upi--2020-01-24--Watch live: Democrats focus on obstruction to wrap opening arguments at impeachment trial

Jan. 24 ( UPI ) -- Democratic congressional managers will have just one more day Friday to wrap their opening arguments in the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump before the White House legal team takes its turn .
The Democrats making the case against Trump will outline the second charge on Friday -- the one that says the president obstructed the House investigation into his dealings with Ukraine last summer , lead manager Rep. Adam Schiff said .
Democrats began opening their case on Wednesday by detailing both charges against Trump .
On Thursday , they specifically outlined the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withholding vital Ukrainian military aid to pressure Kiev to announce an investigation of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in a bid to fuel Trump 's chances at re-election .
`` We will now show you these facts and many others and how they are interwoven , '' Schiff said .
`` You will see some of these facts and videos therefore in a new context , in a new light , in the light of what else we know and why it compels a finding of guilt and conviction .
So there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic managers will have eight hours Friday to detail the second impeachment charge and its legal and constitutional grounds that support removing Trump from office .
Senate Republicans agreed earlier this week to allow both sides 24 combined hours to make opening presentations , and Democrats used up 16 of those hours on Wednesday and Thursday .
Trump 's White House legal team will begin their defense on Saturday .
`` We 're going to respond , of course , to what the House managers have put forward , '' Trump attorney Jay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to make an affirmative case defending the president . ''
Rep. Jerrold Nadler argued on Thursday that Trump does n't necessarily have to be guilty of a crime to be removed from office .
`` Since President George Washington took office in 1789 , no president has abused his power in this way , '' Nadler , the chairman of the House judiciary committee , said .
`` No president has ever used his office to compel a foreign nation to help him cheat in our elections . ''
Thursday night , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cache of new documents related to a Government Accountability Office inquiry into Trump 's withholding of military aid to Ukraine .
The GAO released the results of the investigation last week , which said the Trump administration 's delay violated the law .
Van Hollen had written to the GAO seeking documents from its investigation .
`` In response to my request to investigate the withholding of aid to Ukraine , GAO asked the White House and [ its budget office ] for explanations , '' he said .
`` As seen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Management and Budget ] provided incomplete responses and the White House flat out refused .
Part of the cover-up . ''
The documents include correspondence between the GAO and the White House , the Office of Management and Budget and the Defense Department .
Democrats will resume their opening arguments at 1 p.m. EST Friday .

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Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts walks into the U.S. Capitol Friday to preside over the fourth day of President Donald Trump's impeachment trial. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Democratic manager Rep. Hakeem Jeffries gave opening remarks Friday on Day Four of President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, accusing the leader of trying to cover up attempts to "cheat" in his dealings with Ukraine. Friday is the Democrats' last day to offer up opening arguments in the trial. They planned to lay out their case for the second of Trump's two impeachment charges -- that he obstructed the House investigation into his dealings with Ukraine last summer. Advertisement
"The president tried to cheat. He got caught, and then he worked hard to cover it up," Jeffries, D-Calif., said.
On Thursday, they specifically outlined the charge that Trump abused his power by withholding vital Ukrainian military aid to pressure Kiev to announce an investigation of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in a bid to fuel Trump's chances at re-election.
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"We will now show you these facts and many others and how they are interwoven," Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said ahead of Friday's trial. "You will see some of these facts and videos therefore in a new context, in a new light, in the light of what else we know and why it compels a finding of guilt and conviction. So there is some method to our madness."
Jeffries said the White House was aware that Trump acted improperly when asking Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 election by investigating Biden.
"But instead of halting the president's corrupt scheme, they worked overtime to conceal it from the American people.
"As additional evidence mounted, the Republicans worked hard to keep the American people from learning about the president's misconduct. Secretary of State [Mike] Pompeo, Secretary of Defense [Mark] Esper and [former national security adviser] John Bolton tried to convince President Trump to lift the hold on the security assistance. They failed."
Jeffries said the $391 million in security aid was only paid to Ukraine after he was "caught red-handed."
Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., another House manager, also spoke Friday, comparing Trump to former President Richard Nixon, who also was impeached. She said that unlike Trump, Nixon told his staff to testify during the Watergate investigation.
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"Even President Nixon, who famously attempted to defy a subpoena for tape recordings of his conversations, he let his most senior staff testify before Congress," she said. "Not only did Nixon allow his staff to testify before Congress, he publicly directed them to testify without demanding a subpoena."
Lofgren said Trump's refusal to cooperate with his impeachment investigation amounted to obstruction of Congress.
"Now compare to President Trump," she said. "He publicly attacked the House's impeachment inquiry, calling it 'constitutionally invalid,' and he ordered every single person working in the executive branch to defy the House impeachment inquiry."
Closing out his own arguments for the day, Rep. Jerrold Nadler went a step further, saying not only did Trump obstruct Congress, he acts as though he's a "dictator."
"If he is not removed from office, if he is permitted to defy the Congress entirely, categorically, to say the subpoenas from Congress in the impeachment inquiry are nonsense, then we will have lost, the House will have lost, the Senate certainly will have lost, all power to hold any president accountable," he said.
"He is a dictator. This must not stand, and that is why another reason he must be removed from office."
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Democratic managers have 8 hours Friday to detail the second impeachment charge and its legal and constitutional grounds that support removing Trump from office. Senate Republicans agreed earlier this week to allow both sides 24 combined hours to make opening presentations, and Democrats used up 16 of those hours on Wednesday and Thursday.
Trump's White House legal team will begin their defense on Saturday.
"We're going to respond, of course, to what the House managers have put forward," Trump attorney Jay Sekulow said Wednesday. "We're going to make an affirmative case defending the president."
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell announced changes to the timeline going forward Friday. He said Saturday's session will begin at 10 a.m. EST. Since Chief Justice John Roberts doesn't have his daily Supreme Court duties Saturday morning, he can preside over the trial earlier than on weekdays.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., argued on Thursday that Trump doesn't necessarily have to be guilty of a crime to be removed from office.
"Since President George Washington took office in 1789, no president has abused his power in this way," Nadler, the chairman of the House judiciary committee, said. "No president has ever used his office to compel a foreign nation to help him cheat in our elections."
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Thursday night, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., released a cache of new documents related to a Government Accountability Office inquiry into Trump's withholding of military aid to Ukraine. The GAO released the results of the investigation last week, which said the Trump administration's delay violated the law.
Van Hollen had written to the GAO seeking documents from its investigation.
"In response to my request to investigate the withholding of aid to Ukraine, GAO asked the White House and [its budget office] for explanations," he said. "As seen in these documents, [the Office of Management and Budget] provided incomplete responses and the White House flat out refused. Part of the cover-up."
The documents include correspondence between the GAO and the White House, the Office of Management and Budget and the Defense Department.


upi--2020-01-24--More than 100 genes linked to autism in multinational study

More than 100 genes appear to be involved in autism spectrum disorders , or ASD , according to the largest genetic study of the condition to date .
The study , involving over 50 centers around the globe , identified 102 genes associated with ASD -- including a few dozen that had not been recognized before .
Some of the genes are also associated with intellectual disabilities and developmental delays , the researchers said .
But others are unique to ASD , and appear related to the social difficulties that mark the disorder .
Knowing the genes involved in ASD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and possibly develop new drug therapies for children with severe impairments , said senior researcher Joseph Buxbaum .
`` Autism exists on a spectrum , and many people would n't need any new , targeted drug therapies because they 're doing fine , '' said Buxbaum , who directs the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai , in New York City .
But for children who are profoundly affected , he said , there could be promise in the `` precision medicine '' approach -- treatments that are tailored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the genes they carry .
ASD is a brain disorder that affects social skills , communication and behavior control .
In the United States , it affects one in 59 children , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The disorder is complex and varies widely from one person to the next .
Some children have milder problems with socializing and communicating , while others are profoundly affected -- speaking little , if at all , and getting wrapped up in repetitive , obsessive behaviors , for example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disabilities , while others have average or above-average IQs .
Experts have long believed that a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental exposures conspire to cause ASD -- but genes are the bigger factor .
A recent study , of about 2 million people , estimated that genes account for 80 percent of the risk of ASD .
But the precise genes will vary among individuals , experts say .
`` We realize that large studies like this -- as well as even larger ones -- will be needed to truly understand why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one person with autism , you have seen one person with autism , ' '' said Dean Hartley .
Hartley , who was not involved in the new study , is senior director of genomic discovery and translational science at the nonprofit Autism Speaks .
Previously , researchers had identified 65 genes associated with ASD .
Buxbaum said his team was able to find more , in part , because of the study size : It involved over 35,000 people , including nearly 12,000 with ASD ; the rest were their parents , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Using newer analytic techniques , Buxbaum said , the researchers were able to zero in on 102 genes associated with ASD .
Some genes , he explained , are `` high risk '' and carry outright mutations .
Most people with ASD -- possibly 80 percent -- would not harbor those , according to Buxbaum .
Instead , they would carry `` tiny , tiny changes across multiple genes , '' he said .
More research is needed to understand precisely what all these genes do .
But most risk genes are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have roles in regulating the activity of other genes or communication among brain cells , the investigators found .
The risk genes are also active in both `` excitatory '' and `` inhibitory '' neurons , or nerve cells .
That , Buxbaum said , shows that autism is not only related to one major type of brain cell -- but involves `` many disruptions '' in brain cell function .
The findings were published online Jan. 23 in the journal Cell .
Dr. Andrew Adesman is chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New Hyde Park , N.Y .
He said , `` This study represents yet another major advance in our understanding of some of the underlying genetic causes for ASD . ''
At this point , though , he noted , it 's not possible to root out the genetic cause in most children diagnosed with ASD .
Hartley agreed that the latest findings could eventually lead to new therapies .
`` This study importantly confirms previous biological pathways in autism , but has identified new biological processes possibly involved , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for finding new targets for treatment and more personalized health care . ''
The hunt for ASD-related genes is not over , however .
Buxbaum said he expects a `` couple hundred more '' will be found .
The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more on autism spectrum disorder .

