upi--2020-02-14--Cholesterol drugs may help fight 'high-risk' prostate cancers

Drugs that many men with prostate cancer might already be taking -- cholesterol-lowering statins -- may help extend their survival if they have a `` high-risk '' form of the disease , new research suggests .
High-risk patients include men with high blood levels of prostate specific antigen ( PSA ) and a `` Gleason score '' of 8 or more .
Gleason scores are a calculation used to gauge prognosis in prostate cancer .
Men with a high Gleason score may develop difficult-to-treat cancers .
Prior research had suggested that statins and the diabetes drug metformin ( often prescribed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it has n't been clear which of the two drugs is the bigger cancer-fighter , or whether either might help against high-risk prostate cancer .
To help answer those questions , a team led by Grace Lu-Yao of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center -- Jefferson Health , in Philadelphia , tracked data on nearly 13,000 high-risk prostate cancer patients .
All were diagnosed between 2007 and 2011 .
The study could n't prove cause and effect , but it found that statins , taken alone or with metformin , did seem associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who took both statins and metformin had higher median survival ( 3.9 years ) than those who took statins alone ( 3.6 years ) , metformin alone ( 3.1 years ) , or those who did not take either drug ( 3.1 years ) .
The study was published Feb. 8 in the journal Cancer Medicine .
`` Both metformin and statins have been associated with longer life in prostate cancer patients , yet because they are commonly prescribed together , no study we know of has looked at these two medications separately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news release .
She 's associate director of population science at the center .
`` With respect to prostate mortality , metformin plus statin was associated with a 36 percent reduction in risk of death followed by statins alone , '' Lu-Yao added .
The study also found that those who took one of three types of statin -- atorvastatin , pravastatin or rosuvastatin -- had longer survival than those who did not take any statins .
A similar benefit was not seen with a fourth statin , lovastatin .
Because prostate cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatments that reduce levels of male hormones ( androgens ) .
The new study found that among patients who received such therapies , those who took atorvastatin had a longer median time to prostate cancer progression than those who did n't take statins .
It 's not clear why such effects were limited to atorvastatin , Lu-Yao said , but it appears to have the best `` bioavailability '' of the statin drugs and lingers longest in the body .
The research team believes that , based on the existing evidence , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the effectiveness of statins and the combination of statins/metformin in extending survival of prostate cancer patients .
Two prostate cancer specialists unconnected to the new study agreed that the findings show promise .
`` It appears that there may be a place in the treatment of prostate cancer for statins , '' said Dr. Elizabeth Kavaler , a urology specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City .
`` However , we are not yet at a point where we can use the data to direct patient care . ''
She believes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Kavaler , higher cholesterol levels promote higher levels of androgens , which in turn help encourage the growth of prostate cancer .
Statins may help slow that process , Kavaler explained .
Dr. Manish Vira is vice chair for urologic research at The Arthur Smith Institute for Urology in New Hyde Park , N.Y .
He agreed that the findings are encouraging , and noted that `` a dozen actively recruiting clinical trials using either metformin or a statin in prostate cancer treatment '' are already underway .
The American Cancer Society @ @ @ @ @ @

High-risk prostate cancer patients who took both statins and metformin had higher median survival (3.9 years) than those who took statins alone (3.6 years), metformin alone (3.1 years), or those who did not take either drug (3.1 years). Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Drugs that many men with prostate cancer might already be taking -- cholesterol-lowering statins -- may help extend their survival if they have a "high-risk" form of the disease, new research suggests. High-risk patients include men with high blood levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and a "Gleason score" of 8 or more. Gleason scores are a calculation used to gauge prognosis in prostate cancer. Men with a high Gleason score may develop difficult-to-treat cancers. Advertisement
Prior research had suggested that statins and the diabetes drug metformin (often prescribed together) have anticancer properties. However, it hasn't been clear which of the two drugs is the bigger cancer-fighter, or whether either might help against high-risk prostate cancer.
To help answer those questions, a team led by Grace Lu-Yao of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center--Jefferson Health, in Philadelphia, tracked data on nearly 13,000 high-risk prostate cancer patients. All were diagnosed between 2007 and 2011.
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The study couldn't prove cause and effect, but it found that statins, taken alone or with metformin, did seem associated with an increase in survival.
Men who took both statins and metformin had higher median survival (3.9 years) than those who took statins alone (3.6 years), metformin alone (3.1 years), or those who did not take either drug (3.1 years).
The study was published Feb. 8 in the journal Cancer Medicine.
"Both metformin and statins have been associated with longer life in prostate cancer patients, yet because they are commonly prescribed together, no study we know of has looked at these two medications separately," Lu-Yao said in a center news release. She's associate director of population science at the center.
"With respect to prostate mortality, metformin plus statin was associated with a 36 percent reduction in risk of death followed by statins alone," Lu-Yao added.
The study also found that those who took one of three types of statin -- atorvastatin, pravastatin or rosuvastatin -- had longer survival than those who did not take any statins. A similar benefit was not seen with a fourth statin, lovastatin.
Because prostate cancer thrives on testosterone, patients often receive treatments that reduce levels of male hormones (androgens). The new study found that among patients who received such therapies, those who took atorvastatin had a longer median time to prostate cancer progression than those who didn't take statins.
Advertisement
It's not clear why such effects were limited to atorvastatin, Lu-Yao said, but it appears to have the best "bioavailability" of the statin drugs and lingers longest in the body.
The research team believes that, based on the existing evidence, a clinical trial should be conducted to assess the effectiveness of statins and the combination of statins/metformin in extending survival of prostate cancer patients.
Two prostate cancer specialists unconnected to the new study agreed that the findings show promise.
"It appears that there may be a place in the treatment of prostate cancer for statins," said Dr. Elizabeth Kavaler, a urology specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. "However, we are not yet at a point where we can use the data to direct patient care."
She believes testosterone may be key here. According to Kavaler, higher cholesterol levels promote higher levels of androgens, which in turn help encourage the growth of prostate cancer. Statins may help slow that process, Kavaler explained.
Dr. Manish Vira is vice chair for urologic research at The Arthur Smith Institute for Urology in New Hyde Park, N.Y. He agreed that the findings are encouraging, and noted that "a dozen actively recruiting clinical trials using either metformin or a statin in prostate cancer treatment" are already underway.
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More information
The American Cancer Society has more on prostate cancer.
Copyright 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.


upi--2020-02-14--This week in Washington

This week in Washington

President Donald Trump releases his budget , and hosts the National Governor 's Association , president of Ecuador and the @ @ @ @ @ the highlights for the week of February 10 , 2020 in Washington , D.C .

President Donald Trump holds up a photo of his border wall as he speaks on border security before the National Border Patrol Council at the White House on Friday. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI


upi--2020-02-14--Look: Swan rescued from enclosed graveyard in Britain

Feb. 14 ( UPI ) -- Animal rescuers in Britain said they freed a young swan found trapped in an @ @ @ @ @ months after the bird 's father became trapped in the same area .
The RSPCA @ @ @ @ @ responded to a report of a swan in distress at a cemetery in Neath , @ @ @ @ @ Day .
De Celis arrived to find the juvenile swan was trapped inside an enclosed @ @ @ @ @ young swan was a little disorientated after becoming trapped in a busy churchyard , surrounded @ @ @ @ @ many graves , '' the rescuer said .
`` Fortunately , the swan was n't @ @ @ @ @ able to safely return the bird to the nearby canal -- where he joined a @ @ @ @ @ said he was familiar with the swan 's family .
`` Incredibly , I believe @ @ @ @ @ father last June , after he had become trapped -- reuniting him with this and @ @ @ @ @ well as his mate , '' he said .

1/2
An RSPCA inspector responded to an enclosed graveyard in England to rescue a swan found trapped within the boundaries of a fence. Photo courtesy of the RSPCA
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Animal rescuers in Britain said they freed a young swan found trapped in an enclosed graveyard just a few months after the bird's father became trapped in the same area. The RSPCA said Inspector Nic de Celis responded to a report of a swan in distress at a cemetery in Neath, England, on Valentine's Day. Advertisement
De Celis arrived to find the juvenile swan was trapped inside an enclosed graveyard.
"This poor young swan was a little disorientated after becoming trapped in a busy churchyard, surrounded by a high fence and many graves," the rescuer said. "Fortunately, the swan wasn't injured, and I was able to safely return the bird to the nearby canal -- where he joined a sibling."
De Celis said he was familiar with the swan's family.
"Incredibly, I believe I rescued this swan's father last June, after he had become trapped -- reuniting him with this and many other cygnets, as well as his mate," he said.


upi--2020-02-14--Maryland man collects second big jackpot from same lottery game

Feb. 14 ( UPI ) -- A Maryland man won a $ 22,517 jackpot from his favorite lottery game less @ @ @ @ @ scored a $ 48,000 prize from the same game .
The 47-year-old Prince George 's @ @ @ @ @ officials he was at J 's Quik Stop in Marlboro when he decided to place @ @ @ @ @ the 9 , 11 and 12 virtual horses in the Racetrax lottery game .
`` @ @ @ @ @ ticket and smiled , '' the man said .
The same player previously visited Maryland @ @ @ @ @ collect a $ 48,000 Racetrax jackpot .
The man said he has n't told anyone @ @ @ @ @ , but he plans to use the money to pay bills and take care of @ @ @

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Feb. 14 (UPI) -- A Maryland man won a $22,517 jackpot from his favorite lottery game less than four years after he scored a $48,000 prize from the same game.
The 47-year-old Prince George's County man told Maryland Lottery officials he was at J's Quik Stop in Marlboro when he decided to place a Trifeca Box wager on the 9, 11 and 12 virtual horses in the Racetrax lottery game.
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The wager earned him a $22,517 prize.
"I just looked at the ticket and smiled," the man said.
The same player previously visited Maryland Lottery headquarters in 2016 to collect a $48,000 Racetrax jackpot.
The man said he hasn't told anyone about his latest prize yet, but he plans to use the money to pay bills and take care of his children.


upi--2020-02-14--Lawyer Michael Avenatti guilty of trying to extort Nike

Feb. 14 ( UPI ) -- A federal jury in New York convicted attorney Michael Avenatti on charges he attempted to extort more than $ 20 million from Nike .
Prosecutors accused the former attorney of Stormy Daniels of threatening to release damaging information about the company if it did n't pay $ 1.5 million to a client who had the information .
He also said Nike must retain him and another person for between $ 15 million and $ 25 million to conduct an internal investigation .
Police arrested Avenatti , 48 , in March hours after he tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold to release the damaging information .
Amateur basketball coach Gary Franklin hired Avenatti to represent him , making allegations that Nike asked him to make secret cash payments to the families of good players , a violation of NCAA rules .
He said he wanted to stop the alleged payments and corruption .
Avenatti faces two other trials , one in Manhattan in which Daniels accused him of stealing $ 300,000 from her .
He pleaded not guilty to the charges .
Avenatti represented Daniels amid a scandal in which President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid her $ 130,000 to keep quiet about an affair she said she had with Trump after his marriage to Melania Trump .
The scandal resulted in campaign finance convictions for Cohen , because he made the hush-money payment in the days leading up to the 2016 presidential election .
In another case , in Los Angeles , a federal grand jury indicted him on 36 counts of fraud , perjury , failure to pay taxes , embezzlement and other financial crimes for allegedly stealing millions from five clients through a group of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is scheduled to be sentenced in the Nike case on June 17 .

