upi--2020-02-11--Yellow, black pattern helps orb weaver spiders trap prey

Feb. 11 ( UPI ) -- The color yellow and coloration patterns featuring yellow and black are common among orb weaver spiders that build their webs in lighter environs .
However , orb weaver species that live in dark environs , like caves , rarely evolve yellow coloration .
Now , scientists know why .
Tests featuring cardboard cut-out models of the golden orb-weaver , Nephila pilipes , showed the color yellow and black-and-yellow patterns are quite effective at luring prey .
There are more than 45,000 species of spider in the world , and 12,500 species , 28 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build big nests and camp out in the middle of them , waiting for prey to become entwined in their threads .
Most studies of the evolution of coloration do n't consider the influence of prey on predators .
Usually , it 's the other way around .
`` Our research addresses a surprisingly neglected topic in visual communication , '' Po Peng , zoologist at the University of Melbourne , told UPI in an email .
`` Typically , studies of this topic focus on how specific receivers shape sexual signals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of prey -- warning signals and camouflage . ''
For the new study , Peng and his colleagues replaced real orb weaver spiders in the wild with differently colored spider models .
Scientists captured hours and hours of model-prey interactions in a variety of light conditions .
`` We reviewed the videos and recorded attraction events , which were defined as events where either the prey flew toward or physically contacted the model spiders , or the prey were intercepted by the webs , '' Peng said .
The natural yellow and black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prey .
Researchers found yellow coloration works to attract prey both during the day and at night .
Previous studies have shown many insects can perceive the color yellow in dim lighting .
Scientists suspect insects are attracted to yellow because of its association with flowers .
`` Chromatic properties of various floral parts play important roles in the signalling efficacy of flowers to pollinators , where yellow centers or yellow pollen are common attributes of flowers , '' Peng said .
`` Because nectar could represent food resources for insects , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ color of pollen . ''
Researchers published their study of orb weaver coloration this week in the journal Functional Ecology .

The yellow and black coloration common among orb weaver spider species works to attract bees and flies, researchers say. Photo by Bing Heng Lee
Feb. 11 (UPI) -- The color yellow and coloration patterns featuring yellow and black are common among orb weaver spiders that build their webs in lighter environs. However, orb weaver species that live in dark environs, like caves, rarely evolve yellow coloration. Now, scientists know why. Advertisement
Tests featuring cardboard cut-out models of the golden orb-weaver, Nephila pilipes, showed the color yellow and black-and-yellow patterns are quite effective at luring prey.
There are more than 45,000 species of spider in the world, and 12,500 species, 28 percent, are orb weavers. Orb weavers build big nests and camp out in the middle of them, waiting for prey to become entwined in their threads.
Most studies of the evolution of coloration don't consider the influence of prey on predators. Usually, it's the other way around.
"Our research addresses a surprisingly neglected topic in visual communication," Po Peng, zoologist at the University of Melbourne, told UPI in an email. "Typically, studies of this topic focus on how specific receivers shape sexual signals, or how predators shape the protective coloration of prey -- warning signals and camouflage."
For the new study, Peng and his colleagues replaced real orb weaver spiders in the wild with differently colored spider models. Scientists captured hours and hours of model-prey interactions in a variety of light conditions.
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"We reviewed the videos and recorded attraction events, which were defined as events where either the prey flew toward or physically contacted the model spiders, or the prey were intercepted by the webs," Peng said.
The natural yellow and black colored models proved most effective at attracting prey.
Researchers found yellow coloration works to attract prey both during the day and at night. Previous studies have shown many insects can perceive the color yellow in dim lighting.
Scientists suspect insects are attracted to yellow because of its association with flowers.
"Chromatic properties of various floral parts play important roles in the signalling efficacy of flowers to pollinators , where yellow centers or yellow pollen are common attributes of flowers," Peng said. "Because nectar could represent food resources for insects, the inner parts of many flowers resemble the color of pollen."
Researchers published their study of orb weaver coloration this week in the journal Functional Ecology.


upi--2020-02-11--CDC confirms 13th case of coronavirus in United States

Feb. 10 ( UPI ) -- The 13th case of the novel coronavirus in the United States has been detected in California , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday .
The World Health Organization on Tuesday also officially dubbed the new coronavirus Covid-19 in an effort to ease references to the global outbreak , officials said at a press briefing .
In a statement , the CDC said the patient was among the U.S. citizens who were recently evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan , the epicenter of the Covid-19 outbreak that began in December , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine .
`` CDC is conducting a thorough contact investigation of the person who has tested positive to determine contacts and to assess if those contacts had high-risk exposures , '' the statement read .
The CDC confirmed to UPI that the patient was one of the hundreds of U.S. evacuees under quarantine at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego .
More than 800 U.S. nationals have been repatriated from Wuhan since Jan. 29 , when the first evacuation flight arrived at the March Air Reserve Base in Riverside , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement , adding the most recent evacuation flights landed Friday .
News of the infection comes as the first batch of evacuees plans to be released on Tuesday from the base .
A total of 195 U.S. nationals , mostly workers with the U.S. State Department and their families , will be released Tuesday after none have tested positive for the virus , Riverside County Public Health Office Cameron Kaiser said .
He said two people with symptoms were retested and their results were negative .
`` We are working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every precaution to protect this community and will take immediate action if any person being monitored develops symptoms of 2019-nCov , '' he said in a letter to the local community .
`` So far , no cases of nCoV have been detected , and we do n't expect it to happen , but we are ready if it does . ''
Evacuees have also been quarantined at Nebraska 's Camp Ashland .
Last week , the CDC confirmed the United States ' 12th case of the coronavirus as an adult in Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came into contact with an infected individual while traveling to China .
China on Tuesday confirmed that more than 1,000 people have died amid the outbreak with tens of thousands more infected .
The WHO officially renamed the infection Covid-19 in response to criticism from public health professionals who felt the original name for the virus that has sickened more than 40,000 people in China , 2019 novel coronavirus , or nCoV , did n't reflect the seriousness of the ongoing outbreak .
WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not refer to a geographical location , an animal , an individual or group of people , and which is also pronounceable and related to the disease . ''
`` Having a name matters to prevent the use of other names that can be inaccurate or stigmatizing , '' he added .
`` It also gives us a standard format to use for any future coronavirus outbreaks .

This CDC illustration shows ultrastructural morphology exhibited by the 2019 novel coronavirus, or Covid-19. Illustration courtesy CDC
Feb. 10 (UPI) -- The 13th case of the novel coronavirus in the United States has been detected in California, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday. The World Health Organization on Tuesday also officially dubbed the new coronavirus Covid-19 in an effort to ease references to the global outbreak, officials said at a press briefing. Advertisement
In a statement, the CDC said the patient was among the U.S. citizens who were recently evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the Covid-19 outbreak that began in December, and was under a federally imposed 14-day quarantine.
"CDC is conducting a thorough contact investigation of the person who has tested positive to determine contacts and to assess if those contacts had high-risk exposures," the statement read.
The CDC confirmed to UPI that the patient was one of the hundreds of U.S. evacuees under quarantine at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.
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More than 800 U.S. nationals have been repatriated from Wuhan since Jan. 29, when the first evacuation flight arrived at the March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, Calif., State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement, adding the most recent evacuation flights landed Friday.
News of the infection comes as the first batch of evacuees plans to be released on Tuesday from the base.
A total of 195 U.S. nationals, mostly workers with the U.S. State Department and their families, will be released Tuesday after none have tested positive for the virus, Riverside County Public Health Office Cameron Kaiser said.
He said two people with symptoms were retested and their results were negative.
"We are working with state and federal partners to take every precaution to protect this community and will take immediate action if any person being monitored develops symptoms of 2019-nCov," he said in a letter to the local community. "So far, no cases of nCoV have been detected, and we don't expect it to happen, but we are ready if it does."
Evacuees have also been quarantined at Nebraska's Camp Ashland.
Last week, the CDC confirmed the United States' 12th case of the coronavirus as an adult in Wisconsin, stating it is believed the person came into contact with an infected individual while traveling to China.
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China on Tuesday confirmed that more than 1,000 people have died amid the outbreak with tens of thousands more infected.
Officially renamed
The WHO officially renamed the infection Covid-19 in response to criticism from public health professionals who felt the original name for the virus that has sickened more than 40,000 people in China, 2019 novel coronavirus, or nCoV, didn't reflect the seriousness of the ongoing outbreak.
WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a press briefing Tuesday that the new name "did not refer to a geographical location, an animal, an individual or group of people, and which is also pronounceable and related to the disease."
"Having a name matters to prevent the use of other names that can be inaccurate or stigmatizing," he added. "It also gives us a standard format to use for any future coronavirus outbreaks.


upi--2020-02-11--Watch: Lightning strike on passenger plane caught on camera

Feb. 11 ( UPI ) -- A British man 's home security camera captured the moment lightning struck a passenger @ @ @ @ @ off from a nearby airport .
Daniel Pereira , 31 , shared home security camera @ @ @ @ @ striking the Aer Lingus plane shortly after it took off from Birmingham Airport about 9:30 @ @ @ @ @ see planes going over our house all the time , never seen anything like that @ @ @ @ @ Birmingham Live .
An Aer Lingus spokeswoman confirmed the plane was struck by lightning , @ @ @ @ @ damage and landed as scheduled in Dublin at 10:38 p.m. A Birmingham Airport spokeswoman said @ @ @ @ @ damage from lightning .
`` Aircraft are built to withstand lightning and do frequently encounter @ @ @ @ @ she said .
`` Aircraft are designed to withstand lightning strikes by using static wicks @ @ @ @ @ pass back into the air from the fuselage . ''

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Feb. 11 (UPI) -- A British man's home security camera captured the moment lightning struck a passenger plane moments after it took off from a nearby airport.
Daniel Pereira, 31, shared home security camera video to Facebook showing lightning striking the Aer Lingus plane shortly after it took off from Birmingham Airport about 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
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"We see planes going over our house all the time, never seen anything like that before," Pereira told Birmingham Live.
An Aer Lingus spokeswoman confirmed the plane was struck by lightning, but did not suffer any damage and landed as scheduled in Dublin at 10:38 p.m.
A Birmingham Airport spokeswoman said planes are designed to avoid damage from lightning.
"Aircraft are built to withstand lightning and do frequently encounter lightning during flying," she said. "Aircraft are designed to withstand lightning strikes by using static wicks which allow the electricity to pass back into the air from the fuselage."