Researchers said that, of the 102 genes they identified, a few dozen had not been recognized previously as linked to ASD. Photo by Caroline Davis2010/Flickr
More than 100 genes appear to be involved in autism spectrum disorders, or ASD, according to the largest genetic study of the condition to date. The study, involving over 50 centers around the globe, identified 102 genes associated with ASD -- including a few dozen that had not been recognized before. Advertisement
Some of the genes are also associated with intellectual disabilities and developmental delays, the researchers said. But others are unique to ASD, and appear related to the social difficulties that mark the disorder.
Knowing the genes involved in ASD will help researchers better understand the causes and possibly develop new drug therapies for children with severe impairments, said senior researcher Joseph Buxbaum.
"Autism exists on a spectrum, and many people wouldn't need any new, targeted drug therapies because they're doing fine," said Buxbaum, who directs the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai, in New York City.
Advertisement
But for children who are profoundly affected, he said, there could be promise in the "precision medicine" approach -- treatments that are tailored to individuals based on their characteristics, like the genes they carry.
ASD is a brain disorder that affects social skills, communication and behavior control. In the United States, it affects one in 59 children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The disorder is complex and varies widely from one person to the next. Some children have milder problems with socializing and communicating, while others are profoundly affected -- speaking little, if at all, and getting wrapped up in repetitive, obsessive behaviors, for example. Some children with ASD have intellectual disabilities, while others have average or above-average IQs.
Experts have long believed that a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental exposures conspire to cause ASD -- but genes are the bigger factor. A recent study, of about 2 million people, estimated that genes account for 80 percent of the risk of ASD.
But the precise genes will vary among individuals, experts say.
"We realize that large studies like this -- as well as even larger ones -- will be needed to truly understand why we say, 'If you have seen one person with autism, you have seen one person with autism,'" said Dean Hartley.
Advertisement
Hartley, who was not involved in the new study, is senior director of genomic discovery and translational science at the nonprofit Autism Speaks.
Previously, researchers had identified 65 genes associated with ASD. Buxbaum said his team was able to find more, in part, because of the study size: It involved over 35,000 people, including nearly 12,000 with ASD; the rest were their parents, unaffected siblings or other individuals without ASD.
Using newer analytic techniques, Buxbaum said, the researchers were able to zero in on 102 genes associated with ASD.
Some genes, he explained, are "high risk" and carry outright mutations. Most people with ASD -- possibly 80 percent -- would not harbor those, according to Buxbaum. Instead, they would carry "tiny, tiny changes across multiple genes," he said.
More research is needed to understand precisely what all these genes do. But most risk genes are active early in brain development, and have roles in regulating the activity of other genes or communication among brain cells, the investigators found.
The risk genes are also active in both "excitatory" and "inhibitory" neurons, or nerve cells. That, Buxbaum said, shows that autism is not only related to one major type of brain cell -- but involves "many disruptions" in brain cell function.
Advertisement
The findings were published online Jan. 23 in the journal Cell.
Dr. Andrew Adesman is chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Cohen Children's Medical Center, in New Hyde Park, N.Y. He said, "This study represents yet another major advance in our understanding of some of the underlying genetic causes for ASD."
At this point, though, he noted, it's not possible to root out the genetic cause in most children diagnosed with ASD.
Hartley agreed that the latest findings could eventually lead to new therapies. "This study importantly confirms previous biological pathways in autism, but has identified new biological processes possibly involved," he added. "These pathways are important for finding new targets for treatment and more personalized health care."
The hunt for ASD-related genes is not over, however. Buxbaum said he expects a "couple hundred more" will be found.
More information
The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more on autism spectrum disorder.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-01-24--Famous birthdays for Jan. 24: Tatyana Ali, Ed Helms

Jan. 24 ( UPI ) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aquarius .

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Tatyana Ali walks on the runway at the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women Red Dress Collection 2018 presented by Macy's at the Hammerstein Ballroom on February 8, 2018, in New York City. The actor turns 41 on January 24. File Photo by Serena Xu-Ning/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Aquarius. They include: Advertisement
-- English dramatist William Congreve in 1670
-- British social reformer Edwin Chadwick in 1800
-- Author Edith Wharton in 1862
-- Abstract painter Robert Motherwell in 1915
-- Actor Ernest Borgnine in 1917
-- Evangelist Oral Roberts in 1918
-- Ballet dancer Maria Tallchief Paschen in 1925
File Photo courtesy Dance Magazine
-- Musician Doug Kershaw in 1936 (age 84)
-- Musician Ray Stevens in 1939 (age 81)
-- Singer Neil Diamond in 1941 (age 79)
-- Singer Aaron Neville in 1941 (age 79)
-- Actor Sharon Tate in 1943
-- Comedian John Belushi in 1949
-- Actor Michael Ontkean in 1946 (age 74)
-- Actor Nastassja Kinski in 1961 (age 59)
-- Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Mary Lou Retton in 1968 (age 52)
-- Actor Matthew Lillard in 1970 (age 50)
-- Actor Ed Helms in 1974 (age 46)
File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI
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-- Actor Kristen Schaal in 1978 (age 42)
-- Actor Tatyana Ali in 1979 (age 41)
-- Rapper/actor Daveed Diggs in 1982 (age 38)
-- Actor Justin Baldoni in 1984 (age 36)
-- Actor Mischa Barton in 1986 (age 34)


upi--2020-01-24--On This Day, Jan. 24: Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall dies

Jan. 24 ( UPI ) -- On this date in history : In 1848 , gold was discovered at John Sutter 's mill near Sacramento .
The discovery touched off the great gold rush of 1849 .
In 1908 , the first Boy Scout troop was organized in England by Robert Baden-Powell , a general in the British army .
In 1916 , the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that an income tax was constitutional .
In 1939 , 20 divisions of General Francisco Franco 's Fascist armies smashed through the Llobregat River defense line west of Barcelona , closing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 1963 , President John F. Kennedy denied that the United States had planned to provide air cover for the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba , a charge made by Anti-Castro refugee leaders , including Antonio de Varona , vice president of the Cuban Revolutionary Council , but later withdrawn .
In 1965 , former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill died at age 90 .
In 1984 , Apple 's Macintosh computer went on sale .
Price tag : $ 2,495 .
In 1993 , retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve on the nation 's highest court , died of cardiac arrest at age 84 .
In 2008 , Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi resigned after losing a confidence vote in the Senate .
In 2011 , a suicide bomb attack at Moscow 's Domodedovo airport international arrival gate killed 37 people and injured more than 170 others .
In 2013 , a federal judge in Chicago sentenced U.S. citizen David Coleman Headley to 35 years in prison for his role in a 2008 terror attack that killed 160 people in Mumbai .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Team USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar to up to 175 years in prison for molesting some 168 women and girls .

