upi--2020-02-17--Team LeBron beats Team Giannis in feisty NBA All-Star Game

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- Under the new scoring format intended to honor the late Kobe Bryant and increase intensity between opponents , Team LeBron beat Team Giannis 157-155 in the 69th annual NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night at the United Center in Chicago .
Kawhi Leonard was named the first recipient of the Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP Award after scoring a game-high 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting .
He made eight 3-pointers in the game , finishing one shy of the All-Star Game record set in 2016 by Paul George .
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five rebounds .
Teammate Anthony Davis , who sank the game-winning free throw in the fourth quarter , had 20 points and nine rebounds .
`` It felt like playing in the league in a playoff game , '' Davis said .
`` It 's a great competition and it 's 24 players who go out and compete at a very high level .
`` And to do it in front of a crowd like this , with a new format that we were a little skeptical of , we did n't know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But everyone at the end of the day , they loved it .
It brings back the competition , so it was great . ''
Giannis Antetokounmpo led his team with 25 points and 11 rebounds .
Kemba Walker finished with 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting , while Joel Embiid had 22 points and 10 rebounds .
The league unveiled the new All-Star Game format last month , turning every quarter into a mini-game for charity before an untimed fourth quarter with a final target score to decide the winner .
On Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach 157 points after Team Giannis took a 133-124 cumulative lead through the first three quarters .
Under the new format , the target score was determined by adding 24 to the leading team 's point total ( 133 ) , a nod to the No .
24 jersey Bryant wore during his 20-year career with the Lakers .
In addition to the new format , both teams honored Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter , Gianna , with universal jersey numbers following last month 's helicopter crash that killed them and seven others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
2 , and Team Giannis wore Bryant 's No .
24 .
Team LeBron won the first quarter 53-41 , and Team Giannis won the second quarter 51-30 .
The teams tied 41-41 in the third quarter .
The highest-scoring team in each quarter received $ 100,000 for its designated charity , with the winning team earning $ 200,000 .
Since the third quarter ended in a tie , that $ 100,000 was carried over into the fourth quarter .
In total , Team LeBron , playing for Chicago Scholars , earned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 100,000 for After School Matters .
Both of the Chicago-based organizations help teens from under-resourced communities in a variety of ways , including teaching communication and leadership skills .

Team LeBron forward Kawhi Leonard lifts the Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP Trophy after the 2020 NBA All-Star Game between Team LeBron and Team Giannis on Sunday night at the United Center in Chicago. Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/EPA-EFE
Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Under the new scoring format intended to honor the late Kobe Bryant and increase intensity between opponents, Team LeBron beat Team Giannis 157-155 in the 69th annual NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night at the United Center in Chicago. Kawhi Leonard was named the first recipient of the Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP Award after scoring a game-high 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting. He made eight 3-pointers in the game, finishing one shy of the All-Star Game record set in 2016 by Paul George. Advertisement
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James recorded 23 points, six assists and five rebounds. Teammate Anthony Davis, who sank the game-winning free throw in the fourth quarter, had 20 points and nine rebounds.
"It felt like playing in the league in a playoff game," Davis said. "It's a great competition and it's 24 players who go out and compete at a very high level.
"And to do it in front of a crowd like this, with a new format that we were a little skeptical of, we didn't know how it was going to go. But everyone at the end of the day, they loved it. It brings back the competition, so it was great."
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Giannis Antetokounmpo led his team with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Kemba Walker finished with 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting, while Joel Embiid had 22 points and 10 rebounds.
The league unveiled the new All-Star Game format last month, turning every quarter into a mini-game for charity before an untimed fourth quarter with a final target score to decide the winner.
On Sunday night, the winning team needed to reach 157 points after Team Giannis took a 133-124 cumulative lead through the first three quarters. Under the new format, the target score was determined by adding 24 to the leading team's point total (133), a nod to the No. 24 jersey Bryant wore during his 20-year career with the Lakers.
In addition to the new format, both teams honored Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, with universal jersey numbers following last month's helicopter crash that killed them and seven others. Team LeBron wore Gianna's No. 2, and Team Giannis wore Bryant's No. 24.
Team LeBron won the first quarter 53-41, and Team Giannis won the second quarter 51-30. The teams tied 41-41 in the third quarter.
The highest-scoring team in each quarter received $100,000 for its designated charity, with the winning team earning $200,000. Since the third quarter ended in a tie, that $100,000 was carried over into the fourth quarter.
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In total, Team LeBron, playing for Chicago Scholars, earned $400,000, and Team Giannis generated $100,000 for After School Matters. Both of the Chicago-based organizations help teens from under-resourced communities in a variety of ways, including teaching communication and leadership skills.


upi--2020-02-16--Yemen government, Houthi rebels agree to prisoner swap

Feb. 16 ( UPI ) -- The two sides of Yemen 's civil war have agreed to a long-delayed , large-scale prisoner swap plan , the United Nations said Sunday amid heightened fighting between the internationally recognized Yemeni government and Houthi rebels .
The United Nations said the plan will be the first `` large-scale exchange of prisoners '' between the two sides since the war began in 2015 .
It did not disclose the number of prisoners who would be exchanged .
The United Nations said the agreement was made following a seven-day meeting completed Sunday in Amman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round of deliberations since the two warring sides agreed to the exchange of prisoners under their Stockholm Agreement of 2018 that raised hopes that the war may eventually reach a peace settlement .
Following the completion of the meeting on Sunday , both parties decided to `` immediately begin with exchanging the lists for the upcoming release , '' the United Nations said .
`` I urge the parties to move forward with the exchange they agreed on today with the utmost sense of urgency , '' U.N. Special Envoy for Yemen Martin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Progress has been too slow on this front .
The pain of the thousands awaiting reunion with their loved ones must end .
Today , the parties showed us that even with the growing challenges on the ground , the confidence they have been building can still yield positive results . ''
The meeting was chaired by the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen and the International Committee of the Red Cross .
The two sides also renewed their commitment to allow conflict prisoners to contact their families in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Nations said , continuing that another meeting is planned to convene in late March to further discuss the exchanges .
Franz Rauchenstein , head of the ICRC in Sana ' a , said the agreement was `` very encouraging '' and that he hoped it would lay the groundwork for further prisoner swaps .
`` Today , despite ongoing clashes , we saw that the parties have found common humanitarian ground that will allow many detainees to return to their loved ones , '' he said .
`` This shows that only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands to bring about positive and lasting change . ''
The agreement comes a day Houthi rebels claimed to have shot down a Saudi-led coalition jet and two days following the United Nations saying as many as 31 civilians were killed and 12 others were injured in airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition on northern Al-Jawf province .
`` SO many people are being killed in Yemen -- it 's a tragedy and it 's unjustified , '' said Lise Grande , U.N. 's humanitarian coordinator for Yemen .
`` Under international humanitarian law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obligated to protect civilians .
Five years into this conflict and belligerents are still failing to uphold this responsibility .
It 's shocking . ''
The two factions have been at war since the Iran-backed Houthi rebels ousted the internationally recognized Yemeni government in 2015 .
The conflict has since been on a downward spiral that has devolved the Middle Eastern country into the world 's worst humanitarian crisis , displacing 3.3 million people across the country , according to data from the United Nations .

Feb. 16 (UPI) -- The two sides of Yemen's civil war have agreed to a long-delayed, large-scale prisoner swap plan, the United Nations said Sunday amid heightened fighting between the internationally recognized Yemeni government and Houthi rebels.
The United Nations said the plan will be the first "large-scale exchange of prisoners" between the two sides since the war began in 2015. It did not disclose the number of prisoners who would be exchanged.
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The United Nations said the agreement was made following a seven-day meeting completed Sunday in Amman, Jordan.
It was the third such round of deliberations since the two warring sides agreed to the exchange of prisoners under their Stockholm Agreement of 2018 that raised hopes that the war may eventually reach a peace settlement.
Concluding a 7-day meeting in #Amman, the parties agreed on details to complete the 1st exchange of prisoners-a step towards fulfilling their commitment to the phased release of all detainees related to the conflict in #Yemen as per the #StockholmAgreement:https://t.co/3csEU8G0vu— UN Special Envoy for Yemen (@OSE_Yemen) February 16, 2020 Advertisement
Following the completion of the meeting on Sunday, both parties decided to "immediately begin with exchanging the lists for the upcoming release," the United Nations said.
"I urge the parties to move forward with the exchange they agreed on today with the utmost sense of urgency," U.N. Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths said in a statement. "Progress has been too slow on this front. The pain of the thousands awaiting reunion with their loved ones must end. Today, the parties showed us that even with the growing challenges on the ground, the confidence they have been building can still yield positive results."
The meeting was chaired by the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The two sides also renewed their commitment to allow conflict prisoners to contact their families in accordance with international humanitarian law, the United Nations said, continuing that another meeting is planned to convene in late March to further discuss the exchanges.
Franz Rauchenstein, head of the ICRC in Sana'a, said the agreement was "very encouraging" and that he hoped it would lay the groundwork for further prisoner swaps.
"Today, despite ongoing clashes, we saw that the parties have found common humanitarian ground that will allow many detainees to return to their loved ones," he said. "This shows that only the parties themselves have it in their hands to bring about positive and lasting change."
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The agreement comes a day Houthi rebels claimed to have shot down a Saudi-led coalition jet and two days following the United Nations saying as many as 31 civilians were killed and 12 others were injured in airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition on northern Al-Jawf province.
"SO many people are being killed in Yemen -- it's a tragedy and it's unjustified," said Lise Grande, U.N.'s humanitarian coordinator for Yemen. "Under international humanitarian law, parties which resort to force are obligated to protect civilians. Five years into this conflict and belligerents are still failing to uphold this responsibility. It's shocking."
The two factions have been at war since the Iran-backed Houthi rebels ousted the internationally recognized Yemeni government in 2015.
The conflict has since been on a downward spiral that has devolved the Middle Eastern country into the world's worst humanitarian crisis, displacing 3.3 million people across the country, according to data from the United Nations.


upi--2020-02-16--Watch: Hawks' Trae Young drains half-court shot in 2020 NBA All-Star Game

Feb. 16 ( UPI ) -- Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young sank a deep half-court shot before halftime during the @ @ @ @ @ Sunday night at the United Center in Chicago .
Young , playing on Team Giannis @ @ @ @ @ Rudy Gobert after a defensive rebound .
The young guard took one dribble before launching @ @ @ @ @ logo in the center of the court .
Toronto Raptors forward and teammate Pascal Siakam @ @ @ @ @ watched as the moonshot entered the hoop without touching the rim .
The deep 3-pointer @ @ @ @ @ win in the second quarter under the new All-Star Game format .
Team LeBron earned @ @ @ @ @ first quarter .
After the first two quarters of play , Team Giannis held a @ @ @ @ @ eight points , seven assists and three rebounds in 10 minutes of action in the @ @ @ @ @ led his team with 20 points on 10-of-14 shooting .
Kawhi Leonard led Team LeBron @ @ @ @ @ and a team-best six assists .

Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young sank a deep half-court shot before halftime during the 2020 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night at the United Center in Chicago.
Young, playing on Team Giannis, received a pass from Rudy Gobert after a defensive rebound. The young guard took one dribble before launching a half-court heave from the logo in the center of the court.
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Toronto Raptors forward and teammate Pascal Siakam was under the basket and watched as the moonshot entered the hoop without touching the rim.
Trae Young pulls up from halfcourt to close out the 2nd quarter of the 2020 #NBAAllStar game! pic.twitter.com/XHlKNUF7EG— NBA (@NBA) February 17, 2020
The deep 3-pointer gave Team Giannis a 51-30 win in the second quarter under the new All-Star Game format. Team LeBron earned a 53-41 victory in the first quarter.
After the first two quarters of play, Team Giannis held a 92-83 advantage. Young recorded eight points, seven assists and three rebounds in 10 minutes of action in the opening half.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo led his team with 20 points on 10-of-14 shooting. Kawhi Leonard led Team LeBron with a game-high 25 points and a team-best six assists.


upi--2020-02-16--Two killed in Colorado avalanche

Two killed in Colorado avalanche

Feb. 16 ( UPI ) -- Search and rescue volunteers in Colorado recovered the bodies of two snowmobilers on Sunday who were killed over the weekend in an avalanche , officials said .
The Eagle County Sheriff 's Office said in a statement that three snowmobilers became caught in an avalanche they may have triggered at about 4:45 p.m. Saturday in the area of Muddy Pass just north of Vail , Colo. Two of the snowmobilers were killed when they were carried into a gully by the avalanche and where deeply buried in snow , the Colorado Avalanche Information Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dillon Block , 28 , and Cesar Almanza-Hernandez , 30 , both of Gypsum , Colo .
The Eagle County Sheriff 's Office said the third snowmobiler was only partially buried and was able to extract himself from the snow before contacting the authorities , which initiated a search for Block and Almanza-Hernandez .
`` We are so appreciative of the volunteers with Vail Mountain Rescue Group who worked on this very tragic incident , '' Eagle County Sheriff Van Beek said in a statement .
`` Our thoughts are with the families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Almanza-Hernandez . ''
The avalanche occurred below the treeline at around 9,800 feet in elevation and was approximately 650 feet wide and 120 feet vertical , the center said .
`` The avalanche initiated in the old snow layers about three feet below the snow surface , '' the center said .
`` It stepped down to a weak layer near the ground , about five feet deep .
Our deepest condolences go out to the family , friends and everyone affected by this accident . ''
The backcountry avalanche forecast is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near the treeline signaling dangerous avalanche conditions and `` cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making '' are necessary .
An average of 27 people have died in avalanches in each of the past 10 winters in the United States , the CAIC said , adding avalanches over President 's Day weekend that result in deaths are not uncommon .
On Monday , a snowmobiler died after triggering an avalanche in Boulder Creek , just north of Denver , the center said .

Rescuers search for two snowmobilers who were buried Saturday in a Colorado avalanche. Photo courtesy of the Eagle County Sheriff's Office/ Website
Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Search and rescue volunteers in Colorado recovered the bodies of two snowmobilers on Sunday who were killed over the weekend in an avalanche, officials said. The Eagle County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that three snowmobilers became caught in an avalanche they may have triggered at about 4:45 p.m. Saturday in the area of Muddy Pass just north of Vail, Colo. Advertisement
Two of the snowmobilers were killed when they were carried into a gully by the avalanche and where deeply buried in snow, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center said.
Authorities identified the victims as Dillon Block, 28, and Cesar Almanza-Hernandez, 30, both of Gypsum, Colo.
The Eagle County Sheriff's Office said the third snowmobiler was only partially buried and was able to extract himself from the snow before contacting the authorities, which initiated a search for Block and Almanza-Hernandez.
"We are so appreciative of the volunteers with Vail Mountain Rescue Group who worked on this very tragic incident," Eagle County Sheriff Van Beek said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of Mr. Block and Mr. Almanza-Hernandez."
The avalanche occurred below the treeline at around 9,800 feet in elevation and was approximately 650 feet wide and 120 feet vertical, the center said.
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"The avalanche initiated in the old snow layers about three feet below the snow surface," the center said. "It stepped down to a weak layer near the ground, about five feet deep. Our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends and everyone affected by this accident."
The backcountry avalanche forecast is rated "considerable" for above and near the treeline signaling dangerous avalanche conditions and "cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making" are necessary.
An average of 27 people have died in avalanches in each of the past 10 winters in the United States, the CAIC said, adding avalanches over President's Day weekend that result in deaths are not uncommon.
On Monday, a snowmobiler died after triggering an avalanche in Boulder Creek, just north of Denver, the center said.


upi--2020-02-16--MLB commissioner Rob Manfred defends Astros' punishment for stealing signs

Feb. 16 ( UPI ) -- As players from around the league continue to criticize MLB 's handling of the Houston Astros , baseball commissioner Rob Manfred defended his punishment of the organization for its sign-stealing scandal .
In a wide-ranging interview with ESPN on Sunday , Manfred offered an explanation as to why he did n't discipline any Astros players for their roles in the scheme , which involved illegal use of technology to steal signs of opposing teams and relay them to Houston batters in real time .
`` I understand people 's desires to have the players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here , '' Manfred said .
`` I think if you watch the players , watch their faces when they have to deal with this issue publicly , they have paid a price .
To think they 're skipping down the road into spring training , happy , that 's just a mischaracterization of where we are .
`` Having said that , the desire to have actual discipline imposed on them , I understand it and in a perfect world it would have happened .
We ended up where we ended up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the most important goal of getting the facts and getting them out there for people to know it . ''
Major League Baseball announced last month that a league investigation confirmed the Astros cheated during the regular season and postseason of their World Series-winning 2017 campaign .
According to Manfred , the Astros used a camera-based system to steal signs of opposing teams during the 2017 season and parts of the 2018 campaign .
The sign-stealing scandal led to the suspension and subsequent firing of former Astros manager A.J .
Hinch and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manfred also handed the Astros organization a record $ 5 million fine and stripped the club of multiple draft picks .
But none of the Astros players involved with the operation were suspended or fined , and Manfred previously indicated that MLB had no plans to strip the Astros of their 2017 World Series championship .
Those decisions have drawn widespread criticism from players and managers around the league .
`` In the context of my original decision , something that we talked about and analyzed extensively , '' Manfred said of potentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` A big topic of conversation between me and my senior staff .
`` It has never happened in baseball .
I am a believer in the idea that precedent happens and when you deviate from that , you have to have a very good reason .
The report gave people a transparent account of what went on .
We put people in position to make their own judgments about the behavior that went on .
That certainly has happened over the last month .
`` The idea of an asterisk or asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a futile act .
People will always know that something was different about the 2017 season , and whether we made that decision right or wrong , we undertook a thorough investigation , and had the intestinal fortitude to share the results of that investigation , even when those results were not very pretty . ''
When asked about the league 's plans moving forward , Manfred indicated that MLB would restrict video access during games .
`` No question we 'll have a new policy before the 2020 season , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deny video can help you perform if you have access to it during the game , but a golfer ca n't come off the sixth and take a look at his swing .
... We 're going to have to live with less access to live video in and around the dugout and clubhouse . ''
The league 's investigation also impacted other MLB franchises .
Former Astros bench coach Alex Cora lost his job as manager of the Boston Red Sox on Jan. 14 , and ex-Astros player Carlos Beltran was removed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Mets two days later .
Cora and Beltran were singled out in Manfred 's report as the ringleaders of the sign-stealing scheme in 2017 .
MLB is also investigating the Red Sox for allegedly stealing signs of opposing teams during their 2018 championship season when Cora was manager .
Manfred said a decision on that probe could be out within two weeks .
`` We have done everything we could possibly do to get the facts right , '' Manfred told reporters at a news conference later Sunday .
`` I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we should be done and have a decision out -- end of next week , not this week , but the following week . ''