Attorney Michael Avenatti faces two other federal cases -- one in New York and another in Los Angeles. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 14 (UPI) -- A federal jury in New York convicted attorney Michael Avenatti on charges he attempted to extort more than $20 million from Nike. Prosecutors accused the former attorney of Stormy Daniels of threatening to release damaging information about the company if it didn't pay $1.5 million to a client who had the information. He also said Nike must retain him and another person for between $15 million and $25 million to conduct an internal investigation. Advertisement
Police arrested Avenatti, 48, in March hours after he tweeted about a news conference he planned to hold to release the damaging information.
Amateur basketball coach Gary Franklin hired Avenatti to represent him, making allegations that Nike asked him to make secret cash payments to the families of good players, a violation of NCAA rules. He said he wanted to stop the alleged payments and corruption.
Avenatti faces two other trials, one in Manhattan in which Daniels accused him of stealing $300,000 from her. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Avenatti represented Daniels amid a scandal in which President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen paid her $130,000 to keep quiet about an affair she said she had with Trump after his marriage to Melania Trump. The scandal resulted in campaign finance convictions for Cohen, because he made the hush-money payment in the days leading up to the 2016 presidential election.
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In another case, in Los Angeles, a federal grand jury indicted him on 36 counts of fraud, perjury, failure to pay taxes, embezzlement and other financial crimes for allegedly stealing millions from five clients through a group of shell companies and bank accounts.
Avenatti is scheduled to be sentenced in the Nike case on June 17.


upi--2020-02-14--Taxi driver diagnosed with coronavirus after driving Chinese tourists

Feb. 14 ( UPI ) -- The tale of a Thai taxi driver who contracted coronavirus has n't changed the way health officials think about its transmission -- yet .
However , a case report published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine has caused some concern .
The report describes how a Bangkok cabbie may have caught the novel virus , called COVID-19 , from Chinese tourists who had been his passengers .
The tourists , who were coughing throughout the ride , were wearing face masks , according to the authors of the report , infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nonthaburi , Thailand , and Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok .
Moreover , the driver himself said that he had no history of travel to China .
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials did not address the Thailand case report specifically during a press briefing Friday .
Nancy Messonnier , director of the agency 's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases , said , however , that `` respiratory droplets '' passed when an infected person coughs or sneezes remain `` the main driver of spread '' for COVID-19 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Close contacts '' -- those within six feet or less of an infected person -- are at increased risk for person-to-person transmission , she added .
Whether an infected person must be displaying symptoms of the virus to pass it to someone else is still unclear .
In addition , Messonnier also noted that `` some spread may happen '' as a result of touching contaminated surfaces -- like a car door handle , for example .
To date , though , evidence suggests that COVID-19 does n't survive for long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus this way minimal .
According to the case report on the taxi driver , the 51-year-old man first started experiencing symptoms on January 20 .
Initially , he went to the doctor and was tested for the flu , and was negative .
After he was unable to work for three days due to illness , he decided to visit a local hospital .
There , he was classified as under investigation for COVID-19 , isolated and referred to Bamrasnaradura , the Thai agency responsible for the management of emerging infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Bamrasnaradura confirmed lower-respiratory infection , and subsequent samples from the taxi driver 's nose and throat tested positive for COVID-19 .
He was declared virus-free on February 5 and discharged from the hospital , and his wife and son remained asymptomatic and tested negative for COVID-19 , according to the report .

Chinese people wear protective face masks due to the threat of the deadly coronavirus, named Covid-19, in Beijing on Thursday, February 13, 2020. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 14 (UPI) -- The tale of a Thai taxi driver who contracted coronavirus hasn't changed the way health officials think about its transmission -- yet. However, a case report published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine has caused some concern. The report describes how a Bangkok cabbie may have caught the novel virus, called COVID-19, from Chinese tourists who had been his passengers. Advertisement
The tourists, who were coughing throughout the ride, were wearing face masks, according to the authors of the report, infectious disease specialists at the Bamrasnaradura Institute in Nonthaburi, Thailand, and Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
Moreover, the driver himself said that he had no history of travel to China.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials did not address the Thailand case report specifically during a press briefing Friday. Nancy Messonnier, director of the agency's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said, however, that "respiratory droplets" passed when an infected person coughs or sneezes remain "the main driver of spread" for COVID-19, the virus currently ravaging Hubei province in China.
"Close contacts" -- those within six feet or less of an infected person -- are at increased risk for person-to-person transmission, she added.
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Whether an infected person must be displaying symptoms of the virus to pass it to someone else is still unclear.
In addition, Messonnier also noted that "some spread may happen" as a result of touching contaminated surfaces -- like a car door handle, for example. To date, though, evidence suggests that COVID-19 doesn't survive for long on surfaces, making risk of contracting the virus this way minimal.
According to the case report on the taxi driver, the 51-year-old man first started experiencing symptoms on January 20. Initially, he went to the doctor and was tested for the flu, and was negative.
After he was unable to work for three days due to illness, he decided to visit a local hospital. There, he was classified as under investigation for COVID-19, isolated and referred to Bamrasnaradura, the Thai agency responsible for the management of emerging infectious diseases.
CT scans performed by physicians at Bamrasnaradura confirmed lower-respiratory infection, and subsequent samples from the taxi driver's nose and throat tested positive for COVID-19.
He was declared virus-free on February 5 and discharged from the hospital, and his wife and son remained asymptomatic and tested negative for COVID-19, according to the report.


upi--2020-02-14--Astronomers watch dimming of supergiant star Betelgeuse

Feb. 14 ( UPI ) -- The Orion constellation star Betelguese is not only dimming but changing shape , photographs revealed on Friday by the European Southern Observatory indicate .
The supergiant star , under observation since December by the Sphere instrument of the ESO 's Very Large Telescope facility at the Paranal Observatory in Antofagarta , Chile , began to dim in 2019 and is currently at 36 percent of its normal brightness .
The new images indicate that its irregular shape is changing as well .
The star , 700 million light years away , also pulsates like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in brightness , but the recent decline in brightness is unprecedented .
While it could be reaching the end of its lifespan and about to spectacularly explode , a dramatic phenomenon known as `` going supernova , '' astronomers have other explanations .
`` The two scenarios we are working on are a cooling of the surface due to exceptional stellar activity or dust ejection towards us , '' said ESO astronomer Miguel Montargès in a statement .
`` Of course , our knowledge of red supergiants remains incomplete , and this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a surprise can still happen . ''
A December image shows infrared light emitted by the dust , formed when material is shed into space , surrounding the star .
`` Over their lifetimes , red supergiants like Betelgeuse create and eject vast amounts of material even before they explode as supernovae , '' said Emily Cannon of ESO .
`` Modern technology has enabled us to study these objects , hundreds of light-years away , in unprecedented detail giving us the opportunity to unravel the mystery of what triggers their mass loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Betelgeuse , if it has begun , could take up to 100,000 years , though .
The star is currently `` the least luminous and coolest yet measured from our 25 years of photometry , '' astronomer Edward Guinan of Villanova University said .

Before-and-after photographs of the star Betelgeuse show its decline in brightness. Photo courtesy of European Southern Observatory
Feb. 14 (UPI) -- The Orion constellation star Betelguese is not only dimming but changing shape, photographs revealed on Friday by the European Southern Observatory indicate. The supergiant star, under observation since December by the Sphere instrument of the ESO's Very Large Telescope facility at the Paranal Observatory in Antofagarta, Chile, began to dim in 2019 and is currently at 36 percent of its normal brightness. Advertisement
The new images indicate that its irregular shape is changing as well. The star, 700 million light years away, also pulsates like a beating heart, and periodically changes in brightness, but the recent decline in brightness is unprecedented.
While it could be reaching the end of its lifespan and about to spectacularly explode, a dramatic phenomenon known as "going supernova," astronomers have other explanations.
"The two scenarios we are working on are a cooling of the surface due to exceptional stellar activity or dust ejection towards us," said ESO astronomer Miguel Montargès in a statement. "Of course, our knowledge of red supergiants remains incomplete, and this is still a work in progress, so a surprise can still happen."
A December image shows infrared light emitted by the dust, formed when material is shed into space, surrounding the star.
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"Over their lifetimes, red supergiants like Betelgeuse create and eject vast amounts of material even before they explode as supernovae," said Emily Cannon of ESO. "Modern technology has enabled us to study these objects, hundreds of light-years away, in unprecedented detail giving us the opportunity to unravel the mystery of what triggers their mass loss."
The death and disappearance of Betelgeuse, if it has begun, could take up to 100,000 years, though.
The star is currently "the least luminous and coolest yet measured from our 25 years of photometry," astronomer Edward Guinan of Villanova University said.


