upi--2020-12-08--SpaceX aborts test flight of Starship Mars rocket

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- Elon Musk 's SpaceX aborted a highly anticipated high-altitude test flight of the company 's stainless steel Mars rocket , Starship , in South Texas , just before sunset Tuesday .
The company had planned to launch the test vehicle about 5:40 p.m. EST , but the engines shut down one second before the planned liftoff .
The company has posted road closures for a potential new test flight attempt Wednesday .
The prototype rocket is prepared for the test at the company 's launch and development site in Boca Chica , Texas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
SpaceX has tested prototypes of the rocket in Boca Chica for more than a year .
The prototype scheduled to fly Wednesday , SN8 , is the first to feature a nosecone and lower fins .
It has three raptor engines .
The flight is intended to test the features of the rocket as it ascends to nearly 8 miles above the Earth .
The prototype is also to perform a landing `` flip maneuver , which would be a first for a vehicle of this size , '' SpaceX said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flip maneuvers with the booster stage of its Falcon-9 rocket , turning the booster around mid-air so that the engines can be used to decelerate as the unit returns to Earth for a landing .
The company will spend days poring over the data obtained from the test when it happens .
Musk said on Twitter Sunday that the test flight may only accomplish one-third of its objectives .
`` With a test such as this , success is not measured by completion of specific objectives but rather how much we can learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probability of success , '' the company said .
Although SpaceX is known for Falcon 9 rockets taking supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station , the company always had a bigger goal : travel to Mars .
To get to the Red Planet , a bigger and more powerful rocket than Falcon 9 is needed .
Starship is that rocket .
SpaceX also intends to develop a version of Starship for a moon landing in the next few years as part of NASA 's Artemis program .
While SpaceX also is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Falcon 9 , the company plans to make Starship entirely reusable .
Starship 's Raptor engines , which also are under development , run on `` methalox '' -- rocket fuel composed of liquid oxygen oxidizer and explosive liquid methane .

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SpaceX's Starship SN8 is pictured on the launch pad in Boca Chica, Texas, on Monday, as the company prepares for the vehicle's first attempt of a high-altitude suborbital flight test. Photo courtesy of SpaceX | License Photo
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Elon Musk's SpaceX aborted a highly anticipated high-altitude test flight of the company's stainless steel Mars rocket, Starship, in South Texas, just before sunset Tuesday. The company had planned to launch the test vehicle about 5:40 p.m. EST, but the engines shut down one second before the planned liftoff. The company has posted road closures for a potential new test flight attempt Wednesday. Advertisement
The prototype rocket is prepared for the test at the company's launch and development site in Boca Chica, Texas, about 180 miles south of Corpus Christi.
SpaceX has tested prototypes of the rocket in Boca Chica for more than a year. The prototype scheduled to fly Wednesday, SN8, is the first to feature a nosecone and lower fins. It has three raptor engines.
SpaceX called the scrub a "raptor abort."
The flight is intended to test the features of the rocket as it ascends to nearly 8 miles above the Earth. The prototype is also to perform a landing "flip maneuver, which would be a first for a vehicle of this size," SpaceX said on its website.
The company performs similar flip maneuvers with the booster stage of its Falcon-9 rocket, turning the booster around mid-air so that the engines can be used to decelerate as the unit returns to Earth for a landing.
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The company will spend days poring over the data obtained from the test when it happens. Musk said on Twitter Sunday that the test flight may only accomplish one-third of its objectives.
"With a test such as this, success is not measured by completion of specific objectives but rather how much we can learn, which will inform and improve the probability of success," the company said.
Although SpaceX is known for Falcon 9 rockets taking supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station, the company always had a bigger goal: travel to Mars.
To get to the Red Planet, a bigger and more powerful rocket than Falcon 9 is needed. Starship is that rocket. SpaceX also intends to develop a version of Starship for a moon landing in the next few years as part of NASA's Artemis program.
While SpaceX also is known for reusing the first-stage booster of Falcon 9, the company plans to make Starship entirely reusable.
Starship's Raptor engines, which also are under development, run on "methalox" -- rocket fuel composed of liquid oxygen oxidizer and explosive liquid methane.
NASA, SpaceX complete historic first mission to space station


upi--2020-12-08--USS Roosevelt leaves home port ahead of scheduled deployment

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- The USS Theodore Roosevelt left San Diego this week ahead of its second deployment of the year .
The aircraft carrier departed with little fanfare and without a public announcement to conduct operations in West Coast waters .
`` The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is currently underway conducting operations in U.S. Third Fleet , '' 3rd Fleet spokesman Cmdr .
Sean Robertson said .
`` The strike group is a combat-ready national asset capable of both deterrence and offensive strike that provides our national command authority with flexible options , all domain access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Robertson would not comment on upcoming deployment plans .
The strike group had been in quarantine since mid-November , and in October the Navy confirmed two new cases of COVID-19 on board .
In July the Roosevelt returned to San Diego after six months in the Pacific for a deployment that was lengthened as sailors fought a COVID-19 outbreak on board .
The outbreak sickened nearly 1,000 sailors -- among a crew of nearly 5,000 -- and killed one .
It also caused a leadership shakeup on board the ship and ultimately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Captain , Brett Crozier , was fired following media reports of a memo pleading for more help containing the outbreak .
Navy secretary Thomas B. Modly publicly criticized Crozier for allowing the memo to go public in a profanity-laden tirade to sailors on the ship , which was then docked in Guam as sailors and other personnel isolated and worked to contain the outbreak .

The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) flies a replica of Capt. Oliver Hazard Perry’s “Don’t Give Up the Ship” flag as Theodore Roosevelt approaches Apra Harbor, Guam in June. Photo by Will Bennett/U.S. Navy
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The USS Theodore Roosevelt left San Diego this week ahead of its second deployment of the year. The aircraft carrier departed with little fanfare and without a public announcement to conduct operations in West Coast waters. Advertisement
pre-deployment exercise and certification routine, with a shorter sustainment exercise sufficing.
"The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is currently underway conducting operations in U.S. Third Fleet," 3rd Fleet spokesman Cmdr. Sean Robertson said. "The strike group is a combat-ready national asset capable of both deterrence and offensive strike that provides our national command authority with flexible options, all domain access, and a visible forward presence."
Robertson would not comment on upcoming deployment plans.
The strike group had been in quarantine since mid-November, and in October the Navy confirmed two new cases of COVID-19 on board.
In July the Roosevelt returned to San Diego after six months in the Pacific for a deployment that was lengthened as sailors fought a COVID-19 outbreak on board.
The outbreak sickened nearly 1,000 sailors -- among a crew of nearly 5,000 -- and killed one.
It also caused a leadership shakeup on board the ship and ultimately in the Navy itself.
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The ship's Captain, Brett Crozier, was fired following media reports of a memo pleading for more help containing the outbreak.
Navy secretary Thomas B. Modly publicly criticized Crozier for allowing the memo to go public in a profanity-laden tirade to sailors on the ship, which was then docked in Guam as sailors and other personnel isolated and worked to contain the outbreak.
Modly subsequently resigned.


upi--2020-12-08--Meteorologist delivers the weather with winning lottery ticket in pocket

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- A meteorologist with an Iowa TV station said he went to work for two days without revealing he had a nearly $ 17,000 winning lottery ticket in his pocket .
Jason Sydejko , who works for KCCI-TV in Des Moines , told Iowa Lottery officials he won $ 16,807.70 in the Cherry Twist Progressive InstaPlay game after a Friday stop at the Kum & Go convenience store in Des Moines .
Sydejko said he did n't look at his tickets until he was back in his car .
`` I looked down and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the 'progressive jackpot winner . '
I ran back into the store and handed them my tickets and yelled that I had won , '' he said .
Sydejko said he knew he would n't be able to claim his prize until Monday , so the winning ticket went into his wallet , where it remained while he delivered weather reports Saturday and Sunday .
He said keeping the secret was challenging .
`` It is so hard when you see a good friend of yours and not to say anything , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his winnings will help him pay off his car , and the rest will go toward buying a house .

Jason Sydejko, meteorologist for KCCI-TV in Des Moines, Iowa, said he delivered the weather report on TV for two days with a nearly $17,000 winning lottery ticket in his pocket. Photo courtesy of the Iowa Lottery
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Dec. 8 (UPI) -- A meteorologist with an Iowa TV station said he went to work for two days without revealing he had a nearly $17,000 winning lottery ticket in his pocket. Jason Sydejko, who works for KCCI-TV in Des Moines, told Iowa Lottery officials he won $16,807.70 in the Cherry Twist Progressive InstaPlay game after a Friday stop at the Kum & Go convenience store in Des Moines. Advertisement
Sydejko said he didn't look at his tickets until he was back in his car.
"I looked down and I saw three hats in a line next to the 'progressive jackpot winner.' I ran back into the store and handed them my tickets and yelled that I had won," he said.
Sydejko said he knew he wouldn't be able to claim his prize until Monday, so the winning ticket went into his wallet, where it remained while he delivered weather reports Saturday and Sunday.
He said keeping the secret was challenging.
"It is so hard when you see a good friend of yours and not to say anything," he said.
The meteorologist said his winnings will help him pay off his car, and the rest will go toward buying a house.


upi--2020-12-08--Rap music helping open conversation on mental health, study says