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred suspended former Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow for their connection to the team's sign-stealing scheme. He also handed down a $5 million fine and took away multiple draft picks from the Astros. File Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 16 (UPI) -- As players from around the league continue to criticize MLB's handling of the Houston Astros, baseball commissioner Rob Manfred defended his punishment of the organization for its sign-stealing scandal. In a wide-ranging interview with ESPN on Sunday, Manfred offered an explanation as to why he didn't discipline any Astros players for their roles in the scheme, which involved illegal use of technology to steal signs of opposing teams and relay them to Houston batters in real time. Advertisement
"I understand people's desires to have the players pay a price for what went on here," Manfred said. "I think if you watch the players, watch their faces when they have to deal with this issue publicly, they have paid a price. To think they're skipping down the road into spring training, happy, that's just a mischaracterization of where we are.
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"Having said that, the desire to have actual discipline imposed on them, I understand it and in a perfect world it would have happened. We ended up where we ended up in pursuit of really, I think, the most important goal of getting the facts and getting them out there for people to know it."
Major League Baseball announced last month that a league investigation confirmed the Astros cheated during the regular season and postseason of their World Series-winning 2017 campaign.
According to Manfred, the Astros used a camera-based system to steal signs of opposing teams during the 2017 season and parts of the 2018 campaign.
The sign-stealing scandal led to the suspension and subsequent firing of former Astros manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow last month. Manfred also handed the Astros organization a record $5 million fine and stripped the club of multiple draft picks.
But none of the Astros players involved with the operation were suspended or fined, and Manfred previously indicated that MLB had no plans to strip the Astros of their 2017 World Series championship. Those decisions have drawn widespread criticism from players and managers around the league.
Advertisement
"In the context of my original decision, something that we talked about and analyzed extensively," Manfred said of potentially taking the Astros' title away. "A big topic of conversation between me and my senior staff.
"It has never happened in baseball. I am a believer in the idea that precedent happens and when you deviate from that, you have to have a very good reason. The report gave people a transparent account of what went on. We put people in position to make their own judgments about the behavior that went on. That certainly has happened over the last month.
"The idea of an asterisk or asking for a piece of metal back seems like a futile act. People will always know that something was different about the 2017 season, and whether we made that decision right or wrong, we undertook a thorough investigation, and had the intestinal fortitude to share the results of that investigation, even when those results were not very pretty."
When asked about the league's plans moving forward, Manfred indicated that MLB would restrict video access during games.
"No question we'll have a new policy before the 2020 season," Manfred said. "I don't deny video can help you perform if you have access to it during the game, but a golfer can't come off the sixth and take a look at his swing. ... We're going to have to live with less access to live video in and around the dugout and clubhouse."
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The league's investigation also impacted other MLB franchises. Former Astros bench coach Alex Cora lost his job as manager of the Boston Red Sox on Jan. 14, and ex-Astros player Carlos Beltran was removed from his managerial position with the New York Mets two days later.
Cora and Beltran were singled out in Manfred's report as the ringleaders of the sign-stealing scheme in 2017.
MLB is also investigating the Red Sox for allegedly stealing signs of opposing teams during their 2018 championship season when Cora was manager. Manfred said a decision on that probe could be out within two weeks.
"We have done everything we could possibly do to get the facts right," Manfred told reporters at a news conference later Sunday. "I'm still thinking the end of next week we should be done and have a decision out -- end of next week, not this week, but the following week."


upi--2020-02-17--Watch: Apple TV+ trailer offers first glimpse at new 'Amazing Stories'

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- Apple TV+ released a 90-second trailer for its re-imagining of Steven Spielberg 's sci-fi @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
The five-episode re-boot is executive produced by Spielberg , Edward Kitsis and Adam @ @ @ @ @ starring Dylan O'Brien , Victoria Pedretti and Sasha Alexander -- is scheduled to debut on @ @ @ @ @ 6 .

Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Apple TV+ released a 90-second trailer for its re-imagining of Steven Spielberg's sci-fi anthology series Amazing Stories on Monday.
The five-episode re-boot is executive produced by Spielberg, Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz.
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Episode 1 -- starring Dylan O'Brien, Victoria Pedretti and Sasha Alexander -- is scheduled to debut on the streaming service on March 6.
Spielberg created the Emmy-winning show that initially aired 1985-87.


upi--2020-02-17--Persistent antisocial behavior linked to differences in brain structure

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- Stealing , bullying , lying -- it turns out these antisocial behaviors may have their origins in the brain structures of individuals who engage in them , a study published Monday in the journal The Lancet Psychiatry has found .
Researchers from the United States and Britain used MRI scans to compare the brain compositions of those with a history of these behaviors to those without .
In general , they found individuals who exhibit persistent antisocial behavior over the course of their lives may have thinner cerebral cortices and smaller surface area in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , there were no widespread structural brain abnormalities observed in a larger group of individuals who exhibited antisocial behavior only during adolescence , the researchers said .
`` Political approaches to juvenile offending often swing back and forth between punitive measures and approaches that give young offenders room to reform , '' co-author Terrie Moffitt , a clinical psychiatrist at Duke University Medical Center , said in a press release .
`` Our findings support the need for different approaches for different offenders -- however , we caution against brain imaging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understanding of brain structure differences are not robust enough to be applied on an individual level , '' Moffitt said .
`` Instead , we need to recognize that individual development can be one driver of serious repeat offending , but to also appreciate that this is not the case for all juvenile offenders . ''
Adolescents who exhibit persistent antisocial behavior beginning in childhood are often diagnosed with conduct disorder , Moffitt and her colleagues said .
These children are at an increased risk for incarceration and poor physical and mental health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Previous studies have demonstrated marked individual differences in the age of onset and duration of antisocial behavior , suggesting that some individuals display life-course-persistent antisocial behavior that begins in childhood and lasts into adulthood , while others begin engaging in antisocial behavior in adolescence and stop as they mature into adulthood .
However , this is the first study to compare structural brain differences using neuro-imaging in individuals with either life-course-persistent or adolescent-only antisocial behavior and those without antisocial behavior .
As such , the authors think their findings provide the first robust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associated with life-course-persistent antisocial behavior .
The researchers used MRI brain scans from 672 participants who were 45 years of age .
The participants were previously categorized based on patterns of behavior they exhibited , using reports from parents , caregivers and teachers , as well as self-reports of conduct problems between 7 and 26 years of age .
In all , 12 percent of the participants had life-course-persistent antisocial behavior , while 23 percent had adolescent-only antisocial behavior .
The majority -- 66 percent , or 441 -- had no history of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scans , the authors measured and compared the average cortical thickness and cortical surface area -- indices of grey matter or brain tissue size -- between these three groups .
They also looked at differences in the surface area and cortical thickness of 360 different regions of the cortex , most of which have been previously linked to antisocial behavior through their involvement in goal-directed behavior , regulation of emotions and motivation .
They found , on average , across the entire brain , individuals with life-course-persistent antisocial behavior had a smaller mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than people who showed no persistent antisocial behavior .
In addition , people who showed life-course-persistent antisocial behavior had reduced surface area in 282 of 360 brain regions , and had thinner cortex in 11 of 360 regions Widespread differences in brain structure were not found , however , for the adolescence-limited group compared with either non-antisocial or life-course-persistent antisocial groups .
The findings provide the first robust evidence to suggest that underlying neuro-psychological differences exist in people with life-course-persistent antisocial behavior , the researchers said -- and have implications for the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ findings support the idea that , for the small proportion of individuals with life-course-persistent antisocial behavior , there may be differences in their brain structure that make it difficult for them to develop social skills that prevent them from engaging in antisocial behavior , '' said co-author Christina Carlisi , a post-doctoral fellow in adolescent mental health at University College London .
`` These people could benefit from more support throughout their lives , '' Carlisi said .
`` Most people who exhibit antisocial behavior primarily do so only in adolescence , likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , and these individuals do not display structural brain differences .
It is also these individuals who are generally capable of reform and go on to become valuable members of society . ''

Researchers say that persistent antisocial behavior may be linked to physical differences in brain structure. Photo by 1556045 /Pixabay
Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Stealing, bullying, lying -- it turns out these antisocial behaviors may have their origins in the brain structures of individuals who engage in them, a study published Monday in the journal The Lancet Psychiatry has found. Researchers from the United States and Britain used MRI scans to compare the brain compositions of those with a history of these behaviors to those without. In general, they found individuals who exhibit persistent antisocial behavior over the course of their lives may have thinner cerebral cortices and smaller surface area in some regions of the brain than others. Advertisement
However, there were no widespread structural brain abnormalities observed in a larger group of individuals who exhibited antisocial behavior only during adolescence, the researchers said.
"Political approaches to juvenile offending often swing back and forth between punitive measures and approaches that give young offenders room to reform," co-author Terrie Moffitt, a clinical psychiatrist at Duke University Medical Center, said in a press release.
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"Our findings support the need for different approaches for different offenders -- however, we caution against brain imaging being used for screening, as the understanding of brain structure differences are not robust enough to be applied on an individual level," Moffitt said. "Instead, we need to recognize that individual development can be one driver of serious repeat offending, but to also appreciate that this is not the case for all juvenile offenders."
Adolescents who exhibit persistent antisocial behavior beginning in childhood are often diagnosed with conduct disorder, Moffitt and her colleagues said. These children are at an increased risk for incarceration and poor physical and mental health later in life, they added.
Previous studies have demonstrated marked individual differences in the age of onset and duration of antisocial behavior, suggesting that some individuals display life-course-persistent antisocial behavior that begins in childhood and lasts into adulthood, while others begin engaging in antisocial behavior in adolescence and stop as they mature into adulthood. However, this is the first study to compare structural brain differences using neuro-imaging in individuals with either life-course-persistent or adolescent-only antisocial behavior and those without antisocial behavior.
As such, the authors think their findings provide the first robust evidence that underlying neuro-psychological differences are primarily associated with life-course-persistent antisocial behavior.
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The researchers used MRI brain scans from 672 participants who were 45 years of age. The participants were previously categorized based on patterns of behavior they exhibited, using reports from parents, caregivers and teachers, as well as self-reports of conduct problems between 7 and 26 years of age.
In all, 12 percent of the participants had life-course-persistent antisocial behavior, while 23 percent had adolescent-only antisocial behavior. The majority -- 66 percent, or 441 -- had no history of persistent antisocial behavior.
Analyzing the brain scans, the authors measured and compared the average cortical thickness and cortical surface area -- indices of grey matter or brain tissue size -- between these three groups. They also looked at differences in the surface area and cortical thickness of 360 different regions of the cortex, most of which have been previously linked to antisocial behavior through their involvement in goal-directed behavior, regulation of emotions and motivation.
They found, on average, across the entire brain, individuals with life-course-persistent antisocial behavior had a smaller mean surface area and lower mean cortical thickness than people who showed no persistent antisocial behavior. In addition, people who showed life-course-persistent antisocial behavior had reduced surface area in 282 of 360 brain regions, and had thinner cortex in 11 of 360 regions
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Widespread differences in brain structure were not found, however, for the adolescence-limited group compared with either non-antisocial or life-course-persistent antisocial groups.
The findings provide the first robust evidence to suggest that underlying neuro-psychological differences exist in people with life-course-persistent antisocial behavior, the researchers said -- and have implications for the way we treat juvenile offenders.
"Our findings support the idea that, for the small proportion of individuals with life-course-persistent antisocial behavior, there may be differences in their brain structure that make it difficult for them to develop social skills that prevent them from engaging in antisocial behavior," said co-author Christina Carlisi, a post-doctoral fellow in adolescent mental health at University College London.
"These people could benefit from more support throughout their lives," Carlisi said. "Most people who exhibit antisocial behavior primarily do so only in adolescence, likely as a result of navigating socially difficult years, and these individuals do not display structural brain differences. It is also these individuals who are generally capable of reform and go on to become valuable members of society."