upi--2020-02-14--Look: British police chase down large pig running in the road

Feb. 14 ( UPI ) -- Police in Britain said officers responding to a report of a loose animal ended up chasing down a large pig running along a busy road .
Northwest Leicestershire Police said three officers responded Thursday when a member of the public called about 5:12 p.m. to report a large pig running loose in Whitwick .
`` There was some concern for the welfare of the pig which might be involved in a road traffic collision and for drivers who also might be hurt in any collision , '' a police spokeswoman told Leicestershire Live .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ road and were able to wrangle it into a nearby garden .
The spokeswoman said a man who called to report his pig missing was contacted to come retrieve the animal from the garden .
`` They kept him in the garden until the owner showed up .
He then took the pig away on a lead , '' the spokeswoman said .
`` We do n't know if he just walked the pig home or someone came in a van to take him away .
All we know is he went on @ @ @ @

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Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Police in Britain said officers responding to a report of a loose animal ended up chasing down a large pig running along a busy road.
Northwest Leicestershire Police said three officers responded Thursday when a member of the public called about 5:12 p.m. to report a large pig running loose in Whitwick.
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"There was some concern for the welfare of the pig which might be involved in a road traffic collision and for drivers who also might be hurt in any collision," a police spokeswoman told Leicestershire Live.
Police located the pig running in the road and were able to wrangle it into a nearby garden. The spokeswoman said a man who called to report his pig missing was contacted to come retrieve the animal from the garden.
"They kept him in the garden until the owner showed up. He then took the pig away on a lead," the spokeswoman said. "We don't know if he just walked the pig home or someone came in a van to take him away. All we know is he went on his way safely"


upi--2020-02-14--Swedish woman spots long-lost mixtape at art exhibition

Feb. 14 ( UPI ) -- A Swedish woman visiting an art exhibit made an unexpected discovery -- a cassette mixtape she lost during a trip to Spain more than 20 years earlier .
Stella Wedell said she vacationing with her family in Spain in the early 1990s , when she was only 12 years old , when she lost her mixtape .
She said the tape was lost in Empuriabrava or on the Spanish island of Mallorca .
Wedell said she was visiting the Fotografiska gallery in Stockholm more than 20 years later when she spotted the water-damaged tape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and photographer Mandy Barker , whose Sea of Artifacts exhibition was about plastic pollution , said the tape washed up in 2017 on the beach at Playa de Barlovento de Jandia on Fuerteventura , a Spanish island off the coast of Africa .
The island is about 1,200 miles from where Wedell believes she lost the recording .
Barker said she enlisted the help of a professional audio restorer , who was able to list the tracks , which included songs by Shaggy , Bob Marley and the Wailers , the Pet Shop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ songs .
Wedell said she took a photo of the track list at the exhibition and compared it to the mix CD she used to create the tape .
It had all of the same songs , except for the first two on the CD , which Wedell said she left off the tape on purpose .
`` I always made tapes from my CDs at in this time to listen to them with my Walkman , especially for holidays , and to think that a tape I could have lost more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incredible , '' Wedell told CNN .
Barker said she was shocked when Wedell contacted her .
`` She said she was shocked to find it and when I read her email I could n't believe it either .
It was shock all round , '' she told Sky News .
`` The songs at the start were damaged but further in the songs were as clear as they would be today .
It shows how long plastic can exist in the sea . ''
Barker said the tape will be returned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tour .

A Swedish woman who lost a cassette mixtape during a vacation in Spain spotted the item in a traveling art exhibition more than 20 years later. Photo by Pexels/Pixabay.com
Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Feb. 14 (UPI) -- A Swedish woman visiting an art exhibit made an unexpected discovery -- a cassette mixtape she lost during a trip to Spain more than 20 years earlier. Stella Wedell said she vacationing with her family in Spain in the early 1990s, when she was only 12 years old, when she lost her mixtape. She said the tape was lost in Empuriabrava or on the Spanish island of Mallorca. Advertisement
Wedell said she was visiting the Fotografiska gallery in Stockholm more than 20 years later when she spotted the water-damaged tape and a track list.
British artist and photographer Mandy Barker, whose Sea of Artifacts exhibition was about plastic pollution, said the tape washed up in 2017 on the beach at Playa de Barlovento de Jandia on Fuerteventura, a Spanish island off the coast of Africa. The island is about 1,200 miles from where Wedell believes she lost the recording.
Barker said she enlisted the help of a professional audio restorer, who was able to list the tracks, which included songs by Shaggy, Bob Marley and the Wailers, the Pet Shop Boys, Soul Asylum and multiple Disney songs.
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Wedell said she took a photo of the track list at the exhibition and compared it to the mix CD she used to create the tape. It had all of the same songs, except for the first two on the CD, which Wedell said she left off the tape on purpose.
"I always made tapes from my CDs at in this time to listen to them with my Walkman, especially for holidays, and to think that a tape I could have lost more than 20 years ago had been found was incredible," Wedell told CNN.
Barker said she was shocked when Wedell contacted her.
"She said she was shocked to find it and when I read her email I couldn't believe it either. It was shock all round," she told Sky News. "The songs at the start were damaged but further in the songs were as clear as they would be today. It shows how long plastic can exist in the sea."
Barker said the tape will be returned to Wedell once the exhibition has completed its tour.


upi--2020-02-14--United Airlines extends grounding of Boeing 737 Max through Labor Day

Feb. 14 ( UPI ) -- United Airlines announced Friday it 's extending its grounding of Boeing 737 Max aircraft until Labor Day weekend .
The airline said it wo n't fly the beleaguered aircraft again until Sept. 4 .
`` During this period , we 'll continue to take extraordinary steps to protect our customers ' travel plans , '' a statement from the airline said .
`` Moving forward , we 'll continue to monitor the regulatory process and nimbly make the necessary adjustments to our operation and our schedule to benefit our customers who are traveling with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to resume flying the Boeing 737 Max in June .
President Donald Trump ordered the Federal Aviation Administration to ground all Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft after two crashes involving the model killed nearly 350 people .
An Ethiopian Airlines crash on March 10 killed 157 people and a Lion Air crash Oct. 29 in Indonesia killed 189 .
United does n't have any Max 8 aircraft , but it owns more than a dozen Max 9s , which were also grounded .
United said it will ground between 56 and 108 flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a monthly high of 3,300 flights in May .
The company said it 's working to automatically rebook customers who 've already purchased tickets on affected flights .
Investigators determined the crashes in 2018 and 2019 were due to flaws in the planes ' automated flight software , which Boeing has been ordered to fix .

United Airlines said it's working to automatically rebook all affected customers. File Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 14 (UPI) -- United Airlines announced Friday it's extending its grounding of Boeing 737 Max aircraft until Labor Day weekend. The airline said it won't fly the beleaguered aircraft again until Sept. 4. Advertisement
"During this period, we'll continue to take extraordinary steps to protect our customers' travel plans," a statement from the airline said. "Moving forward, we'll continue to monitor the regulatory process and nimbly make the necessary adjustments to our operation and our schedule to benefit our customers who are traveling with us."
United previously had plans to resume flying the Boeing 737 Max in June.
President Donald Trump ordered the Federal Aviation Administration to ground all Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft after two crashes involving the model killed nearly 350 people. An Ethiopian Airlines crash on March 10 killed 157 people and a Lion Air crash Oct. 29 in Indonesia killed 189. United doesn't have any Max 8 aircraft, but it owns more than a dozen Max 9s, which were also grounded.
United said it will ground between 56 and 108 flights daily from February through early September, with a monthly high of 3,300 flights in May.
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The company said it's working to automatically rebook customers who've already purchased tickets on affected flights.
Investigators determined the crashes in 2018 and 2019 were due to flaws in the planes' automated flight software, which Boeing has been ordered to fix.


upi--2020-02-14--Watch: Dust devil interrupts sports day event at India college

Feb. 14 ( UPI ) -- A college sports day at an Indian school was interrupted by a dust devil @ @ @ @ @ court .
Witnesses at St. Berchmans College in Kottayam captured video Tuesday when the volleyball @ @ @ @ @ school 's college sports day event , was interrupted by a whirlwind whipping sand up @ @ @ @ @ are seen running for cover in the video as the dust devil sweeps across the @ @ @ @ @ the dust devil dissipated after only a few seconds .

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Feb. 14 (UPI) -- A college sports day at an Indian school was interrupted by a dust devil that sprouted on the volleyball court.
Witnesses at St. Berchmans College in Kottayam captured video Tuesday when the volleyball game, part of the school's college sports day event, was interrupted by a whirlwind whipping sand up through the air.
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Students are seen running for cover in the video as the dust devil sweeps across the area.
The witnesses said the dust devil dissipated after only a few seconds.


upi--2020-02-14--Caitriona Balfe: ‘Outlander’ love story keeps ‘expanding’