Beat-heavy rap music could help beat mental illness : Over the past two decades , the lyrics of the most popular songs in rap have increasingly hit on issues related to anxiety , depression and mental health , a new study reveals .
`` I think anyone who 's been a fan of rap music across the last two decades -- myself included -- had a feeling this was happening , '' said study author Alex Kresovich , a doctoral fellow in the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given that `` the suicide rate among young people in the United States went up 60 % from 2007 to 2018 . ''
Indeed , rap songs referring to suicide shot up from zero in 1998 to 12 % by 2018 .
In the same time frame , references to depression rose from 16 % to 32 % , while the inclusion of metaphors linked to mental health struggles rose from 8 % to 44 % .
The analysis focused on 125 rap songs issued by North American artists , drawn from Top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2008 , 2013 and 2018 .
Most of the artists were Black men -- 78 % -- with an average age of 28 .
Taken collectively , 28 % of the songs included references to anxiety , over a fifth mentioned depression , and 6 % touched on suicide .
`` And we found a statistically significant increase in the proportion of popular rap songs that reference depression , suicide , and metaphors about mental health struggles , '' Kresovich noted .
This included such phrases as ' '' being pushed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind . ''
By way of example , Kresovich highlighted one of this year 's Grammy-nominated songs by the artist Big Sean .
Entitled `` Deep Reverence , '' it includes the following lyric : '' In high school , I learned chemistry , biology , but not how to cope with anxiety .
Or how I could feel like I 'm by myself on an island with depression on all sides of me . ''
And there was the 2017 megahit by Logic , `` 1-800-273-8255 , '' which referenced the Suicide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young .
`` Superstar rap artists like Logic , Jay-Z , Kanye West , J. Cole , Kendrick Lamar , Chance the Rapper and Big Sean have been very much at the forefront of opening up the mental health conversation , '' added Kresovich , who in an earlier life was a music producer and song writer .
`` Kanye 's '808s & Heartbreak ' album in 2008 was groundbreaking in its emotional openness , and really appears to have paved the way for a new generation of artists , '' Kresovich said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mental health issues actually mean for listeners ?
`` Celebrity rap artists are highly visible and highly influential role models to youth , '' Kresovich stressed , noting that rap is currently the most popular musical genre in the United States .
`` The fact that rap songs with these messages are resonating with such a wide audience strike me as a cry for help , '' he added , `` when you consider that young people are the main consumers of popular music and the mental health epidemic currently being experienced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ echoed by Pamela Rutledge , director of the Media Psychology Research Center in Corona Del Mar , Calif. '' References to mental health by celebrities can be very influential , as they function as authorities and role models by virtue of their success and visibility , '' said Rutledge , who was n't part of the study .
`` [ Pop ] celebrities such as Justin Bieber about depression , and Demi Lovato with bipolar disorder .
These disclosures helped normalize mental health issues and validated getting treatment as a socially acceptable action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , that `` how the messaging is framed matters , and whether or not the artists speak of mental illness in ways the overcome the stigma against mental illness and encourage acceptance and treatment seeking , or if they are presented as signs of weakness .
This is particularly important in rap music , as it has not always presented positive social norms regarding gender and social acceptance . ''
Still , she noted that rap music certainly has the potential to increase the `` willingness to get information and help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , anxiety and suicide . ''
`` We do n't yet know if the consequences of listening to these songs is positive or negative , '' he acknowledged .
`` That said , simply just opening up this conversation is a gigantic step forward .
I 'm hopeful that celebrity rap artists who are open about their mental health difficulties can act as role models and be an instrumental part of reversing distressing mental health trends among U.S. youth , '' Kresovich said .
Kresovich and his university colleagues published their findings online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There 's more about depression at U.S. National Institute of Mental Health .

A new study shows that hip hop artists in recent years have increasingly referenced mental health in their lyrics, including Big Sean, pictured, and his Grammy-nominated track, "Deep Reverence." File Photo by Dennis Van Tine/UPI | License Photo
Beat-heavy rap music could help beat mental illness: Over the past two decades, the lyrics of the most popular songs in rap have increasingly hit on issues related to anxiety, depression and mental health, a new study reveals. "I think anyone who's been a fan of rap music across the last two decades -- myself included -- had a feeling this was happening," said study author Alex Kresovich, a doctoral fellow in the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Advertisement
And it makes sense, he added, given that "the suicide rate among young people in the United States went up 60% from 2007 to 2018."
Indeed, rap songs referring to suicide shot up from zero in 1998 to 12% by 2018.
In the same time frame, references to depression rose from 16% to 32%, while the inclusion of metaphors linked to mental health struggles rose from 8% to 44%.
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The analysis focused on 125 rap songs issued by North American artists, drawn from Top 25 lists issued in 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018.
Most of the artists were Black men -- 78% -- with an average age of 28. Taken collectively, 28% of the songs included references to anxiety, over a fifth mentioned depression, and 6% touched on suicide.
"And we found a statistically significant increase in the proportion of popular rap songs that reference depression, suicide, and metaphors about mental health struggles," Kresovich noted. This included such phrases as '"being pushed to the edge" or "losing my mind."
By way of example, Kresovich highlighted one of this year's Grammy-nominated songs by the artist Big Sean. Entitled "Deep Reverence," it includes the following lyric:
"In high school, I learned chemistry, biology, but not how to cope with anxiety. Or how I could feel like I'm by myself on an island with depression on all sides of me."
And there was the 2017 megahit by Logic, "1-800-273-8255," which referenced the Suicide Prevention Hotline and raised awareness among the young.
"Superstar rap artists like Logic, Jay-Z, Kanye West, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper and Big Sean have been very much at the forefront of opening up the mental health conversation," added Kresovich, who in an earlier life was a music producer and song writer.
Advertisement
"Kanye's '808s & Heartbreak' album in 2008 was groundbreaking in its emotional openness, and really appears to have paved the way for a new generation of artists," Kresovich said.
But what does rap's embrace of mental health issues actually mean for listeners?
"Celebrity rap artists are highly visible and highly influential role models to youth," Kresovich stressed, noting that rap is currently the most popular musical genre in the United States.
"The fact that rap songs with these messages are resonating with such a wide audience strike me as a cry for help," he added, "when you consider that young people are the main consumers of popular music and the mental health epidemic currently being experienced by youth."
Those observations were echoed by Pamela Rutledge, director of the Media Psychology Research Center in Corona Del Mar, Calif.
"References to mental health by celebrities can be very influential, as they function as authorities and role models by virtue of their success and visibility," said Rutledge, who wasn't part of the study.
"[Pop] celebrities such as Justin Bieber about depression, and Demi Lovato with bipolar disorder. These disclosures helped normalize mental health issues and validated getting treatment as a socially acceptable action," she said.
Advertisement
Rutledge cautioned, however, that "how the messaging is framed matters, and whether or not the artists speak of mental illness in ways the overcome the stigma against mental illness and encourage acceptance and treatment seeking, or if they are presented as signs of weakness. This is particularly important in rap music, as it has not always presented positive social norms regarding gender and social acceptance."
Still, she noted that rap music certainly has the potential to increase the "willingness to get information and help rather than hide or suffer through depression, anxiety and suicide."
Kresovich agreed.
"We don't yet know if the consequences of listening to these songs is positive or negative," he acknowledged.
"That said, simply just opening up this conversation is a gigantic step forward. I'm hopeful that celebrity rap artists who are open about their mental health difficulties can act as role models and be an instrumental part of reversing distressing mental health trends among U.S. youth," Kresovich said.
Kresovich and his university colleagues published their findings online this week in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.
There's more about depression at U.S. National Institute of Mental Health.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-12-08--S&P 500 tops 3,700 for the first time, Dow and Nasdaq also set records

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- The S & P 500 climbed above 3,700 for the first time on Tuesday as all three major U.S. markets rebounded back to record highs .
The S & P ended the day up 11.20 points , or 0.28 % , to close up 3,702.25 for its highest finish on record .
Meanwhile , the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 104.09 points , or 0.35 % , to end the day at 30,173.88 after hitting an intraday record of 30,246.22 .
The Nasdaq Composite gained for the second day , rising 63.68 points , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12,582.77 .
Pfizer stocks climbed 3.18 % and BioNTech gained 1.92 % as the vaccine developed by the two companies began rolling out in Britain and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it offers more than 50 % protection against the virus within 10 days of receiving the first dose .
Johnson & Johnson increased 1.73 % and 3M grew 1.39 % to help push the Dow higher , while the S & P 's energy sector led the way for the index , rising 1.5 % .
Markets also reacted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 stimulus as Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said he would be willing to concede the inclusion of liability protections for businesses if Democrats hold off on calls to increase funding for state and local governments .
Tuesday 's gains came after the Dow and S & P fell off of weekend records on Monday amid concerns about rising COVID-19 cases and analysis that investors would lean toward hedging against crowded trades .