upi--2020-02-17--European Union agrees to set up warships to enforce Libya arms embargo

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- The European Union on Monday agreed to deploy warships to enforce the internationally-backed arms embargo against Libya .
Josep Borrell , the EU 's minister of foreign affairs , said the 27 foreign ministers that comprise the bloc agreed to launch a new operation with naval ships , planes and satellites to stop the flow of weapons into Libya .
Ships under the new mission -- which will be known as Operation EU Active Surveillance -- will patrol about 60 miles off the coast of Libya .
Borrell also said the foreign ministers agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Libyan coast along routes where arms shipments have traveled adding a ground deployment ca n't prevent all weapons shipments as `` an important part of the traffic of arms goes by sea . ''
The EU sea patrols were suspended in March after the Italian government withdrew its support to stop migrants from being brought into the country and the top United Nations official on Libya , Stephanie Williams , said over the weekend that the embargo had become `` a joke . ''
Borrell said that ships would be withdrawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' that encouraged people to attempt to cross from Libya to Europe to prevent the operation from becoming a rescue mission .
`` Naval assets can be deployed in the areas most relevant to the implementation of the arms embargo , in the eastern part of the area of operation or at least 60 miles off the Libyan coast , where chances to conduct rescue operations are lower , '' an internal EU memo said .
The announcement comes as talks to end the Libya conflict are set to resume on Tuesday and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cease-fire monitoring mission if the fighting stops .

Josep Borrell, the European Union's minister of foreign affairs, announced the bloc agreed to deploy warships to reinforce an embargo to prevent the flow of weapons into Libya on Monday. File Photo by Sarah Yanez Richards/EPA EFE
Feb. 17 (UPI) -- The European Union on Monday agreed to deploy warships to enforce the internationally-backed arms embargo against Libya. Josep Borrell, the EU's minister of foreign affairs, said the 27 foreign ministers that comprise the bloc agreed to launch a new operation with naval ships, planes and satellites to stop the flow of weapons into Libya. Advertisement
Ships under the new mission -- which will be known as Operation EU Active Surveillance -- will patrol about 60 miles off the coast of Libya.
Borrell also said the foreign ministers agreed ships would be deployed only in places on the Libyan coast along routes where arms shipments have traveled adding a ground deployment can't prevent all weapons shipments as "an important part of the traffic of arms goes by sea."
The EU sea patrols were suspended in March after the Italian government withdrew its support to stop migrants from being brought into the country and the top United Nations official on Libya, Stephanie Williams, said over the weekend that the embargo had become "a joke."
Borrell said that ships would be withdrawn if they became "a pull factor" that encouraged people to attempt to cross from Libya to Europe to prevent the operation from becoming a rescue mission.
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"Naval assets can be deployed in the areas most relevant to the implementation of the arms embargo, in the eastern part of the area of operation or at least 60 miles off the Libyan coast, where chances to conduct rescue operations are lower," an internal EU memo said.
The announcement comes as talks to end the Libya conflict are set to resume on Tuesday and the EU has also considered deploying a cease-fire monitoring mission if the fighting stops.


upi--2020-02-17--Cleveland Browns cut veteran cornerback T.J. Carrie, three others

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- The Cleveland Browns released veteran cornerback T.J. Carrie and three others to create additional cap space , the team announced Monday .
The Browns terminated the contracts of tight end Demetrius Harris , offensive guard Eric Kush , linebacker Adarius Taylor and Carrie , according to the team .
Their releases create more than $ 13 million in salary cap space for the team in 2020 .
Carrie had two years remaining on a four-year , $ 31 million contract that he signed with Cleveland in 2018 .
According to Spotrac , none of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guaranteed .
Harris , Kush and Taylor all signed with the Browns in free agency last season .
In 16 regular-season games ( six starts ) last season , Carrie recorded 52 total tackles , one interception , one forced fumble , one sack and four passes defensed .
Since entering the league in 2014 with the Oakland Raiders , he has notched 331 combined tackles and five picks .
Kush started seven games at right guard before losing the starting job halfway through the 2019 campaign .
Taylor tallied nine total tackles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had 15 receptions for 149 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games ( six starts ) last year .
The four players were signed by former Browns general manager John Dorsey , who was fired in December after a 6-10 season .

Cleveland Browns cornerback T.J. Carrie (R) recorded 52 total tackles and one interception last season. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 17 (UPI) -- The Cleveland Browns released veteran cornerback T.J. Carrie and three others to create additional cap space, the team announced Monday. The Browns terminated the contracts of tight end Demetrius Harris, offensive guard Eric Kush, linebacker Adarius Taylor and Carrie, according to the team. Their releases create more than $13 million in salary cap space for the team in 2020. Advertisement
Carrie had two years remaining on a four-year, $31 million contract that he signed with Cleveland in 2018. According to Spotrac, none of the money left on his deal was guaranteed. Harris, Kush and Taylor all signed with the Browns in free agency last season.
In 16 regular-season games (six starts) last season, Carrie recorded 52 total tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, one sack and four passes defensed. Since entering the league in 2014 with the Oakland Raiders, he has notched 331 combined tackles and five picks.
Kush started seven games at right guard before losing the starting job halfway through the 2019 campaign. Taylor tallied nine total tackles in 15 games last season.
Harris had 15 receptions for 149 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games (six starts) last year.
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The four players were signed by former Browns general manager John Dorsey, who was fired in December after a 6-10 season.


upi--2020-02-17--Filming begins on Season 6 of 'Line of Duty' with Kelly Macdonald

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- Filming has begun on Season 6 of the BBC 's crime drama Line of @ @ @ @ @ after the events of Season 5 , the upcoming episodes of the thriller were penned @ @ @ @ @ .
The sixth season will feature a new detective chief inspector , played by Boardwalk @ @ @ @ @ Macdonald , as well as a fresh case .
`` First day of filming # @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's great to be back on the hunt for bent coppers .
Rest @ @ @ @ @ do better than my amateur snaps , '' Mercurio tweeted Monday , along with a @ @ @ @ @ show 's set .
The new season is expected to debut later this year .

Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald will play a new detective chief inspector on "Line of Duty." File Photo by Paul Treadway/ UPI | License Photo
First day of filming #LineofDuty6 @BBCOne @worldprods. It's great to be back on the hunt for bent coppers. Rest assured our camera crew will do better than my amateur snaps. pic.twitter.com/R2564QTzGC— Jed Mercurio (@jed_mercurio) February 17, 2020 Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Filming has begun on Season 6 of the BBC's crime drama Line of Duty. Set 18 months after the events of Season 5, the upcoming episodes of the thriller were penned by series creator Jed Mercurio. Advertisement
The sixth season will feature a new detective chief inspector, played by Boardwalk Empire and Brave star Kelly Macdonald, as well as a fresh case.
"First day of filming #LineofDuty6 @BBCOne @worldprods. It's great to be back on the hunt for bent coppers. Rest assured our camera crew will do better than my amateur snaps," Mercurio tweeted Monday, along with a collage of photos from the show's set.
Returning cast members include Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar.
The new season is expected to debut later this year.


upi--2020-02-17--Jeff Bezos announces $10B Earth fund to combat climate change

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos announced the launch of a new Earth fund Monday , pledging $ 10 billion to combat climate change .
Bezos announced the Bezos Earth Fund in an Instagram post saying he will begin issuing grants this summer for projects seeking to find new ways and promote existing ways to fight climate change .
`` This global initiative will fund scientists , activists , NGOs -- any effort that offers a real possibility to help preserve and protect the natural world , '' Bezos wrote .
The announcement comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defied company rules -- which bar workers from speaking publicly about official business -- by posting complaints about environmental and other matters under the banner Amazon Employees for Climate Justice last month .
Amazon Employees for Climate Justice issued a statement in response to the announcement of the fund but questioned whether it will come with changes at the company addressing their concerns .
`` We applaud Jeff Bezos ' philanthropy , but one hand can not give what the other is taking away , '' they wrote .
`` The people of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazon going to stop helping oil and gas companies ravage Earth with still more oil and gas wells ?
When is Amazon going to stop funding climate-denying think tanks like Competitive Enterprise Institute and climate-delaying policy ?
When will Amazon take responsibility for the lungs of children near its warehouses by moving from diesel to all-electric trucking ? ''