NEW YORK , Feb. 14 ( UPI ) -- Season 5 of the romantic drama Outlander -- set to debut on the Starz app and Starz-on-demand Friday and on Starz Sunday -- shows Claire saving lives in her 18th-century clinic and Jamie ensnared in the events leading up to the American Revolution .
The screen adaptation of Diana Gabaldon 's fantasy novels features Caitriona Balfe as Claire , a British , World War II nurse -- and later a surgeon -- who is magically transported to 1700s Scotland , where she falls in love with Jamie , a Scottish Highlands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New episodes take place in North Carolina where the star-crossed lovers resettled in Season 4 with their family after decades of complications that separated them and imperiled their lives .
`` Claire was a very young woman who was n't living her life in the present , '' Balfe recently told the audience at New York Comic Con .
`` She was not connected to who she really was and she was in a marriage that was not really true .
When you live your life to the fullest and with passion -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like the passion she found in her career -- then you become a whole and full version of yourself .
That 's who we see Claire as now . ''
Heughan added : `` Jamie started off as a young man .
He was very hot-headed .
He did n't think before he acted , and now he has become , almost , his Uncle Colum .
`` Certainly , he is a politician .
He is a laird of sorts .
He 's grown up .
He 's become less tempestuous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's still got that Fraser fire .
He 's an adult now . ''
The show weaves together elements of sci-fi and historical fiction , but most fans agree it is the unbreakable bond between Claire and Jamie that keeps them riveted to their screens .
The cast gets that .
`` It 's so wonderful to be able to play a relationship that keeps growing and growing and deepening and deepening , '' Balfe said .
`` The love that they have for each other just keeps expanding .
You do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Season 1 , but it really does .
They are there for each other no matter what , and they support each other through really tough , tough times . ''
`` That 's the reason Outlander exists , though , is n't it ? ''
chimed in Maria Doyle Kennedy , who plays Jamie 's Aunt Jacosta .
`` The belief in that love , that it 's possible to go through time for each other or lay down their lives or climb mountains or swim seas or also just endure -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incredible thing about it .
That 's what we see in this season . ''
Asked what advice Jamie would give his younger self , if he could go back through the time-portal stones , Heughan said , `` He ca n't go through the stones ! ''
`` Do n't go near her , your life is going to be a mess , '' he joked about what he would tell Season 1 Jamie .
`` She just turns his world upside-down and I think every time Jamie looks at her , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he knows he would do anything for her .
He would die for her . ''
Claire has been a healer in whatever time period she inhabits , but Season 5 shows her operating in the best clinic she could conceivably set up in the 1700s without being suspected as a witch .
`` Claire 's created this amazing surgery .
We 've got this beautiful , beautiful set and I get to do lots of operations this season and it 's cool , '' Balfe said , adding she would be `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on set to coach her .
`` She talks me through exactly what I 'm going to do -- everything from how you hold your scalpel to how you tie a one-handed knot .
I love learning the procedures and it 's great because it 's all spongy bits and I ca n't actually kill anyone . ''
Gabaldon said Claire is smart enough not to reveal how much she knows about medicine for fear it may raise suspicions that she either is from the future or dabbling in black magic .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She understands how people work , '' the author said .
`` You ca n't just take someone and say : 'Everything you know is wrong .
Listen to me . '
You see how well that works , if you watch TV at all .
That wo n't get you anywhere .
You have to start with people where they are and draw them gently toward where you would like them to be .
Sometimes this works , sometimes it does n't . ''
The writer also hinted she is n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who died in her books .
`` When I kill them , they stay dead .
No offense to Murtagh or Duncan [ Lacroix ] , but he should have stayed dead , '' Gabaldon laughed .
Costumes go a long way toward helping the actors transform into their Outlander characters .
For Balfe , it 's the corset that helps her become Claire .
`` Once you put on those undergarments , you are just automatically transported to a different time -- that kind of very modern way that we carry ourselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' she said .
`` I think that is the most transformative piece of costume that I wear . ''
`` It used to be the kilt , but now it 's the boots , '' Heughan said .
`` They just give you more weight and stability and just make you stronger . ''
Kennedy , whose character is blind , has her trusty cane .
`` I use it so much particularly in the beginning to find my way around without looking .
And also the wig , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wig on , I disappear and I see her and I do n't see myself anymore . ''
This season , Heughan and Balfe also served as producers on the show .
Heughan hopes the actors ' perspectives they offer benefit the set-building , costume and filming teams .
`` We can give our input and I think that 's been really rewarding , also , on the scripts , as well .
We 've been privy to some early drafts , which has been really great to be on-board since the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's been really interesting to be able to see the behind the scenes and the work that goes on , '' Balfe said .
`` A lot of this has been us observing and learning and ... watching how each individual department does the work that they do , '' she added .
`` Being able to sit in on production meetings and hear what each one of them contributes is eye-opening .
As actors you sort of show up on the day and it 's like , 'Look at everything that got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensemble also includes Sophie Skelton , Richard Rankin and Lauren Lyle .
Gabaldon is now working on her ninth Outlander novel , Go Tells the Bees That I Am Gone .

1/3
Caitriona Balfe stars in romantic drama "Outlander." Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo
NEW YORK, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Season 5 of the romantic drama Outlander -- set to debut on the Starz app and Starz-on-demand Friday and on Starz Sunday-- shows Claire saving lives in her 18th-century clinic and Jamie ensnared in the events leading up to the American Revolution. The screen adaptation of Diana Gabaldon's fantasy novels features Caitriona Balfe as Claire, a British, World War II nurse -- and later a surgeon -- who is magically transported to 1700s Scotland, where she falls in love with Jamie, a Scottish Highlands warrior, played by Sam Heughan. Advertisement
New episodes take place in North Carolina where the star-crossed lovers resettled in Season 4 with their family after decades of complications that separated them and imperiled their lives.
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"Claire was a very young woman who wasn't living her life in the present," Balfe recently told the audience at New York Comic Con.
"She was not connected to who she really was and she was in a marriage that was not really true. When you live your life to the fullest and with passion -- like the passion she found with Jamie, like the passion she found in her career -- then you become a whole and full version of yourself. That's who we see Claire as now."
Heughan added: "Jamie started off as a young man. He was very hot-headed. He didn't think before he acted, and now he has become, almost, his Uncle Colum.
"Certainly, he is a politician. He is a laird of sorts. He's grown up. He's become less tempestuous, less impulsive at times, but he's still got that Fraser fire. He's an adult now."
The show weaves together elements of sci-fi and historical fiction, but most fans agree it is the unbreakable bond between Claire and Jamie that keeps them riveted to their screens.
The cast gets that.
"It's so wonderful to be able to play a relationship that keeps growing and growing and deepening and deepening," Balfe said.
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"The love that they have for each other just keeps expanding. You don't think that that's possible from Season 1, but it really does. They are there for each other no matter what, and they support each other through really tough, tough times."
"That's the reason Outlander exists, though, isn't it?" chimed in Maria Doyle Kennedy, who plays Jamie's Aunt Jacosta.
"The belief in that love, that it's possible to go through time for each other or lay down their lives or climb mountains or swim seas or also just endure -- that the love lasts is the most incredible thing about it. That's what we see in this season."
Asked what advice Jamie would give his younger self, if he could go back through the time-portal stones, Heughan said, "He can't go through the stones!"
"Don't go near her, your life is going to be a mess," he joked about what he would tell Season 1 Jamie.
"She just turns his world upside-down and I think every time Jamie looks at her, he sees his own demise in that he knows he would do anything for her. He would die for her."
Working in medicine
Claire has been a healer in whatever time period she inhabits, but Season 5 shows her operating in the best clinic she could conceivably set up in the 1700s without being suspected as a witch.
Advertisement
"Claire's created this amazing surgery. We've got this beautiful, beautiful set and I get to do lots of operations this season and it's cool," Balfe said, adding she would be "absolutely lost" without the medical adviser on set to coach her.
"She talks me through exactly what I'm going to do -- everything from how you hold your scalpel to how you tie a one-handed knot. I love learning the procedures and it's great because it's all spongy bits and I can't actually kill anyone."
Gabaldon said Claire is smart enough not to reveal how much she knows about medicine for fear it may raise suspicions that she either is from the future or dabbling in black magic.
"She is a person of good sense. She understands how people work," the author said.
"You can't just take someone and say: 'Everything you know is wrong. Listen to me.' You see how well that works, if you watch TV at all. That won't get you anywhere. You have to start with people where they are and draw them gently toward where you would like them to be. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't."
The writer also hinted she isn't thrilled when the show brings back characters who died in her books.
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"When I kill them, they stay dead. No offense to Murtagh or Duncan [Lacroix], but he should have stayed dead," Gabaldon laughed.
The costumes transform the actors
Costumes go a long way toward helping the actors transform into their Outlander characters.
For Balfe, it's the corset that helps her become Claire.
"Once you put on those undergarments, you are just automatically transported to a different time -- that kind of very modern way that we carry ourselves and sit is all dramatically gone," she said. "I think that is the most transformative piece of costume that I wear."
"It used to be the kilt, but now it's the boots," Heughan said. "They just give you more weight and stability and just make you stronger."
Kennedy, whose character is blind, has her trusty cane.
"I use it so much particularly in the beginning to find my way around without looking. And also the wig," she said. "Once I put on the wig on, I disappear and I see her and I don't see myself anymore."
This season, Heughan and Balfe also served as producers on the show.
Heughan hopes the actors' perspectives they offer benefit the set-building, costume and filming teams.
Advertisement
"We can give our input and I think that's been really rewarding, also, on the scripts, as well. We've been privy to some early drafts, which has been really great to be on-board since the beginning," Heughan said.
"It's been really interesting to be able to see the behind the scenes and the work that goes on," Balfe said.
"A lot of this has been us observing and learning and ... watching how each individual department does the work that they do," she added. "Being able to sit in on production meetings and hear what each one of them contributes is eye-opening. As actors you sort of show up on the day and it's like, 'Look at everything that got made!'"
The series' ensemble also includes Sophie Skelton, Richard Rankin and Lauren Lyle. Gabaldon is now working on her ninth Outlander novel, Go Tells the Bees That I Am Gone.


upi--2020-02-16--Ex-Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Tony Fernandez dies at 57

Feb. 16 ( UPI ) -- Former Toronto Blue Jays star shortstop Tony Fernandez has died at the age of 57 , the team announced Sunday .
League sources told the Detroit News and Deportivo Z101 that Fernandez died of complications from kidney disease .
Fernandez 's wife told ESPN that he was removed from life support Sunday .
`` The Toronto Blue Jays are deeply saddened by the passing of Tony Fernandez , one of our club 's most celebrated and respected players , '' the team said in a statement .
`` Enshrined forever in Blue Jays history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left an equally indelible mark in the hearts of a generation of Blue Jays fans during his 12 unforgettable seasons with the team .
`` His impact on the baseball community in Toronto and across Canada is immeasurable .
Our deepest condolences are with the Fernandez family during this time . ''
Fernandez played parts of 17 seasons in the majors from 1983 to 2001 , including 12 seasons with the Blue Jays .
He was a five-time All-Star selection and four-time Gold Glove Award winner .
Fernandez , who won a World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1993 , recorded a .288 career batting average with 94 home runs , 844 RBIs and 246 stolen bases in 2,158 games .
He is the Blue Jays ' career leader in games played ( 1,450 ) , hits ( 1,583 ) and triples ( 72 ) .
The Dominican Republic native also played for the San Diego Padres , Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , Cincinnati Reds , New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers in his MLB career .