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On January 24, 1993, retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to serve on the nation's highest court, died at age 84. File Photo courtesy Library of Congress
Jan. 24 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1848, gold was discovered at John Sutter's mill near Sacramento. The discovery touched off the great gold rush of 1849. Advertisement
In 1908, the first Boy Scout troop was organized in England by Robert Baden-Powell, a general in the British army.
In 1916, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that an income tax was constitutional.
In 1939, 20 divisions of General Francisco Franco's Fascist armies smashed through the Llobregat River defense line west of Barcelona, closing in on Spain's most important city.
In 1963, President John F. Kennedy denied that the United States had planned to provide air cover for the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba, a charge made by Anti-Castro refugee leaders, including Antonio de Varona, vice president of the Cuban Revolutionary Council, but later withdrawn.
In 1965, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill died at age 90.
File Photo courtesy Cecil Beaton/Imperial War Museums
In 1984, Apple's Macintosh computer went on sale. Price tag: $2,495.
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In 1993, retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to serve on the nation's highest court, died of cardiac arrest at age 84.
In 2008, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi resigned after losing a confidence vote in the Senate.
In 2011, a suicide bomb attack at Moscow's Domodedovo airport international arrival gate killed 37 people and injured more than 170 others.
In 2013, a federal judge in Chicago sentenced U.S. citizen David Coleman Headley to 35 years in prison for his role in a 2008 terror attack that killed 160 people in Mumbai.
In 2018, a Michigan judge sentenced former Team USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar to up to 175 years in prison for molesting some 168 women and girls.


upi--2020-01-24--Super Bowl ticket prices surge for battle in Florida

MIAMI , Jan. 24 ( UPI ) -- Fans who plan to attend Super Bowl LIV between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers in Florida on Feb. 2 will pay much more than in previous years as ticket prices surge to unprecedented levels .
The average price on the resale market for Super Bowl LIV is 32 percent more than last year , according to the NFL 's official ticketing partner , Ticketmaster .
Super Bowl LIII tickets in 2019 cost an average of $ 6,740 , but that has jumped to $ 8,904 this year .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to what fans spent when the Chiefs played in 1970 's Super Bowl IV -- their most recent appearance .
Tom Henschel , 77 , paid $ 15 for his ticket to that game , in which the Chiefs beat the Minnesota Vikings at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans .
He plans to be in Miami to continue his streak .
`` The first three Super Bowl tickets were $ 12 each , '' said Henschel , who has attended every championship game .
`` They went to $ 15 for five years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , $ 30 , $ 40 and more . ''
Henschel lives in the Tampa , Fla. , area , and is one of three living members of the Never Miss A Super Bowl Club .
He owns every program and ticket from his 53 Super Bowls .
`` If I ever lost them , it would be like losing my arms , '' Henschel said .
Super Bowl ticket prices have continued to rise , reaching an average face-value price of $ 1,000 in 2008 , with the secondary market cost significantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played in the Super Bowl , in 2013 , average ticket prices reached $ 3,673 on the secondary market after the NFC Championship .
And that was cheap by today 's standards .
`` The Super Bowl is getting to the point where it 's not for the average , die-hard fan , '' said Henschel , who has a deal with the NFL to pay face value for his tickets .
`` It 's for the rich and famous . ''
Face value usually means $ 1,000 to $ 2,000 per ticket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Florida on Sunday to prepare for the game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens .
A spokesperson for the Miami International Airport said an additional 30,000 to 40,000 passengers are expected to fly in and out of the city daily in the days surrounding the game .
That includes fans , VIPs , league officials and media from around the world .
`` I would say within 15 minutes of the teams being chosen , people were on the internet and booking their plane seats , '' said Sylvia Berman from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fla. `` The airplane seats probably went within a half hour . ''
Getting a ticket sometimes means having to buy a package deal from agencies that have purchased blocks of tickets .
On Point Events , for example , offers packages that range from $ 5,000 for one person to more than $ 100,000 for two people .
The base package includes hotel , airport transfer , transportation to the game , a tailgate with food and drinks and an upper-level ticket .
`` You get a lot more value by getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owner Philippe Tanguy said .
`` Can you go and put it together yourself ?
It 's possible .
But if you are looking for the best experience and best value , the package deal is the way to go . ''
Posh packages include the best seats in the stadium , a suite in one of Miami 's best hotels , private transportation , access to celebrity parties , table service and more .
Taguy estimates 20 percent to 30 percent of the total tickets in the stadium are bought and resold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his sales for this game came from Chiefs fans .
The NFL offers fans ticket packages from about $ 4,000 to $ 30,000 with its On Location Experience .
Included are pregame parties with `` NFL legends . ''
Several hundred tickets still are available .
Chiefs fans most likely will outnumber 49ers fans because it 's only about 1,460 miles from Kansas City , Mo.
, to the Miami area , while San Francisco is some 3,100 miles away .
As with many major events , counterfeit tickets will frustrate and anger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ About 11 percent of buyers have unknowingly purchased fraudulent NFL tickets within the past five years , according to a Ticketmaster survey of 100 fans from each team .
That same survey also found that the Super Bowl is a super attraction for NFL fans .
Some 35 percent would give up drinking alcohol for a year and 21 percent would give up their vacation days to watch their team play live in the big game .
The NFL has a long history of hosting in Miami -- 10 times previously -- and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annual event .
`` Obviously it 's a major investment to put on a Super Bowl , but it 's the Super Bowl , '' said Eric Finkelstein , NFL senior director of event operations . ''
The NFL will splurge to make the experience special for fans as the league celebrates its 100th anniversary .
Finkelstein declined to reveal how much the league is spending , but did say the NFL makes an investment to make the game as big as possible .
`` We are prepared to put on an amazing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be an amazing matchup between two great teams , '' Finkelstein said .
Halftime will feature Shakira and Jennifer Lopez , and Demi Lovato will sing the national anthem before the teams take the field .
Also , the NFL is planning more outside-the-game attractions than any other Super Bowl .
More than a dozen parties are planned starting Wednesday , and several feature big-name celebrities including Lizzo , DJ Khaled , Maroon 5 , Snoop Dogg , Guns N ' Roses , Harry Styles , Shaquille O'Neal , Pitbull , Lil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gaga .
The popularity of football has filled the NFL coffers , so spending lavishly for Super Bowl events does n't make league executives blink twice .
Bloomberg reported the league had $ 15 billion in revenue during the 2018-2019 season .
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in 2010 the league was targeting $ 25 billion by 2027 .
And Miami remains a popular venue in the league 's eyes .
Among the many reasons is the weather , with the temperature expected to be around 70 degrees at kickoff .
`` There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back , '' Finkelstein said .
`` It 's a perfect setting for what will be a great matchup . ''

Miami will host the Super Bowl for a record 11th time when the San Francisco 49ers meet the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 2 at Hard Rock Stadium. Photo by Alex Butler/UPI
MIAMI, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Fans who plan to attend Super Bowl LIV between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers in Florida on Feb. 2 will pay much more than in previous years as ticket prices surge to unprecedented levels. The average price on the resale market for Super Bowl LIV is 32 percent more than last year, according to the NFL's official ticketing partner, Ticketmaster. Advertisement
Super Bowl LIII tickets in 2019 cost an average of $6,740, but that has jumped to $8,904 this year. That's also an enormous amount more compared to what fans spent when the Chiefs played in 1970's Super Bowl IV -- their most recent appearance.
Tom Henschel, 77, paid $15 for his ticket to that game, in which the Chiefs beat the Minnesota Vikings at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans. He plans to be in Miami to continue his streak.
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"The first three Super Bowl tickets were $12 each," said Henschel, who has attended every championship game. "They went to $15 for five years. Then they went to $20, $30, $40 and more."
Henschel lives in the Tampa, Fla., area, and is one of three living members of the Never Miss A Super Bowl Club. He owns every program and ticket from his 53 Super Bowls. "If I ever lost them, it would be like losing my arms," Henschel said.
Rising prices
Super Bowl ticket prices have continued to rise, reaching an average face-value price of $1,000 in 2008, with the secondary market cost significantly higher.
The last time the 49ers played in the Super Bowl, in 2013, average ticket prices reached $3,673 on the secondary market after the NFC Championship. And that was cheap by today's standards.
"The Super Bowl is getting to the point where it's not for the average, die-hard fan," said Henschel, who has a deal with the NFL to pay face value for his tickets. "It's for the rich and famous." Face value usually means $1,000 to $2,000 per ticket.
The 49ers and Chiefs will arrive in Florida on Sunday to prepare for the game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. A spokesperson for the Miami International Airport said an additional 30,000 to 40,000 passengers are expected to fly in and out of the city daily in the days surrounding the game. That includes fans, VIPs, league officials and media from around the world.
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"I would say within 15 minutes of the teams being chosen, people were on the internet and booking their plane seats," said Sylvia Berman from Post Haste Travel agency in Hollywood, Fla. "The airplane seats probably went within a half hour."
Getting a ticket sometimes means having to buy a package deal from agencies that have purchased blocks of tickets. On Point Events, for example, offers packages that range from $5,000 for one person to more than $100,000 for two people. The base package includes hotel, airport transfer, transportation to the game, a tailgate with food and drinks and an upper-level ticket.
"You get a lot more value by getting a package," On Point Events owner Philippe Tanguy said. "Can you go and put it together yourself? It's possible. But if you are looking for the best experience and best value, the package deal is the way to go."
Posh packages include the best seats in the stadium, a suite in one of Miami's best hotels, private transportation, access to celebrity parties, table service and more.
Taguy estimates 20 percent to 30 percent of the total tickets in the stadium are bought and resold by agencies. He said most of his sales for this game came from Chiefs fans.
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NFL packages
The NFL offers fans ticket packages from about $4,000 to $30,000 with its On Location Experience. Included are pregame parties with "NFL legends." Several hundred tickets still are available.
Chiefs fans most likely will outnumber 49ers fans because it's only about 1,460 miles from Kansas City, Mo., to the Miami area, while San Francisco is some 3,100 miles away.
As with many major events, counterfeit tickets will frustrate and anger some people headed to the game. About 11 percent of buyers have unknowingly purchased fraudulent NFL tickets within the past five years, according to a Ticketmaster survey of 100 fans from each team.
That same survey also found that the Super Bowl is a super attraction for NFL fans. Some 35 percent would give up drinking alcohol for a year and 21 percent would give up their vacation days to watch their team play live in the big game.
The NFL has a long history of hosting in Miami -- 10 times previously -- and has a healthy budget when funding the annual event.
"Obviously it's a major investment to put on a Super Bowl, but it's the Super Bowl," said Eric Finkelstein, NFL senior director of event operations."
Advertisement
The NFL will splurge to make the experience special for fans as the league celebrates its 100th anniversary. Finkelstein declined to reveal how much the league is spending, but did say the NFL makes an investment to make the game as big as possible.
"We are prepared to put on an amazing show and get everything ready with what should be an amazing matchup between two great teams," Finkelstein said. Halftime will feature Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, and Demi Lovato will sing the national anthem before the teams take the field.
Also, the NFL is planning more outside-the-game attractions than any other Super Bowl.
Parties galore
More than a dozen parties are planned starting Wednesday, and several feature big-name celebrities including Lizzo, DJ Khaled, Maroon 5, Snoop Dogg, Guns N' Roses, Harry Styles, Shaquille O'Neal, Pitbull, Lil Wayne, Black Eyed Peas and Lady Gaga.
The popularity of football has filled the NFL coffers, so spending lavishly for Super Bowl events doesn't make league executives blink twice.
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Bloomberg reported the league had $15 billion in revenue during the 2018-2019 season. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in 2010 the league was targeting $25 billion by 2027.
And Miami remains a popular venue in the league's eyes. Among the many reasons is the weather, with the temperature expected to be around 70 degrees at kickoff.
"There is a reason why we keep coming back," Finkelstein said. "It's a perfect setting for what will be a great matchup."
NFL season highlights


