutors say Kelly and Baroni were properly convicted -- not because they hid their motive , but because they lied about the traffic study and Broni did not have authority to close lanes .
The other case the court heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch maker Fossil .

The Supreme Court questioned whether the Bridgegate scandal was a federal crime. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court appeared skeptical during arguments Tuesday about whether New Jersey's so-called Bridgegate scandal constituted a federal crime. The case involving former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's staffers, Bill Baroni and Bridget Kelly, was one of two the high court heard Tuesday. Advertisement
Baroni, the former deputy executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Kelly, Christie's deputy chief of staff, were convicted in 2016 and sentenced to prison in the case. Prosecutors said the staffers created traffic jams in Fort Lee, N.J., by way of the George Washington Bridge, as political retribution for its Democratic mayor not supporting the Republican Christie's gubernatorial bid.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit upheld the convictions, ruling Kelly and Baroni engaged in deception when they fabricated a study to justify changing traffic patterns.
In their appeal to the Supreme Court, Kelly and Baroni argue that while their conduct may have been "petty, sensitive and ill-advised," it did not constitute fraud because the Port Authority's power to change traffic patterns is not a property interest for the purpose of fraud statues.
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The Supreme Court must determine whether the incident could be considered a federal crime. Justice Stephen Breyer appeared to question whether it was a crime at all.
"I don't see how this case works," he said.
Chief Justice John Roberts asked prosecutors to explain how the case was an example of officials taking public resources to benefit themselves.
"Your theory is that by the actions in this case, they have commandeered the lanes on the expressway," he said. But the lanes were "still being used for public purposes."
Deputy Solicitor General Eric Feigin told the justices that Baroni and Kelly committed fraud when they told a lie to take control over the lanes and use resources to realign them.
"Unless they lied about the existence of a Port Authority traffic study, none of them had the power to direct those resources and realign the lanes," he said.
"Their actions in this case were fraud in just the same way that it would be fraud for someone with no connection to the Port Authority to impersonate Port Authority supervisors and order Port Authority employees to realign Port Authority lanes."
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Some fear the convictions could set a precedent to allow any government official to be charged with fraud for misrepresenting the reasoning behind their decisions. Prosecutors say Kelly and Baroni were properly convicted -- not because they hid their motive, but because they lied about the traffic study and Broni did not have authority to close lanes.
The other case the court heard Tuesday was a trademark infringement dispute involving watch maker Fossil.
Daniel Uria contributed to this report.


upi--2020-01-14--Demi Lovato to perform Jan. 26 at Grammys

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Demi Lovato will perform at the 2020 Grammys this month .
The 27-year-old singer and actress announced Tuesday on Instagram that she will take the stage Jan. 26 at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles .
Lovato shared a promo photo for her performance and referenced a prior post in December where she said , `` The next time you hear from me , I 'll be singing ... '' '' I told you the next time you 'd hear from me I 'd be singing # GRAMMYs @ recordingacademy @ cbstv @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Recording Academy confirmed the news on its website .
Lovato joins previously announced performers Ariana Grande , Aerosmith , Billie Eilish , Lizzo , Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani .
The Grammys will air live on CBS .
Lizzo leads the field of nominees , followed by Eilish and Lil Nas X .
The Grammys will mark Lovato 's first public performance since her 2018 overdose and hospitalization .
She reflected on her personal struggles at the Teen Vogue summit in November .
`` I love the person that I am today , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see in the mirror [ is ] someone that 's overcome a lot , '' she added .
`` I 've been through a lot and I genuinely see a fighter . ''
Lovato released her sixth studio album , Tell Me You Love Me , in 2017 .
As an actress , she made her debut as Jenny , Will 's ( Eric McCormack ) surrogate , on the NBC series Will & Grace last week .

Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Demi Lovato will perform at the 2020 Grammys this month.
The 27-year-old singer and actress announced Tuesday on Instagram that she will take the stage Jan. 26 at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
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Lovato shared a promo photo for her performance and referenced a prior post in December where she said, "The next time you hear from me, I'll be singing..."
"I told you the next time you'd hear from me I'd be singing #GRAMMYs @recordingacademy @cbstv," Lovato wrote Tuesday.
The Recording Academy confirmed the news on its website. Lovato joins previously announced performers Ariana Grande, Aerosmith, Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani.
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The Grammys will air live on CBS. Lizzo leads the field of nominees, followed by Eilish and Lil Nas X.
The Grammys will mark Lovato's first public performance since her 2018 overdose and hospitalization. She reflected on her personal struggles at the Teen Vogue summit in November.
"I love the person that I am today," Lovato said.
"What I see in the mirror [is] someone that's overcome a lot," she added. "I've been through a lot and I genuinely see a fighter."
Lovato released her sixth studio album, Tell Me You Love Me, in 2017. As an actress, she made her debut as Jenny, Will's (Eric McCormack) surrogate, on the NBC series Will & Grace last week.