Former Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Tony Fernandez (L) played 12 seasons with the Blue Jays. He was a five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner. File Photo by Jon Adams/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Former Toronto Blue Jays star shortstop Tony Fernandez has died at the age of 57, the team announced Sunday. League sources told the Detroit News and Deportivo Z101 that Fernandez died of complications from kidney disease. Fernandez's wife told ESPN that he was removed from life support Sunday. Advertisement
"The Toronto Blue Jays are deeply saddened by the passing of Tony Fernandez, one of our club's most celebrated and respected players," the team said in a statement. "Enshrined forever in Blue Jays history on the Level of Excellence, Tony left an equally indelible mark in the hearts of a generation of Blue Jays fans during his 12 unforgettable seasons with the team.
"His impact on the baseball community in Toronto and across Canada is immeasurable. Our deepest condolences are with the Fernandez family during this time."
In memory of Number 1. Forever in our hearts pic.twitter.com/lUCfBpc1U3— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) February 16, 2020
Fernandez played parts of 17 seasons in the majors from 1983 to 2001, including 12 seasons with the Blue Jays. He was a five-time All-Star selection and four-time Gold Glove Award winner.
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Fernandez, who won a World Series championship with the Blue Jays in 1993, recorded a .288 career batting average with 94 home runs, 844 RBIs and 246 stolen bases in 2,158 games. He is the Blue Jays' career leader in games played (1,450), hits (1,583) and triples (72).
The Dominican Republic native also played for the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers in his MLB career.


upi--2020-02-16--DNC releases qualifications for South Carolina presidential debate

Feb. 16 ( UPI ) -- The Democratic National Convention released qualifications for its upcoming presidential debate in South Carolina .
The qualifications for the Feb. 25 debate require candidates to poll at 10 percent in four polls approved by the DNC or 12 percent in South Carolina specific poll released Feb. 4-Feb. 24 or win at least one delegate in Iowa , New Hampshire or Nevada .
The rules are similar to the qualifications for the debate in Nevada scheduled for Wednesday but with a shorter polling period not including the Nevada polls because the South Carolina debate will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ; former South Bend , Ind.
, Mayor Pete Buttigieg ; Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former Vice President Joe Biden have qualified for both debates so far .
The DNC removed the donor threshold for the Nevada and South Carolina debates , which prevented billionaire Michal Bloomberg -- who has said his campaign will not accept contributions -- from participating .
Bloomberg , the former mayor of New York City , must poll above 10 percent in one more national or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early-state polls to qualify for the Nevada debate .

Five Democratic candidates have qualified for upcoming debates in Nevada and South Carolina as the Democratic National Committee released qualifications for the Feb. 25 debate in Charleston. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 16 (UPI) -- The Democratic National Convention released qualifications for its upcoming presidential debate in South Carolina. The qualifications for the Feb. 25 debate require candidates to poll at 10 percent in four polls approved by the DNC or 12 percent in South Carolina specific poll released Feb. 4-Feb. 24 or win at least one delegate in Iowa, New Hampshire or Nevada. Advertisement
The rules are similar to the qualifications for the debate in Nevada scheduled for Wednesday but with a shorter polling period not including the Nevada polls because the South Carolina debate will take place after Nevadans vote.
Five candidates including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders; former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg; Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former Vice President Joe Biden have qualified for both debates so far.
The DNC removed the donor threshold for the Nevada and South Carolina debates, which prevented billionaire Michal Bloomberg -- who has said his campaign will not accept contributions -- from participating.
Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City, must poll above 10 percent in one more national or early-state poll or 12 percent in two early-state polls to qualify for the Nevada debate.


upi--2020-02-16--Former Justice Department officials call on William Barr to resign

Feb. 16 ( UPI ) -- More than 1,100 former Justice Department officials called on Attorney General William Barr to resign in a statement released Sunday .
The group , including officials who served under both Republican and Democratic administrations , condemned Barr and Trump 's `` interference in the fair administration of justice '' specifically citing Barr 's handling of the sentencing of Trump associate Roger Stone .
`` Mr. Barr 's actions in doing the president 's personal bidding , unfortunately , speak louder than his words .
Those actions and the damage they have done to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rule of law require Mr. Barr to resign , '' the officials wrote .
`` But because we have little expectation he will do so , it falls to the Department 's career officials to take appropriate action to uphold their oaths of office and defend nonpartisan , apolitical justice . ''
Prosecutors last week asked a federal judge to sentence Stone , 67 , to up to nine years in prison for obstructing a congressional investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election but the Justin Department then decreased the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the decision .
Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec denied any communication between the White House and the department about the sentencing recommendation , saying department leadership decided to lower the prison term recommendation after the court filing became available Monday evening .
Barr also denied that Trump `` has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case '' but publicly called on the president to stop tweeting about Justice Department cases .
`` Although there are times when political leadership appropriately weighs in on individual prosecutions , it is unheard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to overrule line prosecutors , who are following established policies in order to give preferential treatment to a close associate of the President , as Attorney General Barr did in the Stone case , '' the officials wrote .
`` It is even more outrageous for the attorney general to intervene as he did here -- after the president publicly condemned the sentencing recommendation that line prosecutors had already filed in court . ''
The officials also commended the actions of four of the federal prosecutors working on the Stone case -- Adam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Aaron S.J .
Zelinsky -- who quit after the decision to change the sentencing .
`` Our simple message to them is we -- and millions of other Americans -- stand with them .
And we call on every DOJ employee to follow their heroic example and be prepared to report future abuses to the Inspector General , the Office of Professional Responsibility , and Congress , '' they wrote .

A group of former Justice Department employees called on Attorney General William Barr to resign Sunday, citing his handling of the sentencing of President Donald Trump's associate Roger Stone.. Photo by Chris KleponisUPI | License Photo
Feb. 16 (UPI) -- More than 1,100 former Justice Department officials called on Attorney General William Barr to resign in a statement released Sunday. The group, including officials who served under both Republican and Democratic administrations, condemned Barr and Trump's "interference in the fair administration of justice" specifically citing Barr's handling of the sentencing of Trump associate Roger Stone. Advertisement
"Mr. Barr's actions in doing the president's personal bidding, unfortunately, speak louder than his words. Those actions and the damage they have done to the Department of Justice's Reputation for integrity and rule of law require Mr. Barr to resign," the officials wrote. "But because we have little expectation he will do so, it falls to the Department's career officials to take appropriate action to uphold their oaths of office and defend nonpartisan, apolitical justice."
Prosecutors last week asked a federal judge to sentence Stone, 67, to up to nine years in prison for obstructing a congressional investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election but the Justin Department then decreased the sentence after Trump tweeted about his displeasure with the decision.
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Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec denied any communication between the White House and the department about the sentencing recommendation, saying department leadership decided to lower the prison term recommendation after the court filing became available Monday evening.
Barr also denied that Trump "has never asked me to do anything in a criminal case" but publicly called on the president to stop tweeting about Justice Department cases.
"Although there are times when political leadership appropriately weighs in on individual prosecutions, it is unheard of for the Department's top leaders to overrule line prosecutors, who are following established policies in order to give preferential treatment to a close associate of the President, as Attorney General Barr did in the Stone case," the officials wrote. "It is even more outrageous for the attorney general to intervene as he did here -- after the president publicly condemned the sentencing recommendation that line prosecutors had already filed in court."
The officials also commended the actions of four of the federal prosecutors working on the Stone case -- Adam Jed, Jonathan Kravis, Michael Marando and Aaron S.J. Zelinsky -- who quit after the decision to change the sentencing.
"Our simple message to them is we -- and millions of other Americans -- stand with them. And we call on every DOJ employee to follow their heroic example and be prepared to report future abuses to the Inspector General, the Office of Professional Responsibility, and Congress," they wrote.


upi--2020-02-16--NBA renames All-Star Game MVP award after Lakers legend Kobe Bryant

Feb. 16 ( UPI ) -- NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced during his annual All-Star Weekend press conference that the NBA All-Star Game MVP award was permanently named after late Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant .
`` We were thinking about what the best way is , one of the ways to honor Kobe , '' Silver told reporters Saturday at the United Center in Chicago .
`` It happened to be that his loss came shortly before we were moving into All-Star festivities .
`` I think one of the things that stands out with Kobe , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is that he has [ made 18 All-Star teams ] and tied for the record of four MVPs .
To all of us , it seemed like the appropriate way to bring honor to him . ''
Bryant , 41 , and his 13-year-old daughter , Gianna , were among nine killed Jan. 26 when their helicopter crashed into a mountainside in Calabasas , Calif .
The group was headed to Mamba Sports Academy , a facility that Bryant created and coached at , for a girls basketball tournament when the aircraft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains under investigation .
There were no survivors .
With the league still reeling from the tragedy , the award will be named after Bryant , with it being handed out for the first time at Sunday 's All-Star Game .
Until this point , the trophy was n't named after any player .
Bryant made his All-Star Game debut in 1998 at the age of 19 , making him the youngest player to take part in the league 's annual midseason event .
The Lakers legend holds the NBA record for consecutive @ @ @ @ @

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was among nine killed in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26 in Calabasas, Calif. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 16 (UPI) -- NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced during his annual All-Star Weekend press conference that the NBA All-Star Game MVP award was permanently named after late Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant. "We were thinking about what the best way is, one of the ways to honor Kobe," Silver told reporters Saturday at the United Center in Chicago. "It happened to be that his loss came shortly before we were moving into All-Star festivities. Advertisement
"I think one of the things that stands out with Kobe, of course in addition to his five championships, is that he has [made 18 All-Star teams] and tied for the record of four MVPs. To all of us, it seemed like the appropriate way to bring honor to him."
Bryant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, were among nine killed Jan. 26 when their helicopter crashed into a mountainside in Calabasas, Calif. The group was headed to Mamba Sports Academy, a facility that Bryant created and coached at, for a girls basketball tournament when the aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances.
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The crash remains under investigation. There were no survivors.
With the league still reeling from the tragedy, the award will be named after Bryant, with it being handed out for the first time at Sunday's All-Star Game. Until this point, the trophy wasn't named after any player.
Bryant made his All-Star Game debut in 1998 at the age of 19, making him the youngest player to take part in the league's annual midseason event. The Lakers legend holds the NBA record for consecutive All-Star selections with 18.