upi--2020-01-24--Fungus attacks, destroys part of Florida strawberry crop

ORLANDO , Fla. , Jan. 24 ( UPI ) -- A new strain of a deadly fungus has wiped out part of Florida 's strawberry crop this winter , causing perhaps millions of dollars in losses and raising fears of a new permanent pest .
First discovered in the Plant City area east of Tampa -- the center of strawberry production in the state -- the fungus took hold just as harvest season was beginning in December .
Consumers around the country felt the impact because Florida is the only place in the United States with a major winter crop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one-fourth of Florida 's 10,000 acres of strawberries and about half of its current organic strawberry acreage , said Natalia Peres , a plant pathologist with University of Florida 's agriculture research agency .
While hundreds of acres of plants were lost , other areas suffered partial losses of the fruit or were saved by fungicide spraying .
The actual financial impact is not yet available , but growers of the delicate specialty crop invest at least $ 15,000 per acre , according to state agriculture statistics .
The average retail price of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 6.23 per pound on Jan. 11 from $ 3.99 per pound during mid-December , according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture .
The fungus causes the fruit , leaves and roots to turn brown with rot , and farmers are worried that the disease might have settled permanently in Florida .
They hope it wo n't reappear , but the magnitude of infestation makes it more likely it will be a long-lasting problem .
`` We lost maybe 80 acres of the organic .
It 's definitely a setback , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Gary Wishnatzki , a farmer in the Plant City area .
`` Conditions have improved , so we 're hopeful . ''
At $ 15,000 per acre , that means Wishnatzki is dealing with a front-end loss of around $ 1.2 million .
His company , Wish Farms , grows about 600 acres of strawberries , 200 acres of which are organic , and he leases another 1,200 acres to other strawberry operations .
According to University of Florida , an acre can yield about 32,000 pounds of organic strawberries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million pounds of berries .
`` We had warm and rainy weather for a few days in late December , and that allowed this new strain of fungus to flourish , '' said Peres , a professor of plant pathology .
`` It arrived in Florida on a young plant brought in from a nursery . ''
It has n't been determined where the fungus originated , she said .
Since young plants generally are imported from California , North Carolina and Canada , Peres is working with researchers in those areas to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been seeking a way to control the fungus , especially for organic farmers who have limited choices .
She is testing how samples of the fungus react to various substances , including natural botanic-based fungicides that would be allowed in organic production .
Drier weather contained further spread of the fungus as of a few days ago , said Kenneth Parker , executive director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association .
`` It really was a perfect storm for these fungus spores to spread , '' he said .
`` We were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wet fields for days , and that was spreading the spores . ''
Besides finding a fungicide that works , Peres and the growers want to learn what other types of plants and trees might host the fungus .
`` We ca n't remove all plants from around our fields , but if we know the fungus can survive on oak trees , for example , removing some oaks might prevent having the fungus around another season , '' Wishnatzki said .
Florida 's climate allows growing strawberries in winter , but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mildew and fungus , Peres said .
Because of that , little nursery production of strawberry plants exists locally .
Because of Florida 's problems with pests and fungus , organic strawberry production still is relatively small compared to conventional production .
The new fungus proved to have significant resistance to both organic and conventional fungicides , Peres said .
As a small , specialty crop , strawberries often not covered by farm insurance policies .
Wishnatzki said that level of risk is why organic produce is more expensive .
`` We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can to come up with answers , testing different products , '' Peres said .
`` We 're trying to understand if this strain will survive here . ''

1/3
A strawberry shows damage this month from an aggressive new strain of pestalotiopsis fungus at a farm east of Tampa, Fla. Photo courtesy of the University of Florida
ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 24 (UPI) -- A new strain of a deadly fungus has wiped out part of Florida's strawberry crop this winter, causing perhaps millions of dollars in losses and raising fears of a new permanent pest. First discovered in the Plant City area east of Tampa -- the center of strawberry production in the state -- the fungus took hold just as harvest season was beginning in December. Advertisement
Consumers around the country felt the impact because Florida is the only place in the United States with a major winter crop.
The pestalotiopsis fungus invaded up to one-fourth of Florida's 10,000 acres of strawberries and about half of its current organic strawberry acreage, said Natalia Peres, a plant pathologist with University of Florida's agriculture research agency.
While hundreds of acres of plants were lost, other areas suffered partial losses of the fruit or were saved by fungicide spraying.
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The actual financial impact is not yet available, but growers of the delicate specialty crop invest at least $15,000 per acre, according to state agriculture statistics.
The average retail price of organic strawberries spiked because of shortages to $6.23 per pound on Jan. 11 from $3.99 per pound during mid-December, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The fungus causes the fruit, leaves and roots to turn brown with rot, and farmers are worried that the disease might have settled permanently in Florida. They hope it won't reappear, but the magnitude of infestation makes it more likely it will be a long-lasting problem.
"We lost maybe 80 acres of the organic. It's definitely a setback, but it's not a knockout punch for us," said Gary Wishnatzki, a farmer in the Plant City area. "Conditions have improved, so we're hopeful."
At $15,000 per acre, that means Wishnatzki is dealing with a front-end loss of around $1.2 million.
His company, Wish Farms, grows about 600 acres of strawberries, 200 acres of which are organic, and he leases another 1,200 acres to other strawberry operations. According to University of Florida, an acre can yield about 32,000 pounds of organic strawberries, meaning Wishnatzi lost at least 2.5 million pounds of berries.
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"We had warm and rainy weather for a few days in late December, and that allowed this new strain of fungus to flourish," said Peres, a professor of plant pathology. "It arrived in Florida on a young plant brought in from a nursery."
It hasn't been determined where the fungus originated, she said. Since young plants generally are imported from California, North Carolina and Canada, Peres is working with researchers in those areas to identify the source.
Peres said she has been seeking a way to control the fungus, especially for organic farmers who have limited choices. She is testing how samples of the fungus react to various substances, including natural botanic-based fungicides that would be allowed in organic production.
Drier weather contained further spread of the fungus as of a few days ago, said Kenneth Parker, executive director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association.
"It really was a perfect storm for these fungus spores to spread," he said. "We were spraying and picking and moving through the wet fields for days, and that was spreading the spores."
Besides finding a fungicide that works, Peres and the growers want to learn what other types of plants and trees might host the fungus.
Advertisement
"We can't remove all plants from around our fields, but if we know the fungus can survive on oak trees, for example, removing some oaks might prevent having the fungus around another season," Wishnatzki said.
Florida's climate allows growing strawberries in winter, but also poses problems in terms of pests, mildew and fungus, Peres said. Because of that, little nursery production of strawberry plants exists locally.
Because of Florida's problems with pests and fungus, organic strawberry production still is relatively small compared to conventional production. The new fungus proved to have significant resistance to both organic and conventional fungicides, Peres said.
As a small, specialty crop, strawberries often not covered by farm insurance policies. Wishnatzki said that level of risk is why organic produce is more expensive.
"We are working on it as quickly as we can to come up with answers, testing different products," Peres said. "We're trying to understand if this strain will survive here."


upi--2020-01-24--Black, Hispanic people have better outcomes after 'bleeding' stroke