upi--2020-02-11--Gallup: Most Americans wouldn't vote for a 'socialist'

Feb. 11 ( UPI ) -- Fewer than 50 percent of Americans said they would vote for a socialist as president , a new Gallup survey released Tuesday said .
The poll , taken from Jan. 16-29 , measured respondents ' attitudes toward voting for `` well-qualified '' candidates from different races , ethnicities , religions , and sexual preferences along with being a socialist .
Only 45 percent of respondents said they would vote for a socialist as president .
Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , one of the leading Democratic presidential candidates , has regularly described himself as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Here , in the United States , we are alarmed by new calls to adopt socialism in our country , '' Trump said in his State of the Union speech this month .
`` Tonight , we renew our resolve that America will never be a socialist country . ''
Atheists received the second-lowest mark from voters , with 60 percent of voters saying they would vote for someone identifying themselves as such for president .
Two other categories received less than 70 percent of `` yes '' votes from respondents .
Only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote for a Muslim and 69 percent said they would vote for someone older than 70 .
Trump was 70 when he was elected president and is now 73 , former Vice President Joe Biden , one of the leading Democratic candidates , is now 77 and Sanders is 78 .
Seventy-eight percent of respondents said they would vote for someone from the LGBT community .
Pete Buttigieg , another leading Democratic candidate , is openly gay .
Some attitudes about voting preferences have changed over time .
In 1958 , only 38 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would vote for an African-American .
In 2007 , a year before Barack Obama was elected president , 94 percent said they would vote for a black candidate .
Survey respondents said they were most open to `` well-qualified '' black candidates ( 96 percent ) , Catholics ( 95 percent ) , Hispanics ( 94 percent ) , Jews ( 93 percent ) and women ( 93 percent ) .
Eighty percent of respondents said they would vote for and evangelical Christian as president .

Nashua, New Hampshire, residents cast their votes on Tuesday, February 11, 2020. A new Gallup poll found that Americans Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Fewer than 50 percent of Americans said they would vote for a socialist as president, a new Gallup survey released Tuesday said. The poll, taken from Jan. 16-29, measured respondents' attitudes toward voting for "well-qualified" candidates from different races, ethnicities, religions, and sexual preferences along with being a socialist. Advertisement
Only 45 percent of respondents said they would vote for a socialist as president.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., one of the leading Democratic presidential candidates, has regularly described himself as a "Democratic Socialist."
President Donald Trump has spoken against socialism.
"Here, in the United States, we are alarmed by new calls to adopt socialism in our country," Trump said in his State of the Union speech this month. "Tonight, we renew our resolve that America will never be a socialist country."
Atheists received the second-lowest mark from voters, with 60 percent of voters saying they would vote for someone identifying themselves as such for president.
Two other categories received less than 70 percent of "yes" votes from respondents. Only 66 percent of respondents said they would vote for a Muslim and 69 percent said they would vote for someone older than 70.
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Trump was 70 when he was elected president and is now 73, former Vice President Joe Biden, one of the leading Democratic candidates, is now 77 and Sanders is 78.
Seventy-eight percent of respondents said they would vote for someone from the LGBT community. Pete Buttigieg, another leading Democratic candidate, is openly gay.
Some attitudes about voting preferences have changed over time. In 1958, only 38 percent in the Gallup poll said they would vote for an African-American. In 2007, a year before Barack Obama was elected president, 94 percent said they would vote for a black candidate.
Survey respondents said they were most open to "well-qualified" black candidates (96 percent), Catholics (95 percent), Hispanics (94 percent), Jews (93 percent) and women (93 percent). Eighty percent of respondents said they would vote for and evangelical Christian as president.


upi--2020-02-11--Watch: Transit officials warn against riding outside San Francisco trains

Feb. 11 ( UPI ) -- Transit officials in San Francisco are warning residents about dangerous behavior after videos emerged @ @ @ @ @ rides on the outside of trains .
Videos filmed from both outside and inside a @ @ @ @ @ during the weekend showing a man standing on the hooks outside the train and taking @ @ @ @ @ recent video shows another man holding a skateboard while performing a similar train surfing stunt @ @ @ @ @ San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency , which oversees the Muni trains , said the behavior @ @ @ @ @ and the agency is working on a public awareness campaign to prevent people from duplicating @ @ @ @ @ ca n't regulate stupidity but I think that just a little common sense impart on @ @ @ @ @ a long way , '' the representative told KRON-TV .

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Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Transit officials in San Francisco are warning residents about dangerous behavior after videos emerged online showing people hitching free rides on the outside of trains.
Videos filmed from both outside and inside a San Francisco Muni train emerged during the weekend showing a man standing on the hooks outside the train and taking a free ride.
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Another recent video shows another man holding a skateboard while performing a similar train surfing stunt.
A representative for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, which oversees the Muni trains, said the behavior in the videos is dangerous and the agency is working on a public awareness campaign to prevent people from duplicating the stunts.
"You can't regulate stupidity but I think that just a little common sense impart on all of us can go a long way," the representative told KRON-TV.


upi--2020-02-11--Look: NCT 127 teases 'Neo Zone' album

Look: NCT 127 teases 'Neo Zone' album

Feb. 11 ( UPI ) -- South Korean boy band NCT 127 is gearing up to release a new album @ @ @ @ @ a subunit of the boy band NCT , shared a teaser Tuesday on Twitter for @ @ @ @ @ Zone .
The preview opens with a shot of static on an old TV .
@ @ @ @ @ of NCT 127 's music .
NCT 127 previously shared a logo for the album @ @ @ @ @ a symbol .
NCT 127 will release Neo Zone and the new single `` Kick @ @ @ @ @ .
Pre-orders for the album begin Friday .
NCT 127 is known for the singles @ @ @ @ @ Cherry Bomb , '' `` Regular '' and `` Superhuman . ''
The group released @ @ @ @ @ We Are Superhuman , in May .

Feb. 11 (UPI) -- South Korean boy band NCT 127 is gearing up to release a new album.
The K-pop group, a subunit of the boy band NCT, shared a teaser Tuesday on Twitter for the album, titled Neo Zone.
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The preview opens with a shot of static on an old TV. The different channels feature clips of NCT 127's music.
NCT 127 previously shared a logo for the album that features the title and a symbol.
NCT 127 will release Neo Zone and the new single "Kick It" on March 6. Pre-orders for the album begin Friday.
NCT 127 is known for the singles "Limitless," "Cherry Bomb," "Regular" and "Superhuman." The group released its most recent EP, We Are Superhuman, in May.
NCT 127 consists of Taeil, Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Winwin, Jungwoo, Mark and Haechan.


upi--2020-02-12--Blues' Jay Bouwmeester has heart episode, collapses on bench

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester had a heart episode and collapsed on the bench during a game against the Anaheim Ducks , forcing the contest to be postponed .
Bouwmeester was stabilized , conscious and alert at a local hospital Tuesday night .
Officials stopped the game in the first period at the Honda Center in Anaheim , Calif. '' With 7:50 remaining in the first period of our game [ Tuesday ] , Jay Bouwmeester suffered a cardiac episode and collapsed on our bench after completing his shift , '' Doug Armstrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general manager , said in a news release .
`` Thankfully , with the quick response of our medical trainers , Anaheim medical trainers and their team physicians , they were able to stabilize Jay .
`` He was alert and moving all of his extremities as he was transported to UC Irvine Medical Center .
Currently , Jay is conscious and alert as he undergoes further testing by Anaheim 's physicians .
We will update Jay 's condition on Wednesday morning . ''
Bouwmeester , 36 , completed a 1:20 shift on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His teammate Vince Dunn shouted and waved for medical attention after watching Bouwmeester fall .
Both teams then went back to their locker rooms before the game was called off .
Bouwmeester signed a one-year , $ 3.25 million contract with the Blues in April .
He joined the franchise during the 2012-13 season and was part of their Stanley Cup winning run last season .
The 17-year veteran began his NHL career in 2002 with the Florida Panthers .
He also played for the Calgary Flames before joining the Blues .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ducks will be made up at a later date .
St. Louis travels to face the Vegas Golden Knights at 10 p.m. EST Thursday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas .

St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester is in his 17th NHL season. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 12 (UPI) -- St. Louis Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester had a heart episode and collapsed on the bench during a game against the Anaheim Ducks, forcing the contest to be postponed. Bouwmeester was stabilized, conscious and alert at a local hospital Tuesday night. Officials stopped the game in the first period at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Advertisement
"With 7:50 remaining in the first period of our game [Tuesday], Jay Bouwmeester suffered a cardiac episode and collapsed on our bench after completing his shift," Doug Armstrong, Blues president of hockey operations and general manager, said in a news release. "Thankfully, with the quick response of our medical trainers, Anaheim medical trainers and their team physicians, they were able to stabilize Jay.
"He was alert and moving all of his extremities as he was transported to UC Irvine Medical Center. Currently, Jay is conscious and alert as he undergoes further testing by Anaheim's physicians. We will update Jay's condition on Wednesday morning."
Bouwmeester, 36, completed a 1:20 shift on the ice before heading to the bench. His teammate Vince Dunn shouted and waved for medical attention after watching Bouwmeester fall. Both teams then went back to their locker rooms before the game was called off.
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Bouwmeester signed a one-year, $3.25 million contract with the Blues in April. He joined the franchise during the 2012-13 season and was part of their Stanley Cup winning run last season. The 17-year veteran began his NHL career in 2002 with the Florida Panthers. He also played for the Calgary Flames before joining the Blues.
The Blues said the game against the Ducks will be made up at a later date. St. Louis travels to face the Vegas Golden Knights at 10 p.m. EST Thursday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.


upi--2020-02-12--ExxonMobil refinery in Louisiana catches fire

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- Authorities are investigating the cause of a major fire at an ExxonMobil refinery in Louisiana late Tuesday night .
Officials said the fire started at the facility in Baton Rouge just before midnight Tuesday .
The refinery , the fifth-largest in the nation , is located near the Mississippi River and produces gasoline , jet fuel and diesel while its chemical plant makes paint , adhesives , plastic milk jugs and other common items .
The orange blaze illuminated the sky and frightened nearby residents but plant officials said there was no impact for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen for miles .
`` The fire was contained to the area where it occurred , '' ExxonMobil said in a Twitter post .
`` There are no reported injuries .
We are actively monitoring the facility fence line and surrounding areas of the [ North Baton Rouge ] community .
At this point , all readings are non-detect . ''
ExxonMobil officials said an investigation into the fire will begin when the blaze is out , but ruled out the possibility it was started by an explosion .
`` Our focus is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safely as possible , '' ExxonMobil spokeswoman Stephanie Cargile said .
ExxonMobil has long been one of the largest employers in southeastern Louisiana .
The company said the refinery has more than 3,000 workers and contractors .

Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Authorities are investigating the cause of a major fire at an ExxonMobil refinery in Louisiana late Tuesday night.
Officials said the fire started at the facility in Baton Rouge just before midnight Tuesday. The refinery, the fifth-largest in the nation, is located near the Mississippi River and produces gasoline, jet fuel and diesel while its chemical plant makes paint, adhesives, plastic milk jugs and other common items.
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The orange blaze illuminated the sky and frightened nearby residents but plant officials said there was no impact for air quality. The fire could be seen for miles.
"The fire was contained to the area where it occurred," ExxonMobil said in a Twitter post. "There are no reported injuries. We are actively monitoring the facility fence line and surrounding areas of the [North Baton Rouge] community. At this point, all readings are non-detect."
ExxonMobil officials said an investigation into the fire will begin when the blaze is out, but ruled out the possibility it was started by an explosion.
"Our focus is on extinguishing the fire as quickly and safely as possible," ExxonMobil spokeswoman Stephanie Cargile said.
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ExxonMobil has long been one of the largest employers in southeastern Louisiana. The company said the refinery has more than 3,000 workers and contractors.


upi--2020-02-12--Bernie Sanders wins in New Hampshire; Buttigieg and Klobuchar in top 3

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders narrowly won the Democratic New Hampshire primary Tuesday night over Pete Buttigieg -- but the real surprises were the strong finish of Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and weak performances of former Vice President Joe Biden and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren .
Sanders won 26 percent of the vote with 97 percent of votes counted .
Buttigieg , the former mayor of South Bend , Ind.
, earned 24 percent and Klobuchar 20 percent .
Sanders and Buttigieg won nine delegates each and Klobuchar six .
Warren , who was expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hampshire , won just 9 percent of the votes and Biden 8 percent .
Neither won a single state delegate .
`` We just won the New Hampshire primary .
What we have done together here is nothing short of the beginning of a political revolution , '' Sanders ' campaign wrote on Twitter .
Speaking to supporters , Sanders cited his strong performance in Iowa and set his sights on upcoming primaries .
`` With victories behind us , popular vote in Iowa and victory here tonight , we 're going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those states , '' he said .
Buttigieg congratulated Sanders on his performance and said he has long been an admirer of the senator .
`` I admired Sen. Sanders when I was a high school student .
I respect him greatly to this day and I congratulate him on his strong showing tonight , '' he said .
`` My heart is full .
We have beaten the odds every step of the way -- with our merits , ideas and hard work , '' Klobuchar tweeted .
`` Tonight in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out ...
I came back and we delivered , '' she said in a speech to supporters .
Businessman Tom Steyer won 4 percent and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii and businessman Andrew Yang each received 3 percent .
Yang ended his presidential bid Tuesday night , saying he did n't anticipate receiving the necessary support to win the race .
`` I am a numbers guy , '' he said .
`` In most of these states , I 'm not going to be at a threshold where I get delegates which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ productive in terms of furthering the goals of this campaign . ''
Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado also dropped out of the race after poor returns in New Hampshire .
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was n't on the ballot due to his late entry into the race .
The Democratic field stumped Monday in the key New England state following a debate there Friday and a rally by President Donald Trump , who easily carried the New Hampshire Republican primary .
The second nominating contest of the year firmly placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Democratic race and added a much needed boost for Klobuchar , who finished fifth in Iowa .
While Biden and Warren ca n't yet be counted out , they clearly need strong performances in Nevada on Feb. 22 and South Carolina on Feb. 29 to remain serious contenders for the Democratic nomination .
`` We 're staying in this fight for the people who are counting on us , '' Warren said Tuesday night .
`` Tomorrow morning , we 'll wake up and fight twice as hard , together .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ long haul . ''
`` A young girl came up to me tonight and said , ' I 'm a broke college student with a lot of student loan debt .
I checked and I have $ 6 in the bank , so I just gave $ 3 to keep you in this fight , ' '' she added .
`` Iowa and New Hampshire were just the beginning , '' Biden said .
`` Now , we 're taking this campaign to Nevada and South Carolina , and we have to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 99.9 % -- that 's the percentage of African-American voters who have not yet had a chance to vote in this nomination process .
You can not and should not win the Democratic nomination for president without the support of black and brown voters . ''

1/8
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders waves to supporters Tuesday night at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, N.H. Photo by Matthew Healey/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders narrowly won the Democratic New Hampshire primary Tuesday night over Pete Buttigieg -- but the real surprises were the strong finish of Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and weak performances of former Vice President Joe Biden and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Sanders won 26 percent of the vote with 97 percent of votes counted. Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., earned 24 percent and Klobuchar 20 percent. Sanders and Buttigieg won nine delegates each and Klobuchar six. Advertisement
Warren, who was expected by many to do well in New Hampshire, won just 9 percent of the votes and Biden 8 percent. Neither won a single state delegate.
"We just won the New Hampshire primary. What we have done together here is nothing short of the beginning of a political revolution," Sanders' campaign wrote on Twitter.
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Speaking to supporters, Sanders cited his strong performance in Iowa and set his sights on upcoming primaries.
"With victories behind us, popular vote in Iowa and victory here tonight, we're going to Nevada, we're going to win those states," he said.
Buttigieg congratulated Sanders on his performance and said he has long been an admirer of the senator.
"I admired Sen. Sanders when I was a high school student. I respect him greatly to this day, and I congratulate him on his strong showing tonight," he said.
"My heart is full. We have beaten the odds every step of the way -- with our merits, ideas and hard work," Klobuchar tweeted.
"Tonight in New Hampshire, as everyone has counted us out ... I came back and we delivered," she said in a speech to supporters.
Businessman Tom Steyer won 4 percent of the vote, and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii and businessman Andrew Yang each received 3 percent. Yang ended his presidential bid Tuesday night, saying he didn't anticipate receiving the necessary support to win the race.
"I am a numbers guy," he said. "In most of these states, I'm not going to be at a threshold where I get delegates, which makes sticking around not necessarily helpful or productive in terms of furthering the goals of this campaign."
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Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado also dropped out of the race after poor returns in New Hampshire. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg wasn't on the ballot due to his late entry into the race.
The Democratic field stumped Monday in the key New England state following a debate there Friday and a rally by President Donald Trump, who easily carried the New Hampshire Republican primary.
The second nominating contest of the year firmly placed Sanders and Buttigieg as the clear front-runners in the Democratic race and added a boost for Klobuchar, who finished fifth in Iowa. While Biden and Warren can't be counted out, they clearly need strong performances in Nevada on Feb. 22 and South Carolina on Feb. 29 to remain serious contenders for the Democratic nomination to challenge Trump.
"We're staying in this fight for the people who are counting on us," Warren said Tuesday night. "Tomorrow morning, we'll wake up and fight twice as hard, together. ... Our campaign is built for the long haul.
"A young girl came up to me tonight and said, 'I'm a broke college student with a lot of student loan debt. I checked and I have $6 in the bank, so I just gave $3 to keep you in this fight,'" she added.
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"Iowa and New Hampshire were just the beginning," Biden said. "Now, we're taking this campaign to Nevada and South Carolina, and we have to give it all we've got.
"99.9 percent -- that's the percentage of African-American voters who have not yet had a chance to vote in this nomination process. You cannot and should not win the Democratic nomination for president without the support of black and brown voters."


upi--2020-02-12--Michigan State to hire Colorado's Mel Tucker as football coach

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- Michigan State is planning to hire Mel Tucker as their next football coach .
Sources told The Athletic , the Detroit Free Press and 247 Sports Wednesday that the school reached an agreement to hire away Tucker from the University of Colorado .
The addition of Tucker ends the Spartans ' high-profile search to replace longtime coach Mark Dantonio , who abruptly resigned Feb. 4 .
Sources told The Athletic Tucker is expected to receive an annual salary of more than $ 5 million .
Tucker , 48 , has one season of college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign at Colorado last season .
He spent the 2015 season as an assistant head coach and defensive backs coach at Alabama .
He was the defensive coordinator at Georgia from 2016 through 2018 .
Tucker also spent more than a decade in the NFL as a defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns , Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears .
Tucker began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Michigan State in 1997 and coached defensive backs at Miami University in 1999 before taking the same job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defensive backs coach at Ohio State from 2001 through 2003 before being promoted to the Buckeyes ' co-defensive coordinator .
Tucker accepted a job from the Browns the following season .
Tucker served on the same coaching staff as Dantonio and fellow Spartans coaching candidate Luke Fickell while with the Buckeyes in 2003 .
Fickell turned down an offer to become the Spartans ' next coach earlier this week , opting to stay at Cincinnati .
Colorado ranked 100 out of 130 teams in points per game last season .
They ranked 96th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their 2020 regular season against Northwestern on Sept. 5 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing , Mich .