All three major U.S. indexes hit new records on Tuesday as the S&P 500 climbed above 3,700 for the first time. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The S&P 500 climbed above 3,700 for the first time on Tuesday as all three major U.S. markets rebounded back to record highs. The S&P ended the day up 11.20 points, or 0.28%, to close up 3,702.25 for its highest finish on record. Advertisement
Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 104.09 points, or 0.35%, to end the day at 30,173.88 after hitting an intraday record of 30,246.22. The Nasdaq Composite gained for the second day, rising 63.68 points, or 0.5%, to a record 12,582.77.
Pfizer stocks climbed 3.18% and BioNTech gained 1.92% as the vaccine developed by the two companies began rolling out in Britain and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it offers more than 50% protection against the virus within 10 days of receiving the first dose.
Johnson & Johnson increased 1.73% and 3M grew 1.39% to help push the Dow higher, while the S&P's energy sector led the way for the index, rising 1.5%.
Markets also reacted to ongoing talks in Congress regarding another round of COVID-19 stimulus as Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said he would be willing to concede the inclusion of liability protections for businesses if Democrats hold off on calls to increase funding for state and local governments.
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Tuesday's gains came after the Dow and S&P fell off of weekend records on Monday amid concerns about rising COVID-19 cases and analysis that investors would lean toward hedging against crowded trades.


upi--2020-12-08--Look: 9-pound goldfish found swimming in South Carolina lake

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- Parks officials in a South Carolina county shared a photo of a massive , @ @ @ @ @ doing a fish population survey of a lake .
Greenville County Parks said the unusually @ @ @ @ @ in Oak Grove Lake Park in Greenville during a fish population survey .
Greenville Rec @ @ @ @ @ , posted a photo of the fish to Facebook .
`` Anyone missing their goldfish @ @ @ @ @ ] goldfish was found in Oak Grove Lake during some recent testing at our lakes @ @ @ @ @ .
Ty Houck , an official with Greenville County Parks , said no other goldfish @ @ @ @ @ .
`` At the advice of professionals , we decided to leave the bachelor , @ @ @ @ @ we found it , '' Huock told NBC News .
`` Obviously , they 're @ @ @ @ @

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Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Parks officials in a South Carolina county shared a photo of a massive, 9-pound goldfish found by researchers doing a fish population survey of a lake.
Greenville County Parks said the unusually large goldfish was found swimming in Oak Grove Lake Park in Greenville during a fish population survey.
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Greenville Rec, which oversees the park, posted a photo of the fish to Facebook.
"Anyone missing their goldfish? This 9 [pound] goldfish was found in Oak Grove Lake during some recent testing at our lakes," the post said.
Ty Houck, an official with Greenville County Parks, said no other goldfish were found during the survey.
"At the advice of professionals, we decided to leave the bachelor, or bachelorette, back where we found it," Huock told NBC News. "Obviously, they're really happy here."


upi--2020-12-08--Judge formally dismisses Michael Flynn case

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- A federal judge on Tuesday formally dismissed former national security adviser Michael Flynn 's criminal case two weeks after President Donald Trump pardoned him .
The order ended a three-year long case in which Flynn pleaded guilty to making a false statement to the FBI in the Justice Department 's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election .
District Judge Emmet Sullivan of the District of Columbia said that though the retired U.S. Army lieutenant general received a pardon , it does n't mean he 's not guilty of the crime .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Flynn is a political decision , not a legal one , '' Sullivan wrote in his order .
`` Because the law recognizes the president 's political power to pardon , the appropriate course is to dismiss the case as moot .
`` However , the pardon 'does not , standing alone , render [ Mr. Flynn ] innocent of the alleged violation . '
'' `` Thank you and congratulations to General Flynn .
He and his incredible family have suffered greatly ! ''
he tweeted .
Trump began publicly hinting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FBI and Justice Department had lost some of Flynn 's records related to the case .
Flynn originally pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with former Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak , but withdrew the guilty plea Jan. 14 , stating prosecutors broke an agreement for his cooperation when they requested he receive jail time instead of probation .
His sentencing hearing then was indefinitely suspended in February , after his lawyers said the prosecution was unable to produce an internal Justice Department memo clearing Flynn of being a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's national security adviser after 22 days .

A judge said that though Michael Flynn has been pardoned, it doesn't mean he's not guilty of the crime. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- A federal judge on Tuesday formally dismissed former national security adviser Michael Flynn's criminal case two weeks after President Donald Trump pardoned him. The order ended a three-year long case in which Flynn pleaded guilty to making a false statement to the FBI in the Justice Department's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Advertisement
Flynn later rescinded his plea.
District Judge Emmet Sullivan of the District of Columbia said that though the retired U.S. Army lieutenant general received a pardon, it doesn't mean he's not guilty of the crime.
"President Trump's decision to pardon Mr. Flynn is a political decision, not a legal one," Sullivan wrote in his order. "Because the law recognizes the president's political power to pardon, the appropriate course is to dismiss the case as moot.
"However, the pardon 'does not, standing alone, render [Mr. Flynn] innocent of the alleged violation.'"
Trump hailed the order in a tweet Tuesday afternoon.
"Thank you and congratulations to General Flynn. He and his incredible family have suffered greatly!" he tweeted.
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Trump began publicly hinting at pardoning Flynn in March, suggesting the FBI and Justice Department had lost some of Flynn's records related to the case.
Flynn originally pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with former Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak, but withdrew the guilty plea Jan. 14, stating prosecutors broke an agreement for his cooperation when they requested he receive jail time instead of probation.
His sentencing hearing then was indefinitely suspended in February, after his lawyers said the prosecution was unable to produce an internal Justice Department memo clearing Flynn of being a Russian agent.
Flynn was fired as Trump's national security adviser after 22 days.
Daniel Uria contributed to this report.


upi--2020-12-08--Trump signs executive order giving Americans vaccine priority

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order aimed at prioritizing Americans for U.S.-made vaccines .
During a signing ceremony at the White House , Trump said that if necessary , he would invoke the Defense Production Act to make sure Americans would get the vaccines first .
The DPA , signed into law in 1950 , forces companies to increase production and give the U.S. government the first opportunity to make purchases .
Trump invoked the law in April to force meat processing plants to stay open amid the pandemic .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration it would n't be able to ship additional vaccines to the United States until June .
The U.S. government purchased 100 million doses of the vaccine from Pfizer pending its approval for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration .
The New York Times reported Monday that the U.S. government passed on the opportunity to purchase more doses from Pfizer , according to people familiar with the discussion .
The biotech company later went on to sell hundreds of millions of doses to other companies .
Meanwhile , President-elect Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials from Operation Warp Speed , an official from the COVID-19 vaccine initiative said Tuesday .
Moncef Slaoui , the chief scientific adviser of Operation Warp Speed , told ABC 's Good Morning America the meeting is scheduled for Thursday .
`` We look forward to , you know , sharing all the information and working together , '' he said in an interview with George Stephanopoulos .
`` Our object has always been outside of politics and making sure we make available these vaccines for the U.S. people , and that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his team began formally receiving briefings from White House officials late last month .
The General Service Administration delayed releasing funds and working with Biden in his transition process as Trump disputed the results of the election .
Biden 's advisory task force complained it had been denied important information to help them prepare to defeat COVID-19 .
Biden met with Dr. Anthony Fauci , head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , last week and asked him to his chief medical adviser .
Fauci is a member of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been vocal about the efforts needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 .
Biden said that after his inauguration , he plans to ask Americans to wear masks in public for 100 days .
Thursday 's meeting comes as the Food and Drug Administration prepares to review and possibly issue an emergency use authorization for coronavirus vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna .
Pfizer began its first rollout of the vaccine to non-trial subjects in Britain on Tuesday morning .
The first recipient was a 90-year-old woman at the University Hospital in @ @

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President Donald Trump signs an executive order giving priority to Americans to receive U.S.-made coronavirus vaccines Tuesday. Photo by Oliver Contreras/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order aimed at prioritizing Americans for U.S.-made vaccines. During a signing ceremony at the White House, Trump said that if necessary, he would invoke the Defense Production Act to make sure Americans would get the vaccines first. Advertisement
The DPA, signed into law in 1950, forces companies to increase production and give the U.S. government the first opportunity to make purchases. Trump invoked the law in April to force meat processing plants to stay open amid the pandemic.
The order comes after Pfizer told the Trump administration it wouldn't be able to ship additional vaccines to the United States until June. The U.S. government purchased 100 million doses of the vaccine from Pfizer pending its approval for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration.
The New York Times reported Monday that the U.S. government passed on the opportunity to purchase more doses from Pfizer, according to people familiar with the discussion. The biotech company later went on to sell hundreds of millions of doses to other companies.
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Meanwhile, President-elect Joe Biden's transition team plans to meet with officials from Operation Warp Speed, an official from the COVID-19 vaccine initiative said Tuesday.
Moncef Slaoui, the chief scientific adviser of Operation Warp Speed, told ABC's Good Morning America the meeting is scheduled for Thursday.
"We look forward to, you know, sharing all the information and working together," he said in an interview with George Stephanopoulos.
"Our object has always been outside of politics and making sure we make available these vaccines for the U.S. people, and that's what we're doing."
Biden and his team began formally receiving briefings from White House officials late last month. The General Service Administration delayed releasing funds and working with Biden in his transition process as Trump disputed the results of the election.
Biden's advisory task force complained it had been denied important information to help them prepare to defeat COVID-19.
Biden met with Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, last week and asked him to his chief medical adviser. Fauci is a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force and has been vocal about the efforts needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
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Biden said that after his inauguration, he plans to ask Americans to wear masks in public for 100 days.
Thursday's meeting comes as the Food and Drug Administration prepares to review and possibly issue an emergency use authorization for coronavirus vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna.
Pfizer began its first rollout of the vaccine to non-trial subjects in Britain on Tuesday morning. The first recipient was a 90-year-old woman at the University Hospital in Coventry.