Jeff Bezos, CEO and founder of Amazon, announced an Earth fund Monday, pledging $10 billion to award grants for projects aimed at combatting climate change. File Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos announced the launch of a new Earth fund Monday, pledging $10 billion to combat climate change. Bezos announced the Bezos Earth Fund in an Instagram post saying he will begin issuing grants this summer for projects seeking to find new ways and promote existing ways to fight climate change. Advertisement
"This global initiative will fund scientists, activists, NGOs -- any effort that offers a real possibility to help preserve and protect the natural world," Bezos wrote.
The announcement comes after a group of 357 Amazon workers defied company rules -- which bar workers from speaking publicly about official business -- by posting complaints about environmental and other matters under the banner Amazon Employees for Climate Justice last month.
Amazon Employees for Climate Justice issued a statement in response to the announcement of the fund but questioned whether it will come with changes at the company addressing their concerns.
"We applaud Jeff Bezos' philanthropy, but one hand cannot give what the other is taking away," they wrote. "The people of Earth need to know: When is Amazon going to stop helping oil and gas companies ravage Earth with still more oil and gas wells? When is Amazon going to stop funding climate-denying think tanks like Competitive Enterprise Institute and climate-delaying policy? When will Amazon take responsibility for the lungs of children near its warehouses by moving from diesel to all-electric trucking?"


upi--2020-02-17--Protein-powered device generates electricity from moisture in the air

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- Scientists have developed a new device powered by a naturally occurring protein that uses moisture in the air to generate electricity .
The so-called Air-gen technology links electrodes with electrically conductive protein nanowires synthesized by the microbe Geobacter sulfurreducens .
The unique combination is capable of generating electricity from moisture that is naturally present in the air .
`` We are literally making electricity out of thin air , '' Jun Yao , an electrical engineer at the University of Massachusetts Amherst , said in a press release .
`` The Air-gen generates clean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't produce polluting byproducts and it is cheap to assemble .
Best yet , Yao and his colleagues estimate the technology can be scaled .
`` Connecting several devices linearly scales up the voltage and current to power electronics , '' researchers wrote in their paper on the technology , published Monday in the journal Nature .
`` Our results demonstrate the feasibility of a continuous energy-harvesting strategy that is less restricted by location or environmental conditions than other sustainable approaches . ''
Though the device requires moisture , it does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the technology to work .
Lab tests showed the Air-gen device could generate electricity in places as arid as the Sahara Desert .
And unlike solar cells and wind turbines , the technology is n't reliant on the weather .
It can work day or night , indoors or outdoors .
To build the device , scientists placed a thin film of protein nanowires atop an electrode .
Researchers positioned a second electrode on top , only partially covering the nanowires .
As the film absorbs water , the electrical conductivity and surface @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These unique properties , coupled with the porosity of the film , yield an electrical current between the two electrodes .
Once they 've scaled the device , researchers hope to integrate Air-gen technology with smart watches , health monitors , phones and wearable electronics .
`` The ultimate goal is to make large-scale systems .
For example , the technology might be incorporated into wall paint that could help power your home , '' Yao said .
`` Or , we may develop stand-alone air-powered generators that supply electricity off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industrial scale for wire production , I fully expect that we can make large systems that will make a major contribution to sustainable energy production . ''
In anticipation of the technology 's commercialization , Yao 's colleague Derek Lovley , a microbiologist at Amherst , has already developed a microbial strain capable of mass producing protein nanowires .
`` We turned E. coli into a protein nanowire factory , '' Lovley said .
`` With this new scalable process , protein nanowire supply will no longer be a bottleneck to developing these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the mud on the banks of the Potomac River some three decades ago .
In his lab , he and his research partners discovered the microbe 's ability to produce conductive protein nanowires .
Thirty years later and the discovery has opened up a new field of electronics research .
`` This is just the beginning of new era of protein-based electronic devices '' said Yao .

An illustration shows electric currents traveling between two electrodes as a film of protein nanowires absorbs water from the air. Photo by UMass Amherst/Yao and Lovley labs
Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Scientists have developed a new device powered by a naturally occurring protein that uses moisture in the air to generate electricity. The so-called Air-gen technology links electrodes with electrically conductive protein nanowires synthesized by the microbe Geobacter sulfurreducens. The unique combination is capable of generating electricity from moisture that is naturally present in the air. Advertisement
"We are literally making electricity out of thin air," Jun Yao, an electrical engineer at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, said in a press release. "The Air-gen generates clean energy 24/7."
The novel technology doesn't produce polluting byproducts and it is cheap to assemble. Best yet, Yao and his colleagues estimate the technology can be scaled.
"Connecting several devices linearly scales up the voltage and current to power electronics," researchers wrote in their paper on the technology, published Monday in the journal Nature. "Our results demonstrate the feasibility of a continuous energy-harvesting strategy that is less restricted by location or environmental conditions than other sustainable approaches."
Though the device requires moisture, it doesn't need to be all that humid for the technology to work. Lab tests showed the Air-gen device could generate electricity in places as arid as the Sahara Desert. And unlike solar cells and wind turbines, the technology isn't reliant on the weather. It can work day or night, indoors or outdoors.
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To build the device, scientists placed a thin film of protein nanowires atop an electrode. Researchers positioned a second electrode on top, only partially covering the nanowires.
As the film absorbs water, the electrical conductivity and surface chemistry of the protein nanowires is excited. These unique properties, coupled with the porosity of the film, yield an electrical current between the two electrodes.
Once they've scaled the device, researchers hope to integrate Air-gen technology with smart watches, health monitors, phones and wearable electronics.
"The ultimate goal is to make large-scale systems. For example, the technology might be incorporated into wall paint that could help power your home," Yao said. "Or, we may develop stand-alone air-powered generators that supply electricity off the grid. Once we get to an industrial scale for wire production, I fully expect that we can make large systems that will make a major contribution to sustainable energy production."
In anticipation of the technology's commercialization, Yao's colleague Derek Lovley, a microbiologist at Amherst, has already developed a microbial strain capable of mass producing protein nanowires.
"We turned E. coli into a protein nanowire factory," Lovley said. "With this new scalable process, protein nanowire supply will no longer be a bottleneck to developing these applications."
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Lovley discovered Geobacter sulfurreducens in the mud on the banks of the Potomac River some three decades ago. In his lab, he and his research partners discovered the microbe's ability to produce conductive protein nanowires.
Thirty years later and the discovery has opened up a new field of electronics research.
"This is just the beginning of new era of protein-based electronic devices" said Yao.


upi--2020-02-17--Key West NWS radar captures 90 mile radius of migratory birds

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- The National Weather Service 's Key West radar Monday captured nocturnal migration of birds stretching over the island with a radius of at least 90 miles .
The nocturnal migration was detected around midnight .
`` Key West radar has had a busy night , but not because of weather ! ''
the NWS Key West tweeted early Monday morning .
`` The most impressive display of migratory birds so far this year occurred overnight . ''
Migration of birds is typical around this time of year when more than 118 species of birds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the winter in Central and South America or the Caribbean .
Hundreds of thousands to millions of birds can migrate across North America in packs , mostly at night when the stars and the moon aid navigation , according to the National Audobon Society , and the migration is usually largely unseen .
However , atmospheric conditions Monday allowed radar a rare chance to pick up the phenomenon .
`` There was kind of a stable layer of air above us that was deflecting the radar beam closer to the surface , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` So , we were able to pick up more low level objects . ''

Key West radar has had a busy night, but not because of weather! The most impressive display of migratory birds so far this year occurred overnight. This product shows biological targets in green/yellow flying north over the Keys. Showers/rain are depicted in darker blues. pic.twitter.com/V2PJfucxJA— NWS Key West (@NWSKeyWest) February 17, 2020
Feb. 17 (UPI) -- The National Weather Service's Key West radar Monday captured nocturnal migration of birds stretching over the island with a radius of at least 90 miles.
The nocturnal migration was detected around midnight.
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"Key West radar has had a busy night, but not because of weather!" the NWS Key West tweeted early Monday morning. "The most impressive display of migratory birds so far this year occurred overnight."
Migration of birds is typical around this time of year when more than 118 species of birds start returning to North America after spending the winter in Central and South America or the Caribbean.
Hundreds of thousands to millions of birds can migrate across North America in packs, mostly at night when the stars and the moon aid navigation, according to the National Audobon Society, and the migration is usually largely unseen.
However, atmospheric conditions Monday allowed radar a rare chance to pick up the phenomenon.
"There was kind of a stable layer of air above us that was deflecting the radar beam closer to the surface," Key West forecaster Kate Lenninger said. "So, we were able to pick up more low level objects."


upi--2020-02-17--Watch: Man gives CPR to gecko found drowning in beer

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- An Australian man may have saved a lizard 's life when he fished it @ @ @ @ @ a pub and performed CPR on the seemingly lifeless animal .
The customer named Brett @ @ @ @ @ as Slab , said he initially thought staff at The Amble Inn in Corindi Beach @ @ @ @ @ were playing a prank on him when he spotted a gecko in his mug of @ @ @ @ @ sprung into action when workers assured him they had nothing to do with the lizard @ @ @ @ @ of the beverage .
The gecko was n't moving , so Brett started performing chest @ @ @ @ @ a friend filmed video of his rescue attempt .
The video shows Brett doing compressions @ @ @ @ @ gecko 's mouth before it starts to move again .
It was unclear whether the @ @ @ @ @ dead as a defense mechanism .