After a hemorrhagic stroke , often called a `` bleeding '' stroke , young black and Hispanic people are less likely than white people to be disabled or die within the following three months , a new study finds .
Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel ruptures , causing bleeding in the brain .
This type of stroke is less common than ones caused by blood clots , but harder to treat and more often fatal .
`` Our study found that even when you account for factors that affect outcomes -- such as how big the stroke is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predictors of how well people would recover , '' said lead author Dr. Daniel Woo .
He 's associate director of University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Research in Ohio .
For the study , Woo 's team collected data on 418 people , average age 43 , who had a bleeding stroke .
Patients were divided into two groups .
Those in the first group had no symptoms or had moderate disability but could walk without assistance .
Those in the second group -- the `` poor outcome '' group -- had more severe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or had died .
The study found that 52 percent of white patients had poor outcomes after their stroke , compared with 35 percent of black patients and 31 percent of Hispanics .
Compared with white patients , black patients had a 58 percent lower risk of a poor outcome and Hispanic patients had a 66 percent lower risk , the findings showed .
`` We examined both the initial size and the expansion of the bleeding in the brain for each participant when they were hospitalized , but were not able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to how well they were doing three months later , '' Woo said .
So , he added , the findings might indicate that the differences are driven by biological , social and treatment factors related to the risk of a bleeding stroke , rather than differences in early steps after admission to the hospital .
The report was published online Jan. 22 in the journal Neurology .
For more on bleeding strokes , visit the American Stroke Association .

After a hemorrhagic stroke, often called a "bleeding" stroke, young black and Hispanic people are less likely than white people to be disabled or die within the following three months, a new study finds.
Hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood vessel ruptures, causing bleeding in the brain. This type of stroke is less common than ones caused by blood clots, but harder to treat and more often fatal.
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"Our study found that even when you account for factors that affect outcomes -- such as how big the stroke is -- race and ethnicity were still independent predictors of how well people would recover," said lead author Dr. Daniel Woo. He's associate director of University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Research in Ohio.
For the study, Woo's team collected data on 418 people, average age 43, who had a bleeding stroke.
Patients were divided into two groups. Those in the first group had no symptoms or had moderate disability but could walk without assistance.
Those in the second group -- the "poor outcome" group -- had more severe disability and couldn't walk without help, or had died.
The study found that 52 percent of white patients had poor outcomes after their stroke, compared with 35 percent of black patients and 31 percent of Hispanics.
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Compared with white patients, black patients had a 58 percent lower risk of a poor outcome and Hispanic patients had a 66 percent lower risk, the findings showed.
"We examined both the initial size and the expansion of the bleeding in the brain for each participant when they were hospitalized, but were not able to find significant evidence that these factors contributed to how well they were doing three months later," Woo said.
So, he added, the findings might indicate that the differences are driven by biological, social and treatment factors related to the risk of a bleeding stroke, rather than differences in early steps after admission to the hospital.
The report was published online Jan. 22 in the journal Neurology.
More information
For more on bleeding strokes, visit the American Stroke Association.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-01-23--Justice Department invalidates two FISA warrants against Carter Page

Jan. 23 ( UPI ) -- The Justice Department declared two of four surveillance warrants against President Donald Trump 's former campaign adviser Carter Page invalid on Thursday .
A Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Court order declassified on Thursday stated the Justice Department determined that with respect to the two warrants from the FBI seeking permission to surveil page that `` if not earlier , there was insufficient predication to establish probable cause to believe that Page was acting as an agent of a foreign power . ''
The declaration indicates the Justice Department now believes surveillance of Page should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in early 2017 .
In December , Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz outlined 17 inaccuracies involving three applications filed under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act , which may have inflated the bureau 's justification for surveillance against Page .
Horowitz also ordered the FBI to explain how it intends to correct those errors .
The FISA Court order also states that the FBI has agreed with a Justice Department request to `` Sequester all collection the FBI acquired pursuant to the Court 's authorizations in the above-listed four docket numbers targeting Page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the outcome of related investigations and any litigation .
According to the order , the Justice Department did not take a position on the validity of the other two surveillance authorizations but intends to sequester them in the same manner as the ones it declared invalid .

The Justice Department declared two of four surveillance warrants against former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page invalid, according to a FISA Court order released on Thursday. File Photo by Yuri Kochetkov/EPA
Jan. 23 (UPI) -- The Justice Department declared two of four surveillance warrants against President Donald Trump's former campaign adviser Carter Page invalid on Thursday. A Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Court order declassified on Thursday stated the Justice Department determined that with respect to the two warrants from the FBI seeking permission to surveil page that "if not earlier, there was insufficient predication to establish probable cause to believe that Page was acting as an agent of a foreign power." Advertisement
The declaration indicates the Justice Department now believes surveillance of Page should have ended after the second warrant expired in early 2017.
In December, Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz outlined 17 inaccuracies involving three applications filed under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which may have inflated the bureau's justification for surveillance against Page.
Horowitz also ordered the FBI to explain how it intends to correct those errors.
The FISA Court order also states that the FBI has agreed with a Justice Department request to "Sequester all collection the FBI acquired pursuant to the Court's authorizations in the above-listed four docket numbers targeting Page pending further review of the OIG Report and the outcome of related investigations and any litigation.
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According to the order, the Justice Department did not take a position on the validity of the other two surveillance authorizations but intends to sequester them in the same manner as the ones it declared invalid.


upi--2020-01-23--New York Mets choose Luis Rojas to replace Carlos Beltran as manager

Jan. 23 ( UPI ) -- A week after parting ways with Carlos Beltran , the New York Mets officially hired Luis Rojas as their next manager , the team announced Thursday .
Rojas becomes the Mets ' third manager in the past four months and the team 's fourth skipper in two and a half years .
The club will introduce Rojas in a press conference Friday at Citi Field .
`` I will work tirelessly to help this team win , '' Rojas said in a statement Thursday .
`` I believe this team and coaching staff can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward to working together with everyone to reach our goals . ''
The Mets moved on from Beltran , who was hired in November , last week as part of the fallout from the Houston Astros ' sign-stealing scandal .
Rojas , who was given a multiyear contract , spent last season as the Mets ' quality control coach and has been a member of the organization since 2007 .
He has served as a manager at multiple levels within the Mets ' minor league system but never coached in the majors before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last season .
`` Luis has grown up with baseball in his blood , as his family is part of baseball royalty , '' Mets COO Jeff Wilpon said in a statement .
`` Luis managed many of our current players during his time in our organization .
He is fully prepared for this exciting opportunity . ''
Rojas , 38 , is the son of former Montreal Expos and San Francisco Giants manager Felipe Alou and the half-brother of ex-MLB outfielder Moises Alou .
The Mets finished with an 86-76 record last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York finished third in the National League East behind the Atlanta Braves and World Series champion Washington Nationals .

Former Houston Astros player and ex-New York Mets manager Carlos Beltran was hired by the Mets in November. The team parted ways with him last week as part of the fallout from the Astros' sign-stealing scandal. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 23 (UPI) -- A week after parting ways with Carlos Beltran, the New York Mets officially hired Luis Rojas as their next manager, the team announced Thursday. Rojas becomes the Mets' third manager in the past four months and the team's fourth skipper in two and a half years. The club will introduce Rojas in a press conference Friday at Citi Field. Advertisement
"I will work tirelessly to help this team win," Rojas said in a statement Thursday. "I believe this team and coaching staff can do special things, and I look forward to working together with everyone to reach our goals."
The Mets moved on from Beltran, who was hired in November, last week as part of the fallout from the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal.
Rojas, who was given a multiyear contract, spent last season as the Mets' quality control coach and has been a member of the organization since 2007. He has served as a manager at multiple levels within the Mets' minor league system but never coached in the majors before joining former manager Mickey Callaway's staff last season.
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"Luis has grown up with baseball in his blood, as his family is part of baseball royalty," Mets COO Jeff Wilpon said in a statement. "Luis managed many of our current players during his time in our organization. He is fully prepared for this exciting opportunity."
Please join us in welcoming Luis Rojas as our new manager! #Mets pic.twitter.com/8aXEkUdjab— New York Mets (@Mets) January 23, 2020
Rojas, 38, is the son of former Montreal Expos and San Francisco Giants manager Felipe Alou and the half-brother of ex-MLB outfielder Moises Alou.
The Mets finished with an 86-76 record last season but missed the postseason. New York finished third in the National League East behind the Atlanta Braves and World Series champion Washington Nationals.


upi--2020-01-23--76ers' Josh Richardson to miss at least two weeks with hamstring injury

Jan. 23 ( UPI ) -- Philadelphia 76ers guard Josh Richardson will miss at least two weeks because of a left hamstring strain .
League sources told ESPN and The Athletic on Thursday that Richardson is expected to be re-evaluated in two weeks for the slight strain of his left hamstring .
Richardson sustained the injury in the first quarter of Wednesday 's 107-95 loss to the Toronto Raptors .
After 76ers star Ben Simmons made a shot , Richardson rushed up to Raptors guard Fred VanVleet to try to intercept the ensuing inbound pass .
Richardson immediately grabbed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VanVleet .
He could n't get back on defense and was pulled from the game after 76ers head coach Brett Brown called a timeout following a Pascal Siakam bucket .
The 76ers ' training staff then accompanied Richardson to the locker room .
Prior to his exit , he did n't record a stat in four minutes against the Raptors .
Richardson , 26 , is in his first season with the 76ers after being acquired in a sign-and-trade deal with the Miami Heat for Jimmy Butler in the off-season .
He missed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a right hamstring injury .
In 38 regular-season games this year , Richardson has averaged 15 points , 3.4 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game .