upi--2020-12-08--Arctic experiences second warmest year since 1900

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- Land-surface air temperatures recorded between October 2019 and September 2020 show the Arctic experienced the second warmest year since record-keeping began in 1900 .
The near-record , detailed in the latest edition of NOAA 's annual Arctic Report Card , fits into a broader pattern of rising temperatures , shrinking ice sheets , melting sea ice and declining snow coverage .
`` Taken as a whole , the story is unambiguous , '' Rick Thoman , one of the report card 's three editors , said in a news release .
`` The transformation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less frozen and biologically changed region is well underway , '' said Thoman , a climate scientist with the International Arctic Research Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks .
NOAA has been publishing the annual report card for 15 years .
Of the last ten years , nine have featured air temperatures increases of at least 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit above the 1981-2010 mean .
`` Arctic temperatures for the past six years have all exceeded previous records , '' NOAA reported .
According to the 2020 report card , compiled by 133 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's near-record warmth was highlighted by a stretch of extreme heat in northern Siberia during the spring .
The heat wave led to record low June snow coverage for the Eurasian Arctic , setting the stage for the region 's unprecedented fire season , during which more than 23 million acres were burned .
Though northern latitude fire activity is highly variable , dictated by the timing of weather patterns and carbon cycles , scientists suggest climate change has left the Arctic increasingly fire-prone .
`` Increasing trends in air temperature and fuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 2019 , suggest that conditions are becoming more favorable for fire growth , with more intense burning , more fire growth episodes , and greater consumption of fuels , '' researchers wrote .
As air temperatures continue to rise in the Arctic , sea ice coverage has suffered .
In 2020 , the winter extent , the maximum , was the 11th smallest on record , while the end-of-summer minimum was the second smallest .
Because sea ice reflects the sun 's rays , steady sea ice declines over the last two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surface temperatures , fueling massive phytoplankton blooms that have tinged the Arctic 's coastal water turquoise .
Those blooms -- along with an influx of krill brought by warming waters in Bering Staright -- have buoyed the region 's population of bowhead whales .
Once on the verge of extinction , the Pacific Arctic bowhead population is now estimated at roughly 10,000 whales .
The Arctic Ocean is n't the only surface turning green .
As highlighted in the new report , more than a third of Arctic tundra has experienced greening of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest research suggests rates of greening have slowed in recent years , and during the most reason growing season , some areas showed signs of browning .
Overall , the latest report card paints a picture of a region in dramatic flux .
While the Arctic 's warming trends are often referenced as the `` new normal , '' the authors of the latest report card suggest `` most parts of the Arctic environmental system are continuing to change very rapidly . ''
`` As the past 15 years of ARCs have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is different from today , and the Arctic of today is not predictive of tomorrow , '' scientists wrote .

The Arctic sea ice minimum, as it appeared on Sept. 15, 2020, which was the second smallest minimum on record. Photo by Trent Schindler/NASA Scientific Visualization Studio
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Land-surface air temperatures recorded between October 2019 and September 2020 show the Arctic experienced the second warmest year since record-keeping began in 1900. The near-record, detailed in the latest edition of NOAA's annual Arctic Report Card, fits into a broader pattern of rising temperatures, shrinking ice sheets, melting sea ice and declining snow coverage. Advertisement
"Taken as a whole, the story is unambiguous," Rick Thoman, one of the report card's three editors, said in a news release.
"The transformation of the Arctic to a warmer, less frozen and biologically changed region is well underway," said Thoman, a climate scientist with the International Arctic Research Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
NOAA has been publishing the annual report card for 15 years.
Of the last ten years, nine have featured air temperatures increases of at least 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit above the 1981-2010 mean.
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"Arctic temperatures for the past six years have all exceeded previous records," NOAA reported.
According to the 2020 report card, compiled by 133 scientists from 15 countries, the year's near-record warmth was highlighted by a stretch of extreme heat in northern Siberia during the spring.
The heat wave led to record low June snow coverage for the Eurasian Arctic, setting the stage for the region's unprecedented fire season, during which more than 23 million acres were burned.
Though northern latitude fire activity is highly variable, dictated by the timing of weather patterns and carbon cycles, scientists suggest climate change has left the Arctic increasingly fire-prone.
"Increasing trends in air temperature and fuel availability over the 41-year record, 1979 to 2019, suggest that conditions are becoming more favorable for fire growth, with more intense burning, more fire growth episodes, and greater consumption of fuels," researchers wrote.
As air temperatures continue to rise in the Arctic, sea ice coverage has suffered. In 2020, the winter extent, the maximum, was the 11th smallest on record, while the end-of-summer minimum was the second smallest.
Because sea ice reflects the sun's rays, steady sea ice declines over the last two decades have corresponded with rises in sea surface temperatures, fueling massive phytoplankton blooms that have tinged the Arctic's coastal water turquoise.
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Those blooms -- along with an influx of krill brought by warming waters in Bering Staright -- have buoyed the region's population of bowhead whales. Once on the verge of extinction, the Pacific Arctic bowhead population is now estimated at roughly 10,000 whales.
The Arctic Ocean isn't the only surface turning green.
As highlighted in the new report, more than a third of Arctic tundra has experienced greening of the last several decades. However, the latest research suggests rates of greening have slowed in recent years, and during the most reason growing season, some areas showed signs of browning.
Overall, the latest report card paints a picture of a region in dramatic flux.
While the Arctic's warming trends are often referenced as the "new normal," the authors of the latest report card suggest "most parts of the Arctic environmental system are continuing to change very rapidly."
"As the past 15 years of ARCs have vividly demonstrated, the Arctic of yesterday is different from today, and the Arctic of today is not predictive of tomorrow," scientists wrote.


upi--2020-12-08--Watch: Social media helps reunite man, 92, with college letter jacket

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- A 92-year-old North Carolina man who accidentally drove off with his college letter jacket on the roof of his car was reunited with the garment with help from social media .
Mal Osborn , 92 , of Winston-Salem , said he still wears his University of Maine letter jacket often because it reminds him of his successes as a runner at the school from 1949 to 1952 .
`` It was a part of me because I 've had it so long , '' Osborn told the Bangor Daily News of his jacket .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stayed in the condition that it 's in .
It was n't something that hung in the closet .
I wore it . ''
Osborn and his daughter , Beverly Amick , said the jacket went missing in October .
`` Our theory is that he put it on top of the car and got in the car and drove up the street to go to the local restaurant and it fell off his car into someone 's yard , '' Amick said .
Amick said family members retraced Osborn 's route and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jacket , but there was no sign of the missing item .
Amick decided to post about her father 's missing jacket on Facebook , and less than 24 hours later she had heard from a woman who had discovered the jacket covered in leaves on her front lawn .
The woman told Amick she had decided not to throw the jacket away in case the owner came looking for it .
The jacket was dry-cleaned and returned to Osborn .
`` I 'm awful glad I got it , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to all the kind people , especially my daughter , who set this whole thing in motion .
I know there 's good people in the world , but this made me more aware of it . ''

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Dec. 8 (UPI) -- A 92-year-old North Carolina man who accidentally drove off with his college letter jacket on the roof of his car was reunited with the garment with help from social media.
Mal Osborn, 92, of Winston-Salem, said he still wears his University of Maine letter jacket often because it reminds him of his successes as a runner at the school from 1949 to 1952.
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"It was a part of me because I've had it so long," Osborn told the Bangor Daily News of his jacket. "It was a miracle that it stayed in the condition that it's in. It wasn't something that hung in the closet. I wore it."
Osborn and his daughter, Beverly Amick, said the jacket went missing in October.
"Our theory is that he put it on top of the car and got in the car and drove up the street to go to the local restaurant and it fell off his car into someone's yard," Amick said.
Amick said family members retraced Osborn's route and asked neighbors if they had seen the jacket, but there was no sign of the missing item.
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Amick decided to post about her father's missing jacket on Facebook, and less than 24 hours later she had heard from a woman who had discovered the jacket covered in leaves on her front lawn. The woman told Amick she had decided not to throw the jacket away in case the owner came looking for it.
The jacket was dry-cleaned and returned to Osborn.
"I'm awful glad I got it," he said. "I hope you give credit to all the kind people, especially my daughter, who set this whole thing in motion. I know there's good people in the world, but this made me more aware of it."


upi--2020-12-08--Biden announces key health team members, COVID-19 plans

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- President-elect Joe Biden made announcements Tuesday about his health team and plans to handle the COVID-19 pandemic .
Biden nominated Dr. Anthony Fauci as his chief medical adviser on COVID-19 .
Fauci will also remain in the role of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director .
Since the pandemic began , COVID-19 has infected over 15 million people and killed over 285,000 in the United States , according to Johns Hopkins University data .
Biden announced three plans to help curb the spread of the coronavirus , which he said he made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event in Wilmington , Delaware .
First , Biden , who will be inaugurated on Jan. 20 , will ask everyone to wear masks in public spaces for his initial 100 days in office .
Second , he said he plans to sign an executive order to mandate masks in places like `` federal buildings , interstate travel on planes , trains and buses . ''
Third , his new health team will help get `` at least 100 million COVID vaccine shots into the arms of the American people in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , he said .
He added that they would focus on those most at-risk at first , including health care professionals , long-term care residents and educators as soon as possible .
Biden also announced other key members of his health team , including Jeff Zients , his transition co-chair and a former Obama administration official .
Zients will serve as COVID-19 response coordinator and counselor to the president .
He also nominated another Obama administration veteran , Natalie Quillian , to serve as COVID-19 response deputy director .
To serve as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden nominated Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith , a co-chair of his transition team .
Biden also nominated Dr. Rochelle Walensky , Massachusetts General Hospital chief of the infectious diseases division , to serve as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director .
Fauci , Zients , Quillian , Nunez-Smith , and Walensky will not require Senate confirmation .
Two other nominees will require Senate confirmation .
Xavier Becerra , California 's attorney general , was nominated to serve as secretary of Health and Human Services and would be the first Latino in the post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who served as U.S. surgeon general under the Obama administration , also requires Senate confirmation as nominee for surgeon general .
`` It 's a team of world-class experts at the top of their fields , crisis-tested , defined by a deep sense of duty , honor and patriotism .
Already ready to jump in .
They 've been advising me , many of them , for a long time , '' Biden said .
`` And they 're going to get ready on Day One to spare not a single effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @

President-elect Joe Biden introduced Tuesday key members of his health team and COVID-19 pandemic plans. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- President-elect Joe Biden made announcements Tuesday about his health team and plans to handle the COVID-19 pandemic. Biden nominated Dr. Anthony Fauci as his chief medical adviser on COVID-19. Fauci will also remain in the role of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director. Advertisement
Since the pandemic began, COVID-19 has infected over 15 million people and killed over 285,000 in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
Biden announced three plans to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, which he said he made in consultation with Fauci, at an event in Wilmington, Delaware.
First, Biden, who will be inaugurated on Jan. 20, will ask everyone to wear masks in public spaces for his initial 100 days in office.
Second, he said he plans to sign an executive order to mandate masks in places like "federal buildings, interstate travel on planes, trains and buses."
Third, his new health team will help get "at least 100 million COVID vaccine shots into the arms of the American people in the first 100 days," he is in office, he said.
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He added that they would focus on those most at-risk at first, including health care professionals, long-term care residents and educators as soon as possible.
Biden also announced other key members of his health team, including Jeff Zients, his transition co-chair and a former Obama administration official. Zients will serve as COVID-19 response coordinator and counselor to the president.
He also nominated another Obama administration veteran, Natalie Quillian, to serve as COVID-19 response deputy director.
To serve as chair of COVID-19 equity task force, Biden nominated Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, a co-chair of his transition team.
Biden also nominated Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Massachusetts General Hospital chief of the infectious diseases division, to serve as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director.
Fauci, Zients, Quillian, Nunez-Smith, and Walensky will not require Senate confirmation.
Two other nominees will require Senate confirmation.
Xavier Becerra, California's attorney general, was nominated to serve as secretary of Health and Human Services and would be the first Latino in the post if confirmed.
Dr. Vivek Murphy, who served as U.S. surgeon general under the Obama administration, also requires Senate confirmation as nominee for surgeon general.
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"It's a team of world-class experts at the top of their fields, crisis-tested, defined by a deep sense of duty, honor and patriotism. Already ready to jump in. They've been advising me, many of them, for a long time," Biden said. "And they're going to get ready on Day One to spare not a single effort to get this pandemic under control."
Meet President Joe Biden's top adviser picks


upi--2020-12-08--New therapy may be better, safer way to rid some kids of seizures

Children with tough-to-treat epilepsy now have another choice to help them live a life free of seizures , a new study suggests .
MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy , a minimally invasive procedure for kids who have drug-resistant epilepsy , is successful in more than half of all cases and has a short recovery time , researchers report .
To arrive at that conclusion , the investigators studied the outcomes of children in the United States and Canada who had the laser therapy since 2013 , comparing it to surgery , which is another treatment option .
`` It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canada and in the U.S. As it currently stands , there 's not much literature in terms of the outcomes and the complications of this procedure , '' explained study author Dr. Elysa Widjaja , a pediatric neuroradiologist at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto .
The researchers reported on outcomes of 182 children who received the therapy in the past seven years .
They found , of the 137 children who had a single procedure and for whom one-year seizure outcomes were available , that 54 % no longer had seizures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and 60 % of those kids were seizure-free after a year .
The data is included in a registry that six surgery centers in the United States and two in Canada have contributed to , with more signing on , according to the report .
The researchers presented their findings Friday at the American Epilepsy Society 's virtual annual meeting .
Such research is considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal .
`` I would say that our current preliminary results from this study indicate that laser does provide reasonable seizure-free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The outcome is slightly lower [ than surgery ] , but there are advantages to laser therapy compared to surgery .
[ It 's ] less invasive , shorter hospital stay , less injury to the normal brain and certainly less complications . ''
The success rate of surgery for curing seizures is 65 % .
About 8 % of the children who had the laser procedure experienced visual or sensory disturbances , but those were mostly temporary .
They resolved in all but 1 % of the study population , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who get the surgery suffer permanent neurological deficits , the study authors said .
One of the children who had laser therapy died of brain swelling .
In open surgery , between 0.4 % and 1.2 % die , depending on the location of the lesion being removed .
The one death resulting from laser therapy is equivalent to 0.5 % of patients , the findings showed .
Prior to laser therapy , surgery was the only option to potentially cure seizures .
There are other types of treatment , Widjaja said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than cure seizures .
In the laser procedure , the surgeon makes a small hole in the skull .
A thin laser fiber goes through that to the lesion -- or the spot in the brain that is the source of the seizures .
Laser heat energy burns the lesion .
MRI is used to monitor the temperature and protect nearby brain tissue , the researchers explained .
With the surgery , the doctor makes an incision in the scalp and removes a flap of skull bone , cutting out the lesion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage to laser therapy is that it can be used for lesions deep within the brain without as much injury to normal tissue , Widjaja said .
It also has fewer complications , she said .
The hospital stay after the procedure is two days , compared to seven days after surgery .
The most common lesions experienced by the study participants were hypothalamic hamartomas and focal cortical dysplasias .
The U.S. National Institutes of Health describes hypothalamic hamartomas as rare , tumor-like malformations .
They are present at birth and can cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ type of seizure .
Focal cortical dysplasia involves abnormal brain cell organization , according to the Epilepsy Foundation .
`` It 's encouraging because minimally invasive surgery has fewer hospital days .
There tend to be fewer complications .
There is less infection .
There is less stroke , '' said Dr. William Gaillard , chief of neurology at Children 's National Hospital in Washington , D.C. , and a past president of the American Epilepsy Society .
Gaillard thinks people do n't consider surgical procedures for epilepsy early enough .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be neurological consequences that are behavioral and cognitive , he said .
Becoming seizure-free can also mean more normal socialization , he added .
Medicines do work but come with side effects .
People are more clear-headed and have better thinking function when they are off their medicines and seizure-free , Gaillard said .
One reason to opt for a procedure to stop seizures is that there 's a very real risk of dying from epilepsy , Gaillard said .
`` The best way to avoid dying from epilepsy is to eliminate epilepsy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lose the stigmatization .
When you achieve seizure freedom , you 're much more likely to drive , to be independent , to become educated .
Those are all important things . ''
Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on epilepsy .

Children with tough-to-treat epilepsy now have another choice to help them live a life free of seizures, a new study suggests.
MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy, a minimally invasive procedure for kids who have drug-resistant epilepsy, is successful in more than half of all cases and has a short recovery time, researchers report.
Advertisement
To arrive at that conclusion, the investigators studied the outcomes of children in the United States and Canada who had the laser therapy since 2013, comparing it to surgery, which is another treatment option.
"It's a relatively new procedure, both in Canada and in the U.S. As it currently stands, there's not much literature in terms of the outcomes and the complications of this procedure," explained study author Dr. Elysa Widjaja, a pediatric neuroradiologist at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
The researchers reported on outcomes of 182 children who received the therapy in the past seven years. They found, of the 137 children who had a single procedure and for whom one-year seizure outcomes were available, that 54% no longer had seizures. Another 20 children had two procedures, and 60% of those kids were seizure-free after a year.
Advertisement
The data is included in a registry that six surgery centers in the United States and two in Canada have contributed to, with more signing on, according to the report.
The researchers presented their findings Friday at the American Epilepsy Society's virtual annual meeting. Such research is considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
"I would say that our current preliminary results from this study indicate that laser does provide reasonable seizure-free outcomes," Widjaja said. "The outcome is slightly lower [than surgery], but there are advantages to laser therapy compared to surgery. [It's] less invasive, shorter hospital stay, less injury to the normal brain and certainly less complications."
The success rate of surgery for curing seizures is 65%.
About 8% of the children who had the laser procedure experienced visual or sensory disturbances, but those were mostly temporary. They resolved in all but 1% of the study population, according to the research.
About 5% of those who get the surgery suffer permanent neurological deficits, the study authors said.
One of the children who had laser therapy died of brain swelling. In open surgery, between 0.4% and 1.2% die, depending on the location of the lesion being removed. The one death resulting from laser therapy is equivalent to 0.5% of patients, the findings showed.
Advertisement
Prior to laser therapy, surgery was the only option to potentially cure seizures. There are other types of treatment, Widjaja said, but they're meant to reduce rather than cure seizures.
In the laser procedure, the surgeon makes a small hole in the skull. A thin laser fiber goes through that to the lesion -- or the spot in the brain that is the source of the seizures. Laser heat energy burns the lesion. MRI is used to monitor the temperature and protect nearby brain tissue, the researchers explained.
With the surgery, the doctor makes an incision in the scalp and removes a flap of skull bone, cutting out the lesion and replacing the bone flap.
An advantage to laser therapy is that it can be used for lesions deep within the brain without as much injury to normal tissue, Widjaja said. It also has fewer complications, she said. The hospital stay after the procedure is two days, compared to seven days after surgery.
The most common lesions experienced by the study participants were hypothalamic hamartomas and focal cortical dysplasias.
The U.S. National Institutes of Health describes hypothalamic hamartomas as rare, tumor-like malformations. They are present at birth and can cause a variety of symptoms, including a type of seizure. Focal cortical dysplasia involves abnormal brain cell organization, according to the Epilepsy Foundation.
Advertisement
"It's encouraging because minimally invasive surgery has fewer hospital days. There tend to be fewer complications. There is less infection. There is less stroke," said Dr. William Gaillard, chief of neurology at Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C., and a past president of the American Epilepsy Society.
Gaillard thinks people don't consider surgical procedures for epilepsy early enough. It is less likely for children that there will be neurological consequences that are behavioral and cognitive, he said. Becoming seizure-free can also mean more normal socialization, he added.
Medicines do work but come with side effects. People are more clear-headed and have better thinking function when they are off their medicines and seizure-free, Gaillard said.
One reason to opt for a procedure to stop seizures is that there's a very real risk of dying from epilepsy, Gaillard said.
"The best way to avoid dying from epilepsy is to eliminate epilepsy," Gaillard explained. "You lose the stigmatization. When you achieve seizure freedom, you're much more likely to drive, to be independent, to become educated. Those are all important things."
Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on epilepsy.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-12-09--American tennis star Sofia Kenin named WTA Player of the Year