Mel Tucker coached Colorado to a 5-7 record in 2019. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Michigan State is planning to hire Mel Tucker as their next football coach. Sources told The Athletic, the Detroit Free Press and 247 Sports Wednesday that the school reached an agreement to hire away Tucker from the University of Colorado. The addition of Tucker ends the Spartans' high-profile search to replace longtime coach Mark Dantonio, who abruptly resigned Feb. 4. Advertisement
Sources told The Athletic Tucker is expected to receive an annual salary of more than $5 million.
Tucker, 48, has one season of college football head coaching experience, a 5-7 campaign at Colorado last season. He spent the 2015 season as an assistant head coach and defensive backs coach at Alabama. He was the defensive coordinator at Georgia from 2016 through 2018.
Tucker also spent more than a decade in the NFL as a defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears.
Tucker began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Michigan State in 1997 and coached defensive backs at Miami University in 1999 before taking the same job at LSU in 2000. He was defensive backs coach at Ohio State from 2001 through 2003 before being promoted to the Buckeyes' co-defensive coordinator. Tucker accepted a job from the Browns the following season.
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Tucker served on the same coaching staff as Dantonio and fellow Spartans coaching candidate Luke Fickell while with the Buckeyes in 2003. Fickell turned down an offer to become the Spartans' next coach earlier this week, opting to stay at Cincinnati.
Colorado ranked 100 out of 130 teams in points per game last season. They ranked 96th in points allowed.
The Spartans begin their 2020 regular season against Northwestern on Sept. 5 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich.


upi--2020-02-12--NBC orders Season 6 of 'Superstore'

NBC orders Season 6 of 'Superstore'

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- NBC announced it has renewed its workplace comedy Superstore for a sixth season .
@ @ @ @ @ day at Cloud 9 .
Superstore will be coming back for Season 6 !
, @ @ @ @ @ account said Tuesday .
The show follows the employees and customers of Cloud 9 , @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 're thrilled that Superstore continues to speak to many important and topical @ @ @ @ @ , '' Lisa Katz and Tracey Pakosta , co-presidents of scripted programming at NBC Entertainment @ @ @ @ @ .

Feb. 12 (UPI) -- NBC announced it has renewed its workplace comedy Superstore for a sixth season.
"It's a beautiful day at Cloud 9. Superstore will be coming back for Season 6!," the show's Twitter account said Tuesday.
Advertisement It's a beautiful day at Cloud 9.  Superstore will be coming back for Season 6! pic.twitter.com/gTyBxdsBfQ— Superstore (@NBCSuperstore) February 11, 2020
The show follows the employees and customers of Cloud 9, a Walmart-style, big-box store.
It stars America Ferrera, Ben Feldman, Kaliko Kauahi, Mark McKinney, Lauren Ash, Nichole Bloom, Nico Santos and Colton Dunn.
"We're thrilled that Superstore continues to speak to many important and topical issues while simultaneously being hilarious," Lisa Katz and Tracey Pakosta, co-presidents of scripted programming at NBC Entertainment, said in a statement.


upi--2020-02-12--Pope Francis rejects proposal for married priests in Amazon region

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- Pope Francis on Wednesday ruled against allowing married men to become ordained ministers in the Amazon region of Brazil , rejecting a proposal made by bishops and backed by reformers .
In his Apostolic Exhortation on the Amazon Region , Francis disagreed with a proposal approved last year by a synod of 184 Catholic bishops under which older , married men would be allowed to become priests as a way to deal with a shortage of clerics in far-flung places such as the Amazon .
The proposal was hailed as a breakthrough by church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of gaining papal approval given Francis ' willingness to discuss once-taboo subjects during the seven years of his papacy and previous indications he would consider the possibility of laymen carrying out priestly duties .
But the measure was strongly opposed by conservatives as a the first step toward removing the rule of celibacy upon ordination to the priesthood .
The pope ultimately sided with the conservatives by not endorsing the proposal in his teaching on the Amazon .
Instead , he said the shortage of priests was only part of a larger picture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more missionaries to go to the remote region .
`` Pope Francis urges all the bishops , especially those in Latin America , 'to be more generous ' in encouraging those who 'display a missionary vocation ' to choose the Amazon region and invites them to evaluate formation to the priesthood , '' the Vatican said in a statement .
`` The Pope states in the Exhortation that the question is not that of numbers , and that a greater presence of priests is not the only requirement , '' Cardinal Michael Czerny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Amazon , added .
`` What is needed is new life in the communities , a new missionary impetus , new lay services , ongoing formation , boldness and creativity .
What is needed is a presence at the local level of lay people who are animated by a missionary spirit and capable of representing the authentic face of the Amazonian Church . ''

Pope Francis has rejected a proposal by Catholic bishops to allow married men to serve as priests in far-flung areas such as the Amazon. File Photo by Angelo Carconi/EPA-EFE
Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Pope Francis on Wednesday ruled against allowing married men to become ordained ministers in the Amazon region of Brazil, rejecting a proposal made by bishops and backed by reformers. In his Apostolic Exhortation on the Amazon Region, Francis disagreed with a proposal approved last year by a synod of 184 Catholic bishops under which older, married men would be allowed to become priests as a way to deal with a shortage of clerics in far-flung places such as the Amazon. Advertisement
The proposal was hailed as a breakthrough by church reformers who believed it had a chance of gaining papal approval given Francis' willingness to discuss once taboo subjects during the seven years of his papacy and previous indications he would consider the possibility of laymen carrying out priestly duties.
But the measure was strongly opposed by conservatives as a the first step toward removing the rule of celibacy upon ordination to the priesthood.
The pope ultimately sided with the conservatives by not endorsing the proposal in his teaching on the Amazon. Instead, he said the shortage of priests was only part of a larger picture that needs to be addressed by encouraging more missionaries to go to the remote region.
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"Pope Francis urges all the bishops, especially those in Latin America, 'to be more generous' in encouraging those who 'display a missionary vocation' to choose the Amazon region and invites them to evaluate formation to the priesthood," the Vatican said in a statement.
"The pope states in the exhortation that the question is not that of numbers, and that a greater presence of priests is not the only requirement," Cardinal Michael Czerny, special secretary of the Synod for the Amazon, added.
"What is needed is new life in the communities, a new missionary impetus, new lay services, ongoing formation, boldness and creativity. What is needed is a presence at the local level of lay people who are animated by a missionary spirit and capable of representing the authentic face of the Amazonian church."


upi--2020-02-12--John Cena set to make WWE return on SmackDown

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- WWE has announced that John Cena will be making an apperance on the Feb. @ @ @ @ @ This will mark Cena 's first appearance on WWE programming for 2020 .
The 16-time @ @ @ @ @ WWE shows throughout 2019 .
Cena 's apperance comes right off the heels of the @ @ @ @ @ be taking place in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 27 .
The event will feature main @ @ @ @ @ Fiend Bray Wyatt defending the Universal Championship against Hall of Famer Goldberg and Brock Lesnar @ @ @ @ @ Ricochet .
Cena could be potentially seeking out an opponent for WrestleMania 36 , which @ @ @ @ @ .
Cena appeared at WrestleMania 35 where he resurrected his Dr. of Thuganomics characters to @ @ @ @ @ .
Cena will next be seen on the big screen taking on Vin Diesel in @ @ @ @ @ , which hits theaters on May 22 .

Feb. 12 (UPI) -- WWE has announced that John Cena will be making an apperance on the Feb. 28 edition of SmackDown.
This will mark Cena's first appearance on WWE programming for 2020. The 16-time world champion appeared sporadically on WWE shows throughout 2019.
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Cena's apperance comes right off the heels of the Super Showdown event that will be taking place in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 27.
The event will feature main event matches such as The Fiend Bray Wyatt defending the Universal Championship against Hall of Famer Goldberg and Brock Lesnar defending the WWE Championship against Ricochet.
Cena could be potentially seeking out an opponent for WrestleMania 36, which takes place on April 5. Cena appeared at WrestleMania 35 where he resurrected his Dr. of Thuganomics characters to diss Elias with rap lyrics.
Cena will next be seen on the big screen taking on Vin Diesel in F9: The Fast Saga, which hits theaters on May 22.


upi--2020-02-12--Margot Robbie, Christian Bale to star in David O. Russell's next film

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- Birds of Prey , Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Bombshell actress Margot @ @ @ @ @ star in writer-director David O. Russell 's next , as-yet-untitled film .
Deadline and Variety @ @ @ @ @ the New Regency project , but offered no details about its plot or setting other @ @ @ @ @ based on an original story idea from Russell .
Ford v Ferrari star Christian Bale @ @ @ @ @ male lead for Russell 's new movie .
He and the filmmaker also worked together @ @ @ @ @ Fighter .

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Margot Robbie arrives for the 92nd annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday. She reportedly has signed on to star in David O. Russell's next movie. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Birds of Prey, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Bombshell actress Margot Robbie has signed on to star in writer-director David O. Russell's next, as-yet-untitled film. Deadline and Variety reported Robbie's casting in the New Regency project, but offered no details about its plot or setting other than to say it is based on an original story idea from Russell. Advertisement
Ford v Ferrari star Christian Bale was previously reported as the male lead for Russell's new movie.
He and the filmmaker also worked together on American Hustle and The Fighter.
Russell's last film was 2015's Joy.