Philadelphia 76ers guard Josh Richardson suffered a left hamstring strain in Wednesday's loss to the Toronto Raptors. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Philadelphia 76ers guard Josh Richardson will miss at least two weeks because of a left hamstring strain. League sources told ESPN and The Athletic on Thursday that Richardson is expected to be re-evaluated in two weeks for the slight strain of his left hamstring. Advertisement
Richardson sustained the injury in the first quarter of Wednesday's 107-95 loss to the Toronto Raptors. After 76ers star Ben Simmons made a shot, Richardson rushed up to Raptors guard Fred VanVleet to try to intercept the ensuing inbound pass.
Richardson immediately grabbed at his left leg after getting close to VanVleet. He couldn't get back on defense and was pulled from the game after 76ers head coach Brett Brown called a timeout following a Pascal Siakam bucket.
The 76ers' training staff then accompanied Richardson to the locker room. Prior to his exit, he didn't record a stat in four minutes against the Raptors.
Richardson, 26, is in his first season with the 76ers after being acquired in a sign-and-trade deal with the Miami Heat for Jimmy Butler in the off-season. He missed six contests earlier this season because of a right hamstring injury.
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In 38 regular-season games this year, Richardson has averaged 15 points, 3.4 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game.


upi--2020-01-23--Annabella Sciorra testifies that Harvey Weinstein raped her in her apartment

Jan. 23 ( UPI ) -- Actress Annabelle Sciorra testified that Harvey Weinstein raped her about 27 years ago in the producer 's predatory sexual assault trial in New York on Thursday .
Sciorra said that in late 1993 or early 1994 Weinstein dropped her off at her apartment after they had dinner with friends and then returned shortly afterward without a call from her doorman and forced his way inside the apartment .
`` I was punching him .
I was kicking him .
I was just trying to get him away from me and he took my hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said while stretching her hands into the air to demonstrate the situation .
Sciorra testified that Weinstein grabbed her chest and took her to a bedroom where she `` could n't fight anymore because he had my hands locked . ''
`` He got on top of me and he raped me , '' she said .
Sciorra said she was too petrified to report the assault to the police but did tell her friend Rosie Perez about it around the time it happened .
She added that she confronted Weinstein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she ran into him at a restaurant weeks later .
`` I told him how I woke up , and he said , 'That 's what all the good Catholic girls say , ' and he leaned in and said 'This remains between you and I , ' '' she said .
The harassment continued in 1997 when Weinstein appeared at her hotel room in his underwear holding a bottle of baby oil and a videotape while she was promoting her film Cop Land at the Cannes Film Festival in France , Sciorra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backed into the room and pushed all the service buttons , '' she said , adding Weinstein then left .
Sciorra also testified that she came to know Weinstein after he cast her in projects he was producing but that she never considered having a romantic relationship with him .
Defense lawyer Donna Rotunno questioned why Sciorra did n't complain to management at her apartment building about how Weinstein was able to get up to her apartment unannounced and said that she exchanged `` loving '' emails with him for four years after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of six women allowed to testify in the case accusing Weinstein of raping a woman in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and performing a forcible sex act on another woman in 2006 .
He also faces similar charges in California .

Actress Annabella Sciorra said Thursday that Harvey Weinstein raped her in her apartment in the early 1990s, as she testified in is predatory sexual assault case. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Actress Annabelle Sciorra testified that Harvey Weinstein raped her about 27 years ago in the producer's predatory sexual assault trial in New York on Thursday. Sciorra said that in late 1993 or early 1994 Weinstein dropped her off at her apartment after they had dinner with friends and then returned shortly afterward without a call from her doorman and forced his way inside the apartment. Advertisement
"I was punching him. I was kicking him. I was just trying to get him away from me and he took my hands and put them over my head," she said while stretching her hands into the air to demonstrate the situation.
Sciorra testified that Weinstein grabbed her chest and took her to a bedroom where she "couldn't fight anymore because he had my hands locked."
"He got on top of me and he raped me," she said.
Sciorra said she was too petrified to report the assault to the police but did tell her friend Rosie Perez about it around the time it happened.
She added that she confronted Weinstein about what happened at her apartment when she ran into him at a restaurant weeks later.
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"I told him how I woke up, and he said, 'That's what all the good Catholic girls say,' and he leaned in and said 'This remains between you and I,'" she said.
The harassment continued in 1997 when Weinstein appeared at her hotel room in his underwear holding a bottle of baby oil and a videotape while she was promoting her film Cop Land at the Cannes Film Festival in France, Sciorra said.
"I got scared and backed into the room and pushed all the service buttons," she said, adding Weinstein then left.
Sciorra also testified that she came to know Weinstein after he cast her in projects he was producing but that she never considered having a romantic relationship with him.
Defense lawyer Donna Rotunno questioned why Sciorra didn't complain to management at her apartment building about how Weinstein was able to get up to her apartment unannounced and said that she exchanged "loving" emails with him for four years after the alleged assault.
Sciorra is one of six women allowed to testify in the case accusing Weinstein of raping a woman in a Manhattan hotel room in 2013 and performing a forcible sex act on another woman in 2006. He also faces similar charges in California.


upi--2020-01-23--Over-the-counter steroid creams may pose health risk

Rubbing cream into your skin to calm an itchy rash may seem harmless , but not all topical anti-itch formulas are created equal .
`` People do n't understand the potential dangers of prescription-strength steroid creams , '' said Dr. Lawrence Green , clinical professor of dermatology at George Washington University in Washington , D.C. Hydrocortisone -- a topical steroid often used to treat a rash or allergic reaction -- is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use in a potency greater than 1 percent .
But in some stores it is easy to obtain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warns .
The researchers found illegal corticosteroid creams at dozens of stores nationwide that specialize in foreign imports .
For the study , the investigators visited 80 stores in 13 cities in nine states .
Posing as customers , they asked for cream to treat an `` itchy rash . ''
Three dozen stores sold prescription-strength creams over-the-counter without a prescription .
The creams were made in 12 countries , including China , Mexico , Kenya , Korea and Switzerland , the study authors said .
All stores visited in Chicago and San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did 80 percent of those visited in Minneapolis , 60 percent of those in Washington , D.C. , and 36 percent in New York City .
Even smaller cities -- including Durham , N.C. and Madison , Wisc .
-- had stores selling illegal creams , the findings showed .
The report was published in the February issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology .
The results came as little surprise to study co-author Dr. Sara Hylwa , a dermatologist at Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis .
Hylwa works in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , patients acknowledge using prescription-strength corticosteroid creams for rashes and even as skin-lightening formulas , she said .
In many other countries , the creams are available legally over-the-counter , she said , so it would n't be unusual for a newcomer to expect to purchase them without a prescription .
But misuse can bring serious side effects .
Hylwa recalled one patient whose use of a skin cream containing a potent steroid resulted in severe skin thinning -- a common side effect often seen in sensitive areas , such as the face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effects include stretch marks ; easy bruising ; and glaucoma , cataracts or even blindness when applied to the eye area , according to the American Academy of Dermatology .
Green said he sees patients who have misused skin creams almost every day .
`` Unfortunately , they 're getting inaccurate advice from the internet , friends , or just trying to help themselves with a previous prescription cream they have in their house -- one that was prescribed for something else unrelated -- until they go to the doctor , or trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
While consumers may think liberal use of topical medications is less harmful than medicines that are swallowed , that 's a misconception , Green said .
`` When you put something on a large enough surface of your skin , it can be absorbed into your bloodstream , '' he warned .
`` You then can have all the potential permanent damage not only of putting cream too often on the same place on your skin , but also the potentially dangerous side effects of taking a pill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , what 's the safest approach to take for a skin rash that does n't resolve in a few days with nonprescription-strength creams ?
Make an appointment with a doctor , suggested Dr. Erin Warshaw , a professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota , who was also involved in the study .
Warshaw urged patients to take any skin creams they may be using with them to their appointment , to show the doctor .
These creams may very well yield valuable clues about what 's causing a skin irritation or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about proper skin care from the American Academy of Dermatology .