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- American Sofia Kenin -- the 22-year-old champion of the 2020 Australian Open -- has been named Women 's Tennis Association Player of the Year .
The WTA announced the honor on Tuesday .
Kenin -- a Pembroke Pines , Fla. , native -- posted a 16-2 record this year in three Grand Slam appearances .
She beat Spain 's Garbine Muguruza in three sets to win the Australian Open on Feb. 1 in Melbourne .
She also beat world No .
1 Ashleigh Barty en route to her first career Grand Slam title .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Open final on Oct. 10 , but lost in straight sets to champion Iga Swiatek .
She lost to Elise Mertens in round of 16 in the 2020 U.S. Open .
Wimbledon was the lone Grand Slam tournament to be canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Kenin finished the season ranked a career-best No .
4 in the world .
France 's Kristina Mladenovic and Hugary 's Timea Babos were named WTA Doubles Team of the Year .
The duo claimed victories at the 2020 Australian Open and the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was named Most Improved Player of the Year .
She became the first Polish player in history to win a Grand Slam singles title with her win over Kenin at Roland Garros .
Swiatek 's coach , Piotr Sierzputowski , was named WTA Coach of the Year .
Belarusian Victoria Azarenka was named the WTA Comeback Player of the Year .
Azarenka reached her fifth career Grand Slam final at the 2020 U.S. Open before a three-set loss to Naomi Osaka .
She also won the 2020 Western & Southern Open for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Argentina 's Nadia Podoroska was named WTA Newcomer of the Year .
Podoroska , 23 , advanced to the 2020 French Open semifinals before she lost to Swiatek .

1/3
Sofia Kenin posted a 16-2 record in three Grand Slam appearances in 2020 en route to WTA Player of the Year honors. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- American Sofia Kenin -- the 22-year-old champion of the 2020 Australian Open -- has been named Women's Tennis Association Player of the Year. The WTA announced the honor on Tuesday. Kenin -- a Pembroke Pines, Fla., native -- posted a 16-2 record this year in three Grand Slam appearances. Advertisement
She beat Spain's Garbine Muguruza in three sets to win the Australian Open on Feb. 1 in Melbourne. She also beat world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty en route to her first career Grand Slam title.
Kenin also advanced to the 2020 French Open final on Oct. 10, but lost in straight sets to champion Iga Swiatek.
She lost to Elise Mertens in round of 16 in the 2020 U.S. Open. Wimbledon was the lone Grand Slam tournament to be canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Kenin finished the season ranked a career-best No. 4 in the world.
France's Kristina Mladenovic and Hugary's Timea Babos were named WTA Doubles Team of the Year. The duo claimed victories at the 2020 Australian Open and the 2020 French Open.
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Swiatek, 19, was named Most Improved Player of the Year. She became the first Polish player in history to win a Grand Slam singles title with her win over Kenin at Roland Garros.
Swiatek's coach, Piotr Sierzputowski, was named WTA Coach of the Year.
Belarusian Victoria Azarenka was named the WTA Comeback Player of the Year. Azarenka reached her fifth career Grand Slam final at the 2020 U.S. Open before a three-set loss to Naomi Osaka. She also won the 2020 Western & Southern Open for his first title in more than four years.
Argentina's Nadia Podoroska was named WTA Newcomer of the Year. Podoroska, 23, advanced to the 2020 French Open semifinals before she lost to Swiatek.


upi--2020-12-09--Survey of arsenic concentrations in U.S. drinking water raises environmental justice concerns

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- Arsenic drinking water regulations have been standardized across the United States for more than a decade , but a new survey suggests some communities remain exposed to higher levels than others .
In a new study , scientists at Columbia University 's Mailman School of Public Health surveyed arsenic concentrations in public drinking water across the country .
The results , published Wednesday in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives , showed populations in the Southwest and Hispanic communities are exposed to arsenic levels exceeding the national maximum containment level .
The research marks the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arsenic exposure across sociodemographic subgroups .
`` This research has important implications for public health efforts aimed at reducing arsenic exposure levels , and for advancing environmental justice , '' first author Anne Nigra , said in a news release .
`` Systematic studies of inequalities in public drinking water exposures have been lacking until now .
These findings identify communities in immediate need of additional protective public health measures , '' said Nigra , a postdoctoral research fellow in environmental health sciences .
Arsenic is a naturally occurring and highly toxic contaminant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , various cancers and birth defects .
It 's most common in groundwater sources .
More than a decade ago , regulators lowered the maximum arsenic containment level from 50 to 10 micrograms per liter .
Scientists estimated the change would prevent several hundred cancer cases per year .
For the study , researchers compared arsenic concentration levels measured in water systems between 2006 and 2008 to measurements collected between 2009 and 2011 , after initial monitoring period for compliance with EPA 's stricter standard .
On average , arsenic concentrations in drinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 percent nationwide , 11.4 percent in the Southwest and 37 percent in New England .
Despite stricter containment standards , researchers found a minority of communities were exposed to higher levels of arsenic in drinking water , including Hispanic communities in the Southwestern U.S , Pacific Northwest and Central Midwest .
Smaller communities reliant on groundwater sources were more likely to be exposed to arsenic levels above the maximum containment level .
The findings highlight the many ways health disparities among different sociodemographic groups are perpetuated by environmental injustices .
A number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ routinely exposed to more heavily polluted air .
`` Our findings will help address environmental justice concerns and inform public health interventions and regulatory action needed to eliminate exposure inequalities , '' said Nigra .
`` We urge continued state and federal funding for infrastructure and technical assistance support for small public water systems in order to reduce inequalities and further protect numerous communities in the U.S. affected by elevated drinking water arsenic exposure , '' she said .

Drinking water systems in the American Southwest, especially those serving Hispanic communities, are more likely to carry arsenic levels above the federally mandated maximum containment level. Photo by No-longer-here /Pixabay
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Arsenic drinking water regulations have been standardized across the United States for more than a decade, but a new survey suggests some communities remain exposed to higher levels than others. In a new study, scientists at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health surveyed arsenic concentrations in public drinking water across the country. Advertisement
The results, published Wednesday in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, showed populations in the Southwest and Hispanic communities are exposed to arsenic levels exceeding the national maximum containment level.
The research marks the first time scientists have examined differences in arsenic exposure across sociodemographic subgroups.
"This research has important implications for public health efforts aimed at reducing arsenic exposure levels, and for advancing environmental justice," first author Anne Nigra, said in a news release.
"Systematic studies of inequalities in public drinking water exposures have been lacking until now. These findings identify communities in immediate need of additional protective public health measures," said Nigra, a postdoctoral research fellow in environmental health sciences.
Arsenic is a naturally occurring and highly toxic contaminant that has been linked with heart disease, various cancers and birth defects. It's most common in groundwater sources.
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More than a decade ago, regulators lowered the maximum arsenic containment level from 50 to 10 micrograms per liter. Scientists estimated the change would prevent several hundred cancer cases per year.
For the study, researchers compared arsenic concentration levels measured in water systems between 2006 and 2008 to measurements collected between 2009 and 2011, after initial monitoring period for compliance with EPA's stricter standard.
On average, arsenic concentrations in drinking water decreased across the United States -- 10 percent nationwide, 11.4 percent in the Southwest and 37 percent in New England.
Despite stricter containment standards, researchers found a minority of communities were exposed to higher levels of arsenic in drinking water, including Hispanic communities in the Southwestern U.S, Pacific Northwest and Central Midwest.
Smaller communities reliant on groundwater sources were more likely to be exposed to arsenic levels above the maximum containment level.
The findings highlight the many ways health disparities among different sociodemographic groups are perpetuated by environmental injustices. A number of studies have shown minority communities are routinely exposed to more heavily polluted air.
"Our findings will help address environmental justice concerns and inform public health interventions and regulatory action needed to eliminate exposure inequalities," said Nigra.
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"We urge continued state and federal funding for infrastructure and technical assistance support for small public water systems in order to reduce inequalities and further protect numerous communities in the U.S. affected by elevated drinking water arsenic exposure," she said.


upi--2020-12-09--Alfred Molina to return as Doctor Octopus in 'Spider-Man 3'

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- Alfred Molina is set to reprise his role as Spider-Man villain Doctor Octopus in Sony and Marvel 's upcoming third Spider-Man film starring Tom Holland in the lead role .
Variety and Deadline also confirmed the news .
Molina previously portrayed Doctor Octopus in 2004 's Spider-Man 2 from director Sam Raimi that featured Tobey Maguire as the wall-crawler .
Jon Watts is returning to helm Holland 's third Spider-Man entry after helming 2017 's Spider-Man : Homecoming and 2019 's Spider-Man : Far From Home .
The film is set for release on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Erik Sommers are writing the script .
Zendaya ( MJ ) , Marisa Tomei ( Aunt May ) and Jacob Batalon ( Ned ) will be reprising their roles from Hollands first two films .
Jamie Foxx , like Molina , will also be reprising his role as the villainous Electro .
Foxx first starred as Electro in 2014 's The Amazing Spider-Man 2 , which starred Andrew Garfield in the title role .
Foxx , in a deleted Instagram post from October , hinted at Maguire and Garfield returning as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together multiple versions of Spider-Man .