upi--2020-02-12--Politics of fear: China and Russia aren't 10 feet tall

LONDON , Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- Many states and leaders need threats and dangers , foreign and domestic , to stir public opinion , through fear and worry , to follow their policies and maintain or increase power .
The United States was never immune .
Immigrants , regardless of origin , often were victims of fear mongering , including Germans , Irish and East Europeans to Japanese and Chinese .
Sen. `` Tail Gunner Joe '' McCarthy obsessed over `` commies '' in every branch of government , particularly at the State Department .
Donald Trump railed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carnage '' in America .
George W. Bush declared our enemies an `` axis of evil . ''
From 1919 until 1941 , America turned inward .
But after winning World War II and believing that Joe Stalin and the Soviet Union betrayed the partnership that destroyed Hitler 's Nazi Germany , old allies became new enemies .
Part of becoming an American enemy meant overly exaggerating the dangers that were posed , often by significant levels .
John Kennedy won the 1960 election in part by running to the right of Richard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gap '' separated America and Russia .
As a result , Kennedy began a massive rearmament .
Unfortunately , that buildup was proven unnecessary because the alleged missile gap was decisively in our favor .
And exaggerating the threat enabled the United States to slide into Vietnam to prevent `` godless , monolithic communism '' from global expansion .
It turned out the Soviet Union was not 10 feet tall .
It was at best 5 ' 8 '' or 5 ' 9 . ''
And not all its vital organs were fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1991 .
Today , is the United States repeating this history of threat exaggeration regarding China and Russia ?
Or , put another way , is the United States missing perhaps greater dangers posed by each that may emerge from weakness not strength ?
And given that the National Defense Strategy calls for forces sufficient to deter and , if war comes , defeat Russia or China at an annual cost of about $ 750 billion , would re-examination of assumptions about enemies be wise ?
In China , its 1.4 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could become the world 's largest economy and GDP .
China is also building a formidable military while fortifying islets in the various contiguous seas .
And with Belt and Road , China is reaching out to gain access and markets far from its shores .
But the coronavirus is a significant event testing the capacity of the Communist Party to govern .
Indeed , that test appears to be showing potentially great cracks in its government and the brittleness of a rigid authoritarian political system .
Containing the disease , or not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legitimacy to rule .
Despite that outcome , Beijing must still deal with an under or lower class of upward of half a billion people at or below the poverty line .
Every regime from emperor to general secretary has lived in fear of a peasants ' or peoples ' revolt , something most Western or liberal democracies so far have avoided .
Russia is more than , as John McCain teased , `` a gas station with nuclear weapons . ''
Its political system of oligarchs and autocrats likewise is brittle .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move power to Parliament and a governing council will constitute a stable leadership transition plan or not remains unknowable .
Russia 's economy is dependent on oil and gas .
It has not learned how to produce other items of value .
With a shrinking population and limits on economic growth , Putin may be astride a veritable political tiger with no immediate avenues for dismounting .
That said , an implosion of China or Russia is not out of the question .
It has happened before in and to both countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the United States and its allies should pursue and not rely only on the historical tendency of overly estimating kinetic and political dangers .
Some worry that Presidents Xi Jingping and Putin are proposing an alternative political system to `` liberal democracy . ''
This too may be overstated .
The United States has been dedicated to advancing democracy , especially to regions where it will not take or work , such as Vietnam and the Middle East .
But it is not clear that Beijing , which declares it will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or Moscow really believes that its versions of autocracy and oligarchy are readily exportable .
One conclusion is important .
Many U.S. and Western interests are in conflict or disagreement with China and Russia .
China 's predatory practices are well known .
So , too , are Russian active measures .
However , in countering these challenges and dealing with China and Russia , let us not mistakenly assume that either state is 10 feet tall .
Harlan Ullman is a senior adviser at the Atlantic Council .
His latest book is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Has Lost Every War It Starts . ''
Follow him @ harlankullman .

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing last April. File Pool Photo by Xie Huanchi/UPI | License Photo
LONDON, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Many states and leaders need threats and dangers, foreign and domestic, to stir public opinion, through fear and worry, to follow their policies and maintain or increase power. The United States was never immune. Immigrants, regardless of origin, often were victims of fear mongering, including Germans, Irish and East Europeans to Japanese and Chinese. Sen. "Tail Gunner Joe" McCarthy obsessed over "commies" in every branch of government, particularly at the State Department. Donald Trump railed against Mexican "rapists" and "carnage" in America. George W. Bush declared our enemies an "axis of evil." Advertisement
From 1919 until 1941, America turned inward. But after winning World War II and believing that Joe Stalin and the Soviet Union betrayed the partnership that destroyed Hitler's Nazi Germany, old allies became new enemies. Part of becoming an American enemy meant overly exaggerating the dangers that were posed, often by significant levels.
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John Kennedy won the 1960 election in part by running to the right of Richard Nixon, declaring a "huge missile gap" separated America and Russia. As a result, Kennedy began a massive rearmament. Unfortunately, that buildup was proven unnecessary because the alleged missile gap was decisively in our favor. And exaggerating the threat enabled the United States to slide into Vietnam to prevent "godless, monolithic communism" from global expansion.
It turned out the Soviet Union was not 10 feet tall. It was at best 5'8" or 5' 9." And not all its vital organs were fully developed as we discovered when it imploded in 1991.
Today, is the United States repeating this history of threat exaggeration regarding China and Russia? Or, put another way, is the United States missing perhaps greater dangers posed by each that may emerge from weakness not strength? And given that the National Defense Strategy calls for forces sufficient to deter and, if war comes, defeat Russia or China at an annual cost of about $750 billion, would re-examination of assumptions about enemies be wise?
In China, its 1.4 billion people compose the biggest global market and could become the world's largest economy and GDP. China is also building a formidable military while fortifying islets in the various contiguous seas. And with Belt and Road, China is reaching out to gain access and markets far from its shores.
Advertisement
But the coronavirus is a significant event testing the capacity of the Communist Party to govern. Indeed, that test appears to be showing potentially great cracks in its government and the brittleness of a rigid authoritarian political system. Containing the disease, or not, may well determine the party's legitimacy to rule.
Despite that outcome, Beijing must still deal with an under or lower class of upward of half a billion people at or below the poverty line. Every regime from emperor to general secretary has lived in fear of a peasants' or peoples' revolt, something most Western or liberal democracies so far have avoided.
Russia is more than, as John McCain teased, "a gas station with nuclear weapons." Its political system of oligarchs and autocrats likewise is brittle. Whether Vladimir Putin's actions last month to move power to Parliament and a governing council will constitute a stable leadership transition plan or not remains unknowable.
Russia's economy is dependent on oil and gas. It has not learned how to produce other items of value. With a shrinking population and limits on economic growth, Putin may be astride a veritable political tiger with no immediate avenues for dismounting.
That said, an implosion of China or Russia is not out of the question. It has happened before in and to both countries. It is this line of analysis that the United States and its allies should pursue and not rely only on the historical tendency of overly estimating kinetic and political dangers.
Advertisement
Some worry that Presidents Xi Jingping and Putin are proposing an alternative political system to "liberal democracy." This too may be overstated. The United States has been dedicated to advancing democracy, especially to regions where it will not take or work, such as Vietnam and the Middle East. But it is not clear that Beijing, which declares it will not interfere in domestic affairs of others, or Moscow really believes that its versions of autocracy and oligarchy are readily exportable.
One conclusion is important. Many U.S. and Western interests are in conflict or disagreement with China and Russia. China's predatory practices are well known. So, too, are Russian active measures. However, in countering these challenges and dealing with China and Russia, let us not mistakenly assume that either state is 10 feet tall.
Harlan Ullman is a senior adviser at the Atlantic Council. His latest book is "Anatomy of Failure: Why America Has Lost Every War It Starts." Follow him @harlankullman.


upi--2020-02-12--Samsung announces Galaxy S20, Z Flip lineup

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- Samsung has announced the latest in its line of flagship Galaxy smartphones during its annual Unpacked event .
The company introduced the Galaxy S20 , Galaxy S20 Plus and Galaxy S20 Ultra on Tuesday , as well as the foldable Galaxy Z Flip .
The phones of the new Galaxy S lineup while similar in design vary on the inside and in screen size , with the smallest and least expensive being the S20 with a 6.2-inch display followed by the S20+ at 6.7 inches and the S20 at 6.9 inches .
All three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a 120Hz refresh rate , which will offer viewers a smoother picture experience , it said .
The phones will also see a sizable bump compared to its previous generation when it comes to their cameras .
However , while the S20 comes with a triple-camera setup of an ultra-wide , wide and telephoto lens , the S20+ and Ultra come with a fourth -- a 3D depth vision lens that Samsung says can better judge depth and distance .
Also , the S20 Ultra comes with a 108MP camera compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S20+ .
And when it comes to video , it 'll be able to shoot in 8K , it said .
Samsung also equipped the three models with 5G connectivity .
`` As we enter this new decade , 5G will completely change how we communicate and how we experience the world around us , '' said TM Roh , president and head of mobile communications business at Samsung Electronics .
`` As all three S20 variants come with 5G connectivity , Samsung is providing a next-generation device for transforming people 's lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plus will be available in Cosmic Gray , Cloud Blue and Cloud Pink , the S20 Ultra will only share Cosmic Gray with the less expensive models but will also be available in Cosmic Black .
The three Galaxy S20 models will be available on March 6 with pre-orders beginning on Feb. 21 , with pricing starting at $ 999.99 for the S20 , $ 1,199.99 for the S20+ and $ 1,399.99 for the S20 Ultra .
Meanwhile , the Galaxy Z Flip is Samsung 's second iteration of a folding phone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Galaxy Fold , the Z Flip is a 6.7-inch Infinity Flex Display that is reminiscent of the older clamshell feature phones .
Samsung said it `` folds and holds '' its position , so the phone can sit up on its own without needing to be propped up .
The phone , which folds horizontally in its middle , can turn the display into essentially two screens , allowing one half to be used for controls and the other for viewing , it said .
It also allows for two applications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When folded shut , messages can be viewed on a small 1.1-inch Super AMOLED display on its back .
`` Galaxy Z Flip is an important next step as we look to build the foldable category by bringing to consumers a new form factor , new display and most importantly , a new kind of mobile experience , '' said Roh .
`` With Galaxy Z Flip 's unique foldable design and user experience , we 're redefining what a mobile device can be and what it enables consumers to do . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including a 10MP front camera , a rear dual-camera setup and fast-charging compatibility .
The phone will be available in Mirror Purple and Mirror Black starting Feb. 14 at $ 1,380 .