upi--2020-02-16--NBA All-Star Weekend: Derrick Jones Jr. beats Aaron Gordon in controversial dunk contest

Feb. 16 ( UPI ) -- Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. edged Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon in a remarkable slam dunk contest that needed two tiebreaker dunks Saturday night at the United Center in Chicago .
Despite the mesmerizing jams from Gordon and Jones , the final result was n't without controversy .
After the event , two judges said they wanted the second dunk-off to end in a tie .
`` We thought it was going to be tied , '' one judge , hip-hop artist Common , told ESPN .
`` We were like , 'This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't do it right .
I do n't know who it is .
...
I really felt it was an even battle and we -- as judges -- felt the scores should be even and they should just have a judge off .
We had the cards .
Put your card up for who had the best dunks . ''
Los Angeles Sparks star Candace Parker , another judge on the five-person panel , confirmed that they intended for the second tiebreaker round to end in a draw .
`` I ai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but check the score card , '' Parker told ESPN .
It remains unclear whether Jones and Gordon would have continued dunking if the score was tied after the second dunk-off .
According to ESPN , the NBA was n't going to allow co-champions , meaning the winner likely would have been decided by a majority vote from the judges .
Jones and Gordon each recorded perfect 50s in the final round and in the first dunk-off , setting up the second tiebreaker .
In that round , Jones drew a 48 from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from just inside the free-throw line and threw down a windmill dunk with his left hand .
Gordon , after talking with Hall of Fame big man Shaquille O'Neal , brought out 7-foot-5 Boston Celtics center Tacko Fall for his dunk attempt .
He took the ball from Fall 's hands while jumping over him and finished with a ferocious slam .
The dunk generated buzz at the United Center , but Gordon was awarded only a 47 from the judges , giving the win to Jones .
Parker and Common each gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the other three judges -- Dwyane Wade , Scottie Pippen and Chadwick Boseman -- each awarding him nines .
Wade , who starred for the Heat in his 16-year career , was accused by NBA fans and other personalities from around the league for rigging the vote in favor of Jones , a fan favorite among Heat faithful .
`` I mean it took nine rounds .
It was n't biased , '' Wade told Complex Sports after the event .
`` It got to the point where I was n't the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Let 's talk about that .
It was three people that gave a nine .
`` But you know what , people are going to talk and you allow them to talk .
But more so than anything , hopefully [ the participants ] just enjoyed the dunk contest .
Aaron Gordon is not going to lose any sleep about not winning a dunk contest . ''
Meanwhile , Heat big man Bam Adebayo won the All-Star skills challenge .
Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield outlasted Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker in the @ @ @

Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. poses with his trophy after winning the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday night at the United Center in Chicago. Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/EPA-EFE
Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. edged Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon in a remarkable slam dunk contest that needed two tiebreaker dunks Saturday night at the United Center in Chicago. Despite the mesmerizing jams from Gordon and Jones, the final result wasn't without controversy. After the event, two judges said they wanted the second dunk-off to end in a tie. Advertisement
"We thought it was going to be tied," one judge, hip-hop artist Common, told ESPN. "We were like, 'This is a tie!' But somebody didn't do it right. I don't know who it is. ... I really felt it was an even battle and we -- as judges -- felt the scores should be even and they should just have a judge off. We had the cards. Put your card up for who had the best dunks."
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Los Angeles Sparks star Candace Parker, another judge on the five-person panel, confirmed that they intended for the second tiebreaker round to end in a draw.
"I ain't throwing anyone under the bus, but check the score card," Parker told ESPN.
It remains unclear whether Jones and Gordon would have continued dunking if the score was tied after the second dunk-off. According to ESPN, the NBA wasn't going to allow co-champions, meaning the winner likely would have been decided by a majority vote from the judges.
Jones and Gordon each recorded perfect 50s in the final round and in the first dunk-off, setting up the second tiebreaker. In that round, Jones drew a 48 from the five judges after he took off from just inside the free-throw line and threw down a windmill dunk with his left hand.
Gordon, after talking with Hall of Fame big man Shaquille O'Neal, brought out 7-foot-5 Boston Celtics center Tacko Fall for his dunk attempt. He took the ball from Fall's hands while jumping over him and finished with a ferocious slam.
The dunk generated buzz at the United Center, but Gordon was awarded only a 47 from the judges, giving the win to Jones. Parker and Common each gave Gordon a 10 for the jam, with the other three judges -- Dwyane Wade, Scottie Pippen and Chadwick Boseman -- each awarding him nines.
Advertisement #ICYMI After jumping over 7'5 Tacko Fall, Aaron Gordon lost the 2020 Dunk Contest by one point to Derrick Jones Jr. pic.twitter.com/MQJMdOjpQL— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 16, 2020
Wade, who starred for the Heat in his 16-year career, was accused by NBA fans and other personalities from around the league for rigging the vote in favor of Jones, a fan favorite among Heat faithful.
"I mean it took nine rounds. It wasn't biased," Wade told Complex Sports after the event. "It got to the point where I wasn't the only one that gave a nine. Let's talk about that. It was three people that gave a nine.
"But you know what, people are going to talk and you allow them to talk. But more so than anything, hopefully [the participants] just enjoyed the dunk contest. Aaron Gordon is not going to lose any sleep about not winning a dunk contest."
Meanwhile, Heat big man Bam Adebayo won the All-Star skills challenge. Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield outlasted Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker in the 3-point contest.


upi--2020-02-16--11,800 turn out for early voting in Nevada caucus amid reports of long lines, understaffing

Feb. 16 ( UPI ) -- Thousands of Nevada Democrats took part in early voting for the state 's caucuses on Saturday amid long lines and other complications at some voting locations .
The Nevada Democratic Party reported that 11,800 voters had participated in the process as of 5 p.m. on Saturday ahead of the official caucus date on Feb. 22 .
During the early voting process , voters are asked to fill in their top three to five choices for the nomination with a new rule dictating that voting cards with only one candidate will not be counted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' for their second and third choices .
The ballots will then be transferred to several hubs in the state where they will be electronically scanned , stored and counted based on the voters ' precinct locations on the caucus date .
If a voter 's first choice does not receive enough support to be considered viable at that time their vote will be recorded for the next viable candidate on their list .
Some voters reported waiting more than three hours to caucus at Temple Sinai in Summerlin after a large turnout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union headquarters reported wait times of about 90 minutes .
In addition to the high volume of voter turnout , voters at some locations reported that there were not enough volunteers to operate the iPads that were used at the locations .
The Democratic Party elected to use a pen and paper system for voting , but provided iPads to assist with vote tallying and guiding voters through the check-in process .

Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Thousands of Nevada Democrats took part in early voting for the state's caucuses on Saturday amid long lines and other complications at some voting locations.
The Nevada Democratic Party reported that 11,800 voters had participated in the process as of 5 p.m. on Saturday ahead of the official caucus date on Feb. 22.
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During the early voting process, voters are asked to fill in their top three to five choices for the nomination with a new rule dictating that voting cards with only one candidate will not be counted.
Voters were instructed to select "uncommitted" for their second and third choices.
The ballots will then be transferred to several hubs in the state where they will be electronically scanned, stored and counted based on the voters' precinct locations on the caucus date.
If a voter's first choice does not receive enough support to be considered viable at that time their vote will be recorded for the next viable candidate on their list.
Some voters reported waiting more than three hours to caucus at Temple Sinai in Summerlin after a large turnout, while voters at the Henderson AFL-CIO union headquarters reported wait times of about 90 minutes.
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In addition to the high volume of voter turnout, voters at some locations reported that there were not enough volunteers to operate the iPads that were used at the locations.
The Democratic Party elected to use a pen and paper system for voting, but provided iPads to assist with vote tallying and guiding voters through the check-in process.


upi--2020-02-16--Ex-University of Wisconsin football player arrested in double homicide

Feb. 16 ( UPI ) -- Former University of Wisconsin football player Marcus Randle El was arrested in connection with a double homicide , Janesville police said .
Janesville Police Chief David Moore said Randle El , 33 , turned himself in to Chicago police on Saturday afternoon in connection with the deaths of Seairaha Winchester , 30 , of Joliet , Ill. , and Brittany McAdory , 28 , of Janesville , Wis. Randle El played wide receiver for the Wisconsin Badgers from 2004 through '07 .
He is the younger brother of Antwaan Randle El , who played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an offensive assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers .
Moore said he expects Randle El to be charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide .
Winchester and McAdory were found shot near a Janesville intersection and taken to a hospital where they died .
Lt. Charles Aagaard said investigators recovered video confirming the two victims went to a gas station at about 2 a.m. on Monday and had evidence that they planned to meet later that morning with Randle El , who was also at the gas station .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car and were n't seen again until a passing motorist spotted them on the side of the road with multiple gunshot injuries .
McAdory 's car was later found along an interstate in Illinois about 30 miles northwest of Randle El 's hometown of Homewood , Ill. Court records state that at the time of the shooting Randle El was out of jail on parole after being charged with kidnapping for allegedly taking his 3-year-old daughter at gunpoint in Illinois .
Randle El had also previously been arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Marcus Randle El, 33, was arrested in connection with the deaths of Seairaha Winchester, 30, of Joliet, Ill., and Brittany McAdory, 28, of Janesville, Wisc., police said. Photo courtesy Janesville Police Department
Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Former University of Wisconsin football player Marcus Randle El was arrested in connection with a double homicide, Janesville police said. Janesville Police Chief David Moore said Randle El, 33, turned himself in to Chicago police on Saturday afternoon in connection with the deaths of Seairaha Winchester, 30, of Joliet, Ill., and Brittany McAdory, 28, of Janesville, Wis. Advertisement
Randle El played wide receiver for the Wisconsin Badgers from 2004 through '07. He is the younger brother of Antwaan Randle El, who played nine seasons in the NFL and currently is an offensive assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Moore said he expects Randle El to be charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide.
Winchester and McAdory were found shot near a Janesville intersection and taken to a hospital where they died.
Lt. Charles Aagaard said investigators recovered video confirming the two victims went to a gas station at about 2 a.m. on Monday and had evidence that they planned to meet later that morning with Randle El, who was also at the gas station.
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They left the gas station in McAdory's car and weren't seen again until a passing motorist spotted them on the side of the road with multiple gunshot injuries.
McAdory's car was later found along an interstate in Illinois about 30 miles northwest of Randle El's hometown of Homewood, Ill.
Court records state that at the time of the shooting Randle El was out of jail on parole after being charged with kidnapping for allegedly taking his 3-year-old daughter at gunpoint in Illinois.
Randle El had also previously been arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery in March and December of 2005.