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe
Feb. 17 (UPI) -- An Australian man may have saved a lizard's life when he fished it out of his beer at a pub and performed CPR on the seemingly lifeless animal.
The customer named Brett, known to his friends as Slab, said he initially thought staff at The Amble Inn in Corindi Beach, New South Wales, were playing a prank on him when he spotted a gecko in his mug of beer.
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Brett said he sprung into action when workers assured him they had nothing to do with the lizard and he scooped it out of the beverage.
The gecko wasn't moving, so Brett started performing chest compressions on the lizard while a friend filmed video of his rescue attempt.
The video shows Brett doing compressions and blowing air into the gecko's mouth before it starts to move again.
It was unclear whether the gecko had merely been playing dead as a defense mechanism.


upi--2020-02-17--Australian navy begins three-week fleet certification exercise

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- Warships of the Royal Australian Navy left the port of Sydney on Monday to conduct ready-to-deploy exercises .
The three-week event , known as the sea phase of Fleet Certification Period 2020 , will verify the capabilities of participating vessels , RAN officials announced .
The destroyers HMAS Hobart and HMAS Arunta , the frigate HMAS Stuart and the fleet replenishment vessel Sirius left Sydney for the Bass Straits , separating Australia from Tasmania , where they will meet five other warships and submarines .
Military aircraft , including a Royal Australian Air Force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K and three Royal Australian Navy MH-60R helicopters , will also participate .
Exercises include work by an Australian navy anti-mine unit on the Tasmanian coast .
`` FCP20 will test competencies in a range of scenarios , including high-end warfighting in the blue water ocean environment , amphibious operations , and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief , similar to our recent bushfire support activities , '' Commodore Michael Harris , chief of the exercise , said in a press release .
Over 2,000 personnel will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the certifications .
`` Exercising with multiple ships , submarines and military aircraft will allow us to test our warfighting capabilities and to assess our preparedness in a challenging maritime environment , '' Commander Ryan Gaskin of the HMAS Hobart said .
The process will include stops at several ports on the Australian mainland and in Tasmania .

HMAS Arunta, followed by the HMAS Stuart, left Sydney harbor on Monday to start the Royal Australian Navy's three-week Fleet Certification Period 2020. Photo by ABIS Benjamin Rickets/Royal Australian Department of Defense
Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Warships of the Royal Australian Navy left the port of Sydney on Monday to conduct ready-to-deploy exercises. The three-week event, known as the sea phase of Fleet Certification Period 2020, will verify the capabilities of participating vessels, RAN officials announced. Advertisement
The destroyers HMAS Hobart and HMAS Arunta, the frigate HMAS Stuart and the fleet replenishment vessel Sirius left Sydney for the Bass Straits, separating Australia from Tasmania, where they will meet five other warships and submarines.
Military aircraft, including a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A, a United States Navy P-8, a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K and three Royal Australian Navy MH-60R helicopters, will also participate. Exercises include work by an Australian navy anti-mine unit on the Tasmanian coast.
"FCP20 will test competencies in a range of scenarios, including high-end warfighting in the blue water ocean environment, amphibious operations, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, similar to our recent bushfire support activities," Commodore Michael Harris, chief of the exercise, said in a press release.
Over 2,000 personnel will be involved in the sea phase of the certifications.
"Exercising with multiple ships, submarines and military aircraft will allow us to test our warfighting capabilities and to assess our preparedness in a challenging maritime environment," Commander Ryan Gaskin of the HMAS Hobart said.
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The process will include stops at several ports on the Australian mainland and in Tasmania.


upi--2020-02-17--Animal rescuers investigating after 29 snakes found in pillow cases

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- Animal rescuers in Britain are investigating after 16 snakes were found abandoned in pillow cases just days after 13 snakes were found in the same condition .
The RSPCA said 15 corn snakes were found in a pillow case abandoned in a trash container behind Farringdon Fire Station in England alongside a second pillow case containing a carpet python .
The discovery Saturday was just two days after 13 royal pythons were found inside two pillowcases in the same location .
One of the royal pythons did not survive .
`` It is really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around 30 snakes or more which they have decided to abandon in this cruel and callous way , '' RSPCA inspector Heidi Cleaver said .
`` We were in the midst of Storm Dennis at the weekend when these snakes , who need heat and light in order to survive , were left outside in the cold with just a pillowcase to contain them . ''
`` It would have been very stressful for the snakes to be in such close proximity to each other as well , '' she said .
Cleaver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a specialist reptile care center .
`` We are now renewing our appeal for information and are extremely keen that anyone with any information about this gets in touch with us , '' Cleaver said .

Animal rescuers in Britain are investigating after a total 29 snakes were found abandoned in pillow cases in the same trash container on two separate days. Photo courtesy of the RSPCA
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Animal rescuers in Britain are investigating after 16 snakes were found abandoned in pillow cases just days after 13 snakes were found in the same condition. The RSPCA said 15 corn snakes were found in a pillow case abandoned in a trash container behind Farringdon Fire Station in England alongside a second pillow case containing a carpet python. Advertisement
The discovery Saturday was just two days after 13 royal pythons were found inside two pillowcases in the same location. One of the royal pythons did not survive.
"It is really concerning to think that someone has had around 30 snakes or more which they have decided to abandon in this cruel and callous way," RSPCA inspector Heidi Cleaver said. "We were in the midst of Storm Dennis at the weekend when these snakes, who need heat and light in order to survive, were left outside in the cold with just a pillowcase to contain them."
"It would have been very stressful for the snakes to be in such close proximity to each other as well," she said.
Cleaver said the snakes have been placed with a specialist reptile care center.
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"We are now renewing our appeal for information and are extremely keen that anyone with any information about this gets in touch with us," Cleaver said.


upi--2020-02-17--Kids raised by grandparents more likely to be overweight, obese

Grandparents can be a bad influence on kids ' weight , researchers say .
That 's the upshot of an analysis of 23 studies conducted in the United States and eight other countries by a team from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis .
The study found that kids who were cared for by grandparents had nearly 30 percent higher odds for being overweight or obese .
While Grandma and Grandpa may mean well , they can affect their grandchildren 's weight in various ways , including eating habits , physical activity and perceptions of what represents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ researchers .
`` Through offering wisdom , teaching traditions , providing guidance and making memories , grandparents are often able to leave behind a legacy that their grandchildren will cherish and benefit lifelong , '' said lead author Ruopeng An , an assistant professor .
`` However , some negative influences from grandparental care may also be present and can not be overlooked , '' he added in a university news release .
One of those negative influences affects a child 's diet and exercise habits .
`` The notion of 'the bigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' An said .
Some grandparents may urge their grandkids to eat bigger and more frequent meals , and will offer sweets and fried foods as a way to show love , he pointed out .
`` In fact , in some cultures , grandparents may also be more likely to excuse children from doing household chores , a key form of physical activity , '' An added .
He said he was surprised that the studies -- from the United States , the United Kingdom , China , Japan and five other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Affluence and being well fed is valued and desirable to many grandparents as they had experienced hunger and poverty in their youth , which they may pass on to their grandchildren , who , to the opposite , are fighting against a world of food swamps and ever-expanding portion sizes , '' An said .
The findings were recently published online in the journal Childhood Obesity .
The American Academy of Pediatrics has more on obesity prevention .

A study found that kids who were cared for by grandparents had nearly 30 percent higher odds for being overweight or obese. Photo by fujidreams /Pixabay
Grandparents can be a bad influence on kids' weight, researchers say. That's the upshot of an analysis of 23 studies conducted in the United States and eight other countries by a team from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. Advertisement
The study found that kids who were cared for by grandparents had nearly 30 percent higher odds for being overweight or obese.
While Grandma and Grandpa may mean well, they can affect their grandchildren's weight in various ways, including eating habits, physical activity and perceptions of what represents a healthy lifestyle, according to the researchers.
"Through offering wisdom, teaching traditions, providing guidance and making memories, grandparents are often able to leave behind a legacy that their grandchildren will cherish and benefit lifelong," said lead author Ruopeng An, an assistant professor.
"However, some negative influences from grandparental care may also be present and cannot be overlooked," he added in a university news release.
One of those negative influences affects a child's diet and exercise habits.
"The notion of 'the bigger the healthier' is still relevant," An said. Some grandparents may urge their grandkids to eat bigger and more frequent meals, and will offer sweets and fried foods as a way to show love, he pointed out. "In fact, in some cultures, grandparents may also be more likely to excuse children from doing household chores, a key form of physical activity," An added. He said he was surprised that the studies -- from the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Japan and five other nations -- showed similar trends across cultures.
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"Affluence and being well fed is valued and desirable to many grandparents as they had experienced hunger and poverty in their youth, which they may pass on to their grandchildren, who, to the opposite, are fighting against a world of food swamps and ever-expanding portion sizes," An said.
The findings were recently published online in the journal Childhood Obesity.
More information
The American Academy of Pediatrics has more on obesity prevention.
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upi--2020-02-17--Pier 1 files for bankruptcy, pursues sale of company

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- Pier 1 filed for bankruptcy Monday after reaching an agreement with lenders and will pursue sale of the company .
The Fort Worth , Texas , company has reached a plan with lenders to provide it $ 256 million and commenced Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and pursue of sale , which it hopes will help stakeholders , a statement said .
Pier 1 also said the plan will help it complete the closure of up to 450 stores previously announced amid slumping sales among its more than 900 stores , including all its stores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company has closed or initiated going-out-of-business sales at over 400 locations and is in the process of closing two distribution centers to reflect its smaller footprint , the company statement said .
`` Today 's actions are intended to provide Pier 1 with additional time and financial flexibility as we now work to unlock additional value for our stakeholders through a sale of the company , '' Pier 1 CEO and Chief Financial Officer Robert Riesbeck said in a company statement .
`` We are moving ahead in this process with the support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the initial interest as we engage in discussion with potential buyers . ''
More than 500 stores are currently open , CNN Business reported .
The company lost $ 59 million last year with sales at stores open for at least one year down 11.4 percent in the latest quarter , but it is not alone in its struggle .
Competition from online stores and larger stores like Target and Walmart have hit the home goods sector .
Rival home decor retailer Bed Bath & Beyond 's company 's stock fell recently with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's announced earlier this month it plans to close 125 stores throughout the next three years .
Apparel retailer Express announced the closure of 100 of its 650 stores by 2022 earlier this year , and Payless just emerged last month from last year 's bankruptcy and appointed a new executive team .
U.S. retailers announced 9,302 store closings last year , up 59 percent from 2018 and the highest number of closing since Coresight Research began tracking the data in 2012 .

Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Pier 1 filed for bankruptcy Monday after reaching an agreement with lenders and will pursue sale of the company.
The Fort Worth, Texas, company has reached a plan with lenders to provide it $256 million and commenced Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and pursue of sale, which it hopes will help stakeholders, a statement said.
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Pier 1 also said the plan will help it complete the closure of up to 450 stores previously announced amid slumping sales among its more than 900 stores, including all its stores in Canada.
To date, the company has closed or initiated going-out-of-business sales at over 400 locations and is in the process of closing two distribution centers to reflect its smaller footprint, the company statement said.
"Today's actions are intended to provide Pier 1 with additional time and financial flexibility as we now work to unlock additional value for our stakeholders through a sale of the company," Pier 1 CEO and Chief Financial Officer Robert Riesbeck said in a company statement. "We are moving ahead in this process with the support of our lenders and are pleased with the initial interest as we engage in discussion with potential buyers."
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More than 500 stores are currently open, CNN Business reported. The company lost $59 million last year with sales at stores open for at least one year down 11.4 percent in the latest quarter, but it is not alone in its struggle.
Competition from online stores and larger stores like Target and Walmart have hit the home goods sector.
Rival home decor retailer Bed Bath & Beyond's company's stock fell recently with less holiday sales than expected.
Macy's announced earlier this month it plans to close 125 stores throughout the next three years. Apparel retailer Express announced the closure of 100 of its 650 stores by 2022 earlier this year, and Payless just emerged last month from last year's bankruptcy and appointed a new executive team.
U.S. retailers announced 9,302 store closings last year, up 59 percent from 2018 and the highest number of closing since Coresight Research began tracking the data in 2012.


upi--2020-02-17--Dairy Farmers of America plans to buy majority of Dean Foods

EVANSVILLE , Ind.
, Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- After filing for bankruptcy protection in November , America 's largest milk producer , Dean Foods , announced Monday that it plans to sell the majority of its business to Dairy Farmers of America .
The nation 's largest farmer-owned dairy cooperative has offered $ 425 million to buy `` 44 of Dean 's facilities and associated direct store delivery system , '' according to Dairy Farmers of America .
`` As Dean is the largest dairy processor in the country and a significant customer of [ Dairy Farmers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure continued secure markets for our members ' milk and minimal disruption to the U.S. dairy industry , '' said Dairy Farmers of America 's president and chief executive Rick Smith .
Dean Foods has struggled since one of its major customers , Walmart , opened its own milk processing plant in Indiana in 2018 .
Dean filed for bankruptcy Nov. 12 in the U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts of the Southern District of Texas .
The company announced that same day that it was negotiating a potential sale with Dairy Farmers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of America is interested is they are a major supplier of milk to Dean Foods , '' said Bob Cropp , a professor emeritus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison 's Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics .
`` If they did n't have Dean Foods , they would have to really struggle to find a home for their dairy farmers ' milk .
They need those plants operational , '' Cropp said .
Before the deal can be finalized , it must be approved by the bankruptcy court .
The U.S. Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure it does n't violate antitrust laws , Cropp said .
`` This would give Dairy Farmers of America over 60 percent of the bottled milk market , '' he said .
Acquiring such a large portion of the bottled milk market could give Dairy Farmers of America an advantage when negotiating milk contracts , Cropp said .
Large national grocery store chains have dominated the fluid milk market , using their buying power to set prices .
`` With larger control over the supply , Dairy Farmers of America might be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ larger accounts , '' Cropp said .
Dean Foods president and chief executive Eric Beringause said in a statement that he is confident in the dairy co-op .
`` We have had a relationship with DFA over the past 20 years , and we are confident in their ability to succeed in the current market and serve our customers with the same commitment to quality and service they have come to expect , '' Beringause said .
Fewer than two months after Dean filed for bankruptcy , another major milk producer , Bordon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The company said new competition , fewer milk drinkers and shrinking profits have made its debt load `` unsustainable . ''
Bordon has said it had no intention of merging with Dean , according to Bloomberg News .

EVANSVILLE, Ind., Feb. 17 (UPI) -- After filing for bankruptcy protection in November, America's largest milk producer, Dean Foods, announced Monday that it plans to sell the majority of its business to Dairy Farmers of America.
The nation's largest farmer-owned dairy cooperative has offered $425 million to buy "44 of Dean's facilities and associated direct store delivery system," according to Dairy Farmers of America.
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"As Dean is the largest dairy processor in the country and a significant customer of [Dairy Farmers of America], it is important to ensure continued secure markets for our members' milk and minimal disruption to the U.S. dairy industry," said Dairy Farmers of America's president and chief executive Rick Smith.
Dean Foods has struggled since one of its major customers, Walmart, opened its own milk processing plant in Indiana in 2018.
Dean filed for bankruptcy Nov. 12 in the U.S. District & Bankruptcy Courts of the Southern District of Texas. The company announced that same day that it was negotiating a potential sale with Dairy Farmers of America.
"The reason Dairy Farmers of America is interested is they are a major supplier of milk to Dean Foods," said Bob Cropp, a professor emeritus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics.
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"If they didn't have Dean Foods, they would have to really struggle to find a home for their dairy farmers' milk. They need those plants operational," Cropp said.
Before the deal can be finalized, it must be approved by the bankruptcy court. The U.S. Department of Justice also is reviewing the sale to ensure it doesn't violate antitrust laws, Cropp said.
"This would give Dairy Farmers of America over 60 percent of the bottled milk market," he said.
Acquiring such a large portion of the bottled milk market could give Dairy Farmers of America an advantage when negotiating milk contracts, Cropp said. Large national grocery store chains have dominated the fluid milk market, using their buying power to set prices.
"With larger control over the supply, Dairy Farmers of America might be in a better position to negotiate with those larger accounts," Cropp said.
Dean Foods president and chief executive Eric Beringause said in a statement that he is confident in the dairy co-op.
"We have had a relationship with DFA over the past 20 years, and we are confident in their ability to succeed in the current market and serve our customers with the same commitment to quality and service they have come to expect," Beringause said.
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Fewer than two months after Dean filed for bankruptcy, another major milk producer, Bordon Dairy, also filed for bankruptcy. The company said new competition, fewer milk drinkers and shrinking profits have made its debt load "unsustainable."
Bordon has said it had no intention of merging with Dean, according to Bloomberg News.


upi--2020-02-17--Fighter planes go to Tyndall AFB for live-fire exercises

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- Live fire missile testing brought U.S. and Canadian aircraft to Tyndall AFB , Fla. , for exercises last week , the Air Force announced .
The base uses 101,000 square miles of airspace above the eastern Gulf of Mexico , known as EGOMEX , as a test area , and U.S. military units are sent to Tyndall 's Weapons System Evaluation Program to practice combat effectiveness .
Last week , U.S. Air Force F-16s from Holloman AFB , N.M. , Eglin AFB , Fla. , and several planes of the Royal Canadian Air Force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live missile testing .
`` EGOMEX is really a crucial location for this kind of training because we ca n't do this anywhere else CONUS [ in the continental United States ] , '' Capt .
Mike Reid of the 314th Fighter Squadron said .
`` We have such a massive training field right here in our backyard and it 's not something we can replicate or move somewhere else , it really is one-of-a-kind and the types of training we can do here is invaluable . ''
All models of current U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aircraft , use the facilities of Tyndall 's 53rd Weapons Evaluations Group .
`` This week we have a few units here that are going to be shooting down some training drones , and we 're going to be evaluating everything , '' said Staff Sgt .
Wilfredo Western-Ortiz , a weapons evaluator .
`` It 's similar to a deployed scenario where they come here with all of their equipment and personnel to load up missiles , take off and fire them and see how everything goes start to finish . ''

F-16 fighter planes line up at Tyndall AFB, Fla., for air combat and live-fire exercises. Photo by Senior Airman Stefan Alvarez/U.S. Air Force
Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Live fire missile testing brought U.S. and Canadian aircraft to Tyndall AFB, Fla., for exercises last week, the Air Force announced. The base uses 101,000 square miles of airspace above the eastern Gulf of Mexico, known as EGOMEX, as a test area, and U.S. military units are sent to Tyndall's Weapons System Evaluation Program to practice combat effectiveness. Last week, U.S. Air Force F-16s from Holloman AFB, N.M., Eglin AFB, Fla., and several planes of the Royal Canadian Air Force, participated in air combat training and live missile testing. Advertisement
"EGOMEX is really a crucial location for this kind of training because we can't do this anywhere else CONUS [in the continental United States]," Capt. Mike Reid of the 314th Fighter Squadron said. "We have such a massive training field right here in our backyard and it's not something we can replicate or move somewhere else, it really is one-of-a-kind and the types of training we can do here is invaluable."
All models of current U.S. fighter planes, as well as unmanned aircraft, use the facilities of Tyndall's 53rd Weapons Evaluations Group.
"This week we have a few units here that are going to be shooting down some training drones, and we're going to be evaluating everything," said Staff Sgt. Wilfredo Western-Ortiz, a weapons evaluator. "It's similar to a deployed scenario where they come here with all of their equipment and personnel to load up missiles, take off and fire them and see how everything goes start to finish."


upi--2020-02-17--Watch: Small bird joins group bike ride in Dubai

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- A cyclist in Dubai captured video of a small bird that decided to join @ @ @ @ @ and flew low next to a bicycle for nearly 2 miles .
The cyclist said @ @ @ @ @ at the Al Qudra Cycle Track in Dubai on Wednesday when the small bird flew @ @ @ @ @ bird then circled back and flew low , keeping pace only feet away from the @ @ @ @ @ the bird remained with the group for nearly 2 miles .