upi--2020-01-14--Arkansas woman wins $10,000 lotto days before her 56th birthday

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- An Arkansas woman has won a $ 10,000 prize from a $ 10 scratch-off game days before her 56th birthday .
Vallerie Ahart , of Malvern , claimed the prize at the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Claim Center , a release said .
The prize came from the lottery 's $ 10 scratch-off game , $ 10,000 Stacked .
Ahart had purchased the winning ticket Sunday from an Exxon in Hot Springs .
`` I play the lottery a couple of times a week and purchased a ticket on my way home , '' Ahart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 10 ticket for the first time and noticed it was number 3 on the roll of tickets , which is my lucky number . ''
Ahart said she scratched the ticket off immediately and first thought `` that was too easy . ''
After confirming the win with the retailer , she said she `` started screaming with excitement . ''
Ahart plans to use the prize money to make a down payment on a new home and buy some new cowboy boots .
`` I 'm celebrating my birthday all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as I leave this Claim Center , '' Ahart said .
The $ 10,000 Stacked game launched in December and more than $ 9 million in prizes remain on the $ 10 ticket , including 162 more top prizes of $ 10,000 .
Since 2009 , the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery has provided $ 914 million for more than 542,000 college scholarships , more than $ 3 billion in prizes to players , about $ 266 million in retailer commissions , and more than $ 130 million state and federal tax revenue , @ @ @ @ @

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Jan. 14 (UPI) -- An Arkansas woman has won a $10,000 prize from a $10 scratch-off game days before her 56th birthday.
Vallerie Ahart, of Malvern, claimed the prize at the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Claim Center, a release said.
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The prize came from the lottery's $10 scratch-off game, $10,000 Stacked.
Ahart had purchased the winning ticket Sunday from an Exxon in Hot Springs.
"I play the lottery a couple of times a week and purchased a ticket on my way home," Ahart said. "I decided to buy a $10 ticket for the first time and noticed it was number 3 on the roll of tickets, which is my lucky number."
Ahart said she scratched the ticket off immediately and first thought "that was too easy."
After confirming the win with the retailer, she said she "started screaming with excitement."
Ahart plans to use the prize money to make a down payment on a new home and buy some new cowboy boots.
"I'm celebrating my birthday all week, and I am starting as soon as I leave this Claim Center," Ahart said.
The $10,000 Stacked game launched in December and more than $9 million in prizes remain on the $10 ticket, including 162 more top prizes of $10,000.
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Since 2009, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery has provided $914 million for more than 542,000 college scholarships, more than $3 billion in prizes to players, about $266 million in retailer commissions, and more than $130 million state and federal tax revenue, according to the release.


upi--2020-01-14--Elizabeth Warren unveils plan to clear student debt for 42M in U.S.

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren unveiled a plan Tuesday to fully cancel most Americans ' federal student loan debts , and said she will begin on her first day in the White House .
The Massachusetts senator posted the plan , titled `` My Plan to Cancel Student Loan Debt on Day One of My Presidency , '' to her Medium page .
`` Student loan debt is holding back our economy and crushing millions of families , '' she wrote .
`` We ca n't afford to wait for Congress -- we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one . ''
As part of her proposal , Warren said she would use existing authority held by the Education Department to clear away student debt for 42 million Americans .
`` In addition to using all available tools to address racial disparities in higher education , [ I will ] crack down on for-profit institutions and eliminate predatory lending , '' she wrote .
Under the plan , 95 percent of student federal loan borrowers would see up to $ 50,000 eliminated .
Warren co-sponsored a bill last year that would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incomes under $ 100,000 .
She said Tuesday , however , the Higher Education Act already gives the department power clear debts even if they do n't qualify for cancellation programs , like the permanent disability discharge .
Warren 's proposal goes further than those pitched by Democratic candidates Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg , but does n't go quite as far as Bernie Sanders ' plan to forgive any and all student debt .
Warren unveiled the plan just hours before she and five other candidates were set to participate in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Des Moines , Iowa .

Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren speaks to the press after a primary debate in Los Angeles, Calif., on December 19, 2019. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren unveiled a plan Tuesday to fully cancel most Americans' federal student loan debts, and said she will begin on her first day in the White House. The Massachusetts senator posted the plan, titled "My Plan to Cancel Student Loan Debt on Day One of My Presidency," to her Medium page. Advertisement
"Student loan debt is holding back our economy and crushing millions of families," she wrote. "We can't afford to wait for Congress -- we need to address student debt on day one."
As part of her proposal, Warren said she would use existing authority held by the Education Department to clear away student debt for 42 million Americans.
"In addition to using all available tools to address racial disparities in higher education, [I will] crack down on for-profit institutions and eliminate predatory lending," she wrote.
Under the plan, 95 percent of student federal loan borrowers would see up to $50,000 eliminated. Warren co-sponsored a bill last year that would have forgiven that amount for students with household incomes under $100,000. She said Tuesday, however, the Higher Education Act already gives the department power clear debts even if they don't qualify for cancellation programs, like the permanent disability discharge.
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Warren's proposal goes further than those pitched by Democratic candidates Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg, but doesn't go quite as far as Bernie Sanders' plan to forgive any and all student debt.
Warren unveiled the plan just hours before she and five other candidates were set to participate in the seventh Democratic primary debate Tuesday night in Des Moines, Iowa.


upi--2020-01-14--Chris Young to launch 'Town Ain't Big Enough' tour in May

Jan. 14 ( UPI ) -- Chris Young will launch a new U.S. tour in May .
The 34-year-old country music singer shared plans Tuesday on Instagram for his Town Ai n't Big Enough tour featuring special guests Scotty McCreery and Payton Smith .
`` BIG NEWS !
!
!
!
!
!
Town ai n't even big enough for it !
!
!
!
@ scottymccreery @ theypaytonsmith # TownAintBigEnoughWorldTour , '' the post reads .
Town Ai n't Big Enough begins May 28 in Detroit , Mich. , and ends Sept. 26 in Cincinnati , Ohio .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duet with Lauren Alaina , released in July .
Young is known for the singles `` Gettin ' You Home , '' `` The Man I Want to Be , '' `` Aw Naw , '' `` I 'm Comin ' Over '' and `` Drowning . ''
He released his seventh studio album , Losing Sleep , in 2017 , and has yet to share a release date for his new album , Raised on Country .
Here 's the full list of dates for the Town Ai n't Big Enough tour @

Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Chris Young will launch a new U.S. tour in May.
The 34-year-old country music singer shared plans Tuesday on Instagram for his Town Ain't Big Enough tour featuring special guests Scotty McCreery and Payton Smith.
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"BIG NEWS!!!!!! Town ain't even big enough for it!!!! @scottymccreery @theypaytonsmith #TownAintBigEnoughWorldTour," the post reads.
Town Ain't Big Enough begins May 28 in Detroit, Mich., and ends Sept. 26 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The tour takes its name from Young's duet with Lauren Alaina, released in July.
Young is known for the singles "Gettin' You Home," "The Man I Want to Be," "Aw Naw," "I'm Comin' Over" and "Drowning." He released his seventh studio album, Losing Sleep, in 2017, and has yet to share a release date for his new album, Raised on Country.
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Here's the full list of dates for the Town Ain't Big Enough tour:
May 28 - Detroit, Mich., DTE Energy Music Theatre
May 29 - Indianapolis, Ind., at Ruoff Music Center
May 30 - Chicago, Ill., at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
June 10 - Salt Lake City, Utah, at USANA Amphitheatre
June 12 - Portland, Ore., at Sunlight Supply Amphitheater
June 13 - Seattle, Wash., at White River Amphitheater
June 20 - Irvine, Calif., at FivePoint Amphitheatre
June 27 - Albuquerque, N.M., at Isleta Amphitheater
June 28 - Phoenix, Ariz., at Ak-Chin Pavilion
July 9 - Cleveland, Ohio, at Blossom Music Center
July 10 - Bristow, Va., at Jiffy Lube Live
July 11 - Darien Center, N.Y., at Darien Lake Amphitheater
July 24 - Mansfield, Mass., at Xfinity Center
July 25 - Gilford, N.H., at Bank of NH Pavilion
July 30 - Brandon, Miss., at Brandon Amphitheater
July 31 - Tuscaloosa, Ala., at The Tuscaloosa Amphitheater
Aug. 1 - Orange Beach, Ala., at The Wharf Ampitheater
Aug. 13 - Virginia Beach, Va., at Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
Aug. 14 - Raleigh, N.C., at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
Aug. 15 - Charlotte, N.C., at PNC Music Pavilion
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Aug. 20 - St. Louis, Mo., at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Aug. 21 - Rogers, Ark., at Walmart AMP
Aug. 22 - Dallas, Texas, at Dos Equis Pavilion
Aug. 28 - Saratoga Springs, N.Y., at Saratoga Springs Performing Arts CEnter
Aug. 29 - Holmdel, N.J., at PNC Bank Arts Center
Sept. 11 - Wantagh, N.Y., at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Sept. 12 - Pittsburgh, Pa., at S&T Bank Music Park
Sept. 25 - Atlanta, Ga., at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Sept. 26 - Cincinnati, Ohio, at Riverbend Music Center