upi--2020-02-16--Highlights from the 62nd running of the Daytona 500

Joey Logano ( 22 ) celebrates after winning the first of two of the Bluegreen Vacations Duel at Daytona , @ @ @ @ @ on February 13 , 2020 , in Daytona Beach , Fla. Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI

Newman leads with help by a push from Hamlin with about 20 laps to go. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI


upi--2020-02-16--Benny Gantz vows to form government without Benjamin Netanyahu, Arab parties

Feb. 16 ( UPI ) -- Benny Gantz , the leader of Israel 's Blue and White party , said Sunday that he will seek to form a government without Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor predominately Arab parties in Parliament after the upcoming election .
Gantz said he expects his party to win the most seats on the Israeli parliament , known as the Knesset , in the March 2 election and said he would form a unity government with Netanyahu 's Likud party only if the prime minister , who has been indicted on bribery and other charges , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historic role from a political point of view .
There is no government for the Likud with Netanyahu and without Bibi there is no unity , '' said Gantz .
`` He is going to go to trial .
Imagine that while he is preparing for trial with a battery of lawyers on fatal issues from his personal point of view , the Chief of Staff needs to hold a very urgent nighttime discussion on security issues . ''
He also repeated his vow form a `` Jewish majority government '' and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will not need the support of the Joint List party to form a government .
`` I will not sit with the Joint List and I do not need their support , '' he said .
`` I heard [ Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor ] Liberman saying this morning that he will sit with Labor and Meretz and he will sit with us .
We have no agreements with Liberman .
We had great negotiations with him before the last Knesset dissolved , we reached unprecedented achievements in understandings on issues of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chairman Ayman Odeh criticized Gantz 's pledge to exclude the Arab parties from the government .
`` There is one thing that needs to leave politics quicker than Netanyahu and that is the racist phrase 'Jewish majority , ' '' Odeh said .
`` If there wo n't be a majority of citizens , there wo n't be a majority . ''
Netanyahu said Gantz was lying about not needing the support of Arab parties to form a majority government .
`` Anyone thinking of voting Blue and White needs to know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be dependent on the Joint List , '' he said .
`` Only a vote for Likud will bring about a strong , right-wing government and stop a dangerous government [ from being formed ] , preventing a fourth round of elections . ''
Netanyahu spoke Sunday night at the annual leadership mission of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem .
`` Without the State of Israel there is no future for the Jewish people , '' Netanyahu said .
But he noted relationships between Israel and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` There is scarcely one Muslim or Arab country around the world we do n't have deepening ties with , '' said Netanyahu .
`` Sometimes it comes out in the open .
A year ago [ my wife ] Sara and I went on a very moving visit to Oman , and two weeks ago we had a very moving visit with the president of Sudan .
On Saturday , there was first flight of an Israeli airplane in Sudanese airspace .
`` We now have flights over Sudan direct to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the way in Chad , which also resumed relations with us recently , '' Netanyahu said .
`` What you 're seeing is about 10 percent , there are vast changes and they 're coming because Israel is now a power to contend with and because collaboration with Israel helps you assure the future of your people , and helps you assure a better future for your people . ''

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Benny Gantz, chairman of Israel's Blue and White party, said Sunday he will form a government with neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor Arab parties after the upcoming elections. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Benny Gantz, the leader of Israel's Blue and White party, said Sunday that he will seek to form a government without Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor predominately Arab parties in Parliament after the upcoming election. Gantz said he expects his party to win the most seats on the Israeli parliament, known as the Knesset, in the March 2 election and said he would form a unity government with Netanyahu's Likud party only if the prime minister, who has been indicted on bribery and other charges, resigns. Advertisement
"Netanyahu has concluded his historic role from a political point of view. There is no government for the Likud with Netanyahu and without Bibi there is no unity," said Gantz. "He is going to go to trial. Imagine that while he is preparing for trial with a battery of lawyers on fatal issues from his personal point of view, the Chief of Staff needs to hold a very urgent nighttime discussion on security issues."
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He also repeated his vow form a "Jewish majority government" and not to sit with predominately Arab parties saying he will not need the support of the Joint List party to form a government.
"I will not sit with the Joint List and I do not need their support," he said. "I heard [Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor] Liberman saying this morning that he will sit with Labor and Meretz and he will sit with us. We have no agreements with Liberman. We had great negotiations with him before the last Knesset dissolved, we reached unprecedented achievements in understandings on issues of religion and state."
Joint List Chairman Ayman Odeh criticized Gantz's pledge to exclude the Arab parties from the government.
"There is one thing that needs to leave politics quicker than Netanyahu and that is the racist phrase 'Jewish majority,'" Odeh said. "If there won't be a majority of citizens, there won't be a majority."
Netanyahu said Gantz was lying about not needing the support of Arab parties to form a majority government.
"Anyone thinking of voting Blue and White needs to know that he is voting for a government which will be dependent on the Joint List," he said. "Only a vote for Likud will bring about a strong, right-wing government and stop a dangerous government [from being formed], preventing a fourth round of elections."
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Netanyahu spoke Sunday night at the annual leadership mission of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem.
"Without the State of Israel there is no future for the Jewish people," Netanyahu said.
But he noted relationships between Israel and surrounding Muslim and Arab states have improved.
"There is scarcely one Muslim or Arab country around the world we don't have deepening ties with," said Netanyahu. "Sometimes it comes out in the open. A year ago [my wife] Sara and I went on a very moving visit to Oman, and two weeks ago we had a very moving visit with the president of Sudan.
On Saturday, there was first flight of an Israeli airplane in Sudanese airspace.
"We now have flights over Sudan direct to South America, and people can stop on the way in Chad, which also resumed relations with us recently," Netanyahu said. "What you're seeing is about 10 percent, there are vast changes and they're coming because Israel is now a power to contend with and because collaboration with Israel helps you assure the future of your people, and helps you assure a better future for your people."


upi--2020-02-16--'Sonic' tops the North American box office with $57M

Feb. 16 ( UPI ) -- Family film Sonic the Hedgehog is the No .
1 movie in North America @ @ @ @ @ in receipts in its opening weekend , BoxOfficeMojo.com announced Sunday .
Coming in at No @ @ @ @ @ Prey with $ 17.1 million , which had the top receipts last weekend , followed @ @ @ @ @ .
3 with $ 12.4 million , The Photograph at No .
4 with $ @ @ @ @ @ for Life at No .
5 with $ 11.3 million .
Rounding out the top @ @ @ @ @ .
6 with $ 8 million , Jumanji : The Next Level at No .
@ @ @ @ @ , Parasite at No .
8 with $ 5.5 million , Dolittle at No .
@ @ @ @ @ and Downhill at No .
10 with $ 4.7 million .

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Cast member Ben Schwartz attends a special screening of "Sonic the Hedgehog" in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The movie is No. 1 at the North American box office this weekend. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Family film Sonic the Hedgehog is the No. 1 movie in North America, earning $57 million in receipts in its opening weekend, BoxOfficeMojo.com announced Sunday. Coming in at No. 2 is Birds of Prey with $17.1 million, which had the top receipts last weekend, followed by Fantasy Island at No. 3 with $12.4 million, The Photograph at No. 4 with $12.3 million and Bad Boys for Life at No. 5 with $11.3 million. Advertisement
Rounding out the top tier are 1917 at No. 6 with $8 million, Jumanji: The Next Level at No. 7 with $5.7 million, Parasite at No. 8 with $5.5 million, Dolittle at No. 9 with $5 million and Downhill at No. 10 with $4.7 million.


upi--2020-02-16--Storm Dennis to spread damaging winds into north central Europe

Feb. 16 ( UPI ) -- Following the arrival of damaging winds across Britain , the powerful punch from Storm Dennis will spread south and eastward across northern Europe .
While rain spread across France , Belgium and the Netherland earlier in the weekend , the strongest winds will wait for Sunday in these areas .
`` Winds will be increasing throughout the day on Sunday across Germany , Denmark and southern Sweden , '' said AccuWeather Meteorologist Maura Kelly .
Across this vast area , wind gusts at their peak will reach 50-60 mphbefore the end of the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely along the western-facing coasts of Denmark and Germany , may reach an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 95 mph .
Winds of this magnitude will be capable of disrupting air travel , making it difficult for high-profile vehicles to drive at high speeds .
Dennis will lose some of it 's potency as it moves eastward into the Baltic Sea , but gusty winds are expected across much of the region , and even into far-western Russia into Monday .
In addition to the gusty winds , rain will also follow the core @ @ @ @ @ @ @ east , the largest rainfall totals are most likely in Denmark and southern Sweden .
Rainfall totals are expected to reach around 1-2 inches from northwestern France and the United Kingdom to Denmark and southwestern Scandinavia .
High rainfall amounts are likely along the southwestern coast of Norway as rain continues to fall into the beginning of next week .
Accumulating snow is expected in the higher elevations .
Even without centimeters of rain , wind-whipped rain will reduce visibility for motorists .
The rain coinciding with gusty winds may also help to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to power outages .
The stormy weather across northern Europe looks as though it will continue through the end of February , with no drastic change in the weather pattern .