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Samsung announced Tuesday the latest in its line of flagship Galaxy smartphones. Photo courtesy of Samsung
Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Samsung has announced the latest in its line of flagship Galaxy smartphones during its annual Unpacked event. The company introduced the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20 Plus and Galaxy S20 Ultra on Tuesday, as well as the foldable Galaxy Z Flip. Advertisement
The phones of the new Galaxy S lineup while similar in design vary on the inside and in screen size, with the smallest and least expensive being the S20 with a 6.2-inch display followed by the S20+ at 6.7 inches and the S20 at 6.9 inches.
All three models have a Quad HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which will offer viewers a smoother picture experience, it said.
The phones will also see a sizable bump compared to its previous generation when it comes to their cameras.
However, while the S20 comes with a triple-camera setup of an ultra-wide, wide and telephoto lens, the S20+ and Ultra come with a fourth -- a 3D depth vision lens that Samsung says can better judge depth and distance. Also, the S20 Ultra comes with a 108MP camera compared to the 64 MP of the S20 and S20+. And when it comes to video, it'll be able to shoot in 8K, it said.
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Samsung also equipped the three models with 5G connectivity.
"As we enter this new decade, 5G will completely change how we communicate and how we experience the world around us," said TM Roh, president and head of mobile communications business at Samsung Electronics. "As all three S20 variants come with 5G connectivity, Samsung is providing a next-generation device for transforming people's lives."
While the S20 and S20 Plus will be available in Cosmic Gray, Cloud Blue and Cloud Pink, the S20 Ultra will only share Cosmic Gray with the less expensive models but will also be available in Cosmic Black.
The three Galaxy S20 models will be available on March 6 with pre-orders beginning on Feb. 21, with pricing starting at $999.99 for the S20, $1,199.99 for the S20+ and $1,399.99 for the S20 Ultra.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Flip is Samsung's second iteration of a folding phone, but instead of the large 7.3-inch screen of the Galaxy Fold, the Z Flip is a 6.7-inch Infinity Flex Display that is reminiscent of the older clamshell feature phones.
Samsung said it "folds and holds" its position, so the phone can sit up on its own without needing to be propped up.
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The phone, which folds horizontally in its middle, can turn the display into essentially two screens, allowing one half to be used for controls and the other for viewing, it said. It also allows for two applications to be used simultaneously for multi-tasking.
When folded shut, messages can be viewed on a small 1.1-inch Super AMOLED display on its back.
"Galaxy Z Flip is an important next step as we look to build the foldable category by bringing to consumers a new form factor, new display and most importantly, a new kind of mobile experience," said Roh. "With Galaxy Z Flip's unique foldable design and user experience, we're redefining what a mobile device can be and what it enables consumers to do."
The phone also comes with flagship specs, including a 10MP front camera, a rear dual-camera setup and fast-charging compatibility.
The phone will be available in Mirror Purple and Mirror Black starting Feb. 14 at $1,380.


upi--2020-02-12--United Nations: More than 40 percent of North Koreans need humanitarian aid

SEOUL , Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- More than 40 percent of North Koreans are in serious need of humanitarian assistance including food and nutrition support and improved access to basic services such as health , clean water , sanitation and hygiene , according to a funding report released by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs .
In its Provisional Needs and Priorities Overview , released on Monday , the United Nations found that 10.4 million North Koreans out of a population of 25 million are in need of aid , including 10.1 million who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that `` deterioration of critical agricultural infrastructure and recurrent natural disasters '' are to blame for the food shortage .
North Korea suffered its worst drought in decades in 2019 , alongside heatwaves and flooding .
Many international observers , however , including the U.N. 's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights , also place blame for the shortages on the North Korean regime 's heavy-handed control of food production and distribution and use of state funding on its military and weapons programs .
One-third of children aged 6-23 months do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.N. funding overview stated , leaving one in five children suffering from chronic malnutrition .
Around 33 percent of the population , or 8.4 million people , do not have access to a safe water source , while one in five does not have access to even basic sanitation facilities .
Some nine out of 10 people in rural areas face potentially deadly health risks due to unsafe disposal of human waste .
The United Nations is seeking $ 107 million in financial assistance for 2020 but noted that funding levels for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health , water and sanitation needs '' in North Korea remain `` historically low . ''
Last year , the U.N. 's humanitarian appeal was only 28 percent funded , with $ 32 million received out of a targeted $ 120 million .
Just 2.5 million of the 3.8 million people initially targeted for assistance received aid .
This year , the United Nations is hoping to provide aid to 5.5 million people , with a focus on women and children .
At the end of January , international aid organization CARE listed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its top 10 under-reported humanitarian issues of 2019 in a report .
North Korea remains under tight international economic sanctions , but exemptions are granted for humanitarian assistance .
However , a lack of transparency and restrictions on access for aid workers have long been an impediment for aid groups operating in the country .
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus , which has killed over 1,100 people , primarily in China 's Hubei province , is putting a further strain on North Korea , hampering economic activity and threatening a medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Korea has not officially reported any cases of the virus and says it is working with the World Health Organization .
Pyongyang has intensified efforts to contain the illness , including tightening its borders with China and Russia and imposing quarantines and travel restrictions .

North Korea continues to face a dire food shortage and is in need of basic services such as healthcare, clean water, sanitation and hygiene, according to a funding report from the United Nations released this week. File Photo by KCNA/UPI | License Photo
SEOUL, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- More than 40 percent of North Koreans are in serious need of humanitarian assistance including food and nutrition support and improved access to basic services such as healthcare, clean water, sanitation and hygiene, according to a funding report released by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. In its Provisional Needs and Priorities Overview, released Monday, the United Nations found that 10.4 million North Koreans out of a population of 25 million are in need of aid, including 10.1 million who are food insecure. Advertisement
The overview said that "deterioration of critical agricultural infrastructure and recurrent natural disasters" are to blame for the food shortage. North Korea suffered its worst drought in decades in 2019, alongside heatwaves and flooding.
Many international observers, however, including the U.N.'s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, also place blame for the shortages on the North Korean regime's heavy-handed control of food production and distribution and use of state funding on its military and weapons programs.
One-third of children age 6-23 months do not receive the minimum acceptable diet, the U.N. funding overview stated, leaving one in five children suffering from chronic malnutrition.
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Around 33 percent of the population, or 8.4 million people, do not have access to a safe water source, while one in five does not have access to even basic sanitation facilities. Some nine out of 10 people in rural areas face potentially deadly health risks due to unsafe disposal of human waste.
The United Nations is seeking $107 million in financial assistance for 2020 but noted that funding levels for the "acute food, nutrition, health, water and sanitation needs" in North Korea remain "historically low."
Last year, the U.N.'s humanitarian appeal was only 28 percent funded, with $32 million received out of a targeted $120 million. Just 2.5 million of the 3.8 million people initially targeted for assistance received aid.
This year, the United Nations is hoping to provide aid to 5.5 million people, with a focus on women and children.
At the end of January, international aid organization CARE listed the situation in North Korea as one of its top 10 under-reported humanitarian issues of 2019 in a report.
North Korea remains under tight international economic sanctions, but exemptions are granted for humanitarian assistance. However, a lack of transparency and restrictions on access for aid workers have long been an impediment for aid groups operating in the country.
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The outbreak of the novel coronavirus, which has killed over 1,100 people, primarily in China's Hubei province, is putting a further strain on North Korea, hampering economic activity and threatening a medical infrastructure ill equipped to handle an outbreak.
North Korea has not officially reported any cases of the virus and says it is working with the World Health Organization. Pyongyang has intensified efforts to contain the illness, including tightening its borders with China and Russia and imposing quarantines and travel restrictions.


upi--2020-02-12--Birth year may affect future flu immunity

The first type of influenza virus you 're exposed to may set your lifetime ability to fight the flu .
Researchers with McMaster University and University of Montreal found that being born in an H1N1 year or an H3N2 year matters .
Following a phenomenon known as antigenic imprinting , the study revealed that early exposure to one of these two flu strains permanently affects your immunity .
Knowing who is at a higher risk each year could help tailor pandemic and epidemic planning , the researchers say .
`` People 's prior immunity to viruses like flu , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact on their risk of becoming ill during subsequent epidemics and pandemics , '' said study co-author Matthew Miller , an associate professor at McMaster Immunology Research Center .
`` Understanding how their prior immunity either leaves them protected or susceptible is really important for helping us to identify the populations who are most at risk during seasonal epidemics and new outbreaks , '' continued Miller .
Researchers analyzed data from the 2018-2019 flu season .
Unlike typical flu seasons where one flu strains dominates , both strains of influenza A dominated at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from our previous studies that susceptibility to specific influenza subtypes could be associated with year of birth , '' said lead author Alain Gagnon , a professor of demography at University of Montreal .
`` This new study goes much further in support of antigenic imprinting , '' Gagnon added .
`` Instead of just showing how specific age patterns are associated with one subtype or the other during a single influenza season , we took advantage of a unique 'natural experiment ' to show how the change in subtype dominance during one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real time , to a change in susceptibility by age . ''
In the United States , flu has led to between 140,000 and 810,000 hospitalizations and between 12,000 and 61,000 deaths annually since 2010 , the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates .
The study was published recently in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the flu .

The first type of influenza virus you're exposed to may set your lifetime ability to fight the flu.
Researchers with McMaster University and University of Montreal found that being born in an H1N1 year or an H3N2 year matters. Following a phenomenon known as antigenic imprinting, the study revealed that early exposure to one of these two flu strains permanently affects your immunity.
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Knowing who is at a higher risk each year could help tailor pandemic and epidemic planning, the researchers say.
"People's prior immunity to viruses like flu, or even coronavirus, can have a tremendous impact on their risk of becoming ill during subsequent epidemics and pandemics," said study co-author Matthew Miller, an associate professor at McMaster Immunology Research Center.
"Understanding how their prior immunity either leaves them protected or susceptible is really important for helping us to identify the populations who are most at risk during seasonal epidemics and new outbreaks," continued Miller.
Researchers analyzed data from the 2018-2019 flu season. Unlike typical flu seasons where one flu strains dominates, both strains of influenza A dominated at different times.
"We already knew from our previous studies that susceptibility to specific influenza subtypes could be associated with year of birth," said lead author Alain Gagnon, a professor of demography at University of Montreal.
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"This new study goes much further in support of antigenic imprinting," Gagnon added. "Instead of just showing how specific age patterns are associated with one subtype or the other during a single influenza season, we took advantage of a unique 'natural experiment' to show how the change in subtype dominance during one season appears to lead, practically in real time, to a change in susceptibility by age."
In the United States, flu has led to between 140,000 and 810,000 hospitalizations and between 12,000 and 61,000 deaths annually since 2010, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates.
The study was published recently in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the flu.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-02-12--Siba the poodle wins Best in Show at Westminster Dog Show

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- Siba , a black standard poodle , was selected Best in Show at the @ @ @ @ @ Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City .
She was selected from @ @ @ @ @ to become the fifth standard poodle in the event 's history to take home the @ @ @ @ @ the Reserve Best in Show went to Bourbon , a whippet .
The event this @ @ @ @ @ three-day affair from the usual two to accommodate the over 2,630 entries , the Westminster @ @ @ @ @ in a press release .
A total of 204 breeds were represented from 49 states @ @ @ @ @ said .

Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Siba, a black standard poodle, was selected Best in Show at the 144th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
She was selected from among seven finalists Tuesday night to become the fifth standard poodle in the event's history to take home the coveted title.
Advertisement A big congrats to Siba! #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/AF7VYIO9eB— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 12, 2020
Meanwhile, the Reserve Best in Show went to Bourbon, a whippet.
The event this year was expanded to a three-day affair from the usual two to accommodate the over 2,630 entries, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show said in a press release.
A total of 204 breeds were represented from 49 states and 19 countries, it said.


upi--2020-02-12--The 144th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Daniel the golden retriever runs off the floor with his first place ribbon after winning the Sporting Group at the @ @ @ @ @ Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Tuesday .
Photo by @ @

Megan Fox: films, red carpets and poetry
Updated August 09, 2023 with 27 photos
Megan Fox is best known for roles in "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen," the "Transformers" films, "Jennifer's Body" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and "New Girls." The actress recently wrote a book of poetry, titled "Pretty Boys Are Poisonous," which will be released on November 7, 2023. Here's a look back at her career through the years.


upi--2020-02-12--Famous birthdays for Feb. 12: Christina Ricci, Gucci Mane

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aquarius .
-- Former @ @ @ @ @ 1775 -- Abraham Lincoln , 16th president of the United States , in 1809 -- @ @ @ @ @ of U.S. TV quiz scandals , in 1926 -- Former U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter , @ @ @ @

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Christina Ricci attends the 20th annual InStyle and Warner Brothers Golden Globes After-Party at the Beverly Hilton on January 6. She turns 39 on February 12. File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aquarius. They include: Advertisement
-- Puritan Cotton Mather in 1663
-- French architect Etienne-Louis Boullee in 1728
-- Former first lady Louisa Adams in 1775
-- Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the United States, in 1809
-- Biologist Charles Darwin in 1809
-- Labor leader John L. Lewis in 1880
-- German painter Max Beckmann in 1884
-- Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova in 1881
-- U.S. Gen. Omar Bradley in 1893
-- Actor Lorne Greene in 1915
-- Italian film director Franco Zeffirelli in 1923
-- Baseball player/sports commentator Joe Garagiola in 1926
-- Charles Van Doren, subject of U.S. TV quiz scandals, in 1926
-- Former U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., in 1930
-- Basketball Hall of Fame member Bill Russell in 1934 (age 86)
File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
-- Actor Joe Don Baker in 1936 (age 84)
-- Author Judy Blume in 1938 (age 82)
-- Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak in 1942 (age 78)
-- Actor Maud Adams in 1945 (age 75)
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-- Actor Joanna Kerns in 1953 (age 67)
-- Former talk show host Arsenio Hall in 1956 (age 64)
-- Actor Lochlyn Munro in 1966 (age 54)
-- Actor Josh Brolin in 1968 (age 52)
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
-- Singer Chynna Phillips in 1968 (age 52)
-- Actor Jesse Spencer in 1979 (age 41)
-- Actor Christina Ricci in 1980 (age 40)
-- Rapper Gucci Mane, born Radric Delantic Davis, in 1980 (age 40)
-- Singer Elle Varner in 1989 (age 31)


upi--2020-02-12--On This Day, Feb. 12: Yugoslav President Milosevic's war crimes trial begins

Feb. 12 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1733 , the American colony of Georgia was founded by James Oglethorpe .
In 1909 , the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded by Moorfield Storey , Mary White Ovington and W.E.B .
Du Bois .
In 1914 , a dedication ceremony was held and the first stone of the Lincoln Memorial was laid .
It took eight years to complete the monument honoring the 16th president .
In 1973 , 116 prisoners of war were flown from Hanoi to the Philippines in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Vietnam .
In 1988 , two Soviet warships deliberately bumped two U.S. Navy ships in international waters in the Black Sea , indicating continued tensions between the two parties despite the Cold War nearing its end .
In 1993 , about 5,000 demonstrators marched on Atlanta 's Capitol to protest the Confederate symbol on the Georgia state flag .
In 1999 , the U.S. Senate acquitted U.S. President Bill Clinton of impeachment charges .
In 2001 , a NASA spacecraft landed on the asteroid Eros .
In 2002 , a Russian-built Tupelov-154 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ western city of Khorramabad , Iran , killing all 117 people aboard .
In 2002 , former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic went on trial at The Hague , Netherlands , on charges of genocide and war crimes in Bosnia , Croatia and Kosovo .
He died four years later before the conclusion of the trial .
In 2004 , South Korean scientists announced they had created the world 's first mature cloned human embryos .
In 2008 , General Motors , which offered buyouts to its 74,000 unionized employees , reported a loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the largest ever for an automaker .
In 2008 , U.S. military officials announced capital charges against six al-Qaida members for their roles in the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terror attacks .
The admitted mastermind , Khalid Sheik Mohammed , and the others were detainees at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba .
In 2009 , a Continental airlines turboprop commuter plane crashed into a house near Buffalo , N.Y. , killing 50 people , including one person in the house .
In 2016 , Pope Francis met Patriarch Kirill , the first meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church , in Cuba .
In 2019 , a federal jury in Brooklyn found Mexican drug lord Joaquin `` El Chapo '' Guzman guilty on murder conspiracy , drug-trafficking and money-laundering charges .
He received life in prison in July 2019 .

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On February 12, 2002, former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic went on trial at The Hague, Netherlands, on charges of genocide and war crimes in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo. UPI File Photo | License Photo
Feb. 12 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1541, Santiago, Chile, was founded. Advertisement
In 1733, the American colony of Georgia was founded by James Oglethorpe.
In 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded by Moorfield Storey, Mary White Ovington and W.E.B. Du Bois.
In 1914, a dedication ceremony was held and the first stone of the Lincoln Memorial was laid. It took eight years to complete the monument honoring the 16th president.
In 1973, 116 prisoners of war were flown from Hanoi to the Philippines in the first release of U.S. POWs in North Vietnam.
File Photo by Pete Marovich/UPI
In 1988, two Soviet warships deliberately bumped two U.S. Navy ships in international waters in the Black Sea, indicating continued tensions between the two parties despite the Cold War nearing its end.
In 1993, about 5,000 demonstrators marched on Atlanta's Capitol to protest the Confederate symbol on the Georgia state flag.
In 1999, the U.S. Senate acquitted U.S. President Bill Clinton of impeachment charges.
Advertisement
In 2001, a NASA spacecraft landed on the asteroid Eros.
In 2002, a Russian-built Tupelov-154 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff near the western city of Khorramabad, Iran, killing all 117 people aboard.
In 2002, former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic went on trial at The Hague, Netherlands, on charges of genocide and war crimes in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo. He died four years later before the conclusion of the trial.
In 2004, South Korean scientists announced they had created the world's first mature cloned human embryos.
In 2008, General Motors, which offered buyouts to its 74,000 unionized employees, reported a loss of $38.7 billion for 2007, the largest ever for an automaker.
File Photo by John F. Martin/UPI
In 2008, U.S. military officials announced capital charges against six al-Qaida members for their roles in the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. The admitted mastermind, Khalid Sheik Mohammed, and the others were detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
In 2009, a Continental airlines turboprop commuter plane crashed into a house near Buffalo, N.Y., killing 50 people, including one person in the house.
Advertisement
In 2016, Pope Francis met Patriarch Kirill, the first meeting between the pontiff of the Catholic Church and the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, in Cuba.
In 2019, a federal jury in Brooklyn found Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman guilty on murder conspiracy, drug-trafficking and money-laundering charges. He received life in prison in July 2019.


upi--2020-02-12--Dodgers, Yankees among World Series favorites as spring training starts

Feb. 11 ( UPI ) -- Major League Baseball teams report to spring training this week , with games starting Feb. 21 .
Pitchers and catchers from the reigning World Series champion Washington Nationals report to West Palm Beach , Fla. , on Wednesday .
The Nationals ' full squad reports Monday to FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches .
Despite last season 's success , the Nationals are n't the favorites to repeat as champions .
That honor goes to the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers .
Caesars gives both teams +350 odds to win the World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tied for having the ninth-best odds of winning the title .
The Houston Astros ( +900 ) , St. Louis Cardinals ( +1200 ) and Atlanta Braves ( +1400 ) are the top-five favorites to win the World Series .
The Detroit Tigers , Baltimore Orioles and Miami Marlins have the longest odds of winning it all , at +100,000 .
The terrible trio combined for 158 wins in 2019 , while the Yankees , Dodgers and Astros won 316 games last season .
The Boston Red Sox 's blockbuster trade of Mookie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through baseball and boosted the Dodgers ' World Series odds .
The Yankees should turn in another 100-plus win season after winning 103 games in 2019 , despite Didi Gregorius , Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge missing a combined 284 games .
The Yankees also added star pitcher Gerrit Cole on a record-breaking contract in free agency .
New York lost several players , including Gregorius , but is expected to repeat as AL East champions and make a run at a 28th World Series title .
The Dodgers had the best record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time in the last three years , but came up short in a 2019 National League division series loss to the Nationals .
In addition to the Betts and Price trade , the Dodgers brought in pitchers Alex Wood and Jimmy Nelson .
Despite not many off-season additions , the Dodgers managed to keep their star-filled lineup intact for 2020 .
The Astros had a controversy-filled off-season after being investigated and disciplined for illegal sign-stealing , but return their potent lineup .
Their biggest change will be new manager Dusty Baker , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then fired after the MLB investigation .
The Astros lost Cole to the Yankees but should contend out of the American League West .
The Braves had some solid additions this off-season and should play well into the postseason .
Atlanta lost third baseman Josh Donaldson , but signed former Cardinals outfielder Marcel Ozuna .
They also signed veteran starting pitchers Cole Hamels and Felix Hernandez and grabbed closer Will Smith to strengthen their bullpen .
The Cincinnati Reds were one of the busiest teams this off-season .
The Reds signed infielder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shogo Akiyama to add some punch to their batting order .
They also added relief pitcher Pedro Strop and starter Wade Miley to strengthen their pitching staff .
The Reds are tied with the Nationals , the Oakland Athletics , the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago Cubs with the ninth-best odds of winning the World Series .
The Angels added World Series champion Anthony Rendon out of free agency .
They also added pitchers Dylan Bundy and Julio Teheran , but it is unclear if they will be able to advance to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having to compete with the Astros and the Athletics .
The Phillies gained a lot of attention going into last season after signing Bryce Harper to a record-setting deal .
They added to the team this season by signing Gregorius and pitcher Zach Wheeler .
The Phillies still have work to do on the field if they want to get to the playoffs , as they share a division with the Braves , Nationals and New York Mets .
The Arizona Diamondbacks could be another surprise squad in 2020 .
Arizona signed former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traded for center fielder Starling Marte .
The Chicago White Sox are also on the rise after adding Yasmani Grandal , Edwin Encarnacion , Gio Gonzalez and Dallas Keuchel .
Corey Kluber and Todd Frazier joined the Texas Rangers and should help the team stay competitive in the American League West while facing the Astros , Athletics and Angels .
New York Yankees -- 1:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Toronto Blue Jays ; 7:07 p.m. EST March 24 vs. Toronto Blue Jays St. Louis Cardinals -- 1:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 23 vs. Texas Rangers New York Mets -- 1:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. St. Louis Cardinals ; 1:05 p.m. EST March 23 vs. Baltimore Orioles Toronto Blue Jays -- 1:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. New York Yankees ; 7:07 p.m. EST March 24 vs. New York Yankees Miami Marlins -- 1:10 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. New York Mets ; 1:10 p.m. EST March 22 vs. New York Mets Baltimore Orioles -- 1:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Atlanta Braves ; 1:05 p.m. EST March 23 vs. New York Mets