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Alfred Molina will be reprising his role as Doctor Octopus in "Spider-Man 3" starring Tom Holland. Jamie Foxx will also be returning as Electro. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Alfred Molina is set to reprise his role as Spider-Man villain Doctor Octopus in Sony and Marvel's upcoming third Spider-Man film starring Tom Holland in the lead role. The Hollywood Reporter announced the casting, citing sources. Advertisement
Variety and Deadline also confirmed the news.
Molina previously portrayed Doctor Octopus in 2004's Spider-Man 2 from director Sam Raimi that featured Tobey Maguire as the wall-crawler.
Jon Watts is returning to helm Holland's third Spider-Man entry after helming 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming and 2019's Spider-Man: Far From Home.
The film is set for release on Dec. 17, 2021. Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers are writing the script.
Zendaya (MJ), Marisa Tomei (Aunt May) and Jacob Batalon (Ned) will be reprising their roles from Hollands first two films.
Jamie Foxx, like Molina, will also be reprising his role as the villainous Electro. Foxx first starred as Electro in 2014's The Amazing Spider-Man 2, which starred Andrew Garfield in the title role.
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Foxx, in a deleted Instagram post from October, hinted at Maguire and Garfield returning as well for Holland's third film, bringing together multiple versions of Spider-Man.


upi--2020-12-09--Crews search for Wisconsin Air National Guard pilot after F-16 Fighting Falcon crashes in upper Mich

Crews search for Wisconsin Air National Guard pilot after F-16 Fighting Falcon crashes in upper Michigan

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- Authorities are searching for a pilot of the Wisconsin Air National Guard on Wednesday after his fighter jet crashed in Michigan , officials said .
The F-16 fighter , from the 115th Fighter Wing at Truax Field Air National Guard Base in Madison , Wis. , went down in Michigan 's Upper Peninsula on Tuesday night .
`` The aircraft was on a routine training mission with one pilot on board , '' the 115th Fighter Wing said in a statement .
`` The cause of the crash , as well as the status @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this time , and the incident is under investigation . ''
Emergency crews in Delta County and crews from the 115th Fighter Wing have been searching for the missing pilot .
The U.S. Coast Guard and other government agencies have since joined in the search .
`` We are a close-knit family and when an incident like this occurs , every member in our organization feels it , '' 115th Fighter Wing Commander Col. Bart Van Roo said .
`` The safety of our pilot along with search and rescue efforts are our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pray for the pilot 's safe return . ''
The F-16 Fighting Falcon , first designed and manufactured in the 1970s by General Dynamics for the U.S. Air Force , is used by a number of military groups in the United States and around the world .

The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon was developed and first deployed in the 1970s for the U.S. Air Force. Many other military groups now fly the fighter jet, including Wisconsin's Air National Guard. File Photo by Ericka A. Woolever/NATO
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Authorities are searching for a pilot of the Wisconsin Air National Guard on Wednesday after his fighter jet crashed in Michigan, officials said. The F-16 fighter, from the 115th Fighter Wing at Truax Field Air National Guard Base in Madison, Wis., went down in Michigan's Upper Peninsula on Tuesday night. Advertisement
"The aircraft was on a routine training mission with one pilot on board," the 115th Fighter Wing said in a statement.
"The cause of the crash, as well as the status of the pilot, are unknown at this time, and the incident is under investigation."
Emergency crews in Delta County and crews from the 115th Fighter Wing have been searching for the missing pilot. The U.S. Coast Guard and other government agencies have since joined in the search.
"We are a close-knit family and when an incident like this occurs, every member in our organization feels it," 115th Fighter Wing Commander Col. Bart Van Roo said. "The safety of our pilot along with search and rescue efforts are our top priority, and we will continue to pray for the pilot's safe return."
The F-16 Fighting Falcon, first designed and manufactured in the 1970s by General Dynamics for the U.S. Air Force, is used by a number of military groups in the United States and around the world.


upi--2020-12-09--Watch: Candice Bergen recalls meeting Salvador Dali, Charlie Chaplin

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- Candice Bergen is looking back on her time with artist Salvador Dalí and actor Charlie Chaplin .
The 74-year-old actress described meeting Dalí , who died at age 84 in 1989 , and Chaplin , who died at age 88 in 1977 , during Tuesday 's episode of Watch What Happens Live .
When asked if she ever met Dalí , Bergen produced a photo that shows her seated between Dalí and artist Andy Warhol .
`` This is Andy Warhol on one side and Salvador Dalí and his waxed mustache on the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was so terrified .
[ Dalí ] was great fun .
He was the weirdest human being I 'd ever met until then , except for Andy , who was pretty weird . ''
Bergen also confirmed she met Chaplin and his wife , Oona Chaplin .
`` I became friendly with Charlie and Oona Chaplin many years ago and had them to a house when they visited Los Angeles , accompanied them to the Oscars when he was given his honorary Oscar , [ and ] through a friend who had brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Life magazine . ''
`` He was adorable , '' she added .
In addition , Bergen shared details about Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger 's birthday party for Bianca Jagger at Studio 54 , a former disco nightclub frequented by Warhol , Dalí and other celebrities .
`` I was not a Studio 54-goer so I was in a state of overwhelm for whatever time I stayed , '' she said .
`` Studio 54 itself was just a huge wow .
I think just the fact of all the writhing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I did n't even see the good rooms . ''
Bergen will next star in Let Them All Talk , a new comedy-drama directed by Steven Soderbergh and co-starring Meryl Streep , Dianne Wiest , Lucas Hedges and Gemma Chan .
The movie premieres Thursday on HBO Max .

Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Candice Bergen is looking back on her time with artist Salvador Dalí and actor Charlie Chaplin.
The 74-year-old actress described meeting Dalí, who died at age 84 in 1989, and Chaplin, who died at age 88 in 1977, during Tuesday's episode of Watch What Happens Live.
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When asked if she ever met Dalí, Bergen produced a photo that shows her seated between Dalí and artist Andy Warhol.
"This is Andy Warhol on one side and Salvador Dalí and his waxed mustache on the other," Bergen said. "I was so terrified. [Dalí] was great fun. He was the weirdest human being I'd ever met until then, except for Andy, who was pretty weird."
Bergen also confirmed she met Chaplin and his wife, Oona Chaplin.
"I became friendly with Charlie and Oona Chaplin many years ago and had them to a house when they visited Los Angeles, accompanied them to the Oscars when he was given his honorary Oscar, [and] through a friend who had brought him to America, photographed him for Life magazine."
"He was adorable," she added.
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In addition, Bergen shared details about Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger's birthday party for Bianca Jagger at Studio 54, a former disco nightclub frequented by Warhol, Dalí and other celebrities.
"I was not a Studio 54-goer so I was in a state of overwhelm for whatever time I stayed," she said. "Studio 54 itself was just a huge wow. I think just the fact of all the writhing and the total lack of inhibition, and I didn't even see the good rooms."
Bergen will next star in Let Them All Talk, a new comedy-drama directed by Steven Soderbergh and co-starring Meryl Streep, Dianne Wiest, Lucas Hedges and Gemma Chan. The movie premieres Thursday on HBO Max.


upi--2020-12-09--In photos: Moments from the National Football League for the week of Dec. 6, 2020

Baltimore Ravens ' Lamar Jackson fist bumps as he walks off the field after the Ravens defeated the Dallas Cowboys @ @ @ @ @ .
Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (R) loses the ball against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Thursday. The Rams defeated the Patriots 24-3. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI


upi--2020-12-09--Biden selects Marcia Fudge as Housing and Urban Development secretary, reports say

Dec. 8 ( UPI ) -- President-elect Joe Biden has selected U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development , according to reports Tuesday night .
Fudge , D-Ohio , will join Biden 's Cabinet as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development , while Biden is leaning toward having Iowa Gov .
Tom Vilsack serve as agriculture secretary , a position Fudge had lobbied for , according to reports by Politico and The Washington Post .
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday evening , Fudge said she was `` in a holding pattern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden and other members of the transition team .
`` Let me just say that -- if I were to be named -- certainly it 's an honor and a privilege to be asked to be in a president 's cabinet , '' she said .
`` It is something that probably in my wildest dreams I never would have thought about .
If I can help this president in any way possible , I am more than happy to do it .
It 's a great honor and privilege to be part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had received support from Rep. James Clyburn , D-S.C. , and Sen. Sherrod Brown , D-Ohio , to receive a role in Biden 's Cabinet .
She is a member of the House Agriculture Committee and sought to serve as the head of the Department of Agriculture , noting in an interview with Politico last month that Black policymakers are often slotted into specific Cabinet positions .
`` As this country becomes more and more diverse , we 're going to have to stop looking at only certain agencies as those that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` You know , it 's always 'we want to put the Black person in Labor or HUD . ''

President-elect Joe Biden tapped Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, to serve as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to reports. File Photo by Ray Stubblebine/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- President-elect Joe Biden has selected U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to reports Tuesday night. Fudge, D-Ohio, will join Biden's Cabinet as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, while Biden is leaning toward having Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack serve as agriculture secretary, a position Fudge had lobbied for, according to reports by Politico and The Washington Post. Advertisement
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday evening, Fudge said she was "in a holding pattern" but confirmed she had spoken with Biden and other members of the transition team.
"Let me just say that -- if I were to be named -- certainly it's an honor and a privilege to be asked to be in a president's cabinet," she said. "It is something that probably in my wildest dreams I never would have thought about. If I can help this president in any way possible, I am more than happy to do it. It's a great honor and privilege to be part of something so good."
Fudge had received support from Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., and Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, to receive a role in Biden's Cabinet.
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She is a member of the House Agriculture Committee and sought to serve as the head of the Department of Agriculture, noting in an interview with Politico last month that Black policymakers are often slotted into specific Cabinet positions.
"As this country becomes more and more diverse, we're going to have to stop looking at only certain agencies as those that people like me fit in," she said. "You know, it's always 'we want to put the Black person in Labor or HUD."
Meet President Joe Biden's top adviser picks


upi--2020-12-09--Michigan State-Virginia basketball matchup postponed due to COVID-19

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- A men 's college basketball matchup between Michigan State and Virginia -- planned for Wednesday -- has been postponed due to COVID-19 issues within Virginia 's program , the school said .
The Cavaliers announced the postponement on Tuesday .
The ACC/Big Ten Challenge game was scheduled to tip off at 9:15 p.m. EST on Wednesday in Charlottesville , Va .
The status of Virginia 's game against William & Mary -- scheduled for Sunday -- is `` to be determined , '' the Cavaliers said in a news release .
The Spartans ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Division I men 's basketball coaches poll .
The Cavaliers ( 4-1 ) are No .
18 in the coaches poll .
Michigan State is scheduled to host Oakland at noon EST on Sunday in East Lansing , Mich. Last week , the Atlantic Coast Conference also rescheduled Virginia 's Dec. 16 game against Wake Forest due to positive COVID-19 tests within the Wake Forest men 's basketball program .
South Carolina 's men 's basketball team also announced Tuesday that its scheduled game against Wofford on Thursday is canceled due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Gamecocks have paused all team activities .
Kentucky also said on Tuesday that its Dec. 15 men 's basketball game against Detroit Mercy has been postponed due to COVID-19 safety protocols .
The Kentucky-Detroit Mercy game had already been rescheduled from Nov. 27 .
Houston men 's basketball team also paused on Tuesday after positive COVID-19 tests emerged from within the Cougars program .