A boy wades towards a flooded alleyway in Pontypridd, South Wales, Britain, on Sunday after Storm Dennis brought torrential rains, floods and landslides throughout Britain. Photo by Neil Munnis/EPA-EFE
Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Following the arrival of damaging winds across Britain, the powerful punch from Storm Dennis will spread south and eastward across northern Europe. While rain spread across France, Belgium and the Netherland earlier in the weekend, the strongest winds will wait for Sunday in these areas. Advertisement
"Winds will be increasing throughout the day on Sunday across Germany, Denmark and southern Sweden," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Maura Kelly.
Across this vast area, wind gusts at their peak will reach 50-60 mphbefore the end of the day Sunday. A more isolated area, likely along the western-facing coasts of Denmark and Germany, may reach an AccuWeather Local StormMax of 95 mph.
Winds of this magnitude will be capable of disrupting air travel, making it difficult for high-profile vehicles to drive at high speeds.
Dennis will lose some of it's potency as it moves eastward into the Baltic Sea, but gusty winds are expected across much of the region, and even into far-western Russia into Monday.
In addition to the gusty winds, rain will also follow the core of the storm. As Dennis moves east, the largest rainfall totals are most likely in Denmark and southern Sweden.
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Rainfall totals are expected to reach around 1-2 inches from northwestern France and the United Kingdom to Denmark and southwestern Scandinavia.
High rainfall amounts are likely along the southwestern coast of Norway as rain continues to fall into the beginning of next week. Accumulating snow is expected in the higher elevations.
Even without centimeters of rain, wind-whipped rain will reduce visibility for motorists. The rain coinciding with gusty winds may also help to topple trees more easily, and lead to power outages.
The stormy weather across northern Europe looks as though it will continue through the end of February, with no drastic change in the weather pattern.


upi--2020-02-16--Elton John has walking pneumonia, cuts concert short

Feb. 16 ( UPI ) -- Pop music icon Elton John cut short his New Zealand concert Sunday because he is suffering from walking pneumonia .
The BBC said the 72-year-old entertainer lost his voice while performing at Auckland 's Mount Smart Stadium and was emotional his left the stage , although the sold-out crowd gave him a supportive standing ovation .
`` I want to thank everyone who attended the # EltonFarewellTour gig in Auckland tonight .
I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia earlier today , but I was determined to give you the best show humanly possible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played and sang my heart out , until my voice could sing no more .
I 'm disappointed , deeply upset and sorry .
I gave it all I had , '' he added .
`` Thank you so much for your extraordinary support and all the love you showed me during tonight 's performance .
I am eternally grateful , '' John said .
Last Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood , Calif. , he won the Oscar with songwriting partner Bernie Taupin for best original song .
He earlier performed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Again '' from Rocketman .

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Ailing Elton John had to leave his New Zealand concert early on Sunday. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Pop music icon Elton John cut short his New Zealand concert Sunday because he is suffering from walking pneumonia. The BBC said the 72-year-old entertainer lost his voice while performing at Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium and was emotional his left the stage, although the sold-out crowd gave him a supportive standing ovation. Advertisement I want to thank everyone who attended the #EltonFarewellTour gig in Auckland tonight. I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia earlier today, but I was determined to give you the best show humanly possible. pic.twitter.com/5hBSJNqWl1- Elton John (@eltonofficial) February 16, 2020
"I want to thank everyone who attended the #EltonFarewellTour gig in Auckland tonight. I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia earlier today, but I was determined to give you the best show humanly possible," John later tweeted.
"I played and sang my heart out, until my voice could sing no more. I'm disappointed, deeply upset and sorry. I gave it all I had," he added.
"Thank you so much for your extraordinary support and all the love you showed me during tonight's performance. I am eternally grateful," John said.
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Last Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., he won the Oscar with songwriting partner Bernie Taupin for best original song. He earlier performed "I'm Gonna Love Me Again" from Rocketman.


upi--2020-02-16--1 dead, 4 injured in shooting at Connecticut nightclub

Feb. 16 ( UPI ) -- One person was killed and four others were injured in a shooting at a @ @ @ @ @ said Sunday .
Hartford Police wrote on Twitter that a 28-year-old man was killed in @ @ @ @ @ victims , one male and one female , were taken into surgery and the other @ @ @ @ @ stable condition .
Officers had been establishing a `` command presence '' at the nightclub @ @ @ @ @ assaults at the club , and were already outside the venue when the shooting occurred @ @ @ @ @ Cicero said .
Officers called the shooting in at 1:27 a.m. and immediately entered the @ @ @ @ @ actually very beneficial for them being there so quick , '' said Cicero .
Cicero @ @ @ @ @ any suspects in custody .

Feb. 16 (UPI) -- One person was killed and four others were injured in a shooting at a nightclub in Connecticut, police said Sunday.
Hartford Police wrote on Twitter that a 28-year-old man was killed in the shooting, while two victims, one male and one female, were taken into surgery and the other two people injured were in stable condition.
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Officers had been establishing a "command presence" at the nightclub because of previous shootings and assaults at the club, and were already outside the venue when the shooting occurred, Hartford Police Lt. Paul Cicero said.
Officers called the shooting in at 1:27 a.m. and immediately entered the club.
"It was actually very beneficial for them being there so quick," said Cicero.
Cicero added police do not have any suspects in custody.


upi--2020-02-16--Lewis Burton, ITV grieving Caroline Flack's death

Feb. 16 ( UPI ) -- Caroline Flack 's boyfriend Lewis Burton and former employer ITV are grieving the television personality 's death from apparent suicide this weekend .
Flack -- erstwhile host of The X Factor and Love Island -- was found dead in her London home Saturday .
Her family 's lawyer said she took her own life at age 40 , but did not say how .
Burton posted on Instagram a photo of him with Flack in happier times early Sunday .
`` My heart is broken we had something so special .
I am so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much pain I miss you so much I know you felt safe with me you always said I do n't think about anything else when I am with you and I was not allowed to be there this time I kept asking and asking , '' he wrote .
Burton added : `` I will be your voice baby I promise I will ask all the questions you wanted and I will get all the answers nothing will bring you back but I will try make you proud everyday .
I love you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Everybody at Love Island and ITV are shocked and saddened by this desperately sad news .
Caroline was a much-loved member of the Love Island team and our sincere thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends , '' said a message posted on the Love Island Twitter feed .
Flack was scheduled to stand trial for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend in December .
Burton has denied she hurt him and wrote on Instagram at the time of the alleged incident : `` I 'm tired of the lies and abuse aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a witch hunt this is someone 's life .
... Caroline is the most lovely girl .
Loyal and kind .
She does n't deserve any of this . ''

Caroline Flack arrives for the Brit Awards 2019 at the O2 Arena in Greenwich, London on February 20, 2019. Photo by Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA-EFE
View this post on Instagram Feb 15, 2020 at 11:42pm PST My heart is broken we had something so special. I am so lost for words I am in so much pain I miss you so much I know you felt safe with me you always said I don't think about anything else when I am with you and I was not allowed to be there this time I kept asking and asking. I will be your voice baby I promise I will ask all the questions you wanted and I will get all the answers nothing will bring you back but I will try make you proud everyday. I love you with all my heart A post shared by Lewis Burton (@mrlewisburton) on Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Caroline Flack's boyfriend Lewis Burton and former employer ITV are grieving the television personality's death from apparent suicide this weekend. Flack -- erstwhile host of The X Factor and Love Island -- was found dead in her London home Saturday. Advertisement
Her family's lawyer said she took her own life at age 40, but did not say how.
Burton posted on Instagram a photo of him with Flack in happier times early Sunday.
"My heart is broken we had something so special. I am so lost for words I am in so much pain I miss you so much I know you felt safe with me you always said I don't think about anything else when I am with you and I was not allowed to be there this time I kept asking and asking," he wrote.
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Burton added: "I will be your voice baby I promise I will ask all the questions you wanted and I will get all the answers nothing will bring you back but I will try make you proud everyday. I love you with all my heart."
"Everybody at Love Island and ITV are shocked and saddened by this desperately sad news. Caroline was a much-loved member of the Love Island team and our sincere thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends," said a message posted on the Love Island Twitter feed.
Flack was scheduled to stand trial for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend in December.
Burton has denied she hurt him and wrote on Instagram at the time of the alleged incident: "I'm tired of the lies and abuse aimed at my girlfriend. This is not a witch hunt this is someone's life. ... Caroline is the most lovely girl. Loyal and kind. She doesn't deserve any of this."


upi--2020-02-16--Jennifer Hudson wraps Aretha Franklin biopic 'Respect'

Feb. 16 ( UPI ) -- Oscar-winning Dreamgirls star Jennifer Hudson announced on Instagram that she has finished work on @ @ @ @ @ Respect .
`` It is officially a wrap on @ respectmovie wrap it up , @ @ @ @ @ Hudson , 38 , wrote in Saturday 's post .
`` To overwhelmed to get @ @ @ @ @ words ca n't express how grateful I am to be chosen by the queen herself @ @ @ @ @ another dream !
It was my honor , to honor the Queens request !
The @ @ @ @ @ soul # ArethaFranklin # respectMovie @ liesltommy . ''
Liesl Tommy directed the movie , @ @ @ @ @ Marlon Wayans , Audra McDonald and Mary J. Blige .
It is set for theatrical @ @ @ @ @ Known as the Queen of Soul , Franklin reportedly hand-picked Hudson to play her on @ @ @ @ @ in August 2018 at the age of 76 .

Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Oscar-winning Dreamgirls star Jennifer Hudson announced on Instagram that she has finished work on the Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect.
"It is officially a wrap on @respectmovie wrap it up, it's done!" Hudson, 38, wrote in Saturday's post.
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"To overwhelmed to get into it right now but words can't express how grateful I am to be chosen by the queen herself and to live out yet another dream! It was my honor, to honor the Queens request! The one and only Queen of soul #ArethaFranklin #respectMovie @liesltommy."
Liesl Tommy directed the movie, which co-stars Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald and Mary J. Blige. It is set for theatrical release on Aug. 14.
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Known as the Queen of Soul, Franklin reportedly hand-picked Hudson to play her on the screen before she died in August 2018 at the age of 76.