Researchers found dozens of stores in nine states sold prescription strength creams over-the-counter without a prescription. Photo by saponifier /Pixabay
Rubbing cream into your skin to calm an itchy rash may seem harmless, but not all topical anti-itch formulas are created equal. "People don't understand the potential dangers of prescription-strength steroid creams," said Dr. Lawrence Green, clinical professor of dermatology at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Advertisement
Hydrocortisone -- a topical steroid often used to treat a rash or allergic reaction -- is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter use in a potency greater than 1 percent. But in some stores it is easy to obtain without a prescription, a new study warns.
The researchers found illegal corticosteroid creams at dozens of stores nationwide that specialize in foreign imports.
For the study, the investigators visited 80 stores in 13 cities in nine states. Posing as customers, they asked for cream to treat an "itchy rash." Three dozen stores sold prescription-strength creams over-the-counter without a prescription.
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The creams were made in 12 countries, including China, Mexico, Kenya, Korea and Switzerland, the study authors said.
All stores visited in Chicago and San Francisco sold illegal steroid creams, as did 80 percent of those visited in Minneapolis, 60 percent of those in Washington, D.C., and 36 percent in New York City. Even smaller cities -- including Durham, N.C. and Madison, Wisc. -- had stores selling illegal creams, the findings showed.
The report was published in the February issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
The results came as little surprise to study co-author Dr. Sara Hylwa, a dermatologist at Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis.
Hylwa works in a clinic that treats many immigrants. Occasionally, patients acknowledge using prescription-strength corticosteroid creams for rashes and even as skin-lightening formulas, she said.
In many other countries, the creams are available legally over-the-counter, she said, so it wouldn't be unusual for a newcomer to expect to purchase them without a prescription. But misuse can bring serious side effects.
Hylwa recalled one patient whose use of a skin cream containing a potent steroid resulted in severe skin thinning -- a common side effect often seen in sensitive areas, such as the face and around the eyes.
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Other side effects include stretch marks; easy bruising; and glaucoma, cataracts or even blindness when applied to the eye area, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Green said he sees patients who have misused skin creams almost every day.
"Unfortunately, they're getting inaccurate advice from the internet, friends, or just trying to help themselves with a previous prescription cream they have in their house -- one that was prescribed for something else unrelated -- until they go to the doctor, or trying to avoid going to the doctor altogether," he said.
While consumers may think liberal use of topical medications is less harmful than medicines that are swallowed, that's a misconception, Green said.
"When you put something on a large enough surface of your skin, it can be absorbed into your bloodstream," he warned. "You then can have all the potential permanent damage not only of putting cream too often on the same place on your skin, but also the potentially dangerous side effects of taking a pill form of the cream."
So, what's the safest approach to take for a skin rash that doesn't resolve in a few days with nonprescription-strength creams?
Make an appointment with a doctor, suggested Dr. Erin Warshaw, a professor of dermatology at the University of Minnesota, who was also involved in the study.
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Warshaw urged patients to take any skin creams they may be using with them to their appointment, to show the doctor. These creams may very well yield valuable clues about what's causing a skin irritation or preventing it from healing.
More information
Learn more about proper skin care from the American Academy of Dermatology.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-01-23--Federal teachers union sues Betsy DeVos over repeal of for-profit student protections

Jan. 23 ( UPI ) -- The American Federation of Teachers filed a lawsuit against the Department of Education and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for repealing protections for students at for-profit colleges .
The lawsuit filed Wednesday accuses DeVos of violating federal laws by repealing the 2014 gainful employment rule , which established debt-to-earnings ratios for most for-profit colleges and vocational programs .
`` With this lawsuit we are going to strike down DeVos ' illegal repeal of the gainful employment rule and protect students from schools that leave borrowers with worthless degrees and debt you can never repay , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The lawsuit seeks the immediate reinstatement of the gainful employment rule , which the Education Department repealed in 2019 , stating the rule unfairly targeted proprietary institutions .
It also said that the term `` gainful employment in a recognized occupation '' included in the rule is unambiguous and does not need to be defined by regulation .
The AFT said DeVos ' repeal was `` riddled with errors and unfounded assertions '' and that the department 's assertion that the rule discriminated against proprietary institutions `` is simply false . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ these types of institutions .
Rather , the underlying statute made a distinction between gainful employment programs ( at all types of institutions both nonprofit and for-profit ) and non-gainful employment programs , '' it said .
Department of Education press secretary Angela Morabito said the department will `` vigorously defend its final regulation rescinding this deeply flawed rule . ''

A federal teachers union sued Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for repealing protections for students at for-profit colleges. File Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 23 (UPI) -- The American Federation of Teachers filed a lawsuit against the Department of Education and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos for repealing protections for students at for-profit colleges. The lawsuit filed Wednesday accuses DeVos of violating federal laws by repealing the 2014 gainful employment rule, which established debt-to-earnings ratios for most for-profit colleges and vocational programs. Advertisement
"With this lawsuit we are going to strike down DeVos' illegal repeal of the gainful employment rule and protect students from schools that leave borrowers with worthless degrees and debt you can never repay," Student Defense President Aaron Ament said.
The lawsuit seeks the immediate reinstatement of the gainful employment rule, which the Education Department repealed in 2019, stating the rule unfairly targeted proprietary institutions.
It also said that the term "gainful employment in a recognized occupation" included in the rule is unambiguous and does not need to be defined by regulation.
The AFT said DeVos' repeal was "riddled with errors and unfounded assertions" and that the department's assertion that the rule discriminated against proprietary institutions "is simply false."
"The rule did not discriminate against these types of institutions. Rather, the underlying statute made a distinction between gainful employment programs (at all types of institutions both nonprofit and for-profit ) and non-gainful employment programs," it said.
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Department of Education press secretary Angela Morabito said the department will "vigorously defend its final regulation rescinding this deeply flawed rule."


upi--2020-01-23--Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge receives Walk of Fame star

Jan. 23 ( UPI ) -- Universal Music Group Chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge received the 2,685th star of the @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
Grainge has led the biggest music company in the world since 2011 and @ @ @ @ @ list -- the most powerful person in the music industry -- in 2013 , 2015 @ @ @ @ @ Some of the biggest names in pop music spoke on his behalf at the ceremony @ @ @ @ @ , Justin Bieber , Shawn Mendes , Sam Smith , Tori Kelly , Hailee Steinfeld @ @ @ @ @ he met Grainge when he was 15 years old , just entering the industry .
@ @ @ @ @ being there [ for me ] as a person and as a kid .
I @ @ @ @ @ love and guidance . ''
`` This is an extraordinary country , '' Grainge , @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Like me , they all came from somewhere else , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ honorees .

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Lucian Grainge chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Music Group, reacts to comments by singer Lionel Richie during an unveiling ceremony honoring him with the 2,685th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Universal Music Group Chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge received the 2,685th star of the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday. Grainge has led the biggest music company in the world since 2011 and topped Billboard's Power 100 list -- the most powerful person in the music industry -- in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2019. Advertisement
Some of the biggest names in pop music spoke on his behalf at the ceremony Thursday, including Lionel Richie, Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, Sam Smith, Tori Kelly, Hailee Steinfeld and Beck.
Mendes said he met Grainge when he was 15 years old, just entering the industry.
He thanked Grainge for "being there [for me] as a person and as a kid. I never felt fear, only love and guidance."
"This is an extraordinary country," Grainge, who is British, said.
"Like me, they all came from somewhere else," he said of other Walk of Fame honorees.


upi--2020-01-23--2020 NBA All-Star Game: LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo named captains

Jan. 23 ( UPI ) -- Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo were named as captains for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game for the second consecutive season , the league announced Thursday night .
James and Antetokounmpo are two of the 10 starters for this year 's All-Star Game , which will take place Feb. 16 in Chicago .
The East starter pool includes Kemba Walker , Trae Young , Pascal Siakam and Joel Embiid , while the West starter pool consists of James Harden , Anthony Davis , Kawhi Leonard and Luka Doncic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players in voting , was named to his 16th career All-Star team , breaking a tie with San Antonio Spurs great Tim Duncan and former Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Garnett for the third-most selections in league history .
James now only trails Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ( 19 ) and Kobe Bryant ( 18 ) .
If James suits up in next month 's All-Star matchup , he will only sit behind Abdul-Jabbar ( 18 ) in All-Star Game appearances .
Bryant missed three ASG contests due to injury .
Antetokounmpo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rebounds per game this season , was selected to his fourth All-Star team .
Doncic , Young and Siakam each are first-time All-Star selections and starters .
The league will announce the seven reserve selections from each conference , which are made by the NBA 's head coaches , next Thursday .
On Feb. 6 , James and Antetokounmpo will draft their rosters for the All-Star Game from the pool of 22 players , regardless of conferences .