Coach Tony Bennett and the Virginia men's basketball team postponed Wednesday's game against Michigan State and said the status of Sunday's game against William & Mary is to be determined due to COVID-19 issues. File Photo by Bryan Woolston/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- A men's college basketball matchup between Michigan State and Virginia -- planned for Wednesday -- has been postponed due to COVID-19 issues within Virginia's program, the school said. The Cavaliers announced the postponement Tuesday night. The ACC/Big Ten Challenge game was scheduled to tip off at 9:15 p.m. EST on Wednesday in Charlottesville, Va. Advertisement
The status of Virginia's game against William & Mary, which is scheduled for Sunday, is "to be determined," the Cavaliers said in a news release.
The Spartans (5-0) are ranked No. 4 in the Division I men's basketball coaches poll. The Cavaliers (4-1) are No. 18 in the poll. Michigan State is scheduled to host Oakland at noon EST on Sunday in East Lansing, Mich.
Last week, the Atlantic Coast Conference also rescheduled Virginia's Dec. 16 game against Wake Forest due to positive COVID-19 tests within the Wake Forest men's basketball program.
Meanwhile, the North Carolina State Wolfpack paused all men's basketball activities because of positive COVID-19 tests and subsequent contact tracing.
The school announced the decision Wednesday, saying two members of its traveling party tested positive for the coronavirus. Due to the pause, N.C. State's scheduled game against Florida Atlantic this weekend won't take place.
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"The health and safety of our student-athletes and staff remains our unwavering priority," N.C. State director of athletics Boo Corrigan said in a statement. "We will continue to work with all appropriate parties and adhere to ACC, campus and local protocols to make the most responsible decisions moving forward."
South Carolina's men's basketball team announced Tuesday that its scheduled game against Wofford on Thursday is canceled due to positive COVID-19 tests within its program. The Gamecocks have paused all team activities.
Kentucky also said Tuesday that its Dec. 15 men's basketball game against Detroit Mercy has been postponed due to COVID-19 safety protocols. The Kentucky-Detroit Mercy game had already been rescheduled from Nov. 27.
The Houston men's basketball team also paused on Tuesday after positive COVID-19 tests emerged from within the Cougars program.


upi--2020-12-09--Russia, China in race to offer North Korea fighter jets, report says

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- Russia and China could be competing to offer new fighter jets to North Korea , according to a Russian press report .
Avia Pro , a Russian aviation news service , reported Wednesday Russia 's plan to export new MiG-35 multirole fighters to the North is being challenged by China .
Chinese-developed fighter jets are cheaper , according to the report .
According to Avia Pro , North Korea is expected to `` modernize '' its fleet of air force fighters on a major scale .
Russia has taken an interest in North Korean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` 4.5-generation '' fighter introduced in 2019 and comes with new precision-guided targeting capability and an optical locator system .
The MiG-35 began test flights in 2017 and is an improvement from existing MiG-29M and MiG-29K models .
The capabilities are not as advanced as the United States ' fifth-generation aircraft F-35 Lightning II or Russia 's Sukhoi Su-57 , according to South Korean news agency Yonhap .
Russia 's Vladimir Putin and North Korea 's Kim Jong Un first met in 2019 in Vladivostok , when Putin suggested to Kim that U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Korea .
Russia has also donated food to the North .
China remains North Korea 's biggest trading partner .
Beijing is offering a 4.5-generation fighter , the J-10C , at a lower price than the MiG-35 , according to Avia Pro .
Beijing 's cooperation with North Korea behind the scenes could be drawing the attention of the Trump administration .
On Wednesday , the U.S. Department of Treasury sanctioned several China-based entities in connection to North Korean coal sales , after The Wall Street Journal reported Chinese-flagged ships were defying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Wednesday the country has been complying with United Nations Security Council resolutions and referred to the new U.S. sanctions as `` unilateral . ''
Chinese spokesman Zhao Lijian also condemned U.S. sanctions against 14 members of the National People 's Congress ' Standing Committee .
`` China will take resolute and forceful countermeasures , '' Zhao said .

Russia and China, two of North Korea's closest partners, could be competing to offer fighter jets, according to a Russian news service. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Russia and China could be competing to offer new fighter jets to North Korea, according to a Russian press report. Avia Pro, a Russian aviation news service, reported Wednesday Russia's plan to export new MiG-35 multirole fighters to the North is being challenged by China. Chinese-developed fighter jets are cheaper, according to the report. Advertisement
According to Avia Pro, North Korea is expected to "modernize" its fleet of air force fighters on a major scale. Russia has taken an interest in North Korean plans. The MiG-35 is a Russian "4.5-generation" fighter introduced in 2019 and comes with new precision-guided targeting capability and an optical locator system.
The MiG-35 began test flights in 2017 and is an improvement from existing MiG-29M and MiG-29K models. The capabilities are not as advanced as the United States' fifth-generation aircraft F-35 Lightning II or Russia's Sukhoi Su-57, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.
Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un first met in 2019 in Vladivostok, when Putin suggested to Kim that U.S. security guarantees may not be enough for North Korea. Russia has also donated food to the North.
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China remains North Korea's biggest trading partner. Beijing is offering a 4.5-generation fighter, the J-10C, at a lower price than the MiG-35, according to Avia Pro.
Beijing's cooperation with North Korea behind the scenes could be drawing the attention of the Trump administration. On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Treasury sanctioned several China-based entities in connection to North Korean coal sales, after The Wall Street Journal reported Chinese-flagged ships were defying international sanctions.
China's foreign ministry said Wednesday the country has been complying with United Nations Security Council resolutions and referred to the new U.S. sanctions as "unilateral."
Chinese spokesman Zhao Lijian also condemned U.S. sanctions against 14 members of the National People's Congress' Standing Committee.
"China will take resolute and forceful countermeasures," Zhao said.


upi--2020-12-09--Watch: Joe Manganiello says he auditioned to play Spider-Man on 'Late Night'

Dec. 9 ( UPI ) -- Joe Manganiello said he auditioned to play Spider-Man/Peter Parker in the original 2002 Spider-Man film while appearing on Late Night with Seth Meyers .
The actor appeared in the first live-action Spider-Man as school bully Flash Thompson , while Tobey Maguire was cast in the title role .
Manganiello told host Seth Meyers on Tuesday that all the young men who appear in the film including James Franco , originally auditioned to play Spider-Man .
`` I knew that you know , no matter how much of a nerd I am on the inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cast as Peter Parker because you know , I 'm six-five , 200 whatever .
So finding the bullies for me would be really odd , '' Manganiello said .
`` I just did n't fit that role .
I knew that I 'd fit the part of Flash , or the bully better and I actually came prepared .
I learned those scenes and was off-book on them when I got there , '' he continued about how he still came prepared to audition for Flash Thompson after reading lines as Peter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a film and was previously donning a mohawk for another role .
Meyers asked the Hollywood star if his wife Sofia Vergara is happy with his different hairstyles .
`` I think she 's happiest with jobs in which I look like I looked when we first met , '' Manganiello said .
`` Like whenever you meet , that 's the way she wants me to stay .
But you know , she knew she was marrying an actor and she knew it was going to get weird at some point , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in film Archenemy , which comes to select theaters , on demand and digital on Friday .

Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Joe Manganiello said he auditioned to play Spider-Man/Peter Parker in the original 2002 Spider-Man film while appearing on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
The actor appeared in the first live-action Spider-Man as school bully Flash Thompson, while Tobey Maguire was cast in the title role.
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Manganiello told host Seth Meyers on Tuesday that all the young men who appear in the film including James Franco, originally auditioned to play Spider-Man.
"I knew that you know, no matter how much of a nerd I am on the inside, I'm never going to get cast as Peter Parker because you know, I'm six-five, 200 whatever. So finding the bullies for me would be really odd," Manganiello said.
"I just didn't fit that role. I knew that I'd fit the part of Flash, or the bully better and I actually came prepared. I learned those scenes and was off-book on them when I got there," he continued about how he still came prepared to audition for Flash Thompson after reading lines as Peter Parker.
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Manganiello is currently bald for a film and was previously donning a mohawk for another role. Meyers asked the Hollywood star if his wife Sofia Vergara is happy with his different hairstyles.
"I think she's happiest with jobs in which I look like I looked when we first met," Manganiello said.
"Like whenever you meet, that's the way she wants me to stay. But you know, she knew she was marrying an actor and she knew it was going to get weird at some point," he continued.
Manganiello next stars in film Archenemy, which comes to select theaters, on demand and digital on Friday.