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Feb. 17 (UPI) -- A cyclist in Dubai captured video of a small bird that decided to join in on a bike ride and flew low next to a bicycle for nearly 2 miles.
The cyclist said the group of riders were at the Al Qudra Cycle Track in Dubai on Wednesday when the small bird flew over their heads.
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The bird then circled back and flew low, keeping pace only feet away from the bicycles.
The filmer said the bird remained with the group for nearly 2 miles.


upi--2020-02-17--Woman's first lottery ticket in years wins $1.7 million

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- An Australian woman said she bought her first lottery ticket in several years on impulse and ended up winning $ 1.7 million .
The Melbourne woman said she made an impulse purchase of a 13-game entry at the official website for Australia 's lotteries and ended up scoring a division 1 prize Feb. 15 in TattsLotto draw 4025 .
`` I checked my ticket on Saturday night and I thought 'Whoa !
That 's not true !
It ca n't be , ' '' the winner recalled .
The winner said she had ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This was probably the first time I 've played in a few years , '' she said .
`` I had been dreaming about how good it would be to win so I could help my family . ''
The woman said she has some plans for her winnings .
`` Just to see my mum 's mortgage paid off and to be able to help everyone I love will be an awesome feeling , '' she said .
`` I definitely want to buy myself a house too and I 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where just yet , but Santorini is looking pretty good right now . ''

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Feb. 17 (UPI) -- An Australian woman said she bought her first lottery ticket in several years on impulse and ended up winning $1.7 million.
The Melbourne woman said she made an impulse purchase of a 13-game entry at the official website for Australia's lotteries and ended up scoring a division 1 prize Feb. 15 in TattsLotto draw 4025.
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"I checked my ticket on Saturday night and I thought 'Whoa! That's not true! It can't be,'" the winner recalled.
The woman's ticket matched numbers 4-24-21-3-11-39.
The winner said she had ended a long lottery hiatus on impulse.
"This was probably the first time I've played in a few years," she said. "I had been dreaming about how good it would be to win so I could help my family."
The woman said she has some plans for her winnings.
"Just to see my mum's mortgage paid off and to be able to help everyone I love will be an awesome feeling," she said. "I definitely want to buy myself a house too and I'll be going on holiday. Not sure where just yet, but Santorini is looking pretty good right now."


upi--2020-02-17--Cyprus buys missiles, partners with France for exercises to thwart Turkey

Feb. 17 ( UPI ) -- Cyprus , in a bid to upgrade its defense against Turkey , purchased French-designed missiles and partnered with France in military exercises last week .
The deal with European weapons manufacturer MBDA , announced last week , calls for a $ 262 million purchase of Mistral surface-to-air and Exocet anti-ship missiles .
It includes contracts to involve France in modernizing the Cypriot air defense system .
Cyprus , a Mediterranean Sea island nation and not a member of NATO , has 35,000 Turkish troops stationed in the northern one-third of the island , part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Only Turkey recognizes the independence of a country it calls the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus .
Turkey has also claimed potentially vast gas reserves south of the island .
France is an ally of Cyprus and Greece against Turkish provocations in the Aegean and East Mediterranean Sea .
The French energy Company Total is also drilling for oil and gas in the region , and Turkey dispatched its warships nearby to protect its research vessels .
The flagship of the French navy , the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle , has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for weeks .
Announcement of the missile purchase last week came prior to weekend military exercises in Cyprus which involved French Rafale fighter planes from the aircraft carrier posing as enemy attackers .
Cypriot anti-aircraft units located and locked onto the planes .
Cyprus Defense Minister Savvas Angelides expressed his satisfaction with the joint exercise , adding that future joint exercises with France are planned .

Cyprus announced the purchase of French-made Mistral and Exocet missiles to heighten its air defense capabilities as its conflict with Turkey escalates. Photo courtesy of MBDA
Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Cyprus, in a bid to upgrade its defense against Turkey, purchased French-designed missiles and partnered with France in military exercises last week. The deal with European weapons manufacturer MBDA, announced last week, calls for a $262 million purchase of Mistral surface-to-air and Exocet anti-ship missiles. It includes contracts to involve France in modernizing the Cypriot air defense system. Advertisement
Cyprus, a Mediterranean Sea island nation and not a member of NATO, has 35,000 Turkish troops stationed in the northern one-third of the island, part of an ongoing conflict over sovereignty. Only Turkey recognizes the independence of a country it calls the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus. Turkey has also claimed potentially vast gas reserves south of the island.
France is an ally of Cyprus and Greece against Turkish provocations in the Aegean and East Mediterranean Sea. The French energy Company Total is also drilling for oil and gas in the region, and Turkey dispatched its warships nearby to protect its research vessels.
The flagship of the French navy, the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, has been stationed near the Cypriot port of Limassol for weeks.
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Announcement of the missile purchase last week came prior to weekend military exercises in Cyprus which involved French Rafale fighter planes from the aircraft carrier posing as enemy attackers. Cypriot anti-aircraft units located and locked onto the planes.
Cyprus Defense Minister Savvas Angelides expressed his satisfaction with the joint exercise, adding that future joint exercises with France are planned.


upi--2020-02-17--Vaping linked to DNA changes similar to those in cancer

People who vape have potentially cancer-causing changes in their DNA similar to those found in cigarette smokers , according to a new study .
These chemical alterations -- called epigenetic changes -- can cause genes to malfunction .
They are found in nearly all types of cancer , as well as other serious diseases , the researchers noted .
`` That does n't mean that these people are going to develop cancer , '' said study leader Ahmad Besaratinia , an associate professor of preventive medicine at the University of Southern California 's Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that the same changes in chemical tags detectable in tumors from cancer patients are also found in people who vape or smoke , presumably due to exposure to cancer-causing chemicals present in cigarette smoke and , generally at much lower levels , in electronic cigarettes ' vapor , '' he said in a school news release .
Besaratinia and his colleagues said their findings add to a growing list of health issues linked to e-cigarettes .
The study included 45 people who either vaped only , smoked cigarettes only , or did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were tested for changes in two specific chemical tags attached to DNA that are important for proper gene activity or function .
Changes in levels of these chemical tags occur at various ages and in diseases such as cancer .
Compared to the control group , vapers and smokers both had significant reductions in both chemical tags .
The authors said this is the first study to show that these changes can be detected in vapers ' blood , just as in smokers .
Many people consider vaping safer than smoking , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school students use e-cigarettes , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Researchers now plan to identify all the genes affected by these chemical changes in vapers , compared to smokers .
Besaratinia said the study could have immediate public policy implications .
`` The epidemic of teen vaping and the recent outbreak of vaping-related severe lung injury and deaths in the U.S. underscore the importance of generating scientific evidence on which future regulations for electronic cigarette manufacturing , marketing , and distribution can be based , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently in the journal Epigenetics .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on risks of e-cigarettes .

People who vape have potentially cancer-causing changes in their DNA similar to those found in cigarette smokers, according to a new study.
These chemical alterations -- called epigenetic changes -- can cause genes to malfunction. They are found in nearly all types of cancer, as well as other serious diseases, the researchers noted.
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"That doesn't mean that these people are going to develop cancer," said study leader Ahmad Besaratinia, an associate professor of preventive medicine at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles.
"But what we are seeing is that the same changes in chemical tags detectable in tumors from cancer patients are also found in people who vape or smoke, presumably due to exposure to cancer-causing chemicals present in cigarette smoke and, generally at much lower levels, in electronic cigarettes' vapor," he said in a school news release.
Besaratinia and his colleagues said their findings add to a growing list of health issues linked to e-cigarettes.
The study included 45 people who either vaped only, smoked cigarettes only, or did not vape or smoke.
Blood samples were tested for changes in two specific chemical tags attached to DNA that are important for proper gene activity or function. Changes in levels of these chemical tags occur at various ages and in diseases such as cancer.
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Compared to the control group, vapers and smokers both had significant reductions in both chemical tags. The authors said this is the first study to show that these changes can be detected in vapers' blood, just as in smokers.
Many people consider vaping safer than smoking, and more than 25 percent of U.S. high school students use e-cigarettes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Researchers now plan to identify all the genes affected by these chemical changes in vapers, compared to smokers. Besaratinia said the study could have immediate public policy implications.
"The epidemic of teen vaping and the recent outbreak of vaping-related severe lung injury and deaths in the U.S. underscore the importance of generating scientific evidence on which future regulations for electronic cigarette manufacturing, marketing, and distribution can be based," he said.
The study was published online recently in the journal Epigenetics.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on risks of e-cigarettes.
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