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against the New York Knicks on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden in New York City. James led all NBA players in All-Star voting. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo were named as captains for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game for the second consecutive season, the league announced Thursday night. James and Antetokounmpo are two of the 10 starters for this year's All-Star Game, which will take place Feb. 16 in Chicago. The East starter pool includes Kemba Walker, Trae Young, Pascal Siakam and Joel Embiid, while the West starter pool consists of James Harden, Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard and Luka Doncic. Advertisement
James, who led all NBA players in voting, was named to his 16th career All-Star team, breaking a tie with San Antonio Spurs great Tim Duncan and former Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Garnett for the third-most selections in league history. James now only trails Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19) and Kobe Bryant (18).
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If James suits up in next month's All-Star matchup, he will only sit behind Abdul-Jabbar (18) in All-Star Game appearances. Bryant missed three ASG contests due to injury.
Antetokounmpo, who has averaged 30 points and 12.9 rebounds per game this season, was selected to his fourth All-Star team. Doncic, Young and Siakam each are first-time All-Star selections and starters.
The league will announce the seven reserve selections from each conference, which are made by the NBA's head coaches, next Thursday. On Feb. 6, James and Antetokounmpo will draft their rosters for the All-Star Game from the pool of 22 players, regardless of conferences.


upi--2020-01-24--Golden State Warriors trading Willie Cauley-Stein to Dallas Mavericks

Jan. 24 ( UPI ) -- The Golden State Warriors are finalizing an agreement that will send center Willie Cauley-Stein to the Dallas Mavericks .
League sources told ESPN and The Athletic on Friday that the Warriors will trade Cauley-Stein to the Mavs for a 2020 second-round draft pick .
According to ESPN , Dallas is sending the Utah Jazz 's 2020 second-rounder in the deal .
Cauley-Stein , 26 , could fill an immediate need for the Mavericks after key big man Dwight Powell went down with a significant injury earlier this week .
Powell suffered a ruptured right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Los Angeles Clippers .
The Sacramento Kings selected Cauley-Stein with the No .
6 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft out of Kentucky .
After spending his first four seasons with the Kings , he signed a two-year contract with the Warriors this past off-season .
Cauley-Stein is scheduled to earn $ 2.17 million this year and has a $ 2.28 million player option next season , according to Spotrac .
The Mavericks will acquire him with the $ 11.7 million trade exception created from the Harrison Barnes deal last February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6.2 rebounds per game in 41 regular-season matchups this year .

Golden State Warriors center Willie Cauley-Stein (L) has averaged 7.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game this season. File Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 24 (UPI) -- The Golden State Warriors are finalizing an agreement that will send center Willie Cauley-Stein to the Dallas Mavericks. League sources told ESPN and The Athletic on Friday that the Warriors will trade Cauley-Stein to the Mavs for a 2020 second-round draft pick. According to ESPN, Dallas is sending the Utah Jazz's 2020 second-rounder in the deal. Advertisement
Cauley-Stein, 26, could fill an immediate need for the Mavericks after key big man Dwight Powell went down with a significant injury earlier this week. Powell suffered a ruptured right Achilles during Tuesday night's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Sacramento Kings selected Cauley-Stein with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft out of Kentucky. After spending his first four seasons with the Kings, he signed a two-year contract with the Warriors this past off-season.
Cauley-Stein is scheduled to earn $2.17 million this year and has a $2.28 million player option next season, according to Spotrac. The Mavericks will acquire him with the $11.7 million trade exception created from the Harrison Barnes deal last February.
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Cauley-Stein has averaged 7.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in 41 regular-season matchups this year.


upi--2020-01-24--DirecTV races to de-orbit satellite it fears could explode

Jan. 24 ( UPI ) -- A DirecTV satellite is at risk of exploding and the company is racing to move it out of orbit , according to public filings .
In a filing submitted to U.S. regulators this week and originally reported by Space News , the broadcast satellite provider requested temporary authority to `` de-orbit '' its Spaceway-1 satellite .
The Boeing-built satellite suffered damage to its batteries during a `` major anomaly '' in December , the filing said , and DirecTV is hoping to avoid a scenario where the satellite bursts in orbit , which could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the filing , after the battery was damaged , Boeing concluded the batteries are at high risk of bursting if recharged .
Now DirecTV is operating the satellite using power generated directly from its solar panels but it would need to use the battery as it passes through the Earth 's shadow in late February -- which is why the company is looking to de-orbit and decommission the equipment before then .
It was not immediately clear what caused the battery damage or whether other Boeing-built satellites were at risk .
Boeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a collection of events that have a very low likelihood of occurring on other satellites . ''
The company did not respond to further inquiries about whether other Boeing-built satellites were at risk .

DirecTV has asked to de-orbit and decommission a Boeing-built satellite it fears could explode and damage others in its orbit. Photo by U.S. Air Force
Jan. 24 (UPI) -- A DirecTV satellite is at risk of exploding and the company is racing to move it out of orbit, according to public filings. In a filing submitted to U.S. regulators this week and originally reported by Space News, the broadcast satellite provider requested temporary authority to "de-orbit" its Spaceway-1 satellite. Advertisement
The Boeing-built satellite suffered damage to its batteries during a "major anomaly" in December, the filing said, and DirecTV is hoping to avoid a scenario where the satellite bursts in orbit, which could damage other communications satellites nearby.
According to the filing, after the battery was damaged, Boeing concluded the batteries are at high risk of bursting if recharged.
Now DirecTV is operating the satellite using power generated directly from its solar panels but it would need to use the battery as it passes through the Earth's shadow in late February -- which is why the company is looking to de-orbit and decommission the equipment before then.
It was not immediately clear what caused the battery damage or whether other Boeing-built satellites were at risk.
Boeing told CNN the issue stemmed from "a collection of events that have a very low likelihood of occurring on other satellites."
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The company did not respond to further inquiries about whether other Boeing-built satellites were at risk.


upi--2020-01-24--Browns' Kareem Hunt cited for speeding; police say marijuana found in vehicle

Jan. 24 ( UPI ) -- Marijuana was found in a car driven by Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt during a traffic stop earlier this week , police said .
According to a Rocky River ( Ohio ) police report , officers pulled Hunt over for speeding Tuesday and noticed the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle .
The tailback was placed in the rear of a police cruiser while a probable cause search was conducted .
During the search , police discovered small amounts of marijuana in three different locations inside a backpack in the backseat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report , police seized the backpack as evidence .
Hunt was cited only for the speeding violation .
The Browns told ESPN they are `` aware and looking into it . ''
An NFL spokesperson said the league is `` aware of the matter involving Hunt '' but declined further comment .
Although Hunt was only cited for the traffic violation , he could be subject to discipline from the NFL .
He previously served an eight-game suspension this season for violating the NFL 's personal conduct policy .
The Kansas City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a video showed him kicking a woman in downtown Cleveland .
He signed with the Browns in February 2019 .

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt previously served an eight-game suspension this season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Marijuana was found in a car driven by Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt during a traffic stop earlier this week, police said. According to a Rocky River (Ohio) police report, officers pulled Hunt over for speeding Tuesday and noticed the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. The tailback was placed in the rear of a police cruiser while a probable cause search was conducted. Advertisement
During the search, police discovered small amounts of marijuana in three different locations inside a backpack in the backseat of Hunt's car. According to the report, police seized the backpack as evidence.
Hunt was cited only for the speeding violation. The Browns told ESPN they are "aware and looking into it."
An NFL spokesperson said the league is "aware of the matter involving Hunt" but declined further comment.
Although Hunt was only cited for the traffic violation, he could be subject to discipline from the NFL. He previously served an eight-game suspension this season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.
The Kansas City Chiefs released Hunt in November 2018 after a video showed him kicking a woman in downtown Cleveland. He signed with the Browns in February 2019.


upi--2020-01-24--Longbow nabs $235.8M contract for Fire Control Radar support

Jan. 24 ( UPI ) -- Longbow LLC , a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrup Grumman , received @ @ @ @ @ Friday to support Fire Control Radar systems for Apache helicopters for 11 foreign governments , @ @ @ @ @ .
The foreign military sales funds the contract , which funds production support for Apache @ @ @ @ @ , Kuwait , Saudi Arabia , Taiwan , United Arab Emirates , Greece , India @ @ @ @ @ Qatar and Britain .
According to Northrop Grumman , Apache Longbow Fire Control Radar provides @ @ @ @ @ beyond maximum engagement ranges and can be used for a variety of roles and missions @ @ @ @ @ modes include Ground Target Mode , Air Targeting Mode and a Maritime Targeting Mode for @ @ @ @ @ will be determined in each work order , and the estimated completion date for the @ @ @ @ @ 2025 .

Longbow won a $235.8 million contract for Fire Control Radar support for 11 governments through foreign military sales. Photo courtesy of Northrup Grumman
Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Longbow LLC, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrup Grumman, received a $235.8 million contract Friday to support Fire Control Radar systems for Apache helicopters for 11 foreign governments, the Department of Defense announced. The foreign military sales funds the contract, which funds production support for Apache attack helicopters in South Korea, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Greece, India, Indonesia, Netherlands, Qatar and Britain. Advertisement
According to Northrop Grumman, Apache Longbow Fire Control Radar provides air crews with situational awareness beyond maximum engagement ranges and can be used for a variety of roles and missions.
Its primary combat targeting modes include Ground Target Mode, Air Targeting Mode and a Maritime Targeting Mode for the AH-64E.
Work locations will be determined in each work order, and the estimated completion date for the contract is Jan. 31, 2025.