The Washington Nationals won the World Series in October, but only have the ninth-best odds of winning again in 2020, according to Caesars. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Major League Baseball teams report to spring training this week, with games starting Feb. 21. Pitchers and catchers from the reigning World Series champion Washington Nationals report to West Palm Beach, Fla., on Wednesday. The Nationals' full squad reports Monday to FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Advertisement
Despite last season's success, the Nationals aren't the favorites to repeat as champions. That honor goes to the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. Caesars gives both teams +350 odds to win the World Series in 2020.
The Nationals are tied for having the ninth-best odds of winning the title. The Houston Astros (+900), St. Louis Cardinals (+1200) and Atlanta Braves (+1400) are the top-five favorites to win the World Series.
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The Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles and Miami Marlins have the longest odds of winning it all, at +100,000. The terrible trio combined for 158 wins in 2019, while the Yankees, Dodgers and Astros won 316 games last season.
Player movement
The Boston Red Sox's blockbuster trade of Mookie Betts and David Price sent shock waves through baseball and boosted the Dodgers' World Series odds. The Yankees should turn in another 100-plus win season after winning 103 games in 2019, despite Didi Gregorius, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge missing a combined 284 games.
The Yankees also added star pitcher Gerrit Cole on a record-breaking contract in free agency. New York lost several players, including Gregorius, but is expected to repeat as AL East champions and make a run at a 28th World Series title.
The Dodgers had the best record in the National League for the second time in the last three years, but came up short in a 2019 National League division series loss to the Nationals. In addition to the Betts and Price trade, the Dodgers brought in pitchers Alex Wood and Jimmy Nelson. Despite not many off-season additions, the Dodgers managed to keep their star-filled lineup intact for 2020.
Advertisement
The Astros had a controversy-filled off-season after being investigated and disciplined for illegal sign-stealing, but return their potent lineup. Their biggest change will be new manager Dusty Baker, after former skipper A.J. Hinch was suspended and then fired after the MLB investigation. The Astros lost Cole to the Yankees but should contend out of the American League West.
The Braves had some solid additions this off-season and should play well into the postseason. Atlanta lost third baseman Josh Donaldson, but signed former Cardinals outfielder Marcel Ozuna. They also signed veteran starting pitchers Cole Hamels and Felix Hernandez and grabbed closer Will Smith to strengthen their bullpen.
The Cincinnati Reds were one of the busiest teams this off-season. The Reds signed infielder Mike Moustakas and outfielders Nick Castellanos and Shogo Akiyama to add some punch to their batting order. They also added relief pitcher Pedro Strop and starter Wade Miley to strengthen their pitching staff.
The Reds are tied with the Nationals, the Oakland Athletics, the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago Cubs with the ninth-best odds of winning the World Series.
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The Angels added World Series champion Anthony Rendon out of free agency. They also added pitchers Dylan Bundy and Julio Teheran, but it is unclear if they will be able to advance to the playoffs from the American League West after having to compete with the Astros and the Athletics.
The Phillies gained a lot of attention going into last season after signing Bryce Harper to a record-setting deal. They added to the team this season by signing Gregorius and pitcher Zach Wheeler. The Phillies still have work to do on the field if they want to get to the playoffs, as they share a division with the Braves, Nationals and New York Mets.
The Arizona Diamondbacks could be another surprise squad in 2020. Arizona signed former San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner and traded for center fielder Starling Marte. The Chicago White Sox are also on the rise after adding Yasmani Grandal, Edwin Encarnacion, Gio Gonzalez and Dallas Keuchel.
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Corey Kluber and Todd Frazier joined the Texas Rangers and should help the team stay competitive in the American League West while facing the Astros, Athletics and Angels.
First, last spring training games
New York Yankees -- 1:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Toronto Blue Jays; 7:07 p.m. EST March 24 vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Los Angeles Dodgers -- 3:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. San Francisco Giants; 10:10 p.m. EST March 24 vs. Los Angeles Angels
Houston Astros -- 6:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Washington Nationals; 2:10 p.m. EST March 24 vs. Cleveland Indians
St. Louis Cardinals -- 1:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. New York Mets; 8:05 p.m. EST March 23 vs. Texas Rangers
Atlanta Braves -- 1:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Baltimore Orioles; 1:05 p.m. EST March 24 vs. oRed Sox
Chicago White Sox -- 3:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Los Angeles Angels; 3:40 p.m. EST March 24 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Minnesota Twins -- 1:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates; 1:05 p.m. EST March 22 vs. Boston Red Sox
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New York Mets -- 1:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. St. Louis Cardinals; 1:05 p.m. EST March 23 vs. Baltimore Orioles
Washington Nationals -- 6:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Houston Astros; 1:05 p.m. EST March 22 vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Chicago Cubs -- 3:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Oakland Athletics; 3:05 p.m. EST March 23 vs. San Diego Padres
Cincinnati Reds -- 3:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Cleveland Indians; 3:05 p.m. EST March 22 vs. Cleveland Indians
Oakland Athletics -- 3:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Chicago Cubs; 9:45 p.m. EST March 24 vs. San Francisco Giants
Los Angeles Angels -- 3:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Chicago White Sox; 10:10 p.m. EST March 24 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
San Diego Padres -- 3:10 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Seattle Mariners; 3:05 p.m. EST March 23 vs. Chicago Cubs
Philadelphia Phillies -- 1:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Detroit Tigers; 1:05 p.m. EST March 23 vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays -- 1:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Boston Red Sox; 1:05 p.m. March 23 vs. Philadelphia Phillies
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Arizona Diamondbacks -- 3:10 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Colorado Rockies; 3:40 p.m. EST March 24 vs. Chicago White Sox
Cleveland Indians -- 3:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Cincinnati Reds; 2:10 p.m. EST March 24 vs. Houston Astros
Boston Red Sox -- 1:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Tampa Bay Rays; 1:05 p.m. EST March 24 vs. Atlanta Braves
Milwaukee Brewers -- 3:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Texas Rangers; 7:40 p.m. EST March 24 vs. Kansas City Royals
Texas Rangers -- 3:05 p.m. EST Feb. 21 vs. Kansas City Royals; 8:05 p.m. EST March 23 vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Colorado Rockies -- 3:10 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks; 3:10 p.m. EST March 24 vs. Seattle Mariners
Toronto Blue Jays -- 1:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. New York Yankees; 7:07 p.m. EST March 24 vs. New York Yankees
San Francisco Giants -- 3:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Los Angeles Dodgers; 9:45 p.m. EST March 24 vs. Oakland Athletics
Kansas City Royals -- 3:05 p.m. EST Feb. 21 vs. Texas Rangers; 7:40 p.m. EST March 24 vs. Milwaukee Brewers
Seattle Mariners -- 3:10 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. San Diego Padres; 3:10 p.m. EST March 24 vs. Colorado Rockies
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Pittsburgh Pirates -- 1:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Minnesota Twins; 12:35 p.m. EST March 24 vs. Detroit Tigers
Miami Marlins -- 1:10 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. New York Mets; 1:10 p.m. EST March 22 vs. New York Mets
Baltimore Orioles --1:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Atlanta Braves; 1:05 p.m. EST March 23 vs. New York Mets
Detroit Tigers -- 1:05 p.m. EST Feb. 22 vs. Philadelphia Phillies; 12:35 p.m. EST March 24 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
World Series betting odds
New York Yankees +350
Los Angeles Dodgers +350
Houston Astros +900
St. Louis Cardinals +1200
Atlanta Braves +1400
Chicago White Sox +1500
Minnesota Twins +1600
New York Mets +1800
Washington Nationals +2000
Chicago Cubs +2000
Cincinnati Reds +2000
Oakland Athletics +2000
Los Angeles Angels +2000
San Diego Padres +2200
Philadelphia Phillies +2800
Tampa Bay Rays +3000
Arizona Diamondbacks +3000
Cleveland Indians +4000
Boston Red Sox +6000
Milwaukee Brewers +6000
Texas Rangers +6000
Colorado Rockies +10000
Toronto Blue Jays +10000
San Francisco Giants +10000
Kansas City Royals +25000
Seattle Mariners +25000
Pittsburgh Pirates +40000
Miami Marlins +100000
Baltimore Orioles +100000
Detroit Tigers +100000